#polygamous is true love

[rosefulmadness]

what in the world made you associate polygamous relationship (ya know, where a group of more than 2 people love each other very much) with being unfaithful or not devoted enough? especially when it's quite literally the opposite? how is loving more than one partner "not devoted enough" or any of that bs?? having so much love that it fills one person and there's so much live left that it gets to fill one more??? if anyone would make so much sense to be poly it would be him.

if a monogamous couple has a child who they love a lot, is that also not faithful enough to their partner then? cause they love somebody else (the child) just as much or more than their partner? see how that logic makes no sense?

your knowledge and views on what polygamory is and means is wrong and lacking to the point it felt a bit hateful. please actually learn what you're talking about before making up an issue in your head and getting all crazy over it

Actually TK supersons are not good, there are many issues with his stories but he already said he not gonna write them seriously just silly stories so I can throw my brain to read it

The point is I heard DC will make Jon has a poly relationship.... if it's true then from now on, the only supersons in the main continuety I supported are TK supersons stories, canon Jon does not exist to me anymore

I'm truly disappointed now

[written-in-flowers]

Be the Light: Pt. 5 (seongjoongxFem!reader)

Pairing: Hongjoong x Seonghwa x Fem!reader | Side pairing(s): Ateez x Fem!reader.

Word count: 5k

Genre: fluff, smut/ AU: historical au, arranged marriage au, polyamorous, royalty au

Summary: YN has spent her entire life in service of Han Sookmyung, Queen of Hanseong. She never dreamed above her station, or that she'd ever be in reach of Sookmyung's concubines, 'The Golden Ones'. But, when secrets are brought to life, her world is turned upside-down.

Warnings: graphic descriptions of violence, heavily referenced torture (briefly), heavily referenced abuse (briefly), heavily referenced sexual abuse (briefly), enslavement, slight gaslighting, lost sibling, political drama, historical drama, joseon!au, concubine!ateez, nsfw content, virgin!reader, polyamory, polygamous, throuple, threesome m/m/f, oral sex (m. and f. receiving/giving), group sex, multiple positions, multiple partners, cunnlingus, vaginal fingering, vaginal sex, virgin sex, virginity discussed.

And a huge, huge thanks to my beta @daesukiii !!! Without them, this wouldn't be as good lol

Taglist: @scarfac3 @tunaasan @lelaleleb @sevngmin148 @meljoongiee @puppyminnnie @sunasmoke22 @kyourixr @yoongiigolden @lynnsqueendom @atinycafe @soocore @ethereally-lyann @blackbutterfly133 @ddaeing @pearlytinyy @iweirdthingsblog @huachengsbestie01 @glintneon123 @watamotee33 @n3atjok3r246 @sousydive @ashrocker123 @baekmond @escape-from-realitys-stuff @yunpointe @Silentcry329 @st4rcig4r @kaaytea @c4tboyxiao @ppprimary

Part 4 < > Part 6

****

They combed the entire palace, but Hongjoong knew they'd never find her. Sookymung lived here her entire life, knowing the secret passages and exits. With her supporters aiding her, she is likely on her way out of the city. Still, Hongjoong and San searched in the northern part of the palace grounds; Yunho and Yeosang searched the west while Jongho and Wooyoung took men to the east. He knew you were safe with Seonghwa in the harem, but he couldn’t help thinking of Sookmyung finding her way in there. Whether it is true or not, Sookmyung will believe you had a hand in this and come for you. She'd told him repeatedly how deeply she trusted you, bordering on being in "love" with you. Hongjoong couldn't stop himself from picturing her sneaking into your chambers, and plunging a knife into you like she'd done to his mother. He couldn't protect her, but he can protect you. 

This fight was far from over. 

By the time they returned to the harem, he found the other conspirators in the main room awaiting him. Jisoo spotted him first. 

"Did you find her?" 

"No," he shook his head. "She must have fled into the city. The city watch is on alert, but they won't find her." He looked at Wonshik, "We were betrayed. You said we had support on our side," he snapped at him angrily, "You said they'd stand with us against her. I don't know if you've noticed, but at least half of them defended Sookmyung instead of arresting her."

"It was the Dukes of Daegu, Gongju, and Ulleungdo who defected," Wonshik said. "I am not surprised by this. They have much to lose if Sookmyung is not on the throne. I should have foreseen this outcome-"

"-Yes, you should have," he looked about the room for you, "Where is YN?" He needed to see you. 

"She's asleep, Your Grace," Chaewon told him. 

"Alone?" His eyebrows raised at this serious oversight. "When Sookmyung is out there?" 

"She's being closely guarded," said Jisoo. 

"By who?"

"Seojoon and Minho-"

"-No," Hongjoong interrupted, "None of Sookmyung’s old guards. Until they have proven their loyalty to their new queen, I do not want any of the old guards overseeing YN." 

"Your Grace," she began, "Seojoon and Minho have proven themselves to be loyal servants to The Crown, not specifically Sookmyung."

"I don't care." He looked to the men behind him. If he should trust any of them, it should be the men who stood at his side. "San, Mingi, I want you to watch over YN."

"Are you-" Mingi began to say, but Hongjoong cut him off. 

"-I am. San, you used to be an army captain. Mingi, you worked for pirate hunters. I trust you both to keep her safe." 

There are so few people he can trust, he realized. Sookmyung knew about this coupe. Someone within their circle whispered their treason, and she gathered people loyal to her. It is the only explanation. She’d known they’d come for her eventually, but you being revealed as her sister distracted her. Even if she does not get her throne back, she will make sure you suffer. Hongjoong saw, watching San and Mingi leave the room, that he cannot simply let anyone be around you. Sookmyung’s allies may have stationed spies within the palace. One of them might even be ordered to kill you. He’d do everything in his power to make sure that never happened.

“What of the lords from Daegu, Gongju and Ulleungdo?” asked Seonghwa. “They’ll likely still be in the palace, if not already in the city.”

“I vote we round whoever remains,” said Advisor Junhan, “And hold them as hostages. We will send word to their families that unless they bend the knee to Queen YN, their children will continue to be imprisoned here.”

“No,” Wonshik disagreed, “If we do such a thing, we are no better than Sookmyung. We must continue searching for her.”

“But how?” asked Seonghwa. “We don’t have the men to spare for such a search. Besides, a whole host of men is a lot harder to hide.”

“I will write to Changbin,” Jisoo suggested. “He has plenty of connections and people to send about the kingdom for us.”

“Can they be trusted to not speak if captured?” asked Advisor Heechul. “Sookmyung’s methods of interrogation are horrendous. She may discover all she needs to know if she apprehends one of them.”

“They won’t talk,” said Hongjoong quietly. He thought of Naeun, who remained loyal until the very end. “Sookmyung tortured Naeun for hours, and she never said a word. Send word to Changbin,” he told Jisoo, “And tell him to plant his spies in the courts of Daegu, Gongju, and Ulleungdo. If Sookmyung is anywhere near those places, they might find out where.”

“Sookmyung will not make this an easy task,” noted Advisor Junhan. “I personally trained her in combat and martial arts. She is an excellent strategist-”

“-No, she is not,” argued Hongjoong. “She’s built her reputation as a great war strategist on lies and fear. It does not take military know-how to storm a castle and put it to the torch. Sookmyung only succeeded in war because she had advisors much more talented and knowledgeable than herself. Her conquest succeeded because she killed anybody who could possibly oppose her in the future, and installed people loyal to her in their place. That won’t happen again.”

“And what makes you so sure of this?” asked Wonshik, not challenging but curious.

“Because we’re on equal footing this time,” he told him. "She won’t have the support she had before. She's going to be outnumbered and surrounded.” If he's lucky, Sookmyung’s paranoia will cause her to lash out and behave rashly. 

“And she’ll have you to contend with now,” added Seonghwa with a small grin.

“Forgive me, Your Grace,” interjected Advisor Junhan, “But you were a concubine for several years. I don’t think the people will-”

“-Hongjoong is the King of Wonju,” Seonghwa snapped. “He is the person the resistance wanted to lead them. He is a skilled swordsman, marksman, horse rider, and combat strategist. He knows Sookmyung just as well as anyone else in this room. If anybody could lead our armies to victory, it would be Hongjoong.”

“Us being her sex slaves will only endear us to the people more.”

It was Yunho who’d spoken. He stepped out from the shadowy doorway, pensive and serious. The healer. The physician. Yunho spent the past eight years personally attending to Sookmyung and her “flowers”. He’d also been the most kind-hearted of them all.

“Everything we know about Sookmyung is not a fact in the kingdom,” he continued. “Those who have witnessed her cruelty only saw a percentage of it. When word reaches the masses that everything they’ve ever heard about her is true, as possibly worse than they believed, they won’t be so hasty to follow her. Just because the dukes who betrayed us side with her does not mean their bannermen or lords under their rule will.”

“Are you suggesting we let the truth come out?”

“Why not? By morning, everyone will know YN is her sister and will be crowned the new queen soon. I think it will do well to tarnish Sookmyung’s reputation a bit further.”

“We could also let it be released that Sookmyung forced YN to participate in her wrongdoings,” Yeosang said from his window perch nearby. “It may cause them to sympathize with her.”

“YN will need all the support she can gather,” said Jisoo. “Sookmyung may have military strength, but the support of the people is a powerful thing. If they see YN is someone they can rally around, they will stand with her.”

Yes, they will. Hongjoong knew the people of Wonju will follow him, and if you’re his wife and he’s your king consort, they will follow you too.

“We must coronate YN as soon as possible,” insisted Wonshik. “The sooner we have a crown on her head and official documents in place, the sooner we can gain support.”

“And when do you suggest we do this, Wonshik?” asked Hongjoong with a challenge in his voice. “Tomorrow morning? We cannot stage a coronation in a day. Besides, a public event might put YN in harm’s way. No, it is too soon.”

“YN must be given time to take in all of this,” Chaewon said from behind Jisoo. “If I may, Your Grace, suggest that we take a small grace period in the meantime? The council can set coronation plans and we can focus on other matters.”

“Other matters?” questioned Hongjoong. 

“There is also another event that needs attention,” Jisoo answered. “Your marriage.”

“I would rather we focus our efforts on Sookmyung-” he began, but she intervened.

“A marriage between Hanseong and Wonju will be the distraction we need to buy us time.”

“And an opportunity for her to strike,” he retorted. “I do not want YN anywhere that Sookmyung could reach her.”

“And neither do we,” she said. “The wedding will be held in the palace behind closed doors and heavily guarded, if that pleases you.”

He thought for a moment, then said, “Let us put this to rest for now. I’d like to discuss this further with YN present.”

You likely do not even know about the arrangement. He knew you'd gone through enough for one night, and he wouldn't make it worse. The council, Queen Jisoo and Chaewon left the harem at his dismissal, bowing to him before making their exit. It felt odd having people bow to him. There'd been a time in his life where everybody knew when he was entering or leaving a room. But, they hadn't done that for years. It would be another thing he must get used to again. 

He turned to look at the men left in the room: Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, Wooyoung, San, and Jongho. He noticed they each held their veils in their hands. His hands clenched into fists whenever he wore the golden veil, which became a symbol of enslavement. He'd removed the red headband she'd given to single him out from the rest; a token of her affection, she’d claimed. Hongjoong knew better. Hongjoong withdrew the veil tucked into a pocket, and walked over to a nearby brazier. Hongjoong examined the long, sheer material dotted in gold and silver pieces. He remembered when Sookmyung gave it to him. 

"You're mine now," he said to himself, recalling that moment in her tent. "And everyone will know it." 

Hongjoong thought of his dead mother, laying lifeless and bloody on the floor of their family room. Sookmyung told him if his men laid down their arms, she'd spare his mother and siblings. She didn't. She cut them down without hesitation. Hongjoong's heart ached in his chest, and he breathed deeply. Sookmyung took everything from him: his family, his life, and his dignity. He replayed every awful moment in his mind, and swallowed back his tears. Running his thumb over the smooth jewels, taking in their shape and size, he realized he'd never wear this again. Even if somehow they lost, and she reclaimed her throne, he'd rather die than be her slave. He'll never wear this veil or this headband again. Angrily, Hongjoong threw the two articles into the fire. Standing by the fire, he watched the silk start to singe at the edges. The veil's mesh material began curling outward in certain parts. It felt cleansing, standing beside the burning coals and watching his chains melt. He is his own person. 

Then another veil joined the fire. Then another, another, and another. Soon, all eight veils burned in the fire. Hongjoong glanced up to see tears welled up in Yeosang and Yunho's eyes, while Jongho and Seonghwa remained as stoic as himself. They're free now. They might not know what their futures hold, but they are their own men again. 

"We will not be slaves again," he promised them, gulping the lump in his throat. "I swear it."

He felt a hand grab his gently, long fingers sliding between his own. Hongjoong looked to see tears escaping Seonghwa's lashes, falling down his cheeks to his sharp jawline. He couldn't help wiping them away with his sleeve. 

"You'll never wear those masks again," he told him. 

"I'd die first," said Jongho stiffly, gazing into the fire with watery eyes. "I'll slit my own throat before being her property again."

"Do not say such insane things," Yeosang frowned, taking his hand in his own. 

"The only throat I want to slit is hers," Wooyoung said through gritted teeth, hands curling into fists at his sides. "She's hurt too many people to stay alive. She's too dangerous." He looked up at Hongjoong, "We have to win, we must stop her."

"We will," he assured him, unable to stop his own tears now. 

He stared at them as they cried in the flames. Hongjoong vowed to succeed. 

They must succeed. 

****

Waking up the next morning felt surreal. You thought you might be lying somewhere between reality and sleep before you sensed a presence near your bed. Panic immediately struck you, and you clutched the sheets around you. The image of Sookmyung standing over your bed, eyes blazing with fury and holding a long knife made you tremble. You knew they wouldn't find her. Sookmyung always got her way, regardless of who she killed to get it. A thousand pleas for mercy bundled in your throat, and you screamed when you felt a hand touch your shoulder. 

"Your Majesty, your Majesty!" a soft, gentle voice said over your panicked screams. You swatted at the figure, eyes closed to avoid meeting her eyes. 

"Get away! Get away!" you cried, your heart pounding in your ears as the person managed to grab hold of your arms. 

Then you felt somebody else at your opposite side, and you moved away from them. It took several minutes to register the white hanboks and the worried expressions of Sookmyung's former handmaidens. Aro, Saehee, Boram, and Dasom stood all around the bed, a bit frightened but mostly concerned. You never realized how similar the women looked. Short and skinny, Sookmyung made them wear their hair in long braids with the red colored daeng'gi at the end. In their pure white hanbok, they became almost indistinguishable. Sookmyung did this on purpose. Not only would she stand out against their white backdrop, but also stand taller and therefore appear more intimidating. Heat filled your cheeks, and you tucked a piece of hair behind your head, feeling embarrassed. 

"Forgive me," you coughed, sitting up properly and covering your chest. "I...I didn't..."

"It's alright, Your Majesty," soothed Saehee. The eldest of the four, you often put her in charge of managing the other handmaidens in your absence. She sat beside you, taking your clammy hand in hers, "It's only us here. Nobody is going to hurt you."

"We wanted to see you," admitted Aro. Only fourteen-years-old, you'd spent a good amount of time training her to serve Sookmyung, but she still made mistakes as children do. Something Sookmyung did not forgive easily. "We heard what happened yesterday, and wanted to see if you were alright."

"I had breakfast brought for you," Boram told you, taking a seat on the bed. "You hadn't eaten properly since yesterday, and I knew you'd be hungry." Boram, always considerate and motherly in that sense. Due to her close relationship with the chef's son and her culinary knowledge, you let her handle Sookmyung's meals. 

You supposed she'd be preparing your meals now. 

“Did you know Mingi and San are outside your door?" whispered Dosam, who crawled onto the bed close to you. "I think they've been there all night." Dosam, while sweet, never hesitated to indulge in gossip. You knew Sookmyung often used her as a spy in the servant's quarters, but Dosam usually lied or told a half-truth. "They almost didn't let us in until we said Queen Jisoo ordered us to come here."

"It's like they didn't trust us!" huffed Boram, arms crossed. "What did they think we'd do? Strangle you?"

"I'm sure they meant no offense, Boram," you assured her. "They're only being cautious." You looked at Dosam, "Did they find her?"

They all shook their heads, and dread filled your stomach. Sookmyung was likely already out of the city, plotting your death as you sit there. You hugged your sheets around your torso, and shuddered. She knew all the passageways into the palace, and you're sure her allies across the city would help her. She could come at any moment, drag you into the dungeon, and torture you to death. The phantom sensation of nails being pulled from your fingers or needles pierced into your skin one by one sickened you. She'd delight in throwing you into The Box, since your discomfort of it amused her. The possibility caused you to flinch at Saehee's touch again.

"But you're safe here," she insisted, rubbing your back gently, "Hongjoong will make sure you're safe."

"Hongjoong?"

"Yes, he's been working closely with the advisors and Queen Jisoo," said Dosam. "I saw him with the Queen when she summoned us to her apartments. They looked like they were having a pretty serious conversation if you ask me.”

"Was my mother there?"

The women paused for a moment. "Which one?" asked Boram, cautiously. 

You then remembered the most shocking part of the whole evening. All the confusion from the previous night returned, and added itself into the anxiousness rolling in your stomach. Queen Jisoo and King Siwon were your birth parents. They'd given you to their servants to keep a succession dispute. They'd done it in vain, since it is happening regardless of their efforts. You tried thinking of happy moments you had with the king and queen, but you only saw your mother and father when you did. Chaewon sang you lullabies whenever you had nightmares. Hyungshik always brought you pretty flowers or stones he'd found while tending to the gardens. They made sure you always ate well, and kept up with your studies. You knew you could turn to them in uncertain times. You didn't feel that way with Queen Jisoo, even if she was always kind and considerate of you. 

"My mother," you repeated a bit more firmly. "Park Chaewon." 

"She's with the queen," said Saehee. 

"She was sitting with her and Hongjoong," Dosam told you. 

"Did you hear what they were talking about?" asked Aro. 

"No," she shook her head. "They stopped talking when I entered the room." You then saw the wayward glance she gave, "But I did hear them at the door."

"What did you hear?" you asked her, somewhat nervous to hear the answer. 

Dosam did not answer right away. You recognized her hesitancy, since it was the same cower she'd give Sookmyung. She closed her eyes as if forced to say it, "They were talking about you marrying Hongjoong!"

Everyone on the bed gasped. You sat frozen in place, your brain trying to comprehend what she'd said. For a moment, you worried you may have heard her wrong. "What?" 

"I heard Queen Jisoo say that a marriage between Wonju and Hanseong will be good for the future," she said hurriedly, "And that together you and Hongjoong can rebuild the kingdom." 

"What? No...No, there's no way she's honestly considering..."

Hongjoong belonged to Sookmyung. He is her favorite flower, her most prized possession. If you married him, whatever plans she had will become especially heinous. Hongjoong's face came to the forefront of your mind. You thought about your conversation with him during the party. He'd told you that you worried so much about others, and rarely yourself. He'd said it in an amused tone, almost as if he found it cute. Hongjoong possibly thinking of you in any capacity outside of formality made your insides churn. You supposed a marriage between you made sense on paper, since he is a prince of Wonju and you're now a queen. But, thinking of marrying Hongjoong made your cheeks burn. 

"He is handsome," Saehee noted, "And tender-hearted. I think he will make a fine husband."

"And he's a prince!" added Aro. "Now that Sookmyung isn't around, he can be a prince again."

"He's a king," Saehee corrected her. "His family is dead, right? That means he's King of Wonju now." 

"Do you think you'll be his queen consort?" she asked you, bright eyed. 

"Maybe," you shrugged. "I'm meant to be the Queen of Hanseong. I don't think we can both marry if we have separate thrones. Who will look over Wonju, if Hongjoong is far away?"

“They can find somebody," Saehee said. "You never know. Perhaps he has a cousin or distant relative somewhere who can handle Wonju for him?"

"Perhaps."

Marrying Hongjoong was meant to be a fantasy of yours. Thinking about being his wife, his closest friend, and confidant was supposed to remain in your head. You'd do your best to avoid looking at or talking to him because you know if you did, you'd fall deeper in love with him. It's similar to your feelings for Seonghwa, who showed you gentleness and reassurance last night. You knew showing too much attention towards them would upset Sookmyung. With her out of way, and word of a possible marriage in the air, the possibilities felt endless. 

“Let us get you dressed,” concluded Saehee. “The Queen wishes to speak with you.”

“I can dress myself, Saehee,” you told her, wrapping yourself in the sheets and fixing your hair from your face. “It’s not necessary.”

“You’re going to be The Queen,” she said. “A queen always has handmaidens.”

“Unless…” Aro fiddled with the ribbon in her hair, “You wish to dismiss us?”

You saw the uncertainty show on their faces. None of them looked directly at you, and you frowned. 

“Of course, I wouldn’t dismiss any of you,” you implored. “Why would I do such a thing? We have gone through so much together, and I care about each of you deeply.”

“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “You might not wish to have a stupid cry baby as you handmaiden,” she sniffled, and you saw her eyes water. “I’m always so clumsy and-”

“-And when have I shown annoyance at that?” you asked her gently. “When?”

“Never,” she sniffed. “You’re always so kind and patient with me.”

“I’m not a virgin!” Boram blurted out. When you all whipped your heads to her, she winced. “I’m not. I have not been for a long time. I knew the punishment for that, so I never said anything, but I am now. Vernon and I are in love,” she said to you in particular, “And he wants to marry me. I hope that it won’t upset or displease you.” 

“Not at all,” you told her, taking her hand in your own. “You are not my property. All of you are free to love and marry freely.” You stood up from the bed, standing straight as you said, “My first order to all of you is to live as you wish. You are all going to remain my handmaidens, but you can do what you please outside of your duties. Wear whatever hanbok you like. Wear your hair however you wish. You belong to yourselves, not me.” 

Their smiles lifted your spirits. You picked at the breakfast Boram placed in front of you while she and Dosam prepared a bath nearby. As good as it tasted, you found it hard to enjoy the food. Sookmyung slowly crept her way back into your mind, and you couldn’t stop yourself from thinking of her. Where did she go when she ran from the city guards? Who housed her right now? Did they know she liked to eat before she bathed? That she liked her soup piping hot, and her rice cooked to the perfect softness? You pitied whoever they put in charge of attending her. The poor girl won’t know the danger until it comes. You thought of the serving girl from a few nights ago who’d accidentally spilled wine. The girl lived, but you remember the long lashes on her bare skin and her painful sobs. Sookmyung found pleasure in her pain, but you did not. 

“Your Majesty,” Saehee appeared from the hall with a long box and you immediately shook your head.

“-No, I won’t wear that,” you stopped her. “I won���t wear anything that’s hers.” It sounded almost like bringing yourself bad luck. 

“This isn’t hers,” the woman insisted. “Queen Jisoo said she had some of her old hanboks stored away, and she thought you may like this one.”

“Oh…” 

You watched her remove the top lid as you finished your breakfast. Red with gold cranes circled on the shoulders, several royal seals were painted into the long draped sleeves. The royal dragon emblem was part of the sash over the top coat; pond scenes with cranes and flowers painted along the stripes down the skirt. You recognized it at once. Queen Jisoo wore it at the last royal event she attended before King Siwon’s passing. She’d look regal and elegant. You spotted the same floral pins she’d worn in her hair that day, tucked into the braided bun at the nape of her neck. 

“She wants me to wear this?” you asked, reaching forward to touch the soft satin fabric. 

“Yes,” she nodded. “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?”

She’d chosen this one for a reason. If there’s anyone you should be emulating, it should be The Peoples’ Queen, Queen Han Jisoo. You left the bed for the bath, sinking into the warm water and beginning to scrub yourself. Dosam moved to take the sponge from you, but you held it from her. 

“I can bathe myself, Dosam,” you told her with a soft giggle. 

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

The words sounded weird when directed at you. You enjoyed the jasmine scented water as you contemplated the day. People everywhere must know the truth by now. What would things be like when you left the safety of this room? You finished your bath quickly, though you knew you could’ve taken as long as you wanted, and began drying and dressing yourself. Before you could pick up the undergarment layers, Saehee snatched it first. 

“Let us at least dress you,” she said. “You’re a queen now. It’s considered an honor to attend to royalty.”

Was it? You certainly never felt honored when you dressed Sookmyung. Still, you allowed the four women to dress you. With each piece they slid onto you, you felt yourself slowly melting away. You’d never worn such finery before, and wearing the eoyeo meori felt different. Slowly, YN the Handmaiden became YN the Queen, and you didn’t know if you liked the queen yet. Sitting in front of the long mirror, looking yourself over as Dosam finished applying lip paint, you realize this is something you’ll be doing every morning. It didn’t matter if you wanted this or not. You must go through with this now, or otherwise all the effort put into it will be in vain. 

“You look magnificent,” smiled Aro, who stood aside to look at you. “Hongjoong won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

“I don’t look like myself,” you touched the smooth skirt between your fingers. “I don’t feel like myself.”

“It’ll take some adjustment, I expect,” assured Saehee. “But, a nice hanbok and a wig doesn’t mean you’re not still YN. You’re YN with a title, that’s all.”

You didn’t know how to explain that it’s more than that. Your sole responsibilities used to only be the handmaidens and Sookmyung. As a queen, everyone in the kingdom is your responsibility. How can you possibly accommodate and please so many people? Particularly people once ruled over by fear and anguish. You liked to think you had your mother, the advisors and Jisoo helping you. They wouldn’t allow you to fail. 

“Think of all the good things you can do now that you’re queen,” Aro said, smiling. “You can help so many people.”

You knew she meant well, but that only filled you with more dread. 

“And you’ll have Hongjoong beside you,” Dosam smirked, “He’s quite fond of you. I don’t think he’d let you fail.”

‘Fond of you’. Was he? Yes, Hongjoong made kind passive gestures towards you before, but nothing indicating ‘fondness’. As they led you out of your dressing room, you couldn’t imagine Hongjoong being ‘fond’ of you. Every time you thought of his soft giggle or the crinkle of his eyes, Sookmyung's face came up right behind it. You thought of his lips lightly brushing against yours, one hand holding your hand and the other around your waist. He’d taste like mint and smell of cinnamon, a combination that would unravel you in seconds, melting any guard you may have up around him. Hongjoong and you may have not spoken often, yet you could not help imagining that fondness being present. 

“Good morning, Your Majesty.”

Seonghwa stood in the main room of the harem with San and Mingi. Yeosang, Yunho, Wooyoung and Jongho all sat around, enjoying a light breakfast spread put out for them. They all stood from their seats when you entered, and you immediately remembered you’d fallen asleep in the harem. Embarrassment filled your cheeks, and you did your best not to look away. 

“I’d ask if you slept well,” he said, “But I’m afraid not many of us did.”

“I slept well,” you replied. You felt his eyes taking in every inch of your face, and this did not stop the daydreams from expanding further. Seonghwa and Hongjoong. Sookmyung could have two lovers. Why couldn’t you? “Thank you. I assume it was my mother who asked you to keep watch over me?”

“In fact, it was Hongjoong who insisted we keep you here,” he answered, “I only seconded it.” He approached you, “They’re waiting for you in Queen Jisoo’s residence. San and Mingi are sleeping off their guard duty, but Wooyoung, Yunho and myself will walk you there.” 

“What about the other palace guards?” 

“Hongjoong said he wasn’t comfortable with any of Sookmyung’s old guards watching over you,” he said. “We’ll be watching over you until you’ve chosen a suitable guard for yourself.”

“Does that displease you, Your Majesty?” 

Wooyoung asked this with worry in his voice. You stared at him for a moment. His slim build made it easy for him to slip between trees and scurry through dense bushes like a shadow. You remembered Sookmyung complaining about how he can be so loud, but still able to pass through unnoticed. It’d taken them a week to find him when he’d escaped camp during the war. He’d also been the hardest for Sookmyung to break. 

“Not at all, Wooyoung,” you answered him honestly. “I don’t believe I’d feel comfortable around anyone who pledged allegiance to Sookmyung, to be truthful.” 

You then noticed the most obvious thing about the men: they did not wear their veils. They’d rid themselves of their shackles, and you smiled softly at them. “Shall we go now?” you asked, taking a timid step forward, “I don’t wish to keep my mother or The Queen waiting any longer.”

“Of course, when you wish, Your Majesty.”

Right. You’re meant to lead. Taking another step, you kept putting one foot in front of the other as the group followed you outside. Yunho and Wooyoung walked ahead, wearing swords at their sides and no longer hiding their faces behind veils. Your handmaidens flanked you, keeping their heads down, while Seonghwa came into step beside you. 

“May I accompany you there, Your Majesty?” he asked. 

“Yes,” you nodded. “It’s still so odd.”

“What is?”

“To be called ‘Your Majesty’,” you said. “It feels…wrong. It doesn’t suit me.”

“You’re the queen. It’s your title.”

“I still don’t know if I like it.”

“Then, what do you wish to be called?” he asked, “Give me a title and I’ll gladly call you by it.” 

You gave it a thought, “Hm, I don’t know.”

“Alright, ‘I-Don’t-Know’,” he smirked, giving you an amused smile. 

You laughed at his joke, some of the tension inside you deflating as you reached the harem entrance. The world felt different to you, but you weren’t sure how. You thought you might have woken up in a dream, and you’ll wake up any moment. 

“I imagine it will take a while to adjust,” he said when you reached the palanquin. “A lot has changed overnight, and it must be a lot to take in for you.”

“It is,” you admitted with a sigh. You anxiously picked at the inside of your sleeve, standing in front of the palanquin. It wasn’t Sookmyung’s palanquin. Hers had been larger. “Hongjoong is with my mother?”

“He is,” he nodded. “He went ahead with her to talk to the advisors and discuss our next move. I’m sure they’ll inform you once you arrive.” 

He let you climb into the palanquin first, then followed you in. Being in a close, intimate space with Seonghwa put you on edge. Light whiffs of sandalwood came from his clothes, which you came to enjoy very quickly. Once the footmen began moving towards the queen’s residency, you spoke. 

“Has he slept at all?” 

“A bit,” he said. “As I said, not all of us slept very well. The guards are still combing the city for Sookmyung, and word about last night is beginning to spread outside the capital. I imagine everyone will know about you, Sookmyung, and the throne by week’s end.” When saw the anxiousness in your face, he added, “I’m sorry this has happened so quickly, YN, and that you’re not being given sufficient time to adjust. It isn’t fair to anyone, but most of all you.” 

“Thank you, Seonghwa,” you gave a soft smile, trying not to notice his round eyes gazing so intently at you. “Thank you for being here.”

“You’re my queen now,” he grinned, “I will be wherever you wish me to be.”

You smiled for a moment, before it instantly faded. “What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned. “Did I say something to offend you?”

“No, no, forgive me. It’s not you,” you insisted. “It’s…” you sighed, “Even with her gone, I still see you as hers. She kept you at such a far distance that it’s almost as if she still owns you.”

“She doesn’t,” he said firmly. “And she doesn’t own you either. We are our own people now. We can be whoever we choose to be,” he then added, “And be with whoever we wish.” 

You bit your inner cheek to keep from smiling.

*****

A/N: I'm super sorry I kept everyone waiting so long in between chapters! My mental health, work, and life things really just kept me from really focusing on a single project at a time. I hope this chapter makes up for it! <3

[dangermousie]

Something that struck me extra on this LLTG rewatch - how subtle yet unmistakable the narrative is about the fact that being sheltered and spoiled as a woman is a recipe for disaster.

NN, ill-educated STEM feral child, gets how important marriage partner choice is more than all the rest of them, properly brought up in womanly virtues.

No, I don't mean she yearns for true love (she gets it, eventually, but that is not what she hopes or looks for) - but what she gets and a lot of the rest of the young women we see do not, is that you want a husband you can like and get along with, who can let you be yourself (and who is also acceptable socially because she's pragmatic.)

That is why her first choice, until it's OBE, is Yao - he's sweet and he's a friend and she knows she'd be the boss in that marriage. All the ladies in the capital swoon for Ling Buyi but she is never consciously swayed. She doesn't realize he likes her and she's not someone to build fantasies/pine for someone she can't have (in a way, knowing the man likes her is a necessary precondition for her to be even able to open her heart - she's spent too much of her childhood fruitlessly yearning for familial love to want to repeat that in her marriage.) Yao openly adores her so this allows her to consider him as a partner (that is why Scholar dude never had a chance btw, his courtship style is negging and NN is the last person that would work for.)

In fact, even after she knows Ling Buyi likes her, she is NOT excited to marry him because she doesn't want someone too high a status compared to her and someone as strong-willed as him because what she sees, and a lot of the rest of women looking for husbands in this story do not, that if there is a huge status disparity and a man is used to getting his own way, there is a risk of having yourself subsumed. A lot of the latter half is the two awkward, scarred by various trauma young people navigating boundaries of their relationship and what is OK for them and what is not (Ling Buyi IS used to barking orders, NN is overly defensive about even the slightest suggestions - they eventually meet in the middle and it's lovely but it's even more lovely that the drama shows it takes work and conversations and compromises.)

The thing that she gets, perhaps because she's a pragmatic survivor, is how the choice of a husband is the most important thing for a woman in that society. Her life fully depends on that, even more than of e.g., an Austen heroine, because in addition to those hurdles, this is a polygamous society (so how many other women brought in and how husband treats the legal wife versus concubines etc also is an issue) AND a society where if your husband goes down, you and your kids will be executed/enslaved along with him. We see how badly wrong marriages can go - Yao's eventual wife's first marriage is a great example, where she marries a man who abuses her and kills her family. Or even that one woman who marries a general who dotes on her and is a great husband, but commits treason and is executed (and she's only spared by the grace of the emperor.)

And the fact that all those women swoon for Ling Buyi and want to marry him SHOWS how the sheltered/spoiled thing has fucked them up. Remember princess whatever? She is dead set on marrying Ling Buyi and it's insane to me. Yes, he's good-looking and quasi-son of the emperor who dotes on him (since it's safe to do so, he's outside the dynastic fight) but that's great for about three minutes and boasting at parties. She is so sheltered from reality, she does not think what it would be like to be married to him. I don't mean his revenge quest since nobody knows. I mean if he was exactly who he appears with no other goals. Ling Buyi dislikes her and makes it known. He's rude to her (he's rude in general. Hell, he's rude to his parental family, openly! And emperor lets him get away with it), he clearly looks down on her and at a couple of points he genuinely threatens her and her family with murder. He's not charming or gentle or considerate. THIS IS NOT A MAN YOU WANT TO MARRY OMG!!! It has clearly not occurred to her to think past being carried into this house, envy of all her girlfriends - day in, day out with a rude, violent man who is the emperor's favorite (so you can't really seek help from your family if he doesn't treat you well), who dislikes you and who is entitled to take other wives.

Anyway, I love NN and her pragmatic mind and that she makes Ling Buyi EARN her consent and her loyalty and her love. (But then she is ride or die for him, isn't she?)

[bts5sosempire]

the tyrant (vii)

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: sukuna ryomen x reader 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 4,101 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭: old time period, mention of arranged marriage, polygamous marriages, slow-burn yandere, power imbalances, peer pressure, political, mentions of infertility, infant death, etc. 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:  "you were the apple of Sukuna’s eyes, the one who brought him solace and everything. The only thing you were incapable of was giving him a child, an heir he wished to spoil like he did to you." 𝐚/𝐧: know y'all been waiting for this, got writer's block mid way too. Been seeing y'all wondering who got sacrifice too, and it shall be reveal 🤭. Thank you for all the support, lovely comments, and engagements too, it was fun seeing your guys reaction. Please like ❤️, comment in the "comment" section for tagging 📝, and reblogged too if you wish. Have a nice day lovelies! 💖

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

The moment you fell was the moment you couldn't tell if you were alive or not; your whole body was numb for a second then it was blown hot like a furnace in pain. Yumi searched for help as Asuna was cradling you in her arms; you were fine just seconds ago. You couldn't move your body; it weighs like lead. The heavy pressure on your abdomen, especially where your womb lays, was excruciating. Everything inside there felt like it was being cut open and rearranged.

What's happening to you?

"Grab her and take her to her room! Bring a physician and fetch a pail along with a towel!" Uraume shouts, and everyone rushes. Even the slightest movement hurts you as you let out a low disgruntled moan when being lifted away by a guard. Asuna stood up, but Uraume raised a hand to stop her. "It would be best to retire to your chamber for the evening; what just occurred might affect heir Danzo."

"Will she be alright?" Asuna was concerned for your well-being.

"I don't know for sure," Uraume curtly told her. They don't; they were tasked to keep an eye on you. If Sukuna learns that you have fallen, Uraume will get reprimanded for failing to do something so simple.

[another side of the castle]

A maid checked up on their Mistress' baby to ensure they slept correctly and were warm. It was quiet when the maid arrived; they peered into the crib; the baby should be up and crying for its feeding time or at least coo. But it still slept peacefully. What threw them off was the child's complexion, pale and unearthly, like it was dead. They feared for the worst and curled a finger and set it underneath the baby's nose, and there wasn't a single breath when she waited for another few seconds.

"Mistress! The baby isn't breathing!" They shout and take the infant from the crib and huddle them into their chest.

[your bedroom]

Your servants set out your futon for you and usher to cool you before you even make it to bed. All the men in the room were escorted out. Your women retainers remained by your side and stripped you until nothing remained. They brought damp, wet, cold cloths to wipe away your sweats and set one on your forehead; Uraume remained outside your door. They were waiting patiently for the physician to arrive.

Uraume overlapped their arms one over the other and could hear the commotion on the other side.

[shaman's place]

"It is done," the shaman said; there was a quirked smile on their lips, "I reckoned you to take care of your wife, for this will be with pain." This time it was Sukuna's turn to throw a disparity watch, and the shaman had to reassure the man sitting across from him that is ready to strike him down. "Please don't be alarmed; what I mean is nothing comes free. What's taken is given, and this is a painful process, considering we're doing years of reversing any damages it might have caused her in an instant."

"What can you prove to me that this is true but not a hoax?" Sukuna inquiries and the shaman only laugh at those words.

"You did say 'yes' without doubt or conviction, did you not? Or did you only say the answer was out of sheer desperation and to test me?" Sukuna remains unmoving and unanswered, which confirms the shaman, "I can promise you I am the real deal; if you don't trust me, you can come back and slay me."

"By the time I get here, you'll be gone." The pink hair man pointed out, and the shaman could only throw their hand up and dismiss it with a wave on the side.

"I already accumulated too much bad karma, so meeting and being ended by you would be my fortune or not, by the fate above." Looking at Sukuna, he remains the same. What a tough nut to crack. "Each time I do a terrible deed, it will add to my bad points, and I will also take the other person's evil act with me. The reason why I am doing this is also a counteract those evil deeds as they can turn into good karmic until the day I die since I was willing."

So this man is playing a God and a Saint? How funny. Even though Sukuna was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, "Then, I'll take your word."

"That's all I'm asking for," the shaman grins.

Sukuna entered his apparel and threw three satchels of yen onto the table. "For your service." He gets off the ground and exits the building to return home.

The shaman waits and patiently listens until he can't hear Sukuna or his horse anymore. They took the cup Sukuna had drunk and looked at the leftover tea leaves inside. Every person who came to him; he made them drink a brewery that could determine either their or another's fate. What he didn't tell Sukuna was that it was for you since you're the primary target. The shaman only needs a connection, and Sukuna is perfect for that.

Studying the inside, this was a rare message.

Divine Retribution has intervened.

Whoever has wronged you got the message of the heavens from above. The shaman wasn't the one who directly took and gave it this time. They had happened to open the door simply for something else to do it for him. It was nothing but a coincidence.

°

The ride took a few hours to get back to, and once he made it back to his Castle ground, no one dared to look at him. Everyone was afraid, and Sukuna could feel the thick tension. "What is happening?" He got off of his steed and handed the reins to someone else.

"Your Lordship, Lady (Name) has suddenly fallen ill; her temperature kept rising, and we had managed to calm it down..." The mere mention of you had Sukuna almost bolting toward your chamber in haste, but the servant had another thing to say as they took a deep breath. "T-There is something else too, Your Lordship, Concubine Sena, and your child have passed away in their sleep."

Sukuna paused in his step, and the silence was deafening; the servant was ready to be slain, but they couldn't believe what came out of their Master's mouth next. "I see." The answer was curt and cold. Not even in their life could they stomach their master attitude of brushing the death of their child away that quickly again. Especially when this isn't the first death of Sukuna's child, they thought their master would at least acknowledge or show panic on their face for maybe once. They knew he was heartless, but to this degree, he was considered a monstrosity.

Sukuna: "Anything else you have to say?"

"No." Sukuna, rush off to your location.

[Hanami's room]

The news of one of her grandchildren passing away again was a surprise, considering this was Sena's second child, and it took her a while to conceive. Hanami wondered if this woman was just unlucky to lose both children. Sena lost her first child at three months of infancy, about two years ago, and now lost another that's only a month old, a few weeks shy away from being two.

Maybe the stigma of the Hanamiya's women was true. If she wasn't able to preserve life, then how could she keep her position? Sena's road could only end here.

But then her thoughts traveled to you; you fell into a fever haze not long before the death of Sena's child.

[your room]

Sukuna made their way inside and sat down next to you. You were slick in sweat, lips pale, and breath ragged. "You are all dismissed." Everyone single file out of the room and wait outside until further notice. The windows to your room are open as breezy airbrushes by and flutters a few of your things around. Your shoulders peak out from under the covers, and Sukuna grabs the basin and wet towel; he squeezes the excess out and cleans around your neck first and then any exposed skin.

You look peaceful but are in pain. Sukuna thought the shaman was drolling around, yet it was happening. Sukuna, once again, was a man who valued logic and statistics, not a man run by emotions or the whims of it; he even hardly believed in things tied to fate. This triumph his way views of superstitions and their forces by a fraction.

As a self-serving man, he got a taste of it.

"Bring in the physician." Sukuna summon.

°

"Surely, I thought you and the shaman claimed to be a sham, but it seems true," Sukuna said from across the room; he took a calligraphy brush and wrote a banknote. "What will happen to her now?" He picks up the note and gives it to the doctor, who hesitantly accepts it. They know this is nothing but hush money. The doctor looked at the amount; their mouth fell open a wide gape. "That's enough to start your clinic, no?"

They stutter to answer Sukuna, "No, this is fine, My Lord!" Throwing their body to the ground, the physician bowed shallowly until their forehead touched their fingers out of bursting respect. "Lady (Name) will be fine, considering your request was granted. Until Her Lady's fever subsides, I need to reexamine her."

[Sena's quarter]

Sena stopped sobbing an hour hysterically ago when her lifeless child was placed inside her arms, her eyes were blotch red and swollen, and her clothes were unkempt. Even if she wasn't loud now, her eyes still produced hot tears.

"Why did it have to be my son?" She asked no one in particular. Sena brought the child closer to her chest and caressed the backside of their head, swaddled up by a thick blanket.

The physician, who was Sena's doctor, stood by the side. They were waiting for her to give up the child to them when they were ready. Servants under Sena could feel their Mistress' sentiment of losing their child, not once, but twice. Two children who didn't experience the world yet were ripped away. They truly pity her.

°

"What's happening? Why can't I see them?" Someone cries out in suffering. "Are they okay? Please tell me!" They begged, but the person only let their head droop solemnly and shook their head.

That answer was enough for the person to be in more anguish than before. They tried violently fighting off the person holding them to keep them in place.

You slowly open your eyes and feel a throbbing pain behind them and hiss when the brightness of candlelight comes into your field vision for turning your head in that direction. You immediately close your sight and grit your jaws together and wait for the discomfort to subside.

"Yumi?" Weakly croaking out, you wait and see if there is anyone inside the room, but you are met with silence. Your throat felt parch and dry. Opening your bleary orbs, you finally notice how dark your room is, and daybreak is over. With a fragile left turn of your head, out through the open windows, the colors of numerous stars hung in the night sky with a few nimbus clouds adorning the vast space. Some stars were even hiding shyly behind it.

Flexing your body underneath the sheets, your whole body ache from the movements. The pain in your womb still lingers. However, it shouldn't be bad enough to cripple you in bed again. You thought you were passing through a nexus point of life and death. It was intolerable.

The door to your room opens, and Sukuna trails in; he sees you are awake. He was surprised. You went through a lot; he was expecting you to be still asleep, if not longer. "You're awake."

"Obviously." You were cranky on seeing Sukuna; it wasn't until he settled down sitting next to you, you caught a whiff of two different scents mixing into one, and you know it very well. "You smell of burning paper and incense sticks," pointing out, Sukuna grabbed the collar of his clothing and sniffed, and there were traces of it.

Readjusting his collar, Sukuna shrugged, "I was burning it for the child of Concubine Sena and me," shock ran across your face. "The child passed away in their sleep, peacefully." The words roll off his tongue like water; you can't believe he would say something so casually. Even his face says it all too.

"You should care more and stay until the funeral is over," you told him, annoyed that he would run over to you first. "It is your child."

"Do I have to care for every single one I've sowed?" He bites back. Sukuna does care, not in the way one would expect their father to. He manages for them through the mothers of his children; they do the rearing/ upbringing, and Sukuna does the providing by giving them pocket money. If he were to interact with his children, it would rather be very brief and barely acknowledged; he views them as nothing more than just extensions of him. Pieces that live for him and his causes.

Although you can't believe this is your first conversation waking up. His cruelty knows no bounds. "You could at least respect the life you brought into this world," your annoyance quickly turns to anger, "somehow, I'm glad to have never had your children if this is how you're going to treat them."

"Mind your words," Sukuna warns with a quick sheer. "You don't know what I went through for you." You raise a brow and give him a questioning gaze, but he wouldn't indulge you more. It's not like you expect him to. "You're being delirious upon waking up." Sukuna crosses his arms. "I would never treat the ones I have with you like that."

And that's the truth.

'He's so funny. Haha.' You sarcastically thought and rolled your eyes, but forgot there was still wavering pain and regret it as your face scrunched up. Arguing with him flew out of your mind.

It didn't evade the man's eyes, "Still hurt?" Sukuna didn't wait for your answer and grabbed the basin from above your head, which you didn't even notice. He dampens the cloth, "Close your eyes," he sets it above your lids. "I'll tell the kitchen staff to prepare your meal."

[funeral hall]

Sena burns paper and holds tightly onto her child's mitten in one hand. On the altar was their cremated ashes in a tightly sealed jar with their name labeled on the front. Sena didn't have time to mourn them for seven days; Sukuna had insisted the child be burned immediately (a day later) and sent the child's ashes to the family memorial ground in a tomb for placement.

It was just like the first child she had. Only she was mourning; she had never seen Sukuna weep for them. His face was stone cold like today. Yet, he had abandoned her for you. Sukuna should be here with her and grieving for the children they had lost together.

"How long have you been wanting him but still haven't got it? We both arrived and married Sukuna at the same time at the tender age of eighteen, and his eyes are always on me." Those words impulsively invade her mind, reminding her that her place is beneath you.

But there were whispering behind her from other Concubines, "Do you think it was a curse or fate? Lady (Name) and the child fell the same day yesterday."

"I don't think so; I mean, Lady (Name) has been working nonstop to welcome our mother-in-law's niece." They refuted, but Sena's mind couldn't let the grasp go. You and her child. Sena balled her fists ever tighter, evident anger painting her face as she forced herself to look ahead at the alter.

°

When it was time to retire for the night, after kneeling so long for the day, Sena made a beeline for your chambers. She rushes and pushes anyone who gets in her way. Sena grabs the slits of your screen doors and forces them open. They saunter inside like they own your place.

You, who were busy eating, looked up from your food bowl and set your spoon down. You made a gesture by pushing the food tray away, indicating you were done eating. Yumi, who gingerly took it with nimble hands, glanced at Sena and then looked back at you with a knowing look, 'Will you be alright?' A quick nod from you, and she exits.

"It is quite late, Concubine Sena; what brought you here?" Your lips form a Cheshire smile. Oh, how much Sena wants to rip that expression off your face. You were so vexatious. If a cat and fox were to have a child, the result would be you. You think you're so coy.

"It was because of you! You, that my child died!" She points the finger at you.

"Me? I am a sick person who happens to have frail health," you mock her, throwing the blanket off you; you stand up despite the ache of your muscles and joint. "Care to elaborate on how your child and I are correlated to this?" Taking steps closer to her, Sena didn't falter. "If you can't, then you're just a fool who tried to guilt me into feeling bad since you're incapable of preserving their life."

You then grab her by the throat; Sena didn't expect you to take action, "I won't take slanders from anyone, especially you, of all people. You had it coming; I suggest this is not foul play but fate." Your fingers dig into her vocal cords as Sena chokes. The person who was supposed to be angry is her, not you! She grabbed your wrist to loosen it, and it was impossible. For a sick person like you, you had such strengths.

"I am not slandering you; it's the truth! All my children died because of you!" She wheezes.

"You think you're so self-righteous for barging into my room? Think however you want; feed your delusional mind that I am the bad guy!" Your eyes burn with rage, "Go find someone who cares enough to punish me if you think I'm wrong." Sena's lavender eyes began to be misty, and she saw the conviction of you wanting to murder her right there and then. "Trust me, even if I were to kill you right here and then, it would be too kind of me."

You loosen your grip and toss her, and Sena stumbles back into her steps. She rubs a hand on her throat.

"Go and mourn your child." It wasn't a command or anything; it was a simple fact of 'get out.'

Sena glared at you and stormed out of your room with thunderous steps. Two angry people, but you were the one that was the most furious. It would help if you could calm your temper; pushing it would render you back to square one, lying in bed.

You pinch the nose of your bridge and massage it.

°

Another few days passed by, and you were recovering nicely; the chills in your body were gone, and the ache lessened. You heard that today Hanami's niece would be coming, and she would be the one welcoming her since you're left in bed too. While you wait for your physical examination to be over, Sukuna's looming presence in the room is stifling.

The physician made eye contact with Sukuna, and you were left wondering what's their relationship now. You remember how passive-aggressive the man is toward the doctor, and it's a surprise that the relationship is amicable where Sukuna wouldn't try tearing their head apart.

"Everything seems to be okay, you still have a slight fever, but the chilling is gone. Another day or two of bed rest should be fine." They explained, and before you could speak and ask for further details, the doors opened and trotted in Danzo, who came full speed at you.

They throw themselves into your lap, and everyone is surprised; Asuna, who tried to stop Danzo, pauses at your doorstep and sees Sukuna. She timidly greets Sukuna and then the doctor too. "I wanted to stop him, but he's too much for me to catch up," Asuna explained.

"Is child rearing that difficult?" Sukuna spoke up; aspersion bleeds through his voice. Asuna knows it was criticism against her, and she winced.

You notice how Asuna deflated by that remark. "Have one yourself." Throwing a quick wit at Sukuna, the man didn't flinch, "Besides, I adore Danzo." You settle a hand on top of the child's head and run your fingers through them, and Danzo, oblivious to the tension in the room, soaks up your affection. "Most children would run at the sight of me." You challenged Sukuna to go against you, "Having one that isn't afraid and do what their mother told them is refreshing."

Standing up for Asuna, she gathers how Sukuna quietens; her fear heightens that you would be next to be told off. Sukuna pursues his lips into a thin line; then, it turns into amusement. "Have what you want; I won't stop you if that makes you happy." Asuna then saw how fast the situation was diffused in a mere moment. She sincerely thought you would get hash but didn't; her heart calmed down.

Asuna noticed a particular fondness flickering around Sukuna's eyes that was never granted to any of them and the concubines. She heard about it all, how it was reserved for you, but was never one to witness until now. It was noted how easy he seemed to be in your presence and how he observed you and Danzo.

"Danzo, it would be wise if you don't stick too close, or you will get sick." The boy in your lap reluctantly pushes himself away and sits beside you like an obedient child. Asuna, whose child never really listened and would constantly rebel against her, did something he was told for once.

Sukuna heard your voice softening at the sight of the Danzo; it was quiet yet soothing. It was the tone he had never been able to listen to before besides your scorn and flippant attitude of indifference towards him. A peaking smile graces your lips when your fingers brush the boy's chubby cheeks to flick away a rice grain stuck to his face.

If you were this lovely to a child, what about your own when you have them? You would be perfect. He couldn't see why you would be redundant of remaining adamant about being child-free. He has healed your womb, after all. "I have a business to attend to; it seems like I can hear the carriage of my annoying cousin arriving in."

You didn't bid him farewell; your attention was on the child. You could still trace his back leaving without lifting your eyes from your peripheral view. Asuna sidesteps for Sukuna and the physician to go, and you usher the woman to come inside.

Once Sukuna was far enough from prying ears and eyes, he asked the doctor. "She well enough?"

"As well as she can be, her body is avail again now. Everything is flowing perfectly, no more coldness lingering, pulse running strong, and vitality too." The doctor confirms next to Sukuna.

°

"Hurry up!" The woman ushered the coach; she wanted to get out of to carriage since she hated being seated for so long. It was when the castle was in view, and the horses stop she flung the door open and rushed head-in first.

"Auntie!" She called out to Hanami, who graciously opened her arms and hugged her niece.

"How nice of you to visit me, my lovely niece; how is your travel so far?" Hanami inquires; her niece starts to bounce everywhere. She wasn't able to contain her excitement.

The young girl then goes into a barrel of animated talk, "It was beautiful, better than the barren, dry lands where I reside. Here it is so much more arable and fun." The next thing the woman wanted to say got her gushing, "Auntie~ I met a handsome man, their face is so pretty that I believe the Gods had taken their time to make them perfect. Can you please find them for me? I want to marry them by the time I go back home."

@sukunasobject @lilliansstuff @lucyrocks86 @ladywolf44005 @watyousayin @sandronebabyy @pinkrose1422 @skepticalleo @please-help-therapy-needed @whatsonthemirror @krispsprite @loser-alert @saturnknows @samdric @littlemochi @akigoat @mxghostbee @rose4958 @shadowywizardarcade @huicitawrites @baji-keisukes-wife @choso-wifey @jovialeggsbailiffsoul @sanderaen @peonnnny @tiredlattes @waytomanyhusbands @whatamidoing89 @utena-akashiya @outrofenty @welcometodemonschoolfan @im-a-killer-queen @loverisa @bubera974 @sashaphantomhive @chaoticstrawberryland @onetwo123three @sxftiebee @bbrrose @gretel-gravain @slasherflickchick @floraroselaughter @kikis-art @21yumna @lifegosoana @sob4 @unknown-204 @dathoe @devilsbooksworld @guccirosegold

[prettygirl-gabi]

All that mattered

---

---

Rating:General Audiences

Warning: Fluff, slight (very light) angst, happy ending

Category:F/M¹³

Fandom:Seventeen (SVT) (boyband)

Relationships: !idol S.coups x f reader, !idol Jeonghan x f reader, !idol Joshua x f reader, !idol Jun x f reader,!idol Hoshi x f reader, !idol wonwoo x f reader, !idol woozi x f reader, !idol dk x f reader, !idol The8 x f reader, !idol Mingyu x f reader, !idol Seungkwan x f reader, !idol Vernon x f reader, !idol Dino x f reader.

Summary: What did you expect when you're dating all 13 members of Seventeen

---

Hiiiii everyone who is reading! Welcome to the bouns installment of my new mini series called "Oi! Not this again!" They do not have to be read together or in order! I hope you all enjoy!

I'm thinking about making a version where Jeonghan goes of for military, let me know if you all would like it...

It all started as a dream I didn’t dare to believe could come true. Being with one member of Seventeen seemed unimaginable, but somehow, I had all thirteen of them. It was chaotic, beautiful, terrifying, and the most loving experience of my life.

I never meant for things to get so complicated. I hadn’t planned on falling in love with all of them. But how could I not? Each member held a special place in my heart, different and unique in their own ways. S.Coups’ protective nature, Jeonghan’s mischief, Joshua’s soft-spoken wisdom, Jun’s gentle warmth, Hoshi’s endless energy, Wonwoo’s quiet intensity, Woozi’s artistic soul, DK’s contagious laughter, Mingyu’s clumsy affection, The8’s calm confidence, Seungkwan’s fiery heart, Vernon’s understated coolness, and Dino’s earnestness. I loved them all, and, miraculously, they loved me too.

But love like this is not simple. We were walking a tightrope every day, trying to balance our love with the expectations of the world, with the fear of losing each other, and with the constant worry that this wasn’t sustainable. Polygamous relationships aren’t exactly accepted or understood, and this one—being in love with a whole group of idols—was something entirely different.

I often found myself suffocated by doubt. Was I giving enough to each of them? Was this fair to them, to me? Sometimes, in the quiet hours of the night, when we weren’t together, the anxiety would grip me, leaving me breathless and terrified that this would all come crashing down.

And then there were the fights. When you have fourteen people in a relationship, conflict is inevitable. It wasn’t always big—sometimes it was about time management or someone feeling left out. Other times, the fights cut deeper, about fears we didn’t voice, insecurities we tried to bury. And at the heart of it all was the constant question we never dared to fully ask: *Could this last?*

One night, it all came to a head. I had spent the day with Mingyu, and as usual, he had showered me with affection, his clumsy hands always trying to be gentle. We had laughed together, cooked together, and by the end of the day, I was exhausted in the best way. But when I returned to the shared apartment, the tension in the air was thick.

I barely stepped through the door before Jeonghan’s voice cut through the silence.

“Must be nice,” he said, his tone laced with bitterness. “Spending the whole day with just one of us.”

My heart dropped. “Jeonghan—”

“No, it’s fine,” he interrupted, standing up from the couch. “We all agreed to this, didn’t we? So it’s fine if some of us feel left behind.”

“Hyung, don’t do this,” Hoshi said, trying to defuse the situation. But the hurt in Jeonghan’s eyes was clear.

“I’m just tired,” Jeonghan muttered, running a hand through his hair. “We’re all giving so much, and sometimes it feels like it’s never enough.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to find the words. “I’m sorry. I’m trying—I’m really trying.”

“You shouldn’t have to try so hard,” Woozi said softly from his spot on the floor, strumming a guitar absently. “None of us should feel like this.”

The silence that followed was deafening. The guilt gnawed at me, twisting in my stomach like a knot I couldn’t untangle. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

Suddenly, S.Coups stood up, his voice calm but commanding. “Enough. This isn’t helping.” He turned to me, his eyes softening. “No one is blaming you. We knew this would be hard.”

“I can’t help but feel like I’m failing all of you,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I love you all so much, but I don’t know how to make this work.”

Mingyu, who had been quiet since we arrived, reached for my hand. “You’re not failing, jagiya. We’re all learning.”

“But what if—” I couldn’t even finish the thought. What if I wasn’t enough for them? What if this wasn’t enough?

DK, always the one to break the tension, stood up with a shaky smile. “Let’s not do this tonight. We all love each other, right? That’s why we’re here. So let’s talk about this when we’re not all feeling so raw.”

Joshua nodded, his calm voice soothing. “He’s right. We’re all a little tired. Let’s take a step back and talk tomorrow.”

But the fear lingered, heavy in the room like an unwelcome guest.

---

The next day, we sat down together. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t quick, but we talked. Really talked. About the things we were scared to say before, the jealousy, the insecurity, the worry that someone was giving more or less. It hurt—God, it hurt—but it was necessary.

Jeonghan apologized for lashing out. “It’s not just you. I’ve been feeling… scared, I guess. That this won’t last.”

“I’ve felt the same,” The8 admitted quietly. “I think we all have.”

S.Coups squeezed my hand. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to keep trying.”

In that moment, something shifted. The love was still there, strong and unwavering, but so was the understanding that this wasn’t going to be easy. It never had been. But love is messy. It’s imperfect, and that’s what makes it real.

“I don’t know how to promise forever,” I said, my voice small. “But I can promise that I’ll try. Every day.”

“You don’t have to do it alone,” Vernon said, his eyes locking with mine. “We’re in this together.”

One by one, they all agreed. It wasn’t a solution, not exactly, but it was a step forward.

---

Over the following months, we found a new rhythm. It wasn’t perfect, but it was ours. We learned to communicate better, to listen when someone was feeling left out or overwhelmed. We learned to share our love, not just with each other, but with ourselves.

There were still moments of doubt, of course. That never fully went away. But now, we faced those moments together.

One night, after a long day, I found myself in the middle of the bed, surrounded by all thirteen of them. We didn’t say anything—words weren’t necessary. The warmth of their bodies, the steady rhythm of their breathing, the feeling of belonging—it was enough.

“I love you,” I whispered into the quiet, the words heavy with truth.

“I love you too,” came the chorus of replies, each voice layered with the same deep affection.

In that moment, I knew that no matter how difficult it might be, this was worth it. They were worth it. We were worth it.

And that was all that mattered.

■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

‐Thank You For Reading!🩵🩶

-prettygirl-Gabi✨️🎀

[thatnonameuser]

I love the AU. It tickles the brain and I love reading your replies to asks.

I also have a question, there are some animals that are polygamous, would that apply to darling as well or does that one yandere beastman have more than one darling?

Thank you!! I feel like the asks just give my brain more inspiration, so I love reading all of them!!

To be honest, I'm not actually sure if it would or it won't.

The claim is what ties a darling to a yandere, and a darling can be claimed by multiple people at once. So darlings can have multiple 'spouses' even if they weren't officially married.

With yanderes, it works on the one true love thing. That gaping hole in their hearts can only be filled by that one person. But there are cases among the fae where they're previously deceased darlings 'come back to life' years after the darlings death.

Some yanderes who are already married to a yandere and find their real darlings can be polygamous.

It might be messy but, it can happen on both sides.

[aphroditelovesu]

I was re-reading yan!mom Rhaenyra's hcs and read that if bby!reader was a male he would be engaged to Helaena, Baela or Rhaena (much to Rhaenyra's chagrin). So I was thinking of bby!reader as a kid hearing that Helaena may eventually marry Aegon and running to his mom to ask if the rumor is true, and his mom just says yes because she doesn't want her baby to get married with Alicent's daughter. BUT SHE WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THE ARGUMENT WITH HER LITTLE BOY.

Bby!reader with his small stature and head held high: Can we agree that Helaena deserves better than foolish Aegon?

Rhaenyra: Yeah…

Bby!reader: Do we agree that there is no one better than me in this world and therefore I am the best option for Helaena?

Rhaenyra about to have a heart attack: Baby, much to my regret if one day you have to marry it will be one of Daemon's daughters.

Baby Reader, with a smile and taking his mother's hands in his: I'm not denying marrying Baela or Rhaena, I'm simply saying that I can ALSO marry Helaena.

Yan mom Rhaenyra: . ..

Bby reader: Aegon the conqueror had two wives and Maegor had more than three, why couldn't I marry Baela, Rhaena and Helaena?

Daemon who was just passing by and heard the conversation, now glued to the door listening to how Rhaenyra is having an aneurysm: …

Rhaenyra: . .. .

Baby reader speaking with all the innocence in the world: Besides, no one is going to oppose mom, I am a Targaryen prince and rider of a three-headed dragon, as well as the second in succession to the iron throne.

Yan mom Rhaenyra, having a tic in her eye: You're not getting married, I'll make sure it doesn't happen--.

Baby reader about to cry: If I ask Grandpa Viserys, he will grant it to me.

Rhaenyra: .. .

Daemon: Damn, this kid is a true Targaryen.

Polygamy is not strange to Targaryens, especially Maegor. But over the years this practice fell into disuse and Viserys is not in favor of this, but it is funny to imagine this scene happening because it is very possible.

Rhaenyra does not want to see her precious bby marrying anyone. She does not want you to have a wife, let alone three. She does not want to be replaced or that you love another woman other than her.

One wife might be accepted, much to Rhaenyra's dismay, but three wives? Oh, sweet, maybe you're going to have to deal with some issues.

In the meantime, I imagine Helaena and bby!reader would already be very close, Alicent encourages that her favorite grandson spend time with her children, especially with her daughter and she could not be happier to see you getting so well with Helaena. Rhaenyra would be irritated and as a form of retaliation, she would encourage you to spend more time with Rhaena and Baela, with the blessing of Daemon and Rhaenys.

However, I think this marriage could work out. Like, I really think this polygamic relationship would work, Rhaena and Baela are sisters and get along very well, Helaena would probably get along with her cousins and bby!reader gets along with all. It could work.

You know, we had Aegon and his sisters. Maegor and his six wives (Henry VIII vibes right there). And now we have Y/N and his cousins ​​and his aunt.

Viserys isn't really in favor of polygamy but I can see him granting it to bby!reader as a way to please his grandson, much to the chagrin of Rhaenyra and probably Alicent. Because you know, Alicent doesn't mind marrying her only daughter to bby!reader, but she isn't a big fan of the fact that he married Rhaena and Baela either. And Rhaenyra we all know why, she is so freaking possessive of her bby.

Daemon is literally laughing at the situation, like his stepson is actually a real Targaryen. He doesn't care about the wedding, as long as bby!reader and Rhaena and Baela are happy, he's fine with that.

While Rhaenyra is freaking out about all of this-

(Rhaenyra at this moment)

~ Lady L

[goodqueenaly]

"It was for love," Sansa said in a rush. "Father wouldn't even give me leave to say farewell." She was the good girl, the obedient girl, but she had felt as wicked as Arya that morning, sneaking away from Septa Mordane, defying her lord father. She had never done anything so willful before, and she would never have done it then if she hadn't loved Joffrey as much as she did. "He was going to take me back to Winterfell and marry me to some hedge knight, even though it was Joff I wanted. I told him, but he wouldn't listen." The king had been her last hope. The king could command Father to let her stay in King's Landing and marry Prince Joffrey, Sansa knew he could, but the king had always frightened her. He was loud and rough-voiced and drunk as often as not, and he would probably have just sent her back to Lord Eddard, if they even let her see him. So she went to the queen instead, and poured out her heart, and Cersei had listened and thanked her sweetly … [sic] only then Ser Arys had escorted her to the high room in Maegor's Holdfast and posted guards, and a few hours later, the fighting had begun outside. 

Not me thinking about how this moment reminds me so much of how I see Lyanna at various points in her situation with Rhaegar. We’ve not been in Lyanna’s head, of course, but I’d be willing to believe that at least when Lyanna met up with Rhaegar sometime around New Year’s 282 AC, she believed she was to some extent in love with him - the seemingly dashing, handsome, romantic prince who had named her queen of love and beauty before virtually the entire assembled aristocracy of Westeros against all social tradition. Just as importantly, I think Lyanna also believed that she needed an alternative, and soon, to her impending marriage to Robert Baratheon. Having been “long betrothed” to Robert by the time of the tourney of Harrenhal, Lyanna may have assumed or been told (especially in the aftermath of that shocking tourney display) that she would be married sooner rather than later to the Lord of Storm’s End (especially with Brandon’s own nuptials to Catelyn Tully, likely part of the same alliance bloc, imminent). There was no one who could stop this marriage from happening - except, perhaps, the Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne (but certainly not the paranoid, suspicious, violent king). If she married him first (and there was precedent, as Lyanna may have known, for polygamous marriages among the Targaryens), then she could not be legally married to Robert. It was Rhaegar, Lyanna may have thought, who could save her from this fate, and so Rhaegar she would turn to, making a journey across the Riverlands to somewhere near Harrenhal in order to escape with him.

These aspects of Lyanna’s story in turn recall certain parallels with Sansa’s story here. Just as so Lyanna might have seen Ned’s insisted that her fiancé “was a good man and true who would love her with all his heart” as the promise of a miserable future married to Robert, so Sansa imagines that Ned’s promise to “make [her] a match with a high lord who's worthy of you, someone brave and gentle and strong” would result in him “marry[ing] her to some hedge knight” when “it was Joff [she] wanted”. Too, just as Lyanna may have idealized Rhaegar, at least at this stage, as a perfectly chivalrous and loving knight and prince, so Sansa in this moment idealized Joffrey (describing him several times in AGOT as “her gallant prince” whom she describes in “Sansa III” as “worthier than his drunken father”, a deep contrast to the king who “had always frightened her”). In turn, just as Lyanna sought to avoid such nuptial doom, in her mind, by turning to an alternate royal power - not the king, but his son and heir - for a marriage to this prince instead, so Sansa seeks to stay with her (so she thinks at this point) beloved prince by appealing to an alternate royal power - not the king but his queen. The solution for both Stark girls was defiance to their paternal powers, circumventing their orders so that they might stay with the princes they imagine they love. However, just as Lyanna may have come to discover that her prince was a deeply unhappy man who may have seen her primarily, if not entirely, as a vehicle for prophetic fulfillment, so Sansa comes to discover that her prince was a cruel sadist who enjoyed only using her as an outlet for abuse and torture. Just as Lyanna ended her days trapped in a tower far from home (likely on the orders of that same royal power to whom she had appealed), guarded and imprisoned by Kingsguard while Ned and his companions battled them outside of it, so Sansa finds herself trapped in a tower far from home on the direct orders of her royal advocate, imprisoned by a knight of the Kingsguard and other guards, while her father and his men are attacked outside of it. 

[horizon-verizon]

I still find it hilarious how even after they made Jon a Targ in GOT and butchered Daenerys’ character to prop him up as some “male leader we all needed ”; it’s only Daenerys who is brought up in the spinoff about Targs. If I was a Jon bro I’d be mad asf. Now his story ended with him being back at the wall while his brother is king and no one, not even HBO cares about him being a Targ while the “mad queen” he killed off is still relevant and extremely popular. It really shows that they regretted killing her off and realized the only way they gon be able to pay the bills is to get a show about her family AND show her. They were reminded on who really people were watching the show for.

And not just a show bout her family but the dragons as well like they knew exactly what they needed to do and they giving us another adaption about her family like watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms have another vision with Daenerys in it (it better be from Daeron the Drunken, “someday the dragons will return. My brother Daeron’s dreamed of it”). Notice how her ancestors dreamed of Daenerys and not about Jon. She IS the prince that was promised.

Yuuuup. I'm sorry, but even with Jon's dad being a Targ AND the political problems the reveal of such would present, I just can't concieve Jon as a "Targ" the way I can with Dany even though she has a lot of differences from her ancestors (she has some important similarities). He's too Stark. Do I think he'd possibly still press for a claim or that it's a possibility that has strong legs, yes (under the context of Targ men almost always disfavoring or disabling their female relatives for power). But his personhood derives more from his Stark lineage than the one he only dreamed to mirror Daeron I. A lot of young noble Westerosi boys had Targ inspirations bc they were important historical figures that literally changed so much of Westeros and the family ruled for about 200 years.

I am also aware that within the universe/Westeros itself, yes by many people's estimation or desires, he would be considered a Targ bastard or--somehow but I think highly unlikely, it turns out Rhaegar married Lyanna and somehow this is ruled a true polygamous marriage even though this has never been really socially incorporated and accepted since Maegor--a legitimate Targ princeling. Doesn't mean he's got a Targ "character", you know?

You'd think certain Stark and Jon stans would love that, but no you got angry people upset that a man is not the center of the universe and the prime hero so they are willing to "dilute" his Starkness or at least "halve" or make it share his personhood to emphasize the supposedly evil Targs. Ha.

This is why sexism, racism, and xenophobia gets us nowhere. You see you own stats, see how most of your audience responds more to the woman of the tale, see how the entire story revolves around her saving the world through her kindness and and you decide that, no actually, we can afford to kill her off and be blind to the fact that we've severely diminished the emotional and logical value of all our next ASoIaF projects...for why, sir?

[infamous-if]

Helloooooo! Love your story ughhh it's so good! I am interested in the poly route with Vic and G cause their amazing! Can you imagine if all three had a child together, Idk if in this world polygamous couples can get married, I know in some states in the US it can happen and they are able to claim adoption over a child. So how would three parents act towards their child, either by adoption or bio. I bet the child would be spoiled rotten.

Having kids would be G's nightmare for reasons I can't say, though G would get over it the moment the kid is in their arms. Victoria would love kids. It's true they'd be really spoiled.

I can't say much on how MC would react but G would definitely be the cool parent while Vic would be more of the 'rules, stern' sort of parent because she'd be freaking out over making sure the kid grows up well-adjusted, especially in a household with two rockstars and an actress lmao she'd want to shield them from the fame and G would, to an extent, but G would want to show them all the good things that life can offer.

Having three famous parents who are always busy and working would also have them all be a bit more protective of the child.

MC and G especially, considering they both have less-than-ideal family lives. MC was neglected and G was [redacted] so I think those two especially would be very careful to have a home-work balance. G would cut out all the toxic things in their life, definitely, for the sake of the child.

That kid would be so spoiled jeez hopefully they grow up humble!! lmao #NepoBaby

[haggishlyhagging]

The Paradise Lost of Milton is responsible, among English-speaking people, for many existing views that are inimical to woman and, while his essays upon liberty have been of general beneficial influence upon the world, his particular teachings in regard to woman have seriously injured civilization. This man of polygamous beliefs, this tyrant over his own household who could not gain the love of either wives—of whom he had three—or of daughters, did much to popularize the idea of woman's subordination to man. "He for God; she for God in him," as expressed by the lips of Eve and so often quoted as proclaiming the true relationship between husband and wife in the line: "God thy law; thou mine."

While the record of Milton's life shows him to have been an intolerable domestic tyrant, yet for the wife who could not live with him, the daughters whom social conditions and lack of education deprived of the necessary means for their support—thus compelling them to remain his victims looking forward to his death as their only means of release—the world has as yet exhibited but little sympathy. His genius, undisputed as its record must be in many directions, has made his views of overpowering influence upon the world since his day. But above all, more than all that created and sustained this influence, were his views as to the polygamous rights of man, his depiction of Eve as looking upward to Adam as her God and his general maintenance of the teaching of the church in regard to woman.

Although it has been affirmed that after his blindness he dictated his great epic to his daughter and a Scotch artist has painted a scene (a picture owned by the Lenox Library), yet this is one of the myths men call history and amuse themselves in believing. Voltaire declared history to be only a parcel of tricks we play with the dead. And this tale of blind Milton dictating Paradise Lost to his [daughters] is a trick designed to play upon our sympathies. Old Dr. Johnson is authority for the statement that Milton would not allow his daughters to learn to write, and it is quite certain that he did not permit them a knowledge of any language except the English saying, "One tongue is enough for a woman." Between Milton and his family it is known there was tyranny upon one side, hatred upon the other.

-Matilda Joslyn Gage, Woman, Church and State

[judasiskariot]

Tavs of judasiskariot/bhaalbattlebeerbard

Saulus

screenshots all by @aristenfromwarsaw

My second tav (durge run), main tav, love her so much

Quick Facts:

    Race: Tiefling

    Class: Bard (College of swords, Multi in Rogue and Fighter)

    Fighting Style: Two Hand Crossbows

    Instrument: Lyre, Lute (but also practiced in flute, pun intended)

    Gender: Female

    Pronouns: She/Her

    Sexuality: Pansexual

    Scent/Perfume: Lily, jasmine, blackberry (lilac, pomegranate, cocoa, gooseberries, grapes)

    Hair: Ravenblack with red highlights, rune horns

    Eyes: demonic blue with flames

    Tattoo: white dots upon her face

    Skin: dusk purple

    Romance: Astarion

Pros & Cons, characterisation:

Summary: Bhaal battle beer bard: The name says it all

Bard is not only her class but foremost her vocation, her calling

She loves to write poems and songs, makes music all the time

Maybe you will get as her companion some songs about you, you would rather not like to have because she loves tavern roasting songs and also dirty limericks

Loves to drink, party and rhyming songs (preferably with bff Thisobald Thorm)

Very funny and silly, always up for a good time

Soft, sweet and devoted when it comes to love

Addicted to puns, sarcasm, burns, ambiguous comments

Gossip Queen

Dirty mind, dirty kind

Likes to flirt

Sexually very open and liberal, tries everything and anything

Doesn't need much convincing, always open for fun 😉

Has absolutely no problem with polygamous relationships, but when she loves you and you agree on exclusive relationship with her, than you are her whole world, the one&only

Very loyal

Loves animals: Proud owlbear mother!

Pro: You get a cute owlbear cub; Con: You have to share your bedside with the owlbear cub

Loves the love; likes to play Armor (looking at you Karlach&Dammon)

All of the Dark Urge problems

Therefore, can get really bloody and nasty

Insecure about her Tiefling body (foremost her tail, horns and  ridges)

Holding her tail like security blanket when she is nervous

Has a feud with Volo (he is her nemesis; he knows what he did)

Excellent sharpshooter (two hand crossbows double action; fight is over before it even started)

Because of the dark urge her enthusiasm sometimes looks a bit crazy, chaotic and intimidating

Rather not making her angry while the urge is still strong, she will slice you up in one second because it is fun

Loves to be a loyal bhaal babe, Sceleritas Fel is her buddy

But also redeemed (would have stayed with bhaal if daddy would have let her the free will)

After that her true kind nature comes up: Loving, caring, very sweet, loyal, devoted, patient, cuddly, can be a softie when it comes to her loved ones

Wanted to be the baddest, most evil bhaal babe of them all; ended up rescuing most people and help everyone

Is banned from most gnome weddings and some cities in Faerûn (not everyone likes her very dirty limericks and she can’t control her urge)

Oh and she has the condition to confuse gnomes with children very hard (That is maybe the problem; but she like gnomes, very much! Supporter of all the gnome rights!)

Confuses a few things (Don’t ask what she thinks what Hobgoblins and Bugbears are called)

Does everything Astarion wants to (sometimes he thinks she is a bit naïve and easily to manipulate, but she just loves him and so she lets him get away with everything)

Easily to convince, says yes to almost everything (chaotic good times)

When she likes you, she hypes everything you do and supports you endlessly

Saulus will help you archive everything you want to and will never want to change you

Accepts you as you are; will not make decisions for you

Because she is a Dark Urge, she will not question your moral compass; she doesn't allow herself to judge what is wrong and right and what things a good for you

Relies on people to be honest about what they want and think and accepts this as the truth

Goblin supporter and friend

Invite her to a drink or party and she is your lifetime friend - that is just the law

I don’t have amazing huge lore accurate backgroundstories for my tavs like so many of you. I only have an outlook for the future what they want to do after the final battle. My tavs don’t look much back in the past, they look straight ahead for what to come.

Saulus is a sassy little Dark Urge Tiefling Bhaal Battle Beer Bard, dreaming of a retirement with Astarion at Moonrise Towers with best friend Thisobald Thorm.

The Tiefling bard is banned from most gnome weddings and some cities in Faerûn 😂 There is some fun rivalry between her and Volo 😄

Her dream is to marry Astarion, start a family and settle down with him at Moonrise Towers to reopen the Waning Moon Distillery. (The party, "Opa" Ketheric, bhaal cult and the undead horde are babysitters)

To cuddle with Astarion and the owl bur cub under a warm blanket is everything she needs in life.

She uses two hand crossbows, wanted to be an evil bhaal babe, but ended up doing all the right things 😄 The Urge is still strong in her, so better not making here angry 😈

She is absolutely in love with Astarion and the owl bear cub (her son) and Thisobald is her best friend.

She is insecure about her Tiefling look, holding her tail when she is nervous. Saulus plays dirty funny limericks with the lute and mostly lyre but with two missing strings at the moment💀(maybe she doesn't take criticism very well😅)

She likes gnomes but is banned from most gnome festivities because she confuses them with kids and is singing too many dirty limericks (at children's birthday parties thinking it is a wedding; but also inappropriate for weddings though... 😅)

Saulus: "Let me tell you my bardic epos:

After all fires in Baldur's Gate are extinguished only one remains: Cazador's palace. I burn it down, so Astarion is getting his head clear and get over his Ascension Master God Complex. And because the handymen failed to build a palace door in owlbear size for our son the owlbear cub. In consequence of I won the drinking competition against my bff Thisobald Thorm I inherited (more or less official and legal) the propery deed of The Waning Moon.

Ketheric is still alive and our grandpa Ketheric now.

I marry Astarion, start a family and settle down with him at Moonrise Towers to reopen the Waning Moon Distillery.

And when Opa Ketheric is holding the little half Elf Tiefling Vampire baby for the first time, you can see how the light and will to live is coming back into his eyes.

I am the bard at the bar, barkeeper and my own best customer.

The party, "Opa" Ketheric, the bhaal cult and the undead ghoul horde of vampirelord Astarion are the babysitters. (Everyone wants to look after the baby but the party is failing miserable and Dammon is giving them babysitter lessons because Karlach is also pregnant and is lending Dadstarion Clive til her baby is coming. Opa Ketheric is always babysitter of the month, but surprisingly closed followed by the ghoul and bhaal assassins. Father bhaal is not really welcome but Sceleritas of course!)

Needless to say we still have a vacation home at Baldur's Gate and coming back there with a little family of four children (five! Owl bear child not to forget!)

When we are walking through the city, we do it in single file and every child (also the owlbear cub of course!) is holding the tail of the sibling in front, so no one is getting lost in the big city. One child do not have a tail, because it is more elfish than the rest, but he is wearing a costume tail to be part of it and he insists that Papa Astarion is also wearing a fake one, so that they are all similar.

Astarion and I always must pay reparations, because the owlbear cub grew to like rose pedals at the wedding and now it destroys the gardens at Baldur's Gate.

I perform dirty limericks and funny songs about our friends and adventures at the Elfsong Tavern. And especially by the order of Lord Gortash many songs about Dragons(born).

Yeah almost everyone is alive (come on it is fiction, it is fun, it is fan made, give me the all fluff and happy ending)

Astarion and the party are the bouncers so everyone must watch the whole concert. Yes Astarion supports everything his wife does! The stupider, the better. And because as the only one he is wearing earplugs.”

[dangermousie]

Oh, brother...aka keeping it in the (royal) family

I recently realized that for some reason “multiple brothers one girl” seems to be a popular category in costume dramas. I am not sure why such sharing is necessary in a polygamous society for fancy royals each of whom can get himself a whole harem, but I am not complaining that it appears any remake of the Hollywood classic “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” would clearly be changed into “One Bride for Seven Brothers, and Some of the Brothers Spit Blood and Die” if it were a cdrama. Here are some of the dramas at issue. 

Liu Shi Shi appears to be the queen of this subgenre to such an extent that I am vaguely wondering if it’s in her contract. We are gonna start with THREE of her dramas:

Bu Bu Jing Xin - Liu Shi Shi has not one, not two, but THREE hot royal brothers, played by Nicky Wu, Kevin Cheng and Lin Gengxin, pine for her time-traveling self. Since this is an exquisite (no, seriously, it’s amazing) period piece about loss and longing, she ends up with none of them, instead of a hot vagely-’cesty gangbang as one might expect from that set-up.

Lost Love in Times - poor Liu Shi Shi, she’s a sexy witch having to pick between William Chan and his shady brother Joe Xu. To make it even trippier, the two actors look like each other, to really hammer the whole “siblings want her” theme.

The Imperial Doctress - why bust what’s not broken? It’s the true and tried Liu Shi Shi and hot royal brothers formula. She’s a doctor who spends most of her time practicing medicine, escaping barbarians and creating feminism, not noticing that as she pines for one royal brother played by Huang Xuan, another royal brother, played by infinitely hotter Wallace Huo, is pining for her.

Gong/Jade Palace Lock Heart - if Liu Shi Shi is the queen of that set up, Feng Shao Feng is the king, what with this and Military Seal, both of which star Yang Mi. Clearly, there are worse ways to make a career than stealing Yang Mi from a royal brother. Here, Yang Mi is a spunky time traveler in the middle of Kang Xi’s sons’ fight for the throne. She first falls for Four but ends up with Eight. In between, she offers to bang Four to save Eight as one does. Gives a whole new meaning to sharing is caring and “have you brought enough for the entire class?”

Legend of the Military Seal - Yang Mi and FSF strike again. FSF is madly in love with his brother’s wife, and since she’s not afflicted by blindness, she shares his feelings. Surprisingly, but delightfully, happy ending ensues. 

Who Rules the World - more like which brother rules awesome Zhao Lusi’s heart. Going by the rule of “hottest brother wins,” Yang Yang gets the girl in a drama that is pretty yum yum.

Colourful Bone - one hot seriously whumped out royal brother and one whiny immature one, oh who should the heroine pick? This drama stands for the proposition that you should protect and save abused people, especially if they are hot men, since they will always turn out to be an emperor in disguise. This drama btw is one giant kinkfest for yours truly.

The Eternal Love - you could make THREE whole seasons out of timetravel and brothers into the same girl, who knew.

Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty - if you’ve seen Gong or BBJX, you know the drill. Horde of queued brothers queueing for the heroine.

(Mine and all my brothers’, that is -Ed.)

Princess Jieyou - Yuan Hong narrowly escaped the curse of fancying his brother’s woman in BBJX, being about the only sibling not in love with LSS in that one. But clearly, you can’t fight fate and shortly thereafter he’s got to be a sister-in-law luster in a drama of his very own. He is a barbarian general who falls in love with a woman only to discover she’s to marry his brother. Angst and deliciousness and eventual happy ending (the husband fulfilled the uglier brother’s duty by eventually kicking the bucket.)

The Promise of Chang’an - if you want to watch brothers with the same woman but no happy ending, and have already watched BBJX, I present this recent drama where Cheng Yi gets to, as always, suffer beautifully watching the woman he loves marry his annoying brother. Pretty much everyone dies at the end of this one, going off to a great big threesome in the sky.

Twisted Fate of Love - will Sun Yi pick the delicate Tan Jianci or the sexy as fuck bastard that is Jin Han? Being a smart woman, she picks the latter and my hormones rejoice.

Go Princess Go - this is a drama that parodied every cliche there is, so why not brothers into one woman? Who is actually a man in a woman’s body making it even more delightful!

Ashes of Love - even being divine, with women from three separate realms available will seemingly not prevent love interests being a scarce resource leading to sibling love rivalry. Deng Lun and Luo Yunxi duke it out ostensibly for Yang Zi but in reality for who can suffer more prettily. Deng Lun might get the girl, but LYX wins the suffering crown, so it all more or less evens out.

Princess Silver - are siblings in love with the same woman not spicy enough for you? How about TWINS in love with the same woman? One awesome (Aarif Rahman) and one psychotic (Jing Chao) want our heroine and both marry her at one point. Only the awesome one gets to bang her though. (But the psychotic one gets to stick meathooks through his brother in compensation for not being able to stick...ummm...meathook through the heroine, so it’s all OK.)

Secret of the Three Kingdoms - and now we are gonna go REAL PERV! If twins are not enough for you, seekers of strong sensations, how about IDENTICAL twins? Ma Tianyu replaces his dead identical twin brother as the last Han emperor and gets to woo Wan Qian (whose plan it was in the first place.) At least she doesn’t need to get used to a new face?

We are gonna end here and not get into father and son sharing the same woman a la Empress of China.

(Congrats to Aarif Rahman for getting to bang both his brother’s and his father’s wives on screen. That is an interesting niche.)

[sparklingrayn]

I guess that's why I liked substances so much.... hey, am I repeating myself I feel like I talked about this before

Besides that, substances forces me to lose that control I desperately hold on to sober. Control that I am terrified of losing. My memory. Why do I do it? I met my boyfriend because of it fun fact. I'm so surprised he was the ONLY one that saw my suffering behind drunken laughter.

It took almost a year to save me, I drank so much for the late winter into spring and late summer for anyone to look at me and say, "Hey, maybe ease up on the drinking? Slow down? Drink water?"

It took that long.....

Where was I going with this? Control... the memory loss is scary, I used to record my time drinking. I hate listening to myself nowadays through them. So stupid, she's so stupid and awful to those around her. Am I like my bio mom you think?

I refer myself in third person especially about my drunk self. She is so focused on drinking, I remember stealing booze from my foster mom's closet all the time. Once I stole an entire 6pack and had to replace it. Other nights it was me taking random swigs of hard liqor during the night and after crying and breaking down about being blacked out or other reasons. I still drank even tho it led me to have panic attacks....isn't that amusing?

I hate myself, I drank because I hated myself and wanted to hurt in a way thats invisible. Or get hurt and abused while like that....

There was a guy online, he was younger, had problems..... he sexualized me, I think he seen me as a loli. Never in front of me,no. He talked to my boyfriend about me, bragging about how I *liked* him. It was true, I liked him and expressed it. Originally I knew him for keeping me safe while I drank, I liked hanging out and drinking with the little drinking group we had....

He tries to erp and get nudes from me only when I'm black out drunk and or high. Always asked to date me and vr cuddle and what not. One day he *asked* about being polygamous, I wanted to maintain the friendship because I was sick and secretly loved the attention.... Suddenly I was in a relationship with him and proceeded to ghost him in favor of being with my boyfriend yet to be

That's when I really started hanging out with my boyfriend more and eventually broke off the relationship with the femboy and got together with my current boyfriend probably 2 weeks later or so

I Don't know why I started talking about all this...

It's all vrchat drama anyways and doesn't really matter anymore....

I miss drinking heavily on there though....

[polyamzeal]

I see a lot of ppl saying things like "poly people just 'collect partners' like stamps", but dammit, it isn't true. And we know, a monogamous relationship is def not to controlling and trying to own your partner, in fact. And it's so different to have an open/polyamorous relationship or a polygamous relationship.

Be a poly ppl are more complex than resume us into "stamp collectors", exists many ways to relate to people without needing or intending to be in a romantic relationship, and this can be different for each person, or for each type of agreement established in the relationship.

Without the need to have sex, or any kind of physical contact, it can be just platonic, how much you know and are intimate with the person, even without the 'need for deep feelings'.. Being demisexual, polisexual, asexual, etc. It's not because a person is polyamorous, that they will be dishonest, or unfaithful.

I would love to agree with you but the sad truth is that a fair number of 'newbie' polyamorous people are prone to falling into that "stamp collecting" behavior. When someone first discovers polyamory it can be very liberating and empowering. Which can mean not knowing limits and wanting to push everything to the extreme. Like learning to drive a car or fly a plane there is an instinct to see how fast you can go. Many polyamorous people never fall into this pitfall mindset but be weary that a fair amount do and it can be a valid criticism for some people.

But yes everything else is true. There are a lot of benefits to being polyamorous and I think people are slowly starting to see that more and more.

[bijoumikhawal]

"historically polygamous societies loved to wage war and slavery to dispose of excess men and emphasize female conversion" okay all those things are true of monogamous societies too. Western Europeans are famously probably the best at war and slavery from the current standpoint and they're monogamous. And from the way you wrote that I can tell you were thinking of the middle east so what the fuck