#the last flight of the cassandra | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

yandere-daydreams · 1 month ago

Text

Title: The Freeze Incentive.

Pairing: Yandere!BatFam x Reader (DC).

Word Count: 6.8k.

TW: Non/Con, Fem!Reader, Kidnapping + Prolonged Imprisonment, Mentions of Past Suicide Attempts, Lasting Suicidal Ideation, Age Gap (Reader is Mid-Twenties, Bruce is Late Forties), Obsessive Behavior, Masturbation, and Gratuitous Pseudo-Incest. DEAD DOVE: DO NOT EAT.

[Part One] [Part Two] [Part Three]

You were released from the hospital after forty-eight hours exactly. Bruce never ate, never slept, never left your side. You didn’t speak to him, but he didn’t force you to.

His hell spawn kept their distance. Once, the first time you fell asleep, you thought you might’ve seen Cassandra in the doorway as you drifted off, but it couldn’t have been her. Even she wasn’t slippery enough to come and go under the vigilant radar of your new, raging paranoia.

By hour forty-nine, you were being shepherded into an apartment on the opposite side of Gotham. “The walls and windows are bullet-proof,” Bruce explained, as you shuffled through a long, narrow entryway. There were two doors – both made out of a brilliantly silver, blindingly reflective metal and requiring some combination of facial recognition, fingerprint scan, and physical keys to unlock. That apocalyptic level of security might’ve made you feel a little more safe if you hadn’t already known that the people you were afraid most of would be able to come and go as they pleased.

“The ventilation system is on its own rig, and there are cameras in every room – dormant. Just raise your voice above a normal speaking volume if you want to activate them.”

You coughed out a laugh. “Why? Trying to get baby’s first assault on film?”

Bruce didn’t answer. Your tour ended abruptly, and he held you in a vice-grip against his chest as he made up for two days’ worth of sleep.

The penthouse was, for lack of a better point of comparison, not all that you’d imagined it would be. Floor to ceiling windows encircled the living room, providing an unending bird’s eye view of the city. The second guest bedroom had been converted into a makeshift art studio, stocked with materials for every hobby you’d ever had and most that you hadn’t. All the bedsheets were in your favorite color and all the mounted art was to your tastes and there was a poster of your favorite local band in the kitchen – an design they’d only sold once at a concert that’d happened years before you discovered them. But, all the walls were painted an unfeeling shade of off-white, and the balcony door had been sealed shut, and the band poster had been framed – locked behind glass and hung with a perfectionist’s precision.

You would’ve used glue-dots.

You had the poor thing pinned to a countertop, butterknife in-hand as you tried to pry it out of its entrapments, when you noticed Tim.

Dark and lanky, looming in the corner of your vision. He was dressed in his civilian clothes – all over-sized pullovers and ill-fitting jeans. He smiled when you glanced over your shoulder, but his expression fell as you whipped around, holding out your butterknife like it was ex-fucking-calibur.

“Bruce!” You called into the penthouse, keeping your back pressed against the edge of the counter.

“There was a fire in the warehouse district. We traded posts early.”

Of course. You weren’t sure why you’d expected him to say goodbye. “Touch me and I’ll slit my own throat.”

“With that?” He laughed, the noise airy. “We had the edges of the cutlery dulled. Anything sharp enough to break skin is—” Tim cut himself off, shrugging. “You’ll have to ask, if there’s anything you want to use. Standing flight-risk and all.”

God. If you’d known trying to kill yourself would cause this many problems, you would’ve made sure to get it right the first time.

Tim took half a step closer. You squared your shoulders.

“I’ll hang myself with the bedsheets.”

“Tear-away. They can’t hold anything heavier than fifty pounds.”

“I’ll drink boiling water.”

“The stove is bioencrypted. And the microwave. And the kettle.” Tim smiled apologetically. “I’m not going to do anything, I promise. The others, they’re a little—” Another abrupt pause, this one followed by a dry swallow. You wondered if Bruce had briefed him on what to say to you, or if his siblings had been the one to put a script together. Your little stunt probably didn’t help with that, either. Proving you could get hurt put the idea of protecting you into their minds. It gave them an excuse to treat you like something fragile, something that didn’t know any better. The narrative could be rewritten, their fixations tailored to better fit the new angle. You wondered if the Oedipus complex of it all would crack and give way under the added pressure, but ultimately decided not to hope for silver linings in rock-bottom scenarios.

“—overzealous,” Tim finished, finally. “I get it, though. You need your space. I’m just here to keep an eye on you.”

You scowled, wearily. “That doesn’t sound like giving me space.”

“Give me a chance.” His grin brightened. “You won’t even know I’m here.”

You were always going to try and pretend he wasn’t, obviously. That didn’t necessarily mean he’d make it easy.

You kept the butterknife with you, even if it was too blunt to puncture and too small to inflict substantial trauma. Never more than thirty feet away, Tim followed after you as you wandered through the apartment, trying to pass the time without letting your guard down. You flipped through the clothes overflowing from your new, Bruce-tailored closet. Tim watched. You sat in front of a window, trying to make out the world miles below. Tim watched. You tried your hand at embroidery. Tim cringed every time you pressed the needle into fabric, and he watched.

You were pretending to read a book (a low stakes romance, more fluff than substance, something Bruce would’ve picked out with distraction in mind) when Tim broke the tense silence.

“You’re supposed to take a shower, now.”

You eyed him wearily. “You know I'm almost a decade older than you, right?”

He grinned, his face going a telling shade of pink. Okay, that was on you, but still – gross.

“Whatever.” The master bath seemed the most private, the most tucked-away, so you fled in that direction. You were a few inches away from slamming the door shut when Tim’s hand caught the edge, pushing it open despite your best attempts to stop him.

“Bruce’s orders,” he explained, shrugging. Like that made up for the red now steadily creeping towards his ears, the way his breathing seemed to hitch as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Like he’d ever listened to Bruce a day in his life. “You have to understand why he’d be touchy about bathrooms.”

The anger was hot, thick, and immediate. You didn’t have to understand anything. It’d been your body folded up and lifeless on the tile floor. All he’d done was call the ambulance.

“Either you leave or we spend the night here.” You crossed your arms over your chest. “Get out.”

Tim chuckled. “You’re being so stubborn.”

“Out.”

“Take your time.” He propped his back against the door. “I’m not going anywhere. We have all day, literally.”

Butterknife be damned. You were going to kill him with your bare hands.

You took a long moment, evaluating your options. Tim had always ranked on the lower side of your danger scale – creepy and perverted, but too buttoned-up and close to Bruce to ever do anything more direct than stealing your panties or planting mics in your bedroom. Their new arrangement would change things, sure, but Bruce’s ongoing denial that kids were here to do anything but protect you seemed to have a dampening effect, keeping the scales from tilting quite as dramatically as they might’ve, otherwise.

You were also, undeniably, scared. Scared of testing the waters so quickly, scared of finding out how Bruce would handle disobedience, scared of who might be taking over after Tim. You pictured Cas, undressing you with care, then Jason, smile cutting into your throat as he forced you under freezing cold water. Tim wasn’t good, but he was preferable. The lesser of many, many evils.

“Face the wall. With a towel over your head.” Tim’s smile quirked, but he complied. You waited until he was fully turned towards the door, pitch-black fabric blocking his peripheral, to go on. “Bruce has every room bugged. If I scream, he’ll be here in minutes.”

A lie, but a fair one. Tim nodded slowly, as if processing new information. Bruce must’ve been keeping a few of the penthouse’s security measures to himself. Even he didn’t trust his kids when left to their own devices.

Getting undressed was the worst part. You were caught between the logical awareness that ripping off the Band-Aid would ultimately prove less painless and the gnawing instinct to cling to what might keep you safe for just a little longer. Forcing your conscious mind to a distance, you kept things military – water, soap, rinse, repeat – and let yourself think only of how thankful you were to finally wash off the hospital grime. You were only a minute or so away from being done when you heard something over the water’s rhythmic pattering. A clicking sound, except it was a little too wet, a little too off-beat. For a second, you were delusional enough to consider that one of the pipes in Bruce’s ten-trillion-dollar apartment might’ve sprung a leak.

Then, dread cold and hollow in your chest, you looked to Tim.

He wasn’t facing you. Thank God, he wasn’t facing you. What you could see of him like this, though the fogged glass of the shower stall, was bad enough. He was hunched over, his forehead pressed against the wood of the door. His left hand was planted at the same height while the right worked between his legs, moving in time with that awful, repetitive noise. The towel had fallen to his shoulders, but you could see that his eyes were clenched shut, like he was still trying not to violate your one boundary. In his mind, you were sure this didn’t count as an overstep.

Vaguely, you remembered Stephanie saying something about Tim being the voyeur type. You wondered if the fact that he wasn’t technically looking made this any better.

Your original goal was immediately forgotten. You stayed where you were until the water went cold, until you could hear Tim’s strained breathing and see white dripping from his hand. You waited for him to clean himself up before moving on to the salvage – towel, clothes, etc. You kept your eyes low, your lips pursed, but Tim wasn’t as stand-offish. He orbited around you as you shrugged open the bathroom door and stepped out, his voice chipper. Giddy. “Feeling better?”

“When’s Bruce coming back?”

“Can’t be sure. His schedule’s the hardest to pin down.” He rested a hand on your shoulder by way of apology. Your skin crawled. “Barbara has the next shift.”

You mumbled something affirmative. Still fully dressed, you crawled into bed and pulled the sheets over your head.

Tim watched.

You were right. Bruce’s insistence on the pretense of deniability put the others on-guard, all reluctant to be the one to condemn their father’s favorite lamb to death.

Some were worse than others. Barbara let you watch a season’s worth of some perfectly generic, perfectly mindless reality T.V. dating show in one sitting, only occasionally looking up from her laptop and paperwork to yell at the screen on your behalf. Cas pawed at your tits through your shirt while cuddling until you were too sore to lay on your chest. Damian took advantage of the art studio to paint a terribly forlorn, but relatively flattering portrait of you while you struggled with a crochet hook. Stephanie had you try on three shopping bag’s worth of lingerie, snapping pictures all the while. Kate told you every piece of gossip she’d picked up during Gotham’s social season. Jason stayed away, which was the worst thing he could’ve done. Even serial killers had the decency not to leave their victim’s corpses to the scavengers.

And Dick…

Dick let you out.

Never to go very far, never for very long, and always to somewhere mind-numbingly civilian - a café, or a boutique, or the nicer stretch of docks tourists tended to flock to in the summer. Like the rest, he’d established his own set of boundaries, as defined as they were irrational. He never talked about Bruce, to Tim, or any of the others. He kept his distance when you two were alone and held your hand when you weren’t. If you had to say anything, he said it for you. It was weird, but nothing you couldn’t live with. No – your fears were more abstract than that, more likely to take the form of ticking clocks than groping hands. Things were bad, now. You could live with that. You understood that.

You were just having trouble keeping yourself sane while you sat around, wasted time, and waited for things to get worse.

“Don’t like the view?”

Ah. You must’ve been lost in thought again. You glanced towards Dick, your head resting gingerly on his shoulder, then outward, to the grassy plains of the local park. It was a good day (or Gotham, at least) so you weren’t entirely alone. Couples jogged. Families picnicked. Children played. It might’ve been nice if Dick hadn’t decided that you’d spend the day rooted to a bench on the outskirts, a half-eaten cup of ice cream melting to your side, his arms slung over the backrest and some part of you always making contact with some part of him. So he could be sure you didn’t run, he’d claimed. As if any amount of distance would be enough to get you away from him.

“Just wondering why you’re doing this.”

He chuckled. “What do you mean?”

“Taking me outside. Making me look at happy, smiling people.” Delaying the inevitable. Giving you false hope. “It’s a little mean, considering I’m just going to be rotting again in a couple hours.”

“Better than leaving you locked up all day, right?”

You scuffed your heel into the dirt. Dainty kitten heels – nothing you’d ever been able to run in. “I guess the fresh air is nice. And the lack of security cameras.”

At that, Dick cringed. You were still testing for sore spots, trying to find holes in the fabric that held your captors together, less as part of some future plan and more to keep yourself busy. Bruce’s near-constant invasions of your privacy was, rather transparently, one of Dick’s. “Tell me he’s not recording you.”

“He’s not supposed to be,” you sighed. “I think Stephanie might’ve gotten into the system, though. She’s been on an amateur photography kick.”

It was his turn to sigh, to groan, to let his head collapse onto your shoulder. His arm found its way around you, hauling you that much closer to his chest. “…I don’t like it,” he admitted, his reluctance layered on so thickly, it was hard to believe he didn’t choke. “You know I don’t like it, right?”

“How the others treat me?”

“That they know you exist.” Another groan. You kept your eyes trained straight ahead. “B told you I was the first, right. I… I think I’m always the first. He knows I can handle the deep-end.” And then, more sentimentally, “He knew I’d fall in love with you at first sight.”

Hands curled into fists. Eyes forced open. You couldn’t look at him. You couldn’t blink. “Please don’t say things like that.”

“But it’s true. I used to let myself into your apartment at night – you always left the door unlocked. And remember the last time you went out with your coworkers?” You did. One minute, you’d been at the dive-bar closest to your office, happily accepting another round of shots bought on the company card, and the next, you’d been waking up in your own bed, undressed and hung over. You’d figured you’d managed to get yourself home despite blacking out, but the way Dick was grinning against your throat suggested otherwise. “It should’ve been like that all the time. Just you and me – taking care of each other.”

You couldn’t blink. You couldn’t blink. You’d fall apart the second your eyes closed, and you couldn’t keep letting them break you like that.

“B’s mind works on a switch,” Dick explained. “He can turn it off whenever he wants to, but I’m not like that. I can’t decide when not to love you.” He paused, smirked. “Even if you could be a little nicer to me, some—”

“Help me escape.”

The sound of your own voice caught you off-guard. Dick jolted against you, raising his head, equally surprised. Your face suddenly felt warm, and your heart was beating too quickly. It was by someone else’s – someone stronger, someone dumber - volition that you went on, digging your grave that much deeper. “If you hate the way I’m treated, if you think you love me, then help me leave. I’ll go wherever you want to, I just—” The air hitched in your throat. “You know I can’t stay here, any longer.”

For a second, Dick didn’t respond. For a second, he stayed there, pressed against you, all-but unmoving.

Then, he straightened and laughed, taking your hand in his. He squeezed gently, like he was trying to show you that he cared. Like he loved you.

“Bruce’s shift is coming up. We should get you home, right?”

You let your eyes fall to the ground. Not blinking hadn’t helped – you could feel tears forming in the corner of your eyes, regardless.

“Right.”

It rained on your walk back, despite the clear sky. Neither of you had brought an umbrella, and the downpour was too sudden to seek cover, so you were soaked by the time you reached the apartment. The artificial chill clung to you like a second skin, turning your body to shell hostile to its contents. In hindsight, you probably should’ve taken it as an omen of things to come. Or, maybe you just should’ve expected calamity in general – predicted or otherwise.

You were late, too. Bruce was already there by the time you finally made it through that suffocating entryway – sitting on the foot of your bed, a suit jacket hung over his knee and the first few buttons of his collar undone. With a nod by way of acknowledgement, you moved to scurry past him and find something dryer to wear, but he caught your wrist on the way by. “Can you stay for a second, honey?”

Absolutely not. No way in hell. You’d rather die. “…I guess so.”

There was a gentle squeeze by way of gratitude, then he turned to Dick. “Be honest with me. Have any of you touched her?”

Dread formed a bottomless, pitch-black well in your chest. Even Dick seemed reluctant to answer – setting his jaw and squaring his shoulders. Making himself into one of Bruce’s soldiers, rather than his son. “No. Not like that.” He swallowed. “Not since Jason.”

“Good. I was hoping we could talk, first.” With his free hand, he waved Dick closer. Silent and unquestioning, Dick obeyed.

The blocking of your little scene was awkward. You were too close to Bruce and Dick was too close to you while the distance between them was left deliberately more vast. Dick didn’t touch you. He never would, not with Bruce watching, and Bruce seemed to know that. “It’s alright,” he said, with the same stoicism he might’ve showed to a wild, rampaging animal. “Go on. I want to see how you handle it – if you can handle it.”

Dick glowered. “This isn’t something you can train out of me, old man.”

“I’m not trying to.” You made a half-hearted effort to pull your hand out of Bruce’s hold. His grip only tightened, in response. “Show me that you know how to put your hands on something without breaking it.”

There was a second’s worth of hesitation, but not much longer. One of Dick’s hands wrapped around your forearm, replacing Bruce’s, while the other caught your chin. He kissed you – messy, sudden, hard – and you wondered if you really did die on the bathroom floor that night, and this was your own special brand of hell.

When Dick came up for air, there was no pretense of consent, no pause taken to assess you for the mutuality Bruce always seemed so desperate for. His lips pressed into the corner of your mouth, then your jaw, then the corner of your throat – lingering there while his hands dropped to your waist, pawing at the fabric of your sundress. On instinct, you thrashed, shoved at his chest, dug your claws into his chest. Dick only laughed, pulling you that much closer against him. “C’mon, sweetheart, we’re just making up for lost time,” he mumbled into your ear, his breath warm and tacky against your skin. “You remember what I said last time, right? It’s just you and me – you don’t have to think about anybody else.”

“I don’t even want to think about you, little prick complex-having fucking bast---” Your hissed insults were cut off by Dick’s hands on your hips, by your feet suddenly being torn from the ground as he half-lifted, half-threw you onto the bed. The collision was rough, sudden, knocking the air out of your lungs and giving Dick time to get on top of you. Two fists found the collar of your dress and tore, cold air rushing over your chest, your navel, your legs. You tried not to think about the technicalities of it – how planned it seemed, how little hesitation there was, how his grin stretched wider with each inch of mutilated fabric. Your mind was more focused on broader concepts – the all-encompassing hateyou felt for both of them, the acid sitting heavy and thick on your tongue. The fact that you’d already showed Bruce what you do if your life ever turned from unpleasant to unbearable, and the haunting awareness that he was sitting there and watching it happen again, this time from the comfort of his own bedroom.

Dick wasn’t helping. You hadn’t expected him to, but there was still a fresh sort of sting to the feeling of his mouth on your neck, to the sound of his voice in your ear. “So pretty,” he muttered, cupping your cunt through your panties. You lashed out at random, scratching at his chest, but Dick only chuckled, leaned into your assault as if he could pretend it was the sweetest, most saccharine form of affection. “So perfect, and all mine. Could’ve been doing this months ago, in a better world. Would’ve, if I had it my way.”

His thumb pressed harsh circles into your clit, made coarser by satin fabric. You let out a miserable whine, and Bruce clicked his tongue. “Too rough. She’ll bruise.” He moved closer to the side of the bed. “Use your mouth. She prefers it.”

Dick nipped at curve of your throat – another pitchy, humiliating sound. “I don’t hear any complaints.”

“Have I ever told you that, when I first brought you home, Alfred suggested having you neutered? Less hormones that way. A smoother rebellious phase, when you hit teens.” He drummed his fingers against his knee. “I wonder if it’s too late to reconsider the offer.”

Dick grumbled, but the message was clear enough. With one more lingering kiss, he was on his stomach between your legs, head buried between your thighs and tongue drawing shapes into the seat of your panties. You tried to keep your eyes shut, to imagine you were anywhere else, and when that failed to blur the images of claustrophobic car interiors or stop Dick from pulling the now-soaked fabric to the side, you went rigid and tried to sit up. Emphasis on tried. Bruce was already there, of course, holding your shoulders, easing you back down. He always seemed to be at your beck and call when you didn’t want his help.

He wasn’t smiling. You could still feel Dick’s as he ground the bridge of his nose into your clit, but Bruce wasn’t smiling. His gaze bore into your expression appraisingly, occasionally flitting to Dick to make sure his grip was still loose, his teeth kept behind lips. It took seconds for him to break, and even then, the extent of his falter was a sigh, a new set of crow’s feet on the corners of his eyes as he leaned down, pressing his lips into your forehead. “You’ll be the death of me,” he muttered, pulling away. As if you cared. As if he hadn’t already been yours. “Keep that pace. She’s getting closer.”

You weren’t. You really, really weren’t. But, you’d gotten so used to Bruce touching you every minute of every day, and you hadn’t even touched yourself in weeks, and Dick was moaning unabashedly as he fucked his tongue into your cunt – the reverberation steady and pulsing. You didn’t let yourself cum. You wouldn’t let yourself cum, but your thighs kept trying to shut around Dick’s head, and your skin felt like it was on the verge of melting away, and Bruce wouldn’t stop looking at you with the same slight, softened expression he put on whenever you tripped over your own feet or cried after a spanking. Dick’s fingertips bit into the plush of your thighs, and Bruce’s hand came up to cup your cheek. You tried to push him away, but even lifting your arms off of the mattress felt like a waste of energy. You wondered if playing dead would be more effective, would make them stop. You knew it wouldn’t. It hadn’t the first time.

“So beautiful,” he mumbled, leaning down to kiss you. His lips were chapped, and his teeth scraped against your bottom lip too roughly, too clumsily. “And so generous, too. I always hoped you and the kids would get along but—” He paused, chuckled. “It might’ve gotten a little out of hand.”

You tried to open your mouth, to tell him he and his hoard of orphaned sex fiends could go to hell, but all that made it past your lips was a cracked, trembling sob. Bruce hushed you with a low coo, calloused fingers carding through your hair. “Daddy’s right here, honey. Just lie back and bear with me for a little longer, alright?”

As if you were having a tooth pulled. As if his oldest son didn’t have his head buried between your thighs, as if he wasn’t tracing his own name into your cunt over and over and over again. The flat of his tongue ran over your pussy, your clit, and with a stifled gasp, you were pushed over the edge, sent plummeting into an abyss of heat and tension and bright, white lights. Dick nursed you through your orgasm lovingly, but hastily, and Bruce turned his attention away from you to ruffle Dick’s hair. You tried not to linger on the gesture longer than you absolutely had to.

Eventually, Bruce moved aside, and Dick was on top of you again, his chest pressing into yours as he rushed to pull his shirt over his head, to undress in a way you hadn’t been given the choice to. You thought about calling out for Bruce, reaching for him, begging him to make it stop, but you were really too old to be entertaining fantasies. He’d already told you what you needed to do: lie there, shut up, and take it.

Dick wasn’t so pragmatic. He pushed a long, open-mouthed kiss into the side of your neck, sucking and biting until you could be sure that you’d wear the bruise for weeks. You felt something hot and blunt slot against your entrance, but did your best to pretend it was only your imagination.

The contact was too much, too hot, too stifling. Dick’s tongue ran over your cheek, then he dipped lower – hiding his face in the crook of your neck. “I love you.” And then, again, like there was a quantity of desperation that would make you believe him, “I love you.”

He might’ve believed it. You almost did, but then hips were grating against yours, his cock thrusting into you, and suddenly, you weren’t in a state to believe in love at all.

It was dark by the time you were allowed to leave the bedroom. Bruce insisted on a long, well-monitored bath and Dick held you against his chest like he was afraid you might be taken away from him, but eventually, Bruce took a call from Barbara and Dick fell into a deep enough sleep to make slipping away something more than a delusional, escapist fantasy.

Once free, you made your way to the kitchen, tore the framed band poster off the wall, and smashed it against the tile floor until the glass shattered. Dick found you less than a minute later, trying to pick up a few of the larger pieces with your bare hands.

He was still grinning. The expression seemed more off-kilter jagged than it should’ve been in the dim light, more patronizing as he lifted you onto the counter, checking your hands over for hairline cuts or other micro-injuries before squeezing them in his. “Stay right here. I’ll get something to clean up with, and—” His eyes moved from your hands to your face, and his voice cut out abruptly. “You’re so perfect,” he sighed, leaning down to press his lips into the apex of your wrist. “Let’s do it.”

Something sharp and hot stabbed into the back of your throat. More out of self-preservation than curiosity, you asked, “…do what?”

“Leave. Run. Get out of here.” Another kiss, this one to the base of your ring finger. It wasn’t hard to picture what kind of life he was imagining for you. “I’ll get a new place in Bludhaven. You’ll lie low for a little while. We’ll be together.”

You grit your teeth. Bruce and his ilk weren’t the type to play mind games with you, but only the most idiotic man you’d ever met, so deeply entrenched in his own delusions that there was no hope of ever dragging him back to the surface again, would’ve believed you had any love in your heart for him after you’d called him so many awful names. After you’d spent hours practically catatonic in his arms. After tonight.

Thankfully, the most idiotic, delusional man you’d ever met was standing in front of you right now. Little miracles, you guessed.

“You make me so happy, Dick.” You ran your fingers through his hair, and he melted into your palm. “It’s just – there’s one thing I’d like to do, first.”

“Anything. Whatever you want, I’ll do it.”

“I think I should talk to Jason.”

Immediately, Dick’s expression fell. “Why Jason?”

“Just to tie off loose ends. Make sure I’m not leaving anything behind.” You forced yourself to smile, letting your head tilt to the side. “And then I’ll have the rest of my life to spend with you, right?”

You could practically see his eyes glazing over, the same way they had when he found you reading to Damian or chiding Duke for getting himself hurt. Your current reality immediately substituted for a glossier, more appealing replica – or, more appealing to Dick, at least.

“Right.” And then, with one last kiss pressed into your knuckles, “I love you.”

For once, the words didn’t taste so bitter on your tongue.

Dick was a lot of things, but he wasn’t a liar. Bruce clung to you for the next few days – monitoring your diet, watching you sleep, fucking you with more care and more fervor than he ever had before. When he was forced to leave, he held you up until the point he absolutely had to go, then spent another few precious seconds promising Tim would take his place in twenty minutes. That didn’t matter, though. Jason was there in five.

“I love you.”

You found him in the living room. He’d come through the balcony, left the door ajar and everything. A handgun was strapped to his thigh, and his helmet sat on his knee. He’d never worn it around you, not so far as you could remember.

Ever the coward, he left it up to you to break the silence. That was fair, in a way. You were the one who wanted to talk.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

“You look like shit.”

He rubbed one of the dark, sunken circles under his eyes with the back of his hand. “B can’t keep us all trapped inside and sedated. Some of us have to be outdoor dogs.”

“Guess so.” You let a measured beat pass, then asked, “Wanna get out of here?”

There was a twitch at the corner of his lips, a spark of something familiar. By the time Tim was due to arrive, you were on the back of a black and red motorcycle, miles away from the nearest sky-scrapper.

Jason’s apartment was just how you remembered it – albeit, slightly less intimidating in daylight. Bloody clothes and dented body armor laid over couches and cluttered and tables. Drawers filled with bullet casing and pocketknives sat open, on display, while anything comforting or sentimental remained hidden in safes or behind closed doors. His corkboard had gained a few more pictures, and in the corner, there were new sketches of Dick and Bruce. They looked recent.

Steering clear of the makeshift bedroom, you collapsed onto a worn leather couch, sinking into the beaten cushions and savoring the feeling of a well-loved piece of furniture. Jason skirted around you, never lingering, never edging too close. You followed his erratic pacing in the corner of your eyes while you spoke.

“You haven’t visited me.”

One step forward, two back. Both hands shoved into pockets. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“You should be. I’ve been bored to tears.” A pause, a breath of a laugh. “I didn’t realize how much I relied on you, back at the manor. The only people I can talk to now are either in on it or completely oblivious. I’m pretty sure Damian thinks I’ve driven his father insane.”

“He was like that before he met you.” A lap around the couch, then to the nearest window. “They all were. Dick can’t stand being along and Tim would jerk off to a cardboard box if it looked at him the right way.”

“It’s the girls now, too. I think Steph’s just having fun, but Cas…” You trailed off, shaking your head. “I feel a little bad for her. I mean – she’s so young, and she’s already been through so much. It’s hard to blame her for taking after a marathon of bad examples.”

That was enough to have Jason turning on his heel, making a beeline for the front door. You caught his wrist as he passed by. “Slow down. You’re acting like the building’s on fire.”

“Sorry, I just—”

You squeezed, and he sucked in a harsh breath, shutting his eyes. You did your best to keep your voice light, gentle. “When was the last time you got any sleep, Jason?”

“It’s been—” He opened his eyes, his gaze landing on you before quickly moving away. The answer was obvious enough. “—a while.”

“C’mon, Jay. You can’t live like this.” You tugged on his hand. “Why don’t you lay down for a few minutes? I don’t want to watch you fall apart on me.”

He swallowed, his shoulders squaring. There was a moment of reluctance, of hesitation before he asked, “Can I…?”

It wasn’t hard to guess what he wanted, not with his eyes trained so intensely on your lap. Smiling, you nodded, and in an instant, he was on his knees, limp and clutching at your ankles as he laid his head over your thighs. The position was awkward – he was too stiff, too tall – but you tried to make the best of it, running your fingers through his hair. At least he’d asked, this time.

“I’m sorry.” And then, again, his voice raw enough to break, “I’m sorry. I thought they’d back off, or we’d run away together, or—”

“You didn’t want to run away with me.” With your free hand, you patted down your jacket pocket. “And that’s alright. You’re a part of a family. I was never going to ask you to leave them.”

You could practically feel him try to deny, try to say that if you ever asked, he would’ve in a heartbeat. In the end, though, it was all he could do to sigh, sinking further into you. “I love you.”

How many times had you heard that, lately? You tried to remember if Bruce had ever parroted the same phrase. “I love you too, Jason.”

Tucked inside, your fingertips brushed against something hard and jagged. You curled your hand around it. “Every day, I had to watch them pretend they felt the same way about you, watch you pretend to tolerate it. It was like having to rip my own heart out of my chest.”

A sharpened edge sliced into your palm, breaking the skin. You ignored it. “That must’ve been hell.”

“I shouldn’t complain. You had it worse. Obviously, you have it worse.” His nails bit into your calves. “I’ll kill them. If they’ve so much as looked at you, I’ll kill them.”

You hated it when they lied to you.

You couldn’t wait any longer – didn’t have a reason to. In one motion, you tore the long, ragged piece of glass out of your pocket and stabbed it into Jason’s shoulder.

You’d managed to hide it before Dick found you huddled over the broken frame, stowed it away on your person as soon as you realized Bruce was going to take his eyes off of you. Reflexively, Jason jerked back, clamoring for the gun on his waist, but he was staggered, caught off-guard, and you weren’t. Your fist was already curled around the grip, already dragging the weapon out of its holster and forcing the muzzle against his stomach. Your index finger rested on the trigger, the safety disabled, but you didn’t shoot.

“Please,” you whispered, instead, as Jason froze against you. “Don’t say anything, don’t stand – just back up. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Slowly, reluctantly, he did as he was told. Staying on his knees, he edged back, giving you enough space to push yourself to your feet. You kept the gun trained on his chest, never once turning away. His distraught expression had twisted into something more raw, something more angry. Not hateful, but hurt, betrayed. You knew the look well.

“Drop it, (Y/n). You don’t know what you’re doing.”

You tilted the barrel down, shut your eyes, and fired. There was a crash of deafening noise, the pure force of recoil, and then Jason’s muffled cursing. By the time you could bring yourself to look, he was clutching his ankle, fresh blood seeping through his fingers. “I spent a lot of time with Alfred. I mean, a lot. Basically whenever I wasn’t on the verge of getting molested by you and your gang of traumatized fetishists.” You took a step backward, then another, inching your way to the door. Eventually, your back pressed into wood. “I know you keep cash on-hand – for when Bruce finally cuts you off. Slide it to me.”

“Or what? You’ll kill me?” His laugh was awful, barking, pained. “Go ahead, baby. I’ll finish the job myself if you leave me.”

He wouldn’t. Jason wasn’t that directly self-destructive, none of them were.

Thankfully, you’d always had a little more motivation.

The muzzle was hot against your skin where you pressed it into the underside of your jaw. Jason’s expression didn’t drop, but it changed, stilled, every thought save for those of preservation erased in a fraction of a second.

You didn’t have to make your demands twice. He rummaged one of the holsters on his belt, and then, a stack of hundred-dollar bills was lying at your feet, secured by a single band pulled taut. You let the gun drift from your jaw to your temple as you bent to pick it up, watching Jason all the while.

Finally, you grappled for the knob behind you, sliding deadbolts out of place and turning locks until you stood in an empty doorway. You were free to leave, free to go, but you lingered, keeping your eyes on Jason.

“If you ever really loved me,” you said, fighting to keep your voice even, your hand steady. “You won’t try to find me.”

He might’ve said something. He looked like he was going to, but you were already over the threshold. The door was shut before he could try to convince you to stay.

Once safe on the other side, you lowered the gun to your side, took a deep breath, and started to run.

#yandere #yandere x reader #yandere x you #yandere imagines #yandere dc #dc x reader #dc imagines #dc #yandere batfam #batfam x reader #yandere bruce wayne #bruce wayne x reader #yandere dick grayson #dick grayson x reader #yandere jason todd #jason todd x reader #yandere tim drake #tim drake x reader

2K notes · View notes

artsninspo · 4 months ago

Text

007 | Richmond Inc.

「 ✦ full library & archive ✦ 」

「 ✦ aaron pierre & characters library ✦ 」

⇚ 006

♠ summary: Lorence navigates the high-stakes world of elite private security under her enigmatic boss, Terry Richmond. But when Terry’s watchful gaze turns unexpectedly intimate, the tension between them ignites—blurring the lines. This ones fluffy 🧸.

♠ pairing: Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre - Rebel Ridge) X Lorence Cole (Black Fem OC)

♠ word-count: ~3.2K

⌖ - Monte Carlo, Monaco

I’ve never flown private before, nor have I ever been on such a lively flight. The champagne flows freely, and the chatter is so loud I crank my headphones to maximum volume just to drown it out. The last time I was aboard a plane, I was tossing back flutes of champagne to numb the sting of losing my job. Weeks later, I’m flying private at an elevated position—my new reality. Unlike my more seasoned colleagues, I’m more unnerved than excited.

I check the ETA on one of the screens and go over the expected hotel arrival time, counting down the hours until the big race is over and I can finally relax. I take out my tablet, reviewing my plans for what feels like the hundredth time, searching for any holes in my outline. I replay the live feeds at an accelerated speed, scanning for anything that could derail my emergency plans.

“Lorence.”

Cassandra smiles, placing a flute of champagne in front of me.

“Cassandra.”

She folds her arms, giving me a knowing look.

“Please tell me you're talking to someone handsome and not reviewing your plans again.”

“I’m talking to someone handsome,” I reply, telling her what she wants to hear. She sighs, satisfied.

“Emergencies almost never happen, and you’ve planned for so many types—it’ll be fine.”

“Well, partying isn't going to help my nerves,” I explain.

“You’re almost as bad as Terry.” She powers off my tablet and takes the open seat beside me.

“Now I’m insulted.”

She giggles, leaning in conspiratorially.

“Also, never suggest staggered flights for operatives again. Your extra effort is already making you unpopular with the weaker links.”

“Unpopular? As if I have the boss’s ear or give a flying fuck.”

“That’s the spirit.” She nudges me playfully. “It wasn’t the majority, but Emerson tried to stir up trouble. Richmond shut it down quickly. That weasel is always looking for a win. Must’ve heard there’s no warmth between you and Terry.”

“The blind know that.”

“Good thing my mouth isn't big. Cause that suit try-on definitely was more Dubai heat than Antarctica frigid.”

I give her a warning look, but she only squeaks, enjoying my discomfort.

“I’m glad you're amused.”

“Ladies.”

Emerson approaches with a drink in hand and that cavalier smile. He’s one of the company’s top ten most attractive male directors—probably the best-looking among the single ones.

“Emerson.” Cassandra acknowledges him, but his attention shifts to me.

“Lorence, why don’t you come mingle with the rest of us?”

I blink, caught off guard. The only colleague I’m on a first-name basis with is Cassandra. I’ve known Joel long enough to consider him more of a friend.

“I’m a nervous flyer. I’m fine here with my headphones and Gordon.”

“Cassandra didn’t tell you we use first names?”

“Not everyone. It’s Cole's choice.” Cassandra interjects quickly, sensing my discomfort. “Cole, what would you like to be called?”

“Cole.”

“Cole it is.” Emerson forces a smile. “You make your friends call you Cole?”

“I didn't realize the two of you were friends.” Cassandra leans in with a smirk.

“I’m friends with all of my colleagues.”

“Hmm.” Cassandra’s brow raises with condescension.

“Well, Cole, we’ll chat once we touchdown.” Emerson flashes another smile before returning to the back of the plane.

“What was that?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

“Emerson and I may or may not have had a few rendezvous. It also may have ended badly.” she shrugs.

I’m not surprised.

“How did it end badly - hypothetically?” I ask.

“I felt like he was trying to use me to get on Terry’s good side, and when that didn’t work, suddenly Terry and I were too close. Blah, blah, blah. I know how much he makes, and it is NOT enough to afford me full time. So I went cold. Hypothetically.”

Cassandra shrugs, completely unbothered.

“Don’t hmm me. We’re all gorgeous—you’re the only one who hasn't dipped in the office pot.”

We spend the rest of the flight gossiping about who’s been with who, and I’m astounded by the level of secrecy and professionalism. Five office flings had gone entirely under my radar. When the party dies down I turn back on my music and relax dozing off a little. I’ve memorized my routes down to the detail and the timing windows play in my subconscious in a loop. Twenty minutes until clearance, an hour until our clients are safe. I wake with the sun warming the Mediterranean coastline below.

The weight of my responsibilities dampens any excitement. The drive to our accommodations is short, and I snap photos for my parents. The group dinner is the last thing I want to attend, but the chefs' live show and five-star cuisine prove to be a welcome distraction. Afterward, I slip away to the terrace with a glass of wine in hand.

“Still going over the routes?” Richmond’s voice cuts through the night air. I know it’s him by the shift in energy.

“Yeah” I respond.

“If you don't trust yourself—and you should—you should trust the agents on the ground, the drivers, the armed agents, helicopters, and tech. And if you don't trust all that, there's still the local PD, Fire, EMS... and human nature. After that, it's an act of God, and none of us can contend with that.”

I exhale slowly.

“I just don’t want anything to go wrong.”

“When something goes wrong tomorrow, it won’t be because of you.”

“When?”

“When. It's inevitable.” His confidence is oddly reassuring, though I know better than to assign sentimentality to Richmond. “One of our clients could get wasted, fall over and break their nose, or have food poisoning, require medical attention or be robbed by hookers they’ve hired or local thieves. Something happens here every single year. Transport’s never been an issue and no one has approached it like you have” he says.

I nod, sighing deeply. “That’s some peace of mind.”

“It’s not flattery, it's the truth,” he responds.

“Has to be, flattery seems highly unlikely” I confess. “Maybe now I understand why you’re always so uptight - this is a lot on someone’s shoulders” I sigh looking back down into the city. I swear he snickers but by the time the lights flicker on above us signaling night is here it's gone from his expression.

“I’m the last person you need to worry about,” he says. Looking him over I concur - he’s probably experienced things my nightmares would have trouble conceiving of.

“So if it isn't stress then what is it? Just your natural disposition?” I ask looking away just in case his face shows disapproval.

“I can never tell if you're joking” he responds unappreciative of my sarcasm. The feeling is mutual, I can never read him either. There are too many things at play, this sizzling tension between us born of disdain, or misunderstanding, or the unbalanced power dynamic. His resistance to letting his guard down. Smiling, small talk, pleasantries or being kind. The silence lingers mostly because none of my responses are safe and could put us back at odds. “I’m not uptight,” he says finally.

“Pigs fly. Now we’re both lying” I remark.

“I’m not uptight, I’m what my position requires of me as the lead, founder and CEO” he explains.

“Look, I'd better get some rest. I'm a mess of nerves and we already don’t get along well” I sigh, not wanting to get into it with him. He smirks this time.

“You’ll toss and turn all night if you head in now. Why don’t you change into something more comfortable and meet me in the lobby in ten?” he says, stopping me in my tracks. He looks harmless when he smiles. It withdraws into his usual disposition and when I turn Emerson is walking up behind me.

“Ok” I agree and he nods giving me a half smile that I know Emerson sees. I wonder if it’s to get my blood out of shark infested waters.

“Emerson” I nod, taking leave. I slip my heels back on once I'm off of the grassy terrace and head in. There’s a sprinkling of people, less than half of those who were at dinner. I head to my room and look myself over. I curse Cassandra when all of the outfits I have packed are transitional, appropriate for the beach, boat, dinner and anything else that may arise in a place like this. Blowing out a deep breath I opt for a black maxi dress. I grab a small purse and fill it with necessities. My reflection is date worthy, not following your boss around appropriate. I tie a scarf around my purse just in case it gets cool. When I arrive in the lobby Richmond is checking his watch and stands up like I've stood him up. He’s changed too into something more relaxed.

“Sorry I’m late” I tell him once I've crossed the room. His eyes scan over me, his tense demeanour has returned. “Am I dressed okay?” I ask.

“Fine” he nods. “I just thought we’d take a walk, go over your routes in person, put your mind at ease, tire the body, help you rest” he explains and it is such a simple approach I wonder why I haven't thought of it.

“I can walk in this” I nod and he leads the way. We walk alongside each other. It takes us about ten minutes to make it to the primary route we decided on. “Cassandra said, always look better than you need to while in Monaco” I tell him when the silence has stretched too long.

“That’s what that bill was about” he mutters to himself shaking his head. “I dont think you and Cassandra have the same objectives”

“I don't follow”

“Cassandra likes causing a stir and hooking big fish” he says without condescension or condemnation in his tone as we walk. “Wherever we go” he adds, making a left. I see he’s memorized the route as well as I have.

“I bet she’s a great decoy” I think out loud.

“She is,” he nods, leading us onto the main road. It’s brighter along this path, I smell food and hear music and chatter which is a good sign. We pass souvenir shops, restaurants, boutiques and tourists. There’s so much to see, it's distracting and I don't remember the last time I was in Europe so carefree. I take pictures of postcards and restaurants and send them to my parents. My mom will tell me what to try and my dad will tell me what cheesy thing they want.

“So, are you and your parents very close?” Richmond asks and I realize he has a birds eye view into my phone and no boundaries.

“Yeah” I nod. “They love to travel and my mom runs a food blog” I explain my actions.

“I’ve seen the food blog - she’s very good,” he remarks. Of course he has.

“She’d be happy to hear that” I say with a smile.

“How’d she get into it?” he asks.

“She had an empty nest, she put everything on hold to be a mom and wife. She retired early and I told her to go. It was like we both went to college together. She’s always been great but since it started she’s really happy.” I reflect feeling calmer at the thought of my folks.

“We have contacts and so many unused vouchers, tickets, everything. You should ask Cassandra and use them up. Go with them too.” he says giving unconventional advice for a boss.

“Are your parents still around?” I ask and he tenses.

“My mom passed. Pops is still around. He’s married to Cassandra’s mom” Richmond says and it's a shock at first then it makes sense. “I was sure she told you.”

“She didn’t and I’m sorry about your mom” I respond he nods.

“It was a long time ago,” he says. We approach a live band and he guides me in front of him. “Hold your purse close, it's a distraction for pickpockets” he explains, keeping me close until we’re out the crowd. We’re lower down now and closer to the water at one of the intersections I thought would have the most trouble. I assess it quickly before relaxing into my decisions.

“So is this what you recommend before a big gig?” I ask.

“No, I don't advise you to walk around at night in a foreign country,” he says.

“Now it's you who needs faith. We go through too much training to not be fine anywhere in the world that isn't war torn.” I remind him crossing the road.

“If the richest men in the world need protection, what makes you think you're above danger?” he asks.

“I don’t think I’m above anything, I just dont think danger is likely.”

“You’re naive,” he comments.

“You're a pessimist” I respond.

“Realist. Men jeopardise their livelihoods and lives all around the world for women and sometimes men. Being alone at night is an unnecessary risk” he says, sounding like my father. When we make it to the beach the sound of the ocean is calming.

“Can we stay awhile?” I ask and he nods. I step onto the sand. My dress is too long so I take down my hair and use my hair tie to hike it up to my knees. There’s a breeze in the air but after all that walking it's not too chilly. My nerves are worlds better. I find a spot and sit down, feeling safe. I close my eyes and block out everything aside from the sound of the waves crashing and crackling sea foam. The air shifts and I catch Richmonds cologne as he sits beside me. I can feel his eyes on me but I keep mine closed. He probably thinks I’m crazy, maybe even too trusting given our history but I don't open my eyes until I'm ready. When I do his eyes are on me.

“Jameson told me you dont value your life” he says and I scoff.

“You can't care too much about yours if you joined the military” I shoot back.

“My father was decorated, he had me in mixed martial arts since I was five. I can take care of myself”

“So we have daddy to thank for this personality” I jest and he shakes his head instead of silencing me with a look.

“You really don't like it” he says, looking up at the sky.

“No I don’t, this is the most normal you’ve ever been with me since we met” I tell him.

“I’ve tried but you’re always running”

“Why were you so mean that first day?” I ask.

“It’s complicated,” he says, hardening.

“More complicated than using my trauma as a test?” I ask and he sighs.

“That wasn't my idea to push you and yes, that complicated” he affirms. “I was in a bad state, looked my worst and I found out my new recruit Lorence Cole is a woman,” he explains.

“That’s a sexist admission”

“No. You’re my type Lorence. Cassandra knew that and didn’t tell me ahead of time. I was upset with her to make a point and short with you” he confesses and the way my cheeks burn im thankful for the nights forgiving lighting. Not was, not one of my preferences, you’re present tense my type.

“The next time your type walks in, try being kind. Most women don't like being barked at, frowned at, scolded. Do I need to continue?” I ask.

“I get the picture” he nods. Then there’s laughter down the beach and I see people laughing around a photograph.

“We should go see” I suggest getting up. I pat the sand off my dress and we make our way over to see caricature artists seated.

“Come on, beautiful couple,” One of the women artists say.

“I don't want to” Richmond says motioning for me to sit alone.

“Not my boyfriend's bodyguard” I tell the woman in french and she smiles. Mischief lights in her eyes and I smile bracing for the worst.

“First time in Monaco?” she asks with a thick accent.

“Yes”

“Welcome! here for the races?” she asks.

“Yeah, a few friends wanted to check it out” I explain using my cover story and she continues drawing.

“Are you famous?” she asks.

“No” I laugh.

“Then why bodyguard?” she asks.

“He’s a friend who didn't want me out walking alone” I explain in french and she nods complimenting my speaking ability. I sit for another ten minutes and she stands finished. They count me down and when I get the photo I have to stop myself from laughing. I fold the photo immediately as the other artists cackle and pray Richmond hasn't seen it. If he didn't speak French too I’m sure he’d think I put her up to it. We leave the beach heading back on the path back to the accommodation when Richmond snatches it from my hand as I let my dress back down. He gets a full look of the photo of me looking like an angel in caricature form while he looks like an angry muscle man with ears so big they span to the margins. I giggle and he gives me a look of warning handing the drawing back. I’m surprised he doesn't rip it into pieces.

“Aside from the ears it's an accurate depiction of how scary your scowl is” I joke.

“Good to know” he mutters, the streets are more lively now and the party crowds are out. Leading the way gets too challenging. Richmond holds his hand back and I take it following him through the crows he can see over. He's a gentle guide parting the crowd for me with his size. My brain starts to run away with the information I’ve learned aided by the hand holding and a replay of the past few weeks. My realization shouldn't be as charming as it is. Richmond the decorated veteran and impeccably polished CEO has a crush … on me? He’s not to be played with, tall, handsome, well off ….. My boss. My thoughts hit a roadblock there. The uphill trek starts to become a battle and he crosses the street finding a cab stand. His French is impeccable as he orders us a cab barely fitting in the small European car with me. I get my hand back and find myself missing the contact. The ride back to the accommodation is short. When RIchmond and I clear the lobby he’s right I’m no longer worried about tomorrow or my work. This elevator ride is far less tense than last trip.

“Thanks for walking me through my route” I tell him as he walks me from the elevator to my door.

“No problem” he nods. “Last call is at noon if you want to see the parade and the royals otherwise you can leave at two” he reminds me of the schedule. I check my watch and see I have a lot of beauty rest to catch up on.

“Sounds good.” I nod heading in my room. I stop turning to face him. “Why don’t we start fresh tomorrow? My type is nice” I tell him and he gives me his first genuine smile.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Cole”

“Good night Richmond.” I smile, shutting the door. I call Sin thankful for time differences and we talk for an hour about what it all means before I fall asleep.

Authors note: thanks for reading loves. things are heading up and these interactions are getting more and more fun to write. Are we here for the new developments?

008 ⇛

click here to ✮ join taglist ✮ and be notified when new updates drop.

154 notes · View notes

badwolfrose34 · 10 months ago

Text

Girl in the Fireplace Rant (cont.)

There was at least some engagement on my last post about this so I decided I will in fact post a follow up. GitF was 100% a bad faith episode. Moffat wrote it because he is classist and misogynistic and hates Rose. Unfortunately, part of his purpose for the episode was to show that the Doctor will always prefer a “classy” aristocrat over Rose and he wanted to have her treated as nothing. So, all of us Rose fans have to come up with a headcanon that undermines the writer’s intentions.

I think the most common one is to believe the episode was the Doctor’s attempts to push Rose away because of her mortality and how that scares him.

That never worked for me because a major part of the Doctor’s character is his protectiveness. He would never push her away to the point of danger or abandonment. For me, I feel that fictional or not, the actions of the Doctor in that episode would be entirely unforgivable if they did happen. So my headcanon is that this episode was a nightmare Rose had.

If you are like me are also one of the fans for whom the pushing her away theory doesn’t work, read on for my explanation of why I don’t think GitF could be an actual event within canon. Moffat may be a BBC writer but it doesn’t give him a right to completely undermine the show, it doesn’t actually belong to anyone outside of financial concerns. If you’re content with believing he needed to push Rose away and that the episode did happen, you can ignore this.

Why the events GitF did not happen within canon (but could’ve happened as a nightmare)

1. Doctor Who canon is very loose as it is. With multiple writers across multiple mediums, things do contradict each other and us as fans get to decide for ourselves what fits with canon and what does not.

2. The Doctor has been clearly shown to be in love with Rose. He is protective of her to the point that if a decision will kill everyone else but give her even a slight chance of survival, he can’t actually make that decision. He almost did in Dalek, but after she didn’t get through the barricade the first time he was incapable of significantly reducing her safety for the good of everyone else. He snapped awake from a regeneration coma just because Rose said “help me”. He freaked out when Cassandra had her body and again in Tooth and Claw when she was in trouble. If you count Stone Rose that almost certainly took place before GitF and he once again, lost his mind over Rose being a statue.

I do understand seeing Sarah Jane age freaked him out. And I could’ve understood him distancing himself from Rose a bit in some way. But his instinct to protect her is so strong he’d never sacrifice her safety to push her away. Leaving her alone with clockwork for an extended period of time while he partied and invented drinks is impossible enough. Let alone the way he believed he’d have no way back to the ship when he went through the time window for the last time. Not only had he just promised she could spend the rest of her life with him, but her and Mickey would’ve likely died alone on that abandoned spaceship.

Simply, it’s just too out of character to happen within the rest of the Ninth and Tenth Doctors’ canon.

3. The horse. I have been a big horse person my entire life. Horses have extremely strong flight instincts. Even the most trusting and well trained horse in the world is never going to jump through reinforced glass. I do realize as Sci Fi fans we have to suspend disbelief for a lot of things. But we are never given an explanation as to why this horse would behave so dramatically differently from another horse. Every bizarre thing we accept in the DW universe is explained to some extent. There is a book where the Doctor tames a horse with psychic paper. But that horse is never asked to violate its instincts. That horse behaves as any other tame horse behaves. That is an example of acceptable DW suspension of belief. There is still a sci fi/alien technical explanation and I can absorb it. I cannot absorb a horse jumping through a firm glass window unless they were running from something even scarier. No matter how well trained a horse is, it’s not jumping through glass just because a humanoid asked them to. Nothing was chasing Arthur and his body language did not suggest any kind of fear to indicate he was running from something even scarier. All the droids were already in the other side of the window as well. It’s simply bizarre and impossible, even in a sci fi snow. Within this very show the Doctor states you can’t hypnotize someone beyond their survival instincts. I believe this applies to horses and a horse’s instincts is to avoid jumping through or into a reinforced barrier.

Next, we are given no explanation as to how this horse jumped through glass unscathed. Glass that was said to be so strong only a truck could break through. Horses are also extremely delicate and many have fatally injured themselves just playing in the paddock. Even for injuries not that extreme, every horse person knows that even small things result in giant vet bills.

Finally, it is once again grossly out of character for the Doctor to take a living animal and make them do something he previously calculated would required a truck.

4. Things are back to normal as if the episode never happened by the Rise of the Cybermen. If the Doctor had really developed feelings for another woman so strong that he would leave Rose for dead, then lost her, would he just be back to being the same old Doctor the very next episode? I doubt it. The Doctor is also a character known for holding on to guilt. Even if Reinette was mechanism to push Rose away, the way he abandoned her would’ve caused enough guilt he wouldn’t just be normal the very next episode. The show carries on as if Reinette never happened because Reinette never happened.

The only reference to that GitF is some clockwork droids in John Smith’s journal. Which could be explained by another encounter with the droids or by the Doctor looking at Rose’s mind to see the nightmare. Which would be an intimate enough moment to imprint on John Smith’s subconscious. The words “a girl in every fireplace” can once again refer to the Doctor seeing Rose’s nightmare or another off screen adventure entirely. There is no reference strong enough to confirm the actual events of GitF ever happened. The show functions exactly the same way without it. Because, it never happened.

5. The events of the show make perfect sense as a nightmare in Rose’s head. Take it from someone with a degree in psychology. Rose has abandonment wounds from Jimmy Stone. She also has abandonment wounds from her father dying when she was too young to understand it. School Reunion, the episode right before GitF triggers her abandonment wounds by making her see the Doctor has previously left companions and did not come back for them. It also makes her wonder if she is special to the Doctor. These doubts combined with her past trauma are a perfect recipe for her to have a bizarre nightmare where she gets abandoned in the most horrific way after the events of School Reunion.

I will leave you all with my fic where this was all a nightmare. Or you can write your own if you prefer. My point is that for those who feel the way I do about this episode, we do not have to accept the events as canon. We do not have to believe the Doctor has ever treated Rose this way except in her worst nightmares.

Update to address Deep Breath:

1. Doctor mentioned seeing clockwork droids before, but we know that the Doctor has many off screen adventures. He could’ve encountered the droids at any other point in his entire life besides GitF.

2. As for that episode stating the SS Madame De Pompadour existed, that still doesn’t confirm anything. There was a real life ship called the USS Queen of France. This was named for Marie Antoinette. Jackie dated a sailor once and Rose had a friend named Keisha whose brother was a sailor. This means Rose could’ve heard one of them discussing historical naval ships. This how she would imagine a ship named after Madame de Pompadour in the first place. She and the people who built the SS Madame de Pompadour and SS Marie Antoinette would’ve simply drawn inspiration from the same place. Also, there’s the fact that someone named a fictional ship Titan many years before Titanic ever existed.

Update 2: Rose was going to get an A level in French if she hadn’t run off with Jimmy. So she could’ve reasonably been familiar with some aspects of French history and able to imagine all of these things in a dream, even if it wasn’t a historically accurate dream, everyone knows weird things happen in dreams.

230 notes · View notes

redflagshipwriter · 11 months ago

Text

Halfa Cass Chapter 8 Part ½

masterpost

Black Bat got back to Gotham well before flying time. She took a shower to get the stinkyman stink out of her hair and apologetically took the green jacket to the wash. Cigarettes. Yuck!

She joined the family for dinner. Damibat was there, face like thunder and clearly Not Talking to Alfred or Brucedad. Cass slid into her place and gave him a nod. He returned it. Very civil. We are professionals, Cain, you and I and no one else in this dump.

Cass hid a faint smile.

No Timibird. No Jaybird. Those were rarer birds to fly out to Wayne Manor, so she wasn’t too surprised. Just…

Cass readjusted her body language to be fine and normal. She didn’t need her flock family close for comfort. She was fine and normal! Yes, Stinkyman had said that she’d died. Yes. He said that.

(That fits with the pain of the electrical shock and the voltage necessary to short out bat computer, Cass’s Black Bat brain said sensibly.)

Cass hid a shudder.

But he’d also said that there may be no repercussions! As long as she left it alone and did not think about it. She had permission to pretend it didn’t happen. That was the best thing to try. She would eat her dinner and take her nap and then go flying.

Alfie served dinner. Cass caught herself playing with her fork, winding noodles into a secret pattern that might somehow make her feel better.

“Is there something wrong with your pasta, Miss Cassandra?”

She looked up at him guiltily through her eyelashes and stopped playing with her food. Big sigh.

“Will Master Timothy be returning to the manor tonight?” Alfie asked Brucedad.

Brucedad cleared his throat and put his spoon down for a moment. “I expect that he might spend the night with his friends in San Francisco,” he said.

Cass read the words beneath the words. Timbird was with the Young Justice friends. New plan. Not discussed. He’d been sent to Amity Park to investigate the laboratory where Cass had

(died. Where Cass had died.)

Been with Captain Marvel. And if he was out all day, it meant he’d found something.

Her heart jumped in her chest. She wanted to ask questions. She wanted to make sure that no one knew.

Suspicious, Cass told herself sternly. Suspicious behavior. So she drizzled hot sauce on her pasta and ate a big mouthful.

Damibat copied her after a moment.

Brucedad and Alfie did not wince, but they made their ‘white man thinks spice is scary’ faces.

Cass quirked a smile. She put a lot more hot sauce. It was too much sauce. It turned the pasta red.

Brucedad made an unhappy sound and deliberately looked away from her plate. Haha. He was thinking: my stomach hurts just looking at that. Oh god, I'm old. Acid reflux. Heartburn. Acid reflux heartburn heartburn-

Bullying her batdad made her feel a little better. How could she be an undead abomination if she was, in fact, a naughty girl? Check and mate, existential horror. Cass finished her dinner and danced to her room on her toes, feeling the music from the last time she had performed on stage. She did a leap for the sheer joy of movement.

Everything still seemed better when she got up from her nap. Cass stretched on the floor beside her bed, and then flopped into a side saddle stretch to happily drink a bottle of green tea. She took it to the kitchen and into the machine for a wash and stole a peek into the fridge to see the after-flight snack. Protein balls! Chocolate and nuts? Cass stole one and fled to the batcave before anyone could see the crime.

Timbird was waiting in the cave on the big screen. He looked very tense. He and Batdad both looked at her when she came down the stairs.

Oh. There was a rock in her stomach.

Cass beamed at them and flipped off the stairs to land in a gymnast stance behind Brucedad’s chair. “Hi, Timbird,” she said, acting normally.

“Hi, Cass,” he said, sparing her a tired smile. “I was just telling Bruce how my trip out to Amity went.” She nodded, waiting for elaboration. Tense. “There were fresh tank tracks.”

Oh. What. “What?” Cass repeated, because it was worth repeating. “Tanks?” She mimed her mind being blown.

“Yes, I figure that you would have noticed if they’d been there before.” Tim somehow seemed even unhappier. “The running theory is that someone was keeping an eye on the place and something about your trip out there alerted them.”

‘Machine. Electricity.’

“Extremely suspicious,” Cass said on rote.

“Yes,” Batdad agreed gruffly. “There’s no legal justification for that kind of force being deployed in the continental United States and no record that we’ve found for it.”

“Definitely criminal.” Cass hovered for a moment. “Should I help?”

Timbird and Batdad exchanged glances. “I think that I would be best used in the cave tonight on research,” Batdad decided. “I’ll run comms while I’m here. Cass, can you and Robin handle things? There’s nothing in particular going on, aside from the weapons case. Robin has the information on that. We think that we’ve tracked the gang’s mechanic down.”

Cass gave a double thumbs up, more than a little relieved that she didn’t have to do anything related to Amity Park today. “Okay, I find mechanic and beat peace into them,” she said cheerfully.

“You investigate and observe them,” Batdad repeated, faux-stern. Hint of smile. Naughty kid, tugging at my cape.

Cass nodded just as seriously. “Robin and I investigate, observe, beat until peaceful.” She smacked a fist into her palm.

Timbird snorted. “It sounds like a plan. I’m with YJ tonight, so I’ll log off.”

“Byebye birdie.” Cass waved on her way to the equipment lockers.

#dp x dc #dc x dp #red halfa cass

214 notes · View notes

watermelonshine · 4 months ago

Text

MASTERLIST

ARCANE

SEVIKA

"TASTE"

(cw : somno, cunnilingus) nsfw

free use!reader with sevika

(cw : free use, degradation) nsfw

"TOUCH"

(cw : bondage, sensory deprivation, dacryphilia, blind fold, overstimulation) nsfw

CASSANDRA

affirmation starved!reader with gf!sevika

(cw : angst, drabble) sfw

"ONE THAT GOT AWAY"

"PRETTY GIRLS" part 2

"FIGHT OR FLIGHT" part 3

(cw : useless lesbians, angst) sfw

girlfriend!vi x hoarder!reader

(cw : mentions of reader's shit parents) sfw

some girlfriend!vi headcanons

(cw : fluff) sfw

AMBESSA

ceo!ambessa x reader

(cw : overstimulation, vibrator used, pet names, mean ambessa) nsfw

THE LAST OF US

ELLIE

ellie somno drabble

(cw : somno duh) nsfw

dad's best friend!ellie x younger!reader

(cw : fingering, age gap) nsfw

more dbf!ellie drabble

(cw : little suggestive reader, age gap)

"EYES DON'T LIE" workplace romance

(cw : lowkey fluff) sfw

bff!ellie knows how to treat you better

(cw : possessive ellie, fingering) nsfw

ellie x loser!reader ; part two

(cw : mentions of weed, anime, hentai, reader is teased a lot, she lowkey into that, ellie is digging it too, scissor city, virgin reader) nsfw

ABBY

abby x obedient!reader

(cw : edging, name calling, desperate and needy abby) nsfw

#rey's 🫧#sevika smut #sevika fluff #sevika angst #sevika x reader #arcane #wlw post #wlw smut #lesbian #ellie x you #tlou #ellie tlou #the last of us #ellie smut #drabble #ellie x fem reader #ellie x reader #ellie williams

44 notes · View notes

casscainmainly · 11 months ago

Note

hii, do you read fanfics? and if yes, do you have any fic recs for cass, either as a solo character or focused on her relationships with the rest of the batfam?

Hi!!! I'm not the most well-versed in fanfics, but I have read some great Cass ones. These are mostly going to be solo Cass focused, since I haven't found that many great ones with the Batfam.

Volving by @shobogan

This short fic kills me everytime. Set after the end of Batgirl (2000), it's honestly the conclusion I wish we'd gotten. The dialogue for Cass is on point, and I'm quite picky about Cass dialogue! I also recommend shobogan's equally amazing Equinox, which is a Brenda/Cass story.

Hot Girl Shit (The Feminine Urge To Die Young) by @havendance

An astonishingly clever fic that places Claire Clover (Gotham Girl) into the events of early Batgirl (2000). No knowledge of Claire is strictly needed though, the author makes it really easy to follow along. The parallels are unmatched, the feels are tremendous, it's just a great fic everyone should read. Also recommend havendance's Cassandra Cain vs. The World!, where Cass has to fight Kon's seven evil exes (it's as hilarious as it sounds).

Nourish by Ptelea

This fic is as sweet as its theme - Cass gets a moment with each of the Batfam, bonding over fruit. The writing is beautiful, and the Jason section in particular is stellar. The fluffiest fic on this list by far!

what's past is prologue by Icestorm238

Cass only appears in the sixth story in this series, but the entire thing is worth reading. A Dick-goes-back-in-time-to-save-Jason fic, the character twists and turns are so good, and there's an excellent Steph-centric story here too! Even if you don't care for the other characters, Cass is incredibly well-written in her section, a rarity for whole Batfam fics.

When Pinioned Birds Take Flight by @iowriteswords

This series (Robin and Other Flightless Birds) is well known, but this story is the most Cass-focused, and doesn't necessarily require knowledge of the prior fics. Though this is an AU, Cass is anchored in canon, and her relationship to Babs in particular gets a lot of development in the last part of the fic.

Not as Cass-centric as any of these, but bad signal by prismatical is an excellent story with some great Cass moments. The fic is definitely more focused on Dick, Jay, and Tim, but Cass isn't just a prop here and is actively involved, so I'd still check it out!

I wish I had more recs, I know there's some great Cass stuff out there I haven't found yet. Thanks for the ask, hopefully other people can chime in with their own recommendations!

#cassandra cain #batgirl #fic recs #the fact that the cass cain-centric tag only has 197 works is criminal #tried to tag those with tumblr accounts but i wasn't sure about some of them #anyway no more cardboard cutout cass 2k24 #sick of batfam fics where cass is there to just read someone's body language and disappear #honestly rather they not include cass at all than tag her and do nothing with her #duke fans i feel your pain

111 notes · View notes

kinniemikey · 10 months ago

Text

Sunsets Duo's overlooked relationship

Analysis for Mikey's and Raphael's relationship.

Let's start this off with something easy, people tend to ignore Mikey's and Raphael's dynamic or brush it off as Mikey disliking Raphael.

Which is just plain wrong, they have reasons for why they act the way they do.

It's a bit easier to tell, why Mikey dislikes Raphael protectiveness solely for the 'Hot Soup: The Game' and or 'Men vs. Sewer' episode but people are way too fixated on that and ignore every other episode to see, where Raphael is coming from.

Just look at Mikey anytime, he's by himself without his brothers, there is definitely a pattern going on.

This fight or flight instinct kicks in, anytime something doesn't go as planned. He freezes on spot and it takes him a very long time to run away as a last result.

(Todd literally had to carry Mikey away from Meatsweats after Meatswats was about to punch them in this tree like monster form and another time Leo had to pull Mikey away from the robo ghost)

This is all linked to Mikey overthinking situations.

Mikey needs to be told, what to do.

This is something he learned from Raphael and Donnie, the training session with Raphael made him a strong fighter no doubt and Donnie's advice is just as helpful for Mikey in certain situations but this is also why Mikey is very reliant on others, specifically Raphael and Donnie.

He never learned how to do his own thing in missions without his brothers. He always just listens and you can see this very strongly in 'Repo Mantis' episode with Donnie.

Like yes he still does impulsive stuff due to his ADD but regarding the mission, he mainly was listening.

This is also an episode in which Mikey pleads for Donnie to not call Raphael and Leo for help.

Everytime he gets to shine by himself through battles, he can do just fine but anytime he overthinks something, he usually tend to mimic his brothers fighting style and of course loses that way.

It's not helping that usually his ideas were never taken into considerations. They were usually brushed off by Raphael and or Donnie as nonsense or something to immediately correct, which amplifies Mikey's anxiety to do something wrong on his own without his brothers being there to tell him what to do.

They may have good intentions but those good intentions are also hindering Mikey's growth.

It's why his first solo mission was an entirely new experience for Mikey. He wanted to do things his own way and proof Raphael that he can be trusted.

It's why he got serious after he got the call from Raphael and managed to fend off Cassandra pretty well.

Now with this in mind, we also got some canon confirmation regarding Raphael.

Raphael possess emotional intelligence.

Which means, Raphael completely understands Mikey's fears but has no clue, it's him being a cause of this.

(Donnie understands Mikey's needs as well but in a different way and luckily isn't protective to the extreme as Raphael)

This is why Raphael gets very protective over Mikey the most. He worries about him way too much and in turn Mikey is starting to get irritated by this.

He even gets passive aggressive, especially in this scene below.

It's also not helping that Mikey is pretty sensitive as a whole and all of his brothers know.

Mikey is the most expressive in the family when it comes to his sad or scared emotions and doesn't shy away from showing this, not even to strangers.

The fact that Mikey always seems to be on Raphael's back is very notable as well, which means Raphael is Mikey's safe space and Raphael is fully aware of this fact.

Those are points as to why Raphael is overprotective to Mikey, he doesn't do this for no reason.

Now the question is, why does Raphael not consider Mikey's ideas in missions and why does Raphael struggle to trust Mikey, if he is emotional intelligent as the creator says?

It's pure stress, Raphael is very stressed in a lot of episodes, he can't always keep track on everyone's emotional side.

He is just a minor that happens to take care of his younger brothers, we also can't forget that he is just 1 year older than Donnie and Leo, the way Raphael reacts, it's pretty realistic honestly.

If everything is quiet and nothing stresses him out, he's right there to comfort Mikey, if needed.

Now to the trust question, I will elaborate.

People usually pick the 'Mrs. Cuddles' card to show that Mikey apparently hates Raphael.

No this is quiet the opposite, sounds weird but the reason why Mikey acted uncharacteristically mean towards Raphael, is purely because he can't grasp the idea that Raphael, a big guy, who is the strongest and most reliable person, would be afraid of an insignificant plush like Mrs Cuddles.

They joked about it because it's funny for them but then Mikey gets irritated that the person who always have answers just doesn't have it and is shows to be scared...of a plush of all things.

I mean in the very same episode, Mikey screams his lungs out because he hopes that Raphael will go safe him, despite being with Leo.

Now you can perhaps see, why Raphael was worried sick for Mikey in the 'Hot Soup: The Game' episode and struggles to trust Mikey to do things on his own.

Both Raphael and Mikey are unintentionally hurting each other, Raphael doesn't mind to take care of Mikey but sometimes it's just too much and he needs a break. Whereas Mikey needs to have a voice in certain missions, figure himself out and not rely heavily on Raphael to do all the lifting.

The latest episodes and season was showing us growth for both Raphael and Mikey that seemingly went unnoticed 'One Man's Junk' is the ultimate episode for that.

Mikey and Donnie already went once to this junkyard at the ‘Repo Mantis’ episode and did fine, it’s why Donnie and Mikey wanted to get to Repo because they knew how this guy ticks.

But Raphael didn't listen to Mikey and wanted to go with his plan instead, he had no idea that Mikey and Donnie prior went on an adventure with Repo as their opponent.

As before, Mikey was able to tell that this isn't his fault, he almost finished the mission in ease with Donnie just like he almost finished his first solo mission.

Raphael is the one who kind of ruined Mikey's progress, even if his actions were intended to be good.

I think right this moment Raphael realizes this, after Mikey communicated this to him.

In the end, he decides to go with Mikey's plan, it may sound silly but at the same time it sounds like this is going to work, which it did.

This is where the relationship of the two, slowly started to get mended.

How communication can solve issues like this!

Moving on from S1, let’s talk about S2 with another sorta Mikey and Raphael episode with Draxum included in 'Reparin' the Baron'. Now since Mikey's confidence is geared up by a lot after Raphael has shown to trust his plans and by default trust him, he wants to help Draxum in his own terms, which confuses Raphael because he can't for his own sanity understand why. He isn't necessarily listening to Mikey but for good reasons, Draxum was their enemy the entire run time in this series, Raphael jumped to the conclusion that Mikey is putting himself in danger without any plans or idea on what he is doing.

But seeing that all of the Hamato family joined this apartment of Draxum, it's a bit clearer to Raphael that Mikey didn't do this with nothing planned ahead, no.

Mikey wants everyone to see that Draxum is part of their family and should be treated as such. He wants to convince everyone, including Draxum that he is part of their family.

So Mikey chose Raphael to come join him with Draxum.

This episode as a whole shows us how much Mikey and Raphael have grown to understand each other much better. Mikey is not afraid anymore to pursue Raphael into his plan because he knows Raphael will get worried the most out of everyone and wants to show him that he can take care of things on his own.

Raphael on the other hand didn't downright tell Mikey that this is stupid or dismisses Mikey altogether after being calmed down enough, he softly asks Mikey if this is really a good idea and doubts Mikey's word that it will work out but still he goes along with Mikey's idea.

Everything was fine, until the bounty hunters found them. Mikey is the first one to step up, ready to defend Draxum and Raphael readied himself to help Mikey, if things goes south but instead Draxum ran off and left Mikey to fend himself, meanwhile Raphael got upset at Draxum for leaving Mikey behind.

Mikey still wants to help Draxum but obviously Raphael doesn't want to anymore, not after the stunt Draxum has pulled on Mikey.

This is where he takes the time to listen to Mikey again and Mikey’s reasoning was still the same. 'He made us, he is family'. Raphael's realization was creeping up on him that Mikey let something this awful slide because he sees Draxum as family.

Sometimes I get a feeling that this face Raphael is making, is pure shock and a bit of guilt right here.

He doesn't want to abandon Mikey's feelings, the same way Draxum abandoned Mikey. He reluctantly agrees to help, not for Draxum but for Mikey's sake.

Now this is more of a theory but still possibly part of this analysis.

A lot of fans think that the fall out between Mikey and Raphael started, when they were very young.

I for one thing that either S2 or S3 was going to be this fall out episode between Mikey and Raphael, it would have happened not because Mikey goes on a streak of doing more by himself and not relying as much on Raphael as time goes by.

Knowing Raphael lost his leader role to Leo and the way how Raphael treated Mikey for a long time, makes him question if he really was a good leader to begin with and I think Raphael would ultimately believe that Mikey never needed him in the first place.

Which is just plain wrong because Mikey still needs Raphael, even if he acts more independent.

#rottmnt #rise of the turtles #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the tmnt #sunset duo #rottmnt mikey #rottmnt raph #rise raph #rise mikey

68 notes · View notes

kateminttea · 3 months ago

Text

So, I am writing down ideas for jayvik fanfics in a hope, that if I write it down, my brain will stop obsessing about them. Last try in the end led to the fanfics, so I’m not sure that it works. XD

Ok, remember my old post about parallels that my brain saw between Arcane and Dead Space. So, hear me out: Arcane/Dead Space crossover.

I can already think about using DS1 and DS2 stories.

So, the first part will follow more or less the DS 1 plot, Jayce came with Vi for a plan check of Ishimura. But when they got to the ship, they got into a crash, which badly damaged their ship. Also, they cannot find anyone on a ship, and there is blood on the floor. Then they were attacked by Necromorps and separated.

While running through the ship, Vi met Caitlyn, who is part of the ship crew. And Jayce met Viktor on the Engineering deck. While Jayce with Viktor will be fixing ship, Vi will stop pollution of the ship and fighting Leviathan in Hydroponics.

Later they all will meet on the bridge in Capitan Nest (before that Jayce got separated with Viktor, and they agreed to meet at the Executive shuttle, which somehow still in working condition).

There we find out that Cait and jayce know each other, they met through their mothers who both were part of the Church of Unitology. And if Cassandra at some point lest the cult, Ximena on the other side became more and more devoured in the religion. It got to point that she sold all of her assets to the Church, if not for Kimmarmans help Jayce wouldn’t be able to get admitted to the college.

Cassandra tried to help her friend to leave Unitology and get her into a medical facility that was focused to help people, who were brainwashed by the Unitology cult. However, when her psychiatrist, thought that she is better and send her home, in few days when Jayce went to visit her he found her dead (by suicide) and in her will she bequeathed all her possessions and body to the Church of Unitology.

All because of all of this Jayce hate Unitology and he severed relationships with Kimmarmans, even though they weren't one to blame at that moment Jayce needed someone to. Caitlyn knew news about Jayce through Viktor with whom she stayed in contact.

Back to now, when our trio met each other and Jayce mentioned that Viktor was waiting for them, Caitlyn told him that he needed to put himself together, because Viktor died a year ago, during an incident on Aegis V( not very creative with the names at the moment).

For Jayce it will be the same idea that we had in Remake, when he was seeing Viktor helping him on the other side it was Mel, who was seeing Kino.

Mel wanted to bring back to the Aegis VII Marker that was found there to be together with her brother, who was asking her to “Make us whole again”, Jayce also heard same from “Viktor” while he was helping to duck Marker to the Executive shuttle.

Oh, yes about Vi, she was seeing at some point her sister Powder, who was dead for a long time. Caitlyn was seeing her old mentor Grayson, but as an agent of the EartGov she knew about marked Hallucinations and was prepared for them.

Trio tried to stop Mel for bringing Marker back to Aegis VII, but she, understanding what they were trying to do, was able to get on Executive shuttle before them and took shuttle to the planet.

That was it, it looks like out trio will die on Ishimura surrounded by monsters, but at this moment Cait decided to come clean and told Jayce and Vi, that she is an EarthGov agent, who was sent to Ishimura under cover, because number of Unitologists in the crew started to look suspicious, plus miners on Aegis VII stated to dig near place where Marker 3A from old experiment were buried.

However, seeing and going through first hand what Marker can do, she understood that EarthGov is not better than Church on Unitology.

So she informed others that there are one more shuttle, which is hidden Flight Deck and to which only she has codes.

Before leaving, our trio switches off Ishimura Gravity tethers, so ship 's tectonic load will fall back on Aegis VII and destroy planet, with marker and Hive Mind.

In the final scene our trio will be going into hiding and Caitlyn will try to download as much as possible information, before EarthGov will understand that she went rogue. And one of the files is about an experiment happening on Sprawl under director Ambessa Medarda and a list of “engineers” - people affected by Marker (different not one from Aegis VII) and used to build new Marker. Since this project is still in process our trio decided to get to Sprawl and stop this project before a new outbreak happens.

On the list all people are mentioned under their code names and two of them are “Jinx” and “Herald”.

P.S. So, idea was to make a short post with ideas … 850 words late I just finished part 1. XD

#arcane #arcane fanfic #au #dead space #jayce talis #viktor arcane #vi arcane #caitlyn arcane #mel medarda #jinx arcane #jinx #jayce x viktor #jayvik #caitlyn kiramman #caitvi #horror #fanfiction

24 notes · View notes

specsywecksy · 8 months ago

Text

My personal Analysis and Rating of Cassie Sandsmark's hero outfits

Cassandra Sandsmark's first "official" hero outfit first appears in Wonder Woman Volume 2 #111

This look was created by someone called Anna Maria and it's just basically the shirt, shorts and vest Cassie was wearing when Diana is first in trouble and Cassie decides she's just going to go and help her as wonder girl. Along with what are just her regular clothes is some more practical choices such as goggles to protect her eyes she also wears them when skateboarding. The goggles also have another use which is to keep the wig she also wears in place. The wig actually is a call back to a wig Diana wore when someone else was being Wonder Woman. Cassie also wears the sandals of Hermes which grant her flight. The last piece to this makeshift ensemble Is the gauntlet of atlas which enhances her strength by ten and also helps to heal the wearer. I personally think this is on the way to a decent design for Cassie at the time. She has no powers at the time and while it isn't necessarily visually pleasing it works.

I would rate this just under her next choice of costume which first appears in Wonder Woman Volume 2 #113

This outfit has all the same gear as the last one ( Hermes's sandals, Diana's old wig, Cassies goggles and the gauntlet of Atlas) However she also has some new gear such as some elbow pads and kneepads I think we can safely assume she also wears these when skateboarding. Next are the Grey gloves, In WW V2 113 she starts off with two grey gloves but one gets disintegrated / badly hurt along with her hand. Her hand is later healed by the gauntlet of Atlas (it's been a while so I'm not totally clear on the details). In later iterations of the same outfit she replaces the gloves In young justice they appear as blue while in the Wonder Woman comics they usually appear as red.

In The main part of her outfit We see a shirt much like the one in her other costume but this one has a gold or red G ( the color really changes from comic to comic in what could be a printing error) I personally prefer The red G as it looks almost drawn on. I think the G looking draw on signifies just how early Cassie is in the hero game because she most definitely made the shirt herself. Cassie also wears some red shorts but these are tighter to the body almost resembling some short leggings or biker shorts. I think the shorts being closer to the body is just so much smarter because they are just far less likely to rip or get caught on something. I do wish they were made of a more thick material like jeans though because it creates almost more of a barrier.

The last change in this particular outfit is her vest , This vest is less worn and ripped than the first one proving it's an entirely different vest all together. I wish the vest had more pockets so Cassie could carry more things with her even if she doesn't bring them into battle all the time. In the Wonder Woman comics I think she holds a music player in them but I think it would be so smart if she also held bandages or first aid of some sort in there as well.

Later on she replaces the vest with an almost leather looking jacket in which case I still hold firm on wishing for her to have more pockets. I think at the point she replaces her vest she also removes her elbow pads but I can't say for sure.

Overall I think this is the best design Cassie could have made at the time and really speaks to how tactful she was at the time. I firmly believe that the safety precautions were more for her mother's benefit than her own though I don't think that it was a conscious choice. From how much of her gear comes from skateboarding really speaks to how careful Helena Sandsmark is because I don't believe Cassie went out and chose to pick up gear to protect herself when skateboarding. The elbow pads and Kneepads are one thing but the goggles just scream overprotective.

Its totally possible that Cassie consciously chose to add things to her costume so she was less likely to get hurt but I personally think she was just in the habit of taking extra precautions to protect herself solely for her moms benefit. Helena was so so reluctant to have Cassie be wonder girl and be a hero maybe unconsciously Cassie thought this might make her mom feel better about her being a hero.

Next is from the Sins of Youth event, Particularly Young Justice sins of youth # 1

Now this isn't Necessarily a different Outfit but since she doesn't have the Wig or goggles I Chose to include it. I don't love this Design on older Cassie. I could handle the kind of scrappily put together look on Cassie when she was younger but when she's older she's completely outgrown the costume and at a certain point the same design becomes childish and lazy. Since she didn't choose this as an older version of herself I will let it slide though

This next one comes from Sins of youth: Wondergirls

Now Cassie just switched outfits with Diana and I have to say, it's not that bad. While I wouldn't personally put an older Cassie in a complete replica of the Wonder Woman costume I love the idea of it being a main inspiration. Also I totally love a buff Cassie. If I was to redesign her and I couldn't change the main suit, or the boots I would totally give her earrings, a weapon of some sort, I would also elongate the cuff things and personally I would give her somewhat longer hair that was tied up in a ponytail or braid of some sort. If I was to totally redesign this hero suit though I would add some layers or at least some more muted colors.

Overall I don't actually hate this design and while it could definitely be better it could most definitely be worse.

The next hero suit is also from Sins of youth: Wondergirls

Now hear me out I actually adore the idea of Cassie in some sort of a body suit. I wouldn't necessarily put her in Donna's old suit as again it just screams lazy but I love the vibe I get from it. Now I don't know why but something about this suit just feels a bit off, I'm not at all sure what it is but something is most definitely missing. If I was to redo this I think ideally I would give her a weapon, do a deeper and darker red like a mix between wine red and the red in the current suit, like a deep scarlet or something. I would also lose the gold W belt because of its weird cut and replace it with more of a bronze or a rose gold belt, Actually replace the gold necklace with a bronze as well. As for the boots I don't know what to do with the boots because I hate the boots over pants look.

There is just something missing no matter what I try to think of to redesign it while still keeping the general outline of the suit and I just don't know what it is.

Overall I don't hate this suit it just needs minor tweaks as well as adding that thing that's just missing.

Next is a One-Issue hero outfit that Cassie helps her dream up in Wonder Woman Volume 2 #153

I think its important to clear up a misconception I've heard before, Im not sure where I first heard it but Its a misconception where Cassie says she hates wearing skirts. First of all No hate on anyone who said this I think it genuinely is just a misunderstanding, Cassie in this issue doesn't say she hates wearing skirts what she says is something about her mom would hate this outfit's miniskirt. Cassie has worn a skirt at least once before in cannon, Way before Teen Titans volume three. From my recollection it was in one of the Wonder Woman comics in a storyline where her mom follows a fake merlin somewhere because she's in love with Jason Blood and wants to exchange her soul for his or something. I think Cassie wore some tights or pants or something under the skirt but I'm not totally sure.

Now that I have cleared that up I hate certain aspects of this outfit and like others. Starting with the hair at this point in time I love the way she styled her hair with the ponytails and the goggles but I absolutely hate the color on her and the weird little Anakin Skywalker braid absolutely needs to go. Next the top half of the costume ( jacket, necklace and shirt). I think the shininess of the shirt is a bit odd but I love the black with the gold Wonder Woman symbol. A crucial part of at least Cassies starting designs is how at least one piece of it is Wonder Woman merch.

I think a lot of people forget that Cassie is a Wonder Woman fan who gets to meet her idol who she admires and later on becomes her pupil and sister. I think we as a fandom don't acknowledge that quite enough but I digress.

Back to the outfit, I love the jacket but I don't know how much I like it in a hero outfit. I love the armored shoulders but the cut of it looks like it's just about to fall off of her and I don't think at this point in time Cassie would prioritize fashion over function. I think if the sleeves gathered or suctioned in some way to her arm like maybe an elastic cuff it would be great.

As for the necklace I love it but I don't know how smart it would be for battle someone could grab on to it and if it didn't break it could end up choking or harming her in some way. As far as the gloves go I wish they were a similar cut to her previous gloves because again they just seem like they are about to fall off.

For the bottom half of the outfit I love how functional sneakers are except for the laces which could come untied easily, but I digress. I hate the unfunctionality of the skirt I adore the big chunky belt as well as the pattern and color of the skirt but I wish the skirt was shorts instead. It looks like a really tight skirt that would restrict movement and for a hero that fights with their body only I just hate it. I know that Cassie at this point mainly punches her way through problems but the ability and choice to be able to kick is always a good one. I don't hate the socks but I wish they were slightly shorter just as I wish that the skirt was shorts and the shorts were like literally half an inch to an inch longer.

Overall this outfit is great as an outfit but not as a hero costume as far as functionality goes but it really does have some strong starting ideas.

The next hero costume has two versions which I will talk about separately the first version of this costume first appears in Wonder Woman Volume 2 #153

Now I love the hair and goggles but I do wish the hair was a bit more tied up instead of free but I have no other note on the hair as for the jacket I love the look of it and it adds so much to the outfit but again it looks like its about to fall off. I adore a cropped shirt moment for Cassie as it shows she's becoming more and more confident in her own abilities and really growing into her own, though I could be reading into it too much.

This is the first costume we see her cuff things being added to the equation instead of the cuff of atlas or just bare wrists. I really do think the cuff arm band things are such an important part of an amazon warriors design and it's really so important to me and a huge step forward in Cassie's hero identity and skills. I love, love, love her belt as well as her jeans with the little stars. The nondescriptness of the belt draws attention to the stars on her pants much more than it would if the belt were patterned instead though I do wish the pant were baggy and the proper length instead of being cuffed and too long. I think the pants being to long could be asking for trouble when fighting, if the pants become uncuffed then she could trip or get seriously injured by an enemy. I know Cassie usually flies and punches but it's just not smart to rely on that solely, a good design should work whether she is flying or not. Finally for the shoes I can't really tell if these shoes are laced ones or not but if they aren't then they could be velcro which I just like more as they are less of a tripping risk.

The next version of the design comes from Young justice but I forgot to write down which issue number

The main differences in this one are the belt and necklace. In the Young Justice version she wears the wondergirl necklace she wore in Wonder Woman V2 #153 and I think thats just a fun little tie in but I think as far as function goes I still have complaints with it. As far as to what I prefer in the version I definitely like the jacket a bit more but I do wish it stopped or cuffed right before what seems to be her amazon bracelet things. I adore how neat her hair looks because there's like no risk to it falling into her face with is very smart for usability. However I definitely prefer the colors in the Wonder Woman Design Overall I prefer the wonder woman version but its definitely not a bad design

This next outfit has two versions again but I'll try to keep it more brief The first design is from Young Justice #35

Hair: I wish it was tied up It seems like it would just blow in her face when she flies

Necklace: I don't know why its gold now and honestly I can't tell if I'm a fan of the change or not

Shirt: love the craftiness being brought back in with the gold W and red G, It seems like it accounts for a lot of movement too which I love for her. It again shows she's becoming more confident and I honesty think that's great. It also doesn't regress her design by making her look younger and I think that's honestly due to the cut of the shirt, if it was a t-shirt I think I would hate how casual it looks.

Arm band things: Always a win to have these out and ready to use in the design I especially love that they aren't at risk of being covered and are instead proudly displayed

Pants and belt: love how nondescript the belt is and I actually like the red for the pants it almost shouts back to donna's all red suit and I think that's just fun

shoes: the shoes are literally untied here like kill me now. girl please tie your shoes or a least tuck in the laces

Additional notes: I miss the goggles and while I like the overall design I think just doing small things could elevate it to the next level

The other version of the design: Wonder Woman V2 # 166

Hair: Its tied up! I love that. Also the goggles ugh it's just such a win. I couldn't design the hair better myself

Necklace: same notes as the other design except for this version I definitely prefer gold. I am still worried about the unnecessary harm the necklace could cause though

Shirt: I think I might like the plain gold W better than the W and G. I love the maneuverability she has and how the cut of the shirt actually reflects her age, It doesn't age her and it doesn't make her look childish either and that's honestly so refreshing.

Arm Bands: The arm bands are out, accessible and I'm loving it.

Pants: while I will mourn the loss of the belt it's probably smarter to lose it, if you've ever been sitting down and just felt the belt you were wearing start to dig into your stomach you know what I mean.

Shoes: I don't think she's losing the laces anytime soon but at least they're tied

additional notes: I prefer this design over the young justice design again and honestly I couldn't have designed her outfit better. Side note, In the dialogue where she and robin first show up robin remarks how he misses her "old black wig wearing quiet self" to which she replies "hey I gotta be me" and I really love them remarking on her growth in such a playful manner its honestly great.

This next design has two designs again and I'll once again keep it short. The first design is from Young Justice 49

Hair: The goggles make a comeback and while I would normally complain that her hair isn't tied back the long bits are out of her face and I guess its okay ( a small part of me still complains and wants back the goggles with the ponytail but I guess its okay)

Arm Bands: Arm bands are out, accessible and shining. I couldn't ask for more as far as they're concerned

Shirt: I love the singular logo but the big zipper track and zipper loop are a bit odd, I don't really get why exactly they are there or at least why the big loop thing is there, I can live with the zipper track

Pants: I have no new notes on the pants

Shoes: Finally the shoes don't have laces! They don't seem to have to much of a heel either but if she wanted to be taller I kind of wish she wore some slight platforms or something instead

Additional notes: I know this is a well loved design and I actually have very little complaints.

Second version of design: Wonder Woman V2 186

Hair: Get this girl a headband or give her goggles back or something, is styled lovely but it is all in her face

Shirt: I prefer this shirt over the other one, it still has the word zipper but this time its less obvious and that's honestly so much better

Cuffs and pants: no new notes

Shoes: I think these are boots also but they have less of a heel which I definitely enjoy better

Additional notes: This outfit is basically the same cut wise I mean the pants are lower but the shirt is at basically the same length just on a more realistic body type. I prefer the hair aspect of young justices version but outfit wise I'm all for this version. Overall it's really classy. it looks like an actual hero outfit while keeping Cassie's regular clothes/ merch apparel items aspect.

The next one is from Titans/ Young justice graduation

Now this one seems to be a combination of The young justice and Wonder woman outfit from last time but Cassies hair is kind of braided out of her face and she now has earrings, in my opinion this is the better design of the two previous versions

Next we venture into Teen Titans territory, this next design is from Teen Titans Volume 3 #2

In my opinion this is just such a huge downgrade, It is worth mentioning that in the Wonder Woman version of this outfit the pants are red jeans and she has red star earrings in. Im just so not a fan of this design and honestly it's probably one of the worst designs for Cassie . I don't know how much more I could stress that this is such a downgrade and I hate it.

This is the first glimpse we see of evil older Cassie this next design comes to us via Teen titans Volume 3 #17

I hate this design this once again is basically bottom of the barrel. The gold boots, The huge belt and top gold breast piece, the weird tiara and that ugly blue skirt as far as future adult Cassie's go this is the worst.

The next design first appears in Teen Titans V3 #34

Now the gold breast plate thing is weird, especially in the areas it covers. but if it was just a bird the rest of this design wouldn't be that bad. the jewelery is nice as is the arm bands. I can't really think of anything else nice to say other than that I'm happy the jeans are back, I love that she has a weapon now. but design wise its still bad but its at least a step in the right direction.

Next is the final evil Cassie design ( Teen Titans Volume 3 #51)

I actually love this version, its now occurring to me that the headpiece might be meant to allude to old greek helmets but its not very well executed so its hard to tell, I honestly think the blue was thrown me off in the last evil Cassie design. This isn't how I would design a future Cassie but it could be worse. Its still on the low scale for me but its not that bad

Next is Teen Titans Volume 3 #65

I wish her hair was pulled back but this is honestly one of the better designs of the teen titans vol 3 for Cassie, I love that she has her lasso I wish she had stars somewhere on her outfit but its alright I also really like the belt I think its a fun little thing. Personally something is missing from the shirt for me but I can move past it.

Her Final Teen Titans design first shows in Teen Titans Volume 3 #88

Now I hate the boots over pants moment that we're having again, I wish her pants were baggier and I desperately want more star details. It looks like her hair is in some sort of half up, half down style which keeps the hair out of her face mostly. I think the design could be worse but I'm still not wowed by it

Next comes honestly one of my favorite designs (Wonder Woman Volume 3 #28)

Now I would only change one thing about this and It is I would cover her midsection, like have her be fully covered the way Donna and Diana are . Now listen Cassie may be knocked unconscious for some of these but just look at the design. Her armor design is so different from everyone's but it also mirrors Diana's in a way that is simply breathtaking. I could rant on and on about this armor design but I would mostly just be repeating how much I love it.

Next is sadly the N52 version of things and while I personally wouldn't choose a lot of the decisions that were made some of the designs aren't that bad

Teen Titans Volume 4 #1

I love the hood and lasso in this costume as well as the little stars hidden in the fabric where the shadows fall. If this were for a different character I would honestly be all over it and as it stands it's honestly not that bad. I mean the hood is just gorgeous even though I'm not quite sure how the construction of it works, and I love the way the lasso drapes on her even though I'm not sure how she gets it off to use.

Next is the semi-armored version of the first N52 suit from TT V4 #5

I love the armored look on Cassie she honestly suits armor so well and I kind of wish this was her permanent N52 look, or at least in Teen Titans V4

Next is something that was called like her armor within or something I wasn't really paying attention (TT v4 #8)

This armor is funky and oversized, even though her hair is tied up which I love it just doesn't look good. It has the potential to look good but it genuinely looks so bad.

Also from the same issue of teen titans comes this look:

This doesn't even look anything at all like her previous suits in any capacity and I think it's supposed to look cool because it's supposed to be all glowy or whatever. I think that the teen titan writers should have just stoped designing some of the characters at some point.

Teen Titans Volume 4 #12

Again if this was any other character I would be all over this design because the silhouette and overall design of it is just gorgeous but for my girl Cassie Sandsmark I kind of hate it. It just seems really out of character despite how gorgeous the design is.

Next is her second main Teen Titans V4 design

Something is just missing from this design and I think its that there's nothing interesting going on for the bottom half of the suit, The top is alright its not great and I'm still not a huge fan but it could definitely be worse.

Next is the dreaded Young Justice Volume 2 and onward design

I hate basically everything about this design except for the hair which I honestly think could be better. The midi skirt over the leggings just makes her look so young and I hate the reintroduction of that blue into her design I really can't stand this design and every time I look at it I want to cry.

This next one isn't a hero suit but I think we all deserve a good thing after having to look at the YJ Vol 2 monstrosity

Trial of the Amazons: Wonder girl

I just love this outfit on her I mean just look at the silhouette. I honestly think everyone should read trial of the amazons just to see Cassie get to play detective again it's honestly one of my favorite DC storylines in a while even though it gets a lot of hate.

#cassie sandsmark #teen titans 2003 #yj98 #young just us #tt03 #wonder girl #young justice 2019 #dc comics #cassandra sandsmark #Wonder Woman vol.2 #Wonder Woman vol.3 #help what do i tag this #I stayed up way too late doing this

37 notes · View notes

lokisprettygirl · 2 years ago

Text

Close Ties (Daemon Targaryen x Female Reader) (Modern AU) (Non canon) (18+)

Read Chapter 8 // Series Masterlist

Chapter 9

Summary : Trip to Japan with Uncle Daemon doesn't go as planned but that could be a blessing in disguise.

Warning: 18+, dad's best friend trope, canon (we don't know her..don't like don't read), feeling of hopelessness, slight uncle kink if you squint, familial uncle niece sort of relationship but he's not really her uncle, there will be more smut later, significant age gap but reader is in her mid twenties, mention of infidelity, divorce, smoking and alcohol drinking, physical violence implied

You were in your room at your parent's house packing for your trip to Japan, sure you had a place of your own but since you frequented here often you made sure to keep the majority of your belongings here as well, besides you had your flight with Daemon in three hours and didn't have much time to spare.

“Lingerie ..yup ..keep the lingeries..he may not touch you yet but he sure can look”

Daemon had told you to go see him in his room before heading downstairs. Was he going to kiss you? You had no idea, he was such a tease and very unpredictable.

You were excited to go see him when out of nowhere Cassandra came rushing into your room..

“Babee auntie just told me you're leaving for Japan”

You heard her voice so you gave her a fake smile, like a coward you still had not confronted her, but it's been two weeks since you had seen her last so that was good progress right?

“Yeah it's a work thingy with ummm Uncle Daemon” you told her so she smiled,

“Mmm how's your Uncle daemon doing anyway?” you gulped as she questioned you, if she knew what was going on with you and him she'd lose her mind completely. It was weird because she probably would have been the first person you would have gone to if things were normal between you two or if she hadn't slept with Daemon or gone on secret vacations with your ex..

“He's alright..” you mumbled so she sighed.

“How long is this trip for?”

“4-5 days?” You told her so she looked at you with a full smile.

“Good I'll have to pack accordingly” she jumped up and down as if it was a pleasant surprise for you that she wanted to join you.

“What do you mean?” You asked her as you crossed your arms in nervousness,

“Aren't you excited..we are going to have so much fun babe..i have never been to Japan” she giggled but it didn't amuse you at all.

“Cass I'm not going there for fun, it's a work trip and I'm pretty sure I'll have to be with Daemon to all the meetings, that's the whole point of this trip” her smile faltered as you said that,

“Did you just call him Daemon?” She asked you as she crossed her arms like a petulant child so you sighed again.

“Sir..Daemon.. whatever..he's my boss as well now Cass and things have been weird since you two had that fling ..I don't want weirdness on this trip..i need to focus on work”

And on your relationship with him. You needed privacy.

“Wow are you really not taking me with you now that you have a big girl's job? God you have changed” She said to you, she seemed genuinely upset and offended.

As she turned around to storm out of your room you called her once or twice but you didn't make much effort, a part of you did feel guilty but you shoved it aside. You really thought she'd just leave but she went downstairs instead and it must have been your misfortune that your father was home for once. After a few minutes your dad called you and told you that you didn't have to worry about the trip, her ticket was taken care of and that you could take Cassandra with you, and he would make sure all of you have a good time there and not just drown yourselves in work.

Gee thanks dad. Daemon was going to be pissed for sure.

When you didn't go see him like he had told you, Daemon went to your room first but it was all empty so he went downstairs and he saw Cassandra giving him a sly smile, there was luggage right next to her.

He glared at you and you were avoiding his gaze, probably due to embarrassment.

“Mate forget about the past and you both should move on, we are like family and that's how it should be..take this trip as an opportunity to resolve your differences” your dad said to him as he pointed towards Cassandra, she was exceptionally giddy ofcourse, she got her way like always.

Jackson was going to drive the three of you to the airport, there was an awkward silence in the car, you could see him looking at you through the rear view mirror and then you heard your phone ping,

He didn't respond to you after that, he wasn't even looking at you or talking to you, he was upset and rightly so.

As you all took your seats in the plane she swapped her seat with you because she wanted to “apologize to daemon and make things normal” but you knew it was just another excuse to stay close to him.

She wasn't even acknowledging that she had gone against your wishes and joined this trip despite your clear resistance.

You had to sit on the right side of the business class row while they were on the left, it was going to be a very long, very lonely and very tense flight for you..you wanted to spend these 12 hours just talking to him but that won't happen now.

After a few hours as Cassandra went to the bathroom you quickly got up from your seat and sat down next to him. He had his airpods in, his sunglasses down, and he appeared to be lost in thought. You gently tapped him on the shoulder and he looked up, visibly annoyed at first, thinking it was Cassandra who had woken him up. As he spotted you, his expression softened, but he still seemed unhappy about the whole situation.

“I know you're cross with me.. extremely cross”

He sighed as you said that,

“I told you to confront her, i have said it a million times in the past month” his voice was firm and strict like a school teacher,

“I know i should have –”

“Yeah you should have..she wouldn't be here right now if you had done so”

Your eyes teared up as he said that, you didn't like making him upset.

“I'm sorry..it's just not easy..we have been friends for years” you mumbled meekly and he was about to turn to you to comfort you but Cassandra returned so you quickly got up and went back to your seat.

His anger was misdirected he knew, he was pissed at Cassandra but as he didn't want to pay any attention to her he didn't even let his anger out on her because it didn't really matter to her what sort of attention she was receiving..

He knew he had to comfort you soon because he understood your plight. He stayed in a broken relationship for more than a decade, he understood how hard it was to let go of things you wanted to keep forever. You had always struggled to make genuine friends, so you had put a lot of effort into building a relationship with Cassandra but he could tell what kind of a person she was. She just wanted to use you.

He also wanted to discuss the work presentation with you so he asked Cassandra to swap seats with you which she did after rolling her eyes and whining for a minute.

“Daemon–” he interrupted you as you took his name because he could feel Cassandra's eyes on you and she was eavesdropping as well.

“Let's just focus on work alright…it's a work trip” he said to you so you swallowed the rest of your words, this wasn't going well, your relationship had just started like last night and this wasn't supposed to happen this way.

However as you helped him with the presentation you felt the tension melting slightly, he seemed in a better mood as he was smiling often and he was trying to cheer you up as well.

“Are you guys done ..like ..this seat is a bit uncomfortable not gonna lie” Cassandra threw her words in the air so Daemon glared at her,

“Then jump off the bloody plane” your eyes widened as he said that to her and she just scoffed in response. Now that had managed to bring a huge smile to your face.

As you all finally reached Tokyo and made your way to your respective rooms you couldn't help but stress about Cassandra, when you were at dinner together there was a pin drop silence between you three and it was the weirdest and most uncomfortable situation.

When you returned to your room you quickly showered and changed into a night dress. As you heard your phone vibrate at first you thought it must be Daemon but it was Cassandra instead. She wanted you to go visit a local nightclub with her that she had read rave reviews about. Did she realize that you were there for work and had a meeting in the morning?

You didn't respond but texted Daemon instead because you wanted to see him and clear the tension between you both however you didn't receive a response for a good fifteen minutes and you couldn't wait even a second longer so you put on a robe and stepped out of your room.

All three of you had rooms right next to each so you had to pass by Cassandra's room to reach Daemon's.

You knocked on his door and he opened soon after, he still had the laptop on his arm and he was on a call so he stepped aside and gestured for you to get in. You sat down on his bed so he smiled as he looked at you even though he was still deeply engrossed in that call.

“Hai! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu Mr Hayashi…Oyasumi” you crossed your arms as he spoke something in Japanese, as he hung up he took the airpods out and walked towards his desk to put his laptop down.

“You speak Japanese?” You asked him so he chuckled.

“Of Course not..i Googled it right before the call”

You smiled as he said that and reached closer to you.

“I texted you and you ignored me” he smiled and leaned down to kiss your forehead, sure he was upset with Cassandra's lack of boundaries and manners but he wasn't going to ruin this trip or hurt you because of that.

“I was working sweetheart”

“Mmm you're upset i know”

“I'm not upset ..i worry”

“She won't trouble you, you just have to ignore her” he sighed as you said that and sat down next to you.

“It's not me that I worry about”

“I tried to make her not come with us, i really did” your eyes teared up so he pulled you closer to him and hugged you, he hadn't done that since he had seen you last in his cabin which to be Frank was barely 24 hours ago.

“I know but did you try to confront her about the doubts you had regarding Dylan?”

“No” you shook your head and he placed his forehead down on yours,

“You know you need to do that, she's not a good friend you must know that now don't you?” he asked you softly and you nodded in response, you knew everything but you had a hard time accepting it..

“It's just..I don't have many friends..I have lost friends before but at least i knew that they just wanted to get close to me because of my dad..with Cassandra I just..what does she want?” your voice was laced with a mix of sadness and frustration as you spoke.

“Same thing but even worse i fear, first of all she's so annoying I don't know how you tolerate her”

“Well the same way you were able to tolerate her while you were fucking her”

There was a silence before you felt his fingers clutching around your hair and he pulled on it slightly. You had trouble breathing as soon as he kissed the corner of your mouth and trailed his lips down your chin,

“What have I said about swearing?”

“Mmm that i should do it more often?” he smiled as you said that.

Lord he found you absolutely adorable when you got all sassy with him.

“Your mouth is going to bring you trouble sweetheart, I'm asking again so this time think carefully before you speak”

Oh god. A part of you really wanted to defy him again just to see what he'd do to you but then your need to be his good girl weighted heavier.

“Mm that it doesn't suit me?”

“Mmm that being said, i fucked her because I was a lonely single man and she was available and quite eager to throw herself at me, her personality isn't what attracted me to her, but you can't say the same now can you?”

He caressed your scalp before he kissed your cheek, he could tell you were thinking about what he had said.

“She wasn't always like this..or maybe I just ..maybe I like to live in denial” your voice sounded defeated and he absolutely abhorred seeing you in this situation.

“I don't want you to lose a friend..but i need you to be careful before letting a person into your life like this. She has been going on free trips with you since she met you, she's using your name and your dad's wealth to get what she wants from you ..but that's not enough for her and you know that” Daemon's voice was filled with concern and your eyes teared up again as you knew he was looking out for you.

He might have just become your boyfriend of sorts like two days ago but he has always been someone who had your best interests at heart, you knew he'd never give you bad advice.

“In college ..during our last year, there was this guy Seth..he ummm..I liked him and i thought he did too because he used to look at me when I wasn't looking at him and he'd try to talk to me at times ..but on New years bunch of us went to New York City together and they kissed there as the ball dropped, I never confronted her because she didn't know that i liked him” he kissed your forehead softly as your innocent words clenched his heart. She always had her eyes on whatever you wanted.

“Or perhaps she did, ever thought about that?”

“Now am I'm thinking about that and..I just thought she had changed with time..it's hard to accept that maybe she has always been this way and I was so dumb that i couldn't see her real self” he cupped your cheeks as you said that. There's no way he'd ever want you to feel bad about keeping your heart kind and open for others..

“You're not dumb ..no my sweetheart, not at all, you're my sweetest pixie.. a bit naive yes but you'll learn and grow from such errors in judgement” he mumbled softly so you smiled as you hugged him before you climbed on his lap.

He quickly wrapped his arms around your waist and rocked you back n forth gently to comfort you.

“Besides.. every time you feel dumb, just remember that i spent eleven years with a woman that couldn't stop cheating on our marriage”

You pulled away and cupped his cheeks as he said that.

“Well you learned too Mister, now you have me and I'd never ever put you through that pain” a smile crept on his lips at your sweet words.

“Me neither, you for me ..as long as you want me”

“Mmmm as long as I want?” you spoke in a childish voice and it made his smile even wider.

“I got 30 years max..not making it past 70 so yeah it's as long as you want”

“Don't say that..”

“Mmmhm what are you gonna do about it?" His tone was challenging,

“I might kiss you”

“Ooohh is that a threat?” he let out a playful gasp,

“I am threatening you”

He laid down on the bed with you still on top of him and then he flipped you under him. He kissed your forehead and then kissed the tip of your nose, grabbing his chin between his thumb and forefinger he made you look at him. Not that you had your eyes off him.

“I have thought about this so many times” you mumbled as you caressed his chin with your fingertips.

“Mmm so have i..but only in the last four months”

“I know..you don't have to justify yourself to me of all people” he sighed and nodded as you said that.

“It's just strange at times. We have photos of us together when you were just a kid, on several occasions i had my arms around your shoulders or was hugging you, things can be misconstrued. I always feel like i should watch my words when I speak”

“Not with me”

You felt that he was finally going to kiss you but then you both heard a knock on the door and you quickly got up as you had a feeling it was Cassandra. Of course it was.

“What do I do?” You asked him so he chuckled,

“Hide in the closet? I'd suggest we pretend to work but I don't trust her to not fabricate things and snitch on us to your parents”

Could she really do that you wondered?

“Okay hiding in the closet it is then”

He had left the door of the closet slightly open, lights were dimmed in the room so she won't be able to see you anyways he figured. You stood inside with bated breaths as you heard his footsteps fade away from you.

“Have you seen y/n? She's not answering the door or her calls” she asked him as she entered the room on her own accord even though he hadn't invited her in.

“Look Cassandra..you nobhead.. I'm busy so just fuck off yess?”

He glared at her so she smiled. She was just shameless like that.

“Awn i thought you'd be more worried about her, isn't she like your niece?” her voice was so shrill it really pierced his ears in the worst possible manner.

“I reckon she's in her room”

“Mmmm or she's out with a bloke or something, it's not that she hasn't done it before” she sighed as she sat down on his bed.

Now you had a clear view of her from the closet that he had left ajar, your phone was on his bedside table and he was just hoping it won't start ringing , also what she had just said about you had pissed him off more, he knew you weren't the type to do something so careless even if you both weren't in this new relationship.

“uhhhuh that seems like something you'd do”

He clapped back at her so she smiled again. She wasn't done just yet.

“You know you have no idea how careless she can be with men in these new places..i mean i get the appeal of course but safety is important don't you think? She can't even defend herself in such situations as I have had to do so for her countless times before. I just worry too much, I think that's why she has been avoiding me lately” she made a sad face but he wasn't falling for that, he hoped you had heard the way she was talking about you behind your back, if she said all that your supposed uncle he couldn't imagine how she has been portraying you in front of strangers.

“She has really changed since she met Rhaenyra” his brows furrowed as she said that. He knew you had befriended Rhae since your birthday party.

“My niece?”

“Mhhm she's definitely a bad influence on y/n”

“Rhaenyra is a decent girl and so is y/n”

“Mmmmhm really because I saw your niece in a club a few days ago giggling in the arms of a man who seemed much older than her, i couldn't help but wonder where I had seen him before and then i realized I met him at your birthday party” he turned to look at her as she said that, sure he didn't want to believe a single word that came out of her attention seeking whore mouth but his protectiveness towards his actual niece weighed in. Rhaneyra was the same age as you so he knew she could make her own decisions like you but he was still worried.

“What man?” He asked her so she smiled,

“Mmm, your brother's business partner? I don't remember his name to be honest as I don't really care about her” she shrugged and she had that infuriating smile on her face so he smiled at her finally

“Well perhaps you'd have remembered his name if you had fucked him”

She glared at him as he said that she had been trying so hard to make him see her differently but she didn't know why he was so unaffected by her, usually guys often caved in eventually.

“Now fuck off i have a meeting tomorrow” he grabbed her arm and walked her towards the door, when he reached he shoved her out with a little force, he then watched her huff and make her way to the elevator instead of going to your room to check on you again. She was so deeply worried about you but didn't want to see if you were alright or not?

As you heard the door closing you stepped out of the closet and he immediately noticed that there was a dejected look on your face, not only has she bitched about you behind your back but had also tried to malign Rhaenyra's image in front of her uncle.

You snapped out of your thoughts as you felt him wrap his arms around you and you immediately pressed your chest against his broad comfy chest, he truly was your safe haven. Now that he had returned you couldn't imagine going years without never hearing from again.

As you looked up eventually he cupped your cheeks and kissed your forehead before he kissed your cheek.

“You alright?” He asked you so you nodded,

“Now i know what I have to do with her, maybe this was the push i needed”

“Good girl” your face flushed as his soft voice infiltrated your senses but there was a look of confusion on his face “Do you know anything about Rhaenyra and Harwin?” He asked as he stepped a little away from you, making you gulp in nervousness, his hand combed through his hair.

“You know you can't believe anything she says” you chuckled but he could see right through you.

"I find it unusually precise for her to invent such a story. She's not particularly astute. And you, my love?" He paused for a moment, gazing at you intently, before resuming, "Don't even consider attempting to deceive me like that." You let out a small sound of frustration before letting out a long breath, weighing his words carefully.

“Daemon she's a big girl, I'm sure she knows what she's doing..you can't go all uncle on her.. it would make you seem like a hypocrite” he scowled as you said that.

“It's not hypocrisy to look out for your loved ones”

“I know..but it's not a mindless affair …she's in love with him” you mumbled hurriedly and his eyes widened.

“I don't even know what sort of bloke he is.. didn't even get to talk to him at the party..isn't he like forty?”

Instead of answering you just tilted your head at the irony of the situation. “Oh pipe it down love..not every older man has good intentions.. consensus would say that majority of them are just predators..just sharks waiting to pounce on younger flesh” you walked closer to him as he said that and wrapped your arms around him, he was kind of cute with his feathers all ruffled.

“Mmm so you have good intentions for me hmm?”

“Of Course I do”

“I know mister, just calm down okay, besides if you want to know him better you just have to reach out to her, she has missed her uncle as well in these years, in a pure innocent way ofcourse unlike me” he chuckled as you said that, you caressed his cheek with your thumb and it made him smile, you weren't wrong though, you always had something wise to say to him.

“We all loved you so much even as kids, you had no idea how comforting it was to have you around me especially during festivals and vacations, you didn't alienate me like other adults, you spent time with me and made me laugh with your funny jokes…and I'm sure you did the same with Rhaneyra and Aemond when you were with your family..they'd love to have their old uncle back”

His eyes were teary by the time you were done speaking so you cupped his cheeks and curled your arms around him.

The decision to leave his family and you wasn't a well thought one, he left on an impulse, he was angry and raged, nothing else made sense to him at the time, he just knew he couldn't have stayed here.

However the way your relationship with him has changed so drastically now, for once he didn't regret leaving because watching you grow up into this fine young woman and then developing an attraction towards you later in life would have been way worse than what it was now and he probably never would have acted on it if that was the case so maybe everything happened the way they did for a reason.. that's to say he hadn't forgotten why he had to leave. He'd never forget.

“Do I get to cuddle you tonight?” You asked him so he shook his head,

“That won't be a wise course of action if we are trying to take the slow approach”

“Ummm hello? You are”

“Well you deserve that sweetheart”

You grinned from ear to ear as he said that. Yeah you deserved to be treated tenderly and with utmost care, he'd never do anything that would ruin the bond he shared with you, even if you both part ways someday in romantic sense he hoped that you'd still think of him fondly.

Next day you watched him at the meeting and your mind was blown, you were trying to focus on the work but you couldn't just turn off that part of your brain that made you tick and so devastatingly aroused for him, he was confident and fierce, he knew how to manipulate and get those people to like him, and he was so charming. He was a businessman through and through.

And he was a great mentor to you, you were actually going to learn plenty from him if you wanted to stay in the family business, no wonder your father trusted him to teach you the tricks of the business , everything seemed fine between them now but you often thought about him fleeing the country once and you still didn't know the reason for that.

As you reached the hotel again, you found Cassandra in the lobby and she walked towards you. Daemon then looked at you and he gave you a knowing look. It was now or never for you, she'd continue to remain toxic if you don't confront her just now.

As you neared her you were going to say something but she opened her mouth first.

“I have a confession to make, i slept with Dylan”

👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

Taglist

@serving-targaryen-realness @annoyingsweetsstranger @anukulee @mcufan72 @insertsomethingsillyhereple-blog @silentf @ajthefujoshi @stupidthoughtsinwriting @ammo23 @shuichiakainx @daddylokisqueen @ipostwhtifeel @anehkael @madlyinlovewmattmurd0ck @dixie-elocin

#daemon targaryen #daemon targaryen x female reader #daemon targaryen x reader fluff #daemon targaryen x reader angst #daemon targaryen x reader smut #age gap relationship #non canon au #modern day au #modern daemon targaryen

172 notes · View notes

commandershepardvasfuckit · 1 year ago

Text

Chapter 4 for the indulgent original writing (4.2k words)

Chapters 1-3 are in my pinned post.

Just unpolished writing to get ideas out of my head

No real content warnings like last last chapter, but wow it’s actual story lol

The entire way down to the dining hall he never faltered, never once did you slip in his grip, never did he need to readjust his hold on you, just strong and steady. It felt like the trek there had taken forever, just miles of hallways and endless flights of stairs, though it also might have dragged on from your embarrassment of being carried about half clothed clearly in a state where everyone you passed very clearly knew how you spent your morning.

Much like the other parts of the palace you have seen, the dining hall seemed to follow the king’s personal style. Dark wood floors and furniture, drapes and tapestries trimmed in black and gold, jewels inlaid in surfaces that most definitely did not need it.

He took his place at the head of the table, an overly ornate carved chair, nearly a throne, but when you went to climb off his lap and sit in your own chair he tightened his grip.

“No my pet, I’d much rather you warm my lap”.

Serving staff trailed in, the woman from yesterday, Mirabette, and two other women who you guessed where probably around your age.

“And what would you like for breakfast my treasure?” he asked. “Anything you little heart desires”.

This would have been exciting had you not been so overwhelmed. Every possible food seemed to slip from your mind and you fidgeted on his lap, wracking your brain for any possibly reasonable answer.

“If you keep wiggling about like that you’re going to get me hard again” he whispered in your ear, promptly making you freeze. “Oh don’t tense up like that. If I choose to fuck you over the table I’ll send the staff away, don’t worry. I’m not fond of sharing after all”.

His words were not reassuring, regardless of whether he was telling the truth or not.

“Would you prefer if I just chose what was for breakfast and you can add anything you can think of? I do suppose you aren’t used to so many options, it must be quite overwhelming”.

You nodded, “Yes please, my king”.

“Very well! Mirabette, a pot of tea, my usual, and bring everything you can think of, spare nothing for my little pet. Such a sweet little thing should be pampered, especially with how well she pleased me this morning”.

“Yes, my king” Mirabette turned on her heel and disappeared back through the doors, never once batting an eye or making any acknowledgement of how the king spoke so openly.

The two other women remained at the side of the room. One seemed entirely at ease, hands clasped behind her back and simply staring forward, ignoring everything much the same way Mirabette had.

The other women though, a sour expression on her face as she watched you. Eyes narrowed and staring at you as if she thought to stare a hole straight through you.

“Cassandra!” yelled the king, “Either you will control your expression or you will retire to the kitchen, I care not for your opinions. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, my king” she curtsied, her facial a forced neutral as she stood back up.

“Pay her no mind, my treasure. It appears some may be jealous of my affections for you” he kissed the top of your head. “No one’s opinion matters but mine, and I have quite the high opinion of you”.

Mirabette returned with a large tray, precariously balancing a tea pot, two tea cups with saucers, milk, sugar, honey, lemon wedges, various breads, butter, jams, and other small pastries. “Tea and a little something while you wait. The kitchen is working on everything else. May I get you anything else, my king?”

“No, that is all for now. Thank you”.

Mirabette curtsied again, same neutral smile as before, and took her place between the other women.

“Tell me, my sweet little pet, how do you prefer you tea?”

“I don’t know, my king. I haven’t really had tea truthfully” tea in your city was quite the luxury. As it was not a port city or along any major trade routes, nor had a suitable climate for its cultivation, any true tea was a costly import reserved only for the rich.

“Another first for you then. Fine wine and bath soaps last night, sleeping in the bed of your king, wearing my clothes, the first of many times being so throughly fucked” he smirked at you, clearly enjoying embarrassing you.

It was working. You buried your face in his chest, even clinging to him was better than making eye contact with any of the staff.

“So cute that you’re flustered, but I’m sure everyone here knows your role, they see that pretty collar around your neck. No one should be surprised to hear that I fucked you until you cried this morning, how you satisfied me so well, how my cum is still on your thighs as you sit here on my lap in front of my staff”.

“Why are you doing this?” you asked.

“Manners”.

“My king, why are you trying to embarrass me?”

“No, little one, not embarrass, I’m simply praising your good behavior. I think everyone should know what a good girl you’ve been for me”.

You hated how he called you ‘good girl’. Hated that part of you enjoyed his praise, hated how his words made your legs a little weak and caused a heat between your legs.

“Speaking of how well you’ve satisfied me, I do suppose you’ll need something for that, I’m much past the point of wanting to sire any more whelplings”.

In surprise you yanked your face away from his chest to stare at him.

“What? Were you not aware of that possibility? Has no one ever taught you where children come from?” he laughed.

“I know how it works with humans! You’re not human though!”

“But human bodies are highly adaptable you’ll find, almost like humans arose just to serve dragons. Not that humans are particularly capable of having very sturdy whelplings anyways, half whelps just don’t have the hardiness of a pure dragon. They’ll look just like a pure dragon, but never have the full magic or size. But don’t worry yourself over the details, like I said, I have no desire to deal with that anymore”.

You tried to banish the thought. Possibility aside, the entire concept seemed rather unpleasant in general, especially with him being the father.

“Alondis!” he barked, “Let the apothecary know I need something to avoid any unnecessary consequences from this morning and something for daily use”.

You had not noticed Alondis standing just inside the doorway, he seemed an ever present constant, a bored expression on his face as he waited on orders.

“Yes, my king” he vanished through the doorway.

“Now, little one, where were we? Tea! Yes, I’ll prepare yours the same I take mine in that case”.

He leaned forward to grab the tea pot, his sudden movement nearly sending you toppling off his lap and causing you to wrap your arms around his shoulders to prevent falling.

“I’m not going to let you fall, my other arm is still around you. I promise I’ve got you. Though I do quite like you clinging to me like this”.

Gods he was warm, even in the drafty open air of the dining hall it felt like there was a fire just below his skin. Clothed only in his shirt it felt quite nice to be so close to him.

“There you go, a nice cup of tea for a lovely pet” he handed you the cup.

It was warm, sweet and earthy as you sipped it.

“Is it to your liking? I do prefer mine on the sweeter side. I fear I’ve developed quite the sweet tooth from spending so much time around humans, perhaps not the most becoming of a dragon”.

“It’s good, my king”.

“Wonderful! Hopefully everything else will be- Cassandra!” his voice dropped into a growl, his lips pulled back into an angry snarl that showed off sharp teeth.

You snapped your head over to look at the woman, her nose was wrinkled in disgust and a sneer on her face.

“Kitchen! Now! I will not tolerate your disobedience after you have already been warned. You do not have to like or approve of my new plaything but I’d rather have you locked up for the foreseeable future than show any disrespect to myself or my pet” his grip around you tightened.

“Though maybe it would do you better to remember your place below my pet if you were her personal handmaiden. I was going to have Mirabette attend to her, but Mirabette already has to keep all of you in line so instead you will wait on her. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, my king” she responded through gritted teeth.

His chest was heaving and he was not settling down. This was a much stronger anger than you had experienced last night when you refused him, this was animalistic and much scarier.

“Out! Everyone!” he yelled and the three women wasted no time retreating to the kitchen.

Tentatively you leaned your head against his chest and tried to wrap your arms around him, hoping to calm him down. Your touch seemed to snap him out of it for the most part.

Much of the rage receded from his expression as he looked down at meet your own frightened expression.

“Oh darling, I’m sorry you had to see that” he kissed the top of your head softly “I do suppose a display like that does not really endear you to me”.

Darling. Not pet, or treasure, or bird, or even ‘my’ in front of it, just darling.

“Why don’t we enjoy our tea and a light breakfast? I have something I’d really like to show you”.

“Whatever you would like, my king” you answered.

“I would like it to be your decision, actually”.

You furrowed your brow, trying to suss out if this was a trap or game, but his expression genuine seeming.

“In that case, I do think that would be nice, my king”.

Breakfast was a fairly quick affair, and he promised you a much nicer lunch to make up for it. He actually seemed sorry for his outburst even though he continually framed it not as him losing control but as Cassandra making him lose control, though for a dragon that was probably to closest he would ever get to an admission of fault.

Once more he carried you in his arms, this time you wrapped your arms around his neck and laid your head on his chest as he carried you out into the large central courtyard.

“I want you to see me, my actually self and not just- this” he vaguely gestured to himself once he had sat you down on the stairs. “I don’t get the chance to just exist as me often, but I do want you to fully know me”.

“My king, why do you spend so much time looking human then?” you ask.

“It’s just easier this way. The world isn’t really built for dragons anymore, it hasn’t been for a long time, since long before my hatching even. And there’s not many of us left, especially from pure bloodlines. Too much infighting between the bloodlines and humans advanced too much to control the same way”.

“I live somewhere clearly not meant for a dragon, and the process of changing shape isn’t exactly pleasant, it’s not something I do often” he said. “I haven’t even been able to be myself in my own palace since I was a whelpling”.

“Did you grow up here?” you asked.

“I did, before this was my territory it was my father’s, though it was a much smaller territory then. I suppose you’ve heard the stories about me” he smiled.

“Though when I was still little, young enough where I couldn’t even take a human form yet, I would run down the hallways as fast as I could. Oh my mother hated it, she’d be chasing me yelling ‘Valathos! Valathos! Get back there! You’re going to knock someone over!’ She never could catch me though” he laughed, “You try catching a young dragon while you’re stuck on two legs”.

His relaxed expression quickly vanished, his eyes widening as if he just saw something truly awful. “Forget what I just told you” he snapped.

“What?”

“What I just told you, forget it, that was not meant for your ears”.

“Oh” you said softly, not sure what to quite say or what the issue really was, but you had a name for him finally, Valathos. You wracked your brain, trying to remember if you had ever heard his name before, but it was not familiar at all. In all the stories or songs never once had you heard his name, just titles and epithets.

An awkward silence settled between you both. It was a strange bit of information to learn about him, that staying in a human form was less a choice and more of a necessity. As you mulled your thoughts over a noticeable expression must have settled on your face.

“You don’t need to look upon me with such pity, it’s my choice to confine myself as such. I could fly off and control my territory as a dragon at all times if I truly wanted, but with how the world is, this is just easier”.

“I don’t mean to be nosy, but what is so unpleasant about changing shapes?” you asked.

“To be honest, going from this form to my true shape is actually euphoric. I can’t really explain it, there’s nothing that feels like it, just this rush of freedom, feeling like I can finally breathe again. Nothing compares”.

“It’s going from that to this” he once more gestured to himself, “that is so unpleasant. To feel yourself collapsing and folding in on yourself. Every fiber of your being getting twisted and condensed until what is left isn’t you at all. I try to keep a few things, but nature doesn’t like splitting the differences, it wants humans to look like humans and dragons to look like dragons. I try to keep some height, my teeth to some degree, and my eyes. I couldn’t stand to see this face and not even see my own eyes”.

“I didn’t realize any of that” you said softly.

“No, I can’t say I’ve ever heard of a dragon really openly admitting it to a human. It’s not a particularly powerful image for us huh? That one of the most well known parts of our magic is actually so horrible and painful that many of us just choose to stay trapped to avoid it”.

“You don’t have to do this now. I’m sure there will be other times where you’ll have to change shape and I’ll see you then instead of putting yourself through it now”.

“It’s been nearly ten years since last I was myself. Not that long compared to my age really, but it’s not often there’s a reason where I have to change shapes. I’d rather just show you on my own terms instead of my hand being forced”.

“Then I think I’d really like to see the real you” you smiled.

“I’m quite the handsome dragon you know, even if you may not be able to tell” he smiled back.

“And what makes you such a handsome dragon?” you teased.

“My horns! I’ll have you know my bloodline is one of only a few to have double horns and I’m the only of my siblings to get them! You would be very impressed if you were a dragon”.

“No, I’m very impressed!” you held your hands over your head, mimicking horns.

“Very dignified” he laughed, “Thank you for humoring me, I don’t really joke much anymore. You’re a sweet little thing to indulge me so” he ruffled you hair.

“Well at least the first part is fun” he shrugged, “Help me undress?”

“What?”

“I actually happen to somewhat like this shirt and these pants, would be a shame to destroy them in the process, so help your king undress?”

“Yes, my king” you smirked.

He knelt down to where you sat on the stairs so you would not have to stand. You lifted his shirt up, letting your hands linger on his chest, looking over the scars than adorned his skin as you removed the shirt.

“So are the scars your own choice too then?” you asked.

“No, those I can’t change. Injuries inflicted by magic can’t been covered up, even by magic”.

“You have quite a few”.

“I’ve lived a long time, I’ve established a large territory, you don’t manage that without fighting, especially with other dragons”.

He stood up and kicked off his boots, “Now, I will ask you turn away while I change forms. The magic tends to be too bright for human eyes and the process has been described as a bit grotesque, so I’d prefer if you did not see that part. Understand?”

“Sure”.

“Manners” he said firmly, apparently whatever playful closeness was between you moment ago was over now.

“Yes, my king”. You quickly finished removing his pants.

“Do not turn around until I tell you to. I’m serious”.

You heard his footsteps recede to the other side of the courtyard and even with your back to him the whole area was painfully bright. It dragged on for what felt like ages, before you heard his voice.

“Will you face me, little one?”

His voice echoed oddly, it was still very much his voice but something felt off.

As you turned around you found yourself sitting in his massive shadow.

This was the Dragon King, not the man you had just spent the last day with. He was imposing, towering over you even when sitting, your head not even level with his elbow. His scales were a dark charcoal tone, nearly black, his claws a gold tone, you could see where his own personal style came from now.

His eyes though, they were familiar, the same piecing gaze as always but even harder to read like this.

“You are quite handsome like this” you smiled at him.

“Simple flattery, but I’ll accept it”.

His voice did not seem to emanate from his mouth, rather it echoed in your mind.

“How are you doing that?” you asked.

“Speaking to you? Just how dragons communicate, we’re not exactly built to speak verbally like humans”.

“Can you speak like this in your other form?”

“No. I don’t have much access to magic in my other shape, just the basics” he stretched out to lay down, lowering his head to rest on the ground to rest next to you on the stairs and to be relatively eye level with you.

“So, you like this? My actual self?” he asked somewhat uncertainly.

“I do, I meant it when I said you were quite handsome”.

“Did you see my horns?” he tilted his head to the side, careful to not knock you over.

“Quite magnificent, my king” you ran your hand along one of the horns.

Two horns swept back from the top of his head that curved up at the end. The second set arced back before curving back along his jaw to point forward, one horn on each side to frame the center horns.

“I like this, just having you near to me like this is nice” he said.

You leaned against the side of his face, avoiding the point of his horn. His scales were rough, but there was a warmth to him, like he had been sitting out in the sunlight for hours.

“I like it too” you said.

What felt like hours passed, and at some point you definitely napped for a while, but it was comfortable, there was a secure feeling about being curled up against him like this.

“My little pet, it’s time to get up” he gentled nuzzled his face against you, “I know I promised to take you around the palace, and a nice lunch to make up for breakfast, but I long for the skies. It’s been so long since I’ve soared, since I’ve felt the wind beneath my wings. I cannot bring myself to confine myself to the ground quite yet. I hope you don’t hold my nature against me”.

“No, I understand. It’s the same anyone else would want, their freedom” you could not look him in the eye. The horrible irony was not lost on you, that he felt like he had no freedom while he held so many captive here.

“It’s not the same” he said firmly, “The very nature of my being is to fly, to roam. The very nature of humans is to serve. Here at my side you’re able to fulfill your nature and serve me, it would do well to remember your place”.

Powerful wing gusts knocked you over as he took off, the discussion clearly over.

As you tried to pick yourself up off the ground, a gloved hand reached out to offer assistance.

“He’s a hypocrite, and frankly an asshole, in case you didn’t notice” it was Alondis.

“Yeah, I don’t know what I was expecting” you took his hand and let him help you up. “How much of that did you see?”

“Not much. I got back to the dining hall and you were both gone but it’s pretty difficult to hide a dragon so it wasn’t hard to find you. You were napping when I got out here so I left to actually go get some stuff done and I had just gotten back to hear you lecture him on freedom. Quite boldly of you for someone literally wearing a collar”.

“Shut up”.

“Look, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be rude, but you’ve been here for less than a day and you think you’re going to find something to say to him that hundreds of others haven’t already? He quite literally will never see a human as anything more than a subservient pet. His nature isn’t freedom, it’s subjugation, sometimes he just hides it well”.

“Yeah, I’m noticing that” you sighed.

“He’ll be charming as long as he gets his way, praise you and dote on you, as long as you’re a docile little lap dog at his feet. But he was so happy to announce that he made you cry this morning, happy to tell everyone that you tried to push back against him and he put you back in your place”.

“So that’s just it? Just roll over and take it?”

“I mean, in a very literal sense for you” Alondis smirked.

“That’s not funny!”

“I’m sorry, that was an awful joke, wasn’t it? I swear I’m not trying to be an ass for no reason, I don’t get the chance to speak freely often. I’m either tailing him around waiting on whatever orders he has, or having to be the jerk in charge keeping everything running around here”.

“Have you been here a long time?” you asked.

“About 27 years now in all, 10 years of being his personal guard though, and no, I don’t know why a dragon needs a personal guard either before you ask”.

“Personal guard? Not errand boy?” you teased.

“Very funny. Captain of the Royal Guard, personal guard to the king, and now glorified babysitter of you when he’s out”.

“Of me?”

“Yep, like it or not, you’re stuck with me. Strict orders to keep you out of trouble when he’s not around”.

“So that’s it? I step a toe out of line and you run and tattle on me?”

“Gods no, I really don’t care about what you do as long as I don’t get yelled at for it. I have no interest in being another captor to you, we’re in the same boat after all” he shrugged.

“So, uh, 27 years?” you asked tentatively.

“27 years of captivity and servitude, yeah. It’s great, been here longer than I lived in my own town before” he said bitterly, “A royal caravan came through to collect tribute and unfortunately the previous guard captain decided that I’d make a good apprentice so that was that. I was 14 at the time”.

“I’m so sorry” you said, but your words felt hollow. You did not know what to else to say though. ‘I’m sorry’ did not begin to cover how you felt about his situation, or yours, or for anyone else trapped here.

“Yeah, so am I. None of us deserve this, waiting hand and foot on that monster. But you either play your role or suffer the consequences”. He handed you the bag he had been carrying, “For you, from the apothecary. Blue bottle for right now, green ones are daily. Apothecary said pick a consistent time to take the daily ones, unless you want little versions of him running about. And for all of our sakes, please be good about this, one of him is already more than enough”.

82 notes · View notes