#//you know you've been watching too much game of thrones when

[x-liv25-jamieswife]

I know you made jamie as a boy dad hcs but can you please please make jamie as a girl dad hcs too? (Cuz, unpopular opinion, i think he'd make a killer girl dad)

of course! i've always head canoned he has a daughter and a son bc i don't get boy dad vibes or girl dad vibes like for nash (girl dad vibes obvously). hope you like them <3.

they are both obsessed with food and love trying new things out. they would go visit all of these exotic food places just to try new things out together. they also aren't afraid to try new things at restaurants, etc.

they'd go to the pet shelter together to see animals bc avery doesn't want them to get a pet (she knows they're too irresponsible)

she wouldn't want to spend a second away from her father. she would hang onto his leg really tight whenever he was planning on going out so that he'd bring her with him. he'd always be walking around with his daughter hanging onto him.

he'd try to get along (and he'd succeed) with all of her friends and partners (i hc his daughter is bi).

when she was like five and would get mad at her father, she would ask him to crouch so that she could smack him in the back of his head with her tiny hands and then she'd walk away harrumphing.

we know jameson absolutely loves rock climbing, and i hc that she would learn how to so that rock climbing could become their father-daughter bonding activity.

she would love getting her nails painted and would get jamie to do it bc he was better than avery.

speaking of getting your nails painted, she'd never ask him to, but he'd always paint his nails the same color as his daughter so that they'd match.

she hates it when people read her bedtime stories because she prefers having her dad tell her about his crazy adventures. according to her, bedtime stories are boring.

they are suckers for movies and tv shows, especially shows like game of thrones and the witcher. they make a huge thing out of it. every week on fridays and/or saturdays, they binge watch things on tv with the biggest assortment of candy and popcorn you've ever seen.

his daughter would end up having avery's hair and facial structure (brown and wavy with natural highlights), but would have jameson's eyes.

she'd be really interested in photography (her interest in it came from grayson) and would ask jameson to ask grayson to teach her bc she was too scared (gray was surprised to hear she was scared to ask him, and made sure she knew that he would do anything for his nieces and nephews) (oh and he'd say yes)

i can also imagine her being really into robotics. she'd constantly be asking jameson to hold things still for her or hold two pieces together. she'd be ordering him around like a puppy.

her first word was game or puzzle bc jameson is always saying it

they'd constantly be making pillow forts. they'd go all out. take whatever you're imagining in your head (if you're imagining anything) and make it 1491030 bigger because they would 100% try to beat the guinness world record for biggest pillow fort.

whenever she had a presentation or project on her idol, she'd most of the time pick her dad. he has always been and will always be her hero.

jameson would have an obsession with running his hands through her hair. she'd have to softest hair you could ever imagine. he'd have so much fun buying tons of little bows for her.

jameson would have a pinterest board for all of the outfit ideas he has for her.

jameson wouldn't play games like peek a boo with his daughter, he'd invent his own, more interesting games (idk what they would be) because he doesn't want to be an ordinary dad. also, i hc she wouldn't even like peek a boo

she'd hate going to school as a kid bc she'd be really shy. jameson would kiss her hand everyday before school and tell her that all of his courage was in that kiss, and that she was now even more invincible than before.

he'd be the type of dad who doesn't give a fuck if his daughter were to ask him to buy pads for her or smth. he wouldn't be embarrassed, he'd just head to the store and get her some.

i mentioned that she'd be really into robotics. when she was younger, she'd ask xander to help her make little gifts for her dad (not just for his birthday but also on random occasions simply bc she wanted him to know he was appreciated).

whenever she'd cry as a baby, no one would be able to comfort her and get her stop other than jameson. people thought he had magical baby hands or smth bc no matter what anyone else did, she never stopped.

she'd would refuse going to the doctors unless her father was there. she said it was because he was her source of courage and comfort, and that without him she wouldn't be able to do it. jameson would assure her that she'd be able to do it alone, and at some point (when she was like 10), she demanded to be alone in the doctors office cause she realized she was a girl boss and didn't need a man.

whenever she'd have trouble falling asleep, she'd get jamie to sing her a lullaby. she found his voice reassuring.

speaking of having trouble going to sleep, if jamie's singing didn't work, sleeping cuddled up in his arms always did. she used to say that his arms protected her for all of the bad things in the world, and, that, as long as she had him by his side, she'd be fine.

they'd buy matching sunglasses bc they were convinced it made them look cool.

he'd be the type of dad who hates keeping secrets. he would tell her everything (even if she didn't understand) bc he also hates it when people keep secrets from him and he isn't a hypocrite.

he'd most definitely be the type of dad to sit down for hours with his daughter helping her with her hmk. she hates being alone, and he knows this so he makes sure she has company as often as possible

he'd also be the type of dad to know the name of each and everyone of her friends, teachers, enemies. he'd gossip with her and talk shit about the people she hates.

that's it! hope you enjoyed these <3.

[hairmetal666]

Never in a million years did Steve Harrington think he'd be standing in the drama club room in front of Eddie the Freak--who's sitting on a goddamn throne with his full lips pulled into a smug grin--asking to be taught how to play Dorks and Goblins. Yet, here he is, face a burning shade of crimson, as he explains for the sixth time what, exactly, he needs.

"Munson, it's not that hard. Henderson wants me to play in the--the game thingy they're doing when Will is home for a visit."

"Yeah, Harrington, and I stop listening every time you call it a game thingy. You obviously don't care about this at all, so why should I waste my time helping you?"

Steve rolls his eyes. "What if I pay you?"

Munson's face goes through a complicated series of changes before falling into a neutral mask, no smirk or teasing smile to be found. "You'll pay me to teach you dnd? Are you fucking kidding?"

"No?' Steve draws a hand through his hair, watches as Munson's dark eyes track the movement. "I thought you might help me out cause those kids never shut-up about you, but I'm willing to put money on it."

"Huh," Eddie says. He steeples his fingers under his chin. "Maybe I misjudged you, Harrington."

Steve lets himself smile at this. "I don't think you did. I don't give a shit about this game."

"Didn't take you for one to have a bunch of nerdy child friends."

"I'm their babysitter," he says, realizes immediately it was a mistake.

Eddie cackles until it turns into a full-bodied laugh, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. "You are something else, Harrington," he manages.

For his part, Steve hopes Munson hasn't noticed how bright red his face is. "Does that mean you'll help me?"

"I guess," he rolls his eyes. "But if you're just screwing around, I'm out."

"No, yeah, totally," Steve nods too hard, sends his hair cascading into his face. "Sounds good. How much?"

"Huh?" Eddie tilts his face up, giving Steve a perfect view of the smattering of faint freckles across the bridge of his nose.

"I said I'd pay you. What's the going rate for dnd lessons?"

"Oh, nah, free of charge, Harrington. Henderson would eat me alive if he knew I made you pay."

The smile they share is soft, tentative, and Steve doesn't notice the swathes of pink decorating Eddie's pale cheekbones.

---

They meet up in the drama room after the last bell. Eddie is waiting on the throne with his feet propped on the table, sipping a Mt. Dew. His eyes widen when Steve walks into the room.

"You're on time," he says.

Steve scoffs. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Eddie shrugs, sets his feet on the floor. "Just wasn't aware that the King put a lot of stock in punctuality."

"C'mon, man, I'm trying not to be that guy, and I'm definitely not king of anything. Unless maybe it's Family Video, but even then, that's Robin."

"You're kind of weird, Harrington, you know that?" Eddie's dimples bracket his smile. The sight does weird things in Steve's chest.

"I've been told, yeah." Steve smiles back. "Where do we start?"

They start with dice, with a character sheet.

"Chaotic-good human Paladin?" Eddie asks.

He shrugs. "That's what Dustin keeps screaming at me. I got no idea what any of it means."

"That's not entirely true," Eddie says. "You've kept up with me so far."

"Yeah, that's you. Dustin rambles and then accuses me of not listening when it's over my head. When he goes on long enough, I start to get a headache right here," Steve rubs the spot between his eyes.

"That kid," Eddie says with the right combination of affection and frustration. "I don't know, you seem to have picked up on some of the stuff he said. You have a solid idea on gameplay, at least. I'd say you're doing pretty good."

"Thanks," Steve laughs. "No migraine yet, so that's a point in your favor."

"Migraines?"

"Head trauma."

"Byers?"

"And Hargrove."

"That was Hargrove?" Eddie asks.

"Hit me in the head with a plate."

"What the fuck."

"He was pissed that Max was friends with Lucas. He came after them. I couldn't just let him--I think he would've killed Lucas."

Eddie nods, hands fiddling with a die. "No wonder those kids love you," he says.

"We've been through some shit together."

"Guess it makes more sense why you wanted to learn dnd."

"As much as it pains me to admit," Steve rolls his eyes. "I love to make those little shitheads happy."

"Well, based on the way they talk about you, you succeed."

"You too, you know?" Steve offers. "All I've heard about the last three months is 'Eddie's so cool,' 'Hellfire's so fun.'"

"Jealous?" Eddie laughs.

"Completely," Steve admits.

"Don't worry, Harrington, I'll make a nerd out of you yet."

---

They meetup after school every day they can over the next two weeks. At first, Steve is surprised that he doesn't really mind spending so much time with Munson, that he actually, kind of, has fun. And the more time they spend together, the more Eddie infiltrates his space. Leans into Steve's side as they sit next to each other, brushes their hands together, hovers over his shoulder, faces nearly touching, as he checks stuff on Steve's character sheet.

It makes Steve feel--well, it makes him think of what it would be like to run his fingers through the soft gloss of Eddie's curls; wonders what that plump mouth would be like pressed against his own; can't stop thinking about if Eddie is as vocal in bed as he is everywhere else. He knows he also likes guys, has for a while, but he's never in his life wanted someone this viscerally; so much he can feel the ache of it in his teeth.

It's the last day before the campaign for Will, and Steve is fucking sad. He thinks maybe Eddie is too. He's at least quieter than normal, explanations not at their usual fever pitch. An hour before they usually call it quits, he claps his hands together (too gently, too unlike himself), says, "That's it, Harrington. You're not going to be more ready than this."

"Right," Steve says. Can't help his eyes from darting over Eddie's face, aching to know what he's thinking. "You'll be there tomorrow?"

Eddie bends his head over his notebooks. "Nah, I don't need to intrude."

"But--"

"It's okay, Stevie. I get that it's family only." He looks like he really means it, but his eyes are sad, don't shine like they should.

Steve doesn't know what to say to that, just nods, and then there's nothing else. They stare at each other for a few very long, quiet seconds, before Eddie says, "I'll see you around, Harrington."

"Right, yeah. You too." And he walks out of the drama room with the heaviest heart he thinks he's ever had.

---

Steve thinks he won't miss Eddie. That if he doesn't dwell on those hours spent with Eddie, learning dnd, that the missing will go away.

It doesn't.

Which is how he finds himself back at the high school on Wednesday, standing in front of the drama room door, willing himself to go inside. Eddie's on the throne, the typical notebooks and binders and Mt. Dew cans clustered around him, but he's not engrossed in imagining up a new campaign for Hellfire. No, his head is in his hands, knees drawn up to his chest.

"Eddie?" Steve asks.

His head pops up, and even in the low light, Steve notices the silvery tracks of tears down his cheeks.

"Steve! What are you--" he hastily wipes at his face with his shirt sleeve. "What are you doing here?"

Steve's acting only on instinct, crossing the room and dropping to his knees, taking Eddie's jaw between his palms, thumbing away the wetness on his cheeks.

"Did someone hurt you?" he asks.

Eddie's laugh is wet. "Nah, Harrington. I only have myself to blame for this one."

"Can I do anything?"

"Are you trying to kill me?"

"Sorry?"

"You, Steve Harrington, kind and compassionate? Learn dnd to make your little nerd friends happy? Who are you?"

"I'm just me, man," Steve blushes. "But, uh, I came to thank you." He's still holding Eddie's face in his hands, can't help but notice the way he flushes, how his dark eyes dart away from Steve's.

"I really liked hanging out with you," Steve says. This close to Eddie, his mind doesn't quite feel like his own. All he can think of is big eyes, soft curls, full lips.

"Yo--you did?"

"So much," Steve whispers. He doesn't quite remember moving, but now their foreheads are pressed together, warm breath mingling, lips almost, almost touching.

"I liked it too," Eddie breathes. After a few seconds, he laughs. "Knew I'd make a nerd out of you, Harrington."

"Shut-up," Steve laughs.

"Make me," Eddie says, and it's just that easy. Steve crosses the space still separating them, presses his mouth against Eddie's.

The kiss is slow, exploratory, the gentle discovery of how they fit together, the promise of all the things they can do in the future, all the pleasure they can bring.

"I'm not a nerd," Steve says when they part.

"No, you're right. You're like a nerd by marriage. Nerd-in-law," Eddie giggles. His eyes are bright, face pink, the most beautiful thing Steve has ever seen.

"Shut-up," Steve giggles right back.

Eddie raises an eyebrow, the dare obvious, and Steve doesn't hesitate to kiss him again.

"You wanna get out of here?" Steve asks when they part, significantly more breathless, jeans significantly tighter, than when he arrived.

"You're gonna have to role persuasion for that, Stevie," Eddie smirks.

[dragon-kazansky]

When the raven calls

Morpheus x Female Reader

You, his raven, die protecting Jessamy while rescuing the Dream Lord. When Morpheus returns to his realm, he mourns your loss, only to find a stranger waiting for him in his throne room. The stranger claims to be you, now in human form. He doesn't understand, but his raven will always watch over him.

{Masterlist}

{Previous Chapter} - {Next Chapter}

Chapter Seven - Sound of wings

☆☆☆

Morpheus had been rather down these last few days. He kept mostly to himself. You had spent most of your time in raven form, too embarrassed to appear to him in human form. Even though you had got the hang of changing now.

You looked up at him as he adjusted his coat slightly. "Going somewhere?"

He looked almost startled by you when he realised you were beside him. He looked down at you. "I'm going to the waking world. I'm meeting my sister..."

You cock your head to the side. "Want me to come with you?"

He goes silent for a moment and then answers. "You don't mind?"

"Not at all."

He looks relieved, almost.

You stay on his shoulder as he transports you to the waking world. You take flight over his head as he leads you both to a public park. Morpheus sits down, and you land on the bench next to him.

In his hands is some bread. He statt pulling at it and spreading it on the ground.

"What are you doing?" You ask.

"Trying to blend in."

You look around. There is a lot happening in the park. Some people are playing a gane with a ball. Some people are walking dogs, kr sitting on benches chatting. Some people are playing with children in the distance.

However, as you look back at Morpheus, you can't help feeling he still stands out. No one seems to bat an eye at him.

You look up at him. He looks sad again. "Is something wrong?" You tey and coax him.

"Don't worry about it."

You sigh and hop a little closer to him. "Look, we're friends, right? You've done a lot for me. I want to help you too. You can talk to me about stuff."

He glances at you. "I know. I think... I'll wait until she gets here."

You know he means his sister. You look at the bread in his hands. He seems to notice you watching him. He takes some crumbs between his fingers and then throws them at you.

"Hey!" You look up at him.

He has a smug little smile on his face. You watch him try and do it again, but this time, you fight back and try to nip his fingers with your beak. He flinches his hand back and then throws more bread crumbs at you before sulking again and feeding the other birds in front of him.

You scoff softly and move to stand on the back of the bench.

"Stupid pigeons. They're not as fun as me, you know."

Dream doesn't respond. You wonder what's on his mind. You wish he would talk to you.

A ball comes flying from the game being played, and Morpheus catches it one hand. You look up at him in awe. It makes sense he would be able to catch it like it did, but it still impressed you. Morpheus impressed you.

The young man playing the game came over and apologised. He looks at you and then back at Morpheus. He obviously finds it strange that this grown man is sitting on a bench with a bird, but you talking would definitely make it weirder.

He takes the ball and returns to the game.

You look up in time to see his sister walking over. She smiles at you before taking a seat on the bench. A moment of silence passes between the siblings before she speaks.

"What you doing?"

"I'm feeding the pigeons," he replies.

Death looks at you before looking back at her brother. She can tell something is wrong.

"You do that too much, you know what you get?"

Morpheus shakes his head gently.

"Fat pigeons." She smiles. "That's from Mary Poppins. Did you ever see it?"

"No."

A little girl runs past through the birds and startles them. You watch her go. Death smiles as she watches her go, too.

Morpheus is very silent. Death looks at her brother and asks, "what's the matter?"

"What do you mean?"

"She means she knows something is wrong. Look at you." You flap your wings and land on his head. His hair is soft under your little feet. You look down at him. "You're brooding."

He looks up at you and sighs. It felt strange having you on his head like this. You've never done that before. Perhaps you're getting a little bold these days.

Like when you hugged him.

Death chuckles softly. "Your dear raven is right. I know you, Dream."

"I don't know what's wrong, but... You're right. Something is the matter."

Death sits back and shows him she's listening. You remove yourself from atop his head and occupy the little space between them.

"When they captured me, I just had one thought. Vengeance. It wasn't as satisfying as I'd expected. Meanwhile, my kingdom had fallen apart. My tools long since stolen and scattered. And so I embarked upon a journey to find them. Which I did. I'm now more powerful than I have been in eons. And yet..."

He goes silent. Death understands. She leans forward again. "Here you are, feeding the pigeons."

"You see, until then, I'd had a true quest. A purpose beyond my function, and then suddenly, it was over, and... I felt disappointed. Let down. Empty."

You look up at Morpheus as he speaks from the heart. You feel sad he couldn't confide in you about any of this, but at least he has his sister to talk to. You resist the urge to nuzzle his arm with your head to comfort him.

"Does that make sense?" He asks, looking at his sister. "I was so sure that once I got everything back, I'd feel good. But in some ways, I feel worse than when I started. I feel like... Nothing. There. You asked."

You hop up onto his knee and look up at him. He glances down at you. Death smiles at you. She always knew you two shared a close bond. She can see there's something new in his eyes when he looks at you.

"You could have called me, you know." Death tells him.

"I didn't want to worry you." He says back.

"Oh, I don't believe it. Let me tell you something, Dream." She takes the bread from his hand. You hop off his knee and look up at Death. "And I'm only going to say this once, so you better pay attention. You are utterly the stupidest, most self-centered, pathetic excuse for an anthropomorphic personification on this or any other plane. Feeling sorry for yourself because your little game is over and you haven't got the balls to go out and find a new one. You're as bad as Desire. No, worse."

Death throws the bread back at him, and he catches it. You laugh. Dream looks at you as if you had betrayed him. You stop laughing and look at him sheepishly.

"Has he been like this the entire time?" Death asks.

"Mostly. I mean, he did help me a lot, but even that finished..." You say. "He's been helping me with my transformations."

"Transformations?" Death asks.

"Yeah. I have a human form now." You tell her.

"You do? Interesting." She smiles. "How is life treating you then?"

"Uh, fine. I've... I've been through a lot, but I suppose everyone in the Dreaming has."

Death continues to smile at you and then looks at her brother. She sighs. "Did it never occur to you that I would be worried about you?" She asks.

"I didn't think you-"

"Exactly. You didn't think."

The ball comes flying again, and this time, Death catches it. Morpheus lowers his gaze to pigeons in front of him. While Franklin, the young man playing ball, talks to Death, you look at Morpheus.

"You're as good as your... friend there."

"He's not my friend. He's my brother. And he's an idiot."

You resist laughing while the mortal is present. Morpheus knows you want to react to that.

"I'm just feeding the birds." Morpheus says.

"Look, I can't stay here all day. I've got work to do. You can come with me if you want, or you can stay here and sulk." Death tells him.

"I'll come with you, I suppose." He replies.

"Well, don't do me any favours." She smiles at him. As Morpheus rises she chuckles.

You prepare to fly off back to the Dreaming when Morpheus turns around and looks at you. "Aren't you coming too?" He asks.

You look up at him and then at Death.

"Uh... won't it be strange if I'm flying behind you all the time?"

"You could come with me as a human. You mastered that ability." He says.

"Yeah, but... I... Don't you prefer it when I'm a raven?" You ruffle your feathers.

"I like you in any form." He says to you softly.

"Oh. Uh..."

Death smiles softly. "You're welcome to come too. I'd quite like to see the new you."

You feel embarrassed. There's a look in Dream's eyes that tells you he really wants you to come with him.

You sigh and fly behind the tree nearby. As you come back around, you're human again. You're wearing the clothes Dream gave you. You look up shyly at the siblings.

Death looks really excited at seeing you like this.

Dream looks... happy. His eyes seem to light up.

You follow them awkwardly. As Death says, she'll see Franklin soon.

Morpheus glances at you behind them, wondering if his request for you to join them made you uncomfortable. You look nervous. Shy, even.

Death takes you both on a walk. It's a sunny day, and there's lots of things going on here and there. She stops at a stall and looks at the apple.

"Three please."

"None for me, thank you," Morpheus says.

"You could have it later," Death suggests. He just looks at her. "Just two then."

The vendor chooses 2 apples for her and hands them over. She smiles and turns, holding one out for you.

You look at it.

"Go on, you'll like it." She smiles at you.

You glance up at Morpheus, who watches you silently. You reach out and take the apple. Death smiles and loops her arm with her brother as they continue walking. She bites into the apple.

You stare at yours. You haven't really done anything human. It didn't dawn on you to try. You bring the apple to your lips and take a bite. It's juicy and crunchy. You chew it slowly, tasting it.

You don't miss the way the siblings glance at you before carrying on.

You chew the apple slowly. You like it.

"You are good with them," Morpheus says to his sister.

"Apples?"

"Humans." He clarifies.

Death holds up the apple to him. "Bite?"

"No, thank you."

You take another bite from your own apple, savouring the taste. You may not have experienced a lot of human foods, but you think apples might be your favourite.

"Have you seen any of the others since you've been back?" Death asks Dream. He confirms he hasn't. Death mentions the last dinner they had together.

You continue to enjoy the apple as you look around and follow them. All these people around you were going places, doing things. You were experiencing life in the waking world for the first time properly. Sure, you've been here as a raven, but you never really took the time to just enjoy it. To watch them.

Maybe this human side of you would help you learn more about them.

You hear Death tell Dream he was missed, along with their missing brother who left some time ago. When he keeps quiet, she teases him by pretending he's asking her questions and then she answers them.

You smile. It must be nice having a sibling.

Morpheus finds it amusing and looks at her, asking, "How are you, my sister? How have you been keeping?"

"I'm worried about my brother." She replies. "And I'm enjoying this apple." She turns around and looks at you. "You enjoying yours?" She asks.

"Oh, yes." You nod. She can see you've eaten more than half of it. She smiles.

"Don't hide back there. Come join us. He has two arms, you know." She chuckles.

You feel yourself become shy again. You're not sure what's got into you. Normally, you don't become so embarrassed. You decide to join them on Dream's other side, but you don't dare touch him.

Morpheus notices this.

As you walk a little further along, you hear violin music coming from an open window above you. The three of you stop to listen.

"I know this piece." Morpheus says softly. "I haven't heard it in 200 years."

"Come on." Death urges him softly to follow her. You fall behind them again, heading inside with the siblings.

You dispose of the last of your apple.

The violin music plays as you enter the apartment. When you reach the room, it's being played from, it stops as the man coughs. Death approaches the man.

"Don't stop, please." She says gently.

You stand behind Dream as you watch her talk to him. The conversation is gentle and warm. You've never seen her at work before. She's so delicate and comforting with them.

She lets the man say a prayer before he takes her hand.

Morpheus looks at you as she goes into the other room with him. You can hear her wings.

"Are you alright?" He asks.

You look up at him. "Yes."

Death returns. You smile at her. She smiles at you. She reaches for your arm this time, and you walk with her back outside.

"Does my brother treat you well?" She asks as you walk along a bridge.

"Yes. He's a very good ruler, and I do my best to serve him as he expects." You say to her.

"But is that all?"

"What do you mean?" You look at her. You're aware of Dream following you both from behind. Surely he can hear you both talk.

"Did you ever question your death?"

You look at her. She smiles.

"Of course I did... I... Alex Burgess shot me. I died. Then I woke up in the Dreaming... as a human..."

Death's smile remains on her face. "That was me."

"Huh?"

Dream raises his head up when he hears that. He was listening.

"You have served my brother since the very beginning. You've seen all he has seen. You have been by his side all this time."

"Yes..."

"He relies on you. He cares for you. There is no bond with the one you both have together. So, how can I ever take that away from him?" She asks.

"I don't understand..."

"I love my brother. I do. I want him to be happy." You wonder if she realises he can hear all this. "Taking you away broke him, so I had to give you back."

You stare at her as you both come to a stop. She begins to remove her boots. You glance behind you and find Morpheus looking at you. You turn away.

Death doesn't say any more on the matter. She leads the way down to a grassy bank. You find yourself walking beside Dream again.

A young man has drowned in the canal. You watch Death do her job.

"Did you know?" You ask, not looking at Morpheus.

"No."

You watch the wife of the man run to her husband's body and cry. People gather around. You drop your gaze.

"But I am glad," Dream says.

You lift your eyes to look at him. The sound of wings flapping in the background.

Death watches you both from where she stands. The way her brother looks at you can't possibly be mistaken for anything else. She smiles softly. You two still have so much to learn about each other.

You end up following the siblings again while they talk. Dream tells Death it was her Burgess was after. She knew.

He then asks her how she's does it.

Death confides in him about how she feels about her role. "I have a job to do. And I do it. When the first living thing existed, I was there. When the last living thing dies, I'll put the chairs on the table, turn out the lights and... lock the universe behind me when I leave."

You listen to her talk. A part of you wonders what it would be like if she were your master. How would you contribute to her role. What would it be like to be there when people die.

"I'm not there for all of them. There are exceptions." She says. "Mad Hettie. And then there's your ongoing project."

You look up when she says that.

"How's he faring up after all this time?"

"Who? Hob Gadling?"

You smile. It's been a while since you saw Hob. You smile at all the times you would have to sit outside on the windowsill listening to Hob and Dream talk.

"I was forced to miss our last appointment." Dream tells her.

"Well, I'm sure he'd love to see you." Death looks at him. "Maybe take her with you. She could meet him properly."

Dream knows Death is talking about you.

"They're never too keen to see me, though."

"Does it not bother you?" Dream asks.

"I actually used to think I had the hardest job in all our family."

"Oh, did you?" Dreams looks amused.

"They fear the Sunless Lands, yet they enter your realm every night without fear."

"And yet I am far more terrible than you." He says.

You chuckle softly. He hears your laughter and smiles softly. He did that. He made you laugh.

They talk some more. A they do, you begin to wonder more about the world and the people. You've seen their dreams. Their hopes and fears.

You wouldn't mind spending more time among them, watching and learning.

You hear Death confess that she had thought about giving up. Dream looks bewildered by her statement.

You follow her into a house and find yourself freezing at the door. Morpheus sees the crib and then looks at you. Death gives you an apologetic look as she picks up the baby.

Morpheus comes to stand in front of you. You find yourself startled as he reaches for your hand. You look up at him.

The sound of wings fills the back of your mind.

Life was unfair sometimes.

"Are you okay?" He asks.

You nod silently.

His hand doesn't leave yours. Not even when you both leave the house with Death. You've fallen quieter than him. He keeps an eye on you as you walk. Your hand in his.

He remains beside you as you continue to follow Death. Dream learns a lot from his sister. He learns a lot about humanity. He learns a lot about you.

The way people react to his sister's gift. The way she smiles and gives them her hand.

Life and death.

He sees the way you watch her. The way you watch the people. Every single one is different. Different backgrounds, different releions, different stories.

He wonders if you like being human, or do you still prefer your feathers and your wings.

Eventually, you slowly start to make your way back to the park. You're wrapped your arm around Dream's, having not let go of him the entire time.

Death walks beside him, talking to him still.

"I used to think I had to do this all by myself."

"But you do."

"No. At the end, I'm there with them. I'm holding their hand and they're holding mine. I'm not alone when I'm doing my job. And neither are you. Think about it. The only reason we even exist, you and I, and Desire and Despair, the whole family. We're here to serve them."

Dream listens to her.

"It isn't about quests or finding purpose outside our function. Our purpose is pur function. We're here for them. Since I figured that out, I realised I need them as much as they need me."

Morpheus seems pleased by her words.

"I've seen so many cool things and people and worlds. I've learned so much. Lots of people don't have a job they love doing, do they? So, I think I'm really very lucky."

You smile. She liked her job. You like yours. You glance up at Morpheus, who looks like he's thinking. You like being his raven, his companion.

"Listen, I've got to head back soon."

Morpheus takes her hand with his free one and looks at his sister. "You've taught me something I have forgotten. I thank you, my sister."

Death smiles at Dream.

"Aw. That's what family's about, little brother."

Death turns her gaze to you, who still slings to her brother's arm. "Look after him, won't you?"

You smile. "Yeah. I will."

She then turns back to Dream. "And you look after her. You lost her once. Don't let her get harmed again."

"I have no intention of it," Dream says. He looks at you softly.

There's a screech of a car, and then Franklin comes over when he sees Death and starts talking to her. Dream smiles and starts guiding you away.

Death calls out to him. "Don't be a stranger, okay?"

He nods and continues leading you away.

"Where are we going?" You ask softly.

"I'm late for an appointment, and I want you to come with me." He says.

You smile as you walk with him.

☆☆☆

@missdreamofendless - @kpopgirlbtssvt - @sitkafay - @snowsatsu - @ladyofdreaming - @thoughtsfromlayla - @modest-irish-goddess - @mystic-mara -

[mybworlds]

Chapter 1: The Mermaid of The Narrow Sea

Title: The Mermaid of the Narrow Sea Pairing: Oberyn Martell x F!Reader (no use of Y/N) Summary: Essos. You are a slave since you were a little girl. One day you are sold to a mysterious man who could be your only chance to escape and be free.

Masterlist Rating: M Series Warnings: Age gap, slavery, violence, blood, death, alcohol use, slow burn, sexism, smut, dom/sub dynamics, rape attempts Extra warnings: there's a vicious brother (oc), Ellaria is a jealous woman in this story.

Before to start... my idea is to twist Oberyn's biography a little bit and intertwine it with the main character's story and what happens in Westeros in the next chapters, so I'm not sure what will come of it. I hope you like this my (new) story.

This is my second story in the Game of Thrones universe, the other is a SanSan, you can find it in my masterlist, I'm a lil afraid to write about Prince Oberyn 'cause I know he's very loved, who doesn't? ;) If you want let me know what you think about.

follow @mybworlds and turn on notifications to get notified when I post new fics

Thanks for the dividers @idontgetanysleep

Fire warms your sun-ruined skin, your hair is a shapeless tangled heap, you wear a tunic too small for your body, it's a woman's body now, not a child's.

Your eyes are likened to burning embers especially when you get angry or challenge even with your gaze your masters. You are a slave. You've been a slave since you were a child. Your mother had been captured when you weren't even five, and since then you along with other men, women and slavers have done nothing but roam the eastern continent.

You are a beautiful young woman, your proud look and posture stand out though you are only a slave. For these your qualities, you are called the Mermaid of the Narrow Sea.

People who had enslaved your mother move from place to place, from inland to the shores of the Narrow Sea.

That day you are dragged by those bloody people back to the shores, and on that day the wind blows hard shaking the barren lands overlooking the Sea and shaking the hair of everyone there. You and other women are gathered there by the cliff, all are afraid since they all fear what may happen to them, you don't. You watch raptly as the waves crash on the rocks, then you scan the horizon with a wistful look.

"Soon, very soon we'll see what you are made of," hisses one of the men threateningly in your ear who had also tried in the past to take you by force.

"I'm not afraid." you challenge him by turning your gaze toward the man who raises his hand as if to strike you, but then has second thoughts: hitting you would not scratch you, take that look away, or satisfy him.

"Someday, you damn bitch, someone will tame you," he says grudgingly and then walks away.

"When that day comes, I'll be ready," you whisper, but it's more of a reminder to yourself to never give up and never bend no matter what happens.

You promised to yourself this ever since you witnessed the rape and murder of your mother. Your mother was sold to a prince or king in Westeros, out of the goodness of this prince or king, whoever he was, you were bought too. One evening, however, the man showed in your quarters, your mother, probably sensing what was going to happen, immediately made you hide in a closet filled with sacks of grain, bread and other food making you swear not to go out or be heard for any reason in the world.

When the man was there, you witnessed something that no one should ever see: your mother, the woman who gave birth to you, the woman who loved you, the woman you always saw as your rock, slapped and thrown to the ground and then her screams overpowered by the man's obscene sounds and words.

You closed your eyes and plugged your ears tightly, almost unable to hear after so much you pressed your palms over your ears. When you dared to open your eyes again, you saw the man's sword rise and fall on your mother's neck and blood gushing copiously on the floor, on her clothes and on the man's sword. Your mother choked in her own blood as the man wiped his sword back against the woman's now blood-soaked dress.

When you were able to come out of your hiding place, you found your mother with her eyes wide open in an expression of pure terror painted on her face, from then on you swore to yourself that no one, ever, would touch you, neither a slave nor a merchant nor a king nor a prince.

"She is the Mermaid of the Narrow Sea, gentlemen." you are introduced by a plump man who sells women for a good price in exchange for wine, silk and spices "Beautiful as you can see, she will be able to satisfy your every fantasy, she is an obedient girl who knows her place."

You stare grimly and hard at all the men who stare at you as if you were an animal for slaughter. You see some talking excitedly, others licking their lips as if you were a tasty exotic dish to be put on the table.

"More than Mermaid seems to me to be ready to rip our throats out," someone comments, provoking general hilarity.

"I kill those who provoke me only," you reply venomously bringing down general silence, slaves don't speak, someone hits you from behind causing you to fall to your knees. The men laugh, but this doesn't make you lose your resolve or your hard stare.

You quickly get back on your feet.

People whisper, the plump man tries to sell you in every way, but no one buys you. One of the slavers pulls you away, when you are in a separate place he ties your hands and feet with a very heavy chain, "I should rip that damned tongue out of you!" the man threatens you and then kicks you in the side and walks away. In front of him you didn't react to that gesture, but now that you're alone you squeeze your eyes and moan in pain, you want to see what he did to you, but you can't.

You hide your head between your legs, you don't cry, you never cry, there is no point in crying, you just have to hold on. The day will come when you will be free and you can get rid of these heavy chains.

The next day someone wakes you up with the usual indelicacy and brutality, they release you from the chains and pull you by the arm, "Move, the market has ended and you're staying with us this time too." you don't know if there is disappointment in his tone of voice or what, for you for sure it'll be another terrible trip. You don't know where you will go, but they certainly won't treat you well, they never have. They are not going to start today.

All of you slaves - mostly women - are chained by the wrists, lined up in a row to each other, your slavers are on horseback, only a couple of them on foot and they are there to poke and prod you to walk, not all of you holding their gait. Someone dies under the scorching sun, someone from lack of food and water. Your lips are parched, your eyes burn from the sun and sweat dripping from your forehead, but you don't give up.

Not today.

Not today.

Not today.

You keep telling yourself, this is not the day you die.

Slavers stop to unhook the dead bodies and as you others who were further behind are about to stop too, one of the damn ones trips you and part surprise and part lack of food, you fall forward.

"Oh, you've fallen, Mermaid!" he uses that nickname with the tone of someone who wants to taunt you, you look at him angrily "I was hoping you'd be the next to die!" he adds with a venomous grin.

"Instead I'm still here," you say grudgingly, he's about to kick you, but you can't take it anymore, you block the man's foot in midair who falls backward. The anger, the pain, the resentment built up over all those years until now explodes with a force and violence you didn't even think you had: you pounce on the man by sitting on him and start punching him repeatedly in the face, you lose count of how many blows you inflict on him, his face becomes a mask of blood and he screams, screams attract the attention of the other men who grab you by the armpits and pull you away, in pulling you away you kick him in the middle of the legs and making the asshole scream once again.

"Fuck you!" you scream in exasperation.

"Now I'm going to kill that fucking bitch," the man says holding his face and making to get to his feet and reach you, one of his own stands between you and you hear him say "At the next slave market in Meereen we'll get rid of her, you'll see." this doesn't quite convince him because his eyes land on your face still distraught with rage and he tries to reach you again, the second man insists "There someone will heal your wounds and we're going to drink good wine, I know there's a good brothel too, you'll relax and forget about her." maybe this convinces him because he looks at you with less hatred and then he looks at his companion, you see him smile and his interest in you fades.

You can breathe.

"Be careful," a dark-skinned man next to you says, you look at him suspiciously "that guy, Aziz, is a dangerous man," he continues, referring to the man you hit.

"I can take care of myself," you retort looking at him grimly.

He chuckles "I saw, but try to avoid any more shows, you are too young to die." he looks at your face, "I hope that when you are sold because you will be, your master will treat you better than you have lived so far." you lower your head for a moment and find yourself barely bending your lips upward, you have never really smiled, doing is so strange.

The city of Meereen presents itself splendid and imposing to your eyes. It's the largest city you have ever been in up to that point, you walk looking upward and your eyes wide open in wonder although you know why you are there. What strikes you most are massive triangular-shaped structures, they are gigantic, who knows what they are for! You are in a noisy city, deafening almost, everywhere there are people buying and selling, there are goods of all kinds and types, before long it will be your turn again and the poor unfortunate souls like you.

They make you wear a knee-length cream-colored dress, one of the slavers dares to move your hair and you in response bite his hand earning you a slap in the face, it hurts, especially if he has hit you with a hand full of rings, "I sure hope you leave, you insolent fool."

When they have fixed you and made you presentable for sale, you get out of there. You are in chains again and this time you go to a wide open space that is swarming with all kinds of people, from prospective buyers to the merely curious. You keep your head down. Buying and selling is something that has always made you sick and that you have always refused to listen to; you go up on some kind of stage as if you were there to make a spectacle of yourself, you feel a disgust at those pigs selling you and the equally obscene buyers watching you as juicy meat to be put on the table.

"She is the Mermaid of the Narrow Sea," once again you are introduced this way by a huge man who pulls you by the arm beside him to show you to the audience of shoppers. You stare at the many faces, your head spinning, wishing to be left alone, to escape, but...

"I offer 1,000 copper stars," you hear one man shout, "2,000," shouts a second, you move your eyes from corner to corner, then there is an offer that interrupts all possible bids "10,000 gold dragons," everybody's head turns hearing such a sum. You remain breathless, no one had ever bid that much for someone like you, you try to spot the buyer, but he's wearing a hood therefore it's impossible to tell who he is.

"Sold." decrees the man beside you, you are immediately grabbed by the arm by someone else who hisses grudgingly in your ear "Finally, you damn whore, your time has come, now you will know that we were only docile lambs!"

It's Aziz, you look him in the eyes and with an expression full of disgust you tell him "Finally I've ruined that ugly face of yours, you monster!" he's about to hit you, but he's interrupted once again from another man "Stop it, it's none of our business now, go and collect from the buyer and hand it over to him now, it's none of our business anymore." says the second man barely looking at your face.

You and Aziz exchange one last glance, before he finally - and forever - walks away from you, you will never see him again. You hint a smile.

You are free from his obscene look, his stinking breath, his slimy hands. Free.

Free to go to another cage. The smile disappears again.

You are not free at all, you never will be.

The buyer enters the tent, he still has his hood over his head, and only then does he take it off, he's a man maybe in his fifties, or maybe something more, and then you realize that you can no longer escape the violence that has always marked your life and hollowed out your skin, you can never escape, never.

You are always a prisoner.

"I was just sent to buy you, I'm handing you over to your master's brother," is all the elderly man says to you, you can only nod, you are still a cargo.

The man pulls away the curtain and invites you to follow him, invites? Oh, it would be the first time someone has treated you like a person instead of an animal. You obey, you cannot object. Your hands are still tied and then there are too many people, you want to run away, but not now. Not today.

Just a little further on, there is a palanquin on which the man makes you get on and then he gets on as well. You don't speak, he barely looks at you, you are on alert, you don't know what the man's real intentions are, he might attack you, tempt violence, you don't let him out of your sight. You are ready to snap.

The palanquin stops, the man gets out before you and then helps you down. You are... in front of a brothel, you can't believe it, your master has bought you to make you a whore, your lips tremble and you lower your gaze for a moment, "Come." the man says in a sigh, holding you by the arm, you don't have the strength to resist and at the moment not even the strength to run away, even if you wanted to.

You climb the steps of the building and enter, the room stinks and it's dark. You can hear in the distance the unmistakable sounds and moans of sex, laughter, someone sneaks up totally naked in front of the two of you, you widen your eyes frightened, maybe you should start getting used to it, you will stay there now. Your master probably runs the place, maybe he himself will want to first-- you try to restrain yourself from vomiting at the idea, at the horror of that scene.

You wander between the various rooms until you come to a last room to which the elderly man knocks once, twice, three times with his fist as if it were a signal, someone from inside opens and leaves the door open. The elderly man opens the door completely and lets you in as well, "I have brought what your brother wants, my Prince."

"Hand her over to him don't give her to me," says a bored voice from behind, it's a man, looking out the window, he's rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"My Prince, Prince Mors said to give it to you--"

"To spite me!" he exclaims "He knows how I feel about it, and what does he do? He orders you to bring me a slave he wants! Set her free," he sentences again without looking at you, you widen your eyes, not knowing what to expect.

"My Prince, I'm sorry, but your brother..."

The other man sighs, "I know, but if it were up to me, I would free everyone."

"I understand, my Prince, but without slaves there would be no one left to perform certain tasks and chores," the elder continues.

The two of them keep talking as if you are not there with them, you start to think that maybe if you start walking slowly backwards, maybe... at that moment the younger man turns toward you and you don't really know why, but you almost feel like you've been paralyzed by his piercing gaze: your eyes plant themselves in his, you find yourself swallowing without even knowing why, you can't lower your gaze even though in front of that man's you'd like to, his gaze almost seems to want to burn you inside, it's such a strange feeling, so disturbing, you see his lips stretch upward and then you realize that's the end.

You can't move anymore.

[kingpreciouswrld]

Ayo! How are you doing?

I absolutely love the fics you write!!! 🤌😘

Can you write me one? About Gwen? 🫣

Something like reader is a nurse and they meet after Gwen gets hurt while filming. Reader takes care of her, Gwen asks her on a date. And like after a few years Gwen asks reader to marry her?

Thank you 😊

Pairing: Gwendoline Christie x Reader

Word Count: 965

A/N: Ayooo I'm doing good thank you! I'm sorry this took a while hun, but have a happy holiday! I hope you like it :)

After becoming a CNA, the last thing you would've thought you'd be doing would be patching up actors. You've done it for a while and the pay has been pretty good. It was mostly stunt-doubles you patched up but on the rare occasion actors did their own stunts, you helped them instead. The bright side to working in the film industry was that you didn't have to deal with grumpy old people who were frustrated about their waiting time.

You originally started working on sets when your director friend needed some medical assistance on his set. His actors and stunt-doubles kept getting hurt and the best the crew could do was act like a school nurse; slap on a bandaid and send them in their way. He wanted someone who knew what they were doing and that's where you came into play. Since then, you've been asked by his company to oversee all action and thriller projects.

Never knowing who you'd be working with until they came into your trailer (yes, you had your own trailer as a CNA), you were caught off guard when one of your favorite actresses walked in. 

Gwendoline Christie.

Today's schedule was for Game of Thrones and although you knew Gwen played Brienne of Tarth, you didn't know she did her own stunts. As a 6'3" woman, you assumed that that would be gruesome work.

"Hi, are you Nurse L/n?"

"I am! Please, take a seat," Gwen did as told and you rolled your chair around your desk to sit in front of her, "How can I help you today?"

"Well, there was a mishap in the props section," you nodded as you listened, looking over the actress, "and they stupidly gave my co-star a sword with a sharpened blade instead of the fake ones."

You nodded in understanding. Looking over the older woman, it wasn't hard to distinguish the real cut from the fake ones. You put on your glasses and sterilized your hands before putting on gloves, "So it's just that one cut by your hairline?"

"Well that and I think I have some bruised ribs, I don't know if you can do much about that…"

You grabbed some gauze and an alcoholic wipe before standing up. You realized that Gwen was too tall for you to work on while sitting so you stood between her legs and went to work.

"Well the best I can do for those is give you a cold press every 20 minutes and some pain killers. They won't heal for about 4 weeks to be honest but hopefully they'll take that into consideration when they put you in armor."

Gwen winced and flinched away from the alcohol wipe which in turn made you roll your eyes, "Oh come on, I just have to make sure it's clean." You held her head still, petting her hair back from the wound.

"You know, I never had a nurse man handle me before," you scoffed playfully, "I've also never had a nurse who was this cute."

After taping the gauze down onto the cut, you took a step back and looked down at Gwen with a raised brow, "I'm sure you tell all your nurses that."

You went to step away but a hand on around your wrist stopped you, "I'm serious L/n…maybe we could get a coffee sometime?"

Oh how could refuse such a face.

— — — — — — — —

The relationship you two had was amazing. You started making time for each other off of set and your love for each other bloomed.

You continued working on set during the filming of Game of Thrones and it was wonderful seeing Gwen in action. She could be so goofy one second then professional and serious the next.

And you were right, watching Gwen perform her own stunts was a bit rough to watch, seeing a bigger than average woman get thrown around and down to the ground wasn't very pleasing to you.

You also got to follow her and work with her on sets from time to time. When you weren't on a different project, you were working beside Gwendoline and you wouldn't have it any other way. You followed her when she booked Top of The Lake, The Hunger Games, and Star Wars. 

It was when she booked Wednesday that you didn't think you'd be able to go with her. To your surprise, Tim allowed you to come, so long as you helped everyone maintain COVID protocols on set.

It was on a particular day that you were called to set from your trailer, Gwen had a nasty fall and couldn't make it to your trailer. The poor woman over exerted herself, you thought.

When you arrived, the crew and casemates were surrounding her and so you couldn't see her. Was it that bad? You were told she accidentally swallowed some of the fake acid from her scene and that she wouldn't stop coughing and gagging.

"Gwen! Is she okay?"

As you walked closer, the team huddle around your girlfriend parted and in the middle knelt your girlfriend, well, your girlfriend in Larissa Weems regalia.

"Gwendoline…I–"

"Y/n L/n, from the moment I laid eyes on you I knew it in my heart and mind that I needed you in my life. You make me feel things no other human being can make feel, you help me to become a better version of myself and push me to give everything my all."

You had started to tear up and you weren't the only one. Gwen started to have tears roll down her cheeks. You couldn't bear to see her cry so you took a step forward and held her hand.

"Will you do me the greatest honor, and marry me?"

Again, how could you refuse?

[thatgirl4815]

I found it hilarious that Jojo has been loosely touting a Taylor Swift parallel when it comes to Mew and his relationship with Top (and it's obviously a surface level joke) but if you actually listen to the songs in Reputation and Lover...the storytelling is 100% Ray. It's finding love at your lowest. The self-loathing, seeking love as salvation, blowing up good things in fear and realizing too late, secret rendezvous where neither knows what game is really being played, finding their purported last love in a world that hated them--who is all of these things but Ray?

The Taylor Swift thing is mostly just an entertaining observation for me but the thing that the thematic elements and imagery in her music prompted me to re-think was that famous final scene in episode 10. While you watch Ray's eyes morph the therapist into Sand, there's a stoic golden glow to imaginary-Sand as he sits in the therapist's chair like a throne, as though you've walked into a temple dedicated to him--a temple Ray has dedicated to him. It's almost like Ray has always seen Sand as a god.

Throughout the confession that follows, Imaginary-Sand is mostly emotionless, minimally responding to Ray as Ray maintains an incredibly reverent face despite breaking down in tears. The apology contains so many reused phrases as though Ray were reciting some sort of prayer, and even while sitting in the sofa, the camera kind of points up at Sand rather than at the even level he is really at when you see things through Ray's vision. Finally, when Ray gets on his knees and imaginary-Sand appears to console him, it's not clearly romantic or friendly. There's a godliness to it. The point is, the whole thing just felt akin to a religious awakening to me. And then I realized I felt those same feelings emanating from Ray in the caravan, in the music room, at the party, drunk in the parking lot, on the rooftop, in the kitchen(s), when they wake up together for the first time...

I don't know what this means for the relationship Ray and Sand have and whether it will ever really be healthy, but it certainly made for poetic cinema. Has Sand eclipsed the unattainable Mew? Has he become the unconditional heavenly father (I say, mostly in jest)? Another point of consideration is that Ray always seems to be wearing a cross. Just saying.

Anyway this theory is pretty out there, and in any case, it's less about proving the idea and more about seeing what others thought about it as a vantage point of discussion, and whether it colors how Ray, and Sand and Ray as a couple, are interpreted.

Those are such great observations! Taylor Swift's lyricism is so fascinating and complex to me, and I agree that there are so many lyrics that could easily apply to Ray.

In my opinion, Ray is easily the most complicated character in this show. It's no wonder they chose Khaotung to play him because there are so many feelings he has to work through, especially in these emotionally-charged scenes. When the camera pans behind Ray's head and Sand appears, Ray slowly looks up at him with tears in his eyes. That first moment when he meets eyes with him and says his name just speaks to how agonizing this confrontation is for Ray, because he's confronting himself through the image of Sand. This entire scene is the acceptance of just how much Sand means to Ray, just how badly Ray has screwed up yet again, and just how much gratitude Ray has for Sand in his heart.

Your analysis of the religious aspects of the scene is so compelling. The golden coloring behind Sand echoes a lot of what @thewayuarent has analyzed about the contrast between cold blue lighting and warm gold lighting for both Sand and Ray. Also interesting your point about how the camera is slightly angled up at Sand rather than at eye-level. Originally I wouldn't think too much of this but contrasted with the shots of Ray at eye-level, it seems super intentional.

"Religious awakening" is a great way of describing it. There's been a lot of discussion about Ray putting Mew on a pedestal and idolizing him, but I think we see a similar kind of reverence being displayed here, but with some notable differences. With Mew, it felt like he was always something distant, something Ray wanted but could never quite touch. But in this scene, we have Ray facing Sand, on his knees for him, embracing him. Despite the whole thing being imaginary, it feels very real in a way I struggle to articulate. There's a worshipping aspect, I agree, but there's also a realism in the way Ray is very honestly considering his emotions. With Mew, I'd argue those feelings of idolization were allowed to grow out of Ray's fantasy, but with Sand, it isn't something Ray has blown up in his head. My main point being--I don't think it's necessarily suggesting an unhealthy power imbalance with Ray as the worshipper and Sand as the godly figure (in the way we saw with Ray and Mew), though I think this scene does an excellent job of emphasizing how Ray views Sand as someone honestly and purely good.

Another reason I think Khao delivers this so well is that he speaks through his eyes in every one of those scenes you mention. He sees all of Sand's goodness, but I don't think he's directly confronted his own behavior until this moment. Yes, he's apologized and yes he's realized that he was in the wrong. But here he is laying it all out on the table. Following the topic of religion, it almost feels like a confession. In Ray's imagination, this is a space where he can expel all of his feelings to the image of Sand. It's almost better that Sand can't react here (seeing as he's imaginary) because it brings the focus back to Ray. Even though Ray is crying to Sand and about Sand, it's all a reflection of his own flaws in their relationship and otherwise.

[wandringaesthetic]

Some very belated thoughts regarding Final Fantasy XVI (and Game of Thrones)

If you've ever had a conversation with me about A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones, you would know that my exhaustion regarding it is endless. I read the first three books circa 2003, when I was in highschool.

There was the slow release of the books. There were the absolutely depressing things that happened to the characters. There was the show, which I initially viewed with enthusiasm but then I couldn't stand the mention of for reasons I couldn't articulate. I fell behind on the show, and then it caught up with the manga, and then the show was about to end, and I thought, well. If I ever want any closure on this story I had better finish watching the show, because god only knows whether or not GRRM is ever going to finish the books. So I watched every season so far in preparation for the last one, some 15 years, two college degrees, a marriage , a child, and several jobs later than when I first started this journey.

And we all know how that ended. D&D apparently had information regarding how GRRM is planning on ending the story, but I'm pretty sure they misunderstood the themes badly enough that GRRM, if he ever gets there, is going to take a very different route to those conclusions.

Meanwhile, Jon Snow is still at least mostly dead in the books.

I will never know peace regarding Westeros. It's fine. (It isn't).

Other than being left hanging, a major reason A Song of Ice and Fire absolutely exhausts me is the misery train. I remember seeing a gifset, early in the show days, with images of the Stark Family with the words "we are never ever ever getting back together." Nothing good ever happens here. No one is getting back together.

And this is where FFXVI departs from Game of Thrones. You'll get your childhood friend slash adopted sister back. You'll get your brother you thought you killed back. You'll get your dog back. You'll get your beloved chocobo back. (Reuniting with Ambrosia made me maybe the most emotional that anything in the game did, I so did not expect it.) You might die at the end (maybe, it's up to interpretation) but there will be some relief from your loss and misery.

Allegedly, early in development for FFXVI, Yoshida made the whole team watch the first four seasons of Game of Thrones. There's a kinship here, and it's intentional. As much as part of me groans at this, there's a precedent for this in Final Fantasy. Yoshida has long been an admirer of Matsuno, and Matsuno directed Final Fantasy Tactics, a game that was not influenced by Game of Thrones (I don't think it was translated into Japanese at the time), but that was influenced by The War of the Roses, especially as told by Shakespeare, something A Song of Ice and Fire was ALSO influenced by. Yoshi-P should have made the whole team watch Henry IV part 1, 2, and 3

Anyway! FFXVI has a kinship with GoT, especially early in the game. There are a lot of warring factions. There's a lot of moral dubiousness. There's sex and violence and swears. But somewhere in the middle it breaks down and becomes so extremely Final Fantasy. Perhaps (as someone who really loves Final Fantasy) TOO Final Fantasy.

Early in the game, you have human enemies. The ironblood, the empire, Benedikta and Kupka.

But pretty soon, you find out that there's something Beyond, gunning for you (Clive) specifically. Arranging his life in a certain way so that he will acquire certain powers.

Something Final Fantasy does Very often is a villain switcheroo. Either a henchman of the villain overthrows who you thought was the main villain and becomes the main villain, or some Dark Force was influencing the main villain this whole time. This is done sometimes well and sometimes poorly.

So, Ultima, he's some kind of ancient alien. He claims he's a god and probably isn't, exactly. He's going to suck up all the lifeblood of the planet and cast the spell that ends the world. He takes up all the light and air from any part of the plot that does not involve him.

He is playing Final Fantasy villain greatest hits, is what I'm saying. But he sucks. He sucks so bad. He is near the bottom in my ranking of Final Fantasy villains. If I had to choose villain rep from this game for a future Dissidia game, I would choose Barnabas Tharmr over him.

(I feel the Final Fantasies that don't have strong villains are that way because the real villain is organized religion, or time, or despair, or something like that, but that's another essay)

This kind of singular, definitely evil, otherworldly antagonist is the opposite of what makes the morally gray, messy, many factions storytelling of Game of Thrones work. So in the end all of the GoT stuff is set dressing. It means very little.

Part of me wants to see an FFXVI that didn't pull its punches, in which Joshua really died in the prologue, in which none of the dominants or their nations are really right or good. Where it's about power. Where we maybe focus on the messy liberation of the bearers.

But that story maybe ends more like A Song of Ice and Fire might end (if it ever ends), where most of our characters are dead, where the people left just barely survived because they banded together against the oncoming night or blight rather than fight each other over scraps.

And that story is... Exhausting.

[katsukikitten]

When it comes to board or card games, Denki is more often than not your only real competition. Sure Bakugou could come close when it came to strategy and Sero when it came to wit

But Denki Kaminari had one thing the others lacked. The two of you shared the blessings of Luck.

Because there are times when certain games come down to luck, a chance. Or maybe if you looked at it logically it all came down to adaptability.

No two people more more adaptable to their environment than yourself and Denki.

So in a heated game of President, you having just had a down fall from first to now fourth were going to be handed the lowest of the low cards.

President was like that, much like life that once you were down it would difficult to climb back to the top and that if you got too cocky, if you didn't pay enough attention you could easily fall from your own throne.

So here you sat, grumbling as you're forced to give away TWO high cards, a joker and a two. Always having to give away the highest you had.

Your only saving grace was an 8 to maybe clear the deck and the three of spades to trump the joker, but only when it was played on its own.

Everything in your hand is now below a jack and there was no hope in securing the crown in this last round because in President the other rounds didn't matter like other games. You could be in first, like you were, for four of the five rounds but if you were even in just second by the time the last card falls you lost.

Kaminari the current president going first, large smile on his face as he must think he'll win since you've been giving a poor hand. He knows you have.

But when you finally pick your two low cards that were discarded and forced on you to begin the game you fight to keep the eerie smile off of your lips. You had plenty of threes, the lowest, fours, fives, sixes, a nine and ten and your clear eight.

But now, given the final five to complete the four suits your heart races with excitement you try to smother.

Denki wanting to clear his hand quickly tosses down all of his sets of threes he has. Three sevens, three jacks, three queens, leaving him little cards left in his hands as everyone else tosses down what they can only to pass as Denki starts the next round.

His cards were most likely twos, if he didn't have all of them since the last round ended with no one being able to trump Denki's ace. He smiles, making the mistake of dragging out the usually quick paced game. Setting down a five instead of lying down his three twos. You follow as you were lucky enough to be sitting to his left, placing down your eight, clearing the table and now you had won the opportunity to set down your own cards.

Four of a kind, the fives prideful in their sparkling suits. Everyone's eyes dragging over the spade, the diamond, the club and the heart as if some how you could have made a mistake. Relishing in the way Kaminari's jaw goes slack, his face paling as his sure victory is ripped away from his skilled hands.

"Reversal." It's smug when it leaves your lips, indicating the change in rules. Twos were now the low cards and threes were now the high cards.

As the round plays on, you're quick to discard a nine, Sero uses an 8 to clear the board, places a four forcing Bakugou to pass, forcing Kaminari to pass and giving you the satisfaction of laying down your three.

And then your six, that everyone passes, setting down a pair of threes that everyone passes before lying down your last card as you always do, baiting it to be a lower card to watch others scramble for their opportunity to at least come in second.

Your lowest card, a ten, as sero and Bakugou fight to empty their hands of their cards. To gain control of who will set the tone and wager of sorts with their cards, each time forcing Denki to pass.

While you sit, reigning first, with a cat smile on your lips, watching Denki's pitiful face the entire time.

Victory has never tasted so sweet.

[promptthebear]

I'm so excited to read your easter askbox game 💞 no pressure but could I please request🐰4, with Tyrion Lannister? 😉 Also, you are one of my absolute favourite game of thrones writers, I hope you are feeling better! 💖 😄

Hello! This is v late, but hopefully you enjoy it all the same! Thank you so much for your kind words, you've got me blushing honestly! I'm doing much better now, and ended up being able to go see my family around the end of April to have a "Easter" dinner of sorts, and I'm supposed to see them again this weekend!

Easter Askbox Event 2023- Tyrion Lannister x Reader

Prompt: “Let’s just kiss and see where it takes us.”

TW: Mentions of drinking/drunkeness, a little bit of dub con between some of the characters, reader!character is tricked into kissing someone, some canon typical misogyny. 2nd person, reader referred to as "you", fem!reader. If I miss anything let me know!

A/N: This is set somewhere in the third book, but like if you squint. Idk, it's a bonfire party and I just wanted everyone to be there, once again I don't give a fuck about canon.

Drinking had been Tyrion’s idea. The game had been Jamie’s.

“It’s simple” he said, with a wide grin “You spin the bottle, and whoever the spout end points to either has to kiss you, tell you a secret or accompany you to that corpse of trees over there. The choice is yours to make. If they forfeit your decision, then you both take a drink.”

You regarded the knight uncertainly, not trusting the glint in his eye or the knowing glance he exchanged with Tyrion. When the two of them were scheming, somehow you always ended up being the one in trouble.

“It’s an amusing enough diversion” Cersi’s tones were as cool and elegant as always despite the bottle and a half of white wine you’d watched her consume moments before. “Unless anyone wishes to protest?”

This was directed at you, with a gaze so sharp you could almost feel it cut against your cheek. You gulped, and took a small sip of your watered down ale before shaking your head. Those around you did the same, regardless of their true thoughts on the matter. An evening of mild discomfort or embarrassment was nothing against the wrath of the Queen.

Since the whole thing was Jamie’s suggestion, he went first. He spun the bottle with an easy sort of confidence, as though he couldn’t give a shit where it ended up. The way the firelight cast shadows upon his skin made your breath catch in your throat. As one of Cersi’s ladies, you only knew the man in passing, but there was no denying he was handsome. A kiss from him would make you the envy of many maidens across the kingdom, provided that was all he wanted. While members of the kingsguard swore vows prohibiting them to father children, Jamie also never really struck you as the type to be mindful of any rules but his own.

A series of hoots and jeers went around the circle when the bottle’s smooth arc finally reached it’s end…pointing at none other than Brienne of Tarth. The maid blushed crimson, her wide scowl doing few favours for her already homely face. Jamie seemed to smile even wider just to spite her, pushing himself to his knees so he could lean across the circle to reach her.

“Well, my fair lady” he proclaimed, clearly taking some joy from Brienne’s obvious discomfort “I shall give you a kiss, for it is like to be the only one you’ll ever have!”

Brienne seemed as though she was going to protest, but Jamie was too quick. Before she could react, Jamie had grabbed hold of the back of her neck and pulled her mouth to meet his. Brienne wriggled free in seconds, redder than before and clearly furious. She lashed blindly out at Jamie, the flat of her palm making contact with his chest in a shove that knocked him back on his ass. The knight roared with laughter, head thrown back and chest heaving. The crowd around you did the same, happy not to be the butt of the joke.

“Fool!” Brienne managed to sputter out, before rising to her feet and turning to leave. She stormed off without a glance back, most likely too embarrassed to even consider it. You made to follow her, knowing Jamie had been much too cruel to the poor girl, but another glare from Cersi kept you seated on the grass.

As the evening went on and the moon rose, kisses and bawdy comments began to flow as freely amongst the group as the wine. The bottle had landed on you more than once, though those on its receiving end had not asked much of you. Sansa Stark had blushed prettily when you’d kissed her on the forehead, though more likely from the stout red Tyrion had poured her rather than anything else.

Bronn of Blackwater had also asked for a kiss, and then turned his head at the last second so you caught his mouth instead of his cheek as you had planned. He’d been much rougher with you than you’d liked, biting at your lips and forcing them open with his tongue before you managed to get free of him. Those spectating seemed to love this as much as they had Brienne’s torment, cheering for Bronn and admonishing you when you’d slapped him for his insolence.

“Well, now you’ve gone and hurt my feelings” the sellsword said, though his broad grin seemed to suggest he wasn’t hurt in the least. You were grateful when a maid with Tully hair and brazen eyes asked him to accompany her into the woods. Based on the way they’d been looking at each other, they were not like to return any time soon, which at least saved you from being paired off with Bronn again.

When Oberyn Martell’s turn came around, you found yourself staring at him down the bottle’s end. Immediately, your heart went to your throat and you held your cup in a white knuckled grip, the forfeit waiting on your tongue no matter his request. It was not that you feared the man, so much as the rumours of his prowess. A thousand lifetimes of lovers would not have prepared you for even an hour in his company.

“Tell us a secret, pretty one.”

He, and the woman tucked beneath his arm, stared at you with matching pairs of dark, shining eyes. They were almost snakelike in appearance, which may have been why the couple had such a hypnotic effect on you. Your mouth seemed to open of its own accord, divulging something you swore you would tell no other but your future husband.

“I’m still a maiden.”

A wave of quiet, yet excited whispers, rose and fell amongst the group like the soft hush of wind through leaves. Until now, you had not been worthy of any special attention. You were nothing more to these people than the Queen’s pet, a lady from a minor house who got lucky enough to curry her Majesty’s favour this week. Your confession, however, had changed all that. You were now a conquest, something to be sought after and coveted simply because you had yet to be spoiled by anyone else.

You felt your cheeks grow hot, and you ducked your head down, trying to hide from the hungry eyes that watched you with much anticipation. You knew that it would not be long before someone tried to steal you away into the woods, whether you wanted to go with them or not.

Thankfully, Jamie’s next turn drew some of the focus away from you. The knight had given and taken his fair share of kisses throughout the evening, and each one had provided plenty of amusement for the increasingly drunken crowd. You could almost feel the group holding its breath as the bottle spun in the dirt, nearly writhing in anticipation at the possibilities to come.

Much to everyone’s shock and delight, the bottle’s tip finally came to rest in front of Tyrion. The small man immediately reached for his goblet, expecting a forfeit when Jamie suddenly raised his hand.

“Come now, my dear brother, it would be a poor evening for everyone if you were denied a bit of sport. Save your wine, for I have other designs in mind for you.”

“Surely you do not wish to take me into the woods, Jamie?”

Tyrion’s voice was sardonic as ever, prompting the crowd to erupt in gales of laughter. You felt a small smile playing about your lips, which you hid by taking another sip of your drink. You had always found Tyrion to be a source of mirth, though now that he was married, you didn’t think it would be proper to openly laugh at his gybes any longer.

“Unfortunately not, darling Tyrion, you are far too handsome for my tastes. However, since you have yet to capture the maidenhead of your young wife, perhaps you will have better luck with this sweet girl here.”

Before you could protest, rough hands were grabbing at your dress, hauling you ungracefully to your feet and shoving you in Tyrion’s general direction. For a moment, you were reminded of the bedding at Cersi’s wedding, and at the thought of what followed, you felt bile began to rise in your throat.

“Jamie, you’re taking things too far!”

If anyone was of like mind with Tyrion, they kept it to themselves. The two of you were half pushed, half drug from the circle of party-goers and sent towards the trees. Now ousted from the glow of the firelight, your eyes struggled to pierce the gloom ahead. You lurched slightly forward, trying your best to escape the hooting and ribald calls that followed, when the toe of your shoe caught a small divot in the path. You stumbled, reaching out to break your fall, only to be stopped by a pair of stout hands that caught your waist.

You glanced over your shoulder, and were met with a pair of mismatched eyes that seemed to almost gleam in the flicker of the distant flames.

“Are you alright, sweetling?”

There was nothing but concern in Tyrion’s voice, and yet the pet name made you blush.

“I am fine, my lord, thanks to your quick thinking.”

Tyrion smiled, and you felt your heart skip a beat. He’d been part of your life in some way or another since you’d started working for Cersi, but your contact with him had been nothing more than the expected politeness between an employer and servant. You’d never been close to him, not like this.

The sound of someone shouting his name made Tyrion release you from his grasp and turn back towards the fire. Immediately, the smile he’d given you fell and was replaced by a disapproving scowl. It was difficult to say for certain among the drunken racket, but Jamie seemed to be the one calling for his brother. Whatever he said and whatever lewd gestures accompanied it only seemed to garner further disgust from Tyrion, who let out a derisive snort and jerked his head back in your direction.

“Idiots, all of them.” he held his hand out to you, palm up “Come. We won’t know peace until we leave their sight, at least for a little while.”

The walk to the woods was silent, and more than a little tense. You clung to Tyrion’s hand, the warmth of his skin pressing against yours doing nothing to calm your fluttering heart and shaky breaths. Eventually, you came to a small clearing, which was ringed with tall birch trees and dappled in silvery moonlight that played amongst their leaves. From here, the fire was only a faint glimmer in the distance, the voices of the party members lost among the other night sounds. It would have been almost peaceful, until you remembered why you’d been brought here in the first place.

“I beg you, do not dishonour me, my lord.”

The words slipped from your lips before you really knew what you were saying. Immediately, your cheeks began to burn with a combination of shame and guilt. How could you have been so stupid? Tyrion had been nothing but kind to you ever since you’d met him, and yet here you were, behaving as though the rumours about him were true.

Thankfully, however, Tyrion did not seem the least bit bothered by your comment. Instead, he let forth a soft chuckle and released your hand. You watched him walk over to a patch of grass at the centre of the trees and lie down with his back beneath him. When you didn’t follow, he turned his head to face you, and patted the empty space next to him.

“I will not harm you, darling. All I want is some pleasant company, for a short while at least. There is so little of it in my life.”

You did as he asked, and went to lay beside him. The grass was cool and refreshing beneath you, a welcome distraction from the heat of Tyrion’s body so very close to yours. In spite of his reassurance, you could still feel the bundle of nerves twisting away inside your gut. Everything you had been taught told you this was wrong.

You were a lady, you had no business being alone, in the dark with a man who was married to someone else. Anyone else in your stead would have run off if only for the sake of her reputation, and yet, here you were. Perhaps this thing that writhed and wriggled in the pit of your stomach wasn’t fear…but rather excitement. But excitement for what? Tyrion already said he had no intentions of touching you…even if you found yourself wanting him to.

A glance at the sky above finally pulled you free from your swirling thoughts. It was a warm, clear night, with nary a cloud to hide the moon or the stars. And what stars they were. It seemed as though each constellation was on display, especially for you. You stared in awe, mesmerized by the way they seemed to dance and shimmer against a blue velvet sky.

“Beautiful.”

You turned your head to the side, preparing to agree with Tyrion, when you realized he was looking at you instead of upwards. You tried to remember the last time anyone had given you a compliment like that, and fell short. The only time anyone spoke to you in such a fashion was because they either wanted something, or they were teasing. The way Tyrion said it, however, made you almost believe he meant it.

“Thank you my lord, but I am not worthy of your praise. If you’ll pardon my saying so, it is really Lady Sansa who should-”

“She doesn’t want to hear that from me.”

The hard edge that crept into his voice made your eyebrows jump upwards.

“So, all of Ser Jamie’s talk?”

Tyrion sighed, then grasped the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger as though the conversation was paining him.

“I’m sorry to say my beloved brother was telling the truth, for once. Sansa had no desire to be my wife any more than I did to be her husband, and yet that didn’t seem to matter the least bit to anyone when we were wed. The poor girl has made it clear she does not want me to touch her, and I’ve respected her wishes. In fact, we both agreed that it was probably better for the other if each of us took a lover and remained married in title only. I do believe she’s had more luck than I have in that aspect, actually. Young Pod seems very keen on-”

He stopped, suddenly, as though he remembered he was divulging all this to little better than a stranger. You turned onto your side, trying to see Tyrion properly before you reached for him in the almost darkness. He watched, motionless, as you brought a hand up and stroked his cheek. His beard was softer than you expected beneath your fingers, given its untamed appearance.

“Tyrion…if I…that is to say we…”

Try as you might, you couldn’t keep your voice from trembling slightly. You hoped Tyrion understood, even though you were making a mess of things. You couldn’t make the world kinder, or make him taller or undo his Mummer’s farce of a marriage. You weren’t Sansa Stark, beautiful, highborn Sansa Stark who refused to see what a gift she’d been given. But perhaps offering yourself in her stead would be enough.

Thankfully, Tyrion seemed to know what you were getting at. He gently took hold of your hand that had cradled his cheek and pressed his lips against your palm. You gasped, softly, amazed at just how much reverence could be put into one kiss, as though he had been waiting to do it for ages. He continued to trail his mouth down the inside of your wrist, pausing between each kiss as though waiting for you to protest.

When no protest came, he tugged you closer, until your foreheads were almost touching. You could smell the wine on his breath, though that wasn’t why you were feeling drunk.

“If you don’t want this, tell me no, before I break my own heart.”

You swallowed, hard. No was the last thing you ever would’ve said, but you weren’t entirely certain you were ready for yes, either. What you wanted and what your body could handle in the course of one night were unfortunately two very different things.

“I want this. I want you only…”

You ducked your head, cheeks burning, and tried to hide from that piercing gaze. He’d been there when you’d confessed to your innocence, and yet you wished, not for the first time, that you had more to offer him. But the words wouldn’t come. Your heart had leapt into your throat and was holding your tongue for ransom and making you look more the fool with each passing moment.

“Sweetling, look at me.”

You did as you were asked, though it was agonizing to finally bring your eyes to meet his. When you did, you all but melted. The expression on Tyrion’s face was one you had never seen before, though it suited him very well. He looked…softer, and happier than he usually did. You realized that from here on, you’d do anything he asked if only he kept looking at you like that.

“Let’s just kiss and see where it takes us.”

[not-poignant]

Hey Pia, hope you're having a nice day

I was reading your backlog of asks and came across this answer of yours

"Fae haven’t been socialised to techniques like jump cuts and juxtaposition and artificially sped up storytelling and all that shit like humans have, and they often just can’t process it at all."

I found this really interesting because it's something I have never thought about. Like, it makes me wonder how humans reacted when the first moving picture was ever shown. How their minds coped with it.

Do you think fae could learn how to watch and enjoy movies? It would be like riding a bike wouldn't it, hard at first but easy once you figure out how it works?

Also do you think fae would be able to dead and understand human fiction or non fiction books? Would they enjoy forms of human music if they heard it? Are there any fae that are curious or fascinated with human things or culture the way humans are with fairy stuff?

Oooo okay,

So I don't know if you've read any of my stuff (although you know my naaame, so you might have read one of my things). This answer was specifically in context of like, my Fae Tales Verse series, and not like... just the faery realm in general!

But anyway, a lot of these answers are answered all in the character Ash Glashtyn, who is an ensemble character who spends most of his time living in the human realm in the canon stories Game Theory, The Court of Five Thrones and The Ice Plague (where he's trapped in the fae realm and miserable for it). Though the side story The Wildness Within also answers this.

And the tl;dr is that fae can absolutely adapt to watching media! Ash plays video games on a console, he reads fictional novels, he reads non-fiction, he watches television, sings human songs, and he very much enjoys human media. But he's also like 3,000 years old and probably grew into that the way a lot of humans grew into it too (the first humans panicked and fled a movie theatre when they first saw recorded video of a train coming at them - much like dogs that go 'where'd the bear go?' when they see one walk off screen on TV, we also couldn't understand and were like 'OH SHIT A TRAIN.')

Another character in the Fae Tales Verse series who is extremely up to date on human culture is the Nain Rouge who spends almost all her time in the human realm and prefers it. She enjoys rap, arcade music and games, and uses guns / and semi-automatic weapons when she's fighting.

Fae can definitely adapt!

Many other fae steal aspects of human culture (like words such as 'aftercare' or 'dominance/submission' or 'flashback'), and in the case of things like fridges etc. often bind electronic objects to magic so that they'll run like ours do, but without needing an electrical grid (ditto light switches and anything else electrical that they use 'like humans do' but with magical bolstering. In fact the job of 'I make human whitegoods and lights run on magic' is a very lucrative mage career in the fae realm).

So they definitely can adapt, but it's to different levels. Most never need to visit the human realm, and so just...aren't really exposed to it, beyond like the convenience of a fridge or a shower fixture.

[suck4angststory]

One shot: Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw X Fem!Reader

This Town

Warning: Allusion to sex, sexy times, language, mention of drug use, Bradley being an ass. English is my second language. Feel free to give me a comment about my writing and grammars mistakes

Author Note: this story inspired by Niall Horan song with the same title. If you want to be tagged just let me know in the comment. I can't reply to any of your comments because it's sideblog. But I really thankful for your comments and responds.

****

Summary: Bradley Bradshaw is reminiscing his past relationships on his way to the Hard Deck. When he step into the Hard Deck, he met with someone he'd been thinking about.

***

Bradley woke up from his sleep, he squinted his eyes to adjust the light that comes out of the window. When he adjust it, Bradley tilted his head to the side, and one of his arms stretch out to the pillow beside him.

He stared at the other side of his bed longingly. He then shifts his gaze to the pillow beside him and caresses on top of it.

He rolled his body to the other side of the bed and planted his face on top of the pillow. He closed his eyes and inhaled the pillow deeply.

Five years, but her scent still lingered in his mind.

Yesterday when he was back from training, he remembered how she'd greeted him with kisses and hugs. Not bother if he's sweaty and smell of the sun from training.

His mind makes him project her shadow at how she runs toward him and greets him. And how he'll embrace her immediately.

###

"I'm home babe" Bradley called out when he stepped inside of the house. He stood in the living room and throw his bag onto the couch. He then heard a footstep running from the stairs. He smiles at the sound.

(Y/N) running from upstairs to the living room straight to Bradley who stood in the middle with his flight suit open up to his waist that revealing the black shirt he wearing underneath it.

She then threw herself to Bradley who caught her in her butt. Bradley let out a laugh and placed his chin on her shoulder.

(Y/N) then placed her head in the crook of his neck. Her breath that hits his neck gives him shivers.

"I miss you... What's taken you so long" she whined in Bradley's neck. Bradley laugh and walked them towards the couch. He sits down on the couch gently with (Y/N) still clingy to him like a koala.

"I'm at the base, I have training today for the new mission. Remember" he strokes her hair gently. (Y/N) burry her face on his neck deeper.

"But you've gone too long. I even finish one season of Game Of Thrones while you're gone" She pouted at Bradley's neck. Her voice muffled in his neck made Bradley let out grunts. Bradley then lifts her face from his neck.

"You watched Game of Thrones without me? What happens to our watching season?" Bradley asks her with raised eyebrows.

"If I watch it with you. We'll never finish the series because whenever the sex scene appeared, we'll always end up with me underneath you until we forgot about the series" she rolled her eyes at Bradley. She moves on Bradley's lap so she straddles him. Bradley then let out a hiss from the contact.

Bradley then stared at her with adoration. He examined her. She wearing his old College hoodie with the University name printed on the front. She doesn't wear any bra or panties.

"I even made you some chocolate cherry cake you like so much" She give him a seductive smirk and ran her fingers on his chest. Bradley then brushes her hair which impedes him from seeing her face.

"Oh yeah. You mean our cake sex" Bradley match her smirk. She gasps playfully with wide eyes.

"Oh.. you did not call my food like that" She covered her mouth and hit Bradley's chest playfully. Bradley rolled his eyes at her.

"You always make that cake when you want to have a long loving sex with me" He retorted and give her a seductive smirk, his hand travelled to her butt.

"I did not want to have sex with you." She scoffed and try to get up from Bradley's lap, but Bradley hold her tightly so she can't escape.

"Oh yeah. So that's why you're not wearing any panties" Bradley then smack her ass playfully. She gasp and looked at him with wide eyes.

"You did not" She exclaimed, but Bradley just give her another smack.

"And you're not wearing any bra" He cups one of her breasts. (Y/N) then swat her hand from her breast and rolled her eyes at him

"Oh whatever" She then tries to get up again but Bradley holds her tight.

"Bradley.." she shot him an intimidate looked.

Bradley who have a smirk on his face faltered slightly, he then released her.

Bradley thinks she's not in the mood right now and now she's mad because he's gone too long. He knows it's her day off now, working as a veterinarian in San Diego rarely has a day off. It's like every day, they've sick pets that'll need her to assist. Or she'll perform a surgery that sometimes took half of her day.

That's why they've been waiting for this day so they can spare her free time in each other embrace. But Maverick have a different plant, it's like he always intervenes in something in his life. He's not blaming Mav though, it's just when he has something he likes, it always got interrupted, and Maverick is always there.

(Y/N) get up from Bradley and walked towards the kitchen. But she stopped before she entered the kitchen. She turned her head to Bradley who sat on the couch fidgeting with his fingers deep in thoughts.

"Hey Rooster" Bradley lift his head and looked at her. "Catch me if you can," She said in a seductive voice and smirked at her face.

A grinned form on Bradley's face. He then rose to his feet and begin to run towards (Y/N).

When she saw Bradley rose to his feet. She let out a squeal and run towards the kitchen, Bradley chases her until she stopped to catch her breath and stood opposite each other on the kitchen island.

"I probably should begin to run with you," She said between her breath.

"Oh you better, because you're too slow now" Bradley grinned at her.

"Oh, you think" She smirked and (Y/N) jerked her body to the left to distract Bradley so he'll run to the left and she can run away from him to the right. Giggles will escape their lips once or two.

(Y/N) jerk her body to the left again and Bradley begins to chase her from his right, but (Y/N) running opposite Bradley and running towards the exit. But Bradley being in the navy and always having to run for miles away catch her real quick in the living room. She catches her in her waist and lifts her in the air for a bit.

"Got you" (Y/N) let out a squeal when Bradley catch her. Bradley then turns her body so she's facing him.

A grinned form in his face, (Y/N) then grabbed Bradley's face and smashed her lips again his. Bradley let out a moan when she bit his lips. When Bradley closed his eyes, (Y/N) released herself from Bradley.

Bradley tries to chase her lips but (Y/N) let out giggles and runs from him. Bradley open his eyes and saw her leaning again the stairs. She rest her arms at the handrail and motioned her fingers to come to her. She batted her eyelash at him and give him a seductive smirk.

Bradley let out a breathy laugh and tilt his head down.

"Oh, you little minx" Bradley muttered under his breath but loud enough from (Y/N) to hear it. When she saw Bradley start running toward her, she let out a squeal and run upstairs towards their shared bedroom.

Before she can close the door, Bradley catches her and throw her to the bed. He pinned her down in the bed and they breathed heavily to catch their breath. (Y/N) giggles underneath him.

"You're something else, you know that," He said between his breath.

"Oh, you have no idea" she gives him a seductive smirk and shook her head. Bradley just giggle and leaned down to kiss her. She kiss him back and they spent their day in each other embrace.

****

Bradley finished putting on his outfit. Hangman wants to meet him at the Hard Deck with the others. They'll celebrate Hangman Bachelor Party.

Hangman finally getting married. He laughed at that thought.

Their friends think he'll get married first. His friends even already make a plan to throw him a Bachelor Party with the entire squadrons at the Pacific Fleet. But now here he is, still alone and turned out to be the one who's gonna throw his friend a Bachelor Party.

He let out a sigh and saw himself in the mirror. He wore a blue Hawaiian shirt with blue leaves and a white flower pattern. Black jeans covered his legs. He then put his aviator glasses in his eyes and took his car key from the vanity.

****

When Bradley step into the living room, he always saw her shadow walking in there. How she'll scold him when she saw him put his foot on the coffee table. How she'll call him from the kitchen when their dinner is ready. How she'll call him whenever the sink not working again. How she'll give him a massage when he has a heavy training session. How he'll give her a massage too whenever she has a long surgery. How they're in each other embrace watching the Game Of Thrones that'll end up releasing some steam.

***

When he drove away towards the Hard Deck, he remembered her again. Everything in this town remained him of her. How they always drove together whenever they got invited by their friends at the Hard Deck. How they drove together to Penny House to dinner with Maverick and Penny. How they drove together to Maverick hangar. Even he remembered how he 'Borrow' Maverick plane when Maverick was not home and Bradley took her to the sky.

They even watched the sunset together on the plane before they got threatened to be shot down because they flew too close to the military base. When they landed, they meet with Maverick's scolded face with hands on his hips. They just giggle like a lovesick teenager that just got caught making out in their backseat car.

Whenever they got back from Hard Deck, they can't keep each other hands-on themselves. Bradley will place his hand on her thighs and move it up and down until his hand is close to her crotch. Bradley will park his car at the curb and they'll throw each other clothes to get out their lust from their system.

One time, they even get caught by the police because they doing it in front of someone's house, the house owner called the police because they think there are some weird activities in the car. And of course, Maverick have to bail them out. Again.

***

Bradley rose his hand to caress his cheek. He rests his elbow on his car door with one hand still on the steering wheels. A smile formed on his lips remembered that day.

****

He then arrived at the Hard Deck. When he stepped into the Hard Deck, he didn't see any of his friends there. He lifts his wrist to see the time, he's early. He then walked toward Penny and ordered a beer. When he walked toward her, Penny give her a surprised look, her eyes wide saw him walking into the bar with a smirk on his lips.

"What're you doing here?" Penny asked him when she placed his beer.

"It's Hangman Bachelor Party today. They throw it here" Bradley took sips of his beer before answering Penny's question.

"Oh.." Penny looked at him, a worried look on her face. When he wants to ask what's wrong with her, the bell on the front door ring. When he turned around, he thought he'll meet with one of his friends but turns out, he met with someone that he'd been thinking about on his way to the Hard Deck.

His mouth was agape and grins formed on his face. When he want to call her name, he saw someone behind her. A man behind her throws his arm on her shoulder and kisses her on the temple.

She smiles at him and gives him a peck on his lips. She then intertwined her fingers with his hand that hanging on her shoulder. They walked towards the corner of the bar, the man in her arm give a wave with his free hand to the group that sat on the corner. They then sit down with them and the girl sits on the man's lap.

Bradley followed their every move with his eyes until they sat down. A solemn look wrote on his face. He then turns his attention back towards his beer on the counter and took a big gulp of it.

Penny saw him behind the counter while cleaning the glass. She gives him a sympathetic look.

Bradley stared at the beer bottle in his hands and his mind begin to drift from when they first met.

###

It was a busy day at the Bar, all the navy were laughing and drinking with their folks and friends catching how they were doing.

The little girl stood in front of the piano that was attached to the wall. She stared at the little boy who sat on top of the Piano, a cowboy hat covering his blond hair. She stared at her with a doe eye and a curious look writing on her face.

The boy looked from his place to the little girl who stood in front of him. He looked at her with wide eyes, he had never seen a girl that was so pretty except his mom. His cheeks reddened with how intense the little girl watching him.

"Why do you sit on the piano?" The little girl asks him, curious.

"B-because I will sing with my father in this," he told her, a shy smile forming on his lips.

"Can I join you?" She asked the boy with a pleading look.

"Of course. But I don't know how you can sit in here" He pointed to the spot beside him.

"Don't worry, I can climb myself" The little girl walked toward the piano seat and begin to climb on top of it. But before she can reach on top of the piano, someone scoops her away.

"Whoop, you're gonna fallen if you climbed like that, little girl" A man with a moustache scoop her from the piano seat and place her on his hips. His eyes were covered with dark aviator glasses.

"Sorry, sir.." she tilted her head down and pouted her lips. She looked at him with an apologetic looked.

The man chuckled at her "Don't worry, just don't climb without an adult around you" he give him a smile and the little girl reciprocated the smile wider and nodded her head.

"I'm Nick by the way. Bradley's father. What's your name?" He asked the little girl in his arms.

"Mm... (Y/N)" she answered shyly. Nick chuckled at her.

"So, (Y/N), You want to sit down with Bradley on top of the piano?" He asked her and pointed his fingers towards Bradley who smiles so wide when his father mentioned his name.

The little girl stared at him with wide eyes and nodded her head with excitement. Bradley's father chuckles and begins to place the little girl to sit down with Bradley on top of the piano, but before he can place her, someone cried out calling her name in the bar.

"(Y/N)! (Y/N)! (Y/N)" the little girl wiggled in Nick's arms hearing her name got called. She then drops herself from Nick's arms and runs towards a man that tearing people apart to search for her.

"Daddy!!!" She cried out and jumped on her feet to give her father attention. A man in his 30's kneeled in front of her and engulfed her with hugs.

"Oh thank god, don't run away like that again" he strokes her daughter's hair. A breath of relief exits his mouth.

"I'm sorry daddy, I'm just curious about the boy who sat at the piano" she pointed her fingers towards the piano behind her.

"The boy..?" Her father muttered to himself. He released her daughter from his grips and lift her. She then placed her on his hips. He looked at the piano and saw Nick wave at them with toothy grins and Bradley smiling behind him.

(Y/N) father walked to them.

"Hey, I saw your daughter want to climb to the piano" Nick waved at him and motioned his hand towards (Y/N)

"I want to sit with Bradley" She pouted at her father and pointed to Bradley who still sat on top of the piano. He raised his eyebrows at her.

"Bradley huh.." a teasing look on his face. His daughter's cheeks reddened and she whined at him and hide her face in his neck. He let out a chuckle at that.

"Yes, Bradley, my son" Nick chuckle at him "I'm Nicholas Bradshaw, but you can call me Nick. I'm Bradley's Father" Nick extended his hand towards (Y/N) father who take it and shook his hand.

"I'm Tony. (Y/N) father" he nodded his head towards (Y/N) who still hiding in his neck.

"Umm... Mr Tony. Can-can (Y/N) sit with me on the piano?" Bradley asks from his seat, a shy smile forming his lips. Nick and Tony shift their gaze to him. (Y/N) heard Bradley mention her name lift her face from his father's neck and stared at Bradley with a shy smile.

Tony then shifts his gaze towards (Y/N) "well (Y/N) you want to sit with Bradley?" Tony asked her daughter and motioned his head towards Bradley.

"Yes, daddy" she nodded at her father.

"Perfect" Nick exclaimed with a clap of his hands.

Tony then walked toward the piano and place her on top of it beside Bradley. (Y/N) then looked at Bradley with a bright smile and extended her hand towards him.

"Hey, I'm (Y/N)" Bradley accepts her hand and shook it

"I'm Bradley" they then giggle at each other.

Nick saw this smile at them. He then sits down on the piano chair and begins to fiddle randomly with the keyboards.

Nick lift his head from the piano keyboard and looked at the little girl that sat with Bradley.

"So (Y/N). Do you know Great Balls of Fire" Nick asked still playing randomly with the keyboard.

(Y/N) nodded her head "Yes, my mom sometimes sings to me when I can't sleep"

"That's great then, prepare your voices because we're gonna give people at the bar the best concert on earth" Nick grinned at them and he begin to play the not for Great Balls of Fire. They begin to sing together. (Y/N) and Bradley sings the chorus at the top of their lungs. Soon Maverick join them and they begin to sing more loudly.

****

Penny placed a shot in front of Bradley startled him from his train of thoughts. He lifts his head from the beer bottle he stared at.

"I'm not ordered anything, Pen" He slides the shot towards Penny.

"I know. It's on the house" she slides back the shot to Bradley. Bradley just let out a deep sigh and gulp down the entire shot in one swig. He didn't even grimace at the taste.

Penny stared at him and leaned her body at the counter.

"That bad huh?" Penny asked him. A pity looked on her face.

Bradley just shrugs his shoulder and gives Penny the empty glass shot.

"You should move on. She's getting married next week" Penny took his glass shot and place it behind the counter.

"She's getting married?" Bradley stared at her wide eyes. Shock evidence in his voice.

"Yeah, I invited her here so she can give me her invitation directly. Including yours" She pointed out to him.

"You know I can't Penny. It's been five years, but I can't forget her. I still love her" His voices get quiet at the end. Bradley rubs his face with his hands in frustration.

"And who's fault is that," Penny retorted and leave him to serve another customer.

Bradley's mind begin to drift when their relationship collapsed.

####

It was a shitty day for Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw. He has another fight with Maverick again, today. Hangman tried to get under his skin, despite Phoenix telling him to stop, but for Hangman not to get under Rooster's skin for a day makes his mouth aching.

So he pushes his button, until Rooster land a punch on him. He heard enough today, Maverick just being bitch on him and he had enough.

Blood trips down from Hangman's nose. Phoenix sprung into action and help Hangman who covered his nose with his hand.

"What's wrong with you, Bradshaw!!" Phoenix shouts to Rooster angrily.

People in the hangar begin to gather toward them. They think Hangman gonna punch Rooster back. But Hangman know it was his fault, he deserved it.

He was just shocked Rooster have the courage to finally punched him. Sure, Bradley will snap at him but too coward to lay a punch on him, according to Hangman. Phoenix then helps Hangman towards the Clinic to get him patched up.

When he got training new manoeuvres with the jet, he got into another argument with Maverick in the sky that let them take out of it in dogfighting skills.

Their fight makes Rooster almost crash his jet, again. It did not just piss Maverick out, Admiral Simpson pissed off with him too. Turn out his argument with Hangman got to their ears too.

Now, Rooster found himself in his house. Sit down at the bottom of the stair. Maverick suspended him for a week because of his actions today. Maverick said his lucky just got a week of punishment.

He buries his face in his hand. He wants to forget this day to his girlfriend, he wants to tell her everything and said everything gonna be okay. But, she's nowhere in the house. She hasn't been home for two days.

Rooster shout angrily at his hand that still covered his face. He throws his shoes into the living room that bounced behind the coffee table. He then rest his arm on the walls beside him, he then placed his forehead on top of his arm.

He's angry, he's fuming. But nobody cares for him. They leave him alone again. Nobody on his side this day, nobody telling him everything gonna be okay, that it's not his fault.

And he begins to cry. He cries, pouring out all of it.

*****

For five days she has been stuck in the Clinic because of the five surgery she has to do. When she reached the third surgery, she wants to raise her hand and surrender. But the looked of the children they give her and the gleaming hope to save their pets, become a burden to her. So she give them a tight-lipped smile and called out for the next pet to take care of.

And after five days, they released her. Her body is aching, every move she made, it's gonna have a cracking bone sound. Her feet are sore from standing too long, her back hurt because she got to take a quick nap on the couch in her office which is not eligible for sleeping, and there's a big black bag under her eyes.

When she steps into the house, she wants to fall into Bradley's arms and cuddle with him all day. She wants to cling to him like a baby koala. And after a long nap, Bradley will take a bath with her and give her a massage in the bath. She moaned at the thought.

But the reality mocking her once again. She saw the living room like a hog pen. The room is dim, with just a tv that played Breaking Bad lighten the room. On the coffee table, bags of snacks, empty beer bottles, and left-over boxes are scattered around it.

She looked at the state of the living room with a bemused look. Bradley, her boyfriend lay on his stomach on the couch and watched the show with no enthusiasm. He wearing a hoodie with grey sweatpants. The hood covered his hair.

"What the hell Bradley!" He shouts makes him startled. He lift his head from the pillow and looked at her.

"Oh, the princess finally arrived" He snickered at her and rolled his eyes.

(Y/N) let out a loud scoff at his reaction. "What the hell are you fucking doing? The living room looked like a hogpen" She exclaimed at him and begin to walk towards the light switch. she let out a gasp and eyes wide open seeing the state of the living room that much worse, dirty clothes scattered around. Bradley groaned and bury his face further on the pillow.

She then walked toward the kitchen and placed her bag on the counter. She grabs the trash bag in the drawer and throws it to Bradley who still laying on the couch. The trash bag hit his head.

"What the fuck (Y/N)!!!" Bradley lift his head from the pillow and stared at her angrily. (Y/N) saw his state, his moustache growth thick and beard covered his jaw. His eyes were red and pupils dilated.

"Are you fucking high, Bradshaw!" She shouts at him. Bradley just rolled his eyes and bury his face in the pillow beneath him.

She then walked towards him, she yanks the hood from his head and hit his shoulder "Get up, get up, Bradshaw!!" she hit his shoulder until he got up.

"Aw, that fucking hurt!!" He exclaimed and got up from his position. He then sits down and rubs his eyes with his fist. (Y/N) sit down beside him.

"Look at me Bradley" She ordered him. But Bradley ignores her and avoided eye contact with her.

She let out a sigh and grabs Bradley's face and forces him to look her in the eyes. She examined his face, his beard feels so strange in her hand.

"Are you high?" She exclaimed to him.

"No, I'm just drunk!" He swatted her hand and release his head from her grip.

"I know the difference between high and drunk Bradshaw. Don't lie to me" She remarked to him. "What the fuck is wrong with you" And slap his shoulder.

Bradley rubs his face in frustration "Nothing wrong with me (Y/N)!! Why does everyone think there's something wrong with me!!. Nothings wrong!! Nothings happen!! So stop pretending as you care!!" He bawled and looked at her with fury. He breathed heavily after he finished talking. He then bury his face in his hands and muttered fuck

(Y/N) eyes begin to water, she looked at him astounded. Bradley never snaps at her, they have arguments a few times but Bradley never raises his voice to her.

(Y/N) clenched her jaw to keep herself from crying in front of him. She looked away from him and stared at her hand in her lap. She sniffed a few times and then stands up.

"You know, I'm going to bed. We're not in the same mind right now. So I'm gonna go to sleep. It's been a long day" Her voice cracked and she sniffed a few times. Bradley still buries his face in his hands. Not looking at her or trying to reach her.

(Y/N) then walked away from him to upstairs.

"You clean up your mess. I'm not living with a homeless" She said to him while she climbed the stairs. The sound of the door closing in upstairs is loud enough and makes the furniture in the living room shake a bit.

Bradley lift his head from his hand and stared at the state of the living room. He then let out a deep sigh.

****

When (Y/N) body hit the bed, she begin to cry, She cried until she sleep. When she woke up, she met with a massive headache. When she saw the other side of the bed, she didn't find Bradley. She then gets up and starts for the day.

When she walked downstairs, she saw the living room is clean again. The dirty clothes are gone, and the snack bags and left-over food box are gone. The living room smells normal now. She then walked to the kitchen and saw Bradley sitting at the kitchen stool steering his coffee. He still wearing the hoodie yesterday, but he looked soberer now. He still hasn't trimmed his beard.

(Y/N) then grab herself a mug and poured the coffee from the kettle.

"I'm sorry" Bradley croaked behind her. She stopped stirring her coffee and rest both of her hands on the kitchen island. She tilted her head down and let out a sigh. She then turns around to face him. She looked at him and cross her arm on her chest.

"I'm sorry, I was being a dick tomorrow. It's just, that I got a lot going on this past week. I got suspended by Maverick, and you're not there. I don't know where I've to...." He trailed off

"Hold on" (Y/N) raised her palm to tell him to stop. "So this is my fault you acted like that yesterday?" She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Yes... I mean no. It's just, that I don't have anyone to hold and you're gone for five days. I don't know what to do" he uttered to her.

"So you get high and live like in some kind of a junk house?" She exclaimed with raised her tone at him.

"No!!" Bradley shouted at her. "You know what, you don't have room to talk. Where were you in past five days? Did ever you work?" He accused her. (Y/N) stared at him bewildered.

"What did you just say?" She leaned toward the counter

"I said did you even work in the past five days?" He sneered at her.

"Did you just accuse me of cheating, Bradshaw?" She scoffed at him and folded her arm in her chest.

"Oh, so you admit it?" He laughed slightly and motioned his hand to her.

"Unbelievable" she scoffed pick her bag on the counter and walked away from Bradley.

"(Y/N)! Hey! We're not done talking!!" He then followed her, when he saw her want to open the front door, Bradley stopped in the living room and shout at her.

"Oh great, run away from your fucking problems like you always do !!" He pointed out to her.

(Y/N) then turned around and walked toward him until she faces level with him. She clenched her jaw to prevent herself from crying.

Bradley's eyes are red with fury. He breathing heavily.

" I fucking pity you, Bradshaw. You're like this because you don't know who to blame. You want to blame, Maverick but you know deep down he has the right to suspense you!" She said with gritted teeth. "You disappointed with yourself, so you channelling them like this. You're doing it because you want people to suffer what you're going through in the past week" she pushes her fingers to Bradley's chest which makes Bradley step back slightly.

"We're done here" she then walked away to the front door. Bradley stared at her bewildered, trying to process her words. Then it hit him with the last words.

"Fine!! If you wanted it like that. We're done, we're over. This relationship is bullshit anyway!!!" He called out before she step out of his house. She closed the door with force and walked toward him again.

"Okay!! If you want it like that. I'll send someone to move my stuff from here" She spat at him and run towards her car. When she started to drive away from their house no it was his house now. She begin to cry, she was not coming to work that day, she drove to Penny's house and pour out everything to Penny.

Bradley didn't call her or try to reach her. It's been a week after their fight. Maverick came to his house to collect (Y/N) stuff, but he met with Bradley that so much worse than when (Y/N) found him a week ago.

Bradley told him to just fuck off and leave, he said he don't need some lecture for the great Maverick Mitchell. But when Maverick told him that he's coming not to talk to him but to collect (Y/N) stuff, that's when Bradley now he fuck up.

He begins to call her and try to find her. He visit her clinic but her colleagues told him she resigned three days ago and they don't know where she is. Bradley tries to talk to Penny but she just gives him a cold shoulder and slams the door in his face.

The last person for Bradley is Maverick. But Maverick didn't know where she is too. He just came here because Penny asked her to collect (Y/N) stuff. Bradley then sat down on the couch and begin to release what happen in the past week.

Four years later when he drive away in the street, he saw a new animal clinic downtown, it was the old clinic (Y/N) that used to work, but the clinic have to close down because they have some issues with the government.

Bradley parked at the curb opposite the clinic and stared at it. He smiled remembering how he used to drive (Y/N) here for her work.

When he want to drive away, he saw someone step out of the clinic. His breath hitched looked who was it. When he want to climb out of his car, he saw a male step out of the clinic too, he saw how her face brightened and give the man kiss on his lips.

Bradley's heartbroken seeing this. He then begins to drive away from the clinic.

(Y/N) shift her gaze from the man in front of her to look across the street. She frowned when she saw a familiar baby blue Bronco just driving away from there. Her mind begins to think about someone from her past.

####

His daydreaming gets stopped when he feels someone clasp his back. He turn his head and saw Hangman and the others begin to gather in his seat. He forced a smile at them and congratulate Hangman on his engagement. Hangman then order drinks from Penny before walking toward the Pool table.

The boys then drag Bradley to the Pool table to join them. Hangman, Coyote, Bob, and Payback begin to play pool and Rooster just stared at them, drinking his beer quietly. His eyes once or two will shift towards the couple in the corner that in each other embrace, they were laughing with their group of friends.

Rooster finished his beer in one swig and rose from his seat.

"Where are you going, Rooster" Fanboy asked him when he saw him walking toward the back door.

"Outside, just need some fresh air" He called out to him and open the back door. He stopped at the patio and stared at the ocean in front of him. He inhales deeply before releasing it from his mouth.

***

(Y/N) shift her gaze towards the back door. She saw a familiar brown hair with a Hawaiian shirt. She clearly knows who is what.

"What's wrong, babe?" Her fiancée, Sam, looked at her and frowned.

"I think I saw Bradley" she still looked at the back door.

"Your ex-boyfriend?" He lifted his eyebrows to her. (Y/N) then glance back to him.

"Yes and my best friend" she rolled her eyes at him. "I think I'm gonna talked to him" she then gets up from his lap.

"Okay, but don't go too long. I'm gonna miss you" he pouted at her.

"Ugh, you guys are so cute, makes me wanna puke" one of their friends pretends to gag and make the other laugh.

(Y/N) just rolled her eyes at them and kiss Sam's lips "I'll be right back" She smiled at him and walked toward the backdoor.

"Whipped" his friends exclaimed to him. But Sam's stared at (Y/N) walked out towards the back door with lovingly.

****

Bradley stared at the ocean in front of him until he feel a presence beside him. He turned his head to the side and saw someone he'd been daydreaming about for the day.

"I remember we used to play here and Maverick and Penny will look for us. When we saw they started acting goofy woofy.."

"We'll be running towards the water and make Maverick freak out because they think we're gonna go for swims by ourselves" Bradley finished her sentence. (Y/N) turned her head towards him.

"Oh, you still remember there Bradshaw " She gives him a teased smirk.

"Yeah, how could I forget the memories with my best friend" he stared at her. A soft smile formed on his lips.

"Wow.. my best friend. How long I've never heard that word again" (Y/N) amused. She turned her head and watch the waves hitting the sand.

Bradley let out a chuckle, he tilt his head down and stared at his feet. Five years, but she still makes him nervous just by standing there. He looked at her from the corner of his eyes. Her face is illuminated by the golden hue of the sun. The wave makes her hair flows beautifully and makes her face displayed perfectly.

"Don't look at me like that, Bradley" she said to him still looking towards the beach.

Rooster shifts his gaze to the ocean in front of him.

"I'm not looking at you" he mumbled and cleared his throat. He missed how his name sound on her lips. He shifts in his feet to try to free the nervousness in his body.

"Yeah, you looking at me like I am the one you've been looking for, you look at me like when our first time together, Bradley," she said softly to him. Bradley stared at her with adoration.

She smiles and shifts her eyes back to the ocean. "You know, you're not changed, Bradley"

There's silence between them, just the sound of the waves heating the sand. Bradley then clears his throat.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for all I say to you five years ago. I know I shouldn't say something like that to you" He said it with sorrow, his head tilted down. Bradley then lift his head and looked straight at her.

"And I-I love you.." He hesitated. "I should have said that when we started together, but I'm so coward to say that word to you. And I'm sorry. Again" he stared at his feet. He begins to rock his feet back and forth, a habit he always does when he's nervous.

"Oh, Bradley" (Y/N) then hugs him. Bradley is taken aback by this, but he returns her hug. He circles his arms around her waist and buries his face in his shoulder. He closed his eyes and breathed her scent deeply, trying to remember it. She smells different now, it's more fruity than what he remembers five years ago.

"I love you too. Not in the same way though. But I still love you, as a friend. My best friend, who always came whenever I needed him. Whenever I need a rescue, you'll not hesitate to come to rescue me. My Knight in shining armour. I'm sorry, I'm so much trouble for you, must be hard babysitting me since we're in elementary. " She chuckles

"No, you're not. I always like to babysit you" He muttered in her neck. She chuckles at him and released herself from his embrace. Bradley didn't want to release her, he want to grab her again and trap her in his arms. But he knows, he can't do that again.

"What'd you say five years ago, it change me. You said I'm always running away from my problem and too coward to face it myself. And I always need you to face them." she stared at him and said it softly

"I'm sorry. You're not a coward. You're..." Bradley tilted his down

"It's okay, Bradley. I'm glad you said that because it makes me know what I should fix on myself. What I should change in me." She smiled at him.

"I'm sorry." Bradley stared at her eyes deeply. His eyes are full of sorrow.

"I'm glad you became one of my love history, Bradley. You teach me a lot of things until it led me to him" She nodded her head towards the door with a smile. There's silence between them.

"So.. he's the one then?" Bradley raised his eyebrows. Disappointed lace in his words

"Maybe.." she trailed off. A smile never left her face. Bradley nodded his head

"Congratulations, I heard you're gonna get Married" it feels foreign for Bradley to speak the words.

"Yeah, next week. You should come, though. Mav and Penny gonna come too" she pokes his shoulder.

"I will" He gave her a fake smile. She then let out a deep sigh.

"Huh... I should probably go back inside. I think I'm too long in here" She smiled at Bradley and shift her gaze back to the ocean for a second.

She move forward and stand on her tiptoe to kiss Bradley on the cheek "See you again, Rooster" she said to him and walked away towards the door.

"Goodbye, (Y/N)" He said when she was out of earshot.

From the glass window on the backdoor, he saw her greeted by Hangman and his friends. They exchange hugs, until (Y/N) soon-to-be husband came over to greet them.

He stared at the scene with a longing look. He then turn around and stared at the ocean. Bradley then pick out his phone in his jeans pocket and begin to click some number and called it.

He waited until someone pick up the phone.

"Hey, Mav.."

"Can you tell me about the Australian mission?"

Maybe this time. He's the one gonna run away.

[trashquisitor-shirozora]

Another anon here, once again thanking you for your service validating the confused masses for whom s3 is not clicking for. In response to another anon response, and the fact that faloni recently said that "you don't need to watch clone wars to watch ahsoka" do you think he's trying to get a bunch of new people to go in blind so they don't know how nuanced these characters used to be?

Bo for me is the main thing. Like, this Faloni wrote a terrorist, and then gave her backstory, understandable if deeply flawed motivation, and a skewed worldview to the point where a few seasons after she's introduced as a part of Death Watch, we are rooting for her and Obi Wan as they work together even though we know she's done terrible things, because more importantly she knows she's done terrible things. There's no redemption for her mainly because it never felt like Bo was looking for it.

I just feel like the Disney execs running all this have never seen Clone Wars and are now just brushing it off as a kids show for kids and not realizing that the character they are trying to elevating to main character perfection is a war criminal.

Also, good luck on your writing!!! I shall have to check out your AO3 now!

Hello there, another anon! I appreciate your kind words and I do hope you've also found your way to other people's many thoughts on various aspects of the way Season 3 is simply not working for them. It fascinates me how we all have been taking different things from this season compared to the previous two (and personally I find it helpful as a writer writing stories).

Forgive me for not having the cool vocabulary or know-how to use that vocabulary to talk about these things. These are just my opinions as a layperson who spent a long time in fandoms and thinks too much too critically. I didn't see a single episode of TCW until last year when I was doing research on Mandalore and Sundari. I never saw Rebels. My knowledge of these two shows came primarily from Wookieepedia, friends and fellow fans, and the mobile game Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes. Personally, I think Filoni & Co. are trusting the long-time Star Wars fans and the newer fans won over by The Mandalorian to keep them sailing onward toward the Thrawn crossover movie on the horizon but I feel that once the novelty wears off, the General Audience will have a harder time keeping up because they didn't watch TCW or Rebels or know anything about either the original Thrawn Trilogy or the new Thrawn novels. I know I'm going to have a tougher time because I don't know these characters that well and need to be convinced to care. I do think Filoni is going to have to brush aside or flatten/simplify character traits and histories just to engage viewers who are coming into this for the first time. He and Favreau were smart to introduce Ahsoka and her future path in the D+ verse with a Mandalorian episode, though who knows what actual damage that did to The Mandalorian (a lot), so that people become familiar with her and what she wants. Now they have to convince people they want to know where Ahsoka is going and who these other people are, and why it matters that Thrawn is back.

I have read so many meta and critical posts these past few weeks breaking down this whitewashing and rehabilitation of Bo-Katan. She has such a dark and complicated history and I love that for her! I loved her appearances in Season 2 because it felt like a continuation of what I read about her in the Wookieepedia and in posts and commentaries all around the Internet. She's a Messy Bitch and a foil and an antagonizing force, and that's what I expected going into Season 3. Seeing her mope around on the throne, having given up because her fleet dumped her ass for failing to get back the Darksaber, was really jarring and I couldn't understand what Filoni and Favreau were planning to do with her. WELP. NOW WE KNOW. They needed her to be at her lowest so that she can see a sleeping water dragon and hit the reset button, I guess.

I think the decision to erase a huge part of her past has less to do with making it a kids show for kids (because TCW showed what she did and the consequences of her involvement) and more to do with Disney trying to recoup the twin costs of buying Star Wars and launching a streaming service that lost them, what, a billion bucks? They need to sell her as a heroic figure now, a princess and a girlboss because girls and women can't relate to male characters I guess?????, but she has to be safe and palatable to market to the masses so we lose her Death Watch past and we lose the death of her sister. We lose count of how many times she already lost the Darksaber. We lose her messy past, her ambition and drive, and we forgive her for her crimes because she... saved Din's life when he sank in the waters like a rock?

This version of Bo-Katan just does not work for me and the idea that we're now following her redemption arc when this was not what I was sold just... it makes me angry when I don't have enough sleep and really, really sad when I have enough sleep. Bo-Katan could've been a wonderful tragic figure, the cautionary tale the Armorer warned Din about in another lifetime, but now I just look at this season and the direction of the D+ shows as a tragedy itself.

Thanks for stopping by, another anon, and I hope my fics are to your liking!

[samieree]

Born in Flames || Game of Thrones

OC x ?😏

-> Chapter I "Home?"

Chapter II "Long may he reign"

Sitting in front of the mirror in her new chamber in the evening, waiting for her maid Selaria, she looked at herself. Throughout her life, she hadn't been able to shake off the feeling that she was always standing out from the rest. But there was nothing to wonder about here, after all, how often in your life in the Seven Kingdoms do you find someone who has truly purple eyes and hair so fair that it is almost white?

She had been washing her hair with an oak bark extract for as long as she remembered to color it a little, but it still stood out from the crowd.

So how was she not to feel like a stranger wherever she went?

"You've been pensive a lot lately, my Lady." She turned to the maid when she returned to wash her hair.

"That's not true." She said, watching Selaria put two bowls of water on the table top. "I'll take care of my hair today, you better go and get me some herbs for my headache." It was obviously an excuse, because her head didn't hurt at all.

"Of course, my Lady." The woman smiled slightly and curtsied in front of Maegelle, then left the room, leaving her alone.

The girl immediately poured the entire contents of the bowl of oak bark extract into the first larger plant, and began washing her hair in plain water using soap.

Visenya. Her real name is Visenya Targaryen, she was given to by Aegon the Conqueror's wife, this warrior.

Washing her hair with warm water, she hummed some old melody under her breath, which she knew she didn't even know from where.

She was born when the capital was chaotic and the flames raged.

She washed them long and persistently and washed them with soap until she began to notice a light shade emerging.

She was born in flames, they are a natural part of her.

When she was done and somehow dried them with a towel, she spread them evenly on her shoulders and looked at herself again in the mirror. Maybe they didn't have their original shade yet, but they were much closer to him and stood out even more in the crowd.

Now it was enough to change into a dress made especially for the occasion and she was ready to go.

She was about to leave the chamber when her door swung open and her servant appeared with a mug of hot infusion in her hands.

"My Lady..." She was looking at the girl, and more precisely at her hair with a slightly open mouth.

"Something is wrong?" The blonde asked, frowning slightly.

"No, my Lady, it's just... I don't remember that I have ever seen you with your hair like that." Selaria was once the maid of Visenya's mother, but after the war she became Vis' maid, saving her life. And it has stayed that way to this day.

"You'll have plenty of time to get used to them now." She declared with a smile and left the room, Selaria had no choice whatsoever, so she followed her Lady.

Neither of them knew the castle corridors by heart, but Visenya knew the way from her chamber to the throne room perfectly well, because that was where she was most often lucky to be. When she got there, not all of the guests were there yet, actually, most of them weren't. Therefore, she could easily take her place by one of the benches, not worrying about anything.

The whole room was decorated especially for the occasion and a lot of benches were brought in so that more important guests could be seated. And a lot of flowers are too much for her taste...

"I think the capital is good for you." She felt someone tossing her loose hair over her right shoulder.

"Let's say like that..." she replied, noting that her new interlocutors were none other than Jaime. Not that she didn't like talking to him, she never really wanted to talk to him, especially after hearing a lot of rumors about him and his sister.

"You look beautiful with that hair."

"Thank you, ser, but you should keep these compliments for the Lady of your heart." She replied politely, looking ahead.

"Every gentleman should say such things to a Lady when it is true - or not." She laughed shortly under her breath, but still did not turn her eyes to him. She just wanted to sit at this ceremony and... In fact, she didn't know how it would be when it all ends, she would like to even go out to the garden. "Besides, I'm in the King's Guard."

"You mean you don't have a Lady of your heart because of that?" She asked, pretending a little surprise and finally turned her purple eyes towards him.

He has.

"No." He replied, smiling slightly at the same time. "My Lady." He nodded at her and walked away to the other guards.

"My Lady?" Her maid approached Visenya. The girl looked at her questioningly and gestured for her to continue. "Don't you think that ser Jaime has been talking to you a lot lately?"

"Seems he liked to do it from the time he had the opportunity to do it at Casterly Rock. He was just pulling my hair then, if I remember correctly... " She said, looking away from Selaria. "I guess the old habits have come back to him."

"I think he grew out of it a long time ago. As he puts it himself, he is a 'gentleman'. " The fair-haired girl laughed.

"Idle talk, We've heard a lot of things about him, like he's a charming boy who fucks his own sister." She said it more quietly, leaning slightly towards the maid. "That they also spend money on such ceremonies, they say they have a war with rebels to be won..." she started another topic, watching the people gathering in the room.

"Everything is funded by the Lannisters, so that's not a surprise, my Lady." Selaria said with a shrug. Although honestly, it was sheer extravagance for her too ...

"I wonder what they will do when this beautiful gold runs out for them... Maybe they will sell me to whoever gives the most?" She asked a little jokingly, but at the back of her head she was a little afraid that it could actually be like that... After all, why are they holding her for so long? Why are they taking care of her?

"What they will do isn't our problem, my Lady. Because it's not our family." Selaria grabbed Vis' hand for a moment, encouraging her a little.

It didn't help much, but the fair-haired girl was grateful in her soul for this small gesture.

She did not pay much attention to the course of the entire ceremony. She tried to imagine someone else sitting on the iron throne, but she couldn't tell herself. So instead she tried to ignore what was happening before her eyes.

She felt that she was acting on the principle of imitating others: When they clapped, so did she. When they smiled, she did the same. When they left the throne room to go to another room where they would all sit down at the feast, she too did. She ate, drank, laughed, smiled, talked, joked - thus fitting the pattern.

By the time.

"Maegelle Targaryen!" Joffrey, King Joffrey cried suddenly. Many of the guests were already drunk, but fortunately she wasn't, so she immediately noticed him. "This must be a tough day for you, my Lady..." he began, coming closer to her and standing next to her, but Visenya didn't get up, looked straight ahead, well aware that most of the guests' eyes were on her. "There are strangers in 'your home', a strange family is in power, you have to smile at the murderers of your family..."

She took a deep breath, loosening her grip on the knife with which she wanted to calmly eat the roast, but it seemed that she would not be able to do so.

She wondered what would have happened if she had tightened her hand on the knife even tighter and stabbed the blade in the kid's throat. He deserved it, she had no doubts about it ... But in the end she stopped herself.

For now, at least.

"I'm not complaining about my life, your grace..." She replied politely, but knew Joffrey wouldn't relinquish that easily. She has heard rumors from servants that the current king is no more than a spoiled, cowardly kid who loves to bully others.

"But I do." She wanted to roll her eyes, but somehow she stopped herself and just closed them for a moment. "You have lovely hair, but I don't remember them having that shade..." He grabbed a loose strand of her hair and lifted it a little to get a better look. "I would have cut some of them as a souvenir, or better." He tugged at the strand."Pulled out."

"Do it again, and..." she began angrily, grasping his hand firmly. This little bastard was definitely allowing himself too much, pushing all boundaries.

"And what?! You have no power and it seems that your lovely, light hair reminds you too much of who you are supposed to be... You still don't get it? Your family is dead, you have no support, nothing! But I think the problem is in the hair, without it there won't be any problems." How much she wanted to stick that knife in his throat... "We will check whether the fire does not actually harm the Targaryens?" He asked her that question, speaking straight into her ear.

"Do you dare to try?" She asked defiantly, only then turning her face towards him and giving him a determined look.

"Bring me a torch!"

"That's enough!" Tyrion intervened, rising from his chair which was not far from Visenya. "She is your guest, the good king doesn't treat his guests like that!"

"She is a weed, a weed to be weeded out!" Joffrey protested, finally releasing Vis' hair and walking over to his uncle.

"No, she's human just like you. A member of a great house, just like you. She is a guest at your castle and she has done nothing wrong."

"She is...!"

"An orphaned child and as you can see you have already drunk too much and you should go rest." Tyrion said calmly.

"I am not tired!"

"You are, only wine confuses you." He skipped him, patting him on the hand, which Joffrey had stretched out towards him earlier, to threaten him more bluntly. "My Lady?" He extended his hand towards Vis, which she almost immediately took, allowing her to lead her out of the feast. Of course, from somewhere behind, Selaria followed her like a shadow. "It's hard for me to say it, but you can't just talk to this child. If you want to somehow live with him under one roof, then you will either learn to avoid him effectively or to reduce him to a vertical position."

"I'm not his family to allow myself to do such things." She said, quickening her pace a little. The whole nonsensical situation just stressed her unnecessarily. "And you are mistaken. I do not belong to a great house anymore."

"Of course you do." Tyrion replied, a little surprised. "If I remember the Maester's teachings many years ago, House Targaryen is among the great houses of Westeros, even if the last king of the house has been overthrown." Even if there are only three of its members left in the world and they have no land or property, the story remains the same: Aegon the Conqueror conquered Westeros and established a dynasty for nearly three centuries. "She stopped and looked away, a little ashamed. "I may not know what you feel, but I know that you should not be afraid of who you really are."

While Visenya paused, pondering Tyrion's words, Tyrion passed her by and went somewhere further, in a direction he only knew. He was right? She thought everything was long overdue, but maybe still...?

"My Lady?" She turned towards Selaria, who was for some reason, holding a rolled-up piece of paper.

"Selaria? Why are you so tired, where have you been?" She frowned, surprised even more when the maid held out a rolled-up piece of paper towards her.

"Ser Barristan... stopped me... He asked... I would pass it on to you..." she said, pausing to take a bigger breath.

With her surprise still unmistakable, Visenya took the letter from the maid and immediately began to read its contents.

~

-> Chapter III "Dragons are extinct" -> general masterlist -> Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon masterlist

[justahopelessaromantic]

I can't breathe, please don't say you love me (A Poem)

Fandom: Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony and Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair AU: Medieval/Fantasy AU Ships: One-sided Tojouma (Kokichi/Kirumi) Accompanying Playlist for this Fic on Spotify and Youtube Summary: Your king has always been one to clean up after himself. At least, he has since you've been here. Normally he'd do his best to pick up the pulsating appendage and lock it back away in his chest, wiping up as much oozing red as he could. He'd cite giving you more time to focus on him as his reason, and you'd fire back that perhaps he just wanted to make your job a bit easier that day, but the mischievous sparkle in his eyes would shut you up. For now. Still. Kokichi leaving his bleeding heart on the floor he knows you clean first is the same as him leaving a crude ghost drawing at Kaito's doorstep, regardless of any innocence he feigns. He wants you to find it. The only difference is he doesn't actually mean to scare you.

He’ll be here any minute now

He’s called for no royal invitation

You’ve made no plans

But he’s already on his way

You know it

The door will groan and gag against his greasy fingers

Slamming wood against rough stone walls

Echoing across the snarling maw of the winding hall

Eager to swallow you whole

The scratches etching away over the door’s refined paint job

(Mahiru's work, you believe)

A reminder of who owns the place

The floor blooming with bruises

Caving underneath the weight of a dirty dress shoe

Tapping

Like clockwork

Scuffing pristine tile as he chases after you

(All that wide open room

Where will you hide?)

Brown smudging blinding white

Sweaty hands staining your gloves

Slimy fingers tangling in yours

Slobbering all over your tight-lipped mouth

Drool

dripping

down

to

the

floor

Pooling into the tile grooves

He’ll make a mess of everything

Of you

So you clean!

You roll up your sleeves

The bright silk digging into your forearms

(A gift from him, of course)

Cutting the circulation

(You feel as if you could puke up the blood

You'd only leave more work for yourself)

And put yourself to use

You scrub away any sense of innuendo

Pray the sparkling floors distract his wandering eye

Toss the freshly chopped firewood

Scattered around in the game of tag he “demanded”

(See: pleaded for)

So he gags at the smoke

Sick as the heat

Seeping into your shielded shoulder

From his arm

Restrained by bandages you so lovingly wrapped

Yet so invitingly naked

Coiled around your shoulder

You know,

Like he’s slick

Like the lopsided crown and newly crafted red cloak could only bury the sly little jester boy hiding underneath

Only peaking out to trick and tease you

Like you don’t keep watch for those kind of things

Pick apart intentions like you pick at grimy china dishes

Till they're white enough to smash against wiped down walls

Chipping ethereal murals

(What fine work Angie and her god do)

In grief,

And frustration,

And loneliness

The sort of loneliness you handle with worn gloves 

 Shaky hands and emboldened care

In sickness and in health

The shatter clanging against gold tableware

Leaving glass shards you’ll never stop finding in odd places

(Reminders of what you’ve wrecked)

You polish glass windows

(Let a pretty thing walk by and catch his eye

See what happens)

And the tile

Permitting your boots to clack against it

(They say a glimpse at your reflection can talk you out of plans better than your closest friend

And you're too frightened to do it anyway)

Clear the table with patience and resolve

Straighten the chairs

Careful not to scratch through your hard work

You look filthy and disheveled in comparison

You hope it covers up all that beauty he finds in you 

Your palpable fear buried by the tight-lipped smile and droopy eyes

Underneath the blood, sweat, and tears

You've smeared all across your face

And when you still hear no clatter of doors

You will dust off the throne

(He will plop down

Bouncing on red velvet

Kicking his feet

And drag you down with him

Only tugging harder when you move to stand

You both will relish in the warmth of your meal and each other)

Set the table for two

(Checkered place mats

And no complicated utensil systems

Just how he likes it)

And pour poset ale

Older than you

And call for Ibuki

To let the favorites you share with him

Float in the background

And Ruraka

To bake “freaky little peasant horse bread”

(Such a way with words he has

Not a good one, mind you

Just a way)

 The ones he insists on sharing with you each morning

Until busy, achy feet finally land

Square against the doorframe

(To distract your nerves

Of course)

Waiting

Rudely clean air waiting back at you

…

…

...

…

…

…

…

...

He’s requested so much of you since your arrival

(A tad ungrateful

Considering you only work for a roof under your head and a way to spend your time)

Ruling advice

Ring around the Rosie

Courtship assistance

Tic tac toe

Guidance exploring the town

Hide and seek

Kisses for good luck

(His words

Not yours)

Bedtime stories

You’ve served him without hesitation

(Whether out of duty or desire

You’re too petrified to know)

Each order verbally signed off with an “Of course, my lord”

He’d dramatically wave away

You will lay down your life for him in battle if he orders it

(He won't

Would scold you for even thinking it

It would only draw an unnecessary smile out of you)

Even rip out your balled hand from its tight grip on your gown

To offer it in marriage

If truly necessary

The demon child resting on his shoulder

Wines at him to take

And take

And take

All his growing soul thinks it needs

You have only the few constricting desires

Sewn into the borders of your heart

The lace so delicate

You find it easy to ignore the brush against your ribcage

As your

Still

Late at night

Esteemed royalty nestled between your chest

The fireplace crackling louder than your careless whispers

Empty wine bottles

Sitting at his bedside

Watching you

In eager anticipation

Stray embers tickling the arms wrapped tightly around him

His nimble, calloused hands dig into your open skin

Blood trailing down your gown

(You offer to scrub it out of the carpet come morning

He says the carpet stain can be a reminder of your talks

And how could you sneak out of bed that early

Just to let him wake up alone,

You cruel mistress!)

He plays doctor

The white wine you’ve poured and he’s offered acts as middle age anesthesia

Filthy, jagged fingernails

(Bound to infect your willing immune system

With trickery and lies

You'll pocket

Just in case)

Gingerly drag each thread out of its meticulous stitching

Tickling and kneading the offending origin with each gentle tug

Weaving each mortifying need

Into a growing tapestry

Hung above his bedside

He tends to it every day

With a spot right next to him at the banquet table

Mandatory playtime breaks

Careless affectionate touches

(Unbecoming in his case

Unprofessional in yours)

A place in his bed

Chess he “totally let you win, anyway!”

Unwanted help in the kitchen

And with greeting guests

And cleaning

And organizing

And anything to silence the rude question he found neatly embroidered on your heart

Lovingly tracing over it with his thumb

Tearfully trying to kiss it better 

(You handle his scraped knees the same)

“What else can I do to help?”

How dare anything

Anyone!

Ask that of you?

He laments

One bratty night

Empty champagne glasses

Diligently washed and packed away

(Why leave his buzzing mind visual clutter?

Brutal peace negotiations have worn him out well enough)

After all you do for us!

He cries

He calls for you to tuck him in

(You suspect the “us” is mostly him

But his pride is a silly, wounded thing

The only thing you enjoy nurturing)

Today you’ve poured your everything into your presentation

All your concern and trust and care

All you know how to give

Into your hospitality

If there’s any magical force out there watching over you

(And with all the wild and overbearing magic this kingdom runs into

There might as well be)

You hope and pray it’s enough for his aching heart

It is

Just this once

[wackus-bonkus-maximus]

How are you so good at planning and plotting the story??? Like I know odnlb isn’t even finished yet but you can tell everything connects and flows so well!! I’m a terrible story planner please share your secrets wackus T-T

ah anon you're so kind <33 even though i decided i wanted to be an author at like, 6 years old, i'm still learning the trade! but i do have some pro tips that help me and that i hope help you too <3333

read your favorite authors. in past years i've been obsessed with marissa meyer, author of the lunar cycle and c.j redwine, author of the ravenspire series. while their prose isn't poetic and pretty like maggie stiefvater (the raven cycle) or laini taylor (strange the dreamer), marissa and c.j are excellent at crafting story structure and strong central characters. i've seriously learned so much from them.

practice, practice, practice! i wrote this post on how i've been structuring odnlb which basically talks about how i organize it by a 5-act-structure. check it out if you want some more detail, but basically it's just me talking about the craft of story structuring.

don't limit yourself to just print. i actually watch a lot of screenwriting youtubers like lessons from the screenplay, film courage, and just write. you can transfer narrative techniques from one format to another once you've got the hang of it. and it actually makes the writing process super fun!

focus on character. baby wackus used to make the mistake of having everything happen to the protagonist rather than making her drive the story forward. the way i learned how to do that was by giving her consequences to her actions. e.g.) daenerys from game of thrones stops an old woman being killed (shows kindness). the old woman then puts a curse on her and ruins her life (consequence). dani then reacts (badly) to this, and continues the cycle throughout the series in the same pattern: action, consequence, reaction. character is probably the most important element to story structure, because if your character doesn't have a goal and they're just bopping around having all the events happen to them like bella from twilight then your readers won't relate and the story will not make sense!

HAVE FUN. take breaks. try different styles. if you do only fanfiction, write your own original story! if you're only writing original works, try some fanfic. write bc you want to and not for anyone else! write because you want to explore and learn and grow and you WILL. and then tell me when you're done with your wip so i can read it!!!!

[the-fiction-witch]

Dec 20th The Gifted Dress

Media Game of Thrones

Character Jojen Reed

Couple Jojen X Reader

Rating Sweet

20th Of December 2022

I stood after having my little bath, doing my best not to shiver. I was struggling these days as I had only moved here a few months ago. It was an agreement between our families that I was engaged to the young lord of the House reed. and only a few months ago I was shipped away from my family and sent to the marshes in the neck, and the greywater watch tower. I met the family and had since been up here in the tower doing my best not to shiver. The neck is much colder than I was used to everyone here had furs and layers in preparation for the harsh damp winters but I did not. I was layering my dresses as best I could to try and keep myself from freezing I heard the door so fixed myself up strait as the door opened revealing the young lord I was engaged too 

"Oh, Good afternoon my lady" he smiled "May I?"

"You may My lord" I nodded and he came inside with something clearly behind him "Good afternoon my lord"

"Good afternoon, how are you finding the tower?"

"It's lovely thank you"

"Good, I uhh I wanted to come visit you I know your uhh having a little trouble adjusting to this place so I thought I'd give you, what I hope will be the first of many midwinter gifts in our long and happy marriage" He smiled revealing what he had behind him a large folded mass of fabric 

"you didn't have to do that Master reed"

"well I wanted to, to make you feel more comfortable here," he says "I can't imagine being shipped away from your family to people you've never met must me like but I wanted to help." he smiled handing over the fabric 

I unfolded it revealing a beautiful light green dress with many layers and fabrics all soft and warm, with a fur hem and neck even with some leather strapping around it looked very much like the clothes the others in the greywater wore but more ladylike 

"Oh... jojen it's beautiful" I blushed "I can't-"

"Please. I had it made for you when you arrived. I noticed how uhh cold. you seemed" He says "and I thought as I don't know much about your family and you don't know much about my own perhaps we could take a walk around the house and learn about each other"

"That would be lovely" I smiled giving him a little kiss on the cheek which turned him rather red "Give me a moment to change and we can go for a nice winter walk"

"Of course. I uhhh I'll meet you in the main hall"

"It's alright jojen, you can stay and wait here if you like. in just a few days you are to be my husband I don't mind you staying" "Y-you don't?" he stuttered 

"Not at all"

"I uhhhhhhh... I'll wait in the hall if you don't mind."

"Oh."

"not that I don't want to! It just uhh I'd rather wait till our wedding my sweet" He cooes giving my head a kiss "I'll be waiting" he smiled before heading down to the main hall.

 I smiled and got changed only needing my little undergarments as I wasn't nearly as cold now the dress hit the floor on me with a sweet fur hem, the nice reed green fabric cosy and soft, the fur around my wrists and my collar to making me feel cosy and warm, the little leather straps around my waist and shoulders keeping some structure to the dress I had to admit it looked very beautiful and It made me look like a reed I did my hair into a braid and tied a green bit of fabric around my head to keep it out my face and headed down to the main hall where jojen was stood waiting for me he seemed shocked but happy.

"I uhhh if I may say so my lady, you  look beautiful"

"Thank you master reed"

"just jojen is fine"

"Then just y/n I insist. thank you so much for my dress"

"Your welcome I'm just happy you like it and hopefully you won't be so cold now"

"I hope so, shall we walk?" I suggested offering my arm

"we shall y/n" He smiled taking my hand giving it a little kiss and taking me though the house.