#will it be good enough for the children? I hope so

[nsharks]

bleeding blue | apocalypse au

part thirty-one —other parts

pairing: Simon “Ghost” Riley x fem!reader words: 4.8k tags: death. blood and gore. zombies of course. AFAB reader. single dad ghost. enemies to lovers. SA and implication of child SA (very subtle). summary: After losing your companions, you run into a skull-masked man and his daughter. They are your last hope for survival. a/n: if anything regarding the abuse or suffering of children, or SA, triggers you do not read. I wanted to tell you so there are no surprises.

The world sharpens as your senses return, zeroing in on the empty, crumpled sheet where Blue had lain beside you. She’s gone. Your deadened limbs failed her. Guilt rises, choking your dry throat. When your hands can move, you grab the pillow, pressing it to your face. A few hot tears escape. It smells like her hair.

They took her. 

She's gone— 

A gentle voice speaks, and a hand settles on your shoulder. Only then do you notice your body trembling. You lift your face from the pillow, staring up at Nereida. Her lips move, but her words don’t reach you. Something stirs inside you, deep in your chest, clawing its way toward your mouth. When the door creaks open and Salome steps in with a tray of dinner, it finally bursts free—a roar of pure rage.

“I’ll fucking kill you if you don’t tell me where she is.”

Salome startles, nearly dropping the tray as you fling yourself at the bars.

“I-I understand you’re upset, and I’m sorry we had to subdue you again, but it was only—”

“I don’t give a fuck! Answer me! Where is she?”

Her knuckles whiten around the tray, eyes darting away. “The child has... her own job, as we all do.”

Your lip curls. “Are you brain-dead under that stupid veil? Why take her? She’s a child! Why not one of us?” You lean closer, voice breaking. “If you want me pregnant so badly, fine! Do it now! Just bring her back—bring her back!”

Salome blinks, unnerved, her composure slipping.

“If you’ve killed her,” you hiss, heat flooding your face, “I swear to God, I’ll kill myself—”

“No!” she interjects, stepping forward, wide-eyed. “Don’t speak like that, I beg you. She... She’s alive. For now.” Her voice drops, reverent. “But Maman has plans for her. You must understand—Maman knows the Lord’s will. It is not our—" her throat bobs with a swallow,"Our place to question her decisions.”

“Alive for now ?” you snap. “What plans does that bitch have for her?”

Salome hesitates. For the first time, she looks uncertain.

She opens her mouth, then closes it. “I can’t... I mustn’t say. In time, you’ll understand.” She lowers the tray onto the floor and nudges it closer, staying out of your reach. “Please. You must eat. It’s only food this time, I promise. And the tea is for your bodies—to prepare you. Maman insists you drink it all.”

“You really think we’re stupid enough to eat or drink anything you give us?”

Her voice dips into a whisper. “I fear I... I must insist. If you refuse... I’ll have to tell Maman. She’s chosen to keep the males you came with because they are healthy and strong. But if she hears of your disobedience...” Her voice falters, and she tucks her hands into her sleeves. “There needn’t be any unnecessary deaths.”

Unnecessary deaths. 

The door clicks shut behind her when she leaves. You sink to your heels, spine against the bars, as Nereida reaches for the tray. Closing her eyes, a single tear escapes before she rubs her chest and exhales. With no choice, you both eat the braised beef and roasted carrots, though you bitterly imagine it tastes like the unseasoned squirrel meat you're used to.

The tea smells herbal and bitter. On your tongue, the taste makes you recoil.

"I think it's turmeric and parsley," Nereida says softly, taking another sip. "It's good for... regulating our cycles."

You stare into the mug, swirling the warm liquid inside. The urge to dump it on the floor flickers, but the risk of someone noticing holds you back. Instead, you take another sip, chasing it with food to mask the taste. Your thumb brushes the rim, finding a sharp chip in the ceramic. Pressing it deeper, the sting hums as a bead of blood wells up. You suck on it, brows furrowed, a half-formed plan taking shape. Without hesitation, you finish the tea and smash the mug on the floor, startling Nereida.

"Why did you—"

You gather the two biggest shards. "We have weapons now. Break yours when you're done."

"So what’s the plan? Stab her with it?" She shakes her head, frustration clear in her voice. "She’s dumb, but not dumb enough to get close enough for that—not after you just said you want to kill her."

"Well, it's something." Your lips tighten along with your hand on the sharp edges. "At least I’m trying to think of an idea instead of just—just praying my military husband comes to save me."

Her eyes flash with hurt. "I'm trying to think realistically instead of acting rash." She gestures to the broken pieces. "She just threatened to kill them if we do anything to upset this Maman person, and you go breaking the cup. You think they'll be happy about that?"

"I'll say it was an accident. I'm a clumsy female who just couldn't help myself."

"You're not thinking clearly, Twix. I know you're upset about Blue—"

“And you’re not?” you hiss. “We failed her. She’s just a kid, and we failed her. Who knows what they’re doing to her right now. We don’t have time to sit around waiting for Price. He’s not coming! Even if they don’t kill him now, you really think they won’t at some point? These people are insane.” Your voice drops lower. “They’re going to rape us, Nereida. Don’t you see that? They’ll wait for us to ovulate, then breed us like livestock to feed into their delusions. What happens when they find out you can’t have kids? You think they’ll keep you around? You think they’ll still ‘covet’ you?”

Moisture wells in her eyes, and she blinks. "I don't—I don't know. But what can we do? We can't reach her, and they won't open the cell without drugging us again. Even if we could get out, we can't handle everyone out there with just pieces of a broken mug." The tears spill quietly, and she stuffs her face in her hands. "You're right. I've always relied on him. I don’t know how to survive any other way."

Your face softens a little, and you breathe deeply to regain some composure. "I shouldn’t have said that. We’re both scared."

She whispers through the gaps in her shaking fingers. "I was never supposed to live like this."

You reach for her hands, holding them tight. "You were, or you wouldn’t still be here."

The words offer fragile solace despite how steady you force your voice to be.

The rest of the meal is in silence.

The helplessness in the room is suffocating, reminiscent of the week you spent alone in the woods, sleeping in trees and dreading the break of dawn. No—it’s worse than that. It feels more like when Ghost broke your bow and left you for dead, chewing on pine needles to soothe your empty stomach. Funny how this time there’s a delicious meal in front of you, and you’re swallowing it down only because you’re forced. You even have a real bed to slip into, a yielding pillow to rest your head on, yet the helplessness remains, unwavering.

"I'm sorry, Blue. I'm trying," you whisper, clutching the shards of ceramic and slipping them under the pillow.

You replay everything in your head: the lack of items in the room, the bolted cell door, and what Salome said— Maman has plans for her. The moon rises, and you remain awake, even as Nereida succumbs to fatigue. You force your eyes to keep scanning the dark surroundings, despite the lingering effects of the drugs threatening to pull you into sleep. There has to be something you're missing—maybe not in the room, but in Salome's words. What else did she say? You were so angry, you can hardly remember.

It feels like well past midnight when you hear a male voice outside the door and the shift of footsteps.

"Trois minutes, Hugo."

A low chuckle. "Trois minutes, c'est tout ce dont j'aurai besoin."

"N'oubliez pas de ne pas toucher. Et ne vous en vantez pas auprès des autres. La nouvelle se répandra et Maman ou Alexandre l'entendront."

The air shifts when the door parts. You launch up, inhaling sharply when a shadowy figure enters along with the faint scraping of boots. Salome? But broad shoulders give way to an unfamiliar man that steps into the sliver of moonlight, and panic sets in quickly.

Breathless, you rip the sheet from your body.

Nereida stirs. "Twix—?"

You rise to your bare feet, standing a meter from the bars as you take him in. A light smile plays at his lips, which might’ve seemed friendly if you weren't poorly covered by the barely-there slip dress. Unlike Salome, his face is exposed beneath the hood of his grey cloak. You make out a strong nose, ashen brows, and blonde hair. He looks to be in his thirties, much shorter than Ghost. He murmurs something in French beneath his breath that makes your hands clench, then reaches into a pocket in his cloak.

He retrieves three metal chains. 

In his upheld hand, the dog tags quietly collide.

Your breath hitches as his eyes flick to yours, and the moonlight catches on the engraved names.

"I'm a friend of your friends," he greets coyly in a hushed, strong accent.

"John," Nereida whispers, ripping herself up from the bed. 

The man nods, the subtle smirk tugging at the edges of his lips, but it fails to reach his eyes. They remain cold. "Yes. We've all grown rather acquainted."

"You've hurt them," you snap, grabbing Nereida's wrist and pulling her closer. "Cut the bullshit."

He wraps the chains tightly around his wrist before tucking them away, then looks at you in a way that leaves your mouth tasting like the dinner you just ate. "A female who bites. I will look forward to making you submit as a God-fearing woman should."

You clutch at the hem of the gown, terror whispering in the back of your mind from his words. Something feels wrong.

"Why are you here?" you ask measuredly. "I thought... it isn't the right time for us to... to get pregnant. I thought only women are allowed to see us right now."

"I've heard whispers of the new beautiful women God has gifted us," he says, his English choppy. "I wanted to see for myself. I've been... working hard to please the Lord, you see. Your friends are not so easily broken. Surely, in His eyes, I've earned just a glimpse."

Nereida tenses beside you. 

You rear a snarl at him. "Where are they?"

He holds up a finger. "Ah, ah, pretty face. You will have to let me see more if you would like to know. I have just three minutes with you. Two now that we've been wasting time."

Cold sweat coats your palms as his request sinks in, and you glance at Nereida. "I'll do it," you whisper. "You can just... just look away."

"No," his growl interjects. "Both of you, or nothing."

Even in the dark, her face pales. But when he pulls the chains back out and waves them around harshly, her hands dart to the hem of the dress and she peels it up without the chance to rethink it. You follow in stride, teeth gritted, as you scoot a step away from her and do the same, feeling the chilled air brush sickeningly against your bare skin. You've done this before, yet this time you are wholly naked under the stranger's gaze, and your hair is not long enough to conceal your breasts. 

When you hear him unbuckle his belt, you remove yourself from your body, mentally retreating to a far corner of the room to block out the horror.

"Tell us where they are," you press.

He chortles, breath catching when he grabs himself. "This land belonged to Maman's husband. It is a farm. New men we keep in the old slaughter house, by the barn, like the swine they are."

"And what about the girl," you interrupt urgently, "The young child who was with us. Why would Maman want to take her? Where else would she be keeping her?"

He grunts low. "I never said I'd answer about the girl, but if you touch yourself, I will consider it."

Your jaw clenches, teeth grinding. Nereida breaks, folding into herself and whispering, "I can't. I can't."

"I will," you whisper, your hand already sliding down your stomach, your eyes locking on his. "If I touch myself, will you tell me?"

His eyes narrow to where your hand dips unthinkingly between your thighs. You keep it there, doing what he wants, putting on the show that will make him talk. His shoulders ripple at the sight and audible groans bounce off the walls.

He clears his throat, voice rough. "I haven't heard nothing yet about the girl. But Maman says God’s punishing us... the land’s... sick. The wheat grows less and less. Only way to fix it—feed God's enforcers." 

"His enforcers?" you question.

"The démons."

"The Greys," you whisper, confusion flickering before clarity dawns.

A flash of the vermin-filled chapel plays through your mind—the bites in the corpse—and your hand jerks away from your thighs. The horror clicks into place, slow and suffocating, until all the color drains from your face. Blue... Is she an offering? An offering to God, just like the one you saw. They think the Greys are His enforcers. They will feed her to them. The thought claws its way through your head, and you feel a fresh wave of cold horror crash over you.

"When?" you croak. "When would Maman— feed them?"

"God's wrath... started on the sixth day," he murmurs absently, eyes rolling back. "That’s when we seek His forgiveness."

With a final grunt, his body jerks, and the spill lands on the floor. Bile rises in your throat, but you can’t even register it as you watch him stuff himself back in his pants and smear the mess with the sole of his boot, muttering something under his breath. You snatch the dress from the floor and stuff it over your head, legs wobbly. Faintly, you hear him laugh quietly.

"I can only pray I'm deemed worthy come the next coupling season. And when that time comes, I will be sure to choose you." 

---

B

Warm water kisses the back of her neck, and gentle fingers scrub soap through her hair. The woman bathing her hums softly, matching the rhythmic pulse in Blue's arm. As Blue closes her eyes, she tries to separate reality from nightmare, pressing two fingers into the clothed wound as if the pain will help her understand. She remembers the Greys coalesced in the old building, the chains used to restrain them, and the terror-blurred walk back to the small commune. After that, everything becomes hazy. She slept a little, she thinks. Was made to eat again. Then somehow, she ended up here, submerged in a wooden tub of lukewarm water, while a young woman quietly encourages her to dip her hair back to rinse.

"There. Time to dry off now."

There is the shuffling around as she fetches a towel. Blue crosses her arms over herself as she accepts it numbly, the air prickling her wet skin. Her feet land on cold tile floor as she dries off, the woman lingering beside the bathroom door with her head bowed. Blue feels like someone has strings coiled tightly around her limbs, puppeteering her. 

"Put this on for now." A light smile is offered as the thin gown is placed in her palms. "Maman will have a much nicer dress for you to wear tomorrow."

A puppet string is tugged, making her nod. "Can you... can you look away please?"

The woman turns and stares at the back of the door while Blue drops the towel and changes. 

Then she is taken back to the room she came from. The one she first woke up in, where the old woman's knitting needles still rest on the table. Morning light caresses the paintings on the walls, all oiled landscapes of land that looks similar to the one outside. The woman, whose name Blue thinks she mentioned to be Eloise, shuffles around the room, tidying things, before collecting the tray from breakfast. But when she glances back at Blue on her way out the door, her lips part in concern.

"You're bleeding."

Blue looks at the bandage on her arm, where red blood oozes in a trail, a bead dripping onto the floor from the tip of her finger. She frowns, confused, when Eloise sets the tray down to tend to the cut—as if they aren't the ones who caused it. As if the blood smearing her skin when she unwraps the cloth isn't the same blood they used to draw out the two Greys they brought back to the commune and locked up in a small shed. 

"I know you're frightened," the young woman whispers, her voice carrying an understanding that feels deeper than anything Salome ever said. Behind the veil, her eyes flick up to meet Blue's. "I can only pray God's mercy makes it quick." She dabs Blue's arm gently and rewraps it with a fresh strip of cloth.

"You mean they are going to kill me, right?" Blue whispers distantly. "With the Greys from yesterday?"

A glint passes through the woman's eyes, and she lifts her hands. "Yes," she says quietly, then leaves the room. 

Blue stands in the silence, eyes fixed on the drop of blood. She presses her heel into it, smearing it across the floor. Then, she moves. The fear she's carried since the old woman led her into the trees claws at her chest, but she swallows it. Trembling hands sweep over the room—checking the window, the locked door. The bed, the table, the paintings. Beneath the bed, only cobwebs.

A helpless croak escapes her lips as she collapses onto the bed, teeth clenched against the tears. Her father would never accept her giving up. Tomorrow they will kill her. She sits up, palms pressed to her forehead, knees drawn tight, dry sobs wracking her body. Through her tears, she notices the smear of blood from her heel left on the white linen. She flips over her foot and traces the dried blood with her finger, then digs her nail into the broken skin where the gravel road tore into her feet, seeking more pain—urging fresh blood to rise from the indent she leaves behind.

---

G

The last time Ghost was chained, he hadn’t known about the little girl who shared his blood—someone who truly needed him. Tommy was still alive then, of course, but he had his own family. If Ghost had succumbed to Roba’s torture, his brother and mother would have mourned briefly, held a small funeral, then moved on. The world would have forgotten his name. Part of him would have been pleased with that—but somehow, Simon Riley’s more stubborn side had survived.

That stubborn part of him refuses to close his eyes, not even for a second, because this time, he is fully aware of the girl who needs him.

With no windows to mark the time, Ghost can only gauge it by the man who beats him. The man alternates between striking him with a metal bar and taunting him with food and water, tossing them just out of reach so the smell can ignite pangs of hunger. There was once he showed up with an old woman, who clinically poked and prodded at Ghost's arms and abdomen, as if in approval. The longest absences of visitation likely indicate the man’s sleep, meaning two nights have passed since Ghost woke up here. His increasing difficulty in keeping his eyes open confirms it. 

Even through swollen eyelids, visions invade the darkness—four faces merging, their screams echoing, sharp and pleading. First, his mother. Then Sara. As they turn to ash, the two other faces remain, their screams fading into buttery laughter. Water splashes his cheek as they play in a creek, then their lips fall silent, and their faces sink below the surface. He reaches for them but can only stare as their eyes drain of life. Still, they remain accusatory. Disappointed. 

A slam of the door shatters the images.

"I think you will be pleased to hear the news I bring, Brit."

It must be morning. Ghost's gaze drops to the floor in persistent defiance, refusing to acknowledge him. His muscles loosen in preparation for the bar's routine assault, but a vein in his jowl ticks when he detects a new sound; the quiet slither of a whip against the concrete. 

Without warning, it recoils and lashes out with a sharp crack. The sting spreads through every nerve-ending, and he feels a gush of hot blood from the newly opened wound. A quiet, strained grunt slips through his teeth, and his chin dips to his sternum as pain robs him of the ability to hold it up. 

Casually, like a friend, the man hums, only his boots visible in Ghost's vision. "I saw them. They are well-kept, you should know, and they are indeed beautiful. A gift from God." The tail-end of the whip caresses Ghost's shoulders then slips to the floor soundlessly. "The child, though, I am disappointed to say she wasn't there."

Ghost stiffens.

His nostrils flare.

"Why wasn't she there?" he forces out.

"Ah. The child is yours, yes? The... fierce one was concerned for her as well." He bends, rubbing his jaw callously. "So concerned, in fact, that she was willing to show me more than I had even come for. Quite eager, too. Let me tell you what I told her—I know nothing of the plans for the girl. I can only guess, as you can, that they will not be pleasant."

"I will... kill... you," Ghost manages, his low voice thick with fury, each word a strained rasp through clenched teeth.

When his fingers twitch, weakly forming fists, the man pats his shoulder with a light laugh. "I will say, I am sorry you do not have a son, instead. Maman says daughters are the purest, most God-abiding of us all. With all due respect to her, this is where we disagree." He tilts Ghost's head back, locking eyes with him, his breath brushing against Ghost's face."They’re whores, all of them. Waiting to be bred. That's why the fierce one was dripping wet when she touched herself—"

In one swift motion, Ghost sinks his teeth into the first piece of flesh he can reach, tearing through skin. Blood fills his mouth, spilling between his teeth. The man jerks back, part of his cheek torn away, his eyes flashing with pure rage as he clutches the bleeding wound with his hand.

"You fucking, lowly swine." He spits out a mouthful of blood, then retracts the whip with a savage snarl. Another strike lands on Ghost's back—harder this time. Another follows. The blows come faster, until blood pools beneath his boots, and his eyes finally close no matter how much strength he tries to muster to keep them open. 

---

T

The sixth day.

If the Sabbath is the first day, then the sixth day would be Friday. The outbreak began on a Friday; God's wrath.

You trace the wrinkles in the sheet, trying to count back to the last day you can remember—back when Blue still announced the dates from the calendar Ghost kept track of. You recall it was the 12th of April, weeks ago. But what day of the week was it? Frustration bubbles up as you tear at the sheet, the harsh reality sinking in: you don’t even know how many days have passed since then.

Morning breaks in washed-out hues, accompanied by the low call of a nearby dove.

Growing content with the regular feedings, your belly hums in anticipation against your will.

"Ask her what day it is when she comes for breakfast," you tell Nereida. "We need to find out when Friday is, and you... you're better at talking."

Luckily, Salome either doesn’t notice that one of the mugs is missing or is willing to keep the fragile peace by not mentioning it. Again, she lowers the tray at an unreachable distance and slides it over. She lingers for a few minutes this time as you nurse a bowl of fresh fruit and sour yogurt, more mindful of how it tastes. But you don't suspect they have a need to drug you this morning—not with Blue already taken.

Nereida manages a bit of small talk, flashing a friendly smile you envy her for. It's enough to get a few pieces of information from Salome—mostly useless. She's about six months along, Maman suspects. There are two other pregnant women, and three infants already born over the years. A few have died during harsher winters, including this past one. The land is sick, that man mentioned. With a flicker of sadness, Salome adds that she had a miscarriage, and for a moment, you almost feel sorry for her.

But when Nereida asks about the day, Salome tenses, wariness creeping into her eyes. "Well, I forget the name in English, but it is the fifth day following the Lord's day."

"Saturday, you mean?" you speak up for the first time since she walked in. You try to hide your eagerness with a clearing of your throat. "I mean, Saturday is usually the Lord's day, right? That's how it was at my grandmother's church growing up."

Salome nods. "Yes, Saturday. That is the Sabbath."

Then tomorrow is the sixth day.

The weight threatens to crush you.

When she finally leaves, you fling the pillow off the bed and flip the mattress, screaming soundlessly into it.

"We have one fucking day, and I have no clue how to get out of here."

Survival hinges on not panicking. Panic makes you weak. But still, your fingers curl into your hair, tugging desperately, trying to silence the hysteria rising inside you. For a moment, a silent prayer takes hold in your mind, mimicking the ones you overheard from Nereida. You screw your eyes shut in a pathetic hope that maybe when you reopen them, Ghost will materialize with the key on the other side of the cell. When he doesn't, you grab the nearest shard from the mug you broke. Nereida tugs on your shoulder, trying to calm you down, but you furiously press it against your wrist.

It's the sight of blood, not the pain, that makes you freeze.

Suddenly, your panic smooths into a fresh memory.

"She panicked, didn't she?" you whisper, lifting the shard and gently thumbing the shallow cut you've created in its wake. "When I threatened to kill myself. Her eyes—they held fear. Fear for what?"

You turn to Nereida and swallow thickly.

"Fear of... fear of us dying," Nereida finishes slowly, a pinch in her forehead.

"Fear of what would happen to her if we died," you say. "She seemed... scared when she spoke of Maman. Of course she is. She's the one responsible for us right now. What would Maman do if she can't take care of the two new coveted women?"

You reach for the next largest piece and place it in Nereida's hand, tightly closing her fist over it. 

"It might not work," she whispers, eyes darting across your face.

"It's the only idea I've got."

Over the next few hours, you smooth over the details in whispered exchanges. These are the only cards you have to play: the value of your bodies here and the power Maman holds. Nereida is uneasy at first but eventually grows convinced. Speaking through the plan helps soothe your nerves, keeping the walls from fully closing in. You remember that Salome usually arrives before the sun sets to bring dinner. So, when the window casts amber shadows across the walls, you suck in a breath, dig the shard into your wrist, and watch as blood spills onto the white linen.

---

“Three minutes, Hugo.” “Three minutes is all I’ll need.” "Remember not to touch. And don't brag about it to others. Word will spread and Maman or Alexander will hear it."

[nothoughtsjustfic]

Thinking about: Meet cute with single parent L.SM

💭Who: Lee Seokmin (Seventeen) x reader 💭What: Fluff. Single parent Seokmin. 💭Word count: 2k 💭Warnings: None! 💭Summary: “ You’re out shopping at your local mall when an adorable child literally runs into you and leads to meeting their adorable dad. ”

Masterlist

A/N- I left the child gender neutral because I honestly couldn’t decide if I should make them a boy or girl so intended to go back and adjust once decided, but then I just got used to writing they/them/their so now you can imagine Seokmin’s child however you like! Also didn’t name them for the same reason

Extra special tag for my darling @tusswrites just to torment her 💗 luv u bby 😘

The pat-pat-pat of little shoes across vinyl floor meets your ears a second before there is a collision against your legs. It’s only a small one and luckily only causes minimal stumbling before you right yourself enough to turn and look down at where a fluffy little something is on the floor by your feet.

Slowly, the fluffy brown tilts back until big eyes peer up at you a little confusedly as a tiny hand pushes the hood back to allow the small child to eye the very thing they had run into.

“Oh, hello,” you greet softly, not wanting to scare the child.

They just blink up at you silently so you peer around in search of sign of an adult looking distressed, yet you can’t see one. You see plenty of adults wandering from store to store and even other children yet none of them seem to be searching for a lost little lion.

After a final glance around, you shuffle back slightly to give you more room to crouch down to be closer to eye level with the child who is still just staring at you silently. “Hello little lion, I think you might have wandered away from your adult, huh?”

“I lion, roar!” The child exclaims as if reminded of their outfit as they hold up both hands into claws and bare their teeth in an utterly adorable way. It doesn’t help that their oversized hood drops back down over their face, obscuring all but half of their tiny, bared teeth and chin.

“Wow! That’s a big roar,” you comment and lower to sit on your butt with your legs crossed. The child grins proudly at you and pushes their hood up again, then entirely back to rest at the back of their neck and reveal two tiny, low messy buns tied with cute little rainbow ribbons printed with rabbits. “I like your ribbons.”

“Bunnies!” The child exclaims and jumps up to start bouncing, making you giggle.

This child is adorable. And perhaps a little too comfortable with strangers so you’re very glad they ran into you and not someone who wouldn’t be a decent human being.

“You’re very good at bunny hopping,” you compliment. The child hops closer to you and wiggles their nose like a rabbit, making you laugh again. “Ah, you’re so cute.”

“I cutest, daddy say I am.”

“I think your daddy might be right. Are you here with him today?” The child nods in confirmation. “Do you remember which store you were in with your daddy?”

“Uhm,” they turn around to look at the surroundings and frown puzzled. “Where daddy?”

“I don’t know sweetheart, that’s what I’m hoping you can tell me. Was daddy looking at something to buy when you saw him last?”

“Daddy buyed more undiewear. His have lotsa holes!”

“Buying more underwear definitely sounds like a good idea in that case,” you agree and get up to offer your hand. “How about we go to that bench, and you can stand on it to look out for daddy and tell me if you see him, yeah?”

The child nods and takes your hand into their small one to happily skip alongside you over to the bench in the centre of the open space of the mall between stores, where you lift them up to let them stand on the seat, even if they’re still nowhere near tall enough to see over all of the heads.

“What was your daddy wearing today, do you remember?” You prompt after standing quietly for a few moments, with a hand on the child’s back securely so they don’t fall while they peer around curiously.

“Uhm daddy and uncle wear same!”

“Your uncle is here too?” The child nods. “Okay and what are they wearing?”

“Uhm…like you!” They poke your black faux-leather jacket at your shoulder.

“Ah, I see.” You look aside and immediately spot at least one person wearing a black leather jacket yet none of them seem to be focused on anything other than their phones or the next store, so you’re certain they can’t be this child’s dad or uncle.

“I hungry,” the child declares suddenly a minute later, making you look at them to find a precious little pout and puppy dog eyes already locked on you. “I hungry.”

“I’m not your parent or trusted adult, you shouldn’t ask others for food,” you reply, making their pout grow bigger. “I’m sure your daddy and uncle will get you something to eat soon.”

“Now?”

“No sweetheart, not now. We need to reunite you first.”

“I hungry now.”

Instead of answering, you sigh a little and turn in hopes of finding their adults. To your relief, you spot a man rushing out of a clothing store a little down the way wearing a black leather jacket and looking frazzled.

“Is that your daddy or uncle?” You ask, pointing over so the child looks and starts to bounce excitedly on the bench, so you quickly wind your arm around them in fear of them falling or getting their foot caught between the slats somehow.

“Daddy!” That’s all the confirmation you need to scoop the child up to hold securely on your hip and start towards the man who is rushing along peering into stores as he passes and asking every other person over his lost child, but he hasn’t spotted you approaching yet. “Daddy!”

That makes him look over and his fear immediately washes away for relief to take over his features. He runs over and happily takes his child from your arms to hold close and press kisses to their hair. “Where did you go, monkey? I was so scared I lost you forever! Never do that again, okay?”

“Sorry daddy, I lost,” the child apologises while hugging their dad tightly and tucking their face up close to his neck while you watch on just glad that this turned out well and doesn’t need to be escalated to security or the police in order to reunite the father child duo.

“I don’t care what anyone says, I’m getting you a leash,” he mutters against his child’s head, and then finally seems to fully register your presence. “Oh, uhm hi, sorry uh, thank you for looking after my child and I won’t really get a leash, I know those are for dogs…or cats…or ferrets…or-”

“I get it,” you assure with a soft laugh, cutting off his nervous rambling. “I think they’re called reins when it’s for kids.”

“Yes! That’s the word I actually meant, thanks.” He chuckles and adjusts his child on his hip before offering his free hand to you. “I’m Lee Seokmin.” You take his hand to shake politely and give your name in return. “Are you busy? I’d really like to buy you a coffee or lunch or something in thanks for reuniting me with my little monkey.”

“I hungry!” The child declares, suddenly upright and on full alert again at the mention of food. “Hungry daddy. We eat with uncle and my friend?”

“Oh, you’re friends now, huh?” Seokmin teases and nudges his child’s nose with his own playfully, making the child giggle.

“Best friends!”

“Aw, what?” He pouts at them and suddenly you see exactly where the child gets the puppy dog eyes from. “I thought I’m your best friend, monkey.”

“Both,” the child reasons simply, making you both laugh a little.

“I can handle that, can you?” Seokmin grins at you. “Sharing the best friend title with me?”

“I think I can handle that,” you agree, making him smile brighter.

“So, lunch?”

“Will your brother be okay with that?” You wonder.

“Brother?”

“Yes, uncle?”

“Oh, he’s not my brother, he’s one of my closest friends. He won’t mind at all, right, monkey? Uncle Wonwoo won’t mind our new friend joining for lunch, right?”

“All be friends,” the child answers.

“Exactly, we can all be friends,” Seokmin agrees in a serious tone despite his amused smile. “So, want to come make friends with a little monkey, their dad and his slightly socially awkward friend?”

“Sounds-” you start to respond but the child interrupts with a huff.

“I lion, daddy,” they correct in a tone that sounds as if it’s not the first time they’ve had to remind him of this very serious fact.

“Oh right, right, lion, sorry little kitten.”

“Cub,” you correct, earning a flat look from Seokmin that you only giggle at.

His face lifts into a softer kind of smile and his head tilts a little as he now takes the chance to look at you properly; your smile, your eyes, your figure from head to toe, but he really does seem mostly focused and entranced by your smile.

“Hey!” The call of a deep, male voice makes Seokmin, and his child look over, so you do too and find another man donning a black leather jacket jogging over. He glances between you and Seokmin curiously before smiling at the child and taking them from their dad’s arms when they hold out their arms while leaning over. “Hey cub, where’d you go huh?” His voice turns so much softer now that he’s talking to the child, so adoring and utterly precious. It softens his whole somewhat intimidating presence in a way you can’t blame him for at all.

This child truly is heart-meltingly sweet.

“Made friend, uncle Wonwon.”

“Ah, you made a friend?” The man looks at you curiously and offers a little, polite smile before turning his attention back to the child to lean in closer and talk between them quietly.

“So, you didn’t get to answer about lunch,” Seokmin reminds, drawing your attention back to him. He has a hopeful smile lifting his lips and a nervousness in his eyes that he can’t quite hide.

The more time you spend around this man and witness his expressions, the more you see who his child takes after. You really don’t need to meet the mother to know that this child is almost Seokmin’s twin in tiny form.

“I wouldn’t want to intrude, I’m just glad to see you reunited and such a sweet child back in loving arms.”

“Your arms seem pretty loving,” he comments without thought, then immediately blushes, and flails a little. “I didn’t mean anything by that! Well I did but not like that! Not-not in a hitting on you way! Not that I think that’s a very good way to flirt; I may be out of practise the past few years but even I know that’s a bad line!”

Once again, you find yourself giggling softly. “It’s okay, I understand. Save the flirting for after lunch,” you joke and try not to turn shy at your own brave flirtation.

“Oh!” Seokmin’s expression turns oddly blank for a moment, except for his wide, shocked eyes on you. You almost start to apologise and retract your words, yet his cheeks lift high as he breaks out into a bright, beautiful smile. “You’re right, flirting should never be done on an empty stomach!” He declares and motions vaguely behind him. “So let’s go get lunch and move onto dessert, huh?” He wiggles his eyebrows at you comically, making you laugh before he joins in.

The four of you turn and head off to find somewhere to get lunch. You catch the uncle leaning over to whisper to Seokmin teasingly; asking if he and the child should leave you and Seokmin alone to flirt in peace, making Seokmin blush and shove his friend gently, not willing to risk his friend dropping his daughter by pushing any harder.

Seokmin glances at you shyly and offers an embarrassed little grin when he realises that you heard the other man’s comment.

“Maybe next time,” you bravely suggest, making Seokmin’s nerves melt away as he grins and nods in agreement.

You really don’t know what the future holds for you and Seokmin. Maybe it won’t go anywhere past today, or maybe it’ll be a long future with his precious little child growing up feeling love from the both of you, perhaps with siblings following along. There’s no knowing how it will go, but you sure are excited to find out.

Don’t forget to reblog if you liked to help spread the story and let others read it too! And don't be shy to leave comments or send an ask so I can see your thoughts 🥺 💖

Permanent taglist: @okiedokrie, @svtiddiess

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 132 (Solving the Brindletons' Murder)

Though spring had sprung just about everywhere, the snow stuck around in Brindleton Bay. With Ash in the city and Heather in Selvadorada, Hazel spent time with her girlfriend, and Conrad spent time bonding with Lavender.

He had been hard at work on George and June Brindleton's murder case since his return from Sulani, on top of trying to keep his detectives in line with their own cases. With Easter fast approaching, he finally made the breakthrough he'd been searching for.

He entered Brindleton County Prison and greeted the staff. They'd grown accustomed to his visits, but he wasn't here hoping to finally break Ximena. With Hazel watching Lavender at home, Conrad had come this evening to talk to John Brindleton.

The inmate entered the room with a scowl, avoiding a greeting when he recognized his visitor. "Did you need something, Lieutenant Gordon?"

"I'm going to cut right to the chase, John. Why did you hire guys to kill your parents? Did you not think they'd give you up if they were caught?"

John Brindleton scoffed in his orange jumpsuit. "They're lying."

"We found receipts from the money transfer. How did you move it from in here?"

"My mother was generous, and bankers do whatever you want if you have enough money."

"So she shifted the money you used to pay the hitmen, and you killed her for...her generosity?"

"No, I killed her for siding with him, staying with him even though she swore she hated him. She stayed with him and he kept abusing me. So I got rid of both of them."

"But why? You were almost done your sentence."

"It's not so bad in here," he sniffed. "I met someone."

"I'm happy for you." He shook his head with a pitiful glance. "They're in here?"

"They had nothing to do with my decision to rid the world of my parents, so we don't need to talk about them."

The embattled lieutenant shook his head with a frown. "Be careful in there, John. You're going to be behind bars a long time, and there are a lot of snakes in there."

"The Brindletons aren't snakes?" John barked, offended that Conrad clearly saw him as a loser. "Look where I came from. My father wasn't the first Brindleton to wreak havoc in that town, and the name's been a poison for me since I was born. The Brindletons have plundered through the Bay from the moment the first ship from Windenburg landed two hundred fifty years ago."

"I'm not here for a history lesson."

"Why not? The name Francis Gordon means nothing to you?"

Conrad's blank expression made John Brindleton laugh. "He was the real captain of the ship my ancestor, Silas Brindleton, claimed to be sailing when the town was founded. Apparently Francis financed the boat, found the settlers, and would've been the town's first mayor, but he got sick on the way and Silas saw an opportunity. The Gordons were resourceful, and Francis' wife stayed in the town to raise her children, but the Gordons and Brindletons were bitter rivals until most of Francis Gordon's descendants picked up and moved to San Myshuno. The last Gordon living in town was..."

"Ben Gordon..."

John grinned. "I'm surprised you know that, but none of the rest. My ancestors did a great job covering up the truth. They wiped Francis' name from every artefact in the town museum, but the original documents are inside my family's safe deposit box in Windenburg Bank. Made themselves into the prodigal sons, 'saviours of the Bay' and all that crap."

His story unfolded as Conrad listened closely, slightly incredulous to the whole tale. "The funny thing is, Lieutenant Gordon...if not for the Brindletons, your good, honest, kind ancestors would have founded the town, instead. Who knows what sort of paradise the place might've been. But since I'll be stuck in here for decades, you might as well know. If Brindleton Bay has a real 'prodigal son', it's you."

Conrad laughed, but John pressed on. "It's no wonder my father hated you so much. You joined the force and it's like he's been haunted ever since. You threw him off his game. Left him hiding out in Sulani too long, and that made it easier for me to execute my plan. You've already done better for Brindleton Bay than we ever did, which I can say as the snake you just put away for life."

John was taken back to the cells as Conrad reeled. Family history didn't mean more to him than doing the right thing, and he had no interest in wearing his badge as any sort of prodigal son. Though he'd closed the case on the Brindletons' murder, the place was still at risk of crumbling now that George's hands weren't reaching into every corner of the town.

He was even more resolved to keep safe his family and the people of the Bay he'd come to care for.

His thoughts turned to Ximena, who was somewhere inside the large prison counting the days until he'd run out of time to keep her behind bars. He needed something ironclad, and Rafa hadn't reached out since Conrad left him in Sulani.

He needed a distraction and considered calling Heather, but he wanted her to have her fun. Instead, he placed a call to someone he hoped could help him solve a few of his problems.

"Conrad Gordon, my favourite grumpy lieutenant!" Felix Psyded laughed into the phone. "I was just with some new acquaintances, but I'll always have a minute for you, my friend." ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 2.1 Summary

Gen 1 Start | Gen 1 Summary

WCIF Police Station: Used in this installment and the episode when Conrad saw Ximena behind bars, it's available on the Sims 4 Gallery by MarmeladArt. I've used it exclusively in second saves so it doesn't accidentally become the default police station Conrad goes to work to every day. I would use it for that purpose if I did the detective career again (many, many, many generations from now...)

[luvdazqi]

☆ ( hate fucking⠀ ) — 🌸

featuring: rival!chuuya x pm executive!reader

warnings: female reader, afab, cervix fucking, cursing, name calling, degrading, edging, creampie, hair pulling, spanking, fingering, rough sex, no protection, mentions of the word 'p' and 'd', kinda filthy(?).

notes: this lowkey took me a few days to write cuz i barely had any ideas.. but i hope you enjoy!

at any chance you'd get, you'll always find a way to make chuuya's day go even worse. despite the two of you both being powerful executives in the port mafia, needless to say that you and chuuya hated each other. you two would always bicker like children and were always at each others throats. but you'd have to admit that seeing chuuya angry over the smallest things was quite amusing for you. you'd always pull small little pranks on him just to annoy the shit out of him, and he'd always know it was your doing, because no one else would have the courage to piss of chuuya after all.

no one else dared to step into you and chuuya's bickering, they'd all sit idly and watch. but beside all that hatred, there was always some type of tension between the both of you, even if one of the two would never admit to it.

"fuckin' hell.." chuuya muttered in irritation, slamming his fist on his desk. his eyes flashed with a hint of anger as he was a victim of your silly pranks yet again. you had been bothering him all day and you decided it would be funny to slip some type of aphrodisiac into his wine, and now his body was feeling all hot and bothered thanks to you. "bring her to my office." chuuya gestured to one of his subordinates to bring you to him, oh he wasn't definitely not gonna let you slide this time like he always did.

once you finally got to his office, leaving the two of you alone in the room, it practically filled with tension, so thick that you could cut through it with a knife. chuuya practically pounced onto you when you arrived, a visible flush on his cheeks and his pants already tight with a visible erection, looks like the aphrodisiac worked after all.

"you think you're so fuckin' funny aren't ya?" chuuya snarled, his gloved hand wrapped around your neck, though not applying pressure. "you've been buggin' me all day, it's like you were begging for my attention." his heated gaze was piercing into you at this point, his breathing becoming ragged. "you wanted my attention right? now you've fuckin' got it."

sitting on his desk, your legs spread apart just enough for chuuya to look down at your wet and puffy cunt. his gloves were discarded, not wanting to ruin his good pair with your wetness. "look at you, all wet and i've barely done anything. you're practically dripping on my fingers, ya fuckin' whore. i knew this is what you wanted all along." chuuya scoffed, curling his digits inside you. he listened to the way you whimpered and shuddered, which only made his lips curl into a cocky smirk.

just as you were about to cum, he pulls his fingers out of your pussy, making you whine. but he didn't care, he licked his fingers clean and scoffed down at your drunk aroused state. "a slut like you doesn't get to cum yet." his voice was almost raspy before reaching to the waistline of his dress pants, unbuttoning and pulling them down alongside with his boxers. his cock was painfully hard from all the aphrodisiac in his wine earlier, the tip already visible with precum.

"maybe if you beg i might just let ya' cum on my cock." he says in a mocking tone before moving you to bending over his desk, his hand landing on the curve of your ass with a loud slap that left a painful red hand print. "you're gonna take every inch of me, got it?" he says, using the angry flushed head of his dick to rub against your entrance, mixing his pre-cum with your wetness before pushing himself inside you. a rumble emanates from his throat as he felt your tightness wrap around him so perfectly, grasping your hips and holding you in place. "holy fuck.. mmff- gonna stretch this pussy of yours real good." he pants, another slap on your flesh as he delves himself deep into you from behind.

the sounds of skin slapping against skin, along with his groans and your moans filled his office. you couldn't even comprehend words as your mind goes blank, your eyes hazy as chuuya keeps pounding his dick into you that hit your cervix over and over again, almost like if he was putting all his hatred for you with every thrust. "fuckin' whore.. ngh-! this is all it took for ya' to keep your fuckin' mouth shut, huh? always- mmhh- making me loose my fuckin' mind.." he moans, a harsh slap on your ass once again, which basically was already red with his hand prints.

he felt your gummy walls clench around him, your vision blurring with pleasure, "fuck- you gonna cum? i don't think so, you don't fuckin' deserve it yet you filthy slut." he chuckles, gripping onto your hips before stopping his thrusts and pulling out just as you were about to cum, making you whine and call him as asshole, but he didn't care. it only fueled him to keep going, watching you intently as a smirk tugging at his lips. waiting for a while, he slams back into you again. your body quivering beneath him, hitting into your cervix once again with each harsh thrust.

he kept his brutal pace until he felt his orgasm approach, with one final wet smack, chuuya groans as his fingers tighten around your hips holding you in place as his cock pulses with each load of cum painting your insides. keeping himself there for a moment, to compose himself before slowly pulling out his cock with a lewd squelch, looking down at your stretched pussy leaking his with cum. "fuck, look at you.. dripping with my cum like the dirty slut you are."

but he barely gave you enough time to register your thoughts before he drives his hips into your sensitive hole all over again, hitting that delicious spot inside you as he made sure all of his cum stays inside you. keeping a fast, deep rhythm inside you "mmhh- you like having my dick inside ya'.. huh? gonna make sure this pussy of yours stays filled with my cum for the rest of the day. ngh- maybe that'll put ya' in your fuckin' place, whore."

taglist: @moomuzan @iwuvnami @ellie-corner14 @nonexistence1199 @lurulu-ru @causenessus @vasarii @broken-spirit101

© luvdazqi on tumblr ; do not copy, plagiarize or translate any of my works.

[aemondapologistfrfr]

I See You As You Are - Pt6

aemond x f!reader 

Series Masterlist

Summary: You and Aemond take your pregnancy step by step. Your love continues to grow as you both prepare to welcome your child into the world. 

Warnings: 18+ swearing(aeg has dialogue lmfao), time skips so we can enjoy loving and devoted aemond, preg!reader, idk it gets a little angsty but like in the best ways!!, desperate kisses fr, humping, fingering, p in v, birth scene - it’s nothing too crazy or descriptive 

Authors Note: sometimes this is just so sickeningly sweet i feel like im on my fucking death bed ok!!!! i love them! i love their letters! i love their love! i just UGH ❗️- in my mind aemond and aegon actually get to be brothers and be happy AND real siblings like idc!! i hated my sister growing up and now that’s actually my best friend - ok yap done continue on w ur story 

Word Count: 9.7k - no i will never be chill w this series or this man next question pls

                                         ᓚᘏᗢ

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You’ve heard of the different signs that confirm a woman is carrying a child but you haven’t experienced any of them thus far. The mornings have remained the same and you can’t help but wake with a furrowed brow every morning. What if you’re doing something wrong? What if you can’t have a child? What then? Will Aemond get rid of you? Your chest tightens and you feel tears start to slip down your face. 

You untangle from Aemond and slowly make your way to the bathing chambers not to wake him from your sobs. You look at your red cheeks in the mirror that seem more puffy than normal and bury your head in your hands. As your sobs continue to wash through you, you sink to the floor and wrap your arms around yourself as you lean against the wall. 

But why would your moon blood be late? It’s been well over a month now, almost nearing two. You unwrap your arms and bring your hands to your stomach and look down upon it. “Please.” you softly plead as more tears fall down your face. “Please, I just want to have a child. I’d be content with even just one, please.” you look up at the ceiling hoping the Gods can hear you through the stone. 

“Please.” you whisper before pulling your knees up to your chest and hugging yourself as you cry. 

“What’s wrong?” Aemond kneels before you, pulling you into his arms. “Tell me.” he brings a hand to the back of your head as you curl in closer.

“What if I can’t carry a child?” you sob into his chest. “Other women say they get sick in the morning and they get sore but,” you hiccup. “I just want to carry our child. What if..” your sobs start anew.

“Shh, shh,” he smooths your hair, holding you closer. He wishes he could tell you everything will be perfectly fine but he knows nothing of what women go through when they carry a child. “Would you like to see the maester?” he asks softly and you nod your head. 

“Will you..” shakes rock through your body. “Will you leave me? Will you find another?” your fingers dig into his back. “Aemond, I’m sorry. I’m not a good wife. I’m not good en- 

“Enough of this talk.” he lifts you off of the ground. 

“I’m sorry.” you're still crying as you bury your head into his neck. “Please don’t leave me. Please.” he tries to set you on the bed but you won’t let go. “I’m scared that if you let go you’ll never touch me again.” your breathing deepens even more as you cling against him. 

“I will do no such thing.” he sits back on the bed and continues to hold you against him. “You’re mine and I would neve replace you with another. Let me tell our guard to collect the maester and we’ll get dressed and wait here for him.” he rubs your back as you shake your head. 

“I’m scared.” you whisper. 

“I will be brave for the both of us.” he hums. “I will be back in just a minute.” his brows furrow at your whine and he wishes he could be more helpful to you. “I love you very much. I will never leave you. If the Gods don’t grant us children then so be it.” your sobs start anew and his eye widens. 

“I want a child, Aemond. I want our child. I’ll do anything. Gods please,” he watches your damped red face look towards the ceiling as you plead. “I’ll be a good mother. I’ll treat them so very well. I’ll raise them to be fine Princes and Princesses.” you hiccup. “Please,” his heart is slowly cracking at your sobs and he walks to the wardrobe to dress quickly and bring you a dress to slip on. 

Aemond scoops you up in his arms and you wrap your arms around his neck still softly crying. His guard looks at him in alarm and he shakes his head once before starting down the hall to the maesters tower. He carries you up the stairs listening to you sniffle and tries to settle his racing mind. You softly thread your fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck and he holds you tighter. 

“I love you.” you whisper and he smiles, feeling your lips press against his neck. 

“I love you.” he hums softly, rubbing your back as he comes to a stop in front of the maesters doors. “May I set you down?” you nod. Once you’re on the ground you look up at him with your red eyes and he cups your cheeks. “No matter what he has to say, you are my wife and I am your husband from now until the end of time.” he nods and swiftly wipes away your tears that slowly fall. 

“Okay.” you whisper as he pushes the door open for you both. 

“What can I do for you?” the grand maester rises from the table and looks at Aemond and then sees you peer around his back. “Are you alright?” his eyes widen taking in your tear stained cheeks. 

“We are.. unsure if she’s with child and would like your opinion.” Aemond coaxes you to come out and you cling onto his arm. 

“Of course.” he smiles and nods you both to the table where you both take a chair. “Let’s start with when your last moon blood was.” he offers you a comforting smile as Aemond grabs onto your hand. 

“Almost two moons ago.” your voice small as you blink across the table at the man. 

“From that alone I’m almost certain. Do you have any other symptoms?” he looks between you and Aemond. 

“No.” you shake your head feeling your tears start anew. 

“She’s been a bit more emotional than normal.” Aemond whispers and you turn to him with a scrunched face. “It’s okay.” he nods at you. “I do not mind. I’m just trying to give the maester as much information as we have.” he offers you a small smile. 

“Anything else you’ve noticed?” the maester keeps his voice soft. “Could I make you some tea?” he nods at you with an assuring smile. 

“Please.” you scoot closer to Aemond. 

“Her breasts,” you gasp, squeezing Aemonds hand. 

“I have heard much, much worse.” the maester turns to you trying to offer you comfort. He starts to pour the water. “Go on.” he nods to Aemond.

“They seem to be more tender and sensitive.” you feel as if your cheeks are on fire at Aemonds soft words. 

“That is a symptom of note.” the maester nods at you with a smile. “Just because you aren’t exhibiting the main symptoms doesn’t mean there is a cause for concern.” he sets the cup down in front of you. 

“Thank you.” you bring the cup to your lips. 

“Is there anything else you’ve noticed?” the maester turns back to Aemond once he sees you relax into the chair. 

“A larger desire for sweets.” he bites his lip as you turn your head to him quickly. 

“And what is wrong with that?” you purse your lips. 

“Nothing is wrong with that.” he reaches for your hand with a smile. 

“Count yourself lucky that your symptoms are sensitivity and having a desire for sweets.” the maester chuckles. “Hopefully Aemond will be mindful of your needs. I would like for you both to come see me if there are any changes. If not I'd like to check in with you in a month.” he looks between the both of you. 

“Do you think she is carrying a child?” Aemond needs to hear the maester confirm his suspicions and also help put you at ease. 

“From everything you both have shared with me, yes, I believe you’re carrying a child.” he nods and a smile spreads across your face.

“Really?” you squeeze Aemonds hand.

“I believe so.” he nods.

“See.” Aemond rubs his thumb against your hand. “There is nothing to worry about.” he presses his lips to the back of your hand.

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4 months pregnant

Aemond lays next to you in bed softly brushing back your hair as you sleep soundly. His other hand is resting on your growing bump and he can’t bring himself to leave your side for more than an hour. He’s been dressed for some time now but he couldn’t help but crawl back into bed with you. He knows he must answer Aegon’s summons or he’ll barge in here and wake you. He presses his lips to your forehead before leaving your shared chambers. 

He lightly grips your dagger at his hip to calm his nerves. He doesn’t know what Aegon could possibly want but he hopes this is quick. He stops before the double doors and walks into his chambers. His eye darts around the room at the mess and finds Aegon nursing a cup of wine at his table. 

“Finally,” Aegon sighs, motioning for Aemond to sit. “I thought I would have to get your guard to drag you out.” he chuckles. 

“What is it?” Aemond stands at the end of the table. 

“Can you just sit?” he drawls. 

“For what purpose?” Aemond raises his brow. 

“So I can talk with you. My Gods,” Aegon shakes his head. “Must I command you?” he looks up at him exasperated. 

“Then speak.” Aemond sighs, taking a seat. 

“I wanted to congratulate you. You truly seem to love your wife and now she’s with child.” he nods with a smile and Aemond stiffens, not used to a casual conversation. 

“I do love her.” Aemond nods his head and Aegon sighs at the curtness.

“Look, I know I was a cunt to you growing up,” Aemond stares at him. “And I guess I still am but I mean it out of love.” Aegon offers a lopsided grin. “And I know it was kind of fucked up about the dragon thing.” Aemond clenches his fist debating on offering his new dagger its first blood. “Dreamfyre laid a clutch and you can have your pick for your child.” Aemond freezes at his words.

“What?” Aemond shakes his head, unbelieving. 

“I’m serious.” Aegon nods his head. “We can go down to the pits whenever you please. Or if you want it to be a private affair, I understand.” Aemond searches Aegon's face. 

“You mean this? Truly?” Aemond hears his heart thundering in his ears. “Do not jest with me about this.”

“I do, brother.” Aegon leans back in his chair with his wine. “Be happy.” he raises the cup. “The keepers will help you whenever you please.” Aemond nods once as his brow scrunches. 

“I-” Aemond shakes his head. “Thank you.” he starts to stand from the chair. 

“Running away already?” Aegon stands as he finishes his cup. 

“I don’t like being away from her.” his voice soft. “I am.. grateful for you offering my child an egg.” Aemond takes in Aegon's grin and sighs. “May I leave?” he drags his eye to Aegon.

“Don’t let me keep you waiting.” Aegon chuckles and waves him off. 

The second Aemond is on the other side of the doors he stops and shakes his head. He never imagined Aegon would offer him such a gift. An egg for his child. He had been so terrified of his child having to go through what he did. A smile starts to form on his face and he makes a straight line for you. As he walks up the stairs his heart stops when he hears your soft sniffles. He takes the steps two at a time and when he reaches the top he finds you curled in the blankets hugging his pillow. 

“Tell me what’s wrong.” he sits on the edge of the bed and pulls you into his arms. 

“Where did you go?” you look up at him. 

“Aegon had called for me, I’m sorry.” he presses his lips to your forehead. “I’m here now.” you bury your head into his neck. 

“I wish to see you.” you press your lips to his neck.

“Then sit back and look at me.” he chuckles softly. You pull back with a small scowl but your features soften as you start to crawl into his lap. Your lips press against his and he smiles wrapping his arms around you. “Are you looking at me with your lips?” he chuckles against your lips. 

“Mhm,” you sigh. “You usually wake me up with kisses and you weren’t here.” your hands move to the back of his neck and slide into his hair. “I wish to see you.” you press your lips against his. 

“Better?” he chuckles, pulling back from your lips. You look up at him with swollen lips and heaving chest.

“All of you.” he feels your fingers brush against the back of his eyepatch strap. “Please,” he nods at your soft tone. “Thank you.” you slowly pull it off and discard it on the bed. “My Gods you are so handsome.” you look at him with lidded eyes. “Take me, please, Aemond please,” you press yourself against him.

“Take you? Your tears haven’t even dried yet.” he cups your face and he groans lowly as you roll your hips in his lap. 

“Please.” you pant starting to pull your night dress off. “Please Aemond,” he leans back and looks at you desperately rocking against him.

“Lay back.” his hands softly dig into your waist. 

“No,” you shake your head. “Like this.” you whine pulling at the laces on his trousers. He grunts when you push your hands into his trousers. 

“Just let-” he closes his eye as you wrap your fingers around his cock. 

“Please,” you whimper, pressing your lips on his neck as you slowly pump him.

“Then let me lay back at least.” he pants, nodding his head.

“Take off your clothes.” you sit back and pull up his tunic and jerkin at once. He watches you with parted lips as you sit back to pull his trousers down. “Aemond.” you whine when he's still not pulling off his clothes. 

“Yeah.” he nods quickly and pulls his clothes off. He sits back against the headboard and you're climbing in his lap the next second. “You are so very beautiful like this.” he looks at you with devotion. 

“Touch me.” his hands are on your breasts the next moment. He dips his mouth down and sucks one of your nipples into his mouth. “Mm, please,” you whine grinding down onto his cock. He groans against your chest as you move faster. He kisses across to your other nipple and takes it into his mouth softly jerking his hips up into you. 

“I need to be inside you.” he pulls back and looks up at you. 

“Yes.” you nod your head quickly. He lifts your hips and lines himself up before slowly sliding you down onto him. “Aemond,” you gasp. 

Aemonds breath is knocked from his chest at the feeling of you sitting on his cock. The way your walls hug him has his fingers digging into your hips. “Look at you.” his hands move to spread across your growing stomach. He continues to move them up and cups your breasts. “I love how sensitive these are.” he brushes his fingers against the hardened buds feeling you tremble. 

“I want your mouth,” you pant and he goes for your lips but you whine. “No, down here.” he groans as you grab his cheeks and bring him back down to your nipples. “Yes,” you start to slowly move up and down, holding onto his shoulders.

His tongue lashes against your nipple as whimpers spill from your lips. He jerks his hips up with yours, letting his eye close as he loses himself to you. You cradle the back of his head as you move against him letting out a soft cry when he grazes his teeth against the peak. One of his hands rests on your lower back helping grind you against him while the other softly kneads into your other breast. His fingers roll the bud and you curl over him feeling your pleasure coil.

“Aemond,” you gasp as he starts to jerk his hips faster listening to your high pitched whimpers. “Yes, I’m I-” you cling against him as you fall apart around him. He presses you against his chest as he fills you a moment later. 

“We should add that to our morning routine.” he pulls back from your chest and looks at you with red lips and you nod quickly.

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5 months pregnant 

As Aemond climbs the stairs to your shared chambers his ears are greeted by silence. When he makes it to the landing he sees a few candles lit on the table with a rolled parchment in front of them. He quickly spots you fast asleep and smiles before making his way to read your letter.

-

Husband, 

It’s the full moon tonight and I wish to look upon it with you - and maybe we can make a wish for our child. 

The gardens will do tonight - I’m tired and wish for you to join me in bed - maybe before you wake me for our walk you could bring me something sweet. 

~

Aemond softly chuckles at your requests before making his way back to the stairs. He’s in the kitchens within the next ten minutes having some of the women prepare you a plate with a couple of options. He nods at them before turning and making his way back up to you once more. You’re still asleep when he returns and he smiles as he sets the plate on the table before walking over to you. 

“I come bearing sweets.” he whispers, pressing his lips to your cheeks before your eyes slowly flutter open. “I feel bad waking you but I know I wouldn’t hear the end of it if I left you to sleep.” he smiles watching you pull the covers closer. 

“Are you my sweet that you’ve brought me?” you hum, cupping his cheek and pulling him closer. 

“I can be.” he presses his lips against yours. “Or there is a plate of your favorites on the table.” 

“Help me up.” you push the blankets off. 

“Mm, am I not sweet enough for you?” he chuckles, offering you his arm. 

“You are.” you grab onto his arm and start to stand. “But I wish to see the moon and you remind me time and time again you’ll never be quick with me only unless I’m- 

“Begging and trembling.” he smirks down at you. “Though as of late I’ve indulged you in any of your wishes and wants.” he presses his lips to your forehead and brings you to the table. “But I will gently, my wife, gently, remind you that you like to go back to bed once I’ve tended to your desires and not go for a walk in the garden.” he smiles watching a small pout from on your face. 

“I will stay up after our walk.” you sit at the table and he pushes the plate closer to you. 

“Yes, of course.” he takes a piece of your sweet bread hearing your soft whine. 

He watches you pick at the different desserts and chuckles to himself knowing that after this walk the most you’ll want to do is curl into his side and kiss him until you fall asleep against his mouth. He presses his lips to your head and walks to the wardrobe to find you a simple dress and shawl. He’s always admired you in the thin fabric ever since he saw you in it the first time. 

He turns back to you and takes in your relaxed state at the table and smiles to himself. You’re so at ease swelling with his child. You’ve taken to wearing nothing within the walls of your shared chambers and it’s been such a gift. He’s able to admire you fully, thoroughly. There’s no hidden intent behind it, you just want to be in your own skin with your babe as you caress your growing bump. 

“Well if you keep looking at me like that husband I don’t think we’ll make it to the gardens.” you smile as his eye snaps up to you. 

“Am I not allowed to admire my beautiful wife?” he hums, bringing the dress over to you. 

“Admire me once we’re wishing upon the full moon.” you push the plate back and stand. 

“I think I’ll do both.” he hums, holding the dress above you to slide it down over your body. “You’re absolutely radiant.” he whispers while straightening out the fabric. “You’re just so beautiful.” he presses his lips to yours as he wraps the shawl around you. “Carrying our child.” he shakes his head as he places his hands on your bump. 

“I love you.” he’s heard these three words from your mouth hundreds of times but tonight they seem to hug him tenderly. “My husband, my Aemond.” you rest your hand above his heart. 

“Being married to you isn’t enough.” he whispers. “I need you viscerally, it frightens me.. I just want you with me always.” you watch his eye water and you pull him against you. 

“I’m here. I’ll always be here. Soon our child will be here with us.” you smile feeling him hold you closer. “Let us go make a wish for him.” you pull back and look up at him. 

“Him?” he tilts his head. 

“I’ve decided he’s a boy.” a smile spreads across your features. 

“Then a boy he shall be.” Aemond presses his lips to your forehead. 

Aemond leads you down the stairs and you’re both greeted by the dim halls and whispering breezes. You curl against him as you take the main steps and make your way out to the main courtyard. Aemond watches you crane your neck up as you become bathed in the moonlight. He continues to slowly lead you to the gardens and you turn to him with a warm smile. 

“Shall we wish for ourselves or our child first?” you wrap your arms around him and rest your head on his chest. 

“Our child.” he nods, wrapping his arms around you. “Like this?” you nod and look up from his chest to the moon and he does the same. 

You both become one, same breath, same heart beat, same wishes. ‘I wish for our child to be happy and healthy.’ There was no need to add in ‘loved’ because you both care for the child so fiercely. You go to place a hand on your bump and Aemond does the same. He opens his eye and looks down at you as you peer up at him. 

“I love you.” you curl back against him. 

“I love you.” he brings a hand to the back of your head to hold you closer. “Let us make our wishes so we can get you back into bed.” he smooths your hair as you nod. 

You look up at the stars before letting your eyes shut once more. You wrap your arms around him tighter as you send your wish into the sky. Aemond feels you stepping closer and he wishes he could just crack open his soul for you to step inside. He doesn’t know what to wish for tonight. Everything he could ever want is in his arms. He squeezes his eye tightly and feels a tear slip down his cheek. 

“Why are you crying?” you gently wipe away his tear.

“I just love you so dearly.” you pull him down into a soft kiss. 

“And you told the maester that I’ve been more emotional.” he cracks open his eye at your playful tone. 

“Hush.” he takes your lips once more. “What did you wish for?” he mumbles against your lips. 

“For you to kiss me until I fall asleep.” you blink up at him with heavy eyes. 

“I suppose I could do that.” he smiles, taking your hand once more and leading you back into the Keep. 

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6 months pregnant 

Aemond is about to step into your shared chambers when one of Aegon’s guards calls out for him. He watches as the guard half jogs up to him and hands him a rolled parchment. Aemond sighs knowing the contents but unrolls it all the same.

~ 

Aemond, 

I, the King, Your King, command you to go to the pits and collect an egg for your child. 

I will have them tie you to a horse if I must. 

Aegon

~

Aemond folds the parchment and shoves it into his pocket before starting up the stairs. He still hasn’t wrapped his mind around the idea that Aegon would actually give him an egg. He’s terrified it’s another prank and he’ll show up to the pits and it’ll be a bird egg. It’s why he hasn’t told you or gone to the pits. He shakes his head to clear his thoughts and when he makes it to the landing you're perched at the table writing on parchment. 

“I was just starting to write you a letter.” you turn to him and set the quill down. 

“Keep going.” he nods with a smile. “I was just preparing to write one to you.” he sits at the table across from you. 

He pulls a piece of parchment in front of him and grabs a quill and a pot of ink for himself. He glances up at you and you look back down to your letter quickly and he silently chuckles to himself. You cover your letter and continue to write while stealing glances at him. He swallows back his laughter as he watches you blow at the ink to dry it before rolling it. You both seal the letters and push them across the table to each other. 

~

Husband, 

I don’t know your plans for the day but I think I will go to the library. 

Then make my way to the kitchen to make absurdly sweet treats with the women and giggle until my tummy hurts. 

Then bathe and have my hair brushed. 

Then you come back and give me kisses - maybe more. 

It’s taken all of my restraint not to climb across this table and beg you to take me now - but I do miss my books. 

I love you. 

~

~

Wife, 

Aegon has need of me for the next hour or two - I hope it’s much shorter - I don’t like to be away from you. 

I’ll return with sweets and I’ll do whatever you please for the rest of the day - no begging and trembling required. 

You have looked absolutely beautiful lately and if you’ll allow, I’d like to get a painting commissioned of you. 

I love you.

~

Your shared chambers are silent as you both read your letters. You both look up to each other with smiles and flushed cheeks. He stands and takes the letter from your hand and walks to the side table to place them with the others. He walks back to you and presses his lips to yours. 

“Would you like me to escort you to the library?” he offers you his arm and you grab onto it and rise. 

“I would appreciate that.” you smile up at him. “What does Aegon need of you?” you hum as you start down the stairs. 

“I’m not sure yet.” he chews his lip. He feels bad for not telling you but he won’t be able to handle it if Aegon is lying. “I shouldn’t be too long.” he brings your hand to his lips as he leads you down the hall to the library. “I’ll miss you.” he whispers into your hair as you both stop in front of the library. “I love you very much.” he presses his lips to yours before pulling back and looking down. “I love you very much.” he splays his hand on your bump and shuts his eye. 

“We love you very much. We’re waiting until we can see you later.” you cup his cheek and bring his lips to yours. 

He nods and pushes the doors open for you before starting towards the main hall. His hands are balled into fits and slightly clammy, unsure of how this afternoon will go. As he enters the main hall he spots Aegon speaking to his guard and when his eyes land on him he turns and walks up to him with a grin. 

“Are you going to the pits? Can I come with? I’ll call us a carriage.” Aegon nods and turns. 

“Why do you want to come with?” Aemond grabs his arm. “Is this a joke? Is there no egg? I swear to the Gods Aegon if- 

“There’s a dragon egg for you child. As I promised. I just thought that maybe we could be different from the rest of our family.” Aegon chews his lip. “It’s an exciting thing. I remember getting the eggs for the twins. It would’ve been better if I wasn’t alone..” he shrugs. “I would like to come with you but if you prefer to be alone that’s okay.” he nods. 

Aemond sighs and closes his eye trying to collect himself. Maybe it would be better to have Aegon come with, he could just kill him in the pits and feed him to the dragons if needed. He’d be able to get back before anyone noticed, take you and flee. He’d get a ship but Gods Vhagar would be flying above and- 

“Stop plotting my murder, you twat. There’s an egg and I'm coming with. Let’s go.” Aegon grabs onto Aemonds arm and drags him out of the Keep. 

Aegon pulls Aemond to the carriage his guard is standing by and all but pushes him inside. Aemond takes his seat and glares at Aegon as he clambers in. Aemond stares across the carriage at Aegon who has a ridiculous grin on his face. He sighs and looks out the window until Aegon kicks his boot. Aemond drags his eye back over to Aegon who is looking at him expectantly. 

“What?” Aemond rolls his eye. 

“Are you terribly excited?” Aegon nods. 

“For?” Aegon sinks down into his seat sighing. 

“My Gods, stop pouting. Your wife that you love is carrying your child and you’re on your way to get your child a dragon egg. It’s okay to be happy, brother.” he shakes his head. 

“I am happy.” Aegon barks out a laugh at his stoic response. 

“Well tell me about her.” Aegon prompts and he watches Aemond’s face soften slightly. 

“She is very kind and gentle. She likes to read with me. She’s calm and relaxed while carrying our child.. unless I’m late waking her up or forget her sweets.” Aemond slightly smiles. 

“I’m happy for you.” Aegon smiles. “Truly.” he nods and Aemond goes back to looking out the window. The carriage rumbles up the hill before it comes to a stop in front of the large doors. Aemond wipes his hands on his trousers before getting out of the carriage. “Is my baby brother nervous?” Aegon leans against Aemond once he’s out of the carriage and giggles.

“My Gods Aegon, get off.” Aemond shoves him away and Aegon starts to walk into the pits laughing over his shoulder. 

Aemond follows Aegon into the pits and watches as he talks to the dragon keepers. They nod at him with a smile and look to Aemond. Aegon gestures with his head for Aemond to follow him and he slowly walks with him down the ramp. The air gets heavier and Aemond is bombarded with memories of when he would sneak in here during his youth. He shakes his head clearing his thoughts and follows Aegon into an alcove. 

“They moved the clutch in here.” Aegon whispers and looks up at Aemond with a grin. “Go on.” he nods quickly. 

Aemond steels himself and lets out a breath before walking over to the large metal pot with a lid. His hand hesitates before he grabs the handle and lifts off the lid. Dragon eggs. They’re here. He hears soft shuffling and feels Aegon's presence at his side. He’s frozen solid. He doesn’t know what to do. An egg for his child. Aemond swallows and turns to Aegon. 

“I don’t really know how to speak as well as you and maybe you’ll hate me forever but I’m sorry.” Aemonds brows scrunch at his brother's words. “For everything. I know this egg won’t fix everything but brother, I love you and I’m sorry for how I acted when we were children and I guess, for how I still act from time to time.” Aegon offers him a toothy grin. “But I’d like for us to maybe try to be a family. I know you now have your own family but maybe I could be your family again too.” Aegon begins to pick at his fingers.

“I..” Aemond scrunches his brows and clenches his fist. 

“Do you want me to leave?” Aegon searches his eyes. 

“No.” Aemond is quick to respond. “I would like to try.” he shakes his head. “In time.. We could..” he swallows, not prepared nor expecting to have this conversation. 

“Yes, of course. As long as it takes.” Aegon's eyes snap up to Aemond. “It’s taken you months to come pick an egg for your child.” a smile cracks on Aegon's face. “Go on.” he nods. “I want to see which one you pick.”

“Do I just grab one? What am I supposed to do?” he flares his nostrils, not enjoying asking Aegon for help. 

“Yeah,” Aegon says softly. “Pick any of them and grab it. The Keepers will bring a smaller pot and lid so you can keep it in that or keep it by the fire in your chambers. Then you put it in the babes crib. Let them bond. They’ll help you with anything else.” he watches Aemond step closer. “Or I can help you too.” Aemond turns to him with scrunched brows. 

“Thank you.” he turns back and looks at the eggs before him. He studies each of them and looks over the colors and runs his fingers against the rough surface before picking one.

                                         ᓚᘏᗢ

You wipe your eyes, clearing the tears from laughter as you wave at the ladies in the kitchen. They’ve sent you with a plate of sweets to bring back to your chambers and you tell your handmaidens you’d like a bath in the morning instead. You just want to curl up in bed with Aemond while he reads and feeds you more sweets. You smile as you stop in front of the doors to your shared chambers and begin the climb up the stairs. 

When you reach the landing you see Aemond sitting on the floor by the hearth. You set the plate on the table and start to walk over to him. You slowly sink to the ground next to him and your eyes go wide at the egg he’s holding in both of his hands. 

“Is that- 

“A dragon egg.” his words hushed as he continues to look at the egg. “Aegon..” he looks over to you and you see the tears on his face. 

“What’s wrong?” you scoot closer. “Tell me.” you brush away his tears. 

“He offered our child an egg months ago. I didn’t tell you because I had thought he was joking or it would be one of his pranks so I ignored it. He kept summoning me and I kept burning the letters.” he shakes his head and looks back down at the egg. “I didn’t think he was serious.” you watch his lip wobble. 

“Is that what you did with him today?” you brush his hair back and he turns to you once more. 

“He took me to the pits and he let me pick an egg. A dragon egg. For our child. So he might have a dragon if it hatches.” he smiles but his face crumples and he curses himself as a tear slips out. 

“Why are you crying?” you lean against his shoulder.

“Because I was so scared our child would have to go through what I did and..” he shakes his head. “Aegon apologized for our youth and.. This egg. This is something I never expected. From him. It’s just..” you rest your hand atop his on the egg. “I’m just feeling a lot of.. I’m just feeling a lot and I don’t know what to do. I’m sorry I shouldn’t- 

“Shh,” you wrap your arms around him and hold him tightly. 

“You don’t need to comfort me.” he tries to pull back but you hold him closer. 

“I’m not comforting you. I’m comforting baby Aemond. Who was so brave for facing his brother and nephews day after day. Who despite everything still manages to be so very sweet to me. Who I know will love our child regardless if this egg hatches or not. Oh,” you smile, feeling a soft pressure and grab his hand. “I wanted to show you this. He started doing this today.” you grab his hand and bring it to your stomach. “I think he likes the sweets we made.” Aemond looks at you with a watery eye before setting the egg back into his metal holder. 

“Is this him?” he turns to you and places his other hand on your bump feeling the small kick. “Our son?” his tears start anew. “My Gods I’m so sorry I’m a mess.” he furrows his brows. 

“Do not apologize.” you cup his face. “You’re allowed to have feelings. I will never fault you for that.” you look in his eye and kiss him softly. 

“I love you. Sometimes that’s just not enough. I want to give you the moon and all the stars. I’d offer you my soul if you’d take it, if you’d even want it. I love you. What can I do? What can I give you?” his breathing deepens as his tears continue to fall. 

“Nothing. I don’t require anything from you, Aemond. I love you. It’s unconditional. There’s nothing I need in return to love you as fiercely as I do. I will always love you, never doubt that.” he buries his head into your neck and softly cries. “Is there anything you would like?” you pull back and look at his red face. “We have sweets. I can bring them to the bed and we can feed each other and just hold one another.” you offer him a soft smile as you smooth his hair. 

“I would like that.” he nods and helps you rise from the floor. “Go lay-

“No.” you chuckle. “You go lay down. I will bring the sweets and maybe our book.” you hum. 

“I love you so very much.” he presses his lips to yours and walks with you to the table and carries the plate of sweets despite your protests.

ততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততত

7 months pregnant 

Aemond has been up for almost two hours now watching you sleep in his arms. He doesn’t know how you always look so peaceful. So at ease. He scoots down the bed to lay face level with your swollen stomach and lays a hand against it lovingly. He presses his lips to you softly and calms his breathing before he starts crying, something that happens almost every morning now. 

“I want to meet you so badly. We have a crib set up for you. We can put the egg in there so you can curl up next to it. Your mother has had so many blankets and outfits made for you.” he whispers, pressing his lips against you once more. 

“She’s even had an outfit made to match me. Gods know why.. You’re going to be so sweet and nothing like me.” his breath catches when your hand cards through his hair. 

“You are very sweet, Aemond.” you whisper trailing your fingers down his jaw. “And I think you two will be so very cute when you match. I may even cease to exist on the spot when I see it.” his eye widens at your words. 

“Unfortunately we won’t be able to match or your mother will be taken from us.” he whispers against your bump.

“Hush.” you chuckle. “Your father has exquisite toys made for you. I have yet to see them but knowing him they’re the best in the realm.” you smooth your hand over your skin. 

“Of course they’re the best in the realm. I couldn’t very well have him getting hurt.” his eye snaps up to you. 

“Mm don’t get me started on your small little riding leathers.” you smile.

“They match your mothers. I think seeing you two matching might send me to an early grave.” you click your tongue at his words. 

“Then might all three of us match? Just to increase our survival rate?” he chuckles and presses his lips to your bump once more before kissing back up your body. 

“You are like the Mother made flesh.” he runs his hands up your sides in wake of his lips. “So beautiful.” another kiss is placed on your skin. “So gentle.” his lips are feather light. 

“What is it that you want, Husband?” you chuckle softly, running your fingers through his hair. 

“To worship you. To love you. To kiss you. To touch you.” each statement is separated by his lips grazing against your heated skin. “Is there anything you need before I start?” he lifts his head up and smiles at your red cheeks as you shake your head. 

He presses his lips to yours as he continues to trail his fingers around your skin leaving you softly trembling. He slowly swipes his thumb against your nipple and you gasp into his mouth. He rolls the peak and you let out a soft whimper, squeezing your legs shut. His hand continues lower as his lips continue to claim yours, swallowing down your noises. 

His hand slips between your thighs and you sigh into his mouth. He keeps your mouths connected as he slides his fingers down your slit. “You’re so perfect.” he mumbles before circling your bud. “My wife.” you whine as his fingers start to coax pleasure from you. He kisses down to your neck and softly bites and sucks listening to your small gasps. 

“Aemond,” you whine and he scoots closer and begins to kiss your neck with more fervor. His fingers speed up on your bud and your legs start to shake. “Yes,” you gasp, grabbing onto his arm. Your legs clamp around his hand as you come undone softly moaning. 

“I’m going to have them bring us breakfast.” he continues to swirl his fingers, sending more pleasure through your body. “Then I’ll feed you.” he presses his lips to your neck once more. “Then,” he licks the shell of your ear pulling a whimper from you. “I’m going to lick your cunny until you fall asleep.” he smirks as he feels your pleasure leak out of you. “Then we’ll repeat the process with lunch and supper.” he lifts up and watches your eyes flutter shut as he quickens his fingers. “And of course after dessert.” he smiles hearing your pleasure coat his fingers.

“Please,” you arch your chest off the bed as you come undone once more. He slowly removes his hand from between your legs and captures your lips once more. “I may need a nap now.” you murmur. 

“Then rest, my beautiful wife. I’ll wake you when breakfast is here.” he presses his lips to your forehead and pulls the blankets over you. 

ততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততত

8 months pregnant 

You look at all of your maternity dresses and gowns with a scowl. Aemond brings them out in succession and has had your handmaids bring more gowns into your chambers and you turn them all away. You toss your head back on the chaise and Aemond hisses at everyone to leave the two of you. Once your chambers are cleared he kneels before you and waits for you to look at him. 

“Why couldn’t we have done this when I didn’t rival Vhagar in size?” you pout, still looking at the ceiling. 

“My Gods you do not.” Aemond holds back his chuckle as he grabs your hands. “I think you look so very beautiful like this. Pregnant with our child and absolutely radiant.” he hums and you slowly turn your head down to him. “I wish to have a painting with you as you are now.” you sigh and look back up at the stone. 

“What if,” he nods with an idea. “We get your silk shawl.” you look at him with a raised brow. “Just like this actually.” he looks down at you with a smile and goes to your wardrobe. 

He walks back to you with the fabric and sets it on the armrest of the chaise. He slowly peels off your slip and lets his eye linger longer than necessary until he’s greeted by your pursed lips. He chuckles and grabs the shawl, draping it over your breasts and wrapping it down the side of your bump before covering your center and cascading it over your hip. He steps back and feels his knees weaken. 

“Like this.” he nods. “On your chaise, draped in silk, carrying our child.” he steps closer to you and you’re pulling at his trousers. 

“If I’m to be naked then so will you.” you blink up at him. 

“What do you expect me to cover up with?” he chuckles, helping you pull the laces. 

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” you watch him get undressed. 

“Might I just sit behind you on the chaise? I can hold you in my arms. Give you kisses while the painter does what he does.” he hums, trailing his fingers down your jaw. 

“I would like that.” you nod up at him, starting to smile. “Can I make a request?” you grab his hand. 

“Anything.” he nods. 

“Might we have your sapphire painted in all its glory with us?” he’s discarding his eyepatch and setting it next to your chaise. “Another request?” you reach out for him and he nods. “Kiss me once more before you call the painter back in?” he’s leaning down and capturing your lips after your last word. 

“Don’t get too worked up.” he chuckles as you pull him down. “Let me go get the painter and I’ll be back.” he presses his lips to your forehead and disappears to return with the painter behind him. 

The painter helps situate the two of you on the chaise and adjusts the silk to make it more flattering for the both of you. For the rest of the day servants come and go with food and drink while Aemond caresses and holds you as the painter captures your love and tenderness with his paints and oils. 

ততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততত

birth

Aemond brings another piece of lemon cake to your lips and you smile accepting the sweet and enjoying the tartness that follows. He brings a cup of water to your lips next and you smile at him before accepting the cup. You start to prop yourself up and he’s there next to you offering you his arm and support. 

“Oh,” you gasp as a wave of pressure washes through you. 

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” he’s been much more on edge as you approach the final days. The maester told him it could be any day now and that has simply ensured Aemond does everything for you and never sleeps. “I’ll go get the maester.” he nods and stops. “I don’t want to leave you.” 

“Aemond, I’ll be fine. Just go get him.” you nod trying not to show that another wave of pressure is pressing against you. You hear him thud down the steps and you hear his tone but not the words as he barks at the guard. He’s back at your side in seconds. “What can I do for you? What do you need?” he’s brushing your hair back. 

“I’m okay.” he catches your small wince and turns to the stairs impatiently. “Relax.” you grab his hand. “We have some time.” you nod. 

“I’m giving him one more-“ he’s kneeling next to you when he hears your small groan. 

“I think we’re going to get to meet our son today.” you let out a breathy chuckle. 

“My Gods, where is the maester?” he looks to the stairs once more. His heart starts beating faster. What if he doesn’t come? My Gods he should’ve read a book on the birthing process. He should’ve- 

“Husband.” you squeeze his hand bringing him back to you. “I am perfectly fine. If you need something to do, go get me some water and maybe a brush and something to secure my hair out of my face.” you nod with a soft smile. 

“I can do that.” he nods and whirls around the room collecting what you requested. “Are you okay?” he hands you the cup. He sits in bed next to you and begins to brush your hair. 

“I’m okay. I promise.” you nod as he starts to pull your hair back and secure it. “I’m so excited.” you whisper, turning to him.

“I am too.” he presses his lips to yours. He hears the doors to your chambers open and he’s on his feet once more. “What took you so long?” Aemond is rushing over to the man once he makes it to the landing. 

“Aemond, enough.” you call out. “Come back to me.” you reach your hand out and see the maesters shoulders relax as Aemond walks back to you. 

“How are you feeling?” the maester walks over to you on the bed. 

“I’ve had some pressure. Coming and going.” the maester nods and Aemond hovers behind him. 

“Is she alright? Is the child alright?” Aemond’s rushed whispers greet our ears. 

“She is perfectly fine, my Prince.” Aemond shakes his head at his soothing words. 

“And where are the midwives? Her handmaidens? Where the fuck is an-

“Aemond.” you hiss. “Go get me more water and get into this bed beside me. I will not have you yell at the maester. There is no need.” the maester offers you a small smile. 

Aemond slides his eye to you and sighs. He closes his eye and starts towards the table to grab the pitcher and bring it to your side table. You busy him with minuscule tasks as the maester asks you questions. Slowly the midwives trickle in and bring in blankets and your handmaidens flock to your side with smiles. 

Aemond watches as your shared chambers slowly become more filled and his mind is racing. He knows you're fine. He can see that you’re fine. He can see your smile and hear your laugh, but he’s terrified. He’s trying not to pace but there’s so much going on in the room and so many people talking all at once he- 

“Aemond.” his eye snaps to you at your soft voice. “Come to me.” you hold your hand out and his hand is engulfing yours the next moment. “Come lay with me. I need you here with me. Please?” you blink up at him and he’s crawling into bed beside you. 

“I’m sorry I’m being a bad husband to you.” he whispers, brushing your hair back. 

“You’re not.” you press your lips to his. “I’m scared too.” you whisper and he cups your face. 

“I’ll be brave for the three of us.” he nods his head and presses his lips to his forehead. “Tell me what you need of me and it’s done.” he searches your eyes. 

“I just want you next to me. Stay with me, please.” your words soft. 

“Of course.” he nods. 

The maester and midwives start speaking to you both and you hold each other and nod along as they tell you what’s to come. The pressure slowly becomes more consistent and you have a vice-like grip on Aemonds hand. He’s softly whispering in your ear about how brave you are and how in awe he is. He brings your linked hand to his mouth and places his lips on the back of your hand. 

“I think it might be time.” you whisper and his eye snaps up to you. “I’m scared.” you chew your lip and squeeze his hand as the pressure becomes consistent. 

“I’m right here with you. I’m not leaving your side.” he whispers, scooting closer. 

Soon the bed is surrounded with body’s and your legs are propped up. You have no care for how exposed you are as you continue to hold onto Aemond like a lifeline. Another wave of pressure takes your breath and you look up at Aemond with scrunched brows. The maester instructs you to begin pushing and your eyes close when you try the first push. 

Aemond watches your knuckles turn white as you tighten your grip on him. He’s softly brushing your hair back and accepts the damp cloth from your handmaiden to wipe at your brow. The maester continues to praise you for doing a good job and asks how you’re doing. 

“I’ll be better once I can meet my child.” you let out a breathy chuckle followed by a low groan. 

“Soon.” the maester pops his head up. “A couple more pushes.” he nods. 

You grit your teeth and give the next couple of pushes your all. You feel a loss of pressure and Aemond gasps next to you. You look down and see the maester holding your child. You shake your head as the tears fall. You outstretch your arms and he brings the babe to your arms as he starts to cry. 

“A boy.” the maester smiles. 

“Our boy.” you look up at Aemond who is already crying. 

“Our boy.” he looks at you and wraps his arms around yours as you both cradle the child. 

“Would you like to cut the cord, my Prince?” the maester soft voice pulls you both out of your bubble. 

“Can I?” he looks at the maester who nods. He crawls down the bed and the maester hands him a small knife. “Right here?” Aemond looks up at the maester. 

“Yes, right here.” he points. “Perfect. Might we clean the babe and look over him?” the midwives look at you. 

“Yes, thank you.” you offer them a tired smile. 

While one of the midwives cleans the babe another helps you through the afterbirth as Aemond lays back down next to you. They both help to wipe you off and change you into a clean night dress. Next you know your babe is being brought back to your arms wrapped in one of his blankets. 

“He looks very healthy.” the maester nods. “If you could try to feed him to make sure he latches and we can help you while we’re still here.” 

The babe takes to you with no issue. The midwives bring more towels and blankets for you. Aemond has been silently watching you and your son and whispering a thanks to everyone who brings you something. Slowly everyone trickles out of your chambers and the three of you are left alone. 

“We have a little son.” Aemond shakes his head, not particularly speaking to anyone. “Our boy.” 

“Would you like to name him?” you look up at him. 

“You want me to name him?” he shakes his head. 

“You can. Your family has such beautiful names. I'd like you to pick one.” you look down as your son leans back in your arms. You adjust your night dress and slowly smooth his wisps on white hair. “You are so very handsome.” you hum, tracing a finger around his face. 

“Aelor.” he nods, watching the both of you. 

“Our sweet little Aelor.” you coo, covering him with the blanket more. “We have a son.” you turn and look up at Aemond with a grin. 

“You were so very amazing today. So brave. You gave us our son. Our family.” Aemond whispers and you hear it in his voice before you see the tear fall. “I love you.” he leans over and presses his lips to yours.

“I love you.” you lean against him as he holds you closer.

“I would like to hold him.” you gasp at his words.

“My Gods Aemond, of course. I’m sorry.” you can’t believe you haven’t offered him his son yet.

“I don’t think I’ll want to let him go either.” he smiles as you rest Aelor into his arms.

ততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততততত

masterlist 🔌

um i just love him and i think i almost cried like a million times while writing this 🤗 - im working on the next couple of chapters and im thinking we’ll do like time skips but years like 2yrs later 5yrs later etc bc i have so much cute shit planned once their babies are like ~sentient~ 

also maybe sorry for naming the child? idk they’re going to have more and i don’t want to just type “the eldest said” “the middle said” so yeah and there’s only so many targ names so if they’re basic? deal ✅

also i have no idea why i personally yapped so heavily on this post!! I just have so much to say about it!!

i see u as u are taglist: @readerselegance @sinistersnakey @thebirdandthebee

taglist ✍️

@ka1afbr @ninihrtss @daintylittlesunflower @primroseluna @alexxavicry @misspendragonsworld @papichulo120627 @ashovertheriver @gabriella-aesthetic @moonymoo1 @faenyra @uwuuness @lizzylovebooks280501 @nostalgiagoth03 @multilover19 @summer-and-sunflowers @eternalwinters @rere10 @sxlsvv @sarahrosw36q @tricksterreaper @somethingsaladsomething

[genderqueerdykes]

You guys can just walk into plan parenthood and get a prescription. I wish I lived in America.

i'm really sorry you are living in a situation & area where it's not easy for you to get HRT. that's not right and you shouldn't have to go without life saving medication just because of where you live. that's not a burden you should have to bare. you shouldn't have to be going through this right now. i hope that in time, things progress and you're able to get your hormones

i did want to clarify though that not everyone in the USA can do this. this is only certain states within the US, not the entire thing. the important thing to remember is that the USA is NOT a monolith- each of our individual states have their own laws, rules, and regulations, which is why people are so scared about Florida in particular. each state can decide how trans friendly or transphobic it wants to be. there are a LOT of USAmericans who go without hormones every year. we are not as progressive as an entire country as people seem to want to paint us out to be. there are laws trying to be passed every single day that want to completely remove USAmericans' ability to get HRT. there are laws trying to be passed every single day that would make it legal for someone to harass a trans person in "the wrong bathroom".

it's not a perfect queer utopia here.

for example, someone living in rural Alabama is not going to be able to go to Planned Parenthood. there are places in the US where people are so anti-abortion that Planned Parenthoods quite literally don't exist there because if they try to establish themselves, they get kicked out by pro-life protestors. it's a big deal, not every USAmerican lives in a progressive enough place where they even HAVE a PP. i'm fortunate because i live in a very progressive ("blue"), state, but many MANY USAmericans have absolutely 0 ways to get a prescription for HRT.

i know you're struggling but i just wanted to point out that USAmericans don't have it as good or as easy as non-Amerians think we do. there's this assumption that because we SAY we're the "Land of the Free" that we are, but we really aren't. that is the propaganda that is being fed to both me AND you. try to not listen to the propaganda that tells you that USAmericans "have it better" because we do NOT. remember that we are behind many other countries in many things such as education, housing, and medical care. we are also struggling in terms of keeping our queer rights. please remember that Trump quite literally just got re-elected and anything could change. please try not to project your frustrations on to random USAmericans when possible.

we're people too, and not everyone here has it easy. the myth that we have it easier is a lie being sold to both you and i by the USA's government. it's not true that people here inherently have it better or easier here, not in the slightest. there are places here where they want to make it so that you can get charged for child abuse for allowing a teen to go on HRT. there are places here that want to take your children away from you if you OR they are trans. it's seriously dangerous stuff

best of luck to you anon, i hope things change for you in the near future. you shouldn't have to go without the medications you need because of laws. you shouldn't have to think you'd have it better somewhere else over something like this. take care of yourself, stay safe, and i genuinely mean it when i say i hope you're able to get your hormones as safely as possible

[bonnie-the-butcher]

Rip Tide | Chapter I

[ MDNI ] [ word count: 7.267 ] [ Masterlist ] 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬: Canonverse/Canon-Divergent; Dark! Content; NSFW; Strong Language; Cheating; Drug Use; Mentions of overdose; Some shades of Munchausen syndrome from dear old Rafe; Manipulation; Toxic, obsessive behaviour; Stalking; Violence; DUBCON/NONCON; My writing is really pretentious and English is not my first language, so please feel free to call me out in whichever grammar mistakes you might find find.

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 | You and JJ have always been in each other's orbit. He's your brother’s best friend, the guy you've known your entire life. He was kind, protective, familiar. You never meant for the two of you to start hooking up. And you never meant for it to last so long. But when this boy you thought you'd come to know like the back of your hand turns out to be no better than the men he'd warned you about, you find yourself in the sights of the guy he hates most, regardless of wether you want that or not.

Likes, asks, reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated. This is my first wip in a while, so its a little janky, but I hope you like it! Thank you in advance for reading <3

He’d been gone for almost a year now.

You and your father were never really close. Truthfully, the two of you were never much of anything to each other.

Since you could remember, he’d treated you like some pet his ex had left at his house after a break-up: no warmth, no harshness, just this mild yet persistent annoyance that came from having to be responsible for something he neither wanted nor cared for. He could look down at you, throw a ball for you to catch, or pat your head half-heartedly while he talked to some random stranger that complimented you on the street, but whatever it was that you did right never granted you enough favor to avoid his ever-present disappointment.

That relationship alone was depressing enough as it was, but it would’ve been at least tolerable were it not for his much more obvious and paternal love for your older brother.

You could never really pin-point why it was that your father loved John so much while simultaneously only barely acknowledging your existence. You were both his children, after all. Yes, you were born to different mothers, but John’s mother had abandoned your father just as much as John’s did, and he only ever said good things about her, the same way he only ever said good things about John.

Maybe it was that John looked more like him, or that they thought just like each other, or that they only ever spoke about the same things.

Maybe this weird and cruel dynamic could be boiled down to you just being the odd one out. And though that didn’t make you resent it — resent them — any less, you’d made enough of a peace with it that once he was gone, you actually mourned him.

So why was it that it suddenly felt like he was right there, willingly ignoring you, all over again?

JJ and Kie lounged together on the sand over some old beach towel.The soft wind blowing her curls against his face. She smiles as she looks back at him, tucking that piece of hair behind her ear, and their eyes remain locked for a moment, gazes drifting back and forth between the eyes and the lips in that indecisive little lover’s dance you and him had been caught up in so many times.

You sat alone on the railing at the Chateau, his ‘Chateau’, drinking budweiser, his favorite beer, wearing an old shirt that most definitely had belonged to him at some point, staring out into the river bank where he’d last been seen, and feeling rejected, exactly the same way he always made you feel.

The man was haunting you.

It was excruciating: Sitting there and watching him play the same tricks he’d played on you on someone else, someone you knew he’d had his eye on for a while, like you were some sort of pathetic test subject he took up with the single intention of serving as the canvas on which he practiced his bullshitting skills.

You shouldn’t be surprised that he threw you away as soon as his actual target showed the slightest bit of interest in him, and you weren’t. That’s the worst part: in more ways than one, you knew this would happen. But as if locked in this realm of meta-self-consciousness, the more aware you were of JJ’s general scummyness, the more you convinced yourself you’d never fall for his lines, and the more comfortable you became in rolling over and letting him bullshit you.

You felt John’s approach before you heard him; Those unmistakably careless steps you’d heard just outside of your door all your life suddenly bounding towards you. Ten whole months of his obsessive and undivided attention hadn’t been able to erase the weirdness of him suddenly acknowledging you after seventeen years of pretending you weren’t there, so every time his eyes landed on you, your mind sent up a “something bad is about to happen” signal to the rest of your body.

He smiled awkwardly as you turned around to meet his eye.

– You okay? – The railing creaked as he sat down beside you, a half-drunk beer in his own hand. Your father’s disappearance had taken a lot out of John. At night, he paced. In the morning, he stared at the locked study. In the evening, he bit his nails and scratched his arms. And all throughout, you could see he was thinking of him. Whereas before, your brother had been the poster-child of teenage carelessness, now he could barely hide just how much his sanity had been going down the drain.

It was bad. Bad enough that he’d actually started worrying about losing you, of all people.

It was freaky.

The old John B couldn’t stand to be in the same room as you without cracking jokes at your expense or silently loathing at the burden of your existence. Now he could barely let you out of his sight.

You stayed quiet for a moment, unsure how to respond. Finally, you shrugged, taking another sip of beer before muttering, – Peachy.

John let out a hollow chuckle, shaking his head. – You suck at lying, you know.

–Thanks, – you said dryly, setting the bottle down on the railing beside you. – I’ll make sure to add that to my list of things I suck at.

He didn’t laugh this time. You could feel his gaze on you, weighing heavier with every second you refused to look at him. Finally, you turned to meet his eyes—green, sharp, and so annoyingly sincere they made your chest tighten.

–You’re not okay, – He said softly, his voice breaking the kind of silence that felt like it had been years in the making.

– That bad at hiding it, huh? Have to add that to the list too.

– Why do you wanna hide things from me?

You stopped yourself from scoffing before you could hurt his feelings. But the answer was obvious to anyone with eyes: The two of you didn’t know each other.

No matter how much he tried to make you a part of his friend group or make up for the time you two wasted pretending the other didn’t exist, a couple months of effort couldn’t fix what over a decade had set into stone.

Maybe doing things behind his back wasn’t helping.

But you didn’t do it to hurt him. You didn’t plan for things with JJ to go as far as they did, they just did. And you knew it would hurt him if you told him what you had been doing, because JJ was John’s family more than you had ever been, and he’d see it as a betrayal.

For a moment, you wanted to tell him the truth. The real truth, not the sarcastic, deflective shit you’d been feeding everyone since the day you learned to speak.

But you didn’t. Because you’d had seventeen years of practice in swallowing everything you felt until it became a lump in your throat you’d learned to ignore.

– I don’t. I’m not. And I… I don’t want to. – you said instead, your voice as steady as you could make it. – Life’s just been kicking me hard right now.

He studied you for a moment longer, his brow furrowing slightly, before he nodded. – It's okay. I get it.

– Thanks.

You expected him to leave after that, but he didn’t. Instead, he stayed right there, his shoulder brushing yours as you sat in silence.

It was awkward. It's always been with the two of you. But eventually, he spoke again.

– Look, I… um, how can I say this? – He laughed, dragging his fingers through his hair. – I need your help with something.

You chuckled, a little more light-hearted now, and patted his back softly. – Go ahead.

– So, JJ's been acting weird. – You froze. It was over. He knew. Maybe he didn’t know exactly what was going on, but he knew enough that this whole thing between JJ and you had to be completely restructured. Your eyes drifted back to where Kie and the blonde were sitting, trying to keep your panic under wraps. – I was talking to Pope about it, but it's not like he cares enough to know what's going on. And Kie, who is the one that should care, told me I was just acting crazy. But I'm not crazy! He is weird! He's acting very weird!

You wanted to comfort him, and tell him that he wasn’t crazy, that he was right. There was something going on with JJ. But how were you supposed to say that without blowing your cover completely? You bit the inside of your cheek, willing yourself to say the most basic thing you could:

– How so? – Was all you managed, still looking outwards, at JJ and Kie, in an attempt to avoid your brother’s gaze. It turned out to be just as bad a choice as the previous one. Your stomach turned as you saw him whisper something in her ear, earning a giggle from the girl, one that almost grated at your nerves. You took a deep breath, re-claiming the bottle you'd given up on, and taking a swig.

– Like… um, I don’t know. He’s always brushing me off about the most random things. Like, I can ask him a stupid question about surfing, or beer, or I don’t know, whatever! And he acts completely normal, but if I ask him if he slept over he’ll just feed me a bunch of senseless shit that doesn’t even answer the question!

– That’s... really weird.

– Right?! – He looked so relieved as you reassured him. So trusting. Yet here you were, lying to his face, knowing damn well that you were the reason JJ’s moronic ass couldn’t just tell your brother he slept on the couch. – And he keeps making these weird comments.

You were afraid to ask.

– What sort of comments?

– Like, the other day- He stopped himself short, suddenly looking into your eyes and then away again, his whole face suddenly red. – No, no. Um, forget about it. It’s weird.

– Weird? – He hummed and nodded. Eyes still glued to the floor. – Weirder than your ‘That’s so Raven’ phase? C’mon, tell me.

– No, it’s just..

– Just what?

– It’s like… – He gesticulated exaggeratedly with his hands. – graphic. We were... talking about, this site and when Pope made this joke about half siblings he just-

– Okay! –You breathed in, looking away as well. – Okay. So don’t tell me that. Is there anything else?

– Like, look at that! Look at his back. That looks really gnarly, doesn’t it? – You followed his gaze back to the thing you’d just been mulling over, and noticed, for the first time, the thing that had probably been freaking John out all day long: JJ’s back was streaked with nail marks. From beneath the ends of his dirty-blonde hair a couple hickeys poked out. And right there clear as day on his left shoulder, a bite.

You swallowed.

– Damn, I hadn’t seen that. – It wasn’t a lie. You’d never taken pride in the marks you left on people, mostly because after JJ, you often did your best to compartmentalize whatever intimacy you partook in. – Why is that weird, though?

– At first I thought he’d gotten into some catfight or something, that was ashamed to say it, but JJ’s been bitten all over these days, and he makes SUCH a big deal about saying it's nothing. Like, he'll ramble for hours. – He sighed. – I don’t know, but isn’t it weird?

– Yeah, it’s weird.

– Maybe he found some vampire chick to hook up with. – He laughed, though it was clear he didn't find any of it funny. – I don't know, but it's like his head's in the clouds or whatever.

You laughed, speaking before you could stop yourself: – Vampire? – You huffed, taking a swig from your bottle. – I don’t know. Kie doesn’t strike me as the type that only comes out at night. – Your conscience dawned upon you as you put the beer down. Drinking made you reckless, and as soon as you said it, you knew you'd be regretting it for a long time.

– What?! You- You don’t think they’d- No. No. No way.

– Uhm, I… I don’t. I don’t know. It was just like a hunch.

– Did she say something to you?!

She had, as a matter of fact, said something to you two days ago, and it had been burning in your mind even since: You’d been in the kitchen, staring into the empty fridge and trying to think of something you could possibly do with nothing but ketchup and mustard, when someone suddenly kicked the back of your shoe.

Kie had looked back at you with a mischievous smile. “JJ’s been staring at you all day.”

There was something conspiratorial in the way she giggled, poking at your sides like you were both children again, and you couldn’t help but laugh along: “Oh, please. He’d stare at a tree all day if it had tits.”

“I don’t think that’s it.” She looked around again, squeezing your arm. “I think he likes you. Like, like-likes you.”

You didn’t want to tell her that you and JJ had been sneaking around for a while, paranoid that John or Pope might walk past and hear you, so you just laughed. “How much beer did you drink today?”

“Fine, then, don’t tell me. Just know that I’m watching you!” She said it in sing-song, opened the door, and left you there, grinning alone, sure that it had been a completely harmless interaction.

Only a friend wouldn’t say what she said, not at least, when she was planning to spend the whole day after that flirting with JJ.

Despite your endless tries, you hadn’t had many girl friends growing up. So when he was gone and John was suddenly forcing you to hang out with him and his friends, you’d been glad to spend time with Kie.

She’d always been nice to you, regardless of the fact she was older and a kook, so of course, you’d always been a little star-struck when she treated you like a friend.

You wish you could’ve been charmingly aloof to her giggling and preening, and that, despite your definite lack of kook-ness, you would’ve had the grace and etiquette to brush it off as easily as she brushed off your feelings. But you’d never been the sort of person that can deal gracefully with their own negative emotions. So you sulked, and you drank, and you smoked.

The night fell slower than you had wanted that day, but as soon as your brother’s snoring could be heard through the house, your door creaked open, and in came JJ, with his stupid smile, bounding over to you.

You brushed it off as playful teasing. No one liked to dirty talk better than JJ, and given his talent to make people angry, you wouldn’t be surprised this was some scheme he’d worked out to rile you up. You tangled your hands in his hair, and pulled his head back, kissing him quiet as his fingers sunk into your waist. “What is it, huh?” He thrust into you, once and again, and again, his eyes squeezed shut as his mouth fell open, groaning and moaning against the crook of your neck. “You- ah- You don’t like me talking to Kie? Is that- OH GOD- Is that- is that it?”

Unsurprisingly, he didn’t bother to address it until both of you were half-naked.

JJ had this habit of introducing serious topics of conversation just as you were getting comfortable with him. So he’d been beneath you, calloused hands tearing your shirt off of your body, head thrown back as you kissed his neck, when, between a groan and a plea, he asked “What’s gotten you so angry, huh?”

You slammed your hips against his and laughed bitterly as you felt a shiver tear through him. JJ babbled for a moment, opening his eyes just for you to see them rolling into his head. Your nails scraped against his back in a way that had him arching into you. And though you were enjoying yourself, a part of you wanted to torture him more than anything.

He’d begged you to slow down, breathless and starry-eyed, his own nails digging into the meat of your thighs as he pulled you in, over and over again, despite his contradicting protests.

When you were finally done, JJ was red in the face as he fell back on your bed, and it took him a while to formulate a sentence. “I should make you jealous more often.” Was what he came up with at the end, heart thumping wildly against his ribcage, enough that you could feel it against your skin.

His breath was as warm as his hands, and just as shaky. The patterns he drew against your back shifted from adoring to exhausted, and you remained there, weaving your fingers through his blonde strands.

“What you should do is cash a reality check.” You hummed, and he barked out a laugh at that, curling up into your arms as you shifted to your side.

“Keep lying to yourself, babe. You know you love me.”

From beneath your lashes, you could see the smile on his face as he watched his hands move against you, hypnotized by steady movement his palms made down the curve of your hips.

You were satisfied by the interaction when it happened. It felt so playful, so soft, you didn’t even have the heart to wake him up as you felt his breath grow deeper against you.

JJ would wake you up hours later, just as the sun broke the horizon, whispering something about leaving before John B came to check on you, and you’d only barely registered his words, still stuck in that void between consciousness and sleep, but you remembered smiling as he kissed up your neck and told you he’d see you later.

He was right about that. But you weren’t glad you saw him again.

You woke up, opened the door, and just between stumbling to the bathroom and wondering if there was anything to eat, you saw him, shirtless on the couch, with Kie on top of him. You turned back around as if the sight had blinded you, trying to force the sound of their kissing out of your mind.

All day long, he’d been attached to her hip. They’d spent the morning whispering and giggling on the couch, the evening eating off each other’s plate, and now there they were, cuddled up on your beach towel, watching the sun go down.

John was still looking at you expectantly. – So? Did she say something?

You sighed.

– Why didn’t you say anything?!

– Not explicitly. She did ask me if I liked him very suspiciously, though.

- Because! – Because you had no idea she would bait and switch you like that. The moment sat heavy on your chest, a constant, gnawing reminder that whatever semblance of camaraderie you thought you had with Kie had only been another cruel thing in your ongoing circus of disappointments. And of course you couldn’t share that with John. The last thing you needed was to light another fire beneath his already manic suspicions. So you shrugged and avoided his gaze, taking another sip of beer. – It was weird, but not weird enough that it merited an intervention.

He’s shaking his head as you speak, unconsciously, almost in denial.

He clearly wasn’t buying that there was nothing going on, and the frown on his face deepened, turning into something like disgust. – Kie wouldn’t… She wouldn’t do that. She’s not dumb, right? She knows what JJ is like, doesn’t she?

You soaked in that unintended insult for a second, wishing you had never opened your mouth. – I don’t know. Maybe they’re not. – But they were, though. –You’ve all had a thing for Kie at some point, right? JJ’s probably just going through a phase.

– Yeah, but she’s entertaining it! She never did that before! – You couldn’t argue against him anymore. You knew he was right, and he, unconsciously or not, did too. But the guilt was eroding at you from the inside out. Despite the decade and some you two had spent trying to ignore one another, you knew him well enough to know that what was bothering him was not that his friends could be in a relationship, but what would happen to his friend group when they inevitably broke up. – I can’t believe JJ would do that.

– He might not be doing anything, John! – You tried to give him some comfort at least, janky though were at expressing sympathy. – I mean, it’s JJ we’re talking about, he’ll flirt with any girl that has a pulse.

– What part of “She’s entertaining it” didn’t you get?! – He turned to you like a coiled viper, eyes dark with an anger you couldn’t really comprehend. The moment his voice sharpens it’s like the temperature in the room has dropped. Suddenly, you’re on your feet, struggling to process how this seemingly normal conversation had turned into a fight.

You try to keep your cool, though you feel that guilt pushing into confusion:

– Hey, you don’t need to raise your voice at me. I’m just trying to make you see the nuance here.

– What nuance?! It’s obviously happening! You were the one who brought up the problem and now you’re just gonna brush it off?

– I wasn’t the one that brought it up, and that’s not what I’m doing!

– Yes it is! And you always do! You bring up these random things about other people, stirring shit up, and when I try to talk about it, you’re suddenly above it? You’re such a hypocrite!

– Why are you mad, John? We were just talking about this like grown-ups and suddenly you wanna argue? Let’s just- Let’s calm down for a second, okay? – You both looked down for a moment, interrupted by your ringtone. Barry’s name flashed on your screen for the third time that day. Yet another one of your bad habits catching up to you. – Uh, hey, Bee. I’m kind of in the mi- Hey! Hey! What the fuck are you doing? – John wrestled the phone out of your hand, turning it off before you could do anything. – WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM?!

– We’re talking here! I don’t know if you realized.

– Fuck you, John! Are fucking kidding me?! Give me back my phone!

– WE’RE TALKING RIGHT NOW!

– I’m not fucking talking to you after this bullshit! Give me back my fucking phone!

He held it out of your reach, looking at you with spite. – I hate Barry. You know I hate him, why the hell do you keep talking to him?!

There wasn’t much else you could do but stare up in disbelief. – Why are you bringing this shit up now?! He’s my friend, you know that! And you don’t own me! I’ll talk to whoever I want!

You hear the steps coming towards the two of you as John scoffs, pushing you off of him. – Barry’s a drug dealer, for God’s sake! When are you gonna realize this guy is bad news?!

– Oh, sure! Because JJ is such a model citizen!

– Don’t bring him into this!

– You were the one that brought him into this! It’s none of your goddamn business who I choose to hang out with, John! I’m your sister, not your fucking pet!

He raises his hands, laughing bitterly. – Pet? Really? That’s fucking rich coming from you! – That stings more than you want to admit it. The way he throws his words at you like knives. The way he says it, it tells you it’s not just the frustration talking. He means it. – Up until a couple months ago you treated us all like lepers, wouldn’t even look us in the eye! But you want me to believe that the crackhead down the street is somehow more worthy of your time than I am?!

Your composure had gone down the drain now, and the guilt went with it. You could have lied. You should have lied. But because you didn't, now you were punished. – You are so fucking full of yourself, John! I swear to God!

– I’M FULL OF MYSELF?! Really?! I am?!

– Yes, you are! You’re so fucking spoilt! You think the world just revolves around you! You can do whatever you want, you fuck up, you commit literal fucking felonies out there with your friends, and I’m the problem because I’m friends with the guy that YOU BUY WEED FROM?!

He laughs. Not to himself, at you. Just the way he used to do before: – You’ve gotta be really fucking stupid to think Barry, of all people, is your friend. It’s fucking pathetic, really!

– Says the guy who hasn’t made a friend since the third grade!

– Whoa! Whoa! Chill out, you two, what the hell is going on?! – JJ comes rushing in, already pulling John away from you like some sort of white knight, but your brother just pushes him out of the way, still tearing into you:

– Barry’s not your friend. You’re too smart not to see that– Or you know, at least I thought you were.

– Guys, c’mon- JJ can barely get a word in:

– You don’t know what you’re talking about! The people I hang out with are none of your business, and you know damn well you have no room to talk!

– What do you even mean by that?!

You laugh sarcastically. – And you think I’m the one who is fucking stupid?

You feel a hand on your shoulder, trying to pull you back. Kie stands behind you, her dark eyes full of pity, a concern that is more judging than kind. – Guys, Guys, please. Just stop it. You two are not thinking straight.

– We’re talking here, Kie, stay out of it! – You can see the lack of patience in your brother’s eyes as he speaks. And you take the opportunity to try and grab your phone again, but JJ grabs you before you can get to him. – Get off of me, JJ! None of this shit concerns you! Can you fuck off?!

– JJ’s just trying to help. – Kie says. She pushes JJ off of you, trying to stand in between. –Look, let’s calm down.

– We don’t want your help!

– Don’t talk to my friends like that!

– Like what? Like the way you and dad talk to me?

– You’re not putting dad into this fucking conversation right now! Jesus, you are so fucking pathetic! – He’s always thought that about you. In all the time you’ve known John, which is all the time you’ve been alive, that’s the word he most commonly attached to you: pathetic. And it echoes in your head as you look at him. The edge in his eyes repeating that word again and again. – You’re literally a child! You’re trying to butt into my friends lives because you don’t have any, and dad’s supposed to be at blame because you had no fucking life until I tried to include you?!

– Oh, oh sorry! Sorry! I didn’t realize I was in the presence of a Saint! I thought I was talking to the guy who bullied me in middle school at the same time he had me help him with his High School homework! My mistake! GO FUCK YOURSELF, JOHN! It took dad disappearing for you to acknowledge the fact I wasn’t some fucking plaything for you to kick around when you’re bored! Get off your fucking high horse!

You see the rage forming on his face again.

– You’re rich! You’re really fucking rich, you know that?!

– I don’t give a fuck what you think of me, John! I don’t care! I can take a humbling from a lot of fucking people, okay, but I don’t wanna hear shit from you! You’re a spoiled brat! Dad never had the guts to tell you no on anything, so you think you’re entitled to everyone’s shit! You think you can control your friends lives, you think you can boss me around and use the money THAT I’M FUCKING MAKING to fund your little parties and make yourself feel better about the fact Dad walked out! Well I’ve got fucking news for you, bro! You’re the fucking child here! YOUR ASS CAN’T EVEN GET A JOB!

– You’re really gonna make this about money again? Is that the problem?!

– Oh my fucking God! TAKE A FUCKING HINT, JOHN! LOOK AROUND YOU!

JJ calls your name again, holding your brother back as Kie begs you to stop. You hadn’t even realized they were talking. – Please! That’s not who either of you are! You’re angry! You’re saying things you don’t mean.

– Oh he means it, Kie. John might be stupid but he’s damn sure not crazy, and he knows what he says! That's what he thinks of me! He thinks I'm some dumb little kid who can't make friends! That I'm some loser who doesn't have a life! He thinks EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID! He thinks I'm fucking pathetic!

– AND HOW EXACTLY ARE YOU PROVING ME WRONG RIGHT NOW?!

– Fucking stop this already! Just GIVE IT BACK! – You were livid now, pushing past Kie and reaching for it, but John yanks it back like it’s some kind of trophy just so he can see you rage.

– You’re not even listening to me! All this shit you’re doing, the screaming, the shouting, the running off to Barry or whoever the hell else— That’s exactly the shit you’d pull when we were kids! It’s like you haven’t grown up at all! You’re fucking doing this or attention!

– Fuck you. Just fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you!

JJ’s the only thing standing between the two of you now, a wall in the middle over which the two of you scream. Kie holds you by the shoulders, pleading.

You’re glad for them at that moment, because you can’t be sure you wouldn’t scratch your brother’s eyes out if he came too close.

Your head is spinning. You wanna tear your hair out of your head. And as if what was going on right then wasn’t bad enough, JJ has the gall to open his mouth and tell you to step back: – He’s right. You’re being childish. Just let this go.

You were about to, until he said it.

– I need to let it go?! He was the one that started this shit in the first place! HE took my phone! HE started screaming! HE’S the one calling me fucking names and talking to me like a fucking child! And I’m the one that needs to let this go?! NO! FUCK YOU JJ! THIS SHIT DOESN’T EVEN HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU! FUCK OFF!

– STOP TALKING TO HIM LIKE THAT, HE’S MY BEST FRIEND!

– Yeah?! And you’re doing such a great job of showing it right now, huh? Freaking out over some scratches on his back and trying to make it into some great betrayal! You’re out of your fucking mind!

– FUCK YOU!

– You’re obsessed! You’re losing your mind over some stupid shit that doesn’t even matter! You can’t fucking handle it when people do things without telling you because you think you know better about their lives than them! Guess what John: Maybe people don’t owe you shit!

He laughed bitterly, shaking his head and pointing at you as if he was some great detective: – You’re going really hard on this aren’t you? You’re hiding something! I know you are!

– What?! Are you seriously accusing me of–? God, you’re insane! GET OVER YOURSELF JOHN! The world doesn’t revolve around you and your little posse!

You can hear a rumble in the distance, the roar of an engine you couldn’t quite place, and you look away, the rage within you giving way to exhaustion. You want this to end, but John keeps going:

– Stop tearing into my friends just because you don’t have any of your own, okay?! This jealousy, this envy shit, it isn’t even funny. It’s just pathetic! IT JUST IS! The fact that nobody gives a fuck about you is not anybody else’s fault! – The words came out like venom, sharp and deliberate, but they struck true.

You kept your eyes on him for a moment, jaw clenched, face still. You could see JJ and Kie looking between themselves in the tension, sort of hesitating, completely clueless as to what to do.

Your brother’s face fell, slowly, as if he was reliving every word that had just come out of his lips in a play-by-play. The emotions flitted through his face like seasons, first it was confusion, then shock, then regret, and finally guilt.

You wished you could’ve said something, something cold, and cruel. Something that he’d be thinking about for a long time. But you couldn’t. Just the effort that it took for you to be able to breathe without crying had frozen the words within your throat. So you were kept silent, took the beer from the railing, and pushed past him.

– Wait- – John reached for you, but you shrugged him off before he could get the attention he needed to formulate his next words. You didn’t want to hear him, be near him, you didn’t want him to exist.

Instead, you look out into the lawn.

– Look, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean it. I just- John falters mid-word, the rumble of the engine cut through the tension like a knife, low and guttural, growing louder as it approached. Both of you froze, your argument abruptly suspended as the sleek black Range Rover pulled into view. You frown for a moment, trying to piece together the fragments of memory you have of seeing this car, but JJ scoffs from behind you on the porch, and when you see Kiara’s expression twist into one of contempt, you know exactly who it belongs to.

The driver stays put, engine still running as if the car itself was too impatient to linger. And for a moment no one gets out.

You approach carefully.

You’ve never spoken much to Rafe Cameron, you only saw him whenever he came to see Barry, and even then, it was always quick. A glance, a smile, a double entendre he says while he eyed you, without ever addressing you directly.

You look over your shoulder again to see if maybe he’s come for Sarah. But she’s been laying in John’s room all evening, and the doorway is empty, no sign of her.

John’s face twists back into anger. He wraps a hand around your arm, stopping you in your tracks. His jaw is clenched as he looks at the Rover, and he seems eager, like a cat ready to pounce.

The passenger door swings open right then, and you see him. Not Rafe, not Topper, or any of his Kook friends, but Barry — A grin splits his face as he steps out, the light catching his golden tooth as his smile widens, a cigarette dangling from his lips. – Well, look who’s got the whole neighborhood in an uproar! – He drawls, voice teasing but warm. – What’s going on, darlin’? You look ready to throw hands.

Despite yourself, you feel your shoulders relax, the weight of the argument easing slightly. – Barry! – You’re surprised by how light your voice sounds as you run to meet him, standing arms open before Rafe’s car, he wraps you up and spins you around quickly, his laughter blowing against your hair. – What’s going on?What’re you doing here?

– Phone call got cut short. – He winks as you pull away, glancing over your shoulder at John. His smirk widens, deliberately provoking. – Figured I’d swing by and see what the fuss was about. Looks like I walked into a family reunion.

– It’s none of your business. – John snaps.

Barry raises his hand in mock surrender, his grin never faltering. – Touchy, touchy. Don’t worry, man. I’m not here to stir the pot. Looks like y’all already took care of that.

– Sorry about the call. – You whisper. – Things are kinda weird around here.

– Not your fault, sweetheart, – He taps your arm with his pointer finger, fixing you a smile as he dragged a hand through his hair and threw the cigarette on the ground. – Some people just don’t know how to let things go.

– I’ll tell you what’s letting go, Barry. You’re gonna let go of my sister and fuck off back to your rat’s nest!

– Ignore him. – You beg, no less worried as you hear your friend whisper an “always do”. – So. What is it?

– What? I can’t just be here for the pleasure of your company? – He pats your back softly, feet swaying as he speaks. – You wound me, sweetheart.

– You’re a peach, Bee. A real charm. But I’m guessing this favour you’re about to ask me isn’t a work-from-home sorta thing. You’ll have my company regardless.

Barry leans against the open car door, his smile fading. He breathes in deep. – You’re not gonna like it.

– Well, I hate you already, – You teased. – can’t see how things could get worse.

– I was gonna tell you on the phone, but the troglodyte over there wouldn’t let me. – He looks over his shoulder, and back at you. – There’s a party, over at figure eight. Boss’ gonna be there. You remember him, right?

A shiver tore through you just at the thought. – How could I forget?

Barry chuckles, shaking his head. – Yeah, well. He kinda likes you, y’know. Thought maybe you’d tag along, help me keep things smooth. – You felt your chest tighten. He pauses, eyes glinting with something unreadable. – Missed you, too. Thought maybe your boy over there was keeping you on house arrest again.

– I can hear you, Barry. – John said coldly, stepping forward.

– Oh good. – He didn't miss a beat. – Thought maybe I’d have to file a request just to get five minutes with her. What’s next, man? A sign-in sheet? You running this place like a damn prison, now?

– Shut up! – Your brother snapped again, his fists clenching. JJ came up behind him, eyes fixed on the arm Barry held over your shoulder.

– Relax, big guy. Nobody’s stealing anything from you, we can’t all break into people’s houses and take their money while they’re gone.

You cringe at the memory. – Barry, please. Don’t.

– Me? I’m not doing anything, sweetheart. We’re just playing around, right, boys? – He chuckled, squeezing you closer as he looked at them.

JJ was the one to speak then: – Get off of her, man.

– Shit, what am I now? A cradle robber? – Barry looks at you with a pointed smile, but he’s not talking to you, he’s just riling them up. – You don’t even like me like that, do you, sweetheart? Unless you do, and then, well…

JJ grabs him by the shirt, but Barry just keeps laughing. – I’m telling you to get the fuck off of her, man!

– JJ, chill the fuck out, what are you doing? – You push him back, away from your friend. There’s something in his eyes you can’t quite read as he meets your gaze. Anger, frustration, sadness. His hands rest on your shoulders, and he opens his mouth, as if to tell you something, but Barry’s laughter cuts in again, and suddenly all you see in his face is anger.

– He’s pushing it! – The blonde retorts, almost childishly.

– Ooh, down pitbull! – He’s almost cackling now, and you can hear a second laugh, something shorter, softer, coming from the car. Rafe’s looking at you too, you can feel his eyes on you. – I’d watch out if I were you, John B! Looks like your buddy here is looking to catch some friendly fire.

– Barry, for fuck’s sakes!

He just laughs at your words, resting his hand on the car door again. – Sorry, sweetheart. But it’s just too easy! – You hesitate, looking back at your brother, whose scowl has deepened. – C’mon, let’s just go.

– She’s not going anywhere with you, – John spits the words out like poison, stepping in to stand next to JJ. – Not with you, and sure as hell not with that psychopath! – You can hear a scoff from within the Range Rover, Rafe seems to be enjoying himself. Enough that he just sits back and grins, waiting for your brother to keep talking.

Barry lets out a whistle. – Ooh, now we bringing Rafe into it? You’re scared of a little country club action, huh? What’s the problem, John B? Brother-in-law not good enough for you?

– What the fuck did you just say to me?!

– Oh, for fuck’s sakes. Stop it. Just stop this shit, I’m tired of it.

– Not my fault your brother’s got a stick up his ass.

– Barry! – You sigh, feeling the limit of your patience encroaching as you turn around. – Give me back my phone, John.

– No. – He swiped it out of your reach again. – You’re not fucking going, and you're gonna thank me for it later. Barry is bad news, as it is. But Rafe? – His eyes darken. You can hear that same chuckle again, and you can tell they're looking at each other. – Rafe’s even worse. You’re not going anywhere near that nut job if I can help it.

– You hear that, Country Club? Surfer boy’s scared of you!

– I swear to God, man. If you don’t shut up–

You pushed him back, long past your wit’s end:

– Quit it. I’m getting really fucking tired of your shit, John. I’m not joking, give it back.

He looks at you for a moment. He'd managed to keep his face smooth for the duration of this talk, though he never could hide his temper, but now he looks as if he could kill you:

– Come and get it, if you want it. It’s right here. – He held it out over his head, smiling without a hint of joy on his face.

– Are we really doing this, right now?

– You said you wanted it. Well, do you?

You look over your shoulder, pondering the options.

Barry’s eyes meet yours as he climbs back into the car, smirking. – Door’s open, sweetheart. Tick tock.

John’s voice cut through your thoughts, sharp and angry. – She’s not going! – He tried to grab you again, but you didn’t think, you just moved.

You ducked under his grasp, twisting away before he could get a hold of your arm. The sudden motion made your heart race, adrenaline flooding your veins as you bolted toward the car. John cursed behind you, his footsteps heavy on your heels, but he was too slow to catch you.

Barry already held his hand out, his golden grin flashing into laughter as you dove inside. You barely registered the hand that steadied you before you landed ungracefully in his lap, your momentum knocking the breath out of both of you.

– Damn, sweetheart. – Barry drawled, his hands catching your waist steady, where Rafe’s had just been, and the door closes behind the two of you with a bang. – Didn’t know you missed me that much.

– Drive! – You snapped, ignoring the heat rushing to your face.

Rafe’s laughter erupts from beside you, loud and mocking, as the car lurches forward. You glance up just in time to see him smirking at you, his hand casually draped against the steering wheel. The engine revs beneath you as the Range Rover moves, kicking up a cloud of dirt.

You turn around to look at the window, catching sight of JJ and John as they stumbled to a halt. Your brother shouts something – Your name, maybe, or a string of curses – But the roar of the engine drowns him out.

Barry chuckles against you, leaning back on the seat with his arm around your middle. – Remind me to do that again sometime.

– I will man, don’t worry. – Rafe laughs.

– The two of you are sick. – You can feel Barry nodding, his laughing lips pressed against your shoulder, the road before you suddenly becoming clear. They say something else, something you don’t quite catch, as the situation finally dawns on you:

You’re in a car with Rafe Cameron. And it's too late to go back.

[eyepatch69]

Sandor Clegane life Headcanons

Au: Thank you so much for being my first request ever! It was never my intention for these to take so long. I didn't want this to suck and I definitely didn't wanna mis-characterize Sandor so I hope these are good! I overthinked this a lot but i'm trying not to think so hard anymore. I am also very open to feedback as well! 

i will prob come back and make the post look better sometime

Request for @lucasnucas !

Sandor doesn’t go back king’s landing to kill his brother for revenge, but instead he stays with the reader to do whatever they do. What kind of life would he live after? Would he start a family with the reader?

I personally like to imagine you were in King's Landing living in the red keep for whatever reason. Perhaps you were to be wed to a lord or you're a lannister or baratheon. Either way you fell in love with Sandor and during the battle of the blackwater you went with him when he left. And you were with him for everything since, etc. Blah blah blah anyway that's what I like to think, which is the thought I had in mind when I wrote these. 

Both you and Sandor remained in Winterfell. After all, it's the best decision for the foreseeable future as winter is here. Neither of you had plans for what to do next either, and not having a reliable place to stay during winter would really suck. 

Loving to have you around. Though Sandor would never admit it, he's glad he actually has time to spend with you now in a safe environment. It's not like you guys weren't “spending time” together, but you both don't need to do anything or go anywhere. Considering you two were always on the go and dealing with the wight battle. 

Sandor tries to live a normalish life with you. With everything being calmed down Sandor just wants everything to be ok. And he has that now, knowing that your warm and safe and have a belly full of food.

He's more open to you.  After knowing you for years and going through a lot he's more open to telling you things. He never expected you to be in his life, let alone expect this future with you. He loves you a lot. 

Doing more for others. He's been helpful around winterfell, it's what he does most days. Queen Sansa thinks it's most kind of him.  

No Children. Sandor does not want kids. Everything that has happened in his life, he doesnt have such a desire to have them. He also thinks he would be a terrible father no matter how many times you reassure him. Perhaps you would get a simple dog to have around. A hound. 

Not exactly married. Sandor loves you and you will always be his, but you would never be officially married nor have a big wedding. You're his and that's all that matters. (Perhaps Sansa would have it so you were officially married?)

Random headcanon. Sandor likes washing your hair. He's glad he has someone like you in his life, and is honored to be your protector. He gets to be super gentle and have those moments with you, it just brings him peace. 

Children alternative (if u want kids)

Sandor's feelings change (or maybe it wasn't planned). You both bring a child into the world. He's happy he gets the opportunity to even have one with you. 

Labouring. He would be at your bedside the whole time, holding your hand and being very sweet to you knowing you're in such pain. 

Doubtful. He would be very unsure of what he's even doing at first. Doubting himself about being good enough or doing the right thing.

He's super gentle. He loves you both dearly. He won't believe you when you tell him, but he's a good father.

Nickname. Depending on the gender of your newborn. He calls them either “little boy” or “little girl”.

[zaldritzosrose]

Favourite Sin (Adar x High Princess!Reader)

Summary: You were a prize and then some. The High King's sister, one of few whose disappearance should cause him the most anguish. Taking you hadn't been easy, but making you his willing wife was set to be even more of a challenge, it seemed. But maybe you were a little more willing than he anticipated?

This is a present for my dearest @tumblin-theworldaway, hope you enjoy! (And we will get the hang of this timezone bullshit 😂)

TW: She/Her pronouns, afab reader, elven reader, hinted at having similar colouring to (show version) Gil Galad, mentions of kidnapping, mentions of (mostly) forced marriage, hints at dub con (reader not fully embracing her willingness with Adar), female masturbation, mentions of voyeurism (Adar overhears reader), oral (fem receiving), p in v sex, Adar being a tease, innuendo, profanity.

Words: 5750 (I know, but the muse hath taken me)

Holding Gil Galad’s sister captive, the High Princess of the Ñoldor, was a prize and more for Adar and his children. Though bringing you to Mordor had not been an easy task, it was necessary to make the weight of Adar’s power known. To bring attention to the fact that the Uruk were not a threat to be taken lightly and ignored.

Taking you had required planning, the kind of subterfuge that the Uruk were not particularly adept at.

But it had been managed. And now the princess was within the boundaries of Mordor, secured inside the Uruk camp. Though your title was rendered more than useless now.

You were sure word had made it to your brother. Or at least, you hoped it had. Taking you would mean war; you were sure of that.

And yet nothing had come.

The camp stretched for what felt like half of the Southlands. Or should you call it Mordor now? The shadowed lands seemed endless when you were stuck in the middle of them.

You felt alone, despite being surrounded by crowds of Uruk.

Some looked at you in fascination, like you were a new shiny treasure. Some looked at you as if you were a deer, lost in the darkness of a forest. The rest refused to so much as look at you.

Adar, however, never kept you out of his sight. Not that you could escape, but you imagined it wasn’t to prevent such a thing. His children obeyed him, but you could feel an almost protective edge to how he would keep you near.

There was an unspoken edge to how he handled you, as though there was something you were yet to learn.

But that knowledge came soon enough.

“Marry you!?” you almost screeched the words at Adar, forgetting that he was likely the only person keeping you safe and well.

His quarters were quiet. The table set for a dinner neither of you had eaten. But your voice almost echoed against the wooden walls.

He expected to make you his wife? The idea baffled you entirely, but it was like you could no longer form the right words to express yourself.

Adar remained quiet. He had expected a less than positive reaction from you. But he had his reasons for making such a proposition, and for telling you about it first.

“Yes, marriage,” Adar said simply, his fork stabbed into the meat on his plate and abandoned.

“For a good reason, princess, you will be safer within these borders as my wife.”

There were more reasons, of course, but he was of no mind to reveal them to you. Yet.

You leaned back in your chair, a small scoff leaving your lips.

“Safe? You wish me to believe you are concerned for my safety?” you spat the words with a little more aggression than you realised you were capable of.

And it only made Adar smile.

“I told you my plans out of kindness. I was not asking your permission.”

That had been a month ago now. A month that you had been Adar’s wife and the new Lady of Mordor. And he hadn’t been wrong regarding your safety. It had taken time and some less than gentle encouragement from your new husband, but the Uruk had come to regard you with less resentment than before.

Some even looked at you with something that might resemble kindness.

Even Adar seemed to have changed. Not in how he acted when you were around his children, but when you were alone.

Your wedding night had been as expected. Adar made as much effort as he could to make you comfortable, and you had put in as much effort to enjoy it as he had expected.

The wedding had been nothing extravagant; you were not sure if it was even legally binding. Not that it mattered. You were a captive, no matter whether you were called wife or prisoner, nothing would change.

But now, as you sat stock still on Adar’s bed, you felt afraid for the first time. Not of Adar, he had given you no reason to fear him. But of what this night would mean.

Of what it would mean to give away the last thing that was solely yours.

You held the fabric of your gown between your hands, worrying the fabric again and again with your fingers.

And it was this that Adar noticed.

“There is nothing to fear,” he said softly, the low gravel of his voice feeling so loud in the silence of his quarters.

Your fingers slowed their movements, but didn���t stop. Why should you believe him? He was your captor, since you were not yet ready to think the word husband.

Yet, he hadn’t done you any harm up until now. Even if he’d had the opportunity to. Maybe, he was being sincere?

You didn’t say a word as you stood, not trusting the strength of your voice. You focused instead on the way Adar stood still in front of you. How he looked so different without the layers of armour and leather. How the few candles around the room lit him from behind as he watched you back, waiting for you to approach.

The small amount of jewellery you had been wearing when you were taken to Mordor had been shed, along with the outer layer of your gown, just after you entered Adar’s quarters. The thin shift doing little to protect you from both Adar’s gaze and the cool air.

Avoiding it would only last for so long. Trying to delay the inevitable was impossible, you thought.

And the longer you looked at him, the more you had to ignore the faintest spark of desire in your belly. He was a handsome man, once you truly appreciated him.

But if you had looked a little harder, you would have seen the same lust filled look in Adar’s own eyes. Darkening even further the closer you came. His breath caught in his throat when your hands came to rest on his chest.

“I will do my duty as your wife; it is our wedding night.”

That night continued to play in your mind. Even weeks after the fact.

You were a wife now and Adar had not been wrong, the energy had begun to shift towards you. Whether Adar had told his children to treat you with more respect, you didn’t know, but there was certainly a difference.

Those who refused to look at you, now spared you the occasional glance. Those who had looked at you with prey, would sometimes even greet you as you passed them.

But something else had settled into the back of your mind. You had felt it on your wedding night, and all the subsequent nights you had spent in Adar’s bed.

The lingering feelings of desire whenever Adar would touch you. The sounds of pleasure you would bite back because you were afraid of the feelings you had.

He was your captor turned husband. You should despise him.

It was the lack of that which you feared. Did you love him? No. But there was a fire that burned in your belly whenever he touched you, even for the most fleeting of moments.

Whether Adar knew or not, you didn’t dare find out.

War was looming with the rumours of Sauron’s return, and you had soon come to realise that your brother’s focus was going to be elsewhere. And as much as that pained you, you knew Gil Galad knew that you were capable enough to handle yourself wherever you were.

But the lingering threat of darkness had meant Adar was away from Mordor a little more than he had been. He would leave some of his children behind, a silent gift of protection for you.

Though you preferred the comfort of your own quarters. Adar had offered them to you about a week into being his wife. Before that you had been in a small tent, just in sight of his own quarters.

While most of the Uruk banded together and slept in a mixture of tents and wooden shacks, Adar had a large wooden building in the centre of camp. His throne outside it and even a separate room where you would assume he would host guests if he ever had them.

Yours were smaller, but with enough space for it to be clear you were no longer a prisoner. There was a separate bedroom, a small snug with some furs and fire pit for your comfort. And those small things were welcome whenever he would leave.

This time Adar had been gone for a few weeks. The longest he had been gone since your marriage to him and though you chastised yourself for it, you had begun to miss him.

Not necessarily his person, but what him being here meant. Physically.

If Adar was anything to you, he was attentive. Dare you even say, gentle. Like he was afraid if he did anything more, you would run from him in disgust or fear.

But you never did.

And now, you found yourself missing those nights.

You had put that feeling to the back of your mind. Trying to focus yourself on literally anything else. But then you would lay in your bed and your mind would drift there.

And soon your hand would follow. Letting the images that would float in your imagination guide you. It began to happen every night without fail. It was almost like you couldn’t sleep without putting out the fire in your veins.

Picturing how Adar would touch you, the way his hands would feel against your skin. How warm he always seemed to be; how soft his lips were…

No word had come of where Adar was or when he would be returning, but the Uruk that remained in camp had been on edge all day. Just like they had been for the last week.

You were on an edge, though without a doubt it was an entirely different one.

The night soon drew in, a few of the Uruk coming to check on you after you had eaten with them which you more than appreciated.

But then you were alone again, and it wasn’t long before your thoughts began to wander.

You waited until you could no longer hear much noise outside of your door, meaning most of the Uruk had gone to their own beds or were far enough away that you could let your hands wander too.

Images of Adar immediately filled your mind, the rough sound of his voice felt almost real you had imagined it so many times now.

Your shift was bunched in your hand, the other making its path down your body to seek out your core.

The room was always warm, the fire pit constantly stoked at your request. But your skin prickled as your fingers began to dip between your folds. A small sigh leaving your lips as you finally made the contact you had been desperate for all day.

Your movements remained slow. In the weeks he had been gone, you had begun to try and imitate Adar’s touch. He was never in a rush, like he was mapping out every dip and swell of your body and committing to his memory.

But trying to mimic that had taken weeks. Only now did it feel almost right. Your hands were too soft, but it was close enough.

You would try and remember the way he would start, where he would touch first. One hand between your thighs and one hand always mapping the rest of your body.

So that’s what you did. Your fingers made slow circles on your pearl, working the fire in your belly higher and higher. Your other hand pushing your shift higher, not enough to make you bare, not yet.

The sighs turned to soft moans, barely audible, letting the images of Adar flow through your mind.

The muscles of his chest and back when he would hover over you, one hand by your face while the other would continue its path along your body.

How his breath would feel on your neck as he began to press kisses to your skin. The barely there sounds that would leave his throat the more of you he got to feel.

You worked yourself up to a point that you were almost desperate to find release, your hips actively chasing your own hand. The shift almost torn from your body as the room seemed to get warmer and warmer.

Everything around you faded as you began to focus on the desire that thrummed in your veins, surrendering yourself to it. Your fingers finally slipping between your folds and trying to remember the rhythms Adar would strum.

It was so dark when Adar returned. Most of the Uruk were already fast asleep, or at least away in their tents. He assumed you would be too, and his feet began making their way to your quarters before he could stop them.

His hand was on the door when soft sounds floated through the small cracks in the wood. Sounds that couldn’t be mistaken for anything but pleasure.

Far louder than he was sure he had ever heard you be. Far louder than you had ever been with him.

He waited, as quiet as he could. Just to hear a little more. The cracks in the door wide enough to sneak the smallest of peeks at you. He could see you bare, spread out on the furs of your bed. One had between your thighs, the other gripping the plump flesh of your breast in the same rhythm as your fingers.

Adar was sure he could smell your arousal from here.

He was completely entranced, lost in the way your body writhed on the bed. How your voice seemed to be going up octave after octave as your peak crept up on you. And then, something he never thought he would hear from you, especially like this.

His name.

“Adar…” you breathed out, and your husband could only watch as the muscles of your thighs twitched, hips canting up against your hand until you finally stilled.

You had said his name. His name. Bare, glistening with sweat as your peak had crashed over you, you had said his name.

Adar ignored the way his length twitched in his breeches at the thought. He could wait. But he wasn’t going to forget just how pretty you sounded.

He only wondered if he could make you louder.

You awoke that morning to hear the Uruk calling Adar’s name, nothing but happiness in their voices.

He was home.

You forgot yourself for just a moment in your excitement at having him back. It surprised you. You were at the threshold of your door when it hit you. Taking a deep breath before stepping outside.

Adar was at his throne, his children that had remained behind clamouring around him. But his eyes found you immediately. If you hadn’t been concentrating on maintaining your usual, passive mask, you would have noticed how he looked at you.

Like he wanted to devour you where you stood.

“Husband,” you said gently, the crowd of Uruk parting as you walked towards his throne.

Adar stood immediately, but he didn’t move towards. But a smile did twitch at his lips.

“Wife,” he answered, finally descending the few steps of his throne to meet you.

You saw a flash of something behind his eyes, but you chalked it up to your imagination. He had been gone for a while, maybe you simply missed him. But when he held his hand out to you, your skin meeting his for the first time in weeks, you could feel that same feeling stirring deep in your body.

Desire. Everything you had tried to tamper down, to hide, threatened to spill from you after one touch.

Adar could only smile as he saw the way you swallowed, how your eyes remained trained on his hand.

“Are you well?” he asked quietly, daring to stroke a soft circle on the back of your hand with his thumb.

He needed to see. Was your desire for him reserved for when you were alone, or could he push you enough to let it slip through the cracks?

The rest of the day passed no differently to how it usually did. Adar checking up on the children he had left behind while he was away and you spending your time doing anything you enjoyed. Walking around the camp was a new pastime, giving you a break from the walls of your quarters.

What you didn’t know, was that Adar watched you almost the entire time. Keeping his eyes on you whenever and however he could. He was the most distracted he had ever been since he married you, willing night to fall so he could end his duties and summon you to his bed.

He knew it would raise suspicions with you if he changed his routine and took you to his bed early. It was an unintentional routine, but something you had welcomed.

What he didn’t know, was you were wishing he would do just that. You could go to him yourself but, outside of your own bed, you were warring with your desire for him and your need to keep it hidden away.

Dinners had been eaten, and Mordor had darkened as whatever sun filtered in finally dipped below the horizon. You were in your quarters, savouring the bath that you had treated yourself to, when you could hear a soft rapping on the makeshift door.

You recognised the footsteps almost immediately.

On instinct, you moved to cover yourself. Leaning against the side of the tub – or what was essentially a patchworked together replica of such a thing, at the insistence of Adar for your comfort. It felt ridiculous to hide yourself from your husband, but it was as though there were two paths urging you in your mind.

Resist or surrender.

“Forgive the intrusion,” Adar said softly, stopping a few paces from you.

You couldn’t stop your smile. You were not sure when it had happened, but you had found yourself relaxing around him in the simplest of ways. Which made how you felt deep down all the harder to reconcile.

“No intrusion, you are my husband.”

Adar only grumbled out a sound of approval. He realised; however, he hadn’t truly thought much past entering your quarters.

“But the fact you are here is an unusual occurrence. Is everything well?”

Your evenings were usually spent in Adar’s chambers and subsequently his bed. To have him in yours surprised you. The look he gave you, only served to confuse you more.

“Nothing is amiss, I assure you,” Adar hadn’t moved from where he stood, but his eyes were travelling over your form.

You simply hummed, realising you were not going to get a straight answer from him.

The bath water had begun to cool, and you leaned over the side to grab the wide sheet of linen to dry yourself. As smoothly as you could, you held it high to wrap it around yourself as quickly as possible.

What you did not expect was for Adar’s hands to grasp its edge and hold it for you. Just high enough to cover your body, but his proximity had you freezing for just a moment.

“Thank you, Adar.”

You missed the darkening of his eyes as you said his name, stepping from the tub and letting him hand you the linen.

His hands momentarily touched your back as you turned to wrap it around you, and you tried to hide the shiver that ran through you. Images from the nights spent alone flashing in your mind at just one touch.

The silence in the room was almost deafening. It was almost as though both of you had something to say, but neither knew the other did.

You began to move away to dress, unsure what else to do, when Adar seemed to come back to himself and stop you.

His hands returned to your shoulders, stopping you in your tracks. You couldn’t see his smirk as your body stiffened and then relaxed immediately at his touch. Your eyes fluttering closed as his hands tightened on your shoulders.

“I thought of you, whilst I was away,” he said simply, his hands trailing down your arms.

It wasn’t unusual for him to admit things like that, but there was something behind his words that felt different. Adar leaned in, whispering into your ear.

“Did you think of me?”

The growl behind his voice seemed more intense this close, the fire rising gently in your belly.

You wanted to answer, admit that you had thought of him on so many occasions. But it was like your words stuck in your throat.

A thought crossed your mind, did he know? No, he couldn’t possibly. But there was almost a knowing tone to his voice.

His hands stroked up and down your arms, patiently waiting for whatever answer you would give.

“Does your silence mean you did? I was gone a while, leaving you alone and unattended to…”

Adar smiled as he pressed a kiss to the skin behind your ear. His expression widening as he felt your head fall back just a little.

He could feel you fighting it, still trying to deny what you felt for him. So, he continued, bringing your back flush against his chest. Hands moving from your arms to the wrap of your linen.

Your skin was still warmed from the bath, and you could feel the hard plane of his chest through the dark fabric of his shirt. Adar never wore his armour, including his gauntlet, when you and he were alone.

You pulled your lower lip between your teeth as he began to unwrap your linen, slowly baring your body to the coolness of your quarters. The sheet falling to the ground as his hands took their time roaming your soft flesh.

“Shall I attend to you now, wife?”

Not trusting your words, you nodded, and Adar could feel the temperature of your skin rising. Your head fell fully back on to his shoulder, so close to surrendering to your feelings.

Adar’s hands were in no rush. It was as though he was recommitting every part of you to memory. Maybe, he truly had missed you while he was gone?

It was only when his fingers skimmed low enough to tease at your pearl did you let out a sigh of pleasure. The sound bringing Adar back to his true aim for coming to you tonight.

He let a single finger circle you, tantalisingly slow. Teasing you and himself.

His other hand cupped your breast, kneading the soft mound under his palm. Deep down, he knew it wasn’t quite enough to pull those sounds from the night before out of you. But there was more than enough time for that.

It wasn’t as though he was unaffected, his own arousal pushing insistently against your back.

He was so focused on the feel of you beneath his hands that he almost missed the small whisper that slipped from you. It was only when his hands slowed, did he realise you had asked for something. Your hand wrapped around his wrist. Almost begging for him to move faster.

“Please…”

You were just loud enough for him to hear this time, the breathy sound of your voice sending a shot of desire straight to his already hard length.

That was enough to have him lead you towards your bed. A gentle push had you laying down, and all you could do was watch as Adar made quick work of his tunic.

More of your daydreams flashed before your eyes, realising your imagination had never quite matched up to the real thing. Pale, scarred flesh covered just enough muscle to remind you of the strength he held.

You rested yourself on your elbows. There was just a little something different about Adar tonight. Not that he was never gentle, but he seemed to be working with a purpose in mind more so than usual.

The bed dipped as he joined you, stopping to push your legs open and kneel between them.

“Please what, hmm?” he asked, large hands squeezing your thighs.

There was no doubt he had a purpose. You had seen that look before, but when he was focused on battle strategies, not your pleasure.

You let out a small breath, preparing yourself to give in just a little more to your desire for him.

“I need you, husband.”

Adar let out a soft grunt of approval at those words. Watching as your hand reached out for him.

If there was one thing you hadn’t expected to imagine when you were alone, it was his kisses. They were few and far between, but you realised how much you enjoyed them when you were left with only your mind’s eye.

He let you wait, just a moment longer, before crawling the rest of the way up and hovering his lips over yours. Your hand finally able to curl around the back of his neck. Adar let you pull him down, your kiss a lot hungrier than he expected it to be.

You moaned softly into his mouth, your fingers toying the black strands at the base of his neck.

One of Adar’s hands remained on your thigh, hooking it up and over his waist. Your hand tightened on his neck as you felt his arousal press against your bare core, your hips rolling up on instinct.

“Patience, darling…” he whispered, breaking the kiss for just a moment.

He wanted you to ease into what he knew you felt. There was little hiding your desire for him now. You just needed to let yourself admit it.

Adar returned to the kiss, pulling back some of his control as his tongue slipped into your mouth. Your fingers entirely tangled in his hair as he won the battle of your kiss.

He didn’t stop your body arching against him. Soft skin against his scarred flesh only spurring him on.

His kiss moved from your lips to your neck, letting his hips begin to match your rhythm. You were still holding back, but he could hear how your breath sped up and the subtlest of moans were slipping from your lips.

The path of his lips continued down, between the valley of your breasts and lower. Mapping every inch of you with a kiss.

“What did you imagine while I was gone? How I touch you, how I kiss you…?” he murmured against your skin.

Your hand returned to his hair as he kissed the inside of your thighs. Holding them apart enough to settle his head between them.

He knew, he had to. If you had been less distracted, you would have tried to deny. But you were at the point of desperation. Weeks of only your own hand to bring you satisfaction. If you just gave in…

“All of it,” you sighed, trying in vain to push his head closer to where you wanted him.

But Adar didn’t move. He wasn’t going to let you off quite that easy.

His kisses moved higher, just shy of where you wanted him to be.

Your eyes closed, taking a small breath and answering.

“I...I imagined how your hands feel on me, how your lips feel on me…”

Adar rewarded you with a long, slow swipe of his tongue between your folds. Pulling a slightly louder moan from you.

He wondered if you would admit just a little bit more.

“And?” he asked again, his breath hot against your skin.

He could feel you tense a little in frustration, but he could feel how close you were to giving in.

“I imagined how satisfied you leave me.”

That was more than expected. Admitting your desire was enough, but to admit you found satisfaction with him? That was even better.

You were rewarded again with a more insistent lap to your cunt, his face burying a little further down. Your hand in his hair trying desperately to hold him where he was.

“Then I shall ensure I make up for all the satisfaction I have left you without these past weeks,” he promised, before delving in with full fervour.

There was little gentleness now. Adar almost devoured you with every swipe and circle of his tongue. It appeared you weren’t the only one who had suffered whilst you were apart.

Your nails scratched at his scalp, earning your growls of pleasure against your core. The vibrations combined with the way the tip of his tongue now circled your swollen bud had your eyes rolling back in your head.

Yet you still hadn’t let out any sounds close to what he had heard from you the night before.

Adar lifted your legs onto his shoulders, arms wrapped around your thighs as he doubled down on his ministrations. Suckling your pearl until you let out a soft sigh of his name.

Almost there, he thought. But maybe you needed just a little more encouragement.

He replaced his tongue with his fingers, keeping the same rhythm as he peppered kisses over the skin of your inner thigh.

The way your walls were already clenching around him was a sure sign you were close. But he needed to hear you, good and loud.

“As delicious as ever…but I know you can be louder than that, sweet wife?”

His fingers curled inside you as he moved to hover over you, his lips returning to your neck.

He had heard you. You knew it. Before tonight, you would have been embarrassed, even denied it. But instead, the burning desire inside seemed to roar higher. He wanted you to be loud. There was no denying the hungry sound to his voice now.

“Adar…” you groaned out, his fingers almost beckoning your release closer.

Your husband smiled into your neck, the twitch in his cock reminding him just how good his name sounded on your tongue.

“Again. Say my name again.”

His fingers began to piston in and out of you, the wet sounds of your pleasure mixing in with your growing moans and sighs.

You didn’t hold back anymore. Letting your body relax and pleasure take over.

Over and over again you moaned his name, his lips latched onto your throat as your peak washed over you.

Adar let his hips grind themselves against your thigh as he felt the slick sensation of your release gush over his hand. Something in him told him you could give him just a little more.

Your hands got to his breeches first. Tugging at the laces in your desperate need to remove all the barriers between you. Gone was the fear of revealing your desire to him. You needed him to know how much you wanted him. How much you were sure you had for a long time.

He was quick to kick the rest of his clothing away, caring little for where they landed. All that mattered was having you beneath him.

His cock slid in with ease, the lingering spasms of your release made his eyes close for just a moment. Savouring the sensation. His face burying itself back into your neck, smiling again as your legs wrapped around his waist.

“Do you think you can be louder still? As loud as you were last night?”

Your heels at his back urged him to move. And he did, slowly pushing in and out while he waited for your answer.

But what he got was not what he expected.

“My fingers are nothing compared to you. I think you can make me much louder.”

Now that was a challenge he wished to meet.

Adar planted a hand beside your head. The other holding one of your thighs tight as he began to speed up his rhythm. Your back arched immediately from the bed. Your fingers were nothing compared to any part of him. Reaching far deeper than you ever could.

The bed creaked beneath you as Adar pounded into you, his own grunts and groans of pleasure almost lost in the sweet cries that came from you.

Desire burned through him just at the sound, but the way your cunt was already tightening around him had him at his edge faster than he may ever have been.

“Come for me, let me hear you chant my name…” he almost purred into your ear, his voice strained as he held back his own end as long as he could.

Your hands grasped at his shoulders, committing all the sensations to memory, should you ever be left alone again.

“Adar!”

His name came out as the most delicious cry, your nails digging into his shoulders as your second release crashed over you. Your eyes scrunched closed in pleasure as Adar buried his face into your shoulder. His own end painting your walls as he groaned out your name.

A few shallow thrusts came as he slowed himself down, letting your thighs down to the bed. Softer kisses planted over your neck and chest had a small smile on your lips.

Gently, Adar rolled to your side, both of you ignoring everything except the closeness of the other.

Your head rested on his chest, feeling the race of his heart that you were sure matched yours. The atmosphere in the room felt different than it usually did. Softer, more romantic in the strangest of ways.

Adar’s hand rubbed up and down your back, lips pressing a kiss to the crown of your head. You both remained silent for a while, until you rolled over to look at him.

Up close, you were reminded of more than just your desire. This was your husband, and you had truly never appreciated his beauty. Scars and all.

“I should never have hidden such desire from you, I realise that now,” you admitted, your chin leaning against his chest.

Adar looked at you and just smiled. His arms wrapped around your back, pulling you up high enough for a kiss.

“It matters not, we have all the time to take full advantage of it.”

His words made your stomach flutter. If tonight was just the start, you could only imagine what future nights would bring.

Maybe marrying the father of orcs wouldn’t be so bad after all?

TRoP Taglist:

@tumblin-theworldaway @kaelatargaryen @valar-did-me-wrong

@stardustcasey @itwillbeourswansong @xximmortalkissxx

@varda-starqueen @iwanderbecauseimlost

@eowyn7023 @whenimaunicorn

If you want to be added/deleted, please let me know.

[aulostheremin]

Forefather

a silly and short fic of Old Monkey and Shen Monkey. not much will be going on here, just two old monkeys talking to each other. Also I'll sometimes call Old Monkey as The Elder.

The winter season still kept pushing on Mount Huago with signs of ice and snow melting, revealing the sight of greenery slowly coming back to the forests. A slender fragile figure clad in white carefully walk up some rugged steps at the foothills. it didn't take long to find a familiar face laying to the side, as always, surrounded by gourds, various kinds of unique brews and other young monkeys, who are either sleeping or walking about in a groggily manner.

He was wondering where they went off to and has the suspicion they all be here. "Shen. not inviting me again?" The Old Monkey tsk in front of the grey monkey's face that keeps dozing off from his standing hand to level his head. "Hah, who would want an old coot ruining the fun?" Shen Monkey laughs. He rolled on his back and stretched his body to get up.

The Elder walk in a pace, making Shen Monkey dizzy from looking at him. "Hey, sit down will ya? one blow of wind would knock you down any moment." Shen taps his hand at a spot beside him. The Elder only huffs. "funny how you say that yet you always boast your rank of birth is the longest from all of us." Old Monkey push away an empty gourd from his foot to continue his pacing. "at least my body don't age poorly like you." Shen picks up a coconut wine and drink it up.

"It was daring for you to take my children away. I was worried all night! this mountain area is riddled with celestial soldiers. who knows what will happen if they saw you wander aimlessly around these parts." The Elder proclaimed, but Shen isn't fazed as he heard the same lecture from Old Monkey dozens of time before.

"Just to let you know, they came to me. I thought I could have all the drinks to myself last night. but well, you can't say no to those cute faces now, could you." Shen wipes his mouth dripping in juice. "I know you missed dearly to your Great Sage. but how many younglings do you have to send to get him back..?" Old Monkey stops and stares back at Shen. "What if.. this time.. you let it all go this time.." Shen mutter, but suddenly the Elder hiss. "Do not say that... this is what he would've wanted. all he wants is to live in peace with us. and you know this. you know their plans up there. why else would they kill my kindred those years ago? you said as if I didn't care for that One, but I do. and it breaks my heart every time he has to suffer through each journey."

Shen looks down in regret for what he said earlier. "Forgive me, old friend." He gets up and stands beside Old Monkey, looking at the wide horizon. "I missed him too. so do my other friends. we tried our best to help the One along the way. perhaps we aren't enough to make him succeed." He sighs. "Do not underestimate yourself. we all have our part to play in this gamble of theirs." The Elder reassures Shen. Both of them stood in silence for some time, resting their eyes on the endless seas of trees.

"I've heard.. he has reborn again.. is that right?" Shen Monkey asks the Old Monkey. "Yes. he's too young, still clinging onto his mother, but give it time.." Shen nods and looks at the clouds. "While I do enjoy a nice shade from the sun, it's soothing to feel warm breezes up here. it's a beautiful place." Shen pats the Elder on his shoulder. "Well, I best be on my way. you can gather up your brats. They're your responsibility now." The Elder deep in thought prior before, tells Shen to wait for a moment. "If you like, do come stay at our haven once in a while." Shen smirks. "That's not a bad idea. could be good for my diminishing social skills. Hmm, perhaps another century. Gotta wait in the wings for Destined One." With that, Shen Monkey leaves the mountain, waving a goodbye to the Elder before descending down back to the Bamboo Grove.

I never wrote a proper fic before. so I hope this turns out well and you guys enjoy it. also tried my best to make it fit into the game lore from my knowledge of it. if there's anything I missed or got mixed up, let me know! @blackknight-kai thanks for encouraging me to write this.

[aberfaeth]

cleo @chasedeys made one of these and im procrastinating various responsibilities and tasks so i said why not! long-winded rationale below the cut and i mean LONNGGGGGG. full of haterisms but also love <3

ONE PRIDE

my babies my sweeties my cinnamon applessss the whole reason i got genuinely into football in like 2022 was bc i watched them nearly not eat shit against the bills on thanksgiving while my uncle sitting next to me explained the Fucking Curse i.e. that the lions will always lose in whatever way is most devastating to the people who care about their success. and i went HEY! NARRATIVE!!! and now the lions are REALLY GOOD and still managing to lose in the way most devastating to the people who care about their success. as i've said many a time i truly hope some enterprising individual exhumes and exorcises the bones of bobby layne i think that's the only way out but in all earnestness getting INTO into football these past few months i am so grateful these are our guys even through all the emotional turmoil. they've got an energy in the locker room i genuinely haven't seen replicated anywhere else in the league like those guys all adore each other unreservedly and they adore dan and it's so special to watch. LONGASS PLAYER RANT INCOMING amon-ra st brown my princess with so many mental problems one of these days i'm gonna make a webweave about how he has all sixteen wide receivers drafted before him and their colleges memorized and also how his dad gave him and his brothers the "st" because he thought it would look good on a jersey and had him lifting weights age 5 like. john brown you seem like a wonderful father i just think your children might have complexes. JAH AND MONTY SONIC AND KNUCKLES MY TWO HEADED MONSTER they're everything to me the way it's just purely admiration and support between them even though splitting touches is probably not the best for their careers like they just genuinely loved each other from the jump. i get emo thinking about all the shit they've each been through and to be able to come to the lions at the same time and just. find each other and feel safe enough in detroit to let themselves loose and have fun RAUGH. jg16 im the worlds number one jared goff glazer idgaf i will sing his praises from the mountaintop. im not like delusional i know he isn't in the same conversation as lamar/josh/joe/That Devil but i think the idea that the lions need a dual threat qb is so ridiculous like yeah we certainly are lacking offensive weapons here with our #2 ranked yards per game THE POINT is that a qb is more than just stats and jared goff is a leader of men like that offensive line would all take ten bullets for him and it's because he is a genuinely kind person and so so so easy to love. god. um. TA TERRION ARNOLD MY OTHER PRINCESS WITH NO MENTAL PROBLEMS AT ALL FRANKLY seeing him excited and smiley after the divisional loss bc why would you not be excited going 15-2 as a rookie hitting an insane amount of snaps most of your player core young and still on contract the world is laid out in front of you!!!!! cured my depression and i can't wait to see him continue to come into his own GOD the secondary is all so fond of each other thinking about him and kerby That's My Rook I Don't Let Nobody Play By My Rook..him and bb....him and dmo jah and craig in the who would you let date your daughter youtube short SHAKING MY FIST AT THE SKY sam laporta!!!!!!!!!!! my golden receiver king of the one handed dive catch im obsessed with his vernacular like only guy alive to use "sick" and "preposterous" in the same sentence how are you from illinois and have half a surfer accent JAMOOOOOO in possession of the best laugh in the known universe and such a goddamn weirdo like the mcflurry burger thing and his apparently Eclectic music taste let me see your spotify downloads please HUTCH!!! absolutely vicious ice cold hilarious but also so levelheaded did you guys know he listens to instrumentals to hype himself up before games like. he gave hans zimmer as an example. so many more tooooo i didnt even mention lif or penei or craig or any of the kicking unit or our free agents like tim and cd3 IM JUST. man. the detroit lions. Man

deep and enduring fondness

bengals every day i think about the post that's like. joe wearing ja'marr's old worn natty jersey to a bengals game day, the greatest love story of all time is happening in the graveyard of fandoms if this was hockey there would be skywriting about it. BECAUSE IT'S REAL joemarr genuinely baffle me with the level of insane devotion they have to each other like just off the top of my head. ja'marr saying joe's like a god to him. "i've never [played without ja'marr]had that, and i don't wanna have that" "[i work] with joe only. i don't throw with other quarterbacks--i don't wanna". joe burrow #1 in the league pat who. the fucking pinky swear handshake the donut thing "we did a lot of stuff but not on a boat"???? "he try flying knee kicks on me sometime" "we mess around every now and then" "make sure your bags are packed and ready i didn't believe it but he proved me wrong" the clothes saga ANYWAYS. TEEEEEE HIGGINSSSSSSS another guy who like. i read his players tribune article and god he has been through so much and to come out so KIND he is a little piece of the sun in a human body the reaction timer video with ja’marr cheering him on in the bg “forget batman he’s fucking superman” and joe and ja’marr obviously love him so much would sign him themselves “wanna play with him for eternity” if the bengals FO lets him go i fear i will never forgive them. & i know there are other players on this team and i care for them also (mike! 23rookies! trey! ctb!) butjesus christ joeteemarr the world…. vikings closest rival to lions in pure strength of culture i think like god that video of everyone lifting sam onto their shoulders !!! :') cam and his dance recitals.... josh metellus king of the locker room interview....justin jefferson and his beautiful big brown eyes like a cow every time i saw him on the sideline of that rams game i had to put my face in my hands and be so sad for him. and KOC!!! like i said with dan its so so special when you can tell a team just fucking adoooooores their coach and it's so clear with KOC that he really is a player's coach OH AND ALSO IK HE'S INJURED BUT JJ MCCARTHY MICHIGAN BOY he's gonna carry next year i just know it ravens so my aunt lives in baltimore and owns a purple car that she bought because that's how much she loves the ravens. i lived in bmore for 4 years so they're one of my hometown teams too!! obviously lamar jackson is the people's princess and there's nothing more in the universe i want than for him to succeed like he is so goddamned talented and he's such a sweetheart and i really need to try his cologne IT WAS SO CUTE WHEN THEY PASSED IT AROUND THE LOCKER ROOM AND EVERYONE WAS COMPLIMENTING IT LIKEE anyways "kick everybody ass hit everybody hit the r--i was about to say hit the ref DO NOT HIT THE REFS" his lil giggles when he gets tackled i CARE ABOUT HIMMMMMM OKAYYYYYY also london @glittersgloom and cleo have opened my eyes to the beautiful world of derrick henry and i need to find like. clips of him micd or something hey if anyone is reading this can you send me derrick henry content thank you panthers BRYCE YOUNGGGGGG MY SHAYLAAAAA he has had such a whirlwind two years and im so goddamn proud of him (context my parents live in NC so the panthers are also a hometown team LMFAO i get too damn attached to Locations) that one clip of robert hunt saying dont call him BY Reap cause he said it sounded a lil evil leave that baby alone...... his room just so clearly adores him as they SHOULD !!! chuba adam and xavier too I REALLY BELIEVE IN THE PANTHERS SWEEPING THE NFC SOUTH NEXT YEAR I DO

i like em

cowboys so when i was in middle school in new jersey and everyone around me was a giants fan but i had quirky girl disorder i decided i was going to be Cool and Different and root for the dallas cowboys because my dad had dez bryant on his fantasy team and so i do have a lingering fondness for them even though tony romo's stupid voice pisses me off every sunday. and CEEDEEEEEE CEEDEE LAMB most beautiful man in the world i wish all happiness and success for him bills, texans started making that your graduation stosh edit last week had a panic attack bon appetit no but for real the Narrative. absolutely agonizing. i love when men say insane things about each other like "Since I met him, it kinda clicked. You don't click with everybody. That's somebody I felt like, damn, I could grow old with you. I can see myself with you for a while" and then GET DIVORCED #SAD anyways. i love you cj stroud i love you dion dawkins giants, commanders MALIK NABERS WE WILL GET YOU OUT OF NEW YORK !!!!!! in all seriousness though that clip of jayden picking him up from behind and swinging him around lives rent free in my head and it's london's fault (love you). division rivals and you're cheering for him at his playoff game Mannnnn lsu strikes again. for real though jayden daniels rookie of the decade im enamored by him and his effortless chill demeanor i hope he comes back and wins a ring but like not in the next five years because the lions have to sweep the division for at least half a decade dolphins, pats, jets i've got homies who like these guys!!! shoutout to my roommate's dad and two of my coworkers <3 i like when mike had to get on his tippy toes to kiss the side of tua's head i like that the pats are such a failgirl team without tom brady and i like that the jets are gunning for the longest playoff drought in all of superbowl era nfl history. good luck aaron glenn i'm sure you will have a different go of it than the eight million one and done defensive jets HCs before you (genuine)

neutral zone of obscurity

not much to say here. i like that the bucs had that thing with the duck that was fun. and im tempted to start caring about the jags on account of it would be funny to collect the nfl kitty teams like pokemon. otherwise no thoughts im sorryyyyyy

mild distaste and/or extreme ambivalence

rams i care about matthew stafford i really do. he took such shit for the lions for so goddamn long. on the other hand you get him on a hot mic oneeeeee time saying shit about kerby joseph after a completely clean tackle and now all of a sudden everyone and their mother is an expert on tackling tight ends and the prevailing narrative that he's a dirty player is actually affecting his livelihood (pro bowl noms) and that pisses me off. mr stafford apologize right neow eagles god their fans are the worst in the fucking league. genuinely atrocious and it makes me kinda hate them even though i like jalen (THE POST RAMS INTERVIEW WHERE HES DEF OFF A PERC TALKING IN RHYMING COUPLETS GIGGLING AND SHIT) and aj and honestly ok saquon on the eagles is their main redeeming factor like i would be truly happy for him to win a ring i really would bears division rivals except they aren't as fun as the vikes so they get put down here. caleb williams my pookie we'll get you an oline don't you even worry about it. genuinely though i do love him like it seems like it should be such a nothing thing in the year of our lord 2025 but the fact that dudebros are still insanely homophobic about the nail polish in any given comment section makes me very proud of him for sticking with it. it looks very nice on you caleb. BEN JOHNSON WE ARE NOT ON SPEAKING TERMS (i understand this was the only logical choice for him and we're lucky to have had him this year and he's a brilliant offensive mind and i'm sure he'll do great things but TO OUR OWN DIVISION????? BEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

genuine devilry occurring here

49ers ok i have all the respect in the world for the frock warriors on this website but the 49ers do kind of disgust me as a team writ large like. watching receivers on netflix and you genuinely would not be able to tell deebo and george are on the same team bc they are straight up segregated like cmc's wedding and george's birthday party come straight out of a midsommar outtake and this is not even to mention that awful little freak nick bosa like i do hope he gets cte and it ruins his life and career heart emoji browns fuck deshaun watson im so serious until that team gets rid of him i will be praying and cheering for their downfall every single time chiefs ohh this is last because it's my boring bitch answer like the chiefs are barely fun to hate on anymore cause everyone's doing it but i do believe they have access to some dark devilish magics and i am tired of seeing taylor swift on my goddamn television. sorry women. on a realer note i am still not fond of kareem hunt like im not saying people can't grow and change esp after seven? years but he did assault a teenager on tape and i think you maybe shouldn't be allowed to sign a million dollar contract after doing that OH MY GOD AND HARRISON BUTKER. ANOTHER ABSOLUTE FREAK. FUCK THE CHIEFS SERIOUSLY

green bay

[shvdwscng]

"you, indeed, are." truly with dragomirs as a whole, save for lavinia perhaps, the matters of heart was in essence the blinding leading the blind. alina could advise her sister on almost anything, save for affairs of the heart. it had taken the high lady far too long to allow herself to admit she had developed feelings for cedrian, and then some to realize she loves him. still, she holds the belief that ner understood these feelings far better than her elder sister ever could. for the younger fae, it was fear of falling and not having it reciprocated - that was far more frightening. "what matters is what comes with such hubris. i also believe you've discovered that as well with him." she met the younger dragomir's gaze, with her softened ones, "he does. and at the risk of you being cross with me, i had daxton look into him." she pauses, "i don't discredit your judgement, but you know well me enough that i would pry into anyone who wishes to be involved with my siblings. your commander is a good man." while ner does not admit to her feelings directly, alina had surmised enough, if her sister hadn't fallen for him, she was beginning to. ner knew what her commander meant to her, only that she struggled to admit it out loud to herself. "if he's sincere , then he has no reason to fear me. you may watch if you wish." there was mirth dancing in the high lady's gaze. "it's a curious look on you, becoming - never tethering yourself, not even to our home, but now to another."

"need i remind you're also a captain, and such antics are beneath you." alina knew that would simply earn her another eye roll. the jest falls wayside as ner returns the sentiments, and the elder simply allows herself to relish in the warmth that evaded her for so long concerning her sibling. "as am i." she dares to hope that when they returned home, the hallways of adriata palace would not be silent, they would be filled with the vibrant chatters of her siblings. "perhaps when time permits, i may be able to." how often had she wondered what it would be like to sail the seas past adriata with ner? ner's request of revealing her feels to the day high lord was ever daunting, "i will consider it." a response to soothe her sister's worry. "children are more observant then we give them credit for, i don't wish for them to think i am inserting myself into their lives. you forget i have not been around children, not even our younger siblings, i scarcely was able to hold them as toddlers or play with them as children." it was one of those times it was a stinging reminder how much she missed out with her own siblings. ner's offer has her take a beat of pause, grateful that the other was keen on this, "i would like that, and they will like meeting you." that she had no doubt of, they would find ner far more palatable than alina. she wouldn't deny she did wish to meet them, each time ced spoke of them, it was as if she knew them without ever meeting them. "he would travel with you as he's able, and i have no qualms in making sacrifices for him, without compromising my duties." how was she to explain, she does not wish for ced to do so for her? " thank you. i fear jules is far too distracted." in an emissary it was concerning, given their situation. there is relief that for now, ner drops the subject, and it was not her questions that bothered in her any form, it was that alina was even far more afraid than her sister thought her capable. alina also knew, she could not avoid having a frank discussion with cedrian for long now. "i will say this, i am taking all of your wise words into consideration as you are with mine. i do not know of love, but i read others well, so, i know, alistair will not break your heart."

nerina  huffs,  she  really  hated  when  another  came  in  and  proved  they  were  right.  especially  when  it  was  about  her  own  emotions  or  thoughts.  "  maybe  i  am  pining.  "  admits  she,  voice  soft,  as  if  she  doesn't  wish  to  really  say  it.  she  doesn't.  she  doesn't  like  admitting  she's  denying  something.  and  maybe,  just  maybe,  nerina  giving  up  and  admitting  how  she  feels  might  encourage  alina  to  do  the  same.  it  was  pathetic  really,  both  sisters  all  twisted  and  falling  for  a  pair  of  best  friends  and  both  denying  it  to  their  cores.  nerina  laughs  a  bit,  "  at  least  not  for  an  extended  period  of  time.  "  admits  she.  ner  doesn't  brag  about  all  she's  done  away  from  summer,  but  she  also  felt  the  need  to  share  it  wasn't  entirely  a  one  off.  usually  cockiness  annoyed  her,  in  alistair  it  was  incredibly  attractive.  alina's  words  hit  nerina  in  the  chest  with  swift  aim,  taking  root  and  taking  hold.  she  can't  play  pretend,  she  can't  deny  how  correct  her  high  lady  was.  for  someone  who  spent  most  of  her  life  wandering,  skimming  the  surface  of  relationships  and  refusing  to  plant  roots  –  this  was  too  new  and  too  different.  alistair  was  becoming  her  anchor,  a  steady  presence  in  her  life  and  needed  to  keep  her  tethered.  she  didn't  want  to  break  free.  "  so  the  day  court  commander  has  the  blessing  of  the  high  lady  of  summer  to  pursue  her  sister.  "  she  says  with  a  light  laugh.  it's  a  bit  of  a  deflect,  but  her  tone  isn't  passive.  nerina  is  in  her  mind,  spiralling  upward  from  the  depths.  now  she  truly  does  laugh,  though.  "  please  do  not  scare  him  away,  but  if  you  do  wish  to  attempt  that  i  require  notice  so  i  may  watch.  "  the  words  alone  let  her  imagine  it,  and  she  suspects  it  would  not  scare  alistair  at  all.

nerina  sticks  her  tongue  out,  answering  the  words  of  an  eye  roll  with  a  gesture  that  is  arguably  worse.  she  also  knows  that  alina  isn't  really  upset  about  the  gesture.  the  words  warm  her  heart,  though,  and  her  expression  fades  into  a  sincere  smile.  "  i  never  expected  us  to  know  one  another,  but  im  glad  i  was  wrong.  "  nerina  couldn't  imagine  her  life  without  alina  now,  or  their  other  siblings.  their  relationships  had  grown  exponentially  since  the  capital.  a  snicker  falls  from  the  younger  summer  lady.  "  you  should  see  me  on  my  ship.  "  nerina  can  be  quite  the  commanding  presence,  she  just  chose  not  to  be  that  person  when  she  was  on  land.  here  she  was  a  lady  of  summer,  the  wallflower  who  enjoyed  being  on  the  outskirts  despite  the  day  fae  yanking  her  into  the  middle.  "  tell  him  how  you  feel,  alina.  "  because  if  she  is  right,  and  nerina  is  certain  she  is,  cedrian  will  soothe  away  all  her  sister  is  afraid  of  and  convince  her  of  his  love  and  intentions.  if  not…  well,  ner  knew  some  people.  "  and  don't  fool  yourself  into  thinking  you  would  not  be  good  for  his  children,  they  would  be  lucky  to  have  you  in  their  lives.  "  she  adds  quickly.  a  heavy  sigh  slips  from  nerina's  lips,  the  stubborn  streak  they  gained  from  their  father  shining  through  in  her  sister  more  than  ever  now.  "  when  he  takes  you  to  meet  them  i  shall  go  too,  they  may  as  well  meet  one  of  their  new  aunts.  "  she  doesn't  allow  her  sister  to  think  otherwise,  she's  certain  that  it  will  happen.  "  love  is  a  sacrifice.  do  you  not  think  i  will  stop  sailing  as  often  should  alistair  and  i  progress  ?  but  it  is  a  sacrifice  i  will  happily  make  for  him,  not  resent  him  for.  "  nerina  shakes  her  head,  this  conversation  is  far  too  ironic  not  to  notice.  "  i'll  start  in  the  morning.  "  she  needed  to  practice  her  court  social  skills  anyway  if  she  were  to  be  at  court  more  often  once  they  finally  returned  to  their  real  lives.  nerina  simply  looks  at  her  sister,  waiting,  thinking.  she  decides  that  if  she  pushes  too  much  it  will  only  make  alina  upset  or  pull  away.  it  may  not  be  true,  but  it's  not  something  she  wishes  to  wager  on.  "  i  will  allow  you  this  deflection  only  because  i  think  much  of  what  we  are  discussing  is  better  suited  between  you  and  cedrian.  "  she  states,  refusing  to  be  misconstrued.  "  but  you  have  made  me  realize  he  deserves  a  chance,  and  has  proven  this  is  clearly  more  than  spying  on  our  family.  "

[pallanophblargh]

Wrangling the Children onto some fresh leaves. The Cecropia Kids are over 40 days old and still growing, and I’m starting to worry they won’t pupate in before I leave on vacation . Granted, I’m sure everything will be ok but it’s in my nature to worry over multi-legged invertebrate children. I just love larvae.

(Forgive the frass, I cleaned it out shortly after getting all the cats onto fresh food)

[swordscleric]

I'm only halfway through the second phase of Predathos (which, to be clear is an incredible vibe for a bossfight, love a good head & hands/multitarget-same-entity boss) but I cannot shake the feeling of disappointment and just dissatisfaction I have had with this campaign that definitely started with Dusk/Yu, got followed up handily with the first Delilah/Sun Tree fight and then has been unfortunately reinforced with every discussion surrounding the Prime Deities since Hearthdell. This campaign is fascinating to pick apart, I have been really enjoying pulling apart why it isn't working compared to C1 or C2. But as much as I'm having fun dissecting where the worldbuilding has led to the current weaknesses in the gods' argument or reading other people's incisive commentary on the lack of personalities on the Ruby Vanguard's end, the "girlfailure" nonsense, etc etc, man do I wish this campaign was better than it is.

There are so many avenues of improvement -

Matt telling everyone to prep and write characters for this campaign instead of a C2-esque character-focused campaign.

Matt working religious organisations into the world properly.

The cast engaging with Marquet as a genuine location rather than set-dressing.

Otohan, Ozo and the rest of the Vanguard having more than "*insert snappy line here*" for their personalities.

No Delilah.

Bell's Hells having an iota of curiosity for anything outside of their own selves, including but not limited to: the gods, religious worship, the Elemental Titans and why they were sundered, how the people of Exandria feel about the gods, Vasselheim and its role in suppressing information about Predathos, Ludinus Da'Leth's plan and how it would still break the world if they did it in his place

I don't know why all of this fell into place in the way that it did, but it did. We can endlessly speculate why - the cast resting on their laurels after C2, not having enough time between the animated shows and Daggerheart and Candela Obscura and, and, and - but at the end of the day I really do hope that whatever form the final campaign wrap-up takes, they burn the damn questions asking the cast "what if the world was made of pudding and this character and this character kissed?" and instead pick questions that get them to introspect for a potential Campaign 4. Otherwise I don't know what will happen, but it sure as hell won't be Mighty Nein part 2: Issylra Boogaloo.

[neolxzr]

i know it wasn't just a dream

(au info: here)

[bumblingbabooshka]

I think Sarek and Amanda Grayson both lowkey seeing their children as little experiments in different ways is undeniably bad parenting BUT .... I mean you talk about matching each other's freak .... Like imagine for a second Sarek is like "I am going to show that Humans are just as good as Vulcans by molding this Human child and my half Human son into the perfect Vulcans - This will show that despite what society thinks of as their genetic inferiority, they're just as good as any Vulcan." and Amanda's response to that is to think "Sarek is wrong...Michael's humanity MUST be preserved...so that I can show her all the love and affection I can't show Spock and maybe through their sibling bond all my unspoken and unexpressed love can trickle down to him through her." What are you both DOOOOING!?? You guys are NUTS like PLEASE just TALK to each other and compromise about how you're going to raise your children!! [Love the drama though] So I'm imagining in my head that Sarek is severely pressuring both Spock and Michael to act as perfect Vulcans their entire lives with him or else they're failures not only in his eyes but in all of society's (because he's an ambassador and raising these children is tied irrevocably with his work as such) WHILE Amanda is secretly trying to funnel her humanity and love for Spock through Michael and as such failure to receive, express, or internalize that love is failing not only your mother but also the entire Human race. Damned if you do damned if you don't! Who do you want to disappoint more, kids?

In 'Point of Light' Amanda says that she gave Michael all of the love, joy, and affection which she wasn't "permitted" (we must question the use of the word - what stopped her from directly giving Spock this love? I'm not saying there wasn't pressure for her not to, I'm saying the word 'permitted' absolves her of any personal choice or failing in a way that's interesting to me) to give Spock and though this is on the surface level sweet and probably meant to be interpreted that way, I submit that it must be kind of fucked up to hear that your foster mother was maybe only so kind and caring to you because she felt she wasn't allowed to act that way towards her "real" son. Michael Burnham as a tool for both her parents, however unintentional, is very interesting and I'm not sure it's something canon considers (haven't watched the show, I just like imagining things). The feeling that you have to be grateful to these people for not only being your parents but being YOUR parents. For taking you in and giving you a beautiful life - you have to pay them back, you have to make them especially proud of YOU. Because they didn't HAVE to, did they? Because you're not their "real" child. In the end, it's always Spock - isn't it? The love your mother gives you is Spock's love and if only one child can enter the Vulcan Science Academy then it has to be Spock. You're the appetizer your father serves before the REAL main course and your mother's stuffed doll which represents the thing she REALLY wants to hold and you know they genuinely care about you. That's the worst part. Because you know they care and they didn't mean to hurt you and the voice in the back of your head keeps telling you that any hurt they've dealt you pales in comparison to the debt you owe them and they love you, they love you, they love you, they love you, they love you [repeat as often as need be: remember the debt]