#that moment when a couples beloved daughter dies

[strawberri-draws]

Oc, android, they’ve got a copper base that has since rusted. I liked these doodles of her 🫶

[flowerandblood]

The Impossible Choice (55) (End)

[ Aemond • Targaryen x Baratheon! • female ]

[ warnings: sex content, smut, giving birth, breastfeeding kink, mention of trauma, violence ]

[description: Aemond comes to Storm’s End to choose his future consort. However, Lord Borros Baratheon presents him with only four of his five daughters. Being attached to his youngest child, he does not want to marry her. The prince, however, thwarts his and her plans with his decision. This is slow burn, with a lot of dark angst and sexual tension. (Anon Request)]

I am touched, this is my longest story, my beloved child, my beloved couple. This story of mine was probably the most successful and brought me a lot of joy, your involvement made me want to keep writing. I feel like I'm ending at the right moment, just as I wanted, and I hope you won't be disappointed. I remind those in despair that I still have stories from The Impossible Choice AU to write. I also recommend reading Brother, Lover, Son and The Pearl and The Sapphire, because these are also stories from this universe. Thank you all for such a wonderful response!

* English is not my first language. Please, do not repost. Enjoy! *

Previous and next chapters: Masterlist

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She wasn't sure she'd ever been as horrified in her life as she was when she realised her husband had lied to her – after he left the wedding feast, as she waited for him in his chamber, she finally asked the guards standing at her door if they knew where he was.

They looked at her in a way that made her feel uncomfortable.

She understood that her husband had hidden something from her, that he had planned something and left her.

Her head was buzzing with his words that he had said her before he left, she could see his gaze, his lower lip trembling.

You know that I love you.

Only then did she realise it was a kind of farewell.

A farewell in case he didn't come back.

She felt as she had that night when his army had set out with her father to the Eyrie, only for her to suffer such a painful loss.

She began to cry loudly, terrified, unable to calm herself, her child in her womb moving restlessly, sensing her condition. She was unable to fall asleep, but she was also too tired to think logically in the morning so she persisted in lethargy, breathing hard, recoiling at every louder sound, hoping it was him.

Finally the door opened and he stood there, his white hair, his face, his hands, his armour all in blood.

She covered her face with her hands trying not to scream, horrified at the thought that it could have been his own blood, that he was wounded, and just stared at him with big eyes, unable to get a word out.

There was a kind of emptiness and weariness in his gaze.

He approached her slowly and the door closed quietly behind him. He knelt in front of her with a loud clatter of his steel armour and embraced her gently, cuddling his cheek against her abdomen.

"It's done." He whispered in a hoarse, low voice while looking somewhere in the distance, and she felt a constriction in her stomach mixed with relief and horror.

It's done.

Her lip trembled as an involuntary question escaped her lips.

"Are they dead?"

Her husband swallowed hard and clenched his eyes as her hands stroked his hair.

He seeked comfort in her arms, consolation, an escape from what he had done, what he would have to face every day from now on.

"Yes."

She didn't ask him anything else.

She didn't ask him how they died, who killed them, if they suffered much.

She didn't want to know that.

She didn't want to think about it.

"You must take a bath, my love." She whispered, kissing the top of his head. He sighed quietly, as if relieved, as if afraid that the scale of his act, the enormity of the sin he had brought with him would make her push him away.

She knew he needed her like never before.

She did not let him out of her arms, letting him snuggle into her womb as she called their servants and ordered them to prepare a tub of hot water. As they did so she combed her fingers through his hair, whispering to him that he was brave, that there was no other way, that he had protected her and their child, his family, that he had to do this.

She told him everything he needed to hear to keep him from going mad with despair.

She felt his tears on the skin of her arms, felt that his body was shaking, that the realisation of what he had done was slowly reaching his mind along with the adrenaline and overwhelm leaving his body.

"– Joffrey –" He muttered and pressed his lips together in an attempt to hold back the feeling that was building up inside him, and then he burst out sobbing.

She felt a squeeze in her throat at the thought of that little boy, at the thought that both he and she knew he was a child who had nothing to do with these events, was no different from Jaehaerys.

"− shhh − I know − I know − I know, my beloved − I am with you −" She whispered and leaned towards him so as to enclose him in the embrace of her body, his head pressed from the side to her abdomen and from the top to her breasts, her hands stroking his neck and wet cheeks, her lips kissing his hair.

Slowly he began to calm down, ashamed of his weakness and what he had shown her. As he stepped into the tub of hot water at last he let out a loud gasp of air, as if he didn't believe he was back.

That he was alive.

Just as she had done before, just as she had done then, at the beginning of their marriage, she began by washing his head, the blood from his hair and body staining the water red. She felt him lift his hand back and run his fingertips over her arm, as if he needed to feel the touch of her body, needed to be physically reassured that she was with him, that he was not alone.

She knew he was scared, that what he had done was crushing him and that she needed to be there for him.

She tried not to think about it, to push the doubt and remorse away, knowing that she had to be his pillar, his strength, that he could not see hesitation in her. He needed to feel that he had made the right choice, that she did not despise him, that nothing had changed.

After his bath, she helped him get dressed in clean clothes. Even though it was morning and they should be eating their morning meal, she led him to their bed holding his hand, and lay down with him.

"Try to sleep, my dearest. I will be with you all the time." She said softly.

He hummed under his breath and nodded, laying down beside her, cuddling his face between her breasts. She placed her chin in his hair, embracing him tightly, stroking him, and began to quietly sing him the lullaby her mother used to hum to her when she was a child.

She felt his tense body slowly relax, felt him cry again, and then after a time that lasted an eternity for her he finally fell into a restless sleep.

Word of Aegon's severe burns reached her quickly and she decided to visit him with her husband, knowing better than anyone else what he was going through. As they walked into his chamber Helaena was watching over him, rising from his bed and smiling at them.

Aegon's face was almost entirely covered in bandages and she felt an involuntary tightening in her heart at the sight.

Despite what he had done, she felt sorry for him.

"How are you feeling, brother?" She asked softly and he glanced at her, warmth in his gaze by the way she called him. He shrugged his shoulders.

"Not only am I disgusting on the inside, now I'm disgusting on the outside." He laughed, but no one responded to his words. They spoke with each other for a while, and then Aegon surprised her with his words.

"I would like to speak with my brother."

She and Helaena left his chamber and moved ahead with a slow step – now that she knew it was over, that nothing threatened them anymore, she suddenly felt a gigantic relief, as if she realised that she was safe, that she could calm down at last. She looked at her companion.

"Is he good for you now?" She asked. Helaena looked at her with dreamy eyes.

"Yes. Yes, a lot has changed in him. I regret that it is only now, but… well, I am glad that after the death of our son, me and my daughter find comfort in his arms." She said quietly, looking around, distracted, immersed in her own thoughts. She involuntarily smiled at her words.

"I'm really glad."

She decided not to return to her husband's chamber, but to visit Royce and his new wife. She reasoned that since the danger had passed, she no longer needed to fear anything and lock herself in his quarters like a prison.

She stood outside her brother's chambers and asked the guard to announce her. The man went inside, and after a moment came out and said that Lord and Lady Baratheon would welcome her.

She went inside with a smile, stroking her swollen abdomen contentedly – Royce stood up, extending his hands to her, and they threw themselves into each other's arms, embracing each other tightly.

"I've heard about what they have done. Gods, why didn't they tell me anything?" He asked, glancing at her, and she sighed heavily.

"I suspect it was all about the surprise effect. My Lady. My congratulations on your nuptials." She said softly and nodded at the young woman who stood up from the table, her dark hair braided, a grey-blue long, simple gown with wide sleeves on her body.

She wore no jewellery.

Even so, she must have found the expression on her face pleasing, her mouth was full as was her shapes.

"Thank you, my Lady." She answered her and also nodded. She glanced at her husband, moving towards the entrance.

"I'll leave you alone. Husband." She said lowly and calmly, nodding at him, embarrassment and something she couldn't decipher ran across Royce's face. When she left, they both sat down at the table, Royce grunting away while combing his hair quickly with his hand.

"I'm sorry for the intrusion. I just wanted to make sure you were feeling well." She said, looking at him intently, unsure if he was happy or not.

"Oh, I feel well." He said quickly, pouring himself a cup of wine and grunting loudly. She blinked, looking at him intensely.

"Are you content?" She asked finally. He lifted his gaze to her and pressed his lower lip tight. He sighed and ran his hand over his face.

"I…I've had close-ups with various women, but she…gods, I don't even know how to put it, I've never experienced anything like this. She's very experienced, I can only tell you that much." He mumbled and she saw with surprise and amusement that he was all red – he had trouble looking into her face, clearly overwhelmed by the memories of his last night.

"So… you're content." She finished at last. He pressed his lips together and grunted again.

"I…yes, I think so."

When she returned to her husband's chamber he was already waiting for her, sitting in a chair right by the fire, his eye piercing her, focused and anxious.

"Where have you been?" He asked coolly. She sighed quietly, approaching him slowly – her abdomen was still swelling, and she was getting tired of walking more and more quickly, but sitting wasn't any more comfortable for her.

"I visited my brother. He is pleased with his new wife." She said softly and touched his hand with her fingers. "I thought that since my husband has ensured that the danger has passed, I could visit him."

He looked at her watchfully, and after a moment he hummed under his breath, nodding, accepting her words and explanation. His gaze fled to the fire again, her hand on his skin.

"What did your brother want?"

Her husband was silent for a long time, his whole body as tense as a string. He swallowed loudly, running his fingers over his chin.

"He said he wants to relinquish the throne to me." He said lowly, and she looked at him in shock, feeling her heart begin to pound like mad. "That as he is now, he cannot rule the kingdom or represent it physically."

There was a silence between them full of tension – his gaze finally lifted to her, wanting to see her reaction.

"Did you agree?" She asked quietly.

She had the feeling that his gaze was piercing her deeply, that he knew her enough to be aware of her every doubt, her every thought.

His silence seemed to last her an eternity.

"No."

She blinked, opening and closing her mouth, looking at him in disbelief.

She felt a sense of relief.

"Why?" She asked in shock. He murmured under his breath, stretching out his hand on the armrest, straightening and clenching his fingers as he always did when he was thinking hard about something.

"Because I promised the gods that if they spared you I would give up my hopes for the crown. They kept you alive then, in Harrenhal, and they kept you alive in the Red Keep. I have grown to think that the gods do not want me to be king. My current role suits me. As the Hand of the King and Prince Regent, I will rule in his name until his condition improves. I told him I want something else in return." He said, entwining their fingers together, stroking her soft, warm skin with his thumb.

She felt heat in her heart at his words, at the thought that he still remembered that vow, that he truly believed that through his sacrifice the gods were watching over her.

"And what do you want?" She asked softly, and he lifted his gaze to her, a disturbing glint in his eye.

"Dragonstone."

When they finally moved to Dragonstone she walked with difficulty, the heat was unbearable for her and she demanded a cool bath as soon as they reached the place. Before their arrival, her husband had the chamber in the underground where Luke was last seen completely cleaned and sealed.

When she finally sank into the icy water she breathed a loud sigh of relief, her husband strolling through their chamber with evident satisfaction.

She knew that he had at last won a coveted inheritance, something to pass on to his descendants that was his, that he had been waiting for this moment all his life.

When he looked at her at last she smiled at him.

He hummed under his breath and approached her unhurriedly with his hands folded behind his back, gazing intently at the indistinct outline of her body that he could see beneath the sheet of water.

He knelt by the tub and took her hand in his, pressing it to his lips. He stroked her wet skin with his thumb and let the air out quietly through his nose.

"Just a few more weeks." He whispered, and she nodded.

She saw him press his lips together, looking at her – she knew what he was thinking about, she knew what he feared.

He was afraid that she would die.

That she had not been taken from him by fire or by an assassin, but would be ripped from him by her labour, just as it had taken wives from husbands for hundreds of years, just as it had taken Aemma from his father.

She stroked his face, seeing his worry and tension.

"Be of good cheer, my beloved." She whispered tenderly and he nodded, kissing her hand again.

She did not want to be alone at such a difficult time and asked that Cassandra come to Dragonstone to keep her company. Helaena and Alicent had also announced their passage, so that she was not as afraid.

She felt her first intense contractions at the table when they were eating supper together, as they did every day.

Her husband was telling her about a new book he had read and she listened contentedly until a wave of pain went through her body. She dropped her cup and rose suddenly, catching her stomach, her husband froze in mid-motion.

"What's happening?" He asked terrified, unable to move for a moment.

"I think it's starting." She muttered, and then felt something warm run down her thighs.

She began to cry in his arms as he carried her to their chamber, for Cassandra, Helaena and Alicent were only due to arrive in two days. True, the midwives and maids were by her side, but it wasn't the same.

"I don't want to be alone." She whined quietly and he looked at her despairingly, laying her down on the bed, the women around her began to untie her gown to help her.

"…do you want me to stay with you?" He asked uncertainly, and she swallowed with difficulty and wept loudly, feeling another powerful spasm.

He turned his face away, unable to look at her suffering, not knowing how to behave, not having any knowledge of these women's affairs that always took place behind closed doors.

"Get out." She said finally, grabbing her stomach – she felt him throw her a shocked, uncertain look. "Get out, I don't want you to look at this."

She exhaled, not wanting him to be disgusted with her, so that later, thinking of her, all he could see was that sight, the sight of a ripped flesh full of sweat, blood and bodily fluids.

He, however, did not move from his place, his hands clenched into fists, horror in his gaze.

He didn't know what to do.

She didn't have the strength to think about it, hot sweat was running down her whole body, she felt like she was on fire. She breathed a sigh of relief when she was finally left in just her nightgown, one of the servants put a pillow under her back and another applied a cold compress to her forehead.

The midwife sat down in front of her, parting her legs with her hands, peering between her thighs.

"When I tell you, my Lady, you will begin to push. Do you understand?" She asked softly.

She imagined with tears in her eyes that this strange woman was her mother, and that the servant rubbing her forehead was her sister, and nodded quickly.

Without even looking at him, she knew that her husband was still standing by their bed.

She felt relief and horror, gratitude and rage at the same time.

The pain and contractions began to become more intense and followed each other faster and faster, her heart pounding like mad, her whole body in readiness for the tremendous effort that awaited her.

She wondered if she would survive it.

"Push, my Lady!" The woman called out, and she clenched her eyes shut and, with a loud whine of effort, tried to force her child out of herself. She felt something move inside her and she threw her head back, panting heavily, hot tears running down her cheeks.

"Very well. Breathe, my Lady, deep, full breaths." The woman spoke to her, and she nodded, trying to focus only on her breathing, on the way the air flowed through her chest.

"Push!" She called out again, and she clenched her hands on the bedclothes around her and cried out loudly, feeling the searing pain, her baby's head trying to squeeze through her tight walls.

She fell backwards panting all over, heard a sudden movement beside her, her husband's hand tightened on hers, his gesture of support and terror, his gesture of closeness, his sign that he was there for her.

"Yes, just like that. And again. Push!"

It felt like it went on forever – she was one big sweaty, weeping mess.

She clenched her fingers on his hand so tightly that she felt like she was going to break his fingers, her heart pounding like crazy.

"I can already see the head, my Lady! Just a little more! Push!" She squeezed her eyes shut and a whined in effort and pain as she made her body to force her offspring out.

Suddenly she felt something flow out of her, a lightness and relief filled her, the midwife caught something red in her arms.

"There he is, my Lady, look what a beautiful baby boy!" She said, wrapping the small creature all smeared with blood in a clean white cloth, wiping him slowly. She laughed with joy and relief as she looked at her child's face.

Her son had dark Baratheon hair.

She turned her head towards her husband, wanting to see his reaction, his joy at the sight of their child, but she saw that he was crying without even looking in that direction, his wet cheek pressed against her hand, his fingers clenched on her skin trembling all over.

She felt her heart squeeze at the thought that he was rejoicing that she had been alive.

When their first shock had passed, when she had been changed into a clean nightgown and the bedclothes had been changed, when she had lain back in bed, her son had at last been given to her. He already had his first bath, wrapped in a warm, bright blanket, his tiny arms and legs squirming vigorously when he felt her proximity, as if he recognised her immediately.

She felt a bond, a love, a tenderness, looking at his little chubby pink face, his scent wonderful and addictive.

She looked up contentedly and saw her husband's proud look, an almost invisible smirk on his face. He stood over her with his arms folded behind his back, preferring not to touch such a small creature for the time being, watching his interaction with his mother.

They had agreed that if a girl was born she would name her, and if a boy was born, he would name him.

She knew exactly what name he had chosen, but she asked him anyway.

"Daeron."

It was only at night, when they were finally alone, that her husband lay down beside them in just his shirt, looking intently at the little being sleeping in her arms. She cradled him looking at him with tenderness, thinking that he was the most beautiful child she had ever seen in her life.

"He has your eyes." She whispered and he hummed with contentment at her words as he carefully put his arm around them, pressing his temple against her forehead. She felt him place a kiss on her cheek and on her jaw, felt him inhale her scent.

"You were so brave, sweet wife. I have never been more proud of you." He whispered tenderly, and she felt the heat spread through her heart. She looked up at him, brushing the tip of her nose against his and they kissed, warmly, softly, their lips moist and swollen.

They spent the next few weeks getting used to the changes in their lives – her wounds healed slowly and after only a few days she was able to get up, much to the displeasure of her husband, who wanted her to avoid straining herself.

The cold stone walls of Dragonstone suddenly became cosier when the baby's babbling filled them, their son was loud and constantly laughing, overjoyed at their constant presence.

Her husband didn't want to be like his father, and though he was afraid to pick Daeron up, he often looked in on him just to touch him, to make sure he was safe.

She saw him watching out of the corner of his eye as she fed their son, finding it a very intimate and private sight, his wife holding his heir at her breast, giving him life, tending to his legacy.

She knew he craved her, saw the way he gazed greedily at her breasts, but dared not demand anything of her after seeing their son tear her flesh.

However, when her wounds had healed and she was no longer in discomfort, when she told him he could touch her, he threw himself at her like mad, his tongue deep in her throat, his hands ripping her nightgown from her body.

They were both panting loudly, kissing each other greedily with a sticky, wet click as she felt him grab her hips and settle her on top of him, quickly untying his breeches – they didn't have time to be embarrassed by how much they needed it, that they just wanted to fuck.

"If I don't fill you soon I'll die, sweet wife." He gasped affectionately, his voice trembling with desire – she kissed him again, clamping her hand in his hair, the other guiding the swollen head of his erection to her puffy slit entrance, slowly lowering herself onto him.

They both moaned piteously loudly, his hips beginning to impale her on his manhood again and again, filling her with himself, shivers of pleasure and heat passing through her.

She pressed her forehead against his, rising and falling against onto him, their bodies slapping against each other hard and fast, the lewd clicks of their shared moisture echoing through their chamber.

"− can I taste you? − " He whispered so quietly that for a moment she wasn't sure she heard it – his hand involuntarily cupped her full breast filled to the brim with milk. She mewled in pleasure as she felt him begin to play with her nipple in his mouth.

"− yes −" She exhaled and moaned loudly, aroused by this perverse act, his lips clamped tightly around her nipple began to suckle, she heard the loud sound of him swallowing.

She clenched her hand in his hair pressing his face closer to her, feeling her walls begin to throb against his length that he pushed into her body with each of his deep thrusts.

She was embarrassed by how surprisingly pleasurable it was.

"− oh, Aemond − yes −" She mewled as she struggled to fall and rise on top of him, their bodies slapping against each other with each violent slam of their flesh, his lips pulled away from her nipple with a loud plop, he licked his lips as he looked at her with a misty gaze.

"− so fucking delicious −" He breathed out and she whimpered softly, feeling his words between her thighs, not having the opportunity to answer him, his lips pressed against her other breast, repeating everything from the beginning, her nails tightened and ran over his naked back, she heard his loud purr of pleasure between the loud sounds of swallowed milk.

"− Aemond − it feels so good − oh gods −" She cried out loudly and tilted her head back, coming harder than ever in her life. He moaned low into her breast without releasing i from his mouth – she felt his hot spend spill inside her a moment later.

She wasn't sure she had ever experienced such an intense, long orgasm before.

He finally released her breast from his mouth, pressing his face to her chest, panting along with her. She stroked his hair, kissing the top of his head, purring with delight as she felt his manhood pulsing inside her in fulfilment.

"− will you let me do it again? −" He asked in a trembling voice full of embarrassment and guilt, as if he had done something lewd and unthinkable, as if he feared she would now be ashamed of him. She kissed his hair at his question.

"− yes −"

From then on, his perfect place in the world was to be deep inside her with his mouth pressed against her breast. They both knew that there was something even more intimate than usual about this act, some kind of taboo, unmistakable intimacy that could not be replaced by anything else.

She tried not to burst out laughing when one day during their morning meal he asked her, feigning indifference, when she would lose the milk in her breasts, and she answered him that her body would continue to produce it as long as she breastfed.

She then saw the shock and the glint in his eye, he bit his lower lip involuntarily, unable to hide his expression of delight at this information.

They were closer together than ever.

The birth of their son reassured the entire kingdom, for in the situation in which Helaena did not bear Aegon another son, there was a young heir to the throne alive who would take over after his father.

When she spoke to her husband it seemed to her that he was made to be the Hand of the King, his advice always cool and recalcitrant. To her surprise, Aegon finally learned to use them and became a better king than she would ever have expected.

Daeron was a calm, joyful infant. He soon began to chatter, making his own unspecified sounds and syllables, bringing joy and laughter into their fortress. Her husband read to him a lot, and he stood in his little wooden bed with railings and hopped softly on his feet, delighted.

He adored him.

She had to keep repeating it to him because he didn't believe it, but his son was drawn to him, forever longing for him – he would reach out his chubby hands greedily to him whenever he saw him return from the Red Keep.

Although outwardly he was stern and cold towards the servants and guards, when he locked himself with them in their chamber he changed into a different person.

He would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night from a nightmare, say he heard Joffrey crying from the underground and frighten her, breathing hard. She tried not to show it, hugging and stroking him until he fell asleep again.

She knew that these events would never stop haunting him.

When morning set in, the first thing after checking with a touch of his hand that she was lying next to him was to see if Daeron was asleep in his bed. He would sometimes get up in the night to check that he was breathing and, reassured, would only return to further sleep, embracing her from behind and snuggling his face into the hollow of her neck.

She was overwhelmed with happiness when her brother sent her a letter from Storm's End informing her that his wife was expecting a child.

From what she understood their marriage had been quite successful and peaceful, her character proving far more calm and composed than her brother had originally assumed. She renewed herself in Storm's End, happy to still be close to the sea.

As the time approached for her to give birth, she asked her husband to fulfil his promise that he had made to her when they were in Harrenhal and for them to travel to Storm's End.

Travelling on a dragon's back with a small child seemed too dangerous for them, so they set off in a carriage, patiently enduring the hardships and length of the journey.

When they arrived she felt a strange tightness in her throat as she watched the round throne room where her father had always sat, and now her brother sat in his place.

He stood up happy to see her, kissed her cheek and stroked the head of her son whom she held in her arms – Daeron giggled happily and began to squirm again, bursting with energy.

"I see my nephew is growing fast. How these children are changing! He was such a little baby not so long ago." He said gushing with enthusiasm, clearly delighted at the prospect of becoming a father himself. She smiled broadly at his words, glad to see him, glad to be home.

Royce looked at her husband, who was standing behind her, and nodded. Her husband reciprocated the gesture, but they did not say a word to each other.

She felt memories hit her from every direction and she was moved. She had insisted that they sleep in her old chamber during their stay even though it was small, her husband agreed without a word.

When they went inside their belongings and their son's cot were already standing. He had only been there once, on the night he returned from Winterfell and left abruptly after their argument, so he had no time to look at anything closely.

He looked through her books curiously, looked out of her windows, looked around, and she thought fondly that he had tried to imagine her life before she met him.

Before he had chosen her.

"Would you like to see my mother's crypt?" She asked softly. He looked at her and nodded.

They descended into the underworld with the torch he held in his hand. Although the web of corridors beneath the fortress was complicated, she knew this path by heart, having often gone down there as a child, asking her mother for advice from the heavens.

After a short walk among the stone statues, they arrived in front of the one she remembered so well. She felt a squezee in her throat, burning tears in her eyes as she saw a familiar sculpture, a stone female figure that was supposed to resemble her mother, but did not even partially reflect her beauty.

She approached it and touched its cold surface with her hand, her husband remained silent.

"Mother, this is my husband, prince Aemond. Forgive me for not introducing him to you earlier. He chose me against my and my father's will, but I did not know then how much I would love him. I didn't know that…" She said, feeling her voice break, her husband moved beside her restlessly, swallowing loudly.

"...I didn't know we would make it, I didn't believe I would be as happy as you were with my father. Thank you for watching over me, for listening to my prayers and making the gods send me the husband I asked for." She finished in a trembling voice, choking on her own tears, feeling that only now, two years after these events, did she truly understand what had happened, what she had experienced, what she had gone through, what a long and difficult path it had been.

She heard him come up to her, putting his torch down on the stone ground and embraced her, hugging her to his chest. She felt his heart pounding fast, felt that he was unable to get a word out. He kissed her hair and pressed his face to the top of her head, standing with her like this in the warm light of the fire.

"I thought it was impossible for someone to love me. I thought it was impossible for me to love someone. I thought it was impossible for me to make a good choice when I came here on Vhagar's back..." He whispered, and she clenched her hands tighter on the material of his leather tunic, his warmth, his familiar, wonderful, calming scent spreading through her lungs.

"...and then I saw you."

______

Taglist 1

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[gaysindistress]

Daffodils

summary: My mark, a bouquet of daffodils, is the one thing that I have had to cling to through the years. It’s a promise of eternal love, a partnership made by the gods. I thought I’d lost him in 1945 but here he is in 2023, alive and well (kinda).

pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader 

warnings: angst, fluff, the feels, soulmate au

word count: 7.5k

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disclaimer: credits to original creator/poster of image/gif. found on Google/Pinterest

For as long as I could remember I had daffodils on my left arm, the mark in the shape of four pale flowers in a bouquet being with me since birth. My mother would tell me stories of couples with matching marks, destined to find each other in this life and the next. She’d trace over her own mark that tied her to my father when she told me these stories and engrained the importance of the mark into me. “We are not whole until we find our match,” she’d say whilst sending my father loving glances that were returned by a wink and blown kisses. She would tell me about that the pull that you’d feel when you were close to your match. The proximity would tug at you like a string until you reached the end and met your match. My father would laugh while recalling how he nearly ran her over when he had been chasing that string, too caught up in the moment to look where he was going. Their situation was unusual in that he was a god, meaning he would live long after she died and would lose the one person made for him. It saddened her to know that one day she would leave her daughter and beloved husband behind but living with them for any length of time was enough for her. 

When she did die, the mark on my father’s arm did not fade but morphed into a new one, presenting him with a new match to find. Somewhere out in the universe, my mother had been reborn and she would be waiting for him to find her. Gods had the special ability to have several matches throughout their lifetime as they lived far longer than humans. If they did have a human match, they would be reborn so the god and them could be together for eternity. My fate was undecided being half human, half god; I could either find a god match or a human match that would not be reborn. The cruel reality of my situation halted my efforts to find my match many times. 

How could I go off and find them if I would only have a few decades with them? 

How could I allow myself to feel this great love, only to have it ripped away and never to be felt again? 

For many years, I chose not to look and pretended the daffodils were non-existent. Not only that but I couldn’t feel the pull to find my match for nearly two centuries. Curiosity, sure, drove most of my searching but that need to find my other half wasn’t there until 1917. I had been tending to my flower garden, trying to reconnect with the earth again when I felt the burn in my arm. The daffodils were glowing and burning from under my linen sleeve, telling me that my match had been born and from that day I felt the pull that my mother described. It drove me to leave my mountain cabin and find refuge in Brooklyn, New York. 

Occasionally I would feel a burn in my mark, letting me know they were close but it never led anywhere. I’d search a twenty-foot radius when it’d happen only to turn up with nothing, no leads to who they might be. Even though I knew I was in the right city and that they would have a matching mark, I had nothing else to go off of, leaving me distraught and lost. Once again I had allowed myself to get my hopes up only for them to be violently destroyed. My father, ever the wise man, would try to console me, telling me that these things take time and that I needed to be patient. Both of us knew that the sudden shift in 1917 meant they were human and thus I would only have a limited amount of time with them. Both of us never spoke of that fact and tried to find relief in the fact that I finally had a lead, no matter how small. 

Born March 10th, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York, and would have a daffodil bouquet on their left arm. 

The 20s came and went with no sign of them. The 30s passed in a blur with still nothing. The 40s were here and alas I had nothing. The first world war had not been a concern for me because they wouldn’t have been old enough to join however with the fast-approaching second world war, anxiety gripped me every day. If they were a man, they would surely be drafted and I would lose nearly any chance to meet them. On the other hand, if they were a woman, this world was not ready to welcome queer matches. Either way, I looked at it, nothing eased the fear and uncertainty that I lived with every day.

Laurel is the first person I told about a part of my dilemma. She doesn’t know about my god heritage but knows that I haven’t found my match yet and is becoming increasingly worried about the U.S. joining the war. The strawberry blonde laughs at my distressed expression as we pour out our hearts to each other in her small living room. She’d invited me over for dinner, at least that's what she claims but the coffee table full of wine and snacks led me to believe she needed a girl’s night. 

“I don’t really know why you bother with all of that stuff. Just live and have fun,” she declares as she refills her wine, the sweet but tangy aroma filling the room, “Don’t go around checking everyone’s arm and worrying about it.”

“My parents had such a great story….”

She lets out a loud and dramatic sigh, “Yeah yeah whatever. Honey, you need to just go out, find yourself a man, and dance the night away. There are hundreds if not thousands of handsome men in uniforms milling around, I bet we could find you one to get your mind off of this mystery person.”

“Laurel I don’t want a pointless fling, you know that.”

Sitting up and leaning forward, her eyes get a mischievous look in them, “I have a date tomorrow night and he has a friend. We could make it a double date! Oh, honey, it would be so much fun!”

I agree rather unwilling and she jumps up, shrieking as she grabs the phone to call her date to tell him it’s now a double date. 

Waves of patchouli, carnation, and vanilla filter through Laurel’s bedroom as she dances around while getting ready. She had pretty much drowned herself and me in her perfume when I walked in, claiming it was the best perfume on the market. 

“Sit we have to fix your hair,” demanding, she points to the vanity chair. 

“There’s nothing wrong with my hair.”

Red nails grip my shoulders and push me to the chair, “You can’t go out with days old pin curls.”

“They’re not days old and it’s how Veronica Lake wears her hair,” I swat at her hands as she tries to put my hair into a chignon. 

“Fine. Don’t complain to me if Steve doesn’t flirt with you.”

“Steve?”

“Oh yeah,” she’s moved on from my hair to lipstick, “You know my next-door neighbor, Steve, right? Well, his best friend is in town on leave and we may have run into each other a few days back.”

“Oh my god, Laurel! Why didn’t you tell me it was Steve?”

Shrugging her shoulders, “Why does it matter? He’s sweet and Bucky is to die for.”

“That’s the problem; he’s too sweet to be dragged around on a double date. I can’t go, I’m sorry,” I try to get up but she stops me with a very intense look on her face. 

“No, you’re going and you’re going to flirt with sweet Steve and get your mind off of that stupid mark,” she shakes my left arm for dramatic effect in the mirror, “Now take this lipstick, put it on, and change into one of my dresses.”

“I’ll put on the lipstick but I’m not wearing on your dresses.”

“You’re wearing a rather boring day dress. Flash a little cleavage for once.”

I roll my eyes at her crude wording as I finish putting on the red lipstick. Sitting back to look at myself in the mirror fully, I hate to admit that she might be right. The plain blue dress only has a hint of embellishment with the pearls that trail from the waist to the hem. In comparison to the white floral dress that Laurel has on, I do blend in with the background but that might be in part due to her much more outgoing personality. She doses us with another round of perfume, satisfied that we’ll smell absolutely irresistible. There’s a knock at the front door, pausing both of us and she lets out a small shriek of glee. 

“They’re here!” 

She’s bouncing like a toddler at the door, stopping only to take a deep breath and calm herself before swinging the door wide open to reveal our dates for the night. Pressing superficial kisses to their cheeks, she steps aside to let them in and takes the flowers her date is holding to put into a vase. I emerge from the bedroom with the mark on my arm starting to burn and itch as I get closer to the trio. The men have their backs to me but I recognize the shorter one as Steve Rogers, the aforementioned next-door neighbor. Beside him is the flirt of Brooklyn, James Bucky Barnes dressed in his sergeant’s uniform with that dazzling smile directed at Laurel. 

The burn in my arm becomes unbearable when my eyes land on them and whatever heartbeat I had becomes even more erratic as I realize what’s happening. I’ve met Steve several times and never once has my mark burned like this. Sure it might itch when I walk past his door every now and then but I brushed it off. The only other person that could be causing this is Bucky, my best friend’s date.  My heart stops altogether when he turns to greet me, extending out his hand in a true gentleman’s manner, “Hi I’m Bucky, it’s nice to meet the girl Laurel has told me so much about.”

I’m completely and uttered screwed.

“I hope it’s been all good things,” I take his hand whilst hiding my left arm behind my back. If he notices it, he doesn’t say but there’s a flash of discomfort on his face when we shake hands. Of course, the first time we touch sends sparks through us both as if to say “Hey look it’s your match! Congrats!” He withdraws his hand and his brilliant blue eyes linger on me for too long as Laurel tries to usher us all out so we can start the night. 

Steve appears at my side, offering his arm, “It’s good to see you again. At least this time I’ll actually have someone to talk to.”

Grabbing my cardigan from the kitchen counter, I slip it on to hide my mark and take his arm while sending him a gentle smile, “I imagine you get dragged around on these dates a lot.” “Not as much as you’d think.”

“Well, I’m glad it’s you that I’ll be with all night. Given her track record, I was worried I might’ve ended up with a criminal or worse, a marine.”

He coughs to cover up his laugh, earning a look from the couple in front of us, “I feel like there’s a story there.”

“Not a very exciting one I’m afraid,” I whisper as we walk down the stairs of the apartment complex. 

Laurel breaks our little moment, spinning to face us as we step out onto the sidewalk, “How about some dancing?”

“I second that,” the laugh that comes from Bucky is like a dagger tearing through me. That laugh is meant to be reserved for me. That smile is meant to be directed at me. That look in his eye is meant for me but he is not mine at this moment and I don’t know if he’ll ever be mine. The chemistry between them is real, clear to see by the way they melt into each other when they start to walk again. With her at his side, he would never see me or the mark I’m certain we both wear and I have to accept that. 

Steve senses my hesitation and clears his throat to get my attention, “Is everything okay?”

“Oh yeah, just colder than I expected is all,” I force a smile as I reassure him, tucking into his side even though we’re similar in height. 

It’s his turn to be nervous as we continue down the street, “I don’t want this to come out the wrong way but I saw your mark.”

I stiffen beside him, “What?”

“I really don’t mean to overstep but I think you should know he has the same one,” he says looking straight ahead and I follow his eye line to his best friend who is leaning down to whisper something into Laurel’s ear. Giggles erupt from her as the heat of my body disappears and anxiety takes over me. I can hear my heartbeat pound in my ears as my breathing starts to become labored. Steve fails to keep me upright as my knees go weak and I stumble. My knees and hands catch the rough pavement, ripping at the soft skin and causing blood to leak from the cuts. The streetlights are blurred around me and all of the noise surrounding us becomes muffled. Water starts to envelop me from within, making it harder to swim to the surface of my emotions. Pain rockets from the torn skin and the mark when a warm and strong body pulls me off the ground into them. The sleeves of my cardigan are bunched up, revealing stems of my daffodils as his hands tightly grip my biceps to keep me steady. 

“Hey hey are you okay?” his angelic voice barely breaks through my haze and I can’t help the tears that escape from my eyes. Concern fills his face as he bends down to look me in the eye and survey my expression. The sparks from our handshake are tenfold now as he holds me, only fueling my anxiety until it’s unbearable. Pushing him away with the little strength I have, I stagger back and blindly wipe at them with the back of my hand. 

“I’m so sorry. I have to go,” is the only thing I can muster the strength to say. Laurel calls after me as I take off down the street and disappear into a cab, leaving my unknown lover behind. 

In the weeks following the rather disastrous date, Laurel had tried to call and drop by to see how I was doing. The embarrassment of it all kept me from answering her calls and it took all that I had to not just open the door when she called my name. A few times at the start she’d even brought Steve and Bucky with her, trying to use them as bait to get me to open the door. Every time they’d leave, I’d slide down the door, hand clasped over my mouth to muffle the sobs. Every fiber in me burned to see him again, to feel his presence around me just one more time before I’d have to let him go. 

At some point, Laurel stopped calling and coming over. She claimed she couldn’t handle the pain of trying to maintain our friendship anymore. It angered her that I wouldn’t open up about what happened that night or even try to get to know her new boyfriend better. She would go on and on about how it was ridiculous that I wanted to find my soulmate so badly but when it came to her, I wouldn’t be supportive. Hypocrite was one of her many names for me towards the end but I learned to ignore it. I knew that if I let her in, I would fold and tell her everything from the matching marks to who my parents were. I couldn’t bear to see her face when she realized that her new boyfriend was my soulmate. 

When she returned to her normal life, Steve began to send me letters to update me on him and Bucky but they slowed as he became busier and busier with being Captain America. I could feel the intense trauma that Bucky experienced but reading about it in the letters, relief washed over me knowing that Steve was able to protect him when I could not. Eventually, they stopped altogether and my connection to Bucky ended completely, leaving me in the dark and alone with vague emotions that had no context. 

1945 had been the worst year to date for me. I could still feel Bucky every now and then, waves of joy and desperation washing over me. It all stopped one bleak day in 1945. Collapsing to the ground as I did that day, I clutched my chest as my heart punched in my chest. The singe of my arm turned into a volcanic eruption whilst the pure terror Bucky felt tore me apart. Coworkers rushed to my side, all awaiting my reason for why I fell so suddenly. The same thing that kept me from speaking up during that date kept me from explaining. 

“I don’t… I don’t know. I’m sorry, I….I need to go,” stuttering, I scrambled away to escape from my own personal ring of Hell. 

Is this what it felt like to have your soulmate die?

My father did everything he could to console me when I showed up at his door sobbing and exhausted. The woman my mother had been reborn into quickly left when she saw me and didn’t return until I left again. Later I found out he had sent her away so I wouldn’t have to see them together and worsen my suffering. He listened to me babble about Bucky and how I had just him slip through my fingers. Tender words and cups of tea were all he could offer me as I cried and mourned the death of my almost soulmate. He knew the pain that I felt, the deep ache that would never leave me but there was nothing he could do or say to ease it given that I had been cursed with only one soulmate. I’m not sure how long I stayed with him, a shell of my former self acting as a ghost in his home. I’m not even entirely sure how I made it back to the cabin I had left nearly 30 years earlier but one night I fell asleep by his fireplace and awoke in my cabin’s bedroom.

The morning sunlight breaks through the transparent curtains that I never remembered to close. The wood walls are filled with paintings and photographs of my loved ones through the years. Various bought and propagated plants clutter the shelves that line the top of the cabin walls. Even though I’m deep in the woods, having nature inside made me feel even more connected to the Earth I’ve walked for nearly 300 years. During my many years, the cabin has become overwhelmed with pieces I couldn’t possibly bear to part with. The Persian rug given to me by my grandmother keeps my feet warm as I slide off the loft bed and shuffle toward the kitchen. Piles of blankets made by past versions of me spill from the baskets that fail at keeping them under the bed. Space is limited in the cabin however being surrounded by the memories of my life provided me with comfort.

Steve’s letters are laying on the kitchen counter wrapped neatly with string next to the tea kettle. A small photo of him and Bucky peaks out from between the letters. He’d sent it in hopes it would entice me to write to the other man but it only brought more torment to my weakened heart. The stems of his daffodils make an appearance in the photo, confirming what Steve told me. No longer able to stand the angst regrowing inside, I nudge the photo back into the pile and push it away from me. Filling the tea kettle with water, I light the stove and place it on a burner. The familiar sounds of crackling fire and bubbling water make it to my ears however I can’t stop staring at the letters with numerous questions popping up in my mind.

Did Bucky know that Steve had written to me?

Did he know about that picture?

Had it been a spur-of-the-moment, taken just for me, or an old one Steve packed around?

Did Steve tell him about our marks? Who I really was to him?

Did he die knowing I was his soulmate or did he die thinking he was alone?

As if the gods knew I needed a break from my internal torture, the kettle whistles and washes away the cloud of questions that had floated in. With a cup of tea in my hands, I return to my bed and cover myself with an aging-knitted blanket, letting the warmth soothe the tension in my muscles. I had spent my life searching and praying for my soulmate but now that he was gone, I have no idea what to do. My life’s mission is gone, leaving me with the unanswered question of what to do next. Maintaining my garden and the forest around my cabin would provide only so much relief. I would have to find something else to occupy my time however, grieving will have to do until then.

A side effect of being half god is never really remembering what year it is. Already being a forgetful person, keeping track of the year is something I never get better at. Calendars are only helpful if one remembers to keep them updated and asking someone the year earns weird looks because why would someone forget what year it is. The only thing that helps with this is the weather and gardening. The changing weather patterns and sunlight schedules are my solutions because in order to garden, I have to know the seasons and thus I can kind of guess the year based on what season it is. Still, I get it wrong when my father visits, complaining that it’s been nearly 20 years since we last saw each other.

“Did you forget about me? It’s been two decades since I saw you last” he jokes, pulling me into a tight hug, “I missed you, dearest.”

“I know and I’m sorry. I just got so caught up and time slipped away,” I ramble on, trying to excuse my negligence.

He smiles and quietly shushes me before bending down to look at the daffodils I had been tending to when he arrived, “Seeing you happy again is worth the long wait. How are you doing?”

I shrug, “Better. It’s been difficult but things are getting better.”

“Good, good. Time really does heal our inner wounds.”

“Is it a time or do we just force ourselves to cope so we don’t seem lost in our grief? Because I have a hard time believing that the number of years passing by is the reason I don’t cry every day.”

“It may be both. I wouldn’t discount the work you’ve done to move on…”

My soft scoff stops him mid-sentence, “You make it sound like I lost my favorite book or something. I can’t ‘move on’ from this, I will always feel the hole he left. My heart will always ache in such a way that it eats me alive at night. There is a life and a love I will never have because my own fear stopped me from reaching out to him. I never got to see goodbye and now there’s a permanent absence, sudden, abrupt, and louder than anything could ever be. Yes the world kept spinning and life went on but it was never the same again. I will never be the same again.”

“Dearest you know I didn’t mean to diminish what you’re going through. I simply meant…” He tries to backtrack and save himself from my scorn.

“What you said and what you meant are two different things. Regardless I do not care to have this conversation,” I stop at the cabin’s door, turning to look over my shoulder at him, “You’re welcome to stay for dinner as long as you don’t bring him up again.”

Nodding, he follows me inside and continues to marvel at my green thumb. If I can’t nurture the future I want, I can at least care for my plants with the same passion.

My braid falls down my back, flyaways and loose strands having escaped amid the fight. My chest is rising and falling quickly as I try to regain my breath, the braid slipping off to the side. Pieces too short to reach the back have fallen in my face, barely hiding the blood and cuts that mark my face. I take in shaky breaths as I kneel on the ground, my hands flat against the ground, trying to find stability.

The two men are watching me, their chests heaving in an effort from fighting me. Neither move, too caught up in observing every movement I make. I drag my hands to my knees as I sit back on my haunches.

“I come in peace. I swear,” I rasp as I try to steady myself, muscles screaming in agony.

The brunette scoffs at my weak white flag as the other man takes a careful step forward.

“What are you doing here?” the closer man asks.

I wipe at the blood dripping from my nose, “I could ask you two the same thing. They sent here me on a pre-sweep before Walker comes to do a photo shoot.”

The brunette shoves his gun into the waistband of his pants and shakes his head at my answer. The other name gives him a confused look, “Walker?”

“The son of bitch can’t even do his own missions without a babysitter,” the brunette mumbles while searching the room for what the three of us had been fighting over, a vial that has rolled dangerously close to me.

“Wait, so they send in a solo agent to do a clearance sweep for him?” the other man asks.

I spot the vial but push it toward the men, wanting nothing to do with it.

“Yeah, well he is Shield’s newest shiny toy, and they can’t afford to replace him if something were to happen. So they send in replaceable people like me to do the hard part, and he comes in during the last minute to take all the of the credit,” I laugh humorlessly. I make no attempt to move as my body starts to ache and fatigue sets in. I’ve been doing this for far too long with too little sleep and even less food and water. A part of me had hoped that they would’ve just killed me during the fight, so I could finally get some peace and get away from Walker. The life I once had was too far gone to even think about running away from it. There is nothing left for me at this point and giving the vial over might as well be the last nail in my coffin.

The brunette picks up the vial, eyeing me for just handing it over. His hands are covered by gloves by the whirring of mechanics is unmistakable. I know all too well who these two men are, and I also know I won’t survive another fight with them or the wrath of my“employers”.

Gesturing to the vial, I caught his eye, “I don’t want whatever the hell that is. I don’t even know what it is but if you’re here for it, it definitely can’t get into Walker’s hands. Just take it and get the hell out. He’ll be here in maybe 20 minutes and won’t exactly like seeing the Falcon and Winter Solider.”

Sam reaches a hand out to me, “You’re coming with us.”

I brush his hand away and shaking stand up, body crying out in protest. Going with them means more running, more fighting, and more hiding. I can’t take it anymore. I’d rather die at this point.

“No. Just get out. I won’t say anything about you two being here.”

Bucky speaks up, “And why would you do that?”

“You’re not the bad guys here. Just go. You don’t have much time,” I grumble, picking up my gun and reholstering it. My black suit is ripped and blood is gluing it to my skin. I’m sure I look like a complete mess but it matches how I feel.

Before anyone can speak, the static of a radio roars into the room. Sam picks up the radio and tosses it to me.

“Agent Echo, status update now!” a demanding voice comes through.

Rolling my eyes, I press the call button, “Pre sweep complete. I ran into some trouble but the building is clear.”

“Trouble?” the sneer can be heard through the garble of the radio.

“The building wasn’t exactly clear like you had said so yes I ran into some trouble but I’m fine thank you for asking.”

“Be at the meeting spot in 5 minutes.”

“Copy that,” I say like mentally screaming and imagining that I’m throwing the radio at the wall.

“Like I said,” I turn to Sam and Bucky, “you don’t have much time so get the hell out.”

My legs begin to shake as I try to take a step and I collapse to the floor, the world fading to nothing.

Groaning, I try to move my body to regain feeling but something prevents me from doing so. My eyes blink rapidly to accommodate the light that blinds me and the two men come into view. I look down too fast, causing a head rush, but spot the chair that I’m bound to.

“Woah, woah, don’t move too fast,” Sam says as he approaches me and kneels down to meet my eye line.

“Walker wasn’t going to let you live after we took the vial so we took you with us,” he explains, no malicious is seen on his face.

I chuckle at his words and pull my head up to catch Bucky’s eyes. He’s still as stoic as before, with no emotion to be found on his face. Out of the corner of her eye, a blonde woman is sitting at a dimly lit table and a man wearing a massive fur-lined coat is sitting with her.

“The whole gang's back together I see.”

The blonde shifts in her chair, metal creaking against the cement floor, “What were you doing in that building?”

Sam stands and rejoins Bucky, pulling him aside into a hushed conversation. I glance over to the blonde who I recognize as Sharon Carter. The third man is, of course, the Baron, and I can’t help the laugh that threatens to bubble up.

“No reason”

“No reason?” Sharon repeats.

“Yep. No reason.”

“Who are you?”

“No one.”

The baron now looks impatient and uncrosses his legs to recross them.

“No one?”

I shrug, “Yep.”

Sharon huffs at my remark and looks to Bucky and Sam for some help.

“They called you Agent Echo,” Sam offers up.

“She can’t possibly be Agent Echo. She’s dead,” Sharon answers.

“Oh look at you with all the answers,” I try to make a fist to try and restart blood flow to my hand. I had landed in glass shards and there are pieces still embedded in my palm, too small to have shaken out.

“Try again. You’re not Agent Echo so who are you?” Sharon leans forward in her chair, causing the chair to groan again under the strain.

“A person,” slowly my fingers start to feel warm again and I move to try and wiggle my feet around.

A loud grunt is heard as the baron decides that a sudden show of aggression is needed to scare the truth out of me. He crosses the room in a few steps, heavy boots pounding the cement when he leans too close to me. All I do is raise my head and we are now inches from each other’s faces.

“I suggest you take a step back, Helmut,” I whisper as the baron tries to hold a solid facade.

Bucky is the one to pull the baron back, thoroughly over this show of dominance. He pushes him back towards his chair before retaking his place next to Sam.

“How do you know who he is?” questions Sam.

“That’s not important. Now what I want to know is how you got me out of there without a brigade of super soldiers on your tail.”

“We snuck out the way we came. It wasn’t hard.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Agent Echo was said to be a half god, half human,” Sharon now has all eyes on her, “Even when they found a body, it was highly likely that it wasn’t actually her. The body they found was missing their left arm so they couldn’t officially match the marks. The only way to tell if she really is Echo is to check her left arm.”

All eyes are on me now and the world starts to close in on me. The anxiety of having my mark revealed and the fear of unveiling my true identity is becoming too much to handle. My body can barely keep itself awake at this point and adding on this pressure is not making it any easier. Everyone is waiting for me to speak but nothing comes out.

“No,” my voice cracks as I try to get words out, “You will not put a hand on me.”

Sam goes to speak but is stopped by me choking out more words, “Whether or not I’m Agent Echo is not important. What is, is getting that vial out of here and getting into hiding. Walker will no doubt be ferocious that it’s missing so it’s only a matter of time before he comes busting down doors.”

“Check her arm,” Sharon tells Sam.

“Do not touch me,” I try to wiggle away from him but with the ropes, I have nowhere to go and no choice other than to let him pull my sleeve up.

My breathing is too quick, too close to having a full-blown panic attack when the daffodils are on display for everyone to see. I don’t miss the confused look Bucky is wearing as he narrows in on them, trying to put the pieces together in his head. He must have recognized me to some degree back during the fight but brushed it off until now, faced with the undeniable evidence that we do know each other.

Sharon approaches me, inspecting my mark, “How are you still alive?”

“Is that really the question you want to ask right now?”

“Yes now answer me.”

“It takes a lot more to kill someone like me. The body they found was an accident. I hadn’t planned on faking my death but it worked out to my benefit until Walker had the body reexamined and found out it wasn’t me. America needed their Agent Echo again so he tracked me down and brought me back. ”

Sharon rolls her eyes and tries to explain how implausible that sounds. Bucky silences her with a look as he walks toward me and starts to undo my binds. He doesn’t say a word while he does so and silently hopes that I won’t say anything either. With the final bind undone, it takes everything in me to not wrap him in my arms. Here he is; standing right in front of me alive is my soulmate. He stands and backs up to Sam before his resolve breaks and he unleashes the thousands of questions he has on me.

“Why’d you do that?” Sam whispers.

“I know her,” he whispers back.

Sharon had left us and the men are all sitting around the table talking amongst themselves. I can hear the conversation from the bathroom as I gingerly pull the suit from my body. As it drops to the floor, it makes a disgusting wet sound and I nearly gag. The shower running covers the noise and I continue to take off the Shield-issued clothes. One by one the filthy garments leave my body until I’m left with nothing but my skin and wounds that definitely need tending to. I grimace at the black, blues, and yellows that litter my body and the caked blood that will take so much scrubbing to get off.

Stepping into the shower, I hiss at the feeling of warm water on my skin. There isn’t much in the shower aside from a bottle of 3 in 1 and an unused washcloth Sam gave to me. So starts the long process of ridding myself of blood and dirt. In slow circles, I scrub at the filth and watch as the muddy water flows down the drain. My hair is a problem I’m not sure I want to tackle but know I have to. Stiff fingers unravel the braid and tangles make it nearly impossible to do it gently. I wash what I can from it, knowing it won’t be nearly as clean as it could be.

After I finish washing what sins I can away, I step out of the shower and wrap a rough towel around my body. A fresh stack of clothes sits on the counter, thanks to Sharon. I know not to be ungrateful but I also don’t want to owe Sharon anything. However, my alternative is the bloody suit on the floor so the borrowed clothes will have to do.

I slip on the jeans and tug the red long-sleeve henley over my head, pulling my wet mass of hair out of the collar. There is a familiar scent on the shirt that I can’t place. Sitting on the toilet, I put socks on and lace up the boots Sharon definitely didn’t want to give up. I finger comb what tangles I can out and rebraid my hair, leaving a wet mark on my back but at least I have clean clothes on. Before leaving the bathroom, I grab my bloody suit and toss it into the main room’s fire without a word.

I take the open seat in between Sam and Bucky. Sam starts to question me about how I’m doing and how my shower was. I nod along politely and say my thanks for giving me a place to stay. My attention isn’t fully on Sam though, my mind drifting away to Walker and the possibility that he might find me. The baron says some off-handed comment causing me to look over at him and the smell hits me. With Bucky sitting right next to me, his cologne wafts past me and it’s the same as the shirt. He must have given Sharon one of his old shirts for me to change into.

“Wow, I haven’t seen that henley in forever, Buck,” Sam chuckles as he eyes the red henley I’m wearing.

“I forgot I even had it,” Bucky replies and gets up, “I’ll take first shift watch.”

“I will too,” I interject while Sam smirks to himself.

“Go right ahead,” he says before walking off into another room, the Baron following suit.

Bucky still hasn’t spoken or even looked at me and I’m growing restless, fingers tapping rapidly on my knee.

“How do I know you?” I almost don’t hear his quiet voice as he’s watching out the window with his back to me. The uncertainty in his voice pulls at my heart and that little string that ties us together in destiny. When the Winter Soldier first emerged, I felt a faint tug but never enough to convince me that he was still alive. From time to time, I would become overwhelmed with suffering and anger so deep, it would incapacitate me for hours. It wasn’t until it was revealed who the Winter Soldier really was that it all clicked into place for me. Even though I had worked with SHIELD for many years under Nick Fury, I refused to be a part of anything to do with super soldiers and Hydra. I would do anything else Fury needed of me but that was my one condition; I will be completely in the dark about Hydra and super soldiers. Walker, however, became too greedy to find the serum and dragged me back into the ring against my will. God or not, he had beaten me down until I was a shell of the agent I had been before. Now face to face with Bucky, I’m beating myself up internally for not learning more about Hydra. Had I known maybe I would’ve been able to save him sooner. “Do you want the truth?”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember a girl named Laurel?”

He’s turned to face me, leaning against the window, and nods.

“What about the double date in 1943? You’d come home on leave and she wanted to go on a double date with Steve and one of her friends.”

He says my name with such disbelief that I’m here in front of me, “Your mark. That’s the reason you ran away that night?”

“I couldn’t tell you after I saw how well you two got along. It didn’t feel right to me to break up your relationship, especially with how enamored she was with you.”

“Did you even take into consideration what I might have wanted?”

“It wouldn’t have been fair…”

His booming voice halts me mid-sentence, “No what wasn’t fair was to run from me and not even try to tell me. When we shook hands, I knew there was something between us and then when I picked you up, I felt that spark again. I tried to go after you, to visit you. Hell, I even had Steve write to you to make sure you were okay. I tried but you didn’t.”

“You have no idea what I’ve done to find you,” standing up from the table, my voice wavers with tears, “I waited for 200 years to feel you be born and then I had to wait another 26 years to meet only to see you with another girl. I ran because I couldn’t stand to watch you and Laurel together after waiting so long to finally meet you. When I finally worked up the courage to find you again, I felt you die and then I felt only pain for the next 70 years. It consumed me until I had nothing left. Working as Agent Echo was about the only thing that kept me from losing it all and just ending it. Do you have any idea what it feels like to be in misery that long?”

“You felt me die?”

“Back in 1945 when you fell from the train. Obviously, I know now that you didn’t die but it most certainly felt that way.”

“And you felt everything when I was…” he trails off, unable to say the words so I fill in for him.

“Yes, even then I went through it all. I met Steve again before everything and he told me about it and what really happened.”

There’s a spilt second of silence as he mulls over my words. My eyes fall to his left arm where his matching mark should be but it’s been replaced with metal.

“He never told me about that.”

“Because I asked him not to. I wasn’t sure if you would be ready or even want to see me so I asked him to wait. I had it all planned out; he was going to take you on a trip to my cabin under the guise of a friend’s weekend so I could tell you everything. We agreed that it would be better if he brought you to me rather than me just springing it all on you without warning. Then the blip and Thanos happened and he was gone.”

Once again he doesn’t respond right away while his jaw clenches and tears brim his eyes. Hesitantly I make my way to him slowly so I don’t scare him. After the nearly 80 years it had been since I last saw him, so much had changed in him but the one thing that never left is the ghost of his boyish smile. Even now as he tries to hold back the storm of emotions inside, the wrinkles from years of smiling and laughter are visible.

My hand lands on his cheek, guiding him to look at me, “I’m sorry that I ran and that I didn’t try harder to find you but I’m here now and I’ll stay by your side. I will love you until the sky above darkens and even then I’ll stay by your side in the afterglow.”

Bucky drops his forehead to mine and his arms cradle my face while the tears fall freely now, “Please don’t leave again.”

“I won’t.”

[talesfromawannabejournalist]

History rewritten

"Once upon a time, there lived a glowing city protected by golden gates known as Heaven. It was a city that was inhabited by beings of pure light and goodness who maintained evil and worshipped all good. One of these angels was called Lucifer. He was a dreamer with fantastical ideas for all of creation, and beloved by many of his brothers and sisters, especially his father. However, he was seen as a troublemaker by the elders for they believed his ideas were dangerous to their order. So, he was forced to sit and watch as the elder angels began to expand the universe in their ways.

From the very dust that came from the planet called Earth, they created Adam and Lilith. From the moment they opened their eyes, they were told that they were made for each other. To be by each other side through thick and thin, through the good and bad times, until death do, they part. Unfortunately, the first two humans couldn't be more incompatible than they were. Lilith was headstrong and fiercely independent while Adam was incredibly loyal to Heaven and simply wanted to make them happy. However, they both had one thing in common, they both wanted respect and love.

They simply couldn't get that from either.

And it was like that until one day when everything changed. Lucifer had come into the gardens curious about the new humans. When he came across the first man, he couldn't believe what he was before his very eyes. A beautiful human crying his eyes out by a pond. Drawn in by the captivating creature Lucifer comforted him and the two spent their days in Eden falling deeply in love.

One day in the Garden Lucifer decided that on that day he wanted Adam to know what true free will was like. So, he offered the fruit of knowledge as a gift to him, which Adam gladly accepted. However, this gift came with a curse. For with this single act of disobedience, sin had entered the world with it a new era of evil came with it. And the order Heaven tried to maintain was shattered. As the angels came down to punish Lucifer but Adam stepped in and told them that if they were going to punish his love then he demanded that he be given the same punishment.

With heavy hearts, they did as Adam wanted and cast him and Lucifer into the dark pit that was created by the reckless act. Never allowing either of them to see the good that came from free will only the cruel and the wicked. That did not dismay the couple in fact it only brought them closer, while Lucifer lost his will to even have that dream, he had found a new one in his family. For soon after they established their home, they were blessed with a baby boy, Cain. and then soon after their son Able, and then finally a baby girl named Charlotte. Lucifer focused all his being into keeping them safe and happy.

As for Adam, he thrived as the Queen of their kingdom empowering any and all demons with his voice and his music, and as Hell's population grew so did its power. Adam's hope still remains to this day and hopes that his dream will one day be passed on to all of his children."

Adam closed the book he was reading to his daughter, saw her tired expression, and chuckled before getting off the bed, placing the book on the nightstand, and tucking her in. As he kissed Charlie goodnight his daughter asked him,

"Mama, what happened to Lilith?"

Adam paused and thought about what to say to his little one who was giving a sleepy questioning look with her adorable curious eyes. He sighed and said.

"I honestly don't know Hun, but from my understanding, Lilith eventually died and was placed in Heaven. Or at least that's my conclusion since we've never seen her down here."

Adam shakes his head before giving his daughter a comforting smile and continuing, "It's best not to think about it, now get to sleep, my little princess." Adam gives her one last kiss before turning off the lights and heading out of her room. Closing the door, he turns and sees his husband leaning against the wall with a contemplated look. As he stared at the other side of the walls. Adam cleared his throat and Lucifer looked at him before giving a shaky smile.

"Hey, honey I just came in to kiss Char-Char goodnight. Sorry I couldn't be there for story time, but paperwork can truly be a bitch to deal with ha-ha."

"Are you ok?" Adam asked while raising an eyebrow. Lucifer tried to reassure his queen but only sighed as he looked away, guilt eating at his insides like a parasite.

"I, I heard the story you told Charlie, I heard everything, and I... (sighs) You know that's not how it exactly went right?" "Yes, but I don't plan on ever telling them the truth, the full truth, because even though you were a selfish asshole then doesn't mean you're that same person now." Adam gives Lucifer a small smile before placing a hand on his cheek and turning his face gently towards him. "Now you are the gentle and kind father and husband who'd do anything for his family, including saying goodnight to our daughter quickly so he can give his queen a goodnight kiss as well" Adam winked before turning and walking away to their bedroom.

Lucifer smiles at the retreating form of the human-turned-demon and quietly makes his way into his daughter's room. he tiptoed toward Charlie who was fast asleep. Bending down he gave his little light a loving fatherly look while gently petting the top of her head. "I'm so thankful that you are my daughter more than anything Charlie. That goes the same for your brothers, and the same for your mother, I'm thankful for this family more than anything, and I'll do anything to protect this family through whatever means necessary." Lucifer said his voice barely above a whisper. Conjuring up one of Charlie's many stuffed animals he places it right in his daughter's arms causing her to subconsciously smile and hug the toy tightly. Lucifer stood up and with one last look teleported his way to his bedroom where his queen waited patiently for his arrival.

[violettwrites]

daughter of the deadlands — 01

prologue | next

a/n: hi !! welcome to the official start of dotd !! i do have to admit that the first couple of chapters may be a bit boring, but it’s just a look into madeline’s relationships with everyone but i promise it’ll get better ! i hope :]

anywho ! if you’re enjoying this so far, please don’t hesitate to reblog, like, and/or comment ! i love it when you guys support me 🫶🏻 also should i do a tag list !? let me know in the comments if i should do that !

→ masterlist

→ ask box

MADELINE GRIMES sat on a log at the edge of the camp, her damp hair clinging to her back as the warm georgia sun beat down on her. she had just gotten back from the quarry that was just a short walks away which was her only option to clean herself. ever since society had fell and the dead rose, basic things like having a shower or washing her hair were extremely limited.

her gaze drifted to her younger brother, carl, sitting at a makeshift table with a math book in front of him. his brows were furrowed, and his tongue stuck out between his lips, and it almost made her laugh. he was good at math, but that didn’t stop him from protesting. after all, why did he have to do math when school wasn’t even a thing anymore? but her mother, lori, as always, just ignored his complaints and insisted he do his homework.

madeline was grateful to be sixteen—old enough to avoid sitting with the younger kids and doing homework. besides, she was a straight-A student before everything went to hell. top of her class in nearly every subject—except phys ed. she hated sports. but everything else? easy A’s. she didn’t need to be sitting with the kids and working on fractions.

lost in her thoughts, madeline didn’t hear shane approach from behind until his hand landed on her shoulder. shane had been in her life since she could remember, being her dad’s best friend and all. she jumped, immediately scowling as she turned to face him. she hadn’t liked shane since her dad died. he had this hero complex, always trying to step into rick’s shoes. he claimed he was just protecting their family, but madeline wasn’t stupid. she saw the way he acted around lori—the way they’d sneak off into the woods together. they acted like rick had never existed, and it made her sick.

“hey, maddie,” shane said, sitting down next to her. she dropped her gaze to her shoes—her beloved converse. at least she’d gotten them for christmas before everything fell apart. “you doin’ okay?” he asked, his brown eyes full of concern for the girl, but she never believed it was genuine. there was just something different about him now. far from the shane she used to know.

madeline wanted to ignore him, but she knew better. her mom would just get mad and remind her to be polite—he was “uncle shane” after all. that didn’t stop the uncomfortable feeling in her gut. “i’m fine,” she muttered, inspecting her nails. she really didn’t care how they looked; she just hoped shane would leave her alone. that’s all she wanted nowadays; to be left alone.

he sighed, and she had to fight back a smile. she knew she got under his skin when she barely spoke to him. it was one of the few small joys she had left: annoying shane.

“you eaten today, kid?” he asked, removing his cap to run a hand through his hair before putting it back on. madeline nodded, a small ‘yep’ coming from her lips, keeping her answers short. she hoped he’d take the hint and leave, and, after a moment, he did. “alright, well… let me know if you need anything, ‘kay?” with that, he got up and walked back toward the camp.

her gaze lingered on him for a moment as he walked back towards the rest of the group, specifically her mother. the cocky swagger in his step was prominent, but you could also tell he was stressed. everyone was. and she did feel bad, but he just tried way too hard in her eyes– making himself the self proclaimed leader of the group, and everyone seemed to go along with it just because he had been a cop.

since learning about rick’s shooting, and the beginning of the apocalypse, madeline had withdrawn from everyone. she would constantly replay those moments in her mind; her mother sitting at the kitchen counter in their house, waiting for her eldest child to come home from school to break the news to her sixteen year old that her father was in a coma, and they didn’t know if he would wake up. and then she remembers a few weeks, maybe a month, later when lori had come into her room, telling her to pack her stuff because they were leaving now— without her dad. it had felt like a punch to the gut. shane had gone back to the hospital during that time too, later “confirming” rick’s death, claiming he’d checked for a heartbeat and found nothing. ever since then, madeline barely spoke to anyone.

it wasn’t just their family and shane at the atlanta camp either. other survivors had joined them. there were the peltiers—ed, carol, and their daughter sophia, who was close in age to carl. then the morales family: morales, miranda, and their two kids, eliza and louis jr. the harrisons— with andrea and amy. t-dog and jacquie, known as the douglas family, were there too.

glenn, dale, and the dixons also made up the group. madeline liked glenn; he was always kind, and they bonded over movies. he was a little older than her, only in his early twenties. dale let her borrow books from his rv—though most of them were boring, she appreciated the gesture from the older male.

as for the dixons, lori and shane didn’t want her or carl speaking to them. not that she was planning on it. merle pissed her off the most, especially when he called her “girlie.” daryl, on the other hand, wasn’t so bad. he didn’t talk much anyway.

deciding she’d had enough of the sun, madeline stood and made her way toward the rv to find a new book, considering she had finished the copy of ‘to kill a mocking bird’. most of dale’s books were old classics she had already read, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. once she was halfway there, she heard the c.b. radio crackle to life.

“hello. hello. can anybody hear my voice?”

it was a man’s voice, but the static made it hard to understand. madeline watched as amy, dropping the sticks she was carrying, scrambled to grab the mic. she knew finding other survivors was important, but why bother? it was just going to turn to shit for them in the long run.

if there was a long run.

she furrowed her brows at the commotion but kept walking. dale had given her free rein to the rv, and she appreciated the quiet escape it offered. once inside, she looked through the stacks of books and grabbed a copy of the catcher in the rye— another classic she had already read, but she didn’t mind it.

as she stepped back outside, book in hand, she spotted shane now trying to respond through the radio.

“hello, hello. is the person who called still on the air? this is officer shane walsh broadcasting to person unknown. please respond.”

madeline rolled her eyes. shane’s insistence on clinging to his cop identity annoyed her. it was like he craved the authority— the respect. and it worked on everyone else but her.

she used to be kind to him— hell, she used to love him, she really did. sometimes he’d pick her up from school in the patrol car when her parents had to go to the school for carl, or he’d always make sure to pick up a new barbie doll for her, every single birthday, but things were different now. and she resented him.

“he’s gone,” shane said, glancing up at the group gathered around him—lori, carl, dale, amy, and a few others.

“there are others,” lori said softly, “it’s not just us.”

from the doorway of the rv, madeline watched. she didn’t care much for the conversation anyway. instead, she turned back inside to sit at the small table and opened her book, letting her head rest on her hand as she read.

lost in her own little world as she read the angsty words of holden caulfield, she hadn’t noticed carl make his way into the rv until he was interrupting her.

“maddie?” carl was one of the only ones that called her maddie— besides her parents of course. usually, she preferred ‘mads’, only because growing up she had been bullied by a girl called maddie, but she didn’t really care anymore. the other maddie was probably dead now, anyway.

“hey, buddy. what’s up?” she asked, folding the corner of her page and closing the book. she probably shouldn’t fold the pages of other people’s books, but she didn’t have a bookmark.

“mom’s mad at shane,” he whispered, sliding into the seat across from her, his chin resting in his hands as he pouted at her. “she wanted to put signs up on the highway to warn people about the city, but shane won’t let her.”

madeline sighed, nodding as she stood up. she could care less if their mom was mad at shane. if it kept him away from her, let her be mad. “c’mon, let’s check on her,” she said, ruffling carl’s hair before following him to their tent. she noticed the tension between her mom and shane. she had noticed it ever since she had realised that shane had a thing for her mom, but she never said anything, because lori had never acted on it. not until now, that was.

“mom?” carl called as they approached, and when shane stepped out of the tent, madeline almost scoffed.

“what’s up, bud? she’s inside. go on,” shane said, ruffling carl’s hair before walking past them, his gaze lingering on madeline.

making her way to the opening of the tent, lori smiled at them both. she knelt in front of carl, holding his hands. “don’t worry, your mama’s not going anywhere, okay?” her voice was soothing, playful even, like when madeline was younger. she nodded reassuringly at carl. “yeah—yeah?” she smiled as carl nodded back. “good, now go finish your chores.”

madeline stood silently, arms crossed, watching her brother run off. then she turned to her mother. “so, you’re sneaking around with uncle shane now?” she narrowed her eyes, seeing the guilt wash over lori’s face. “real classy, mom.”

“madeline, it’s not what you—” but madeline wasn’t listening. before lori could finish, she turned on her heel and stormed off toward the quarry, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

the gravel crunched under her shoes as she hastily made her way towards the quarry, her arms still tightly crossed over her chest, jaw clenched as she fought the growing knot in her stomach. she could hear footsteps behind her but she didn’t slow down—she already knew it was lori.

“madeline, please! wait!” lori called out, but madeline ignored her, making her way to the edge of the quarry. she stopped by the water, staring out over the still surface, her back stiff and unyielding. she just wished she could keep storming off, wanting to just keep walking until she dropped dead, but the water in front of her prevented that.

lori finally caught up, her breathing labored as she approached. “maddie, you can’t just walk off like that.”

madeline didn’t turn around. her voice was cold, distant. “what’s the point in staying? so i can watch you and shane pretend like dad never existed?”

lori’s face crumpled, the words hitting hard. “that’s not what we’re doing,” she whispered, trying to hold on to her composure. “you don’t understand… this world isn’t the same anymore. he’s—” her voice cracked. “he’s gone, maddie.”

“yeah, and you just moved on, didn’t you?” madeline spat, turning on her heel to face her mother. “dad wasn’t even dead before you started playing house with shane. how could you do that to him?” she knew she was being harsh, but she was speaking nothing but the truth. and if the truth hurt, then so be it. lori needed to know.

lori’s eyes glistened with tears, guilt etched into every line of her face. “maddie, shane was just trying to help—”

“help?” madeline’s voice rose, anger spilling out in every word. she wasn’t one to get mad like this, not at her mom anyway. but she had been on edge since everything happened. she was finally bursting at the seams. “he’s not helping us. he’s helping you. you’re both acting like dad never existed, like he never mattered!”

“that’s not true,” lori said, stepping closer, her voice trembling. “your dad mattered. he mattered more than anything, but we didn’t have a choice. we had to survive.”

madeline scoffed, turning away again. “survive? by running off into the woods together? that’s how you survive?”

lori shook her head, her own anger mixing with grief. “it wasn’t like that, mads. you don’t know what it’s been like for me, for us. i had to make decisions. i had to keep you and carl safe—”

“safe?” madeline snapped, cutting her off. “don’t pretend this is about me and carl. this is about you not wanting to be alone. you didn’t even try to hold on. you didn’t wait. you just gave up.” she knew she was being mean, but she couldn’t help it. madeline had given up, herself.

lori’s breath hitched, tears slipping down her cheeks. “i never gave up on your father,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “i loved him—i still love him. but he’s gone, madeline. what was i supposed to do?”

madeline’s eyes filled with tears she refused to let fall. it hurt her, listening to how she was making her mom cry, but madeline was angry. “you were supposed to remember him. you were supposed to wait,” she said, her voice breaking.

the silence between them was thick, suffocating. lori took a tentative step forward, reaching out to touch her daughter’s arm, but madeline flinched away, pulling her arms around her body, as if trying to protect the pieces of herself that still ached.

“maddie…” lori’s voice was soft, desperate. “i’m trying. i’m just trying to hold this family together.”

madeline’s eyes burned with unshed tears as she turned to face her mother. “you’re not holding us together. you’re replacing him. and you don’t even care.”

lori’s face crumpled, her heart breaking at the accusation. “i do care,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “i think about him every day. i miss him every day.”

madeline looked away, back to the water. her voice was softer now, but the hurt was still there, raw and exposed. “you don’t act like it.”

lori swallowed hard, wiping at her tears. “i can’t bring him back, maddie. i wish to god i could, but he’s gone. and we’re still here. we have to keep going, even if it hurts.”

madeline’s silence stretched on, the only sound the soft ripple of the quarry. she didn’t respond, her face set in that same defiant expression that had become her shield since her father’s death.

lori took a deep breath, realizing she wasn’t going to get through to her, at least not today. “i’m here, maddie,” she said quietly, her voice full of emotion. “whenever you want to talk, i’m here.”

madeline’s eyes stayed locked on the water, her expression unreadable. “you can go back to shane now,” she muttered bitterly.

lori opened her mouth to say something more, but the weight of madeline’s words silenced her. she turned slowly and began to walk back toward camp, her footsteps heavy as she left madeline standing alone by the quarry, lost in her anger and grief.

[sequinsmile-x]

The Games We Play - Chapter 1

She’d survived the very worst a person could, lived through things that still kept her up at night, the screams of other innocent people ringing in her head as sleep evaded her.

She’d survived so much, but she didn’t think she’d survive leading him to his death. 

A Hunger Games AU

-x-

Hi friends,

Well here it is. The crowning jewel in my crown of insanity. The most unhinged AU I've ever come up with.

I had this idea months ago when watching The Hunger Games, another one of my hyperfixations, and I started teasing a few people saying I'd write a Hotchniss AU based on it. Then I started getting close to a couple of milestones on here...both hitting 2 million words of fanfic and 1,000 followers on tumblr. So I said I'd write this when I hit those milestones.

Both happened yesterday.

So, here we are. I really hope you enjoy this, I've worked really hard on the story and making it fit for our beloved CM characters as well as the setting of The Hunger Games.

The next chapter will be up in a few days. For now it is set as 4 chapters, it might turn into 5 if I get a little carried away.

As always, please let me know what you think!

-x-

Words: 2.5k

A full list of warnings can be found on the series master list

Read over on Ao3, or below the cut

“Emily, it’s almost time to go.” 

She sighs as her mother calls out for her and she closes her eyes, blowing out a shaky breath before she looks at herself in the mirror. She runs her fingers through her dark, perfectly curled hair, making sure it was lying over her shoulders. The dark green tea dress her mother had picked out for her came down to just above her knees, the colour of it complimenting her skin tone. It was velvet, soft and clearly expensive even just to look at, her appearance at odds with almost everyone else in her district. 

She looked every bit like the Victor she wished she wasn’t. 

It had been three years since she’d won. Since her name had been called out in the town square, the murmuring of her peers around her, whispers that ‘the mayor's daughter’ hadn’t even been safe fading out as she walked to the stage. In her worst moments, the timing of her mother’s reelection, something that looked unlikely at the time, and her reaping felt suspicious. The mayor’s daughter going into the games and becoming the first Victor for the district in a quarter of a century had won the election in a landslide. 

It wasn’t lost on Emily that even if she’d died in the arena her mother would have likely won again anyway.

She liked to think that her mother hadn’t put her life at risk for a small grab of power, that she hadn’t made some deal and bartered her 15-year-old daughter’s survival like a chip in a poker game, hoping no one saw her bluff. She liked to think that, but she knew enough about how it all worked, had seen enough in the Capitol since becoming a Victor to know that power was the most important currency in this country. Instead, Emily actively ignored the truth laid out in front of her, knowing that in order to maintain appearances she had no other choice.  

She’d won, but sometimes she wondered if she’d ever left the arena at all. 

She looks at herself in the mirror one last time, smoothing her hands down her dress, her palms lingering over where the large scar on her abdomen was, the injury that had almost killed her. It was unsightly, something that made her wince whenever she saw it, but she stood by her decision to not have the Capitol remove it. She wanted to remember every day what she’d survived.

“I’m ready.” 

The walk to the town square is familiar. She’s sure she could do it in her sleep, a death march she’d been part of her whole life, something she’d done long before she qualified for the games in the first place. She felt a sense of relief that her friends would age out this year, that this was the final time their names would be in the draw, their 18th birthdays always coming with a sigh of relief because it was the last time they’d stand there, their breath caught in their lungs as they waited to hear their name called out. 

It feels like a weight is lifted from her shoulders when she spots Dave the moment she steps into the town hall. He was her mentor and friend, the only other victor to ever come from their district.  The only other person who knew what it took from someone to win the games and come home alive. 

“Hey kid,” he says, pulling her into a hug, one she returns gratefully. She freezes when she hears a throat clear from behind her, her mother’s disapproval at the father figure in her life something she’d made clear. Emily smiles tightly at Dave as she pulls back from him, and she conceals a smile when he winks at her, “You ready?” 

She blows out a slow breath. None of this ever got any easier. Having to stand on stage in silence, a fake smile painted on her face, as more children were picked for a death they’d done nothing to deserve. The screams of the parents constantly echoed in her head, never quite going away. They always came back with a vengeance when the tributes died and she knew she was going home on an empty train, with no way she could possibly comfort anyone.

She’d become a cog in the machine that she hated, and she wasn’t sure how she’d ever escape. Her victory and her biggest crime both wrapped up in surviving, in pulling herself out of the pit she’d been thrown into when she was 15. 

“Yeah,” she breathes out, pressing her lips together as she lets her mask slip into place, “I’m ready.” 

___

He has to encourage this brother out of the house. 

His father was passed out drunk in the living room, and his mother was close to hysterical at the thought of Sean being old enough to go into the games now, a level of emotion Aaron didn’t ever remember her showing for him. 

He wraps his arm around Sean’s shoulders as they approach the town square, and he feels the 12-year-old tense, his body tight with a fear that Aaron remembered well. It was a feeling that oddly faded over the years, leaving him almost apathetic now, the reality that this was the final year he’d have to do this almost lost on him until his mother mentioned it in passing that morning. 

“It will be okay Sean,” Aaron says, stopping to look at his brother, a smile he hopes is reassuring on his face, “It’s your first year. People rarely get their name called on their first year.”

Sean nods and carries on walking towards the signing-in point, “Will Mom and Dad come?” 

Aaron sighs as he ruffles his younger brother's hair, “Mom probably will. Dad’s…resting after a long day at work yesterday.”

“I’m 12, not stupid Aaron,” he says, and they come to a stop again before they both join their respective lines, “You don’t have to protect me anymore,” he shrugs, a playful smile spreading across his face, “If the government think I’m old enough to die for entertainment, I’m old enough to know Dad is a piece of crap.” 

Aaron chuckles and shakes his head before he ruffles Sean’s hair again, wondering when his little brother had grown up, “Don’t talk like that.”

Sean shrugs him off, any remnants of nerves long gone, “See you after?” 

He nods, “See you after.” 

Aaron sighs as he signs in, not even flinching as they take a drop of blood to confirm his identity, and he then walks over to the holding pen for his year group. He pauses for a moment when he spots Haley, his smile tight as their eyes meet. They’d dated for the last couple of years but ended their relationship recently, a difference in opinion on what life would hold for them once they were free from this pulling them apart. She smiles back, offering him a small wave before she turns back to her friends, and he finds a place to stand. 

He looks up as the doors to the town hall open, the usual anthem playing out through crackly speakers set up around the square. His gaze is immediately fixed on Emily, her beauty as distracting as it always had been. 

He’d known her all his life. She was from the other side of town, but they’d always gone to school together. She was nice, and funny and beautiful, never using the fact she was the mayor’s daughter to try and gain favour or popularity. If anything, she seemed to butt against the privilege it would give her, constantly pushing boundaries. They were friends for most of their lives, and always spent as much time together as possible. He’d been in love with her, always convincing himself that one day they could be more than friends. 

Then she was reaped and everything changed. 

He’d watched the games closer than he ever had that year, looking out for her as much as possible, always feeling a strange sense of elation and fear the moment he saw her. When she won he was happy, delighted that she’d survived, that he wouldn’t have to imagine a life without her, but she came back different. Changed by the things she had seen and done in the games. 

She never returned to school, the life of a Victor seemingly a busy one, and her initial attempts at spending time with him faded away once he started to date Haley. Their friendship changed by circumstances beyond their control. He’d aged out of school just a few months ago and soon as he’d turned 18 he’d got a job alongside his father. 

Aaron missed Emily, even though she was right in front of him, and he wanted to fix things one day, to be whatever she needed.

She always looked like she needed a friend, her life as lonely as it was busy, her only real company these days found in David Rossi - the only other Victor from their district. 

Their eyes briefly meet, her’s flicking towards him, a brief smile flashing across her face before she continues to look forward, stoic and strong in a way she’d been since long before he stood hopelessly in this very spot when her name rang out around them.  

He’s drawn back into what’s going on around him, all the explanations for why this was happening, the price they were paying for a war fought and lost long before they were born. The enthusiasm with which the woman from the Capitol explained it all always got his shackles up, her brightly coloured clothes and hair as out of place as her zeal for selecting teenagers to send to their deaths. 

Emily had told him once, fresh back from the games, her clothes stuffed with padding to try and hide the weight she’d noticeably lost, that the woman’s name was Penelope. That she was actually nice, albeit misguided, and that she’d been one of the few people in the Capitol Emily had been able to get along with. 

“Ladies first,” Penelope says, reaching into the giant bowl, dipping her hand into the pile of slips of paper, a literal hand of fate dealt to someone standing in the crowd. She picks a slip and unfolds it, stepping back in front of the microphone, “Kate Joyner.” 

Aaron looks over at Kate and sees the momentary panic flash through her before she steps away from the crowd and walks over to the stage. She was 17 and in the year below at school, someone he’d always got along with any time that they interacted. He feels guilty for the flash of relief that rushes through him when he realises this means Haley was free, that she’d never be at risk of going through all of this again. Despite everything, he still loved her, had still imagined a future with her, and he was happy she’d get to have the life she deserved and wanted. 

He looks back at the stage and sees Emily reach out and touch Kate’s arm as she stands next to her, a brief thing he’s sure no one else would notice unless they were looking right at her. It’s a moment of comfort, something that he’s sure doesn’t even touch the surface of what Kate is feeling. But it’s something. A reminder she isn’t alone in this. 

At least, she wouldn’t be alone until the moment she stepped into the Arena. 

“And now for the gentlemen,” Penelope says, and Aaron feels his breath catch in his chest, the few moments it takes her to pick a name seem to last a lifetime, everything drawn out into slow motion, even the breeze in Emily’s hair, loose strands moving in the wind with more freedom than any of them had ever had. Penelope picks up one of the slips of paper and unfolds it, “Sean Hotchner.” 

It takes a moment for Aaron’s brain to catch up, for him to realise what’s happened. He snaps his head to where his brother is standing. He can see from where he is that Sean is panicking, that tears are flooding his eyes as his peers step backwards from him, making it clear to everyone exactly who he is. It seemed unfair, cruel that his brother had been picked on his first ever time when this was Aaron’s sixth time going through this process. 

Aaron doesn’t think about it, his body moving on autopilot, his desire to spare his brother from this, to save him in a way he hadn’t been to save him from their father, driving him forward. He’s standing on the path leading to the stage before Sean can even start to walk towards it, and he sucks in a deep breath, before he says two words that he’s sure all but sign his death warrant. 

“I volunteer.” 

___

She freezes as she watches him walk out from where he was standing. She already knew what was about to happen. He was brave to a fault, foolhardy with his own safety, and he loved his brother. He held everyone he cared about in higher esteem than himself. His almost subconscious desire to protect everyone around him even to his own detriment something she’d known about since they were small children. 

He’d once taken the blame for damaging a vase in her mother’s house that she’d broken, claiming it was his fault that it had fallen from the table it had been sitting on even though it was her who had knocked it over. He’d teased her about it for years, and winked as he told her that owed him one.

Emily can’t help but stare as he walks up the stairs to the stage and stands next to Penelope.

“A volunteer, how exciting,” Penelope says, her exuberance something Emily cannot find comfort in for once, “What’s your name?” 

“Aaron…” he says, clearing his throat, “Aaron Hotchner.” 

His name rings out around the town square, a death rattle he was ringing himself. One that had led so many to their demise before him. The last few years it had happened under her watch, and it takes everything in her not to gasp, to continue to play the part of the victor she’d been for three years now. 

She’d survived the very worst a person could, lived through things that still kept her up at night, the screams of other innocent people ringing in her head as sleep evaded her. She’d survived so much, but she didn’t think she’d survive leading him to his death. 

Not when she’d been in love with him for as long as she could remember. 

-x-

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[deathmetalunicorn1]

If it's okay to request RoR x Pokemon? Yandere or not? Romantic & platonic?

Romantic: Hades, Ares, Thor, Loki, Buddha, Hercules, Adamas, Beezelbub, Nikolai Tesla, Qin Shi Huang, Jack, Lu bu

Platonic: Odin, Zeus, Adam, Leonidas

Firstly, Do you know AZ from Pokemon X/Y? if so, you remember AZ's Story in the game/anime?

How about Reader as AZ's beloved daughter along with his Pokemon, Floette, and a Kalos War happens…

(You can change the scene if you want)

As the War happens, AZ heard the news that Reader & Floette died. And out of grief, he created a machine, not just bring his Pokemon but also his daughter and destruction happens, AZ's happy that his daughter & Floette came back to life, but Floette (became Eternal Flower Floette) & his daughter (who's possibly has immortality) didn't like it, the destruction that AZ has caused, so His Floette & Reader went away from him as AZ tries to beg to them but they ignore him and never came back…

After what happens at Kalos War, Reader & Floette are partners and have adventures/journeys together, befriending Pokemon & humans, helping/saving others in need, and battling/fighting bad/evil ones that harm others…

Then many years later, along the way, Reader meets (character), and they became friends (then became a couples for romantic)…

For part w/ ror: After Ragnarok happens & became an event, AZ joins in because he heard that they can grant wish to whoever wins their bout (w/a Pokemon as Volundr, or other, your choice how he fights), & he wishes to find his daughter & his Floette, as his opponent, (character), heard his wish and he might know who's this person is…

AZ and (character) battle over (you can choose who's a win/lose or a draw in this), as AZ gives his gratitude to this battle (and sad that he didn't get his wish). At the infirmary, AZ and (character) are recovering from their battle, as AZ and (character) Talk & mention AZ's wish & about to reply then they heard Reader and Floette came in they saw AZ & they had a emotional moment in the reunion and they had a talking to each other, and AZ accepting his daughter's relationship w/ (character)…

What will happen next?

-There wasn’t a day that went by where AZ didn’t think about you and Floette, missing the both of you deeply and always regretting what he had done all those years ago.

-You were both taken away from him during a time of war and he wept bitter tears that he wasn’t there to protect you both.

-When he did everything in his power to bring the two of you back, creating a machine that did indeed bring you back, you now immortal and Floette now an Eternal Flower Floette, but at the cost of so much destruction, more than the war would have ever caused.

-AZ was heartbroken and distraught when you both turned from him, appalled by what he had done, seeing the chaos around you both.

-AZ begged, pleading with you both not to leave him, but you both ignored him, no matter how much it hurt, and walked out of his life, refusing to look back at him.

-It was years, centuries, later, and you and Floette had traveled the world together, making friends, seeing new Pokemon, but never aging. Immortality was not a blessing but a curse, because you both had to watch friends, humans and Pokemon, die from old age while you remained untouched by time.

-It wasn’t until you met (Love/Friend), who came from a place called Valhalla, who had seen you throughout the years, realizing your plight, and befriended you.

-(Love/Friend) traveled around the world with you and Floette, getting his own Pokemon and joined in on the adventure with you.

-When you realized that he too was untouched by time, you learned that he was the same as you, being immortal, mainly because he was dead/a god.

-You didn’t believe him at first, a little hesitant to do so, but when he brought you to Valhalla and you saw old friends, ones that had passed years ago, did you finally believe him.

-You got to explore Valhalla alongside (Love/Friend) who welcomed you there with open arms, teaching you about this new world you were now in.

-Since you were technically still ‘alive’ you were able to travel between Valhalla and Earth, still continuing your world travels, as you were constantly finding new Pokemon and making new friends.

-In Valhalla, a tournament, Ragnarok, was getting ready to start. It was no longer a fight to the death, after the original ended in a win for humanity, and the winner wished for all those who were killed to be brought back to life.

-Now it was a massive yearly tournament, with the winner receiving a single wish.

-AZ, who had long passed, begging the gods to take away his own immortality so he could die, no longer wanting to live with the pain with the two of you not being in his life, joined for that very reason, wanting to see you again, even if it was just for a bit, he wanted to see you and Floette so badly.

-AZ and his partner, Tyrantrum, formed Volundr together, giving him the abilities of the massive fossil Pokemon, and he fought hard, all the way to the final match where he was facing off against (Love/Friend).

-The battle was hard and brutal, AZ giving everything against (Love/Friend), willing to risk it all, just for this one little chance.

-(Love/Friend) could see the desperation in AZ’s eyes and it made him curious on what he wanted so badly, kicking him back, putting some distance between the two of them, “What is your wish?” AZ’s eyes closed in pain and sorrow before meeting the eyes of his opponent, “I want to see my daughter- Y/N, and Floette again. I made a mistake so long ago and I want to see them, to apologize.”

-(Love/Friend) was stunned before he smiled, realizing that this man was your father and he spoke, “I forfeit the match!” while the crowds were stunned as well as AZ, (Love/Friend) turned with a grin, “I can grant this wish on my own- no need for us to continue beating each other up!”

-AZ was stunned, hearing this, but after being led astray on false hope for so long, he was hesitant to believe, no matter how much he wanted to.

-While in the infirmary, being patched up as AZ did go hard the whole tournament, he was surprised when (Love/Friend) entered, bandages on his own body, “I’ve got something for you!”

-Soft footsteps were heard and AZ felt his heart stutter as you peeked in, almost shy before Floette entered first, immediately flying over to him.

-You had seen, over the years, that AZ did his best to rebuild what he had broken, in the destruction with his machine, as he was trying his best to make things right.

-AZ mouthed your name as Floette was cuddled up to his head and before he knew it, you were across the room and in his arms, sobbing loudly he held you tightly, tears appearing his own eyes which fell as he closed his eyes.

-(Love/Friend) told AZ how he met you years ago, down on earth, and that you had become close as a (friend/lover) to him.

-AZ was surprised to learn this, his eyelid twitching lightly that this man knew where you were for years, while he was struggling to find you, but he was relieved to know what you were safe.

-(Love) immediately asked for AZ’s approval and blessing of the relationship he had with you, cutting right to the chase, much to your surprise. Floette hid behind your head, holding onto you while AZ was silent. He knew he had no right to say anything about your life, especially after being cut out of it for so long, but he was still your father! AZ exhaled slowly, deeply, his anger leaving him, “Swear to me that you will keep Y/N safe- do this and I will give you my blessing.” You were surprised as you were half expecting him to refuse, but you smiled softly at your father, gratitude on your face. AZ lifted his hand to your head, ruffling your hair gently, “Come and see me now and then. Your old man gets lonely sometimes.” You couldn’t help but grin, taking his hand in your own, “I promise.” (Love) smiled softly, seeing you looking so relieved and so happy. He was glad that he brought the two of you back together.

            -Hades, Ares, Thor, Loki, Buddha, Hercules, Adamas, Beelzebub, Nikola, Qin Shi Huang, Jack, Lu Bu, and Leonidas

-(Friend) couldn’t help but smile, taking a seat next to you as you and AZ hugged it out, Floette floating over to hang out with him as she had gotten her turn. After you pulled back, (Friend) put his hand on your head, ruffling gently, affectionately, which made you smile. AZ smiled sadly, seeing what he could have had, if he had been patient and just joined you in the afterlife, rather than being selfish and causing so much destruction. He lost out on so much of your, unintentionally extended, life, and if he could take it back, he would in a heartbeat, going back to stop himself from causing destruction, or at least trying to be there for you so you and Floette wouldn’t be lost in the first place. AZ approved of your friendship with (Friend), seeing you so happy, but he became happy himself, when you asked him to start being a father to you again. AZ and (Friend) both took to being father figures to you, doting on you, making sure you were happy and safe, and that’s all that you ever wanted.

-Odin, Zeus, and Adam

[hazel2468]

Okay this is apparently a Magic theory blog now. But I just gotta...

I'm talking with the wifey. About the most recent side story, the Ravnica one. And I simply MUST present my theories about Jace, Vraska, and how Norn is a fucking IDIOT.

Spoilers for March of the Machines, but it's been out for a couple of days now so. If you haven't read it yet, tough tiddies.

Okay. My Theory.

Jace is playing Norn like a fiddle, and he saved Vraska.

Jace ALWAYS has a plan. Always. He doesn't leave things to chance- he's just like that. There's precedence for him preserving his mind in the face of some altering or possessing influence (see what happened with Emrakul, where he created a little mental "safe house" for himself. Also see what happened with Vraska- little mental "safe house" for her). Jace is NOT the kind of person who would go to fight the Phyrexians, knowing he might get Compleated, and not have a plan to preserve his mind. I think that, combined with the fact that he was fucking stabbed with a sword made of fucking HALO, makes a pretty good case for Jace being more himself than Norn would want him to be.

Not to mention the whole bit where he just. Dips before Norn gives him any orders. We see in the chapter that Norn is assuming that he already knows what she wants... But we have also seen that Elesh Norn's biggest weakness is her hubris. The way she is so assured of her own rightness has consistently been her undoing. It cost her Tamiyo, Ixahel is rebellious. Even Atraxa, Norn's own daughter, is not immune to individual thought and feeling (saw art and had an existential crisis there, didn't you, Atraxa?).

So if Jace is himself, if he isn't under Norn's control as much as he should be, or even at all. If Jace is still purely JACE. What do you think this oh-so-smart-but-still-so-stupid lovesick bisexual man is going to do?

The same thing he did before. Go after his fucking girlfriend.

The entire Ravnica story, from Vraska's perspective, demonstrates that some part of her is preserved. Her mind is safe from Norn's corruption (and I am specifically calling it that because I think the idea that phyresis and Phyrexians are inherently corrupting and evil is stupid, tired, and abelist as well). She persists in there and, when she "dies", she is preserved.

So when Jace showed up, at first? Yeah- I thought Vraska was dying, and she was just giving herself the closure she needed. Getting to spend just a little more time with her beloved, even if it wasn't real.

But then shit started jumping out at me. Vraska's mind was in a place that JACE created for her. Everything seemed too real. There was a moment when Vraska experienced their kiss from Jace's perspective- how could a memory in her head do that? The way that Jace reacted to things she said (asking to make it right, a do-over, another chance)....

And then Jace telling her "this part hurts", like he KNOWS. The explosion of white light instead of what I frankly would have expected from her death, a fading into peaceful darkness.

And all of this was purely wishful thinking-

And then her fucking body vanished. Ral fucked up the oil in her, and then her body was GONE.

So, current running theory in this house?

Vraska's mind, her self, was preserved in the mental safe house that Jace made for her. Something we've seen him do in the past for himself in the face of mind-altering forces. Then, Ral fucked up the Phyrexian oil and that really took Vraska apart. But when she went down, she ACTUALLY spoke to Jace. That vision of Jace in her head was the real Jace, communicating with her while he tried to save her. And as for the flash of white light, well, bare with me here...

Halo. Jace was stabbed with a sword made of Halo, and I think its power might have given him the edge he needed to win over Norn's influence. What if he simply did the same thing to her? "This part hurts"- because Jace KNOWS what it feels like for his Phyrexian body to be flooded with Halo.

I could be wrong. I really hope I'm right. Because if WotC gives us this, saves these two, then there is HOPE for Nissa because holy FUCK if they disrespect the fucking gays again with this one... Normally I would say I find it hard to believe that anyone can build up a relationship's significance like Chandra and Nissa's has and then fuck it up, but WotC has done it once.

[sweetshire]

Friend, mutual, beloved.

I am having Feelings about Eowyn of Rohan and the "what do you fear" exchange and I have no place to put them to avoid becoming a puddle of overwhelm on the floor of a storage closet in Retail Hell.

*ugly cries all over your dash*

*vibrating with excitement* hi, my friend!! You have come to the right place. I am literally always having feelings about eowyn. God, where do i even begin abt that exchange?? Honestly, i LOVE this convo sm bc i relate to it. I know that feeling of desperation and of anger all too well. I’ve stood in her place & i’ve felt it in my bones. It has me in such a chokehold even now. Top three eowyn moments for sure. Perfectly encapsulates what i love abt her. Not to mention miranda otto’s excellent acting in this scene. Her eyes express her feelings sooo well. The resentment. The bitterness. The anger. The despair. You can feel everything she’s felt, she feels about her life and the ‘duty’ that has been imposed on her in your veins.

Here, look at a couple of lines of hers, what a badass:

“All your words are but to say: you are a woman, and your part is in the house. But when the men have died in battle and honour, you have leave to be burned in the house, for the men will need it no more.”

“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Éomund's daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” Look at that quiet determination! How can u not be in love w her?!

Don’t even get me started abt her character arc, it’s my fav in all of lotr and we’ll be here all day if i start talking lol. Anyway, i’m SO glad u sent this message <3. Hmu if u wanna chat abt her, i’m always up for it. Also, thank u for giving me this chance to ramble on lolll i’m sure you didn’t ask for this.

*rushes to look up some posts to share with you* keep an eye on your dash, snazz, imma reblog a bunch of posts abt her

[loksthegreat]

vis and otto!! either a sketch or more infodump about their relationship!

I choose Infodump! (Though some art is gonna follow eventually)

So Visenya and Otto met in 101 AC, when Visenyas grandfather, Baelon died and Viserys was chosen as heir by the council and wanted his oldest daughter by his side and Otto became the new Hand of the king. Vis wasn’t all that happy having to leave Dragonstone in the first place and she and Viserys didn’t get along one bit, and since Aemma was rather soft spoken and rarely successful in calming the raging princess, Otto would often go to conciliate between the two of them. They formed a rather strange ‘friendship’ during this time and a years later Viserys and Otto struck a marriage alliance, much to Visenyas anger, who felt betrayed by both her father and the hand, whom she had just begun to trust. They married in 102 AC, upon the princess’ sixteenth name day in a grand ceremony, with feasting that lasted for seven days. The early months of their marriage were filled with a fierce hatred from the princess’ side, as well as an undeniable tension filled with petty arguments, occasionally broken by a shared moment of tenderness, and not long after the wedding, the couple discovered that they were with child. The last stage of pregnancy often left Vi miserable and emotional, during this time she and Aemma grew close for the first time, over their shared pains and memories of their mothers, both of whom had died in childbirth.

Filled with fear and lonely as her husband worked away at ruling the realm day and night, Visenya promptly left the red keep unnoticed in the chaos that broke upon the death of king Jaehaerys, she sneaked into the dragon pit to claim a dragon for herself and return to her true home on Dragonstone, and she succeeded in mounting her late great grandfathers dragon, Vermithor, the bronze fury. Flying through a brief but heavy summer storm, the princess reached her destination and by the time Otto and her father had made it to the island by boat, she had given birth to her first child, a son she named Maegor, in spite of her husband and fathers wishes. Upon her return to the red keep after her brief stay in her ancestral home everyone that knew Visenya would find her to be a changed woman, she scarcely cried and scream in public as she used to whenever she and her father would argue, instead within the few weeks she had been gone, she had mastered a different expression of anger, she would speak with refined cruelty, eyes cold and unyielding and voice dripping with venom when displeased, she was however much slower to anger than before and spend most of her days seeing to her son. She and Otto grew to work together better in this time, though it was not a closeness born from love, they had a kingdom to rule and did so.

In 104 AC Visenya visited the wedding of her close friend and former lady in waiting, Gilliane Glover, to Lord Stark, a visit from which she would return with the bastard knight, Ser Arthur of the Forrest, the third knight to join her side among her sworn shield, gruff Ser Lyle Bracken and the handsome knight of flowers, Ser Lothar. Shortly after her return, Visenya and Aemma both announced that they had fallen pregnant once more. And in 105 AC both women went into labor, Aemma at the red keep, Visenya on Dragonstone. And while Aemma and Prince Baelon died, Visenya and Otto welcomed their second son, Baelor, whoms birth had been a deeply traumatic experience for the princess, who had been plagued by visions of her stepmothers death. In the following months Visenya remained anxious and Otto was painfully reminded of the girl he had meet four years ago, broken by the loss of her foster mother, queen Alysanne and her beloved grandfather, prince Baelon, while not a pleasant time, it served to bring the princess and the hand closer together, allowing each other to be vulnerable around the other for the first time. When the princess fell pregnant again not long after Baelors birth, Otto expressed his concerns about having for children, causing many fights among the couple, but this time around forgiveness would follow quickly and soon enough the twins Rhaenar and Saeron were born, Otto being present for the birth for the first time. The following year on Dragonstone would be the happiest of their relationship.

In Late 106 AC Prince Daemon and Lord Corlys start their war against the triachy, Viserys refuses to send his troops and he and Visenya fight about it long and hard, but eventually Visenya has enough and takes matters into her own hands, seeking the help of her cousins on the iron isles and soon enough the Greyjoy fleet manages to turn the tables for Daemon and Corlys. Still the war rages on for another two years before Visenya returns home, giving birth to her fifth son Jaehaeron soon after, the rumors surrounding the boys parentage as well as the long months spend apart serve to drive a wedge between the princess and her husband and soon enough when Otto returns to his duties as Hand in 109 AC the two fight beyond the point of reconciliation. Otto leaves for Kings landing, while Visenya and her children stay behind on Dragonstone, the princess once more with child. Lord Otto would not met his youngest Son, Aurys, for another few years or so.

In 111 AC Daemon and Viserys would set their differences aside for a short while, and Visenya even visited kings landing for a tourney held to celebrate the return of the brother to his kings side, but the familial reconciliation was short lived, ending with Visenya humiliated by her father, Daemon sent away once more and the Hand greatly angered by by his king. Visenya and Daemon returned to Dragonstone together, and would relive the days of their shared childhood spend chasing around the island. It was at another tourney in 114 AC, held to celebrate the betrothal of princess Rhaenyra, that Otto and Visenya met again. Otto who usually refrained from competing in tourneys, entered the lists after being provoked by Daemon, they would break multiple lances, before Daemon managed to unsaddle the Hand and win, frozen with fear for her husbands live, Visenya only broke from her trance when Daemon went to crown her his queen of love and beauty, the girl would rush past her uncle falling into her husbands arms. It seemed it took the shadow of death to bring the Hand and his dragon bride back together, but once reunited they would not stray from the others side again. And while Daemon was send into exile by the king, a choice that Visenya was greatly unhappy with, she and the children left behind the foggy isle of their ancestors and returned to live at court.

Within the same year Aerion was born and it seemed the couple was closer than ever, especially when not a year later, their first daughter was born, little Alysanne, who served to fully smooth over the scars left on her parents relationship. Otto adored the girl and would often leave his study early to see her to sleep personally and in turn the little princess grew to be her fathers constant shadow. Visenya has visited Sunspear with Daemon a few year prior and upon the news of prince Orys death she went to attend his funeral, during her stay in Dorne Visenya had princess Nymena, the sister of the late prince, and the regent for his 12 year old daughter, Velaris, would strike up a friendship of sorts. On one of the last few days of her stay, the princess was attacked by Dornishmen who distasted the relations of Dorne to the iron throne, the fight resulting in the death of her close friend Ser Arthur, who had accompanied her, as Ser Bracken was not fond of flying on dragonback. Visenya returned home with the body of a man she had loved and a broken heart, that Otto could never quite mend.

In the following year Visenya would give birth to another son, Daeron, and slowly but surely start to recover from her loss, Daemon who had married Laena Velaryon, had also returned to court to present his daughters to the king. And while the princess and her uncle exchanged their grievances about how their shared time had ended, it would be decades before they would be as close as they once were again. Instead Visenya focused on getting more involved with politics and preparing for her future reign. At this point Vi and Otto had been married for nearly 15 years and few things were able to get between them.

So yeah that’s the big ups and downs of these two, obviously their gonna be married for another 33 years so there’s still some other stuff happening, but yeah this is pretty much the many story!! Hope you enjoyed that and let me know if you’d like to know more or have any other questions!

[theblueflower05]

hey girl, I don't know what you have already thought of for part 4. Reading the third chapter yesterday, I couldn't help but read some lines and think; angst, angsty, arguments, disagreements, but for future chapters. Reader is obviously clinging to this new found love with Neteyam. Neteyam will do anything for her, and since their relationship is newish and they can't help but just relish in each others presence, is he just going to brush his family off? Unintentionally tho. Does he change? Yes, but he's different in a good way around her. I guess im just wondering if her jealousy 👀 and maybe clingy will get in the way of their relationship? If she's pregnant tho, i doubt neteyam would leave her side and do anything that would upset her, she can't afford to stress anyways.

I fucking loved chapter three, you're a Queen

This is actually a super valid question and I sat heere for a hot minute realistically thinking about it and how these characters play off of one and other.

So here’s how I see it; the Sully’s are super family oriented. They already consider Y/N one of their own from the moment Neteyam mates her-

-And then on the flip side you have Tonowari and Ronal who have raised Y/N from a super young age. I briefly touched on it(and do have plans to dig deeper into it) but her mom, Tonowari’s beloved elder sister, died and Tonowari has been hyper protective of her ever since.

Here’s where I see Neteyam and Y/N having to kind of figure shit out. They have their respective families, and tons of support, but they’ve chosen eachother. They’re going to have to build their own little pod.

And that’s hard for young couples in general. Especially for ones with so much prior familial responsibility.

While the story will always center around Neteyam and Y/N and their love story, it’s so fun to have snippets of other characters POVs for this reason.

They’re in their own little bubble and what does that look like to everyone else?

Oh, the Reader is always going to be a jealous little brat who gets embarrassed of her reactions and tries to hide her feelings.

There will 100% be more scenes of her learning to trust him and be open with him. Butttt-

The territorial shit is very much an aspect of their relationship though. From both ends. He just hides his crazy better😂😂😂

He’s got the patience of a saint.

✨SPOILER ALERT✨

Thank Eywa for all that patience because they end up having a bunch of daughters

lol He gets real used to having to step back and let his girls rage, and then support them when they’re done.

[blacksheep28]

Pleasantview Community News

Vol 1

A newsletter bringing you the latest in news about our neighborhood Pleasantview! We are starting this off with a historical overview of our neighbors and who they are.

Oldies

A beloved old couple, Coral and Herb raised Mary Sue Pleasant into the wonderful driven woman she is today. They are looking forward to spending their retirement getting to know their grandchildren and spending time with their daughter.

Burbs

Jenny is the sister of Daniel Pleasant, a woman with a workaholic drive. John is more than happy to stand by her side and support her with all his heart. Their little daughter Lucy hasn't decided what she wants in the world yet, but is looking forward to what she finds in Pleasantview.

Broke

Brandi Broke is the mother of Dustin and Beau. A friend of Darren Dreamer's, she had been happy in her marriage with Skip before his tragic pool accident. Brandi is devoted to her children and wants to give them the best that she can, but even before Skip died the family was poor. Brandi has found herself unable to work, as she has to look after her toddler Beau, leaving teenage Dustin as the sole bread winner of the family. He's found work as a runner for a local gang, but dreams of something larger than a life of crime, more secure. Angela Pleasant, his girlfriend, has all the luxuries he dreams of, and believes if a good girl like her could love a bad boy like him, it may just be possible.

Goth

The founding family of Pleasantview, the Goth family is an ancient lineage steeped in wealth. They have always experienced life closer to southern gothic horror than others may imagine, with mad men, tragic deaths, and more plaguing their history. Mortimer himself was a mad scientist, and a successful one. He married the beautiful Bella, and had two children with her, Alexander and Cassandra. The horrors that stalk the family struck again however, with Bella vanishing and leaving the family in their grief. Cassandra found herself dreaming of a true love that would sweep her away, and thought she found it in Don Lothario, the town's cassanova. They even became engaged! Alexander has clung tightly to his father as his closest friend in his childhood, and watches with caution as Dina Caliente courts his father for possible marriage.

Lothario

A man of pleasure, Don has two goals in life: love as many women as possible, and be admired as a musician. He has successfully seduced his neighbors, the Caliente sisters Dina and Nina, his maid Kaylynn Langerak, and the daughter of the Goth family, Cassandra. Sure Cassandra is far more serious about their relationship than he cares for, but he's sure he can handle it!

Caliente

The mysterious and beautiful Caliente sisters! Both are adoring of Don's love making skills. Nina is more than happy with their relationship as is, she doesn't want to be serious anymore than he does! As long as he gives her enough love she's happy to let him be and focus on her dreams of being a star athlete. Dina of course has always been more monetary focused. Her marriage to Michael Bachelor certainly helped set the pair up with their current lifestyle, but his death has her hunting again. Luckily she knew Michael's sister Bella, and about the Goth family through her. With Bella gone, Dina has her eyes set on a particularly large catch. Don is a far better lover, but Mortimer Goth is where the money's at.

Dreamer

Darren Dreamer is a creative man with big dreams. With his wife Darleen he had his son Dirk. It was a tragedy when his wife died a couple years ago. Slowly they've moved on from there. Darren fell in love with Cassandra Goth, though Cassandra hasn't noticed it, and has been close with Brandi Broke as they shared plans for how to work on a small budget. The family is struggling. Dirk found an escape from this in Lilith Pleasant. She is struggling just as much with life as Dirk is, but together they have found sweet moments of reprieve.

Pleasant

Mary Sue and Daniel Pleasant married some time ago and had baby twin girls. At the start of their relationship, Mary Sue and Daniel were madly in love. Daniel swept Mary Sue away in a wave of passion, and Mary Sue's melting under his attention was addicting. Of course, that changed when the twins were born, and they had to focus on the world beyond each other. It was clear to Mary Sue and Daniel that Angela was a good girl, and Lilith...was not. Of course they didn't do anything bad, they aren't terrible people or anything. They simply left Lilith mostly to herself, instead pouring their hopes and love onto Angela alone.

Mary Sue grew more distant as she became more and more involved with her career, working towards the coveted position of a board holder, while Daniel grew bored and frustrated from his wife always being busy. Daniel turned to the family maid, Kaylynn Langerak, to romance, and enjoy. It was easy to be happy when he could make Kaylynn forget her work under his touch, just like Mary Sue used to when they were younger.

Angela found a reprieve from the expectations of perfection her parents unknowingly placed on her in bad boy Dustin. She does her best to keep Dustin clear of her family, she needs to keep her good girl image up after all. Lilith is bitter from years of her parents favoring her sister over her, and Angela picking on her and claiming everything Lilith tries to claim. She dreams of a life far from her family, perhaps as a chef of some sort. Dirk Dreamer was the first person she can remember to look at her and really see her, Lilith, and not just a poor copy of her sister.

[djdiamond18803]

Rejuv Oc Lore: Diamond and Emerald

A small fanfic I wrote about the backstory of Diamond and Emerald and the life they used to live before they became Interceptors.

My dear friends… …Everyone.

I… We would like to tell you a story.

A story that has never been told to anyone.

A story that has been forgotten by many.

A story… of our origin.

Once in a world that has been long forgotten, there lived a young couple. They lived in a small village where the people around them had always been so kind and the pokemons were ever so friendly. They loved and cherished each other very much.

 As years went by, they eventually wished to have a child of their own, a child where they can share their love with. They were blessed with a baby boy and soon a few years later, they were once again blessed with a baby girl.

The family lived a peaceful and happy life. They were surrounded by kind and friendly people and pokemon. Everything was perfect for them.

Until it isn’t.

Winter suddenly came that lasted for so many years. Food and supplies slowly dwindled. The people grew fearful and agitated. The once peaceful lives of the family came to an end, and soon misery followed them.

One day, the village was attacked by a group of bandits who wished to steal their supplies. Many were injured and many were killed during the attack. However, the couple were not spared from this fate. Wishing to protect their children, the couple hid their beloved son and daughter before sacrificing themselves. The bandits soon left the house, not knowing of the two children that had suddenly lost their beloved parents right in front of their eyes.

Their home that was once filled with happy memories, full of smiles and laughter, was now filled with fear and tragedy. The siblings only had each other now, as they tried to survive in this frozen world. 

As years went by, the siblings came to find some new friends in their journey of survival. Each of their friends had lost someone close to them, but now the group had become like a little family to them. They even met a woman who took them in as if they were her own children, and her daughter soon came to see them as her own siblings.

Everything was perfect…

However, while the siblings were out scouting for supplies, they were cornered by a group of bandits. They had nowhere else to run. They could only protect each other for now. As they laid there on the frozen road, their blood pooling underneath their body, a woman approached them in their dream.

A woman named Variya.

She explained that the siblings had the potential she needed, and she struck a deal. A deal that would evolve the protection and survival for the siblings, something that they desperately needed. So, on that winter day, the siblings were chosen to become what they are called, Interceptors. A being that acts as a judge of this world. A being that can intercept fate. A being that has the ability to bring the world to peace… or destruction. However, they didn’t know that it also came with a price.

A price of immortality.

A price of loosing your loved ones.

A price of shouldering the weight of the world in your hands.

The siblings never told this turn of events to their friends and family. How could they explain that they had almost died and that they are no longer a normal human being? So, they decided to keep it a secret, and hoped that one day there would come a time when they would tell them everything.

When the siblings learned of a machine that can reset the world, The Core, they didn’t know what to do with that information.

However, as they watched their world slowly succumbed to itself. As war and chaos spread throughout the entire region. As life was slowly being sucked from every living being. They watched as their friends and found family slowly disappear… One. By. One.

At that moment as they stood in front of the many graves, each carved lovingly with the names of their loved ones, they knew what must be done. They have finally decided the fate of this everlasting frozen world.

Rei…

Alia…

Amelia… Victoria- Vicky…

Erika…

Ruby, our sister…

Tessa…our dear Mother…

We had promised each other to find a way to save our world, to find a way to end this forever winter.

But…

This world was on the brink of destruction, it had already begun to wilt. We had no choice.

…We are sorry, for making this decision.

But we judge this world as a failure, it has to be reset.

May your souls find each other in a new world.

[aajjks]

mommy issues!JK

“mr. and mrs. jang?” the couple perks up when the doctor calls for their attention, the news is devastating. “your daughter is in critical condition. she a severe injury dealt to her brain, fractured ribs, and due to her not wearing a seatbelt…it’s a possibility she could be paralyzed”

mrs. jang nearly drops to the floor and the father is in shock. trauma to the brain and paralysis? how will they move on from yet another blow to their family? first mr. jang’s sister and now his daughter. the jeon’s have screwed their family over so many times. over and over and still continue to play victim like the situation their in isn’t their son’s fault. it was always his fault…he should’ve killed that bastard a long time ago.

“do you see what your son has done to us? i hope the bastard dies” curses mr. jang to jae-eon and ji-yeon and for the first time in over 5 years, jae-eon stands up against mr. jang.

“don’t you dare call MY SON a bastard! your incompetent daughter nearly killed my son and has harmed him for years! don’t blame my child for her psychotic behavior”

“psychotic?! are you forgetting that piece of shit killed my sister?! her aunt?! his abuse was justified—stop acting like you care”

“you mother—,” jae-eon punches mr. jang in the face and thankfully security separates the two before it gets more brutal.

“HOW ABOUT I PUT YOU ON THE STRETCHER TOO, HUH?!”

“I’M SUING YOU FOR EVERY PENNY YOU GOT JEON!! JUST YOU WAIT!!!”

“whatever”

“have you lost your mind, jae-eon?!! do you want to get kicked out?!” yells a frustrated ji-yeon who’s stressed over the condition of you, her granddaughter, and her beloved son. although jae-eon is ashamed of his actions, he doesn’t regret it. his daughter could’ve killed you and jungkook tonight and he has a feeling that it was intended and not some random accident.

“as much as i enjoyed seeing you stick up for jungkook” interrupts eunwoo. “we really need to pray for him. we need to pray for everyone. i don’t want to lose my brother, my niece, or my sister in law. we need to focus on our family and this isn’t going to help”

jae-eon sighs. “you’re right. my apologies…guess she snapped some sense into me at the dinner” jae-eon recounts you throwing the wine in his face for being crude to this grandson and this car accident has opened his eyes. if he doesn’t repair things, he could lose his son forever and his grandson would hate him. he wants to make things right—it’s sad that it took his son’s near death for him to see that.

as ji-yeon begins to pray for her family, the doctor interrupts to update them on your condition:

“good news, weighing at 4Ibs, jeon moon has successfully been delivered”

“how’s y/n?” asks ji-yeon.

“she’s fine. she lost a lot of blood but after the transfusion, she is fine”

“….is jungkook okay?”

“still in critical condition. doctors are doing the best they can to stabilize him. the head injury was really severe and possibly damaged his brain due to the impact”

“she wanted to hit him” says eunwoo. “nara ran her car to his side on purpose. she tried to kill him. please….he’s got a son at home, okay? tell him i said to keep fighting. tell him his daughter is alive and he has to see her. please”

“we will do the best we can and…i’ll relay the message. if you would like to, you are allowed to see y/n”

“PLEASE!!” begs ji-yeon and the doctor leads all three of them to your room. there you are, sitting in the bed feeding the small infant who’s suckling on your breast. despite this moment being a mother’s dream, you look sad. you’re worried about jungkook.

“hi dear” says ji-yeon as she goes up to you and gives you a hug and eunwoo follows suit.

“hey guys” you say weakly. “are you okay?”

“a lot better than you” eunwoo mentally slaps himself for his insensitive comment but you laugh. “here she is. she’s so tiny”

“and so beautiful” says jae-eon as he takes slow steps to get a better look at his infant granddaughter.

“don’t worry y/n. jungkook will be okay. you guys will be fine and you’ll live in that big house in incheon. everything will be fine. i know it” says eunwoo whose eyes begin to water upon seeing your bruised condition.

“and guess what? we’re still gonna have that baby shower”

~🫧

Jungkook is now a father to two children but he’s not even aware of it, Eunwoo feels so bad for you, you just went through a really painful accident and labor and on top of that the father of your children is at the verge of Death.

He can never truly get what you’re feeling right now.

Jiyeon and Jae-eon are busy playing with their infant granddaughter, she’s been tending to you as well, you’ve just given her another piece of her son.

Jeon Moon, is so small, tiny and fragile but so so beautiful. Eunwoo still hasn’t held her, “I’m sorry yn but I will only hold her after Jungkook.” He’s emotional, and worried.

Five hours have passed and Eunwoo along with the family are exhausted. Alina has been calling him nonstop to know about yours and Jungkooks condition.

“Yn is too weak to talk to you right now… but yeah… you’re now an aunt to a beautiful little girl.” He says into the phone.

Jiyeon feels her heartbeat rise, it’s been hours- how is Jungkook doing? “No jae-eon- that’s not how you hold a baby- no no- support her head- be gentle.”

As if sent by God, the doctor comes into your hospital room.

All of you sit up, Eunwoo quickly ends the call, “no yn dearest- please don’t get up.” Jiyeon rushes to you and then the doctor.

She’s still holding her infant granddaughter as she waits for the doctor to talk.

Eunwoo, Jae-eon and Jiyeon gather together and wait for the doctor to say something.

“Mr and Mrs Jeon… congratulations. Your son is now stable. The surgery to his injury was successful.. and the MRI doesn’t show that much damage. We’ve managed to save him from slipping into a state of coma.”

Eunwoo breaks into a huge smile, Jiyeon cries out in relief avd Jae-eon feels calm. “Yn do you hear that??” Eunwoo asks you, wiping his tears.

“Congratulations Mrs Jeon.. your husband is now being taken care of.. he needs to rest but you can see him an hour or so…” the doctor says, “and wow… it’s not because of only the doctors but your husbands willpower. He managed to survive.”

Jiyeon cries in happiness once again, holding her chest. “Oh my jungkookie… when can I see him?!!”

[doveriathegoddess]

Hello hello I'm back at it again at Krispy Kreme, and today I will be showcasing the Kings/Husbandos of my Mariolore AU :3

Without further ado let us begin!

Note: This is a VERY long post because it has more lore than the Mariolore series itself, so I decided to give you a heads up before you go down the rabbit hole-

We must start off of course with the "Tyrant King" himself, who would become a healed sovereign in the years after he married his beloved Queen Dove. It did take some time for King Boo's addiction to alcohol to lessen, but slowly but surely he began to drink more water instead of the strong wine he was used to having at every moment. The Mushroom Kingdom would bear witness to the King's improvement from being a tyrant to a benefactor as he made a full recovery from his alcoholism thanks to not only his wife, but also the two children that the couple had together. The marriage of King Boo and Queen Dove would last for 18 years, which was the remaining years of his life as his alcoholism had done an irreversible amount of damage to his body. As he reached the age of 58, King Boo's failing health would finally take a toll on him as he would pass away in his sleep, leaving his 55 year old wife heartbroken. His daughter Theresa, 18 years old when he passed, and his 14 year old Haru would both be extremely devastated, and it is said that the death of her father was a contributing factor to the mental breakdown Theresa would endure during her time as Queen...

King Haru would be known as the "Last Son of the Dynasty" as he was indeed the last King born in the royal family to ever rule over the Mushroom Kingdom, due to the curse that his older sister Queen Theresa the Mad placed before she was sealed away into a painting by Haru, using the power of the Seven Stars to bring an end to her reign of terror. After Haru was crowned King, his first act was to unite the Mushroom and Sprixie Kingdom together by taking the Sprixie Princess Papaya as his queen. King Haru proved himself to be one of the greatest Kings the Mushroom Kingdom ever had, and the surrounding kingdoms such as the now recognized Koopa Kingdom favored him as he established order and peace throughout the region. He proudly watched his daughter Momo grow up and when she became the age of 25, King Haru would abdicate the throne to her and retire from ruling, traveling with Queen Papaya back to her home of the Sprixie Kingdom and living out the rest of his years as Queen Momo would start the legendary lineage of the Mushroom Kingdom Queens...

King Kankitsurui the Knight would become the husband of Queen Momo and father of Queen Sora, first starting out in the Mushroom Kingdom court as a young boy training to be a knight. Kankitsurui and Momo would first meet as young children, but they would start their romantic relationship in their adulthood. When the couple's daughter Sora was born, Kankitsurui was just like every other protective dad and adored his daughter. When she first started pleading with him to let her train to become a knight, Kankitsurui was hesitant at first since he was worried that she could get hurt easily, but after Sora continued to beg her father he eventually relented and started training her himself. After many years of training and constant sparring, Kankitsurui would lose to his daughter in a match and decided that she was ready to take his place as the Mushroom Kingdom's greatest knight, letting her lead missions and commanding other knights. However the kingly knight had let his guard down during a mission that was supposed to be a meeting with a diplomat from the Koopa Kingdom to discuss the group of rouge Koopas that were starting to cause trouble, when he was suddenly ambushed and assassinated by the rouge group itself. His death sent shockwaves throughout the Mushroom and neighboring kingdoms, and Queen Momo died months later of a broken heart, leaving their daughter Sora to become the new Queen. Queen Sora would then start her campaign to avenge her father, and tales of how she hunted down the rouge Koopa group until they were eliminated are still told today...

King Kamezard was the Koopa Magician that would become the husband of Queen Sora and father of Queen Elemora. He was one of the members of the rouge Koopa tribe that opposed the rule of the Koopa King at the time, and his magic skills proved to be useful in helping the group cause chaos. After the assassination of King Kankitsurui took place, Kamezard and a few of his fellow Koopa realized that the leader of the group was actually a power hungry Koopa who wanted to overthrow the Koopa King and take the throne for himself, not caring whose blood was spilt in the process. Kamezard was the brave Koopa to volunteer to hold off Queen Sora when she launched a surprise attack so his fellow Koopas could escape, using the best of his magic to have the upper hand in the fight but was quickly outmatched by the Mushroom Kingdom Queen. Fate had other plans for the Koopa Magician as instead of killing him on the spot, Queen Sora took him as a prisoner of war and he wasted no time telling her the truth of what happened in the assassination of her father and the true intentions of the rouge Koopa leader. He would then accompany Sora to confront the leader of the rouge Koopa group and a battle ensued, and at the end the leader of the rouge koopas was executed by the sword of the Mushroom Kingdom Queen, which was enchanted by Kamezard's magic. To the surprise of everyone, Queen Sora took Kamezard as her husband, making him the new king of the Mushroom Kingdom despite the fact that he had been associated with the Koopa group that had taken out the previous king. A year later the couple welcomed their daughter Elemora into the world, and as she grew up and took an interest in learning her Koopa magic and heritage Kamezard was the one who taught her to hone her skills and control her emotions so she wouldn't accidentally switch to her Koopa form in moments of anger or excitement...

King Noale the Serenader was the man who Queen Elemora would choose as her husband and became the father of Queen Seraphina. Hailing from a small seaside town outside of the Mushroom Kingdom, the young commoner started to get attention from the nobles when his singing started to get popular, and soon his career as an opera singer took off. Nolae was invited to sing at many different events, gaining even more attention from ladies from every noble household who wished to have him as their husband. But one woman in particular would fall hard for him when he performed at the Mushroom Kingdom caste at the Harvest Ball, that woman being none other than Queen Elemora herself, making Nolae her husband after she promised that he could continue to sing as much as he pleased despite being the King. The king would still perform as an opera singer despite his high status, and he even got his daughter Seraphina interested in singing herself, teaching her how to carry the highest of tunes which was a skill that no other opera singer could master. Things would be blissful for the royal family for a few years until King Nolae suddenly fell ill with cancer, his body growing weaker by the day alongside his own voice before becoming bedridden. Despite Queen Elemora's attempts to try to heal her beloved husband with her Koopa magic, King Nolae's health continued to deteriorate until he eventually passed away, singing one final tune with his soft voice before taking his last breath. The Mushroom Kingdom and the surrounding kingdom grieved over the king's death alongside Queen Elemora and Princess Seraphina, but the mother and daughter kept the memory of the king alive by singing the same songs he would sing to them when he was still alive. After Seraphina became Queen, her first act was to return to her father's hometown by the seaside and ordered for the construction of the Sparkle Theater, dedicating it to her father's memory once it was completed...

King Chiko the Caretaker was the banished Luma being that would end up marrying Queen Seraphina and becoming the father of Queen Morgana. Originally from the Celestial Kingdom, Chiko was one of the many Luma beings who possessed a human follower and served the king/oracle until it became noticed that he was becoming more and more human as he expressed more emotions and began to object to policies that were imposed by the ruler. He was eventually banished by the oracle after being ostracized by the other Lumas, fleeing with some baby Lumas in tow to the Mushroom Kingdom and laid low for a good while, disguising himself as a human commoner. One fateful day however after some young Lumas begged their adoptive father to go to the Sparkle Theater, Chiko relented and snuck into the Theater while hiding his Luma children in his cloak. After witnessing the performance of Queen Seraphina's singing, Chiko was entranced with not only her voice but her beauty as well, leading him to follow her into the courtyard after the show to try to talk to her. Seraphina was able to see right through Chiko's commoner disguise, and offered to let him stay in the Mushroom Kingdom's castle with his adopted Luma children so they would be raised in a safe place, to which he gladly took since the shack he and the Lumas were living in wasn't the best place. Chiko and Seraphina developed a romantic relationship shortly after he moved in with his luma children, and about a year later the couple were wed with the banished Luma now becoming King of the Mushroom Kingdom. In the same year of their marriage, the couple's daughter Morgana was born and Chiko was just as a loving father to her like he was with his Luma children...

King Njord the Willing was the first husband of Queen Morgana and the father of Queen Freya, who unfortunately passed away shortly after Freya was born. A young sailor who became the captain of his own ship and crew during the times when the Mushroom Kingdom's economy had dwindled, and sailed around the world to other countries and kingdoms to establish trade so the economy could recover. He and Queen Morgana first met at a party celebrating the successful trade establishments with the other countries across the sea, and the two fell in love right away as they bonded over Njord's stories of his travels. The two got hitched before Njord embarked on a journey to deliver some rare goods to another kingdom, returning months later to reunite his wife and meet his newborn daughter Freya, who he adored with all his heart. However the king's life would be cut tragically short during what was supposed to be a routine trip to deliver trading imports, when a dangerous storm suddenly filled the skies and the oceans waters grew extremely violent. Things went bad to worse when the ship was then attacked by the monster that was thought to be a sailor's legend, the Gooper Blooper whose massive tentacles hit the ship and did a number of damage. King Njord made sure that all of his crew got off the rapidly sinking ship before drawing his blade and guns to fight the Gooper Blooper, and it would be a battle that he would lose as the monster took him out. News of the king's demise reached Queen Morgana, and her grief for her husband overtook the normally tranquil atmosphere of the castle, as it was also shared among the people and the other kingdoms. A few days later a search party managed to recover Njord's body from the ocean and brought it back to the Mushroom Kingdom so he could be buried. Njord's death would be the cause of why Queen Freya fears the ocean herself, sometimes even having nightmares about her father's demise to this very day...

King Ivone would be the Koopa Diplomat that Queen Morgana would take as her second husband, and become the step-father of Queen Freya. Ivone was a good friend of King Njord and Queen Morgana, sometimes going with Njord on his trade deliveries and had managed to visit a few different countries across the sea whenever he wasn't busy in the Koopa Kingdom with his job. When news of Njord's tragic death at sea reached Ivone, he was just as shocked alongside the entire region, and could only do his best to comfort Morgana and her infant daughter Freya in their time of immense grief. Ivone would continue to visit the Queen and her daughter after Njord's funeral, and eventually Queen Morgana would fall in love once with the Koopa Diplomat, knowing that her late husband wouldn't want her to grieve over his passing forever. Ivone would be the second Koopa in the history of the Mushroom Kingdom to become King, and the first King to be the second husband of a reigning Queen. Ivone proved to be a great step-father, adopting the young Princess Freya as his own daughter and watching her grow up to be the current Queen of the Mushroom King alongside his wife Morgana. After Freya got married to the Prince of the Toadstool Kingdom, Morgana would abdicate the throne to her and become the Dowager Queen, making her husband Ivone's title become the Dowager King Consort. The couple now growing older moved into the famous Summer Castle by the countryside and currently live there to this day, where they always spend their time together and become happy whenever their daughter Queen Freya and her family come to visit, devoting their attention especially on their beloved granddaughter Princess Aurora "Peach" Toadstool...

King Apricot Toadstool the Wise is the current King of the Mushroom Kingdom, the husband of Queen Freya and the father of Princess Aurora "Peach" Toadstool. Hailing from the Toadstool Kingdom that had once been considered the poorest kingdom in the region, Apricot comes from a long line of scholars and is descended from one of the male cousins of Princess Peach, who took the throne of the Toadstool Kingdom by force and made some major changes which would help bring the Toadstool Kingdom out of it's economic crisis many years ago. During the economic crisis of the Mushroom Kingdom during Queen Morgana's reign, the Toadstool Kingdom quickly became recognized as the wealthiest kingdom in the region, with people from all over flocking there in the hopes of having better lives and opportunities. The young Prince Apricot would first meet Princess Freya of the Mushroom Kingdom as teenagers when he and his parents came to visit and discuss a trade alliance with her parents, but he initially dismissed her as he was skeptical of her powers of being the Oracle of the Celestial Kingdom. Later on however, Apricot would slowly start to realize that he and Freya had a lot more in common than he initially thought and after apologizing to her the two became friends at first, up until their adulthood when they both confessed their romantic feelings for each other. After 3 years of courting each other, the couple got married and became the new King and Queen of the Mushroom Kingdom shortly after Morgana abdicated the throne to her daughter and retired to the Summer Castle with her husband Ivone. A year later after Freya and Apricot were wed they welcomed their daughter and the current princess of the Mushroom Kingdom into the world, naming her Aurora after the Aurora Borealis that shone throughout the sky on the night of her birth and giving her the nickname "Peach" as the young child's love for peaches was noticed by everyone in the castle. King Apricot and his wife have been married for 15 years so far, and their love is strong as their love for their daughter who will one day become the Queen of the Mushroom Kingdom. For now, Apricot is just like every other dad, being very protective of his young daughter and keeping a close eye on her alongside his wife and the castle staff as she runs around the castle and plays like every child would...

And that concludes the post about the Kings/Husbandos of my Mariolore AU! I hope you guys enjoyed despite the fact that this post was very long and took me days to post lmao-

[sparviero44]

Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson,

the "death enforcer" died 20 years ago

Childhood in the mine, the name "Soviet" and the burp that started a career, everything you didn't know about the most famous icon with the grim look of cinema

Origins

Charles Dennis Buchinsky was born on November 3, 1921 in Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania, to parents who immigrated from Lithuania and was the eleventh of fifteen children, all of whom grew up in extreme poverty. In early childhood, Charles did not speak English, but he had to catch up quickly

Early fatigue

When Charles was ten, his father died and the boy followed in his footsteps by getting a job in the mine, like many of his peers, risking his life every day for about a dollar a week. Not too surprising that at that age the future stone face of American cinema was already a smoker.

War

After becoming the first of the Buchinsky family to graduate, in 1943 Charles enlisted in the United States Army and fought in World War II as a pilot in twenty-five aerial missions.

The name

At the beginning of his film career, Buchinsky had to stop for a moment to think about his own name. In the 1950s Senator Joe McCarthy launched a hunt for the alleged Communist who massacred intellectuals and artists across the country on charges of treason and collusion with the Soviet Union. Charles' Lithuanian surname might have made him an easy target, so the aspiring actor took on the all-American name of Bronson.

The first role

For his film debut in 1951's "Commander Johnny" Bronson resorted to a particular skill that no other of the suitors for the role of him had: that of burping on command.

European success

Before becoming an icon of genre cinema in America with "Death Wish" in 1974, Charles had difficulty breaking through in Hollywood, but by the late 1960s he was already a beloved face in Europe, thanks to western films such as “The Guns of San Sebastian” by Henri Verneuil and “Once Upon a Time in the West” by Sergio Leone.

Phobias

As a probable result of a childhood spent underground, Bronson suffered from claustrophobia, but he also had a constant fear of germs and infections, which perfectly explained his notorious aversion to handshakes.

Relations

In 1949 Bronson married colleague Harriet Tendler, with whom he had two children, Suzanne and Tony. The couple divorced in 1965 and three years later the actor returned to the altar with actress Jill Ireland, with whom he remained until her death in 1990 and with whom he had two more daughters, Zuleika and Katarina. Charles' third marriage was in 1998 to Kim Weeks.

The death

Charles Bronson died on August 30, 2003 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a long hospital stay. The actor had been in failing health since the late 1990s, when he was hospitalized for hip surgery. In the following years, he was also diagnosed with lung cancer and Alzheimer's. His grave is in Brownsville Cemetery in the town of West Windsor, Vermont.

Charles Bronson,

il “giustiziere della notte” moriva 20 anni fa

L’infanzia in miniera, il nome “sovietico” e il rutto che avviò una carriera, tutto quello che non sapevate sull’icona dallo sguardo torvo più famoso del cinema

Origini

Charles Dennis Buchinsky è nato il 3 novembre 1921 a Ehrenfeld in Pennsylvania, da genitori immigrati dalla Lituania e fu l’undicesimo di quindici figli, tutti cresciuti in povertà estrema. Nella prima infanzia, Charles non parlava inglese, ma dovette mettersi in pari alla svelta

Fatica precoce

Quando Charles aveva dieci anni il padre morì e il bambino seguì le sue orme ottenendo un lavoro in miniera, come molti coetanei, rischiando la vita ogni giorno per circa un dollaro a settimana. Non sorprende troppo che a quell’età il futuro volto di pietra del cinema americano fosse già un fumatore.

La guerra

Dopo essere diventato il primo della famiglia Buchinsky a prendere il diploma, nel 1943 Charles si arruolò nell’esercito degli Stati Uniti e combatté nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale come pilota in venticinque missioni aeree.

Il nome

All’inizio della sua carriera cinematografica, Buchinsky dovette fermarsi un attimo a pensare al proprio nome. Negli anni ’50 il senatore Joe McCarthy dette il via a una caccia al presunto comunista che fece strage tra gli intellettuali e gli artisti di tutto il paese con l’accusa di tradimento e collusione con l’Unione Sovietica. Il cognome lituano di Charles avrebbe potuto farne un facile bersaglio, così l’aspirante attore prese il nome tutto americano di Bronson.

Il primo ruolo

Per il suo debutto cinematografico in “Il comandante Johnny” del 1951 Bronson ricorse a una particolare abilità che nessun altro dei pretendenti al ruolo aveva: quella di ruttare a comando.

Successo europeo

Prima di diventare un’icona del cinema di genere in America con “Il giustiziere della notte” del 1974, Charles ebbe difficoltà a sfondare a Hollywood, ma già dalla fine degli anni ’60 fu un volto amatissimo in Europa, grazie a film western come “I cannoni di San Sebastian” di Henri Verneuil e “C’era una volta il West” di Sergio Leone.

Fobie

Come probabile risultato di un’infanzia passata sotto terra Bronson soffrì di claustrofobia, ma ebbe anche un terrore continuo di germi e infezioni, il che spiegava perfettamente la sua nota repulsione per le stette di mano.

Relazioni

Nel 1949 Bronson sposò la collega Harriet Tendler, con la quale ebbe due figli, Suzanne e Tony. La coppia divorziò nel 1965 e tre anni dopo l’attore tornò all’altare con l’attrice Jill Ireland, con la quale rimase fino alla sua morte nel 1990 e con la quale ebbe altre due figlie, Zuleika e Katarina. Il terzo matrimonio di Charles fu nel 1998 con Kim Weeks.

La morte

Charles Bronson morì il 30 agosto 2003 al Cedars-Sinai Medical Center di Los Angeles dopo una lunga degenza. L’attore era ormai di salute cagionevole dalla fine degli anni ’90, quando fu ricoverato per un’operazione all’anca. Negli anni successivi gli furono diagnosticati anche un tumore ai polmoni e l’Alzheimer. La sua tomba si trova al cimitero di Brownsville nella cittadina di West Windsor, Vermont.