#` mirror / tempest shadow `

[idkyetxoxo]

Daemon Targaryen - His and Only His

Summary - Daemon's jealousy flares as he accuses his wife of flirting with another man. His rage sparks a fierce, passionate encounter, driven by intense possessiveness. He believes the ultimate way to assert his dominance is to leave her yearning and breathless beneath him.

Pairing - Daemon Targaryen x reader

Warnings - Sexual content (smut!!)

Word count - 2074

Masterlist for Daemon • House of the Dragon General Masterlist.

"Daemon, I find myself consistently having this conversation with you," I said wearily, my head in my hands, the room filled with an uncomfortable silence.

The night draped around us, the moon casting a ghostly glow through the window, and the candles flickered dimly as if mirroring the unease between us.

"This jealousy is unwarranted," I continued, my voice tinged with frustration. "Lord Harlan was merely being polite."

Daemon's eyes flashed with anger as he paced the room, his fists clenched at his sides. "Polite? He was practically courting you right in front of me! And you stood there, smiling!"

"He was making idle conversation," I countered, trying to keep my voice steady. "There was nothing more to it."

Daemon stopped abruptly, turning to face me, his expression dark. "Do you take me for a fool? I saw the way he looked at you. And the way you responded—"

"I was being polite, Daemon!" I snapped, rising to my feet, unable to contain my own frustration. "Must I remind you that I am not some possession to be guarded jealously?"

Daemon's eyes narrowed, anger simmering beneath the surface. "Polite? He practically leered at you, and you stood there like you enjoyed it!"

I shot back, "Enjoyed it? I was trying to keep the peace, Daemon! Not everything is a threat to you."

His frustration boiled over as he stepped closer, fists clenched. "It's not about peace! It's about respect. You're my wife, and you're letting some man shower you with attention!"

"Attention?" I laughed bitterly. "You're making a mountain out of a molehill. Do you really think I would betray you for some empty compliments?"

Daemon's voice rose, "It's not about betrayal! It's about how it looks. You're too naive to see that your actions can be misinterpreted!"

"Naive? I'm trying to navigate this treacherous court while you wallow in jealousy!" I shot back, feeling my own anger swell.

For a moment, we stood there, glaring at each other, the air thick with unspoken words. The candles flickered more violently as if they, too, were caught up in the tempest of our emotions.

"You are mine, not anyone else's," he whispered, his voice low and commanding, as he approached me with swift, purposeful movements. 

The shadows cast by the flickering candlelight danced across his face, making his eyes gleam with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

He gripped my face in his hands, his eyes staring down at me possessively. My breath caught in my throat, my stomach twisting and turning at his sudden intensity. His fingers, firm and unyielding, pressed into my skin, holding me in place as if daring me to challenge his claim.

"Mine," he emphasized, before crushing his lips against mine with a force that took me by surprise. 

I responded immediately, unable to resist the passion in his kiss. His tongue invaded my mouth, demanding and insistent as if he were branding me with his touch.

"He does not get to have the pleasure of even looking at you," he declared, his hands moving to tear the fabric of my dress from my body. 

The sound of ripping cloth echoed in the room, mingling with the heavy breaths and the rapid thumping of our hearts.

His eyes roamed over my exposed skin possessively, igniting a fierce desire within me. With a defiant smirk, I swiftly removed his clothes, my hands eager and knowing. I could feel his muscles tense beneath my touch, his skin hot and inviting.

Our lips found each other again with urgency, and without hesitation, he lifted me and carried me to our bed. He placed me down roughly, hovering over me before swiftly entering me. 

A gasp escaped my lips at the sudden rush of pleasure coursing through me.

The anger had now turned into a fierce need, as if he was trying to reclaim what he feared losing.

"You're so desperate for me," he growled, his voice thick with desire. "Already so wet and aching. Something he could never do."

"I bet he dreams of having you like this," he whispered hoarsely, his voice thick with desire, punctuating his words with deep, forceful thrusts. 

My hands grasped his back, my nails digging into his skin in response to his forceful movements. 

His fingers tangled in my hair, pulling possessively as he continued to move within me. The sting of his grip was a delicious counterpoint to the pleasure flooding my senses, each sensation amplifying the other.

"No one else is allowed to imagine you like this," he declared firmly, his words laced with possessiveness and primal need. 

All I could manage in response was a fervent nod, my senses overwhelmed by the intensity of our connection, the raw passion that bound us together in that heated moment.

"You are mine," he repeated, his voice low and commanding, as he lifted my legs over his shoulders to give him better access. His thrusts grew deeper and quicker, each movement eliciting cries of ecstasy that filled the room.

"Say it," he commanded, his hands firm on my hips, steadying me as he took control. 

The intensity of his movements left me breathless, the world narrowing down to the rhythm of his body against mine.

All I could manage was a whimper, overwhelmed by the intensity of our encounter, words caught in my throat. My body responded instinctively to his demands, arching towards him, seeking more.

"Say it," he demanded again, his voice tinged with desire and dominance. His eyes bore into mine, demanding surrender, craving affirmation of my submission to him.

I opened my mouth, breathless and desperate, finally whispering, "I am yours."

A satisfied smirk crossed his lips as he heard my confession, his eyes smouldering with satisfaction and possessiveness. The look in his eyes made my pulse quicken, and I felt a thrill of excitement course through me.

With a sudden, fluid motion, he effortlessly shifted our positions, flipping me beneath him with a display of strength that left me breathless. 

Now on my hands and knees, his hands found their way to the small of my back, holding me firmly in place. His grip was possessive, yet reassuring, a silent promise of what was to come. His fingers pressed into my skin, anchoring me to the moment.

He realigned himself, entering me again with a controlled force that made me squirm with a mixture of pleasure and anticipation. Each movement was deliberate, his body moving with a primal rhythm that resonated through me. 

The sensation was exquisite, a blend of control and wild abandon that left me gasping for more.

"So beautiful, so perfect," he murmured, his voice husky with desire, as I arched my back instinctively, inviting him deeper. 

His hands explored my body with a possessive hunger, fingers slipping underneath to caress and squeeze my breasts.

His touch was skilful and knowing, each squeeze and knead sending ripples of pleasure through me. I gasped and moaned softly, lost in the intoxicating mix of sensation and emotion that he effortlessly stirred within me.

His movements became more urgent, more insistent as if he was as lost in the moment as I was. The room seemed to pulse with the energy between us, every sense heightened, every touch more intense.

"Do you feel that?" he growled, his voice thick with need. "That's what you do to me. No one else can make me feel this way."

Suddenly, he pulled out and flipped me over onto my back with a swift motion, his eyes blazing with an intense fire. Before I could catch my breath, he lifted my legs and positioned them over his shoulders again. 

I cried out in a mix of surprise and pleasure, the sensation more intense than before.

"You belong to me," he growled, his voice a rough whisper against my ear. Each word was punctuated by a powerful thrust that made my body quiver with anticipation and need. 

His hand moved between us, fingers finding that sensitive spot that made me see stars. The combination of his deep, forceful thrusts and the skilful touch of his fingers pushed me closer to the edge. My body responded to his every move, arching and trembling under his touch. 

"Daemon, I'm close," I managed to gasp out, feeling the tension coil tighter within me. 

He grunted in response, his movements becoming even more deliberate and intense. Each thrust seemed to drive deeper, each touch more insistent, pushing me to the brink of my endurance.

"Not yet," he growled, his voice rough and commanding, urging me to hold on. 

His fingers increased their pressure, skillfully prolonging the sweet agony, pushing me to the brink without allowing release. The frustration mixed with pleasure was almost unbearable, leaving me desperate for the climax he withheld.

My breath came in ragged gasps as he continued to thrust deeply, each movement perfectly synchronized with the expert touch of his fingers. 

The combination was maddening, every nerve ending alight with pleasure, teetering on the edge of an explosive climax. I could feel the heat building, threatening to consume me completely.

"Hold on for me," he urged, his voice a mix of demand and desire. 

His eyes bore into mine, the intensity of his gaze grounding me even as my body threatened to spiral out of control. "I want to feel you fall apart for me."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, the possessiveness in his tone amplifying the sensations coursing through me. I could feel myself teetering on the edge, desperate for release but held back by his firm control.

"Please," I whimpered, my voice barely a whisper as I struggled to hold on, every fibre of my being craving the sweet release he was denying me.

"Not yet," he repeated, his voice a rough whisper against my ear. The words were a command and a promise, urging me to surrender completely to the intensity of the moment. 

My body trembled, the tension coiling tighter and tighter until I thought I might shatter. The pleasure was almost too much to bear, a constant wave that left me breathless and on the verge of tears. 

Finally, just as I thought I could endure no more, he growled, "Now, let go."

His fingers pressed harder, his thrusts deepening, and the combination sent me spiralling over the edge. The release was explosive, a burst of pure ecstasy that left me gasping and crying out his name. My body convulsed every muscle tightening as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over me. 

He held me through it, his release following closely behind, a deep groan escaping his lips as he found his own climax. The intensity of our shared release left us both trembling, our bodies entwined and slick with sweat. 

In the aftermath, he pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me protectively. I nestled against him, my heart still racing, feeling a profound sense of belonging and security in his embrace.

"I'm going to fill you again and again until your stomach swells with my child," he murmured, his fingers gently stroking my hair. 

The promise in his words was both a threat and a vow, each syllable tinged with the raw possessiveness that had consumed us moments before.

As our breaths began to steady, he leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. 

"Consider this a warning," he murmured, his voice still thick with dominance and passion. "If he ever mistakes your kindness for want, if he ever thinks he can have even a piece of you, I'll remind him exactly who you belong to."

His words sent a final shiver through me, the possessive edge in his tone leaving no room for doubt. I was his, completely and utterly, and there was nowhere else I would rather be. 

His hands continued to caress my skin, a tender contrast to the intensity of his words. Each touch was a reminder of his claim on me, a gentle yet unyielding assertion of his control.

At that moment, I knew that our bond was unbreakable, a fierce and consuming connection that no one else could touch. 

The possessive fire in his eyes, the raw passion in his touch, and the commanding presence of his voice all combined to make me feel utterly and completely claimed. 

"No mistakes will be made around here," I murmured softly, my voice carrying a quiet determination. He smirked, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. The gentle kiss he placed on my forehead told me everything I needed to know. 

I was his, and nothing and no one could ever change that. 

A/n - when in doubt, make sure your arguments are as intense as your make-up sessions!

[novaursa]

Embers or War

- Summary: Aegon steals you and starts the Dance of Dragons.

- Paring: reader!niece/Aegon II Targaryen

- Note: reader is referred to as Y/N Targaryen (carries the name of her mother's House) and has silver hair. Silverwing is reader's dragon.

- Rating: Explicit 18+

- Word count: 2 552

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff

The candles in your chamber flicker, casting shadows that dance against the stone walls. You try to calm your racing heart, but the thought of the impending marriage to Lord Trystan Arryn, a man you barely know, fills you with dread. Your mother, Rhaenyra, had arranged this union to solidify alliances, to strengthen her claim, to ensure the future she envisioned for you and your family. But your heart, it was not in the Vale. Your heart yearned for someone else.

Far across the Red Keep, Aegon II Targaryen paced in his chambers, his footsteps echoing against the cold stone floor. His mind was a tempest, a storm of emotions he could scarcely control. Anger, frustration, and a bitter sense of betrayal warred within him. The words of his mother, Dowager Queen Alicent, still rang in his ears.

"End this war before it begins, Aegon. Marry Y/N. Unite the houses. Rhaenyra's refusal is nothing but selfishness."

Aegon had wanted to heed his mother's advice, to reach out and take what he believed was rightfully his. But Rhaenyra, stubborn and unyielding, had denied him. She had promised you to another, a political pawn in her game of thrones.

He sat heavily in a chair, running a hand through his platinum blonde hair, his violet eyes dark with brooding thoughts. The very idea of you with another man, a man who could never understand you the way he did, filled him with a rage he could barely contain.

"She thinks me unworthy," Aegon muttered to himself, the words dripping with disdain. "She believes her daughter deserves better than me."

He thought back to the times he had seen you, the fleeting moments that had etched themselves into his memory. Your laughter, your grace, the fierce determination in your eyes that mirrored his own. He had wanted you, not just as a means to an end, but because he had seen in you a kindred spirit, someone who understood the weight of the crown and the fire of the dragon.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Ser Criston Cole stepped inside, his face a mask of concern. "Your Grace, the preparations for the marriage are underway. Is there anything you wish to do?"

Aegon looked up, his eyes hardening. "This marriage is a farce, Criston. My mother is right. We must end this war before it begins, and Y/N is the key."

"But Rhaenyra has refused," Criston reminded him, his voice cautious. "She will not give up her daughter so easily."

"Then I will take what is mine," Aegon said, his voice a low growl. He stood abruptly, moving to the chest at the foot of his bed. He opened it and began to pull out his dragon riding armor, the black and red leather gleaming in the candlelight.

Criston's eyes widened slightly. "Your Grace, what are you doing?"

Aegon did not answer immediately. He fastened the buckles, the familiar weight of the armor grounding him, giving him purpose. "If Rhaenyra will not see reason, then I will make her see it. I will not let her dictate my fate, nor Y/N’s," he said, more to himself than to Criston.

He donned his gauntlets and helmet, each piece falling into place with a resolute finality. He felt the fire of his ancestors burning within him, the fierce determination that had driven the Targaryens to conquer Westeros. He would not be denied.

Criston watched, a mix of apprehension and admiration in his gaze. "You mean to take her by force?"

Aegon looked at him, his eyes blazing. "If that is what it takes. Y/N will not marry the Arryn lord. She will be mine."

As he strode out of his chambers, the clinking of his armor echoing through the halls, Aegon's mind was set. The time for negotiations was over. He would claim you, not just to prevent a war, but because in his heart, he knew you belonged with him. And he would move heaven and earth to make it so.

The Sept of the Eyrie was filled with the soft murmur of voices, the flickering light of candles, and the heavy scent of incense. The banners of House Arryn and House Targaryen hung side by side, a symbol of the alliance being forged. You stood at the altar, clad in a gown of silver and blue, the colors of both your houses woven together in intricate patterns. The weight of the dragon-shaped necklace, a gift from your mother, pressed against your collarbone, a constant reminder of the destiny that had been chosen for you.

Your heart pounded in your chest, each beat echoing the silent cry of Silverwing, who remained restless outside. You could feel her unease, her discontent mirroring your own. You glanced around the Sept, your eyes meeting those of your family. Your mother, Rhaenyra, stood tall and regal, her expression unreadable. Your brothers, Jace and Luke, watched with a mix of pride and apprehension. Daemon, your stepfather, stood with his twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena, their faces reflecting the solemnity of the occasion.

Lady Jayne Arryn, your soon-to-be mother-in-law, was a commanding presence, her gaze piercing as she surveyed the gathered guests. She had demanded a dragon, and your brother Jace had promised her one, binding you to this fate. You tried to steady your breathing, focusing on the vows you were about to take, the words that would seal your future.

The High Septon began the ceremony, his voice a deep, resonant tone that filled the sacred space. "We are gathered here today to join House Arryn and House Targaryen in holy matrimony, to forge an alliance that will bring strength and unity to our lands."

As he spoke, you felt a hand gently take yours. You turned to see Lord Trystan Arryn, a man older than you by many years, but with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor. He smiled at you, a reassuring gesture that did little to calm the storm within you.

"Do you, Y/N Targaryen, take this man to be your lord husband, to honor and protect, in sickness and in health, for all the days of your life?"

You hesitated, the words catching in your throat. Your mind drifted to Aegon, the man who had occupied your thoughts more than you cared to admit. His fiery spirit, his determination, his undeniable connection to you through the bond of your shared blood. But those thoughts were a distant dream now, replaced by the reality of your duty.

"I do," you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

"And do you, Lord Trystan Arryn, take this woman to be your lady wife, to honor and protect, in sickness and in health, for all the days of your life?"

"I do," Lord Trystan replied, his voice steady and sure.

The High Septon smiled, raising his hands in blessing. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. May the Seven bless your union and grant you many years of happiness."

As he spoke, the doors of the Sept burst open, and a rush of cold air swept through the chamber. The sudden intrusion caused a murmur of surprise among the guests. You turned, your heart leaping into your throat as you saw what had caused the disturbance.

Silverwing, your dragon, roared outside, her cry a mixture of anger and fear. The ground beneath you trembled, and the candles flickered wildly. A shadow passed over the Sept, darkening the space as something massive descended from the sky.

The ceiling above you began to crack and crumble, the stones shifting under the weight of an enormous presence. Screams echoed around you as guests scrambled to escape the falling debris. You looked up, your eyes widening in horror as a dragon, larger and fiercer, landed atop the Sept.

The roof gave way, and chunks of stone plummeted to the ground. You were pulled back by your brother Jace, his grip tight on your arm as he shielded you from the falling rubble. Your mother and Daemon moved swiftly, their swords drawn as they tried to maintain order amidst the chaos.

"Y/N, we need to get out of here!" Jace shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the dragon.

You nodded, your mind racing. This was no mere accident. This was an attack, a declaration of war. And you knew, deep in your heart, who was behind it.

As the ceiling continued to collapse, you caught a glimpse of the dragon's rider, clad in black and red armor. Aegon. His presence here, his audacity, sent a surge of conflicting emotions through you—fear, anger, and a twisted sense of relief.

The Sept of the Eyrie was no longer a place of holy matrimony. It had become a battlefield, and as the dust and debris settled around you, one thing was clear: the war had begun.

The sky was filled with chaos as Sunfyre roared, his golden scales glinting in the dim light. Aegon gripped the reins tightly, his eyes fixed on the Sept below. He spotted you amidst the wreckage and confusion, your silver hair standing out like a beacon. With a swift command, Sunfyre descended, landing with a thunderous crash on what remained of the roof.

Inside, the screams of guests and the cries of your family mingled with the deafening roar of the dragon. You stood frozen, your heart racing as you watched Aegon dismount and stride towards you, his expression a mixture of determination and desperation.

"Y/N!" he called out, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Jace, realizing Aegon's intent, moved to shield you. "Stay away from her, Aegon!" he shouted, drawing his sword.

Aegon’s eyes burned with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine. "She comes with me, Jacaerys. This marriage will not happen."

Before Jace could react, Aegon was upon him, disarming him with a swift motion. He grabbed your arm, pulling you close. "Trust me, Y/N," he whispered urgently. "This is the only way."

You looked into his eyes, the conflict within you mirrored in his gaze. Before you could respond, he lifted you onto Sunfyre's back and mounted behind you. With a mighty flap of his wings, Sunfyre took to the sky, the wind whipping around you as the ground fell away beneath you.

Below, Daemon raced to Caraxes, his face a mask of fury. He leaped onto his dragon and gave chase, the blood-red beast slicing through the sky with terrifying speed. But as he drew closer, the realization dawned upon him—if he attacked, he risked your life as well. With a roar of frustration, he reined in Caraxes, watching helplessly as Sunfyre carried you away.

You clung to Aegon, your heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. The landscape blurred beneath you as Sunfyre soared towards King’s Landing, Silverwing trailing close behind. The flight was a whirlwind of emotions—anger at Aegon for his recklessness, fear for what awaited you, and an inexplicable thrill at being with him.

As Sunfyre landed in the courtyard of the Red Keep, you were immediately surrounded by guards and courtiers, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion. Aegon dismounted, helping you down with surprising gentleness.

Otto Hightower stormed towards you, his face livid. "What have you done, Aegon? This act will ignite the war we sought to avoid!"

Aegon faced his grandfather with steely resolve. "The war was inevitable, Otto. This was the only way to secure our position."

Without another word, he led you through the labyrinthine hallways of the Red Keep, his grip on your arm firm but not painful. The walls seemed to close in around you as he guided you to his chambers, his silence heavy with unspoken words.

Inside his chambers, Aegon turned to face you, his eyes softening. "I had no other choice, Y/N. I couldn’t let you be taken from me."

You stared at him, your emotions a tumultuous storm. "You’ve started a war, Aegon. Do you understand that? My mother, my brothers—what will become of them?"

He stepped closer, his hands gently cupping your face. "I know the risks, but I couldn't bear to lose you. We will find a way through this, just us."

His words, filled with a desperate sincerity, made your resolve waver. You felt the warmth of his touch, the intensity of his gaze, and despite everything, you couldn’t deny the bond between you.

Slowly, Aegon began to undress you, his fingers deft and sure. The cool air brushed against your skin, sending shivers down your spine. He shed his own armor and clothing, revealing the strength and vulnerability beneath. The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of you in the intimate glow of the chamber as he moved you to his bed.

Aegon’s eyes were locked onto yours, his gaze filled with a mixture of longing, determination, and something deeper, something that made your heart race.

He leaned in, capturing your lips in a tender kiss, his touch both reassuring and possessive. His fingers trailed down your arms, igniting a trail of warmth that spread through your entire body. He pulled back slightly, his breath mingling with yours. “Are you ready, Y/N?” he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.

You nodded, your voice catching in your throat. “Yes, Aegon. I’m ready.”

With a gentle touch, Aegon positioned himself above you, his movements careful and deliberate. He entered you slowly, his eyes never leaving yours, searching for any sign of discomfort. The initial sensation was intense, a mix of pleasure and a hint of pain, but his tenderness reassured you.

He began with a slow, rhythmic pace, each movement deepening the connection between you. “Is this alright?” he asked softly, his voice filled with concern and desire.

“It’s perfect,” you replied, your hands finding their way to his shoulders, gripping them for support.

Encouraged by your response, Aegon quickened his pace, his thrusts becoming more insistent, more urgent. Each movement was filled with a mixture of tenderness and possessiveness, as if he was trying to convey everything he felt in that moment. The world outside the chamber faded away, leaving only the two of you, wrapped in the intensity of your shared desire.

“Aegon,” you whispered, your voice trembling with the intensity of the sensations coursing through you. The sound of his name on your lips seemed to drive him further, his movements becoming more deliberate, more determined.

“You’re mine, Y/N,” he murmured, his lips brushing against your ear. 

The passion between you built to a crescendo, your bodies moving in perfect harmony. The sensations were overwhelming, a blend of raw need and deep affection. You felt as if you were standing on the edge of a precipice, ready to plunge into the depths of your shared desire.

As the intensity peaked, Aegon held you close, his breathing ragged. He pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, his fingers tracing soothing patterns on your skin. “Nobody will take you away from me,” he promised, his voice a vow.

As his lips met yours once more, the Dance of Dragons began, a storm of fire and blood that would shape the future of Westeros. In that moment, amidst the chaos and impending war, there was only you and Aegon, bound by fate and a love that defied the world.

[alyrasturnz]

you're so good at writing arguements and stuff i just finished reading "but daddy i love him" and oh my GOD. pls write a matt x reader angsty tosotd oneshot with an arguement and an apology

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR

❐ summary » y/n and matt had an anniversary dinner planned, a special evening meant to celebrate their bond. but once again, matt stayed late at work, putting aside their plans. this wasn't the first time—he had done it countless times before, each instance chipping away at y/n's patience. finally, she reached her breaking point. sick and tired of his neglect, she stormed out, calling things off in a fit of frustration. deep down, she hoped he would run after her, show her that she mattered.

❐ pairings » bf!matt x fem!reader

❐ warnings » argument (resolved), swearing, lowkey toxic!matt, toxic relationship dynamic

❐ a/n && w/c » here’s something small to keep yall fed while i work on something bigger… •  1.98k

in the dim glow of their intimate living room, the air between you and matt crackled with a palpable intensity, the kind that precedes a storm.

the rain outside mirrored the tempest brewing within, each droplet a thunderous note in the symphony of nature's fury, crashing onto the pavement with a relentless rhythm.

earlier that evening, their argument had been ignited by a matter so seemingly inconsequential, yet it had fanned the flames of discord into a roaring inferno.

matt had neglected the anniversary dinner plans, choosing instead to linger late at the warehouse, an oversight that cast a long shadow over the evening's expectations.

you had devoted the entire day to crafting a special meal, meticulously setting the table with candles and flowers, your heart brimming with anticipation to celebrate your love.

but as the hours slipped away and the food grew cold, your excitement metamorphosed first into disappointment, then hardened into a simmering anger.

and you might have let this transgression slide. but now you found yourself unable to, as this was the third and final strike.

when matt eventually crossed the threshold, exhausted and oblivious to the emotional storm brewing within you, the dam of your restraint finally burst.

"do you even care about us anymore?" you demanded, your voice quivering with the weight of unspoken sorrow and pent-up frustration.

matt, taken aback, attempted to articulate an explanation as he gently closed the door. "y/n, i'm sorry. time slipped away from me."

"lost track of time?" you echoed, your eyes welling up with tears. "do you have any idea how that makes me feel? like i'm not important to you!" you exclaimed, your voice cracking under the weight of your emotions.

matt sighed, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. "it's not like that, y/n. things come up and—"

"things come up?" you repeated in disbelief, your voice tinged with incredulity as you grabbed your bag.

"why can't you just listen to me for once?" matt's voice rose, each word laden with frustration and desperation.

you crossed your arms, your eyes blazing with anger. "i have listened, matt! but you never seem to care about what i need," you shot back, your voice trembling with a mix of hurt and fury.

matt took a step closer, his voice softer but no less intense. "i care, y/n. but you keep pushing me away," he murmured, his eyes searching yours for any glimmer of understanding.

you shook your head, tears beginning to spill from your eyes. "maybe because i'm tired of fighting for something that feels so one-sided," you whispered, your voice breaking under the weight of your emotions.

an oppressive silence fell between them, heavy and suffocating, as if the very air had thickened with unspoken words and lingering tension.

the silence that hung in the air signaled the breaking point of their relationship, a palpable void filled with the weight of unspoken grievances and shattered dreams.

the silence that ensnared them, coiling around their throats and stifling their breaths, as though the very air conspired to suffocate the remnants of their faltering connection.

finally, you could endure no longer. "this time, i’ve had enough," you declared, your voice trembling with the weight of your resolve. "i’m leaving," you stated, the finality of your words hanging in the air like a solemn decree.

matt’s eyes widened in shock, a mixture of disbelief and desperation flooding his gaze. "y/n, wait—" he stammered, his voice a fragile plea against the impending void.

but you were already at the door, your resolve unyielding to his desperate entreaties. "don't call me," you uttered, your voice quivering with a tumultuous blend of anger and sorrow. "it's over," you declared, the finality of your words echoing with irrevocable certainty.

as the door slammed shut with a resounding finality, matt stood there, stunned into silence. he longed to chase after you, to mend the fractured pieces of their relationship, but his feet felt as though they were anchored to the floor, paralyzed by the weight of his own inaction.

a surge of anger and melancholy surged through matt, the emotions intertwining like a tempest within him. tears streamed down his face, carving silent paths of sorrow, as he ran a trembling hand through his disheveled hair, each motion a testament to his inner turmoil.

"fuck!" he yelled, kicking the door with a force that echoed his frustration.

he let out a series of pathetic sobs, his back desperately seeking support against the unyielding door as he slid down, finally collapsing to the floor. burying his face into his hands, he succumbed to the torrent of despair that engulfed him.

outside, y/n walked into the pouring rain, the heavens weeping in unison with the turmoil within. each step felt like a penance, their heart laden with regret, a sorrow that seemed to seep into the very fabric of the storm around them.

deep down, you harbored a fragile hope that matt would follow, that he would stand beneath your window, the rain mingling with his fervent cries of love, throwing pebbles to capture your attention, a modern-day romeo desperate to mend the rift between you.

but for now, all you had was the relentless rain and the haunting echo of your own words, reverberating through the solitude. you wished with all your heart that matt could see beyond his pride and comprehend that, at the core of it all, your deepest desire was simply to be with him.

the rain soaked through your clothes, each droplet a cold reminder of your solitude, as you sank down onto the porch. hugging your knees to your chest, you leaned your back against the unyielding front door, seeking comfort in its solidity amidst the tempest that raged both outside and within.

tears mingled with the raindrops on your face, indistinguishable in the deluge, as you struggled to stifle your sobs. each breath was a battle, the weight of your sorrow pressing down like the relentless rain, blurring the line between your inner turmoil and the storm around you.

your mind raced with a torrent of memories from happier times, each recollection a bittersweet contrast to the present, intensifying the pain of the argument. the agony grew stronger, like a relentless tide, as the echoes of laughter and love clashed with the harsh reality of discord.

you wished with all your heart that matt would emerge from the shadows, wrap you in his arms, and whisper reassurances that everything would be okay. in that embrace, you longed to find solace, a sanctuary where the storm of emotions would finally subside, leaving only the promise of peace and understanding.

but all you are left with is the cacophony of the rain crashing onto the pavement, each drop a thunderous reminder of his absence, and the echoing thoughts that reverberate through the hollow chambers of your mind.

you had only left because you felt as though his indifference had cast you into the shadows, making you believe you held no significance in the dazzling tapestry of his life.

and watching him run out to you would have mended the fractures in your heart, sealing the fissures with the balm of his presence, but alas, he remained still, leaving those cracks unhealed.

little did you know that he stood just beyond the threshold, separated from you by a mere sliver of space and yet an insurmountable chasm of unspoken words and unfulfilled hopes.

all you’ve ever needed lay just on the other side of the door, concealed within reach yet veiled by the intangible barrier of hesitation and unvoiced desires.

»--•--«

under the cloak of night, matt stood outside your window, the clock striking 3:00 am, as if the very fabric of time conspired to weave an intricate tapestry of suspense and unspoken anticipation.

the rain has ceased, leaving in its wake a profound, quiet stillness that permeates the air, as if the world itself holds its breath in reverent silence, suspended in a moment of tranquil contemplation.

with a trembling hand, he delicately picked up a small pebble and tossed it gently at the window, the soft tap shattering the silence like a whispered secret in the dead of night.

"y/n!" he called out, his voice raw with emotion, each syllable trembling with desperation. "y/n, please come to the window!"

you stirred from your restless sleep, heart pounding as you recognized the voice, each word echoing through the stillness of the night like a haunting melody that refused to be ignored.

you shut your eyes tightly, turning away as you begged for the night to envelop you once more, longing for the embrace of dreams to whisk you away from the waking world.

but another soft tap shattered the fragile silence, compelling you to sit up, your senses heightened and your heart pounding with an unspoken urgency.

you approached the window and peered out, your eyes locking with matt’s desperate gaze, the depth of his anguish reflecting in the moonlit night, creating a silent dialogue of unspoken sorrow and longing.

"i’m so sorry," matt began, his voice cracking under the weight of his remorse. "i messed up. i should’ve been there for you, for us. i let youtube get in the way, and i hurt you. but please, believe me when i say i love you more than anything. you are my world, and i can’t stand the thought of losing you."

tears welled up in your eyes as you listened to his heartfelt plea. matt continued, his voice growing stronger with each word. "i know words aren't enough, but i promise to do better. i promise to make you feel loved and cherished every single day. please, give me another chance."

you remained silent, your heart torn between the lingering pain of past wounds and the fragile hope of reconciliation, each beat a testament to the inner turmoil that threatened to overwhelm you.

matt took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "remember when we first met? how we laughed about the silliest things and stayed up all night talking? i want to go back to that. i want to be the person who makes you smile."

he paused, searching for the right words, his gaze steady yet filled with vulnerability. "i know i've been distant, and i know i've hurt you. but i've realized something important: life without you is empty, a hollow echo of what it could be. i can't change the past, but i can promise you a future filled with love, respect, and understanding. i'll listen more, i'll be there more, and i'll never take you for granted again."

your resolve began to waver, the sincerity in matt's voice piercing through your defenses. "i've been talking to my brothers, trying to understand where i went wrong. i know i have a lot to work on, and i'm willing to do whatever it takes. therapy, couples counseling, anything. i just need you to know that i'm committed to making this work."

matt's eyes were pleading, his heart laid bare in a raw display of vulnerability. "please, y/n. give me a chance to prove that i can be the partner you deserve. i love you more than words can express, and i'm ready to fight for us."

your heart softened at his sincerity, the pain of the argument beginning to fade like mist in the morning sun. you opened the window, letting the cool night air rush in, carrying with it a sense of renewal. "matt," you whispered, your voice trembling with a mix of hope and apprehension. "come inside."

as matt climbed through the window, you felt a glimmer of hope flicker in the depths of your heart. you embraced, holding each other tightly, as if anchoring yourselves in a storm. both knowing that while the road ahead wouldn't be easy, your love was worth fighting for, a beacon guiding you through the darkness.

[randomdragonfires]

Moon Song | One Shot

Text Divider by @saradika-graphics

SUMMARY | He killed Lucerys, but Aemond sees the ghost of his nephew wherever he goes - especially in his sweet wife's eyes.

WARNINGS | 18+; Smut; ANGST; Delusions; Incest; Dark Themes; Kinslaying; DD;DNE!

WORD COUNT | 6.6k

A/N | Originally written as a birthday gift for @humanpurposes. Nothing says happy birthday like a dark fic about madness and murder I guess? :)

RAIN-SOAKED AND WEARY, AEMOND TRUDGES THROUGH the murky streets of King's Landing, his cold and damp riding leathers offering no respite. Each step echoes with the haunting images of Vhagar's reckless attack on Luke, the small, agonizing details etched into his mind like a deep carving. The city, shrouded in an eerie mist, seems to mourn his nephew in silent empathy.

A scared face. The cracking of jaws. The sight of Arrax’s wing flapping aimlessly down into the sea. Luke, falling free through the skies…

The Red Keep looms ahead, its imposing towers piercing the darkened sky. Aemond ascends the ancient stone steps in silence, his solitude a curtain shrouding the tempest raging within him. The guards watch him cautiously, sensing the palpable storm that accompanies the one-eyed Prince’s return. As he passes, the torches on the wall flicker, casting grotesque shadows that dance along the corridor walls.

Entering the shared chambers, Aemond's presence goes unnoticed at first. His wife awaits him, her gaze filled with a mixture of concern and anticipation as she sits at the edge of the bed, finding his gaze and immediately making note of his distress. He can feel her scrutiny, her eyes seeking answers he isn't ready to give. With how disappointed she may be, he is not sure that he’ll ever want her to know. But he knows she must, and that he’d rather it come from him than anyone else.

Words remain unspoken as Aemond, drenched and disheveled, closes the distance between them. She hasn’t moved, holding onto him by the waist as he encloses his cold hands onto the back of her head, finding some semblance of comfort in the warmth of her hair. His wife's face softened, ready to welcome him, oblivious to his guilt and agony. In the silence that hung thick in the air, he braced himself for the storm about to engulf their world.

“You’re cold, Aemond. Let me find you something warm to wear,” she says. He doesn’t let her leave him; he will not let her leave him, ever. In heavy times like these, he’s always quite liked having her to hold - and right now, it seems like she understands it just as well as she always does. She is a part of him, made to be by his side.

She’s my twin. She is mine. Her place is by my side, and nobody else’s!

He remembers the words. It was the night he had come to, after his eye had been slashed out. The marriage pact had been brokered in the aftermath, a compensation for the losses suffered. His nephew's tantrum and those venomous words had sown the seeds of a bitter possession, one that manifested in the subtle manipulative gestures that followed.

He had reveled in taunting Luke, relishing in the knowledge that he had triumphed over his nephew in more ways than one. Aemond had married his niece, a Princess of Targaryen blood, a strategic move with which he had alleviated the stain of bastardy off of her. He’d spend years taunting Luke over his wins, and he’d finally taken his life too. And now, his wife was about to cast him aside for it. 

As he confessed to his wife, his eye, haunted by the accident, bore into hers, seeking understanding, pleading for empathy. The air grew dense, the chasm between them widening like an insurmountable abyss, a reflection of the irreversible consequences that now consumed them. 

I need you to believe me.

In the flicker of candlelight, hope clung to Aemond like a shadow, a desperate desire for his wife to see beyond the tragedy. Yet, her features twisted in disbelief, mirroring the horror within him. He had not expected any less, but to see it happen is like a dagger twisting in his heart.

He’s losing her. He cannot lose her. As she tries to draw away, he lets desperation take over him. He would be damned if he let her slip away over something that he did not mean to happen. 

His grip on her tightens to the point of choking, her eyes widening as she realizes that she is trapped. Not just in his hold, but in this marriage with a man that would stop at nothing, and is not even above killing family to survive. How long before he kills me too, she probably thinks. 

He longs to assure her that he wouldn’t hurt a hair on her head, but she is angry. She does not want to hear from him, so he will settle for her forced presence for now. Surely she’ll see. He cannot bear for her to look scared and fearful - she looks too much like her twin when she does. The last thing Aemond needs is to be reminded of him. 

Her sobs soak through his already damp clothes. She tries to push him away, but he is like a never-ending nightmare - the more she tries, the tighter his hold becomes, refusing to give her the solitude she craves. He wants to, he is simply scared - what if she never chooses to welcome him again?

Why?

His touch, once a source of comfort, now repulses her, but he remains oblivious to her inner turmoil. In the midst of her agony, he lowers her gently onto the bed, attempting to offer solace through caresses and kisses, unaware that his touch has become a reminder, a brand of her brother's murderer. She refuses to believe that it was an accident, and he is further pained at the dark realization that he may not be above killing her if she tries to betray and leave him over this. After all, if he cannot have her, no one else will.

"Stay with me, wife. Stay with me, and you will be kept alive and safe.” Try to leave me, and you will not live to see the next sunrise. 

The unspoken threat hangs in the air, a chilling promise that holds its own through his silence and her sobs. She closes her eyes, her unease palpable, a fear of the man she shares her bed and heart with. Aemond, too, watches her drift away, inch by agonizing inch, knowing he will have to learn to endure. He’ll have to, if her place is by Aemond’s side - and the day he married her, he’d solidified that.

What he won’t quite get used to is realizing how much like Luke she looks in fear, and how her eyes make it seem as though he is boring into his nephew’s instead. The resemblance unnerves him as he is taken back to the skies of Storm’s End in his mind once again - Luke had looked just as fearful for his life in his last moments. She is a reminder of what he’s done, of the half of her who is now lost.

How could he have expected that his own living, breathing wife would haunt him so?

THE LIBRARY IS CLOAKED IN A HUSHED DARKNESS as Aemond buries himself in his book, the words flying over his head as he tries to comprehend them. The oppressive silence of the night presses upon him, mirroring the strain in his heart. His worry for his wife weighs heavily on his mind, a persistent ache that refuses to be ignored. She has withdrawn from him, choosing silence over conversation, and the void between them grows deeper with each passing day.

In dreams, Luke sits atop his fledgling dragon, looking at him with a somber expression that makes him appear at peace. They are in the skies of Storm’s End again, only this time, neither of them is involved in a chase. They face each other, and each time, Luke talks, and Aemond seems to have no choice but to listen.

This did not have to happen, uncle, he would say. You could have let me live.

Every time, he wakes and resists the urge to slam his fists and pull his spun silver hair out as he wills the fragments of Lucerys to leave him be. He had initially blamed the shock, but even as he gains his bearings, the visions, dreams, and voices only seem to become louder, stronger, and sharper. It would seem that the more desensitized and ready to face war he becomes, the more his nephew insists on haunting him - reminding him that he is no war god, but simply a boy forced to grow into a man too soon.

This did not have to happen, uncle. You made a terrible mistake.

“Leave me in peace bastard, be gone!” He would scream as he slams his fist into the table and sends parchment flying. 

Aemond's torment continues unabated, the ghost of Luke lingering in every corner of his life, a silent spirit that refuses to be exorcized. Late at night, as Aemond lies in bed, he catches glimpses of Luke's face in the shadows that dance on the walls, his eyes hauntingly fixed upon him. The weight of his gaze bears down on Aemond's soul, making sleep an elusive and tormenting escape.

In the courtyard, where the echoes of laughter resound, Aemond finds himself frozen in place, the air heavy with Luke's presence. The wind carries whispers that seem to be the soft murmur of Luke's voice, leaving Aemond questioning his sanity. He can almost feel Luke's hand on his shoulder, a touch that sends shivers down his spine and leaves him grasping at the emptiness.

During war strategy sessions, Aemond's mind plays cruel tricks on him. As he pores over maps of wargrounds and fortified keeps, Luke's reflection materializes beside him, scrutinizing terrains with an otherworldly knowledge. Aemond's fingers tremble as he traces the borders, half-expecting Luke to offer his uninvited and foolish insights, but the silence remains.

In the Great Hall, where feasts were once lively celebrations, Aemond finds himself unable to escape the ghostly presence. The sound of revelry - that Aegon insists upon as they celebrate Luke’s death - becomes a haunting cacophony, and he can almost hear Luke's laughter intermingling with the echoes of those who celebrate his demise. Aemond often finds himself raising his goblet in a futile toast, the wine swirling like a macabre dance, mirroring the torment within him.

Even in the solace of nature, where one would hope to find peace, Aemond can't escape the ghostly reminders. Trees cast shadows that resemble Luke's silhouette as Aemond and Vhagar fly overhead, and the chilly air seems to whisper secrets that he strains to understand.

As he closes the book, a phantom chill creeps into the room. A sense of unease claws at him as he tries to erase the recollections from mind, as though doing so would remove the occurrences altogether. The chilly night air outside intensifies, causing the candle flame to dance wildly before it sputters and extinguishes with a subtle hiss. Aemond dismisses the notion, attributing it to a mere draft, and turns away from the now darkened candle.

As he turns, his reflection in the ornate mirror catches his eye, but instead of his own weary countenance, the mirror unveils the ghostly image of Luke. Aemond's breath catches in his throat as he stares into the haunted eyes of his nephew. The dim light casts an eerie glow on his ethereal almost-figure, and the air in the library seems charged with an otherworldly energy. The weight of guilt and the eerie manifestations converged, leaving Aemond paralyzed in the haunting stillness of the library, caught between the realms of the living and the departed.

"This did not have to happen, uncle," Luke's voice carries a weight of unspoken sorrow, each word etched with the regret of an untimely departure. The ghostly echoes linger in the air, weaving through the ancient shelves of books that stand as silent witnesses to this mad exchange.

Aemond - his breath catching in his throat - struggles to find the right response. The weight of guilt presses upon him as he gazes into Luke, dazed. The regret, palpable and suffocating, threatens to consume him. Luke lingers, a reminder of all his irreversible choices. Caught in the grip of the moment, Aemond feels a lump forming in his throat. "I never wanted it to end this way," he whispers, his voice tinged with regret that he would never have admitted to feeling if he hadn't had to voice it out loud. 

"You made a terrible mistake," Luke's voice echoes, the accusatory tone cutting through the oppressive silence of the library. 

Aemond's eye meets the hollow gaze of his nephew. "I am aware, and I am burdened by it… by you." He confesses, the weight of guilt hanging heavily upon him. Memories of happier days in his marriage pass his mind, and he is once again left with the gnawing pain of not knowing if she will ever seek him out again. Is he going to be made to live with this chasm between them forever? How could she live without him?

And immediately, as thoughts of his sweet wife cross his mind, the image of Luke transforms into when he was much younger, his curls a lot more prominent and his face a bit more round. He says the words again, the same words that Aemond had heard him say about his marriage - and it is all he can do to not fall apart. "She's my twin. She is mine. Her place is by my side, and nobody else's!" Luke's words resonated in the stillness, each repetition intensifying the haunting atmosphere.

The air crackles with unresolved tension as the words loop, a haunting refrain that refuses to fade. Each spoken phrase intertwines with the musty scent of ancient books, filling the room with a lingering sense of melancholy. As the words pass through the room, the library stands witness to the unfolding chaos. Dust motes, disturbed by the weight of the conversation, hang suspended in the air like transient memories. The ambient firelight, filtered through the stained glass windows, casts a surreal glow on the troubled face of a man who desperately tries to escape the consequences of his actions. The words create ripples in the stillness of the library, a transient disturbance.

His fists clench, and with a roar of frustration, he lashes out at the mirror. The impact shatters the haunting reflection, the fractured pieces falling like a cascade of broken memories. Aemond, panting and wild-eyed, stares at the shattered remnants of the mirror as drops of his blood stain them all an angry, bloody red.

ON A DARK, EERIE MORNING, Aemond decides he will seek refuge in combat training with Cole. The rhythmic clash of steel on steel promises a momentary escape from the haunting of his tormented mind. In these fleeting moments, he clings to the hope that the precision demanded by the dance of death will anchor his thoughts, keeping them disciplined and resolute.

But the training ground transforms, and the air shimmers with the echoes of unsheathed swords. In the midst of training, Luke materializes. The world blurs as Aemond's gaze locks onto his nephew's phantom form, the arrogance etched upon his face mirroring the smirk that haunts him. A tempest of confusion descends, and in the blink of an eye, he lunges forward, sword clashing against an illusion.

Reality slips away, and he finds himself ensnared in a mirage - a realm where the dead dance with the living, taunting them with all they have left. In the throbbing aftermath, the truth bears down on him like a relentless storm.

He killed him. The admission echoes in the hollow chambers of his conscience, overtaking him completely. The clash of blades morphs into a funeral dirge, and as he stands amidst the lingering consequences of his actions, the training ground transforms into a graveyard of memories. The air hangs heavy with the scent of remorse, and the phantom of Luke lingers, a silent witness to the torment that now possesses Aemond.

How he wills for his nephew to leave him alone. How he wishes he could turn back time, to a day when his wife was happy with him, when he was not the object of repulsion in her eyes. How he wishes she would welcome him with open arms again...

But why would she, uncle? Why would she, when you have slain her twin and taken me away from her? Her true other half?

He swings his sword once more, the blade cutting through the air with a desperate force. Each slash is a fervent plea, hoping that the slashes would tear up the ghost of his bastard nephew to ribbons that fly away with the wind. Even in death, his nephew is a stain on his life that refuses to let him live in peace. First his eye, now his wife.

Her place is by my side, uncle. And by killing me, you only reminded her of that.

The echoes of Luke's haunting words reverberate through the empty training ground, as Aemond battles not only the illusions before him but also the relentless demons within. The weight of his actions, the echoes of his nephew's voice, and the damning truth merge into a haunting symphony that accompanies each swing of his sword, forming an enemy much more dangerous than the Blacks that he’d sworn to kill.

The air is thick with the acrid scent of remorse. Aemond's movements become more desperate, as if trying to carve out a safe haven from the phantoms that encircle him. The blade slices through him, yet Luke's voice persists, an unyielding reminder of the havoc wrought upon not just his life but everyone’s around him.

Amidst his violent dance with illusions, Aemond longs for the solace that has eluded him since that fateful day at Storm's End. His sword becomes an extension of his anguish, a vessel through which he hopes to banish the nightmares that torment his every waking moment. The words resonate, mocking his attempts to escape the repercussions of his actions.

Aemond's grip tightens on the hilt of the sword, the struggle etched across his face as he battles the intangible. The illusion persists, refusing to be vanquished, a testament to the indomitable force of guilt and regret.

He lowers his sword and the ghostly echoes of Luke's voice linger. The training ground falls silent, a wave of unresolved grief as Aemond grapples with the realization that, even in death, his nephew remains an inescapable presence in the twisted tapestry of his existence.

Luke smiles once more, and Aemond slams the tip of his sword into the gravel, watching it fall to the side as he screams. Luke’s reflection is a sharp image on his blade, but when he looks up, the ground is empty, save for a worried mentor that watches him from the side. What must he do to gain solitude again?

The air in the training ground seems to thicken further as Aemond walks away to put his sword aside. The haunting memories of his past misdeeds cling to him like a shroud, and the distant echoes of Luke's words continue to reverberate in his mind. The once-familiar grounds feel like a journey through a desolate and forsaken landscape as he somehow registers the distant sounds of Cole calling out his name in worry.

As Aemond picks up the sheath, he senses an eerie silence enveloping the surroundings. The wind carries whispers of his regrets, and the atmosphere is charged with an unsettling energy. He looks up to see his wife standing at one of the windows, her gaze fixed on a seemingly endless point beyond the horizon. The pain of a fractured marriage weighs heavily on his shoulders, and his arrogance, once a shield, now crumbles under the weight of remorse.

Their eyes meet, and for a moment, time seems to stand still. He reads the emptiness in her eyes, an emptiness that reflects the void he has created between them. Aemond's heart sinks, realizing that his mistakes have irreparably damaged the bond he once took for granted. The echo of Luke's haunting voice intertwines with the desolation that surrounds him.

She is his, but he does not want to have her like this; unwilling. Unable to withstand the haunting gaze, Aemond turns away. The clang of metal against metal resonates in the air as he sheathed his sword. The once-sharp blade now feels heavy, burdened with the weight of his own sins.

Before he leaves, compelled by an unseen force, Aemond looks up at the tower once more. But this time, it is not his wife who meets his gaze. Instead, the window frames the ghostly figure of Luke, staring back with fear etched on his face. Before he can further contemplate the vision, she is right there again, looking away. With the many sightings of Luke that he is subjected to, Aemond is not fazed anymore. But he is once more reminded of how similar his nephew and wife look in fear. He does not like seeing her this way.

A shiver courses down Aemond's spine as his gaze meets the ghostly visage of his nephew. Before he can avert his eyes, the apparition transforms into his wife, each manifestation carrying an accusing, sorrowful, and frightened expression. The visions alternate with unsettling speed, a haunting dance where Luke and his wife exchange places in the blink of an eye. 

Aemond is unnerved by the rapidity with which the pair appears almost indistinguishable, their features blending into an eerie resemblance that sends chills through his soul. The accusatory eyes of Luke and the sorrowful gaze of his wife interchange with a disorienting fluidity, leaving Aemond trapped in a whirlwind of regret, fear, and a gnawing sense of the uncanny.

He walks away, steps definitive and terror-struck as he steps into the tower. The silence is deafening, broken only by the echoes of regrets and the distant wind. Aemond, haunted by the consequences of his actions, contemplates the surreal encounter. The armor-laden grounds, once a place of training, now serve as the stage for the haunting manifestations of his past. The ghost of Luke remains and so does his remembrance of a happier wife - who, for reasons he cannot fathom, reminds him of his biggest mistake. A constant reminder that redemption may be forever out of reach.

THE WORD HOLDS TOO MUCH EMOTION than he can bear to pour into his voice, but he says it all the same.

“Wife.”

As Aemond approaches her, he takes in the sight of her, a weak vision of House Strong's distinct features marked by dark hair and blue eyes. The vibrant happiness that once defined her has been replaced by weariness, one that seems to have settled into the very core of her being.

Her brown hair, once a shiny cascade, now hangs in loose tendrils, lacking the luster it once possessed. The dim light highlights her fatigue, revealing the toll that the sorrow of losing her brother has taken on her. The lines etched upon her face speak of countless nights spent wrestling nightmares and the strain of unanswered questions. Her eyes, once bright and expressive, now carry a perpetual sadness and seem to bear the weight of all her losses.

Does she grieve for them too? For their marriage? For him and all the time they’ve lost?

As Aemond gathers the courage to approach, he can't help but feel a pang of regret for the role he played in casting this shadow over the woman he once knew and still loves. The air around her seems heavy with declarations unmade, the room echoing with the quiet desperation of a fractured connection that he is grasping at to mend. Aemond, yearning for reconciliation, steels himself to bridge the gap that has grown between them, hoping to heal not just their relationship, but her as well. 

She turns to look at him, the faint moonlight from the window hitting her face as she assesses the man that stands before her. Not her husband, no - Aemond knows how she looked at him when she loved him. Now she simply stares through him, understanding that it’s her brother’s killer that she is facing. He doesn’t know what hurts him more - her grief, or her cluelessness. 

She doesn’t respond, but she doesn’t walk away either, empowering him to take a few steps further. He reaches out to her and takes her hand, and smiles by the corner of his lips when she doesn’t grab her hand back. 

“Are you… well?”

The idiocy of the question while he sees how tired she is does not escape him, but in all honesty, she has him tongue-tied. Aemond has missed her touch, and simply getting to hold her hand again has set a fire ablaze in him that he cannot seem to quell.

“As well as one can be, considering the circumstances.”

Time stands still as he takes in the sound of her voice, hoarse from not having said much in a long while. His mother tries with her, but even the Queen can’t make his grief-stricken wife budge - she would stay until she couldn’t, leaving his wife to her thoughts. What could she say to make things better anyhow?  I’m sorry my son killed your brother? I’m sorry you’re caught in a war that is not of your making? I’m sorry you cannot look at your husband with anything but disdain?

He is rendered well and truly silent as he tries to measure her feelings, but she beats him to it as she speaks again - addressing the elephant in the room as quickly as she is able. “Are you here to apologize for murdering my brother?”

“It was an accident.”

He knows he shouldn’t be arguing, but what was he to do? He’d let the world speak cruelly of him and brand him a kinslayer, but he cannot have his own wife hate him so. His defense of his actions only seem to spur her further as she pushes her free hand into his chest, and he holds onto her hand tighter, unwilling to let her go like she wants to.

“Don’t demean yourself by justifying your venom, Aemond. You have hated Luke your entire life, and I’d rather you not make years of hatred seem like nothing in your pursuit to make a better name for yourself with me now. You’re well past that, valzȳrys.” She spits out the last word, making him feel hurt and horrendously out of place. husband

“You don’t believe me.”

“You killed him!”

She sobs, her tears making it very clear that he is a lot less in her eyes now than he used to be. He fights the urge to scream, to hold her by the shoulders and shake sense into her. He wants to remind her that he is not what she thinks him to be, and that he genuinely would never do anything to hurt her. But he has. And he is now facing the consequences of weighing the choices and choosing wrong. How he wishes he’d simply let Luke leave - Aemond had won, why didn’t he?

Her sobs echo in the strained silence, the air thick with the weight of unspoken grievances. In a moment of raw vulnerability, she hits him square on his chest - each strike of her closed fists carrying the weight of accumulated sorrow, an outward manifestation of the tumultuous emotions that have festered within. Aemond, initially taken aback, winces. 

Yet, even as the blows intensify, Aemond doesn't recoil. Instead, he envelops her in a desperate embrace, a gesture born not out of defiance but of a shared longing for understanding. The chamber becomes a battleground of emotions, the struggle to make sense of their fractured marriage playing out in light of all that has taken place.

“I want to hate you so much.” She says, the words choked out as her voice comes out muffled. Her lips are branded onto his chest as she mouths the words over the leathers he wears. “I want to. You’re a monster, that's all I see. I hate you so much.”

He pretends to not hear any of the damning words, for fear of hurting her in the anger that they rouse in him. She looks up at him, and all he wants is to crush her in his hold as he feels the anger creep up on him. But what she says next knocks the wind out of him, reminding him of why he has taken the trouble to come here to try and repair their marriage. 

“But I love you all the same, and I don’t know if I hate you or the love I hold more.”

It is all the confirmation he needs. She is not out of reach just yet. Aemond, grappling with the weight of her words, feels a heavy tension in the air as her lips remain pressed against his chest, the muffled admissions still hanging in the space between them.

As she lifts her head, her eyes, red and swollen, meet his. Aemond sees the internal conflict etched into the lines of her face, torn between the desire to loathe him and the persistent, undeniable love that refuses to be extinguished. He remains silent, understanding the gravity of her admission, aware that any response from him could tip the fragile balance they are trying to restore.

In a moment suspended between resentment and longing, she tentatively reaches up to touch his face, her fingertips tracing the contours of his jaw. Aemond, still holding back the urge to speak, feels the warmth of her touch, a gesture that speaks volumes. Then, as if guided by an invisible force, their lips meet in a hesitant, exploratory kiss. It is not a fiery embrace born out of passion; rather, it is a delicate connection, an attempt to bridge the emotional distance that has grown between them. 

And then Luke surfaces, yet again.

He holds her tighter and kisses her deep, his tongue begging for entrance as he fights the ghost of Luke, staring right at him as he tries to make his wife forgive him. With every movement of their joined lips, he refutes his dead nephew’s words. He is hers, and she is his. From this day, till the end of their days. 

Not Luke’s. His.

“Mine,” he mumbles in between kisses. Over and over until the blasted bastard’s spirit hears and lets him live. But why should he, when Aemond did not offer him the same courtesy? “You’re mine. No one else’s.”

“What?” He doesn’t answer her murmured question, not quite ready to make her privy to the haunting of his mind by her twin. He does not want to let him ruin this moment for them, not any more than he already has. His hands involuntarily find her skirts, pushing them up as he lowers his lips to kiss her neck.

The skin of her thighs are as soft as he’d remembered, his hands relishing in the touch as it disappears under her dress. She clings to him, a slight whine escaping her lips as his fingertips graze her skin, holding onto her backside as he lifts her up effortlessly, feet carrying them both and pushing her into the nearest wall. The kiss is never ending, and he’d not have it any other way.He presses into her, his hands holding her by the hip so tight that he’s probably bruising her, but he is too far gone to care. He needs to prove his nephew wrong, and with each moment he believes he is closer to vanquishing the ghost of the Strong pup from his consciousness.

“Take me,” she says. He hears her, but he is not quite sure he is listening. However, he does as she says. He has wanted this for long, having missed her touch for long, having missed her wanting him for long. He has wanted this for too long to do anything otherwise, and so he does. He growls as he bites her neck, while she unlaces his breeches and lets his cock spring free. The weeping tip is erect and stands proud, and he hopes she can see what she could have had in the time that she pushed him away. No matter, she’s here now.

He is taken aback by how tight she is, how warm and inviting she is despite it all. Her wetness engulfs him as he thrusts into her, making up for wasted time. With each thrust and with each moan that she lets out, he hopes and prays that their marriage will endure - but the phantom of his nephew is never ending as he refuses to fade. Aemond claims her as is his right, but as he does, he realizes his true goal is to simply remind the ghost in his head that she is his, and no one else’s.

“Mine.”

She leans into him, meeting his forehead with hers as her hair falls around them. Her panting breaths and heaving chest has him in a tight chokehold, and it almost keeps him from being haunted by her twin. Almost.

She peaks with a shuddering moan, and as she falls into him - limp and willing - he chases his pleasure. He brings her down to stand and mindlessly thrusts into her as he chants mine, mine, mine over and over again and when he does spill in her, he wants to be able to only experience pleasure, and nothing else. 

Surely his mind is playing tricks on him, or Luke has simply taken over Aemond in a capacity far beyond his control - for he is certain he sees him in her eyes for just a moment, taunting him and reveling in his misery.  

The memory hits him like whiplash, and it is all he can think of.

Aemond’s hands encircle her delicate throat, pressing her frail form against the unforgiving stone wall, as though he intends to merge her essence with its cold surface. The echoes of her labored panting reverberate in the air, a desperate struggle for breath, while he, consumed by an unrelenting force, cannot cease his actions. 

Her blue eyes roll back in agony, and the veins on her neck stand out more prominently than usual, appearing blue in certain lights and green in others - details he might have discerned if not blinded by rage and madness.

He sees clearly, he always does. But in this moment, the intensity of his anger clouds his judgment, rendering him as blind as he is perceptive in moments of calm. Her pallor intensifies, and her hands futilely attempt to pry his fingers from her skin, seeking reprieve - he wants to let go, but he cannot. How could he?

His nephew has haunted him for years, much like the famed phantom of Harrenhal. Luke may have only been nine years of age when he took Aemond’s eye, but it has wielded a malevolent influence throughout his journey from boyhood to manhood. It has been the root cause for a lot of what he’s done - right from marrying her, to now killing her so she can join her brother wherever he is.

He needs to banish the haunting memory of his nephew from his tormented consciousness. He wants so badly for the words to stop playing in his head, weaving a harsh thread of thoughts that he cannot seem to find his way out of. Her life hangs by a thread, one that he stretches taut until she snaps.

As much as he resents acknowledging it, perhaps Lucerys was right. He isn't killing her; he is merely guiding her to where she belongs, by his side. “Aemond…” Her plea is feeble, choked, and nearly devoid of a voice. “Husband, please…” He hears his sweet wife’s last words, but he refuses to listen.

As the light in her eyes slowly dims, he watches as she struggles to keep her eyes open. Her hold on his choking hand loosens and loses its fight, and she gives in. It is almost as though they are back to how they were, in the days when they were happier, and his hands had been around her neck in much more sensual moments - always just enough, never as tight and deadly as this.

She looks almost peaceful in this state, in the last moments where she’s accepted that she has outrun her course. He cannot have her this way, does not want her this way -  where she fears him and what he has truly become; where every moment that she looks at him with mixed emotions, he is reminded of his nephew and the day he died.

Cursed bastard.

Her once kind smiles, the very essence that once distinguished her from her twin, have undergone a haunting transformation. Her face has since been etched with an unspoken terror, a fear that clings to her like a shroud of impending doom. Every glance she casts seems laden with an eerie anticipation, as if she is poised to deliver a fatal blow.

In those harrowing moments, the resemblance between them becomes a grotesque mirror, reflecting a likeness he cannot bear to acknowledge. The weight of her presence - his presence - is suffocating, an unsettling reminder of his own recklessness. He cannot afford the luxury of a wavering mind, not in the midst of a relentless war that demands his unwavering focus.

This connection has become an unbearable burden, stoking a fury within him that knows no bounds. All he craves is the dissolution of his nephew's haunting memory, an obliteration that refuses to comply with the confines of his subconscious. Instead, it lingers, an ominous specter that shadows his every waking moment, intensifying the horrors that plague him day and night.

And then, her breathing ceases.

The chilling realization of what he’s done crashes over him like a wave, dragging him into the abyss of his own making. The haunting echoes of his nephew's voice, the relentless specter that had tormented his every waking moment ever since the fateful day at Storm’s End, had finally ceased. However, the newfound silence is shattered by the ghastly thud of her lifeless form crumpling to the floor, unleashing an eerie force that wraps its tendrils around his soul.

She seems liberated from the oppressive shackles of fear and her lifeless face descends into an eerie calm that chills the marrow of his bones. In death, she appears more tranquil than any moment he witnessed in life since her twin’s passing. The grotesque disparity between her and Lucerys’ final moments sends a shiver down his spine, the air thick with the stench of regret and the palpable weight of his transgressions.

With a trembling hand, he reaches out to touch her slowly chilling forehead, pressing a sorrowful kiss upon it. The chamber becomes suffocating, the air thickening with an oppressive calm that clings to the shadows. In that macabre stillness, a chilling certainty takes hold — Lucerys will no longer haunt him, but the cost is etched in the lines of his lovely wife’s lifeless face.

As the reality of his irreversible choice seeps into his bones, a haunting question claws at the edges of his conscience: Was the liberation from the phantom of his nephew's influence worth the mad ending of his wife's life? The Seven bear witness to another one of his kinslaying crimes and the heavy silence that follows - a testament to the darkness that now envelopes his soul, as the shadows of the hearth themselves seem to recoil from the stench of blood that stains the very fabric of the air.

Now the twins are together in death, by each other’s side. 

Aemond is free.

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MASTERLIST

[justabrunettewhowrites-stuff]

'Heartstrings and Lightning Strikes'

Luke Castellan x Fem!Reader

A/N:Mixed feelings abt this one but rq'd by my sister so I had to do it

Basically you and Luke run into your douchebag of an ex - and Luke ends up saving you when he makes the wrong move.

Under the starlit canopy of Camp Half-Blood, Luke Castellan strolled alongside you, the moon casting shadows on your intertwined fingers.Campfires flickered around the two of you, mirroring the sparks that danced between the young couple.

The air was charged with an odd tension when you stumbled upon an unexpected encounter - your ex,a demigod who once made your days a living hell. His arrogant smirk and condescending gaze betrayed a history of pain and heartache.He grinned as he saw you,turning to you and speaking

"Y/N." he cooed, attempting a charming smile that once fooled mortals and monsters alike. His eyes, however, betrayed a darkness that matched the abyss.

Luke tightened his grip on your hand, a silent vow etched in his gaze as he glared at your ex.The past, it seemed, had a way of resurfacing like monsters from the depths of Tartarus.

Ignoring Luke's glare,your ex dared to reach for your hand, gripping it tightly.You winced.Luke's eyes flickered with a dangerous intensity, a storm brewing beneath the surface.

You tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened. "You always did like it rough, didn't you?" he sneered.

"Luke," you whispered, shooting him a pleading glance,a flicker of pain crossing your face.

That was Luke's breaking point.

Luke felt a surge of jealousy.The air thickened as his patience wore thin. He shot a warning glare at the intruder. "Back off."

The campfire reflected the flames building within Luke as he stepped forward, a tempest in human form. "Let go of her, now."

Your ex laughed, seemingly unfazed by the impending storm. "What are you going to do about it, Castellan?"

Your ex smirked, thinking it was a bluff. That was until Luke unsheathed his sword, the glint of the deadly metal reflecting in his enraged eyes as he swiftly pressed it right against his throat.The campfire flickered ominously, mirroring the intensity of the moment.

"Nobody hurts her." Luke growled, his voice laced with a newfound power

Your ex, sensing the shift in power, retreated with a smirk. "Fine,Castellan. But remember,some things never change." With a final glance at you, he disappeared into the shadows.

The night air whispered tales of jealousy and possessiveness, but Luke held you close, the heat of his anger slowly dissipating.

With the threat dispelled, Luke turned to you, his expression softening as he cupped your chin and looked down at you, his thumb caressing your cheek gently. "Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes searching yours for reassurance.You,being touched by Luke's protectiveness,nodded with a grateful smile.

You rested a reassuring hand on Luke's arm, your eyes silently thanking him.

In that moment, amidst the turmoil of emotions,you and Luke found strength in each other,your bond solidified by the challenges you faced together in a world of gods,monsters - and unfathomably obnoxious exes.

[selene-ella]

"Relics of The Past | IV" (Final Part)

Pair: Qimirxfemale!reader

Summary: the dark possession of the holocron was still affecting you, so Qimir decides to take you to an adventure on Korriban.

Warnings: none really, mentions of dark possession and violence(?)

Notes: When I started writing this I had no intent of posing it, as I tend to keep my fanfics for myself. So thanks to everyone who read it and I might write something else, or another part based on some past experience they shared.

Part I, Part II, Part III

Word Count: 3.9k

*Capstone: A capstone was the inner crystal of a Sith holocron. Capstones served two purposes within the holocron: first as a power source, and secondly though equally important, to capture the creator's gatekeeper essence within the device. 

Your ship hurtles through the void, its hull echoing with forgotten whispers. Korriban—the Sith homeworld—beckons like a black hole, pulling you toward its ancient secrets.

Beside you, Qimir’s vessel glides—a lone star in the cosmic expanse. You’ve both chosen this treacherous path, driven by curiosity or desperation.

But something lingers—an echo of power. It clawed its way into your mind, insidious and hungry. You press buttons, trying to establish a connection to Qimir’s ship. His voice crackles through the comm channel.

“Are you sure this won’t make it worse?” you ask, your fingers trembling.

“The only way I can find a way to help you with this,” Qimir replies, determination etched in his tone, “is by checking a source of similar power.”

You retract into your head, seeking refuge in memory. The incident—the dark presence invading your mind space—still haunts you. Early that morning, you’d fumbled for your clothes, disoriented. The Force had screamed—a tempest of anguish.

Qimir had rushed to your aid, but it took partial control of him too. His eyes mirrored your struggle, darkening with shared pain. Together, you fought against the invasive force, pushing back the darkness that threatened you, managing to subdue it. Your mind remained foggy, the edges of reality blurred.

“What if,” you whisper, “whatever that was, will turn me into some Force monster?”

Qimir’s silence hangs heavy through the coms. The Sith hell place awaits—the tombs, the glyphs, the echoes of forgotten Sith Lords.

As Qimir’s ship glided through the void of space, the crimson orb of Korriban loomed ahead—a forbidden world steeped in Sith history. The ship’s hull hummed with anticipation, its sensors scanning for any signs of pursuit. You and Qimir exchanged a glance through the windows of your cockpits.

The Sith temple looms—a monolith of obsidian and secrets. Qimir’s ship touches down, its landing gear sinking into the crimson sands. The air crackles with ancient energy.

The Sith homeworld was no ordinary destination. Its jagged peaks held ancient tombs, crypts, and dark secrets—the very essence of the Sith Order. But to tread upon its surface risked exposure. The Sith adhered to the Rule of Two, their secrecy absolute. Discovery meant death.

As the ship descended too, the atmosphere crackled with energy. Korriban’s red sands stretched out below, a desolate landscape that whispered of power and treachery. You gripped the armrest, torn between awe and fear.

The ramp of your ship lowered, revealing the ancient world. You stepped onto Korriban, the Sith language echoing in your mind. The holocron’s legacy pulsed within you, urging you deeper into its mysteries. Ahead lay the tombs—their secrets waiting to be unravelled.

But as you ventured forth, you knew that every step carried risk. The Sith powers watched, their eyes like daggers. Qimir’s gaze met yours, determination etched into his features. Together, you would navigate the shadows, seeking solutions that defied their dogma. For the opening of that holocron had bound you both—a force beyond light and dark, pulling you inexorably toward destiny’s edge.

You glance at Qimir, the wind carrying the scent of ancient dust. The Sith Citadel looms ahead, its spires like claws reaching for the heavens.

Qimir,” you say, your voice low. “I take back what I previously said. This is way worse than being discovered by the Jedi."

He turns to you, his expression resolute. “They won’t find us here. We’re ghosts in their archives, and you're not even a sith... we are not sith.. yet."

“What if,” you press, “our actions awaken their scrutiny? What if they sense us—stepping on their sacred ground?”

Qimir steps closer, his hand on your shoulder. “We’re shadows,” he murmurs. “The Sith are preoccupied with their own machinations—their power struggles and hidden agendas.”

The closer you get, the more you can feel the power you absorbed awakening within.

As the Sith-red glyphs pulse beneath your skin, you feel a sensation—an otherworldly current. It’s as if the energy seeks to break free, to claw its way into the air. The marks throb, resonating with the temple’s malevolence.

You clench your fists, trying to contain it. The sensation—part heat, part yearning—travels up your arms, tracing the ancient symbols. They’re alive, inscribed upon your very essence.

Beside you, Qimir notices. His eyes widen, reflecting the crimson glow.

“What happened?” he asks, his voice low, "I thought those vanished "

You shake your head. “The holocron—it left its mark. It’s alive within me.”You pause for a moment, “and I think it's part of someone's very being.”

The closer you get to the Sith temple, the harder it becomes to remain in control. Your vision blurs, and you feel like a different being altogether.

Your hand extends forward, fingers trembling, as if trying to sense any obstruction in your path. “Qimir,” you call out, your voice echoing through the space. “I can’t see.”

No response follows. Panic tightens your chest. “Qimir?” you repeat, your voice more desperate than before. “Are you there?”

He must be still with you, or perhaps you're no longer with him. You're locked within your shell. Your body moves ahead, next to Qimir, but it isn’t propelled by your consciousness. You’re a passenger in your own skin.

Desperation drives you. You try to pierce the veil of possession, to reach his mind. As you do, your senses return abruptly, and you stagger, losing your balance.

“What happened?” His voice held an edge of fear. His gaze locked onto your eyes, now partially consumed by Sith yellow. “You’re losing yourself.”

“I can’t see,” you confessed, your voice raw. “And I’m not able to control myself.” The words tasted bitter, like ashes on your tongue.

His hand found yours, strong and steady. “We can turn back,” he offered, concern etched into every line of his face. “This journey isn’t worth your sacrifice.”

But you shook your head, determination flaring. “No,” you insisted. “I need answers. I cannot live with this inside me. I know the witches can't aid me with anything force related.”

Your first thought was to return to Dathomir, where you spent some years, learning from the witches, but this power was something that not even they can contain.

And so, hand in hand, you pressed forward—the lost Sith echoes whispering secrets, the holocron’s malevolence clawing at your very soul.

Qimir’s eyes held a mixture of awe and concern as he watched you. The unwavering determination in you both impressed and worried him.

He squeezed your hand, grounding you in the present. “Stubborn as ever,” he murmured, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “But I won’t let you face this alone.”

The Sith Temple loomed before you. A massive structure hewn from stone by the Sith themselves. Its jagged spires clawed at the heavens, casting elongated shadows across the barren landscape of the planet.

As you stepped through the obsidian archway, the air thickened, and the world shifted.

It's oppressive aura clung to you both. As you stepped deeper into its heart, the energies gnawed at your very essence.

Qimir’s eyes darted from bas-reliefs to frescoes and their depictions of Sith Lords in battle both inspiring and unsettling. The temple’s dark energy tugged at his soul, and he clenched his jaw. Was it reverence or fear that etched lines on his face? Perhaps both.

The mosaic floor—blood-red tiles etched with cryptic symbols seemed to pulse beneath your boots. You felt the weight of history, the rise and fall of Sith Lords, their ambitions and betrayals. The whispers of long-dead acolytes echoed through the corridors, urging you forward. Is this what Qimir longs for? Ultimate power that ends in damnation? To have his very essence become a wraith bound this place?

You traced your fingers over the glyphs, they guided you toward a dimly lit corridor. The air thickened, and you turned, expecting to find Qimir at your side. But he was gone, swallowed by the shadows.

A corridor stretched before you—an abyss of crimson torchlight. Red flames danced on either side, casting elongated shadows. Each step amplified the eerie whispers—the ancient Sith language, unintelligible yet haunting. The forbidden knowledge clung to you like a shroud.

Midway through, something struck you—a forceful blow that sent you sprawling. You rose, disoriented. Past and present collided—the temple’s reality merging with memories. Suddenly, you were back in your Jedi Temple chambers. Across from you stood a friend, levitating a holo book with casual ease.

“What can you do?” he asked, his tone mocking.

Your fingers trembled. “Master Yoda warned me,” you replied, “a skill to be honed carefully, practiced daily.”

His laughter echoed dismissively. “Boring, then,” he taunted, continuing his telekinetic exercises.

“No!” You clenched your fists, storming out of the room. Your padawan friend followed, taunting you as you entered a training area filled with classmates. Their eyes bore into you, their whispers like venom. “She can’t use the Force,” they jeered, pointing and laughing.

Frustration clenched your fists. You stormed out, your padawan friend trailing behind you.

"She still has no force skills" he said loudly. In the training room, classmates pointed, ridiculing your lack of skill. And in that moment, you snapped.

His mind became yours, his pain and memories created a bridge between you and him—a surge of raw power. His family’s deaths flooded his senses, amplified tenfold. Agony consumed him, and you stood there both protector and punisher. The other kids started to run scared, as he screamed in pain.

“He got what he deserved,” a spectral figure appeared—a young version of you. Her voice held conviction. “Doubters deserve pain—their own inflictions returned.” She drew close, arms enfolding you. Her presence was both comforting and unsettling.

That incident led to your expulsion from the Jedi Order. Your master pleaded, but the Council saw darkness in you. The skill you wielded was potent but dangerous.

Exhausted, you rose within the temple once more. Another apparition formed—a twisted reflection of yourself. It taunted, “You’re weak! The Jedi code still binds you!”

You retracted your blades, turning your back to it. “I am not interested in being whatever this is.” you looked her up and down. The figure sneaked behind you, its voice dark this time. “Not even for him?” it posed, tempting. “What if I end him? Will you fall?”

You continued to walk forward, your steps resolute. “I'm no longer seeking power in the dark and you’re just a projection of my mind,” you declared, turning around. “Not even real.” And with that, you woke up in the main chamber—the echoes of your past still haunting you and Qimir nowhere to be found.

The ancient Sith temple, its walls etched with cryptic inscriptions and unknown powers, pushed Qimir back into his Jedi days. The air thickened, and he found himself standing in the familiar training grounds.

Qimir had excelled, his connection to the Force strong. But doubts crept in—the whispers of forbidden curiosity.

“You need to know your opponent, Qimir,” his master’s voice echoed. “You won’t win unless you’re willing to sacrifice a part of yourself.”

He parried her strikes, but confusion clouded his expression. “Master,” he protested, “the Jedi way isn’t violent.”

“Your enemies won’t announce their attack,” she countered, extending her lightwhip. Qimir deflected it, but doubt gnawed at him.

“We’re done,” she declared. “Return to the temple. Meditate on our discussion.”

Vernestra always pushed Qimir’s limits. She sensed his potential beyond serenity, but her approach lacked empathy.

During meditation, he’d glimpsed shadows—the allure of power beyond the Jedi Code. The holocrons held secrets, and Qimir hungered for more. He questioned the Council’s rigid doctrines.

“You’re sick!” Her voice echoed. “You defied me and the Order for power willingly offered?” Betrayal stung him.

“You’re uncontrollable,” she continued. “How can you wield such power when you can’t even face me?” His lightsaber destroyed, the scar on his back—they burned fresh.

“Look where your greed has led you,” Vernestra’s voice filled his mind.

But another voice intruded—an eerie whisper. “No, no, no. Look where you are.” It lured him. “All you’ve ever sought is at your disposal. Commit to the path. Claim the power! Abd strike her down!”

Qimir hesitated. He had come for you, seeing the consequences of unchecked power. “I’m here with a different purpose,” he asserted.

“You lack conviction!” The voice spat. “Just as you did as a Jedi.” His saber ignited, aimed at the force manifestation—And then you spoke, scared. The hum of his blade pulsed inches from your chest. “Qimir, what are you doing?”

He retracted the blade, regaining consciousness. “I thought I caught the being taunting me,” he explained.

Your fingers wrapped softly around his fist. “They aren’t real,” you assured him. “just manifestations of our past and fears.”

His eyes dark, Qimir felt exhausted. “Where did you disappear earlier?” he asked. You glanced behind you, pointing at the corridor. But instead of a hallway, there was a solid wall. “I swear there was a long passage,” you insisted.

“Someone or something is playing with us,” Qimir concluded, moving forward, ever vigilant. The shadows whispered secrets, and the temple held more than ancient inscriptions—it held echoes of your intertwined destiny.

“It’s this place as a whole, and it can’t be trusted,” you confessed, your voice raw. “If anything happens…” Your words fractured, the weight of your purpose bearing down. “Know that it won’t be me. I’m not here for any of this.” Your heart pounding.

Fear trembled through your entire being. Not fear of the temple, but fear of yourself—of the visions that haunted your mind. Visions where you were the harbinger of destruction, where Qimir lay broken at your feet. Could you trust your own intentions? Or were you a vessel for something darker?

Qimir, steadfast and unyielding, outstretched his hand. “We’ve faced worse in our past,” he assured you. His touch was grounding, a lifeline in the abyss. And then, without hesitation, you embraced him—a hug that spoke of shared battles, shared scars.

The impending doom hung heavy, like a blade poised to fall. One of you might not emerge from this place alive. But you had always chosen him over yourself. It was why you’d left, seeking peace and solitude. Yet fate, those tangled threads, had drawn you back together.

The main chamber of the ancient Sith temple loomed—an expanse of forgotten power, glowing inscriptions etched into the walls, and relics scattered like echoes of a bygone era. Your exhaustion weighed heavily, and you leaned against a rock formation, seeking respite.

“Where are we going to find a capstone here?” you lamented, your voice echoing through the vastness. The enormity of the temple overwhelmed you. Qimir scanned the surroundings, his gaze darting from relic to relic, and your patience waned.

“If this place has so many relics,” he reasoned, “it must hold the materials needed to create a holocron.”

You paced, eyes tracing the artifacts. “This is the heart of Sith teachings,” you mused aloud. “All knowledge lies within these walls. Have you ever considered bringing your acolytes here?” Your words hung in the air, a question echoing through the ancient silence.

He halted, his footsteps faltering. “No,” he replied, his voice tinged with solemnity. “She never passed her test. And besides…” He turned to face you, seeking something in your eyes. “An acolyte would need to want it too, to accept it willingly. Show devotion."

Your confusion deepened. “Accept what willingly?” you asked, your brows furrowing. His gaze bore into yours, and the truth unfolded—a revelation that shook your core.

“The power of two,” Qimir confessed. His vulnerability hung in the air. He wanted to know if you would accept it—the very essence of your shared purpose.

He stepped closer, closing the distance between you. His body pressed against yours, and the weight of his words settled. “All I ever wanted,” he continued, “was the power of two. No master, no apprentice ties—just sharing and wielding the same power, together.”

His pause was poignant. “But you left me.” The accusation hung between you—an ache that cut deeper than any blade.

Shock painted your face. His actual desire to use the Force to create a dyad. Anger and self-hatred surged within you. You closed your eyes, his presence still radiating around you.

“How could I be so foolish?” you whispered. “All these years, I thought you were referring to the Sith rule of two.”

His expression shifted—an instant transformation. “I thought you knew,” he said. “We never shared a master-apprentice connection," his palms resting on your hips, "I thought I could find someone else to play the part." He finally confessed.

The guilt and remorse you felt—the ultimate crack in your soul—was all the dark possession needed. Your eyes remained closed, but Qimir sensed the shift.

“Are you—” he began, only to be silenced by the searing slash of your lightsaber.

Qimir’s reflexes kick in—an instinct honed through battles and shared struggles. As your lightsaber slashes toward him, he sidesteps, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike. Surprise and hurt flash across his face, but he doesn’t falter. Instead, he raises his own blade—a mix of determination and betrayal in his eyes.

The clash of lightsabers reverberates through the walls, a symphony of raw power and unresolved emotions. Qimir’s blade, red and fierce, meets your white one—a dance of destiny and betrayal. Sparks erupt, illuminating the obsidian walls. His eyes—once filled with trust—now hold hurt and determination. You push against each other, the Force crackling between you. The capstone—the nexus of creation—watches, its latent power yearning for resolution. In this duel, more than blades clash—it’s the threads of fate unraveling, and the truth that neither of you can escape.

Within the tempest of Qimir’s mind, the dark entity’s presence wavered. Confusion weakened its grip, and you seized the opportunity to confront it.

“He won’t do it,” you declared, crossing your arms. The entity’s intentions—its plans—were laid bare, and you refused to be a passive observer.

The dark entity scoffed, its presence like a storm cloud inside your head. “It doesn’t matter what he does,” it hissed. “The key lies in both of you. Whatever paths your lives might have taken, they converge here.”

Curiosity drove you further. “So, we’re pawns in your cosmic game?” you pressed. “Mind-controlled vessels to fulfill your grand design?”

The entity’s laughter echoed—a chilling sound. “You poor beings,” it mocked. “Your physical existence is nothing to me. I want the power you two possess—the power of the Dyad.”

You fought against the veils of time and consciousness, pushing toward him. If this entity held sway over you, it was only partially. Your loyalty to Qimir burned brighter than any dark force.

The dark grip wavers—a moment when its influence slips like sand through your fingers. You sense it—the tendrils of possession loosening, their malevolence fading. This is the chance you have to reclaim your agency, to defy the entity’s designs.

"You're sick" you retort, as you gain partial control over your body.

Qimir searched in desperation for the capstone. Its presence pulsed, close yet elusive. The dark entity’s influence—partially broken—allowed you to reach him, to push through the veils of consciousness, but the cortosis was blocking you.

He ventured deeper into the temple, where ruins crumbled, their stories lost to time. And there, amidst the debris, Qimir discovered it. It rested within the very heart of the temple, he stepped forward, his hand outstretched. But the flames surged, as if sentient, guarding their prize. The eternal blaze—the inferno that defied time—threatened to consume him.

And then it came—a red blade spinning toward him. Qimir’s cortosis helmet deflected it, altering its trajectory. But you emerged from the shadows, your the other lightsaber ignited. The eagerness to fight—against him still possessing you.

You and Qimir circled each other, lightsabers ignited, crossing each other.

The crystal you’d sought lay behind Qimir, flames dancing around it like guardians. An idea surged—a desperate gambit. Could you harness the possession’s power to strengthen your resolve and claim the stone?

Abandoning your lightsabers, you thrust your hands through the veil of force and fire. The creature’s voice screamed within your mind: “You’re going to destroy everything, you thick-witted imbecile!” The flames seared your armored forearm, leaving your skin exposed. Qimir leaped to your aid, unwilling to let you struggle alone.

Together, you reached the capstone, cradling it between your fingers. But reality slipped away—the grip on the tangible world loosening.

“I told you only one of us would make it out,” you murmured, ready to end your journey. But Qimir disagreed. Could he resurrect, not just heal? His hand hovered above your head, focus unwavering, while the other clutched the obsidian crystal.

The force surged within you, and you gasped. “Qimir, stop!”

“I won’t let you die,” he declared, determination etching his features. “We’re already one.”

“He wants to utilize its power to grow stronger,” you whispered, your voice frail.

Darkness beckoned, but Qimir pressed the crystal to your chest. The entity’s power and possession flowed into it, leaving glowing red marks that crystallized around the stone.

You rose, mind foggy, and placed your hand atop the hovering force, chanting forgotten Sith words—ur-Kittât. The new holocron materialized, heavy in your palm, your quest fulfilled.

As you rose, Qimir’s eyes held yours. A kiss—a desperate communion—sealed your bond. Your past, present, and future converged—a single moment shared. He responded, and as you pulled away, one question lingered: why now?

His lips moved against yours, and you tasted eternity. But when he pulled away, questions lingered. “If force resurrection or healing makes a dyad manifest fully, why didn’t it happen when you found me years ago?”

You smiled, tracing his face. “I healed you with magic,” you explained. “I found you not long after leaving Dathomir. Dathomirian witches rely solely on magic, no force involved. And you weren’t dead—I tended to your wounds for days.”

“We’re even now,” he joked. You retrieved your sabers, but Qimir ignited one—a red blade. “I guess I’m half like you.”

“What about our guy?” he gestured to the new holocron.

“I’ll take it with me,” you said. “I feel like this won’t be our last meeting.”Qimir’s trust in you remained steadfast.

The temple still chanted its secrets, and you and Qimir stood there—two souls entwined by fate and fire. The touch of your hands, was more than a simple moment of closeness , it was a bridge—a conduit that bound you both.

As your fingers brushed the obsidian surface, a surge of energy rippled through you. Not just power, but connection. The dyad—their dyad—unlocked. It wasn’t merely shared strength; it was shared existence. Every heartbeat, every breath—they echoed in tandem.

Qimir’s eyes held yours, and you saw it—the raw vulnerability, the unspoken promise. You’d stay. Not out of duty or necessity, but because this bond defied reason. It was love, sacrifice, and defiance woven into stardust.

He leaned closer, and his lips brushed yours—a kiss that tasted of eternity. In that moment, you knew—you were no longer two separate beings. You were a force—a tremor that shakes the universe.

[inheartofwinter]

Drarry Fic Rec List: Us Vs The World

The list I want to show you to day is one I especially adore: fics with strong vibe of "us against the world". They could be good, they could be bad, they could save the world, they could destroy it, they could simply go on with their lives. No matter what, they will always have each other.

- Hell & Other Places (M; 2,5k) by @tepre

OR: 9 times Draco said ‘I love you’ and 1 time he didn’t.

Draco & Harry are sent to investigate a haunted Bed & Breakfast.

- Vis-à-Vis-à-Vis (E; 49999) by @vukovich

Harry's assignment was simple. Close out Draco Malfoy's missing persons case so he can be declared dead.

But who's making withdrawals from Malfoy's vaults? How is a death omen-turned-Unspeakable involved? Is an organization known as the Moirai to blame?

Harry brushes it off until he can't. Until The Prophet is flooded with sightings of dead people. Until Robards throws himself on his sword. Until Ron turns on his own family. Until Harry scarcely trusts his own reflection in the mirror and trusts the stranger in his bed even less.

Until all that stands between war and peace is Harry, a name plate, a stadium of murderers, and Draco Malfoy.

God save the Ministry.

- Basement Level 9 (M; 2k) by @fw00shy

Draco was behind the bomb that blew up Level 10, though they didn't talk about it.

- Stay with Me 'Til Morning (R; 8,4k) by Lucilla Darkate

In a once upon a time world, white magic would triumph over black, good would carry the day, evil would be vanquished, the valiant would stand and be true, and always, always, true love would end with a happily ever after.

- Purple Words (E; 67k) by FangirlWolfie

“High five me.”

James immediately put Harry down and gave him a high five.

Huh?

Oh.

- In Grey Worsted (M; 2,8k) by literaryspell

Harry's only chance at happiness is slipping away, one piece at a time. He isn’t about to give up, though.

- Ever Fixed Mark (T; 1,1k) by @shealwaysreads

In which Harry decides to burn the world, and Draco watches on with adoration.

Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove.

O no, it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken

Shakespeare, Sonnet 116

- Dead Ends (E; 18,8k) by @toxik-angel & @melcarrianna

Head Auror Harry Potter is the best at his job. Head Auror Harry Potter always saves the day.

But someone has been picking off ex-Death Eaters one by one. Someone has been abducting Harry's friends right out of their homes. Someone is fucking the Minister for Magic.

The Minister for Magic and Head Auror are both very concerned about it.

- Because Potter Is Allergic to Poppies (M; 41,1k) by Lomonaaeren

Auror Harry Potter is in hospital being treated for a curse when someone tries to kill him. Obviously it is up to bored, trapped Apprentice Healer Draco, who was only admitted to the Healer Program in the first place to do the menial work, to find out who did it. Because then they will promote him. No, it’s for no other reason, thanks.

- Toujours pur (T; 21k) by Veralynn

"Malfoy would never confess truth to an enemy, and we’re enemies to him. That’s way I made a plan.”

“A rat,” Harry said.

“Exactly. Someone I can trust one hundred per cent about You-Know-Who. Someone who knows well Malfoy and his past. That makes you the perfect candidate.”

- REVOLVEVLOVER (E; 46,3k) by @firethesound & zeitgeistic

The work Harry does is justifiable. It’s justice. He works for his country, and his country is a republic—the magical side, anyway. It’s not laudable work, it’s not work he’s proud of, but it’s necessary work. Harry has always taken the necessary jobs that no one else has the stomach for.

It’s just that he’s never deciphered a kill sheet and seen Draco Malfoy’s name on it.

Career Choices: Harry: Hit Wizard; Draco: Anti-Government Extremist

- Who we are in the shadows (E; 99,7k) by @quicksilvermaid

What happens when you’re forced to become the very thing you despise?

Ex-Auror Harry Potter, tossed out of the Ministry for something he had no control over, has been looking for a way back to his former life. When he comes across Draco Malfoy in the criminal underbelly of Wizarding London and in need of protection, Harry figures bringing him in to face the Ministry's justice is his ticket back to everything he's lost.

But nothing is exactly as it seems. Not even Harry himself. And as he gets drawn further and further into Malfoy's world of honour and deception he finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew—about his childhood nemesis, the Ministry job he misses so much, and most of all, about himself.

What happens when you’re forced to see that you were wrong?

- Draco Malfoy and the Heart of Slytherin (T; 34,9k) by sabershadowkat

At the heart of every Slytherin.

- The Boy and the Sleeping Prince (E; 26,7k) by @phoenix-acid & @writcraft

Harry is miserable and tired of being an Auror, coasting through life until he’s forced to make some changes. Spurred on by his passion for drawing and working with best-selling author Draco Malfoy, Harry develops a charm which gives children a magical, interactive reading experience. But when it’s time to test the spell, the two men find themselves trapped in a nightmarish fairy tale world. Can they escape unscathed, or is Draco right in his assertions that there is no such thing as a happily ever after?

Career Choices: Harry: Illustrator; Draco: Writer

- When Death Comes Calling (T; 2,6k) by @mystickitten42

It’s All Hallows’ Eve and as Harry investigates a string of seemingly related deaths, there’s one he hopes to prevent.

He looks over Harry’s shoulder and Harry turns too. They both see it, the dark translucent figure making its way to shore.

~ Or ~

Getting together in the face of Death. Literally.

- Servile (E; 68,5k) by calrissian18

“I would love anything you gifted me, My Lord, but this,” silver eyes, the same shade as the dragon that marked Harry's arm, glinted in his direction under the Death Eater’s hood, “is exquisite.”

- The Corruption Sequence series (E; 94,2k) by beren

Harry Potter is captured by Voldemort and the Dark Lord has plans for him that involve the essence of many different dark creatures. What Voldemort cannot know is that the presence of Draco Malfoy will affect the outcome of his plots and change everything.

- More Powerful Then Experience (M; 89,7k) by flightinflame

Harry's life changes when he is three, when his parents are murdered and the Dark Lord takes him to raise as his own.

Draco's life changes when he is six, when he finds himself given to a strange green-eyed boy who speaks Parseltongue and casts impossible magic.

Remus's life changes three years later, when a chance meeting proves to him that somehow James and Lily's son is still alive.

- The Gryffindor Prince (G; 6,3k) by @mfingenius

“Do not come near us again, evil Slytherins!” he exclaims, pointing his wand towards them again. Pansy and Blaise look more amused than anything, really, but they hold up their hands in surrender. 

“Alright,” Pansy says, agreeably enough, a smirk on her face. “But Potter, Draco’s a Slytherin, like us. He’ll have to come back eventually.”

Harry’s eyes narrow, and, a moment later, he is throwing Draco over his shoulder, arm tight across the back of his thighs so he won’t fall, and Draco yelps.

Have fun reading!

[notthefirstfallenangel]

Memories IV

Pairing: Simon 'Ghost' Riley x Fem!Reader

Warnings: angst, amnesia

Summary: You had your memory wiped after a messed-up mission. All that you remember is your childhood and fragmented glimpses of your teenage and adult years. Poor Simon, your would-be hubby, is left to pick up the pieces when you can't even recall his existence.

Words: 3.6k

A/N: Hey there! Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out. I know the fandom has been going through a tough time lately, and I just wanted to remind you to take care of yourself, especially your mental health. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you. Stay strong! ❤️

part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4

The blood-red sun sank slowly below the horizon, casting an amber glow over the world. The sky was a tapestry of oranges and purples, fading into blue and black as night began to creep in. You stood at the entrance of your home, feeling strange tingles in your chest as you paused on the threshold. Simon was behind you, his tall frame blocking out what little light remained outside and casting a long shadow across the front hall.

“Welcome home,” he said softly, breaking the silence.

You stood there, unable to move. You felt like your limbs were made of lead and rooted to the spot. Your mind was a tempest of emotions; you were grateful to be free from the hospital walls, but deep down, terror lurked. Nervous anticipation rose inside as you feared what truth lay ahead about yourself that could shatter the delicate mirrors of your own reflection.

Simon seemed to sense your hesitation and placed a comforting hand on your shoulder.

“You alright, love?” he asked, concern in his voice.

You nodded slowly, staring into his dark eyes, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. Simon had been by your side every step of the way, watching as you slowly pieced your life back together. He had been there for every physical therapy session, every doctor’s appointment, every setback and triumph.

He had remained a constant in your life, a source of strength and support when you needed it most.

You slowly turned to face him as Simon’s hand remained on your shoulder. You looked up at his face, illuminated by the dim light coming from the living room, and took in his sharp features. His jawline was chiselled, and his eyes were piercing, exuding a sense of confidence and ease that you found reassuring. You felt a sudden urge to lean in and kiss him, to feel his lips on yours and forget about the world outside. But instead, you stepped back and shook your head, trying to clear your thoughts.

“I’m okay, thank you. It’s just strange... being back,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

Simon nodded in understanding, his hand still on your shoulder, and gestured for you to follow him into the living room. You walked past him, feeling the warmth of his skin against your own, and took in your surroundings.

After months in the sterile hospital room, everything felt surreal now that you finally got to come home. The world outside looked different as if it had changed in some way while you were confined to the hospital bed. You felt a sense of trepidation as you took in the sights and sounds of the city around you. It was all so overwhelming, so unfamiliar. You didn’t know how to navigate this new world without your memories. But as you stepped inside the house, a sense of comfort washed over you. The scent of lavender furniture polish wafted from within the house, helping to ease the tension in your body.

Simon placed your bags down with a thud like an anchor being dropped from his shoulders. He seemed to sense your unease and gently steered you towards the living room. The familiar surroundings filled you with warmth and peace, and for a brief moment, everything felt just right.

The living room was bathed in soft light, its walls lined with framed photos and paintings, some of which seemed vaguely familiar. You began to explore them, feeling an odd mixture of surprise and recognition as your gaze swept across each face in turn. Some were of Simon and you together, others were friends you had no recollection of. Yet still, something about them made your heart feel warm.

As you studied the photographs, Simon watched quietly as if waiting for you to come to some realisation. But the memories remained just beyond your reach. You could almost taste the bittersweet nostalgia on your lips, yet nothing solid materialised.

You could feel his eyes on you, but you didn’t turn to look at him. Instead, you let your fingers brush over the frames, tracing the outlines of the people in the photographs as if trying to remember them.

You stopped at one picture, a group photo of Simon, you, and several others at what appeared to be a night of celebrations. Everyone was smiling and laughing, their faces filled with joy. You looked at each person in the photo, trying to place them in your memory, but nothing came to mind.

“Who are they?” you asked, pointing to the group in the photograph.

Simon came over to stand beside you, his arm brushing against yours. “These are your teammates— our teammates. The ones who’ve got your back in the field and in the mess. They’re family.”

You shook your head, “I don’t remember them,” you said with a hint of frustration. 

Simon placed a hand on your back, rubbing it soothingly. “It’s, uh, it’s alright, love. You’ll remember soon enough. Take your time. It’ll come to you, alright? So no need to be too anxious.”

But will I really? You wondered silently to yourself.

With a sigh, you turned away from the wall and towards Simon with an uncertain smile.

You noticed that he had changed out of his usual hoodie and was wearing a black leather jacket with a white shirt, looking more put-together than usual, as if he was trying to impress you. The tattoos on his forearm peeked out from under the sleeves of his jacket, adding to his edgy persona.

He frantically spent the day before scrubbing and scouring the house until it shone in perfect preparation for your long-awaited arrival. He felt like a nervous teenager on his first date, desperate to make a good impression. But he knew that this was different. This was about making you feel at home, helping you regain a sense of familiarity in a world that had become so foreign.

You turned to look at another photo, this time of Simon and you with a dog. The memories suddenly came flooding back, and your eyes lit up as you remembered the dog’s name.

“That’s Riley!” you exclaimed, feeling a slight sense of victory in finally remembering something.

“Riley! Here, boy!” you called.

But there was no barking, no sound of paws running across the floor. The house was eerily silent, save for the sound of your own breathing.

Simon’s expression turned grave as he looked at you, his hand still resting on your back.

“No, that, uh...Love,” Simon he said softly.” He... He passed, somethin’ like years ago.”

Your heart sank at Simon’s words, and tears threatened to spill from your eyes. You felt a sense of overwhelming loss, as if a part of you had died with the dog. You tried to remember the last time you had seen Riley. Still, the memory was elusive, like a dream that faded upon waking.

Simon saw the tears in your eyes and stepped forward to wrap you in a tight hug. You breathed him in, the smell of his cologne mixed with something else, something comforting like home.

You attempt to grasp at Riley’s memory, but your mind is foggy, and all you can recall is a faint trace of his affection. The anguish seizes you as you try to imagine the days spent together, playing fetch in the park and snuggling up on the couch, but all that remains are empty spots in your heart and mind. Burying your face in Simon’s chest, a harsh truth crashed down on you: You couldn’t even grieve properly because you didn’t remember the moments that connected you and Riley.

Simon’s stomach churned with guilt as he watched you suffer the same agony of Riley’s loss all over again. He had been so busy trying to make everything perfect for your return that he failed to factor in how hard it would be for you to come to terms with what had been taken away. Yet, despite the sorrow and regret, a glimmer of optimism flickered in his chest that perhaps you’d find the strength to remember even more. But for now, Simon knew you needed space and time to come to terms with everything that had happened.

As the two of you stood there in silence, lost in your thoughts, Simon’s grip on you tightened, and he pressed his lips to your forehead.

You could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin, and it calmed the storm raging inside you.

When Simon finally pulled away, he gave you a small, sad smile. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t wanna spring that on you.”

You shook your head, feeling the weight of the loss. “It’s okay,” you said. It wasn’t.

“You wanna talk about it?”

“No, not now,”

Simon nodded, his gaze softening. “Alright... listen ‘ere, love. You have been eatin’ those crappy hospital meals. You wanna get something new in your body and your system, yeah?” he said gently as his fingers brushed against yours in a comforting gesture.” I’ll cook somethin’ proper. You’re gonna love it.”

You nodded in agreement, not having the energy to argue. It had been a while since you’d had a home-cooked meal, and the hospital food left a lot to be desired. You followed Simon into the kitchen, taking in the warm, cozy space. It was small but had everything you needed, including a small dining table and chairs. The countertops were cluttered with various kitchen appliances and utensils, but everything was clean and tidy.

Simon rummaged through the fridge and pantry, his eyes scanning the shelves for something to cook.

As he gathered the ingredients for a simple pasta dish, you watched him move around the kitchen with ease. There was something about the way he moved, with such grace and purpose, that made you feel drawn to him. He was like a force of nature, unstoppable and relentless in his pursuit of whatever he wanted.

You noticed how his muscles rippled beneath his shirt as he chopped vegetables, and you couldn’t help but feel a flutter of attraction in your chest. You almost felt guilty for feeling this way about a man you didn’t remember. You knew you two were engaged, but it felt strange to be drawn to someone you had no recollection of. Being with Simon felt familiar, like coming home even though you couldn’t remember why. It was as if your body recognised him before your mind did.

The hospital breakdown was a pivotal moment in your relationship, and it seemed you two had struck a deal.

And yet, even though your memory didn’t seem any clearer, there was still a sense that your outlook had changed.

You seemed more vulnerable, more reliant on him for comfort and guidance. The barriers and walls you used to keep him away with were crumbling, and the two of you were starting to form a real connection.

This is progress, Simon told himself, hopefully. This is an improvement.

Simon felt both terrified and excited by this newfound closeness. He was scared to get too close too soon, scared of the pain of rejection if your memory did return and you chose not to stay with him. But at the same time, he could feel himself falling even deeper in love with every passing moment.

He wanted to give you some space, but his heart ached for yours.

You wished there was some way to go back in time and remember who you used to be together—but there just wasn’t. You didn’t know how to be the person Simon remembered, and that scared you. You wanted more than anything to make him happy, but it felt like no matter what you did or said, it wouldn’t be enough for him.

After dinner, he showed you the bedroom. The room was simple but elegant, with a queen-sized bed in the centre and a large window overlooking the backyard. The walls were painted a soft blue, and the bedding was white and fluffy, inviting you to sink in and drift off to sleep.

“I...I don’t want to take your bed.”

Simon smiled warmly at you. “It’s our bed, alright?” he said, his hand reaching out to take yours. “I ain’t gonna fight you over who needs to sleep where. I have a couch; lemme sleep on it.”

“I don’t want you to be uncomfortable,” you said, looking up at him with a small smile. “Are you sure you don’t mind sleeping on the couch?”

Simon shook his head, his hand still holding yours. “Look, love. We’re both tired here. I want to take care of ya and make sure you’re comfortable. So, you don’t gotta fight, and I ain’t gonna be arguing, or I’m gonna have to tie you down, and force a sleep mask over your eyes, yeah?”

“Okay, Okay,” you laughed. “Thank you,” you said softly.

Simon leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead. “Alright, you rest up. I’ll see ya in the morning,” he said before turning to leave the room. 

You watched him go, feeling a sense of longing wash over you. You wished you could remember what it was like to be with him, to feel his touch and his love.

Laying in bed, the day’s events replayed in your mind like a movie reel. The memory of Riley’s passing still weighed heavily on your heart. Still, there was something else tugging at the edges of your consciousness. It was like watching a horror movie with the sound turned down low; you could sense fear and trepidation from the dimly lit scenes playing out before you, but you couldn’t make out any details.

Your heart raced as you tried to piece together the fragments of this unknown memory, but it slipped away as quickly as it came, leaving you even more frightened than before.

You tried to sleep, but deep in your chest, you felt the beginnings of fear build. You turned over and over again in bed, growing more agitated by the minute. The shadows on the wall from the lamp beside it stretched out like malevolent spirits that wanted nothing more than for you to be afraid. Nothing to see here, they would say as they writhed and clawed at you with their formless hands, almost touching you before receding back into the darkness. Your feet move slowly through the darkness. The floor is cold under your feet as you step lightly through this unfamiliar place that once was your house.

“Damn it,” you said, the fear in your voice palpable in the silent room. You reached for the lamp on the bedside table, flicking it on and flooding the room with light. The shadows scattered, leaving nothing but the familiar sight of the bedroom. You took deep breaths, trying to steady your racing heart.

It was just a nightmare, you told yourself. It’s just a silly, irrational fear.

But deep down, you knew it was more than that. Something was lurking in your subconscious that you couldn’t quite grasp but knew was there. Something that made your skin crawl and your heart race.

You got out of bed, your feet hitting the cool hardwood floor.

Your feet move slowly through the darkness, the floor creaking beneath your weight. You move towards the door, your hand reaching out to grasp the doorknob. As you turn it, the door swings open with a low groan, revealing the dark hallway beyond.

Your heart thunders as you take the first step into the hallway. The darkness seems to encroach on you, swallowing up the light from the bedroom. You take another step forward, your eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. You could hear the light snoring coming from Simon on the couch, but it didn’t bring you any comfort.

You couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something lurking in the darkness waiting for you.

The hallway seemed to stretch on forever, the darkness consuming everything in its path. You felt like you were walking through a nightmare, one that you couldn’t escape from. You tried to call out for Simon, but your voice was hoarse and barely audible.

Suddenly, you heard a sound from down the hallway. It was faint, but it was there. A soft whisper, calling out your name.

Your heart leapt into your throat. You couldn’t see anything, but you could feel a presence in the darkness. You could feel its breath on your neck, its fingers brushing against your skin.

You turned around and ran towards the couch where Simon was sleeping when you saw a figure emerge from the shadows. It was a woman, her face twisted in a grotesque grin.

You could feel your feet sinking into the ground as if the floor was swallowing you whole.

You tried to scream, but the darkness choked your voice. Your heart pounded in your chest, and you were sure it would burst out of your ribcage. And then, suddenly, the darkness lifted, like a veil being lifted from your eyes.

Just a dream, a nightmare that left you gasping for breath as you sat in bed. Your heart still raced, and your skin was slick with sweat.

You looked around the room, relieved to see that it was just a dream. But the feeling of terror lingered, its tendrils wrapping around your heart and refusing to let go.

You slid out of the bed, your bare feet brushing against the cool wooden floor. The air was thick with a sense of dread, and you needed to shake it off.

You moved quietly to the living room, past the vase of flowers on the table, their petals soft and pliable beneath your fingers.

Simon lay asleep on the couch near the window, bathed in moonlight that filtered through the blinds. You approached him, hovering over his still form like a guardian angel. The outline of his face was sharp yet softened by shadows; you could see the rise and fall of his chest under the comforter he had kicked off while sleeping. As you considered waking him, his eyes fluttered open.

“you good?” he asked, his voice thick with sleep and concern.

You jumped, startled by his sudden awakening.

“Oh, I’m... nothing,” you said, trying to sound casual. “I just couldn’t sleep and wanted to come out here for a bit.”

Simon frowned, his eyes dark with concern.

“C’mere,” he said, lifting the edge of the comforter. You hesitated for a moment, unsure if it was a good idea, but the weight of loneliness was too much to bear. As you nestled closer, his arms wound around you, and the press of his chest at your back reassured you that everything would be alright. His breath on the nape of your neck mingled with the scent of lavender fabric softener, and his heartbeat against your spine slowed to match your own. His touch calmed your racing mind until all that remained were the gentle brushstrokes of his fingertips along your arm.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice gentle in the darkened room.

You hesitated, not wanting to burden him with your fears, but then decided to tell him. “I had a nightmare,” you said softly, feeling embarrassed.

“You want to-?”

“No,” you stopped him. You didn’t want to talk about it, not wanting to relive the terror of the nightmare.

He didn’t push it. “Okay... If you have that nightmare again, I’ll kick that thing’s arse, I will. Now, close your eyes. You need your sleep, darlin’.” his voice was low and soothing.

You couldn’t help but giggle at his protectiveness and felt a sense of security as he pulled you closer to him.

“Sweet dreams, okay? And close those eyes of yours, dear,” he murmured, kissing your head.

You smiled, and soon, with the warmth of his body next to yours, you fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.

The next morning, you woke up to the sound of a shushed argument coming from the front door. You rubbed the sleep from your eyes and sat up, groggy and disoriented.

You got up from the couch and walked towards the front door, your bare feet padding against the hardwood floor. As you got closer, you could hear the muffled voices growing louder.

You hesitated for a moment, wondering if you should interfere, but curiosity got the better of you. Slowly, you pushed the door open, and sunlight streamed through the opening, flooding the dark living room.

“Go away. Now.” Simon said, his voice ringing with anger, “I swear to bloody god, I’ll break your fakin’ nose.”

He was a silhouette in the murky morning light, feet planted firmly as he stood before an unfamiliar figure. His shoulders were tense, and a single bead of sweat trickled down the back of his neck. His face was concealed by the usual black balaclava that melded seamlessly into his dark clothing.

The other man seemed taken aback by Simon’s outburst. Still, he quickly regained his composure and stepped forward, revealing himself in the dim light.

“C’mon, I just want to see ‘er”.

The Scottish lilt pierced through the thick silence like a knife, sending a shiver down your spine.

Like an electric shock, you felt a sudden jolt of energy as images of the past suddenly emerged from the fog of amnesia. Images, sounds, and conversations flooded your mind as fragments of memories all clicked into place, and you remembered him.

“Soap?”

Tags: @8sy-errah8 @yyiikes @spencerreidisbae123 @oranoyaora @sae1kie @originaldeerhottub @cr4shposts @caramlizedtomatoes  @ilovehyperfixating @ghostlythots  @dotcie

[hyvyinjie]

JUST LIKE A DREAM.

TW! manga spoilers.

bittersweet! wistful.

t. muichiro x gn. reader.

HE FOUND HIMSELF ENSNARED IN THE RAPTUROUS EMBRACE OF A PLAIN, UNADORNED NOTEBOOK. its pristine pages beckoning him to whisper tantalizing secrets.

seating himself in the seiza style-his limbs folded gracefully—he wielded a quill like a maestro's baton, while his other hand languidly cradled his cheek-a solitary pillar of repose in the vast expanse of contemplation.

with a sigh of resignation, he embarked upon the wondrous dance between ink and parchment.

...hey.

he paused, his countenance adorned with a mask of impassivity, concealing a tempest of thoughts within.

why, he mused, did he feel compelled to extend his greetings to a humble sheet of paper?

yet, a flicker of ephemeral memory flickered through the corridors of his mind—a faint echo that whispered of customs and courtesies, of beginnings and origins.

though he found himself adrift in the enigma of it all, he yielded to the notion that a simple "hello" would serve as the key to unlock the labyrinth of his newfound routine.

anyways..

that butterfly lady gave me this.

i don't know why, she just did.

he blinked, his brows ascending with a subtle grace, as a revelation had alighted upon his consciousness like a silken butterfly.

i don't know why, she just did.

actually, i do.

she gave me this because she said that journaling..

it'd help me with my memories somehow.

if i recall correctly..she told me to write down anything i figured is worth noting, saying it'll help me 'treasure' it or something.

as he neared the culmination of his literary pilgrimage, he sighed yet again, his breath a gentle zephyr that whispered secrets to the dull room.

whatever. it doesn't matter.

the final words dripped like honey from his quill, an offering to the vast expanse of time and oblivion. yet, even as he penned the denouement of his day, a knowing knowledge clung to his intellect—one he had unfortunately grown accustomed to.

i'll forget about this, anyways.

on the contrary—to his own astonishment—he found himself ensnared within the confines of familiarity, as if destiny had conspired to recreate the tableau of days past.

an unexpected sense of accomplishment fluttered within his being, though he nonchalantly brushed it aside, for its allure held no sway over his seemingly impassive demeanor.

wow.

this again.

never thought i'd actually come back to this.

i guess that person was just so weird that i instantly went here subconsciously.

and yet—a query lingered, teasing the fringes of his consciousness.

how did he manage to recall the precise location where this artifact had been bestowed? his gaze faltered, searching the surroundings with an air of detachment, even as his countenance remained stoic and unyielding.

alas, pondering the intricacies of remembrance proved an exercise in futility.

the answer—it seemed—resided in the glorious mist of poorly scrapped away details.

in reality, for—in a moment of abandon-he had actually just left this vessel exposed upon the very table that bore witness to its initial unveiling.

with that profound comprehension nestled in the recesses of his clouded mind, he simply blinked before returning to the task of diligently jotting down the words he had momentarily paused, delicately inscribing the words that had eluded him mere seconds ago—fully aware that they would soon inevitably slip from his memory.

a pensive cloud descended upon his countenance, casting a shadow upon the dainty tapestry of his thoughts.

his brows, like twin sentinels of vexation, furrowed once more, mirroring the tumultuous musings that swirled within the depths of his mind.

speaking of which, what's their deal anyways?

he simultaneously pondered, his memory a fragmented mosaic that teased the edges of his recollection. who exactly was this vexing interloper that had managed to impede upon his path? the tendrils of remembrance danced just beyond his grasp, tantalizingly close yet frustratingly distant.

bothersome brat getting in the way like that.

the realization dawned, an ember of understanding amidst the haze. it seemed that this individual, by the mere virtue of their skills, bore the mark of a fellow demon slayer. though their intentions remained obscured, he acknowledged that their presence, even as an ally, posed an inconvenience.

yet, he couldn't help but acknowledge that the situation would have been far more dire had they been an unsuspecting civilian thrust into the fray.

"had I not intervened, you would've gotten hit instead."

the echo of their words reverberated within his mind like a daunting scene, conjuring a vivid portrait of their visage. a flicker of irritation danced in his eye, an involuntary twitch that betrayed his lingering frustration.

at least that weirdo refrained from whining and coercing me into helping them seek the aid of that butterfly lady.

even still—a veil of perplexity settled upon his thoughts, shrouding his mind in a haze of bewilderment. the actions of that imbecile confounded him, defying all logic and reason. how dare they insinuate that he lacked the agility to evade the blow? and even if he hadn't, was it not just another day, with the ebb and flow of danger an ever-present companion?

furthermore, the question lingered like a specter; why did they possess such fervent concern, enough to willingly absorb the impact intended for him? a cynical frown danced upon his lips, for he harbored a deep-seated suspicion that their motivations were rooted in a desire to don the mantle of heroism.

ordinarily, such trifling matters would have been dismissed with a mere shrug, relegated to the realm of inconsequential distractions.

and yet, that singular event, like a pebble tossed into a still pond, sent ripples coursing through the depths of his being. it stirred a dormant fire within him, kindling a smoldering embers of annoyance that refused to be extinguished.

the enigma of their actions gnawed at his consciousness, an incessant itch that demanded his attention. why did their interference provoke such a visceral reaction? what lay beneath the surface of his irritation? the answers eluded him, concealed in the murk of his own introspection.

eventually, a flicker of relief danced upon his countenance, as if a gentle breeze had brushed away the creases of consternation etched upon his features. for, in this fortuitous moment, salvation arrived in the form of ginko, his loyal companion, his assigned kasugai crow.

entering the room through the open window with a graceful flutter of ebony wings, the avian harbinger announced his imminent departure towards yet another mission, a clarion call that whisked away the tendrils of disquietude that had begun to take hold.

had he been pondering for that long?

he blinked, extending a hand adorned with purposeful gentleness, he bestowed upon ginko a few aimless caresses to the sleek feathers that adorned the crow's head. a momentary respite amidst the chaos, a fleeting connection between two souls bonded by the trials of their shared endeavors.

and then, with a seamless transition, his expression reverted back to its stoic neutrality, a mask of detachment that shielded the depths of his thoughts.

his gaze, once adrift and almost forgotten, refocused upon the near-forgotten notebook that lay before him—its pages, blank with very few words but brimming with the promise of untold tales, unlike before—it now beckoned him with an irresistible allure. who’s to say that this encounter, this outpouring of his thoughts upon its parchment, would be his last? the question lingered, suspended in the air, as if the notebook itself whispered of secrets yet untold.

however—a hint of exasperation tinged his thoughts once more, a testament to the minutes squandered upon this wearisome endeavor. the weight of time wasted settled upon his shoulders like an oppressive burden, threatening to drown him in a sea of regret. had that butterfly lady bestowed this upon him merely as a means to pass the hours in such a pitiful manner?

what’s with everyone pissing him off lately? a disapproving click of his tongue resounded, accompanied by an inward huff of frustration, as if to dismiss such thoughts as inconsequential.

yet, even as he brushed aside the notion, a lingering seed of doubt remained. the origins of this diversion, this seemingly trivial pastime, stirred a restlessness within him. but he swiftly quelled the rising tide of contemplation, for there were matters of greater import to attend to.

with a languid motion, his hand lazily fell back to his side, a symbol of resignation to the inevitability of his next mission.

ginko—ever attentive—observed his movements with unwavering focus through her beady eyes.

as he rose to his feet and walked away without a word, she hastened to follow, a silent guardian ensuring he treaded the correct path this time.

perchance, had he paid greater heed—he would have discerned the inadvertent significance he ascribed to that encounter.

possibly, if he could decipher his emotions amidst the shroud of negativity, he would come to comprehend the profound influence this ostensibly unavailing—or so he perceives it to be—undertaking continues to hold within the recesses of his hazy recollections.

a sense of weariness pervaded his being, his form slouched over the table in an exhausted posture. his arm, draped atop the surface, cradled his lower face in a gesture of weary surrender.

heavy-lidded eyes, devoid of their usual sharpness, stared blankly at the notebook before him, its pages a repository of familiarity and untapped potential.

his restless fingers found solace in the quill, an instrument of creation and expression. yet, instead of purposeful strokes, they engaged in aimless fiddling, a subconscious act of seeking comfort in the familiar. the quill danced between his fingertips, its weight and texture grounding him in the present moment.

as time trickled by, his hand slowly maneuvered with deliberate relaxation.

the quill hovered mere inches above the pristine expanse of the paper, its poised tip a conduit for the thoughts that swirled within his mind. the ink droplets within the quill began to fall, each one a testament to the passage of time and the stillness that enveloped him.

then, with a leisurely descent—the quill found its mark upon the page, leaving behind a trail of ink as he transcribed the words that lingered in his thoughts. beginning another silent conversation between the depths of his mind and the blankness of the paper.

if i had known that i’d be assigned with that idiot on the mission, i wouldn’t have even waited for their arrival.

eh. i guess they were somewhat useful..for baiting the demon.

the words upon the page bore the unmistakable mark of apathy, as if they had been woven with little to no effort. lines connected words haphazardly, yet he remained unperturbed by their disarray.

a mere blink was his response to the warm embrace of the rising sun's rays streaming through the window, causing him to momentarily shield his eyes. his lids fluttered, adjusting to the light.

shifting slightly, he raised his head, casting a glance towards the window. the sight of the morning's arrival beckoned his attention, a gentle reminder of the passing hours that had slipped away unnoticed.

would you look at that... it's morning already, and i haven't even managed a wink of sleep yet.

a yawn escaped his lips, an involuntary reflex brought forth by the weariness that engulfed him.

craning his head to the right, he raised a hand, fingers reaching out to massage the tense muscles at the back of his neck. the physical sensation provided a fleeting respite from the mental strain that weighed upon him.

tearing his gaze away from the luminous frame of light, his attention returned to the page before him.

the letters—now seemingly slid onto the page without care—formed words that appeared smudged or messy. yet, his response was one of detached observation, his eyes trailing along the inked lines as if merely skimming their surface. his mind adrift in a sea of fatigue and contemplation.

a wistful breath escaped his lips, carrying with it a tinge of reflection. to think that in the end, he found himself aiding them, joining forces with those he once regarded with a mix of skepticism and reservation. vague memories of their coordination and shared battles flickered in his mind, a testament to their surprising competence.

irony hung in the air, as he ever-so begrudgingly acknowledged the decency of their skill, granting them the credit they deserved.

but to say that he still harbored a grudge would be an overstatement. time had a way of blurring the sharp edges of resentment, softening the sting of past grievances.

he had moved on—or at least strived to do so—simply because he no longer wished to expend mental energy on such affairs.

of course, the reasoning behind their initial encounter still eluded him. the circumstances that had brought them together remained shrouded in mystery, a puzzle piece that refused to fit neatly into the larger picture.

yet, despite this lack of understanding, he had chosen to extend his assistance.

it was a matter of reciprocity, an unspoken agreement that demanded the return of the favor. they had aided him, and so he, in turn, had done the same.

but let it be known that his actions were certainly not born out of deliberate intention. it wasn't a calculated decision to seek their gratitude or favor. no, he had been driven solely by his sense of duty, a commitment to vanquish the demon that had threatened their lives. their expressions of gratitude that followed were—in his perception—unwarranted and unnecessary.

don’t get him wrong, it wasn't a matter of rejecting their appreciation out of disdain or arrogance. it was simply a matter of perspective. he saw his actions as obligations fulfilled, his purpose aligned with the task at hand. the gratitude they offered was an unexpected byproduct, an outcome that held little significance in the grand scheme of his mission.

unbeknownst to him—his head gradually dipped lower, a subtle surrender to the weight of exhaustion. his eyes, utterly heavy with weariness, would occasionally flutter open, a futile effort to rouse himself from the encroaching grasp of sleep.

but little did he know, there existed a vast realm of his true intentions beneath the surface of his consciousness, waiting to be explored, waiting to unveil its secrets—a landscape of an undiscovered reality and hidden depths lay dormant, longing to be discovered.

yet, in his current state, he remained oblivious to the elusive wonders that lay within.

oblivious to the possibilities that awaited him, he continued to battle the encroaching embrace of sleep, unaware of the treasures that could be unearthed once he relinquished his conscious hold.

but perhaps, in due time, the mist would lift, and he would come to realize the vastness that lay hidden within, embracing the unknown with open arms and truly delving into the depths, and alas reaching a benevolent understanding of his own subconscious.

soon enough, he found himself absentmindedly twirling a petal between his fingers as he entered the room. his focus remained fixated on the delicate blossom even as his hand closed the door behind him, and even as he made his way towards the mirror.

gradually, he lifted his gaze, his eyes settling on the flower crown adorning his head. the sakura petals, masterfully intertwined, caught his attention, their beauty captivating his senses.

with an almost contemplative look, he then raised the petal he held to eye-level, keenly studying its intricate details.

of all people, who would have thought he'd be adorning something as whimsical as this? it seemed that over time, through some inexplicable force, he had found himself repeatedly crossing paths with an individual he had once deemed a nuisance.

bizzarely, he discovered that he often engaged in small conversations with them—or rather—they spoke while he found himself lost in his own thoughts as usual, staring at the wispy clouds.

however, that habit of his had not lasted long with them.

he recalled a time when he unexpectedly began sparing a not-so discreet glance for the person who stood beside him, whilst internally pursuing his own musings while they carried on with their activities.

perhaps it was because he secretly wished for their presence to vanish? he had made his feelings abundantly clear, even voicing his desire to be rid of them. yet, they stubbornly persisted, undeterred by his dismissive attitude.

and so, he had resigned himself to their constant presence, reluctantly accepting the fact that they would be a part of his daily life.

today, it was he who stumbled upon them—a reversal of their usual encounters.

he couldn't help but note the uncharacteristic silence that enveloped them, a departure from their usual chatter.

enveloped in a realm of heightened intrigue, his inquisitive spirit awakened. his gaze, like a wandering star, was drawn to the focal point that held their rapt fascination.

with an arched ascent, his eyebrows mirrored his amazement. majestically poised, a resplendent tapestry unfolded before him—a bountiful cherry blossom tree, its branches bedecked in resplendent blooms. the sakura petals—akin to balletic maestros—pirouetted gracefully through the air, composing a symphony of ethereal enchantment.

in that instant, he comprehended the rationale behind their entranced stare. the vision of the grand cherry blossom tree, its delicate petals dancing with elegance, possessed an irresistible charm that surpassed his customary indifference. it stood as a tableau of organic marvel, another spectacle capable of evoking a latent response within him, even if he had not fully embraced it until now.

blinking in a manner reminiscent of an owl, he returned to the present moment.

ultilizing both hands, he delicately removed the flower crown from his head. unusually, he handled it with an exceptional tenderness, treating it as though it were a fragile treasure he was determined to preserve with utmost care.

however, inexplicably, he decided to place it adjacent to his notebook. then, his attention shifted back to the petal he had held throughout the entire process, and a subtle downturn of his lips coupled with a slight furrowing of his brows betrayed his disappointment.

the petal appeared slightly crumpled... perhaps he should have focused on it first before removing the crown?

his head instinctively tilted as he contemplated the past. unbeknownst to him, the fact that he was investing such reflection into a... gift—as they had claimed it to be—went entirely unnoticed.

an idea flickered to life within the recesses of his mind, though it may not have been grand in scale.

with a sense of purpose, he resolved to safeguard this newfound notion within the pages of his trusty notebook instead of just noting them down much like the previous, yet now said to be countless of times he did so. it wasn't that he had no intention of exploring the idea further; rather, he held a silly belief that by preserving the delicate petal within its confines, he would be able to summon fragments of today's events whenever he cast his gaze upon it.

it was, undoubtedly, a risky endeavor.

the transience of memory and the fragility of moments made such attempts at preservation inherently uncertain. yet, undeterred by the potential pitfalls, he was determined to give it a try.

there was a spark of hope that momentarily alighted within his ever-so dull eyes as he carefully placed the petal between the pages, allowing it to find its place amidst the inked words and scribbled thoughts.

in his mind, the notebook was like a vessel of recollection, the doorway through which he could access the essence of that particular day.

with each passing glance, he believed he would be transported back to the sights, sounds, and emotions that had colored his experience. it was a belief steeped in a touch of magic, a genuine desire to capture the essence of fleeting moments and keep them alive in some tangible form.

of course, he understood the inherent risk of such an endeavor. memories could be fickle, subject to the passage of time and the distortions of perception—that he knew all too well, yet, he couldn't resist the allure of the notion, the tantalizing prospect of preserving a piece of today's events within the pages of his notebook.

thus, he closed the notebook—sealing the petal within its protective embrace. only time would reveal whether his whimsical idea would bear fruit. but for now, he carried a glimmer of anticipation, a belief that perhaps, just perhaps, he had found a way to capture the essence of the present and carry it with him into the future.

one day, on the verge of departing for the swordsmith village, he found himself casting a final glance around his room.

as his eyes scanned the space, they landed upon a particular object resting undisturbed on the table, alongside a vibrant, circular rosy crown. yet, his gaze lingered upon the sight of the flowers, a momentary pause in his preparations.

was there something he was forgetting?

he brushed off the thought, convincing himself that it was nothing of importance.

or was it?

perhaps a faint inkling nagged at the back of his mind, suggesting that there was more to it than he initially believed.

without realizing it—he was drawn across the room, his steps guided by an unseen force.

he found himself crouching down near the designated area, his hand reaching out to flip through the pages of his notebook. however, his action was halted as his eyes caught sight of a roseate petal nestled within the notebook's pages.

curiosity sparked within him, and he raised an eyebrow as he gingerly plucked the petal from its sanctuary. absentmindedly, he twirled it between his fingers, a gesture that felt oddly familiar, inducing a sense of déjà vu.

but where had he witnessed such a scene before?

as he pondered, a realization dawned upon him. It wasn't a memory of witnessing someone else engage in this action; rather, it was he himself who had performed it.

a surge of recollection washed over him, memories resurfacing from the depths of his mind. the twirling of the petal, the sensation between his fingertips—these were gestures he had made before, though their significance had slipped from his conscious grasp.

In that singular moment, the forgotten fragments of his own past intertwined with the present, weaving together a tapestry of connections that transcended time.

recognition dawned upon him with a sudden clarity. it was from that day—the day where a sensation so tender and poignant stirred within him, almost like a bittersweet ache, evoking a warmth that eluded his understanding, leaving him unable to grasp its true essence.

the memory resurfaced, vivid and potent, as he held the petal in his hand. it was a symbol—a relic that carried the weight of a significant moment, a moment that had shaped him in ways he had yet to fully comprehend.

as his gaze shifted between the delicate petal and the floral circlet, he couldn't help but acknowledge their significance. they were gifts, given to him by that same person whose presence had once been a source of annoyance, but had since become intertwined with his life in ways he never anticipated.

a subtle flicker of a smile danced across his features, fleeting yet unmistakable.

it was a ghost of a smile, evoking a sense of warmth and nostalgia. just like that very same day, beneath the sakura tree.

after a few more contemplative moments, he gently placed the petal back within the pages of his notebook. it was an act imbued with a renewed sense of curiosity and introspection.

as he carefully tucked it away, he recognized that this petal held more than just a fragment of his present—it also served as a tether to his past.

standing up, he straightened his attire, smoothing out the wrinkles that had formed during his moment of reflection.

leaving the room behind, he stepped forward, his footsteps carrying him away from the familiar and towards the villa—yet, as he ventured forth, he carried with him the knowledge that within the depths of his own experiences, there were secrets waiting to be unveiled. these hidden truths, veiled within the recesses of his own identity, held the potential to guide him closer to understanding who he truly was.

muichiro’s brows knit together, his eyes narrowing slightly as he winced, perusing the passages he had penned not long ago—but in that period, he found himself at the nadir of his existence, akin to a vessel housing an empty soul, where the flicker of life seemed to wane within him.

immersed in the depths of his own written words, a wave of self-critique washed over him. the realization of his perceived deficiencies bore down heavily upon his psyche.

was my prose truly so lackluster?

his countenance contorted into a visage of melancholic discontent. he couldn't help but introspect on his conduct and acknowledge the impoliteness he had exhibited. it pained him to recognize the echoes of his late twin brother within himself, bearing the burden of both his loss, and their shared flaws.

a tinge of remorse lingered as he ran a hand through his hair, grappling with the repercussions of his actions.

yet, amidst the remorse, his spirits gradually ascended as he reminisced on a separate recollection—the instant when he emerged from his coma, their unwavering presence by his side.

that memory bestowed a glimmer of solace, softening his somber expression. they had been dumbfounded, incapable of containing their emotions upon witnessing his awakening.

in that fleeting moment, they had clung to him fervently, as if he were their vital lifeline. though their embrace—much to his dismay—had swiftly slackened upon realizing his frailty, the impact of their initial response eternally etched in his consciousness.

reflecting upon that juncture, a smile graced his lips. he held no remorse for his instinctive reaction to embrace them, despite his own corporeal anguish.

a gentle flush tinged his cheeks as he sensed that familiar flutter in his heart, impelling him to tilt his head inquisitively.

“that feeling again...” he mused—this time, aloud—as he rose a hand to the region where his heartbeat, almost amplifying with its errancies—resided. his gaze descended, fixated upon that enigmatic yet captivating feeling. curiously pirouetted in his eyes, a pure and guileless yearning for comprehension.

he contemplated the prospect of unraveling the enigma at the butterfly mansion, where he might unearth the veracity behind this inexplicable sensation.

maybe, it was naught but a lingering malady, an unseen affliction that had eluded his awareness. he mulled over the displeasing notion, recognizing the imperative to illuminate the puzzle that lay dormant within him.

little did he fathom the profundity of what lay ahead, the intricate tapestry of emotions and connections that awaited him.

if only he comprehended the significance of that flutter in his heart, the profound impact it would wield upon his odyssey.

several weeks had elapsed, and once more he found himself clutching his notebook, as if it were an extension of his being.

resting against the wall, he clasped the item firmly in his grasp, his gaze wandering towards the window as he settled into a seated position. with his knees drawn up to his chest, they formed an improvised tabletop, providing a stable surface for him to write on.

the room was bathed in the spill of moonlight, bestowing upon it a tranquil luminescence that infused the scene with ethereal allure. positioned at the precipice of the empty page, his quill poised like a delicate dancer, he sensed a surge of anticipation welling within him.

it had been a while since he had last visited the notebook, let alone written in it.

initially, this realization held a tinge of sadness. however, he began to view it as a form of success—a testament to his growth and progress—he no longer needed the notebook as a vessel for his memories, as he had learned to hold them within himself without the fear of them dispersing from his mind.

although he had been reluctant to let go of the notebook in the beginning, fearing that he would regress to his former self, he gradually grew accustomed to relying less on its pages. this change was thanks to a certain someone who had provided him with remarkable encouragement and support along the way.

speaking of that someone..

a gentle smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he reminisced about the unfolding events.

at long last, he had mustered the courage to convey his heartfelt gratitude to them for rescuing him on that fateful day of their initial encounter. in retrospect, he finally recognized how his own negativity had obscured the fact that his concern and guilt had driven his actions, leading to harm befalling their well-being.

with the weight of unexpressed appreciation lifted from his shoulders, a profound sense of contentment and relief settled within him.

it felt really good.

and relieving too. i’m glad to finally be able to appreciate them properly now.

the words resonated within him, echoing the profound impact this newfound expression of gratitude had on his relationship with them as he lowered his quill onto the waiting page, he began to write, capturing the essence of his gratitude in ink. the words flowed freely, a testament to his newfound ability to express his appreciation and to cherish the moments that had led him to this point.

in that quiet room, with the moon as his witness, he continued to write, allowing his emotions to spill onto the pages, creating a tangible record of his gratitude and the growth he had achieved.

naturally, he expressed his gratitude to shinobu as well, for she was the catalyst that set the entire endeavor in motion.

however, he couldn't deny that his experience with that particular individual had left a deeper impact on him, resonating within his being in a way that he couldn't easily dismiss.

we made origami today.

was if their first time? i wouldn’t believe it at all if they said yes, they did amazing.

the corners of his mouth lifted even further, a radiant smile spreading across his face. pride swelled within his chest as he reminisced about the moment when he, much like they had done beneath the sakura tree during the day—left his creations with them as a souvenir—a heartfelt gift.

his eyes fluttered, lids half-lowered, as his smile softened. the memory of their laughter resonated in his ears, a joyful sound that echoed through his mind. it was a honeyed melody, harmonious and timeless, etched into his memories like a cherished tune he would never grow tired of.

in that moment, he felt a deep sense of connection and shared happiness. the blossoming of their laughter and their appreciation had filled him with a profound sense of fulfillment.

i made them laugh, their smile truly is adorable.

i want them to stay happy.

an undeniably childish wish.

..i wanna be the reason they do.

a selfish, yet reasonable desire.

i could just say it outright, but...

his thoughts trailed off, contemplating the words he longed to express.

his heart swelled with a mixture of emotions, and yet, there was a hesitancy that held him back. the idea of openly conveying his yearning to be their source of joy brought forth an inexplicable feeling, a blend of anticipation and seldom vulnerability.

with a heavy sigh, he leaned his head back, seeking a moment of respite.

however, to his dismay—he misjudged the distance and inadvertently hit the wall with more force than intended. the impact elicited a wince and a deadpan expression as a wave of discomfort washed over him.

“ouch..”

rubbing the back of his head with his free hand, he closed one eye, gritting his teeth in response to the pain. regret filled his thoughts as he berated himself for not considering the consequences of his actions.

"just why didn't I take that into consideration?" he muttered, a tinge of frustration evident in his mellow voice.

it was a momentary lapse, a reminder of the fallibility that resided within him. the physical discomfort mirrored the emotional unease he felt, a reminder that expressing his feelings came with its own set of risks and uncertainties.

no, he had abandoned his initial notion of visiting the butterfly mansion to have his ‘condition’ assessed. as due to being one of the hashiras, it was now his duty to train the lower-ranked individuals, aiming to help them awaken their own marks while enhancing their abilities.

in essence, he found himself devoid of the time needed to pursue his plan. although it was indeed a missed opportunity, he chose not to dwell on it excessively.

besides, none of his attributes seemed to have weakened, so he simply disregarded the occasional peculiar sensation blooming in his chest whenever thoughts of them arose, dismissing it as a mere figment of his imagination—a hallucination.

he let out a resigned breath, a sense of acceptance washing over him. his hand fell back to his side, but as he blinked, his gaze followed a petal as it slipped out of his notebook's grasp, gracefully descending onto the floor beside him.

his mouth formed a small "o" of surprise, his eyebrows raised in curiosity. he blinked thrice, processing the unexpected turn of events. however, his features soon softened, morphing into a tender expression as he retrieved the fallen petal.

solicitously cradling the delicate leaf between his fingers, he twirled it once more, marveling at its beauty. the petal really did hold a certain allure, captivating his attention and stirring memories within him.

"it’s as beautiful as i remember..” he whispered softly, a touch of nostalgia coloring his voice. in that simple petal, he found a reflection of past beauty, a reminder of moments that had touched his soul.

as he held the petal, he couldn't help but reflect on the transient nature of beauty and the fleeting nature of time. just like the petal, moments of beauty come and go, leaving only memories behind. yet, in that fleeting beauty, there is a sense of profound appreciation and wonder.

while the world could be cruel, he yearned to bask in the fragments of ephemeral glory and find joy in the fleeting moments. he’s now understood that life was a continuous stream of passing experiences, and he made a conscious effort to cherish each and every memory that crossed his path.

in the midst of this realization, an idea sparked in his mind—a realization that he had never written about the day beneath the sakura tree.

how had he overlooked such a profound and cherished memory?

a surge of exhilaration and eager anticipation flowed through him as he envisioned immortalizing that extraordinary day within the sacred confines of his notebook. the memory, a veritable trove of exquisite beauty, served as a poignant emblem of life's fleeting nature and the timeless significance of shared experiences.

with a determined resolve, he opened the notebook to a fresh page, his quill poised to bring the memory to life through ink. the sakura tree, with its delicate blossoms fluttering in the breeze, held a significant place in his heart. it was a sanctuary of beauty, a haven where he had experienced a profound connection with another soul—with them.

….

as the final words pirouetted gracefully upon the page, he tenderly closed his eyes, his velvety lashes caressing his cheek in a delicate dance. in this ephemeral interlude, he granted himself a stolen breath, a cherished opportunity to savor the essence of the memory once more. the day spent beneath the resplendent sakura tree had been etched with profound artistry upon the sanctums of his heart, and now, like a cherished relic, it had found its eternal dwelling within the cradle of his notebook's pages.

a contented smile graced his visage as he delicately sealed the notebook shut, its once blank canvases now adorned with fragments of his existence—a treasury of treasured recollections.

on that day, they looked exactly like a dream—all i’ve wanted, all i’ve ever needed.

the parchment succumbed to the deluge of your cascading tears, becoming drenched and sodden, as if thirstily drinking in the sorrow that overflowed from your heart. with a poignant gaze, you traversed the final passage, each word a painful reminder of the bittersweet victory that had come at the cost of his absence.

weariness weighed heavily upon your eyes, threatening to seal them shut, yearning for respite from the harsh grip of reality. your trembling lips contorted, caught in a delicate dance between joy and sorrow, forming a wistful smile that held the essence of longing. in the sanctuary of your other hand, cradled with tender reverence, lay the very petal you had once bestowed upon him. under the caress of the sun's gentle rays, it gleamed like an iridescent gem, casting a luminous glow that illuminated your tears, turning them into shimmering crystals of anguish.

geto, one of the many sentinel who had witnessed the entwined trial of your beloved and tanjiro, could offer naught but a humble bow, his head lowered in utmost deference. he understood the futility of his desire to provide solace through an embrace, recognizing the unfathomable depths of the pain that gripped your soul. as you clung tightly to the notebook he had dutifully delivered, he stood as a silent witness to your inconsolable sorrow.

in the realm of young love, tragedy often unfolds with a poetic grace.

like a tapestry woven from wisps of a dream, your intertwined forms swayed in the breeze, as if caught in the ethereal embrace of destiny. and as the wind whispered its gentle secrets through the tendrils of your existence, the memory, forever enshrined, would reside as an indelible impression within the chambers of your collective memories, transcending the boundaries of time and spanning an unfathomable infinity.

[hisui-dreamer]

wooden charms

Pairing: Floyd Leech x gn!reader

Synopsis: His beloved Shrimpy has been avoiding him, oh what is an eel to do?

Tags: miscommunication, comfort, fluff, Floyd calls you shrimpy, jade leech is a good man<3, bot proofread

Word count: 1.3k+

Notes: floyd fluff! this eel has been occupying my mind since the camp event started hahaha

i don't love the language in this fic, so there might be changes made here and there every time i have an epiphany lol

Floyd sank into the worn-out couch, his lean figure spreading out lazily across the worn-out cushions. Dishevelled strands of teal hair cascaded untamed over his forehead, casting a shadow that mirrored the clouded thoughts in his brooding eyes. Beside him, Jade maintained an impeccable posture, emanating an aura of refined elegance.

The two settled into the plush seats of the Mostro Lounge's VIP room, their weary bodies finding respite in its luxurious embrace. It had been yet another day consumed by the relentless demands of work, leaving Floyd's nerves frayed and restless. The dim lighting cast an ethereal glow, but it did nothing to quell the tempest swirling within Floyd.

A heavy sigh escaped Floyd's lips, his voice tinged with a touch of melancholy. "Jade," he whined as he nudged his brother. "I dunno what's gotten into Shrimpy lately. I don't get it, they used to be all over me, like a little fishy clingin' to my side. But for a while now, they keep saying they’re busy and can’t spend time with me. But then I saw them hanging out with the Guppy! What's the deal?"

Jade, ever the diplomat, maintained his business-like facade, though his eyes hinted at a deeper understanding. "Floyd, relationships can be like that. It is rather odd that the prefect has been avoiding you, but I'm sure they're just extremely busy. It’s to be expected given they’re the headmaster’s errand runner…. And Epel is a first-year student, so it is likely they would study together. Just be patient, I'm sure they’ll come around."

But Floyd's eyebrows only furrowed more at Jade’s words. "But it feels like they’re ignorin' me completely! What in the world has got Shrimpy so preoccupied? It's drivin' me crazy..." he complained, absentmindedly running his hand through his messy hair. "I miss Shrimpy…," he murmured, his voice quivering with unspoken pain.

Jade's voice softened, trying to reassure Floyd. It wasn't often that he saw his brother so vulnerable. "Well, if you genuinely think something is wrong, I think you should confront them. Humans always stress that open communication is crucial in relationships," he suggested softly. "Ask them what's going on with them. Let them know how you feel. You won't change anything if you don't try to understand them. Perhaps there's a deeper reason behind their distant demeanour that you're unaware of."

Floyd sat still, absorbing Jade's words, his calm understanding offering a soothing balm to his troubled soul. He nodded slowly, the weight of their conversation sinking into him. "I guess you're right, Jade," he replied, his voice carrying a newfound determination. "I need to go talk to Shrimpy. I can't take this anymore."

The vibrant ambience of the restaurant clashed starkly with the sombre storm brewing within Floyd's soul. The cacophony of the customers' chatter and laughter grated against his raw nerves, an unwelcome intrusion on his troubled thoughts. Every incoming order felt like a burden that continued to weigh him down. With each passing moment of his arduous shift, he felt the urge to go and squeeze someone intensify.

He had desperately wanted to find you and have a heart-to-heart talk. However, Azul, ever the entrepreneurial mind, had devised yet another business venture to propel the Mostro Lounge's profits. And now, Floyd found himself trapped in a whirlwind of responsibilities, with hardly a moment to rest as he navigated managing a fresh batch of unfortunate souls who were just so useless as servers.

"Can you just hand me the damn plates already? I don't have time for this," Floyd muttered through gritted teeth, his words oozing with impatience and exasperation. The weight of his fatigue lent an edge to his voice, underscoring the strain he endured.

But then, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, you walked through the restaurant's entrance, piercing through the clouds of his irritation. Floyd's eyes widened, a wide grin stretching across his fatigued face, erasing all traces of weariness.

"Shrimpy!" Floyd exclaimed, his lazy drawl transformed into an exuberant melody. Ignoring the bustling crowd around him, he darted towards you with infectious enthusiasm. "You're here! Did you miss me?" He spoke eagerly, closing the distance between you.

In a surge of affection, Floyd enfolded you in his embrace. His arms wrapped around you tightly, fearing you’d suddenly disappear. Soon, he sensed your tapping on his back, a gentle reminder that his hugs were too strong and you struggled to breathe. He reflexively released his hold, though he remained intimately close.

"Hahaha, I missed you too, Floyd," you laughed, unable to resist his endearing antics. The sound of your laughter erased any trace of the weariness that had burdened him moments before.

"I've missed you too, Shrimpy. I haven’t seen you in so long!" he giggled, before remembering what had troubled him and pulling back. "You kept hanging out with Guppy and ignoring me!" he accused, a hint of lingering frustration colouring his words.

"Oh, Floyd, I'm sorry," you murmured, reaching up to delicately cup his cheek. His face instinctively leaned into your touch, melting at your warm touch. "I had something to do, and I needed Epel's help, but I promise I can spend more time with you now." The warmth in your voice carried the reassurance he longed for, gradually easing the tension between you.

At your words, Floyd visibly lit up with a flicker of excitement and relief. "Really? That's great!" he exclaimed, a joyous sparkle igniting in his eyes. "Now I have Shrimpy all to myself again!" With a burst of enthusiasm, he grasped your hands and shook them.

But then, his attention was drawn to the peculiar texture beneath his touch. Floyd's gaze shifted to your hands, his eyes widening as he noticed the bandages delicately wrapped around your fingers. A flicker of anger kindled within him, fuelled by a potent blend of concern and protectiveness.

"What happened to your fingers, Shrimpy?" Floyd's voice trembled with a mixture of anger and worry, his brows furrowing.

You gathered the courage to explain, recognizing the need to calm his simmering anger before he took it out on someone. "It's nothing serious, really," you began, your voice gentle yet tinged with a hint of defensiveness. "I just... I wasn't careful enough. I know it looks bad, but please, don't be angry. It was purely accidental."

Floyd's anger began to wane, replaced by a cautious curiosity as he leaned in, eager to understand the circumstances surrounding your injuries. His tone softened as he asked, "What were you doing that hurt you? Tell me, Shrimpy."

A sheepish smile graced your lips as you reached into your pocket, retrieving a meticulously crafted wooden shrimp charm, intricately carved with precision and love. "Well," you began, a touch of uncertainty in your words, "I wanted to make something special for us, something that would remind you of me when I’m not around. I thought maybe phone charms would be something you would always carry around, so I made this," you explained.

With a deft and fluid motion, your other hand retrieved your phone, revealing a dangling eel charm attached to it. "See?" you whispered, a hint of vulnerability lacing your voice. "I know it’s not the prettiest, but we can match, Floyd."

As Floyd's eyes took in the shrimp and eel charms, his features softened, his anger dissipating like a receding tide. A surge of affection and understanding washed over Floyd, and he reached out to carefully take the wooden shrimp charm, his fingertips brushing against yours as he did so.

"Shrimpy," Floyd spoke softly, his voice filled with newfound tenderness. "I had no idea... This is so cool! You made that for me?"

You smiled at his reaction. "Yeah, I don't really have enough money to buy fancy gifts, and handmade gifts are always more heartfelt, don't you think?"

He encircled you in his embrace once more, this time more delicate and loving. "Thank you, Shrimpy," he murmured, his voice carrying a depth of emotion. "I’ll keep your Shrimpy charm safe."

As he drew back slightly, you noticed a slight pout gracing his features. "But please don’t avoid me again, okay?" he whined, before mushing his cheek against the top of your head.

"It's unbearable without you," he murmured.

[the-winter-spider]

Ocean | B.Barnes

Word count: 4.9k

Warnings: Angst

A/N: I wrote this forever ago, i had it posted here but i just accidentally deleted it as i was revising everything so im posting it again.

Inspired by the song Ocean by Lady A

Your relationship with Bucky was like an ocean; when the water was still, it was breathtaking. The way both the sun and the moon glistened off of it mirrored the light in his eyes when he looked at you, a reflection of the unspoken bond that tethered you both in deep waters.

But then, the waves would build, the calm shattering into a tempest. You'd fight against the growing swells, struggling to reach him as the riptides pulled him further away. Each wave that crashed over you was a reminder of the distance growing between you, but you weren't afraid to battle the currents, even if it meant drowning in the attempt to reach him.

Eventually, the storm would pass, and you'd find yourself washed ashore, alone, watching as he drifted further and further away. Every time you thought he was lost to the horizon, a flicker of hope would rise in your chest—maybe this time, he would turn back, maybe this time, he would swim to you. But he never did. He always let the ocean take him, surrendering to its cold, unforgiving embrace.

You were left with the sand beneath your feet and the ache of love that felt more like a wound than a comfort. Yet, even as the salt stung your eyes and the wind chilled your skin, you stayed by the shore, waiting for the day when the waves would bring him back to you.

And so, you remained—caught between the pull of the ocean and the longing for the man who seemed to be as unreachable as the horizon.

The waves

He was seated at the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. You were in the armchair to his right, close enough to touch, but he felt like he was worlds away.

"Bucky, please talk to me," you pleaded softly, your voice a fragile thread of hope.

He huffed, running a hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face. When his ocean-blue eyes met yours, your heart stuttered at the sight of them—their beauty, their depth, and the sorrow that lingered within them. His eyes were always more telling than his words ever could be, a window to the sadness he carried so deeply.

He had so much to say, always did. A whirlwind of thoughts and broken sentences stormed through his mind, a cacophony of unspoken words. Some were secrets he was glad to keep, others were truths he longed to scream, but all of them were trapped in the chaos that never seemed to settle.

His lips parted slightly, as if he were searching for the right words to say. You deserved the world, the stars, the moon—but he feared you didn't deserve the darkness that came with him. Every time he looked at you, he saw the light at the end of his tunnel, but the weight of his past, the shadows that clung to him, made it feel impossible to reach that light.

He shook his head, defeated, as the words that could never express the depth of his turmoil died on his lips. Silence wrapped around the two of you, thick and suffocating.

You sighed, the sound heavy with worry and weariness, and pushed yourself up from the chair. Moving to sit beside him, you placed a gentle hand on his cheek, turning his face toward you. "Please, don't push me away, Buck. Please."

His breath hitched at your touch, his resolve crumbling under the weight of your plea. "I don't deserve you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it any louder would make it more real.

You felt your heart break a little more at his words, but you refused to let go. "That's not for you to decide," you whispered back, your voice firm despite the tears welling in your eyes. "I’m here because I want to be, but you have to let me in."

His eyes searched yours, desperate and uncertain, as if looking for an answer to a question he didn't know how to ask. For a moment, he just stared at you, his breath shallow, the war within him evident.

Finally, with a shaky exhale, he leaned into your touch, closing his eyes. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly, and you could almost feel the walls he had built start to crack.

"I'm scared," he admitted, his voice breaking, the vulnerability in his confession laying bare the depth of his struggle.

"I know," you replied, wrapping your other arm around him, pulling him into an embrace. "But you don't have to face it alone, Bucky. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

He clung to you then, like a man lost at sea, finally finding a lifeline. The waves might have pulled him under before, but in this moment, he found solace in your arms, the storm within him calming, if only just a little.

You held him tightly, feeling the tension slowly melt away as he rested his head against your shoulder. His breath was warm against your neck, shaky at first, but gradually, it began to steady. The weight of everything he'd been carrying felt palpable in the way he leaned into you, as if he was finally allowing himself to let go, even if just for a moment.

You gently stroked the back of his head, your fingers weaving through his hair, offering him comfort in the only way you knew how. His grip on you tightened as if he feared you'd slip away like the countless dreams that turned to nightmares. But you remained, solid and unwavering.

"I’m so tired," he whispered, the words heavy with exhaustion, both physical and emotional. It was more than just fatigue—it was the weight of a century's worth of pain, regret, and memories that haunted him.

"I know, Buck," you whispered back, pressing a soft kiss to his temple. "You don’t have to carry it all by yourself anymore."

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look at you. His eyes, once turbulent like stormy seas, were now calm but still clouded with doubt. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words seemed to get caught in his throat.

So, you spoke for him. "You don't have to be perfect, or strong all the time. It's okay to be vulnerable, to let someone else shoulder some of the burden."

His expression softened, and a glimmer of something that had been long buried—hope—began to surface. But then, just as quickly, it was shadowed by a flicker of fear.

“What if… what if I hurt you?” His voice trembled, betraying the deep-seated fear he’d never fully voiced. "What if the darkness takes over, and I lose control?"

You cupped his face in your hands, forcing him to meet your gaze. "You won’t," you said with conviction, even though you knew the risk.

Tears welled up in his eyes, and this time, he didn’t fight them. He let them fall, a silent acknowledgment of the fears and doubts that had plagued him for so long. And in that moment, something shifted—something fragile and beautiful began to grow between you, a bond strengthened by the shared pain and the promise of healing.

He wrapped his arms around you again, holding you like you were his anchor in the storm. And perhaps you were, but you also knew that he was stronger than he realized—that together, you could weather whatever storms came your way.

As the night wore on, you stayed there, holding him close, not saying anything more. Words weren’t needed. The silence was filled with a quiet understanding, a shared resilience that would carry you both through the darkest of times.

Finally, when the first light of dawn began to peek through the curtains, he spoke again, his voice soft but resolute. "Thank you," he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "For not giving up on me."

You smiled, your heart swelling with love and determination. "Never," you replied, your voice steady. "i love you so much Bucky”

And that's what scared him the most.

The Riptide

“No, we're not doing this again, Bucky. Please,” you begged, your voice cracking as tears streamed down your face, a cascade of salt water that mirrored the storm brewing inside you. “Let me in.”

“Doll, I think it's best if you—"

“No!” The word ripped from your throat, louder than you intended, filled with desperation. You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself, your voice trembling as you continued, “Bucky, I love you so much it hurts. Why won’t you just let me in?”

“That’s just it, Y/N, it shouldn’t hurt.” His voice was soft, almost broken, as he reached out, taking your hands in his. The touch was gentle, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil churning between you.

“You know that’s not what I meant, Bucky… I can handle all of this, if it means I get this.” You pulled your right hand from his grasp, pressing it against his chest, right over his heart. You could feel the steady, somber beat beneath your palm, a rhythm that should have brought you comfort but instead felt like a countdown.

“You already have it. You’re the only light I’ve ever known,” he murmured, his voice full of a kind of hopeless admiration that twisted the knife in your heart even deeper. “But I feel like I’m drowning” He paused, placing his hand over yours, trapping it against his chest, where his heart ached beneath the surface. “But I can’t—I won’t take you down with me. You deserve to be away from this, from me, where it’s safe.”

Your bottom lip trembled, your voice barely a whisper. “So what are you saying?”

“I’m saying I just need time.”

The words hit you like a physical blow, your hands slipping from his as disbelief and hurt twisted your expression. “You’re pushing me away… again?”

He didn’t respond, didn’t even lift his head to meet your eyes. The silence was deafening, filled with everything he wasn’t saying, everything he was too afraid to admit.

You scoffed, the sound bitter and full of pain, as you turned away from him, your footsteps heavy as you made your way to the door. Your hand gripped the handle so tightly your knuckles turned white, but you paused, wiping away a tear with your sleeve, your voice breaking as you whispered, “I’m not afraid to drown.”

But when you glanced back at him, hoping—praying—that he would say something, anything to stop you, he remained silent, his head still bowed, as if he were already mourning the loss he’d caused.

The door clicked shut behind you, and with it, the weight of your love felt like it was sinking you, dragging you down into the depths of despair. You weren’t afraid to drown, but you were terrified of what it would feel like to swim in these dark waters alone, with only the ghost of his love as a fading light in the distance.

And as you walked away, you couldn’t help but wonder if you were the one who had been pushed out to sea, leaving him safe on the shore, unwilling to follow you into the deep.

The Shore

It had been seven weeks.

The longest he'd ever pushed you away before, and you were getting scared. Not scared that he didn’t love you anymore, or that he didn’t want you—those were the only things you were ever truly sure of. But you were scared that you were getting used to being alone, that you were learning to live with the emptiness he left behind. And you didn’t want to know how much loneliness you could take before it consumed you entirely, before he truly lost you to it.

“You gonna stand here all day?”

You spun around, your eyes meeting those familiar green ones. Steve stood beside you, resting his arms on the railing. “I think I just might.”

“It’s not hard to get lost in,” he said, his voice gentle, as if afraid to disturb the fragile peace you had found in staring out at the waves.

“It’s a nice escape.”

“And what are you escaping from?” he asked, turning to face you, but your gaze remained fixed on the horizon. He studied you, noting the subtle changes—the way your shoulders slumped slightly, the way your eyes had lost some of their sparkle. You were still beautiful, but there was a heaviness about you that hadn’t been there before. Steve had known you since Natasha brought you into their lives, her unbiological sister. He remembered the fierce, resilient woman who had fought her way out of the Red Room, who had faced every battle with an unwavering spirit. But now, standing beside you, he could see that spirit was fading.

Natasha had tried for so long to set you up with Steve, always teasing him about it. And he had thought about it, more than once. But there was always something in the way—a mission, a battle, or the nagging feeling that you were meant for someone else. And he was right. You were meant for Bucky.

Steve knew what Bucky had been through, and he knew you did too. When things started getting serious between you and Bucky, Steve had sat you down, told you the truth—that Bucky would push you away, again and again, and if you really wanted to be with him, you needed to be ready for that. You had promised Steve that no matter what, you would stand by Bucky, even if it meant enduring the heartache that came with it. You told him that Bucky and he were stuck with you.

But Steve hadn’t expected Bucky to push you away so often, to shut you out so completely. And now, he could see the toll it was taking on you. Each time Bucky pushed you away, another piece of you seemed to disappear, leaving behind someone Steve barely recognized.

Bucky thought he was protecting you, saving you from the darkness that consumed him. Steve had once thought the same—that it was better for you to be kept at a distance than to be dragged down with Bucky. But now, Steve could see that the distance was doing more damage than anything Bucky’s darkness could throw at you. The light in you, the light that had once burned so brightly, was slowly dimming.

“What don’t I have to escape from?” you chuckled bitterly. “There’s always something to need an escape from these days.”

Steve offered you a soft, sad smile. “Well, Y/N, what are you escaping from today?”

He watched as you sighed, your gaze drifting from the water to the shore. “I feel like I’m not only losing him, but I’m losing myself, Steve.”

“He’s doing what he thinks is best for you. He’s doing it because he loves you, Y/N.” He doesn’t know who he was truly trying to convince, him or you.

You finally turned to face him, and Steve felt a pang of guilt as he saw the tear roll down your cheek. You looked so different from the person he had known. Your eyes, once so vibrant, were now dull and tired. Dark circles shadowed them, and your face was gaunt, the result of too many sleepless nights and too many days spent wondering when—or if—Bucky would come back to you. Your hair was longer, unkempt, and you looked frail—like a ghost of the woman you once were.

“I wish that was enough—the whole ‘it’s because he loves you’ line. God, I wish it was, Steve,” you whispered, wiping away the tears with the back of your hand. “But it’s not enough anymore. Not when every time he pushes me away, I feel like I’m losing another piece of myself. And I don’t know how many pieces I have left before there’s nothing left of me to give.”

Steve’s heart ached for you, knowing that no matter what he said, it wouldn’t change the reality of what you were going through. He knew Bucky was breaking your heart, even if he didn’t mean to, even if he thought he was doing it for your own good. And the worst part was, Steve couldn’t fix it. He couldn’t make Bucky see what he was doing to you, couldn’t make you stop loving him enough to protect yourself.

“You deserve so much more, Y/N,” Steve said quietly, his voice thick with emotion.

Your lips trembled, and you shook your head. “But I don’t want more, Steve. I just want him.”

Steve swallowed hard, the words he wanted to say caught in his throat. He wanted to tell you that you deserved better, that you deserved someone who would fight to stay with you, not someone who kept pushing you away. But he knew it wouldn’t make a difference. You loved Bucky, and no matter how much it hurt, that wasn’t something you could just walk away from.

Instead, he reached out, pulling you into a gentle embrace. You let out a shuddering breath as you rested your head against his chest, and he held you tightly, wishing he could take away your pain, even if just for a moment.

“I’m here for you, Y/N. Always,” Steve whispered, his voice barely audible. “And I’ll keep fighting for him to come back to you. But if you ever need to talk, or just… be, you know where to find me.”

You nodded against him, your tears soaking into his shirt, and he held you until the sun dipped below the horizon, until the darkness settled over the shore and the only sound was the distant crash of the waves. And in that moment, Steve made a silent promise—to be the friend you needed, even if it meant watching you hold onto someone who was slowly slipping away from you.

Because he knew that loving Bucky wasn’t something you could stop, no matter how much it hurt. And as much as Steve wanted to protect you from the heartache, he knew that this was something you had to face on your own. The only thing he could do was stand by your side, hoping that one day, Bucky would realize just how much he was losing before it was too late.

The lighthouse

Bucky was a runner. He would run when he needed to clear his head, to stay in shape, but more than anything, he would run when things got tough.

He ran from his feelings, from sharing those feelings with you. He ran when he felt himself sinking, spiraling into that familiar darkness that threatened to consume him.

But you weren’t a runner—not like him. You hated running, found other ways to stay in shape. You faced your feelings head-on, confronted them with the kind of courage Bucky admired but couldn’t quite understand. And most importantly, you never ran away from him. So instead, he pushed you away.

And when Bucky pulled back, retreating into himself, that was the only time you would run. Not away from him, but towards him, trying to close the distance he created. You would run into the storm, hoping to bring him back, to hold onto him just a little longer.

But anytime Bucky felt himself start to drown, he would hope, almost pray, that you’d be sent on a mission soon, that you’d be spared from witnessing the worst of him. Because even though he knew you could handle it—would handle it because you loved him—he couldn’t bear the thought of you seeing him at his lowest. He knew you loved him, even if he couldn’t fathom why. You’d do anything for him, even stand by his side when the darkness took hold. But that was the problem. He didn’t know how to let you in, how to share the burden he’d carried for so long.

So when there were no missions to send you on, when you were there, steadfast and unwavering, he asked for space. And you would nod, telling him you’d still be there for him, always. With time, he thought he’d get better, that he could rid himself of the darkness and the rough waters once and for all, and return to you as the man you deserved. But that wasn’t the case. The darkness lingered, and no matter how hard he fought, it remained, a shadow over his every thought.

You were the lighthouse guiding him through the high waters, and he was desperate to reach you. But with each passing day, he noticed your light growing dimmer and dimmer. He thought it was because he was being pulled further away by the current, drifting beyond the reach of your warmth.

It wasn’t until now that he realized the truth. He wasn’t being pulled away. He was anchored to the same spot, stuck in his own despair, and your light wasn’t fading because he was too far gone—it was burning out. He had drained you, piece by piece, until there was almost nothing left.

And that realization hit him like a tidal wave, crashing over him, leaving him breathless and choking on the truth he had refused to see. He wasn’t just lost in his darkness; he was dragging you down with him.

Bucky sat on the edge of the bed, his heart heavy with the weight of his mistakes. He had pushed you away time and time again, thinking it was for your own good, thinking he was sparing you the pain of his brokenness. But all he had done was hurt you, dimming the light that had once been so bright, so full of life. The guilt was overwhelming, suffocating.

He could hear you moving around the apartment, your footsteps light but deliberate, as if you were trying to keep yourself busy, trying to stay afloat. He wanted to reach out, to pull you close and tell you how sorry he was, how much he loved you, how he didn’t want to lose you. But the words stuck in his throat, and all he could do was sit there, paralyzed by fear and regret.

The Current

You lay in your bed, tossing and turning, the sheets twisted around you like a suffocating net. Sleep was a distant memory, elusive and cruel. Without Bucky beside you, it felt impossible to find any peace. The first few weeks without him were always the easiest; his presence still lingered in the room, in the folds of the blankets, in the faint scent on the pillow. You could close your eyes and almost feel his arms around you, hear his steady breathing lulling you to sleep. But now, even that comfort was gone. The memory of his touch had faded, leaving nothing but a hollow ache in its place.

You wrapped your own arms around yourself, trying to mimic the warmth he used to provide, but it was hopeless. The emptiness gnawed at you, growing more unbearable with each passing day. With a heavy sigh, you slipped out of bed, pulled on your slippers, and grabbed a blanket. There was only one place left where you could find any semblance of comfort.

Outside, the night air was cool against your tear-stained cheeks. You settled into one of the lawn chairs, closing your eyes and listening to the sound of the crashing waves. Normally, the ocean soothed you, its rhythmic ebb and flow calming your restless mind. But tonight, the waves seemed to echo the storm inside you, stirring up all the pain and resentment you’d been trying so hard to bury. Before you knew it, tears were streaming down your face, each one a reflection of the tempest raging within.

You felt betrayed, hurt, and angry. The first time Bucky pushed you away, it was only for a couple of days. The second time, a week. And with each time, the distance grew longer, the silence more suffocating. You had been patient, understanding, loving. But you’d reached your breaking point. You couldn’t keep doing this—couldn’t keep losing yourself to the tides of his darkness.

With a frustrated cry, you tossed the blanket to the ground and pushed the chair back, your resolve hardening with every passing second.

“Friday, where’s Bucky?” you asked, your voice trembling with barely suppressed emotion.

“He’s in the gym with Captain Rogers,” the AI responded.

You didn’t care if you had a breakdown in front of Steve. At this point, you didn’t care about anything but confronting Bucky. His feelings had always mattered so much to you, but now you were drowning in the realization that yours didn’t seem to matter to him at all.

The gym door slammed open as you stormed inside. Steve was the first to notice you, concern etched across his features. “Y/N,” he called out, his voice filled with worry.

At the mention of your name, Bucky froze, dropping his arms to his sides. He spun around so fast Steve had to steady him. The last time Bucky saw you was weeks ago, before you left on that solo mission. He remembered waiting for you by the bay doors, pulling you into a tight hug, pressing a kiss to your lips, and promising that things would be better when you returned, that this time would be different. But you didn’t come to find him after you returned. You didn’t seek him out to tell him how it went, and now, as he looked at you, he realized just how much had changed.

You looked worn down, almost broken. Your hair was a mess, flyaway strands framing your face. You’d lost weight, your frame appearing almost fragile in the harsh light. Dark circles shadowed your eyes, which were bloodshot and filled with a pain that made Bucky’s heart clench. Scratches marred your skin, and a bandage with dried blood was wrapped around your forearm. But it was your eyes that struck him the hardest—they were dull, lifeless, so far from the vibrant light he had fallen in love with.

The Ocean

“What about me?” you whispered, your voice cracking as you spoke.

Bucky took a tentative step forward, his heart aching at the sight of you like this. Steve, sensing the intensity of the moment, stepped back, giving you the space you needed.

“What about me, Bucky?” you repeated, tears slipping down your cheeks. This time, you didn’t bother to wipe them away. “I’m so tired of this,” you continued, your voice trembling. “You say that I’m your light, but you’re mine too. And Bucky, it’s so dark now. I can’t do this anymore—it hurts too much.”

His eyes softened, filled with a whirlwind of emotions that he could never quite express. “Do what anymore, doll?” His voice was soft, barely above a whisper, and if the room hadn’t been so silent, you might have missed the way it cracked at the end.

Steve held his breath, afraid to move, afraid that the wrong word or gesture might shatter what little remained of this fragile moment.

“The distance,” you choked out. “I can’t do it anymore. I’m drowning, Bucky.” Your sobs came harder now, shaking your entire body as you buried your face in your hands. “All I want to do is swim… swim back to you, but I’m so tired of doing it alone.”

Without hesitation, Bucky closed the distance between you, wrapping his strong arms around you and pulling you close. For the first time in what felt like forever, you felt like you were floating, the waves calming as his embrace anchored you to something solid.

“I’m tired of doing this alone,” you whispered against his chest, your voice barely audible.

Bucky cupped your face in his hands, his thumbs gently wiping away the tears that continued to fall. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re right. I’ve been pushing you away, and it’s not fair. You’ve been there for me, through everything, and I should have let you in a long time ago.”

You stared up at him, your eyes searching his, looking for any sign that this time would be different. That this time, he wouldn’t retreat into his darkness, leaving you to navigate the storm on your own.

“Are you really going to let me in, Bucky? Because I can’t… I can’t keep holding on if you’re just going to push me away again.”

He nodded, his expression sincere, his blue eyes shimmering even under the harsh fluorescent lights. “I’m done running, doll. I want to swim with you… I want to face whatever comes, together. I need you, more than I ever realized.”

You let out a shaky breath, feeling the last of your defenses crumble. For so long, you had been the one reaching out, trying to pull him back from the edge. And now, finally, he was reaching back.

“You’re an ocean, beautiful and blue,” you murmured, your fingers tracing the outline of his jaw. “And I want to swim in you, Bucky. I want to dive deep and never come up for air.”

He leaned in, pressing his forehead against yours, his breath warm against your lips. “Then let’s swim together, doll. No more pushing away. No more running.”

And with that, you closed the distance, capturing his lips in a kiss that was long overdue. It was a kiss filled with all the love, all the pain, all the desperation you’d both been holding onto. A kiss that promised things would be different, that you would both fight for each other, for the light that still flickered between you.

The waves outside continued to crash against the shore, but inside, the storm had finally begun to calm.

[alyrasturnz]

PETER {{ matt sturniolo }}

— part 1

summary — you find yourself grappling with the passage of three long years since the promise was made, yet the anticipated return remains elusive, casting a shadow of uncertainty over your heart and mind. the lingering question of whether he will ever fulfill his sweet nothings linger like haunting whispers in your thoughts

warnings :: mentions of alcohol , gore mentioned if you squint

— angst!

a/n ,, first fanfic ever!!!! idk how to feel 😭

part 2

its the gut wrenching feeling of your heart splintering into myriad fragments, tears meandering down your visage in intricate rivulets, reminiscent of the essence of your being seeping from your inert vessel.

the very last breath relinquishing from the depths of your being, mirroring the conclusive caress you shall ever grace upon his lips. that’s how it felt like. the sensation mirrored the cold embrace of mortality itself.

it was akin to the feeling of parting ways with someone you never intended to depart from. it felt as though a fragment of your essence had vanished, leaving behind only the visceral remnants seeping from the core of your existence.

it was as if existence itself had become an illusion, a mere facade of vitality. though your physical form remained animated, with a pulsing heart and functioning lungs, the essence of life seemed to elude you. lying motionless in your bed, gaze fixed upon the ceiling, devoid of movement or cogitation, a silent observer of your own subdued presence.

the third anniversary of your separation from matt had arrived. his solemn vow to mature and seek you out had dissolved into the void, his hollow promises echoing like a haunting melody, draining every ounce of hope from the depths of your soul.

you held onto his words like precious gems, trusting his assurances that the fault lay not with you, but with the passage of time. every pledge he made, every vow he uttered, you embraced with unwavering faith, convinced that time alone stood as the sole adversary between you.

he said it was just goodbye for now.

you've journeyed through countless seasons, yet the grip of the past refuses to loosen its hold on you. in the depths of your contemplation, you ponder whether he remains the enigmatic mind reader, the innate master of stealing the spotlight in every scene.

In the intricate dance of fate, blame never found its place upon his shoulders. the capricious goddess of timing, with her whimsical ways, stood as the true adversary. despite your earnest efforts beneath the shared moon, the cruel revelation dawned upon you that you existed in separate galaxies, destined to traverse divergent paths.

you stood as a silent witness to his triumphs, beholding the realization of every aspiration he had shared with you, every dream that had ignited his soul since childhood.

you shield the truth of your anticipation with unwavering resolve, never to divulge, while the flickering flame of hope persists, casting its glow upon the passage of time.

you harbored a mix of longing and anger towards him, a tumultuous blend of emotions swirling within you like a raging tempest whenever his memory surfaced. despite his assurance of a temporary farewell, absolution never found its place upon him.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

“it doesn’t have to be like this, matt,” your tear-filled eyes beseeched earnestly. “please. let’s just try”

“we tried. you tried, i tried. we've given our all, but, the pieces do not align," matt exhaled heavily, his head shaking in resignation. “it’s not working, y/n.”

the weight of his words struck you like a thunderbolt, sending a sharp pang reverberating through the chambers of your heart. the sensation of your heart fracturing into countless shards mirrored the tears cascading down your cheeks, painting a portrait of profound sorrow and emotional tumult.

“so what? you're calling it off?” you whispered softly, the words hanging in the air like a delicate veil of uncertainty. the weight of those few syllables carried a profound sense of finality, a moment frozen in time where the echoes of your voice seemed to reverberate with unspoken emotions, leaving a lingering question mark in the stillness of the room.

“no, I'm not," matt declared, his gaze meeting yours as he drew nearer. “it’s just goodbye for now. i promise, y/n, i’ll seek you out when the time is right."

it was an unavoidable outcome. prior to embarking on this relationship, he forewarned you of the potential unfolding of events in this manner. his personal aspirations demanded his undivided attention, leaving scant remnants for you.

you were entangled in a toxic web, yet your yearning for him was insatiable. his presence became as vital to you as the air you breathe, an indispensable necessity for your very existence. each breath you took felt incomplete without him, your lungs aching for his essence as your heart echoed its longing for him.

“we'll cross paths again?” you inquired, the tremor in your voice betraying the depth of your emotions, tears cascading down your cheeks like a relentless stream of sorrow.

“yes,” matt murmured, his tone laced with a sense of urgency, drawing you close as he captured your lips in a fervent embrace. “when we can handle it. when we're ready. when theres nothing in the way and your well-being reigns as the sole focus."

tears cascaded down your face, mingling with his own, as you reunited your lips once more in a poignant connection.

you withdrew, a profound stillness enveloping the room, before fixing your gaze upon him for a final moment. tenderly cradling his face in your hand, he surrendered to the moment, closing his eyes in quiet surrender.

his gaze met yours, a silent exchange that conveyed volumes beyond the reach of words. with a faint smile, you nodded in understanding before gracefully stepping away, leaving unspoken sentiments lingering in the air.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

the aroma of alcohol saturated your senses, the vessel cradled in your hands, your vision weighed down by its effects, while the symphony of the bar's music danced subtly in the background, adding layers to the ambiance.

the complexity of the situation deepened as you grappled with the internal conflict of straying from your usual habits, recognizing the necessity to purge his lingering presence from your thoughts.

the intricate web of circumstances entwined around you as your companions coerced you into this night out, knowing your reluctance to venture forth since matt.

the pulsating club scene unfolded before you, your friends immersed in the chaotic dance of fleeting connections, either lost in the rhythm with unfamiliar partners on the dance floor or ensconced in the front seat of a stranger’s car

the strands of hair gently tucked behind your ears, your eyes shutting in contemplation, followed by a subtle shake of your head, signifying a moment of introspection amidst the chaos surrounding you.

amidst the tangled threads of emotions, you grapple with the enigma that is the concept of one-night stands, questioning the motives behind the players who toy with hearts like pieces on a board. despite your unwavering belief in love, the complexities of this generation make it a Herculean task to hold onto that belief with unwavering faith.

matt thought the same.

he unveiled to you a realm of love so profound, so uniquely tailored, that it transcended the boundaries of conventional understanding. through his actions, he gently nudged you towards the realization that perhaps your musings on love were not mere illusions but rather fragments of a deeper truth waiting to be unveiled.

in the labyrinth of your emotions, a fear lingers like a shadow, whispering doubts about your ability to bare your soul to another as you did with matt. the depth of your love for him resonates with such intensity that you find yourself contemplating the notion of offering your very heart, a symbol of your devotion, should he ever seek it.

the ache of his absence reverberates through the very core of your being, a poignant reminder of the profound connection you shared with him that remains unmatched by any other relationship in your life.

exhaling a deep sigh, you gently set the glass upon the polished bar counter, the clink barely audible over the din of the room, before rising gracefully and proceeding deeper into the labyrinthine depths of the bustling bar.

you've downed one too many, the liquid courage coursing through your veins, blurring the edges of reality as you navigate the labyrinth of intoxication and self-reflection.

“y/n?”

[elryuse]

Yandere Sister’s friend ahn yujin x male reader please?

ANSWER ME

Yandere Ahn Yujin X Male Reader

Genre : Sister's Friend Yujin, Younger Male Reader, Yandere, Manipulative, Horror

The first time Yujin swept into our living room, a whirlwind of designer bags and cascading raven hair, I was a scrawny teenager glued to the TV. My sister, ever the social butterfly, had snagged her famous model friend for a weekend visit. Yujin, with her sculpted cheekbones and pouty lips that seemed permanently painted in a bored indifference, regarded me with the disdain of a queen surveying a particularly dull palace jester. Me, in turn, was utterly smitten. Here, sprawled on our worn-out couch, was a creature who seemed to belong on a runway, not amidst the chaos of teenage life.

Days bled into weeks, and Yujin became a constant presence. She'd return from shoots, her aura a potent mix of exhaustion and untouchable glamour. I, a gangly mess of elbows and acne, worshipped the ground she walked on. Yet, there was a surprising tenderness beneath the aloof facade. She'd ruffle my hair, a fleeting touch that sent sparks flying, then spend hours patiently guiding me through a particularly challenging level in my game. A warmth bloomed in my chest, a confusing mix of hero worship and something more, something entirely foreign and exhilarating.

One stolen summer evening, I was lost in a clumsy kiss, the taste of cherry lip gloss and teenage rebellion sweet on my tongue. Pulling away, I breathlessly met the gaze of the girl I was tangled with. But then I saw her. Yujin stood frozen in the doorway, the ever-present smirk on her face replaced by a mask of such chilling fury that it stole the air from the room. The playful glint in her eyes, once the source of my nervous exhilaration, was now a smoldering ember, promising a terrible inferno.

The Yujin who emerged from that moment was a metamorphosis I never could have anticipated. The playful teasing morphed into a calculated seduction, her laughter laced with a dangerous edge that sent shivers down my spine. She started dropping by unannounced, lingering long after my sister retreated to her room. Her touch, always fleeting before, now lingered, a brand that burned even after she was gone.

"You deserve better, sweetheart," she'd murmur, her voice a husky caress against my ear as she ran a finger down my cheek. "Someone who can cherish you, who can protect you from all the nasty things in the world." Her words, laced with a possessiveness that sent a tremor of fear through me, chipped away at the lingering hope for a normal teenage life.

She became a master manipulator, crafting elaborate scenarios. A staged "break-in" where she'd "heroically" save me, a spiked drink that left me disoriented and utterly dependent on her "care." My world shrunk with each passing day, the lines between concern and control blurring into a terrifying haze.

One by one, my friends drifted away, subtly discouraged by Yujin's pointed comments and icy stares. My sister, oblivious to the undercurrent of danger, simply assumed Yujin's possessiveness stemmed from overprotective fondness. I was trapped in a gilded cage, the bars formed by Yujin's suffocating affection.

The night the storm hit, it mirrored the tempest raging within her. The power flickered, plunging the house into darkness. Yujin emerged from the shadows, her smile, illuminated by a flash of lightning, sent a jolt of terror through me. Blood stained the crimson silk nightgown clinging to her curves, a gruesome contrast to the way her lips, still painted a sinful red, curved into a predatory smile.

"We don't need anyone else, do we darling?" she whispered, her voice a chilling melody in the storm's fury. "They all just want to hurt you. But I... I will keep you safe. We'll be perfect together. Forever."

The metallic tang of blood filled the air, a sickening counterpoint to the frantic hammering of my heart. I glimpsed a glint of manic devotion in her eyes, a terrifying adoration that promised forever, but a forever defined by her twisted desires.

Over the following weeks, the house became my prison. Yujin cut off all contact with the outside world, my phone "lost," the internet connection mysteriously "down." I was adrift in a sea of her making, filled with whispered promises and a suffocating dependence.

She'd tend to my every need, her touch a constant reminder of the price of her affection. The forced intimacy was a twisted mockery of love, leaving me raw and yearning for a normalcy I wasn't sure even existed anymore.

The blood drained from my face, the stark reality of the clippings a sickening counterpoint to Yujin's crimson smile. I wasn't her only conquest; I was just the latest object of her affection in a collection marred by disturbing disappearances. Panic coiled in my gut, the weight of my situation threatening to suffocate me.

Confrontation was a terrifying prospect. Yujin could switch from seductive charm to chilling rage in a heartbeat. Escape seemed impossible. The windows were bolted shut, the doors secured with complex locks I didn't have keys for. I was a fly caught in a web, the silken threads deceptively beautiful but strong enough to steal my breath.

Sleep became a battleground. Nightmares, fueled by the horrifying discovery, plagued me. I'd wake up in a cold sweat, the image of the bloodstain on Yujin's nightgown seared into my memory. Each morning, she'd greet me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, the cloying sweetness of her perfume a constant reminder of my captivity.

Days blurred into a monotonous routine. Yujin spent her mornings glued to the phone, arranging shoots and interviews with practiced ease. While she was gone, I'd scour the house for an escape route, a hidden key, anything. But the house, once a familiar haven, had transformed into a gilded cage designed to keep me prisoner.

The idea of escape started to lose its luster. The world outside seemed distant and unwelcoming, while Yujin, with her unwavering devotion (however twisted it may be) began to feel strangely comforting. She'd tend to my every need, whispering reassurances and promises of a future together. The isolation chipped away at my sanity, blurring the lines between affection and Stockholm syndrome.

One rainy afternoon, Yujin presented me with a bouquet of lilies, their cloying sweetness mirroring her perfume. "They symbolize devotion," she murmured, her voice a seductive caress. "Just like mine, for you."

The sincerity in her eyes, a flicker I hadn't seen before, snagged at my heart. Was it truly possible that her obsession stemmed from a warped sense of love? In the suffocating silence of the house, with the world a distant memory, the idea began to take root.

Weeks turned into months, the lines between captor and companion blurring further. Yujin's touch, once laced with possessiveness, now felt tender, almost apologetic. I found myself craving her presence, a horrifying realization that twisted my gut.

Then, one starlit night, as we sat by the fireplace, Yujin confessed everything – the staged break-in, the drugged drink, the "eliminated" women. But her voice, devoid of its usual chilling edge, trembled with a vulnerability I hadn't expected.

"They didn't understand you," she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "They didn't deserve you. Only I can love you the way you need to be loved."

In that moment, a horrifying truth dawned on me. I wasn't a prisoner anymore. I was a captive of my own twisted affection, a Stockholm pawn in Yujin's deadly game of love. The world outside had faded into insignificance, replaced by the terrifying comfort of her obsessive devotion.

As she leaned in, the scent of lilies filling my senses, I closed my eyes, a traitorous tear slipping down my cheek. I was hers, not by force, but by a love as twisted and dark as the storm raging outside. The cage, I realized with a chilling certainty, had become my home.

[pocketjoong]

☾₊‧⁺˖⋆noctem⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ 〘act 1, chapter 1〙

〘Synopsis〙『Your hatred of dragons is a hate born of witnessing their flames consume your village, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake. The worst of all is the beast that haunts your dreams, the very dragon whose memory fuels a burning desire for revenge within you. But life has a way of unsettling even the most steadfast convictions. And when you stumble upon a truth that shatters the boundaries of your understanding, you begin to question the very essence of the world you live in.』

〘Pairing〙『Night Fury!Seonghwa x afab!Reader』

〘Genre〙『FANTASY, ACTION, SMUT』

〘Word Count〙『2.1k』

〘Chapter-specific Warnings〙『Based on How To Train Your Dragon. Canon-compliant violence. Mention of injuries. Mentions of dragons attacking the mc's village. MDNI.』

〘Banner Credits〙『@playmetheclassics』

please note: there will be NO taglist for this series

With your heart pounding in your throat, you duck beneath the low-hanging arch of a weathered stone walkway, pressing yourself against the rough surface. Jagged rocks dig into your spine, but the momentary discomfort is nothing compared to the fire raining down from above. Bright orange flames dance in the sky, casting eerie shadows on the cobbled streets of your town.

Pulling the collar of your cloak closer, you try to shield yourself from the fiery onslaught, but even that is not enough to entirely dodge the few sparks that rain down on you, singeing the tips of your hair. At least it’s better than becoming a human shish-kebab, you think wryly.

In the distance, urgent shouts pierced through the roar of the conflagration, and you feel the tendrils of dread coil around your heart. You dare to peek out from your hiding place, only to see children and the villagers who are not fighting the creatures, scrambling to put out the fire that has engulfed the roof of one of the buildings. They pour buckets upon buckets of water to douse the flames, sending a few droplets raining down on you. You welcome the cold relief brought by the icy liquid amidst the heated air, thanks to the fires raging as far as the eye can see.

It’s not a new sight, definitely not one that scares you anymore; it merely sharpens your senses and steels your determination. But in your heart, you worry for the safety of your fellow villagers. The fortnightly attacks by dragons have been a grim routine, much like the twinkling stars in the night sky that had guided your ancestors to the beautiful land of Amberdale. It was named after the waters that would turn the colour of liquid gold every sunrise and sunset, a place where serenity met grandeur. But dark legends whispered only in secret tell of a day that the waters would turn red and spell your village’s doom. 

Amberdale is a sanctuary of sorts, surrounded by water on three sides and imposing mountains on the other. It is a haven, a space safe from the threat of other clans, a paradise marred only by the fire-breathing pests that have made life a living hell for the occupants of the town for centuries.

From the corner of your eye, you spot a shadow descending from the sky, signalling the arrival of another winged menace. Realising that no one is around to help, you take a deep breath as your fingers tighten around the trigger of the meticulously laid dragon trap. The mechanism springs to life, and the air crackles as a net shoots towards the beast. The colossal creature crashes to the ground under the crushing weight of the entangling mesh.

As some villagers haul the ensnared dragon away, your gaze locks with the eyes of the dragon. The intelligence in its eyes and the silent plea for help send a shiver down your spine. Shakily, you look away, not wanting to think about the creature anymore.

“Move to the upper defences. We’ll counteract their attacks with the catapults!” Your brother’s command cuts through the cacophony of battle as he rallies the warriors to their positions. He appears beside you under the arch, eyes mirroring the tempest swirling within. The storm in his gaze briefly yields to surprise and concern when he meets your eyes. It’s clear that he wasn’t expecting you to be outside during an attack.

He scans you from head to toe, his sweaty and soot-stained face softening in relief when he sees that you’re unhurt. “Why are you outside? Did something happen at the infirmary?”

“We ran out of supplies, so I had to run all the way across the village to restock,” you inform him grimly, pointing at the bag dangling from your shoulder that is filled to the brim with supplies. “We really should move the warehouse closer to the infirmary, Yunho. Or better yet, expand the infirmary itself to accommodate the supplies. Not only will it save the healers from making unnecessary trips when the village is under attack, but it will also keep the medical supplies safer since the sick bay is the only fireproof building in the entire village.”

“I truly am sorry, Y/N,” your brother dips his head in a gesture of genuine regret, but you catch the weight of responsibility etched on his face. “I know you’ve raised this issue multiple times throughout the years, and I promise you it has been on our to-do list for a while, but…” he trails off with a sigh, shrugging helplessly.

You understand the cause of the delay; you truly do. There are more important things to do, like rebuilding structures destroyed in the attacks, preparing for storm week that arrives every three months, ensuring the safety of everyone during the attacks, forging more weapons and installing catapults around the cliffs, training people how to fight dragons and conducting research on the various species of the beasts that haunt your existence. There is so much to do, leaving little room to address the nagging issue of relocating a warehouse or expanding the infirmary.

“I understand we have more pressing matters to attend to,” you offer him an impish grin, taking the opportunity to nudge your brother’s shoulder with your own playfully. But the joke on your tongue dies down when a whistle-like sound you’ve come to associate with danger pierces the night sky. Instinctively, your gaze darts upward as you try to spot the source of the sound. 

Objectively, you know that you should find cover to escape the inevitable attack that is to follow. Still, your fascination with this particular beast outweighs any and all sense of self-preservation. Your eyes scan the skies, hunting for any sign of the approaching peril, but, as usual, there’s nothing. There’s no telltale movement, not even a blur, that would allow you to pinpoint the location of the elusive beast.

“Night Fury,” the whisper leaves your lips at the same time as a pair of strong arms wrap around your shoulders before the person tugs you to bring you into a crouch. The abrupt movement sends a jolt through you, and you come crashing down on your knees.

“Duck!” Wooyoung’s urgent shout tears through the chaos, piercing through the clamour of battle. He shields you with his body just as a ball of fire collides with the catapult installed on the cliffs looming above you. The impact shatters the contraception and sends a cascade of stone and wood raining down upon all of you. 

After what feels like an eternity, the onslaught finally stops, and you cautiously sit up, eyes scanning the debris-strewn landscape. Your first instinct is to fuss over Wooyoung since he had covered you with his body to shield you from the debris. The ringing in your ears and the reverberations of your pounding heart are momentarily drowned out by your concern for his well-being.

“Your stitches,” you frown at the red-haired male, reaching out towards where towards him. However, the male is quick to intercept your hands with his own, covering them protectively as he shakes his head.

“I’m fine. I took care to protect my injured side,” he assures you, a smile playing on his lips. His words ease some of the panic coursing through you. The moment you turn to check on Yunho, you find him already crawling closer.

“Are you two okay?” He asks, concern etched across his features as he gazes at the two of you.

“Dandy,” you mutter darkly, brushing off the debris from your cloak and cursing the blasted dragons under your breath. Now that you’re sure both males are relatively unhurt, you turn to Wooyoung with a grateful smile. “Thanks for that, Woo.”

He shakes his head, rolling his eyes good-naturedly, “Someone has to look out for you when you're not paying attention to your surroundings. We can’t afford to have our best healer getting hurt, now, can we?”

Yunho grins at his friend’s words but shifts his attention to you as you prepare to resume your journey back to the sick bay. “Do you need an escort to the infirmary?”

“Yunho, they’ll probably need you at the ballista. The other dragons we can deal with, but that menace is what we need to hunt down as soon as possible,” Wooyoung tells the taller male, regarding him with pleading eyes. Now that the Night Fury has appeared, every hunter is a crucial asset, and your brother happens to be the best in the entire village.

Yunho, caught in the dilemma of divided priorities, purses his lips. The familiar struggle between his duty to protect the village versus the instinct to ensure your safety is evident on his face. You know your brother well enough to recognise that he would drop everything in a heartbeat to ensure your safety first and foremost.

“I’ll escort her if that makes you feel better,” sensing the conflict on Yunho’s face, Wooyoung steps in to break the silence that hangs heavy between the three of you. 

“No, it’s okay,” you say, sighing when both of them stare at you with concerned expressions that cause a pang in your heart. “The two of you are the most gifted warriors we have, and there’s no point in either of you sticking around to escort me to a building that's practically a stone’s throw away from here.”

“But—”

You shut Yunho down with a firm look, your voice cutting through any protest. “I’ll be fine, Yun. I’ve done this hundreds of times. Just promise me you won’t come back injured. If there is one thing I can’t bear, it’s you getting hurt.”

Yunho’s tough exterior softens at your words, and he nods in agreement, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be careful.”

Convinced, you turn to narrow your eyes at Wooyoung, catching him off guard. He gulps at your sudden change in expression. “And you. Don’t you dare reopen those stitches, young man. It took me an hour to do these, and I will not be gentle if you mess them up. You’re almost healed, and redoing the stitches will unnecessarily delay your healing.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Wooyoung responds with a salute, straightening his posture to stand at his full height. “I promise to be careful as well.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with me leaving?” Your brother tightens his grip on the handle of the sword that’s strapped to his side. “Wooyoung can escort you. He’s not fully healed anyways, and no one would mind him sitting out of the battle for once.”

“I’d feel much better if I knew the two of you are together,” you confess, averting your gaze from both of them to take in the chaotic scene unfolding around you. Despite your efforts to seem nonchalant, you can feel both males regarding your features with probing scrutiny and worry.

Wooyoung opens his mouth to say something, but a familiar, piercing whistle cuts through the air—the unmistakable herald of the Night Fury’s return. The dragon has circled back around the mountain peak to descend upon the village once more. The noise snaps you into action, and you shove both males towards the path that leads to the cliffs. “Go.”

Yunho releases a sigh, his shoulders slumping in a resigned acceptance, and he nods. Before he and Wooyoung dash toward the mounted ballista—the only weapon that would give the village a shot against the looming beast—Yunho's hand finds yours, offering a reassuring squeeze. YOu nod back at him and watch them run towards the ballista.

“Your sister is downright terrifying when she wants to be!” Wooyoung’s voice carries back to you.  His whiny tone is met with an involuntary laugh from you, mingling with Yunho’s echoing laughter, which is followed by more whining from the other male that you can’t make sense of now that they’re much farther away.

Before you step into the infirmary to prepare for the inevitable influx of injured villagers, you’re unable to resist the urge to scan the skies once more. Your gaze lingers on the moonless sky as you search for the elusive Night Fury, the dragon that no one has ever seen. 

You hope that Yunho and Wooyoung can hunt it down, for even though the Night Fury doesn’t pillage like its brethren, it acts as a guardian to the other dragons. It is always there to help them to attack the village and steal livestock and supplies. Removing the dragon from the equation would undoubtedly make the task of defending your village much easier.

[bellofthemeadow]

Dawn Ends the Night - Chapter 3

Aemond Targaryen x FemReader (Dayne)

Previous Chapter | Masterlist | Series Masterlist

Rating: M for Mature (18 + no minors allowed)

Word Count: 4.7K

Warning: All warnings on the Series Masterlist, will update if necessary (Re-iterating, no minors allowed! Thank you)

Chapter Summary: The aftermath of the attack sees Prince Aemond wrestle with new feelings.

Notes: Hello everyone, I hope you are all enjoying this chaotic posting schedule just as much as I am!!! I am back with a new chapter, a little window into Aemond's very messy mind. That man is a softboy at heart, he just needs like 20 years of therapy. RN its the beginning of a slight "obsession" as our boy for the first is feeling... something that is not murder, or hatred, or the need to burn everything with Vhagar. So yeah.

Like always thank you to everyone who reblogged and commented I love interacting with y'all and I really hope that you enjoy this chapter 💜💜💜

Taglist: @duds31 , @snh96, @lol-im-done, @heavenly1927, @whimsywilde , @queen-123s-posts

Through your Eyes

In the silence of his bedchamber, Aemond's pulse raced like the chained dragons lagering in the dragon pit, its beat echoing from the cavern of his chest to the very tips of his fingers, awakening the primal blood-rage that slept within his Targaryen blood. The air around him trembled with his ragged breaths, each one a stormy gust tearing through the otherwise stillness of the room. Alone, he wrestled with his armor, the leather stained with the day's deadly encounter. He would need to get the leather treated so the blood wouldn’t leave its reddish mark, Aemond thought with annoyance.  His hands, though shaking with a fury he struggled to contain, methodically peeled away each layer, dismissing the need for a manservant's aid. This was his ritual of solitude, after a lost fight in the yard with Ser Criston, or an annoying dinner with Aegon, Aemond needed to take a moment to confront the tempest within, a moment to try and tame the dragon. 

“My thanks for saving us” your sweet words echoed in Aemond’s brain like the hymns his mother had once insisted he memorize, trapped in his mind – relentless in their grab for his undivided attention. Although he had just met you earlier (had it only been 3 hours?) each detail was etched into his memory with unnerving clarity —the putrid stench of Flea Bottom that now seemed to permeate his very being and clung all the way to his smallclothes, the satisfying melody of the guard's screams echoes loud as he replays  the moment he severed the man's hand from his foul body; an act of true dragon-justice.  

 Your eyes. 

Those eyes, captivating and raw, rimmed with red, their watery sheen reflecting a tumult of fury and fear. It was a look Aemond rarely witnessed in others, but they were a mirror to the emotions he often grappled with in his daily solitude. Staring into his own reflection, he was accustomed to seeing the same intensity in his sole eye, the other a remnant of his past, a void where fear once dwelled. Now, that fear was often overshadowed by a simmering fury, a relentless fire that had become his constant companion. Yet, in your gaze, he saw the fear and anger, a young bird still scared of an unknown, cruel world – but oh so angry and unwilling to get yourself drag down by its cruelty.  

Since coming back to the keep after he had settled the matter at the market, Aemond’s mind was inexorably drawn back to the market, to the moment he first laid eyes on you. He had not needed anyone to point you out; he knew who you were from the second he saw you, holding that little boy who was clinging onto you like the barnacles that littered the rocks in blackwater bay.  

Seeing you so small yet standing so tall in the shadow of the guard’s golden cloak, he had only seen the resolve and desire to protect; for Aemond, it was like a visceral pull that transcended mere sight that had drawn him to you, like he was being pulled with a thight string attached to his heart.And in the dirt of Flea Bottom, you had stood cloaked in a gown of gauzy lilac in a style of dress he had never seen at court. The sheerness of the sleeves and the plunge of the loose bodice defied the strict, colorless conventions of the court and in a way that would surely raise his mother's brow in disapproval. But Aemond did not care for what was proper, as when he freed the man’s body from its hand, he only longed to take you in his arms, to press the silky fabric of your gown, under which he knew luscious curves hid, between his fingertips.  

Aemond closed his eyes trying to imagine what you would feel like in his arms, he could almost feel it if he concentrated enough - were he a bold man, Aemond would have tugged on the fabric of your dress to bring you closer to him, to hold you tight. Not for unseemly reasons as you were still his betrothed, a lady of noble birth at that, and he was no Aegon. It was hard to admit it to himself, but all he wanted was to inhale the sweet citrusy scent he had caught when you had tied the purple scrap of silk to his bicep.  

Aemond unwound the fabric from his arm with a tenderness that echoed the way his mother handled her most precious emerald necklace, an heirloom passed down from his grandmother. She cherished it so deeply that she allowed only herself to touch or clean it, guarding it like a dragon hoarding its treasure. But to Aemond, this simple piece of purple cloth was infinitely more valuable than any gems or riches that lay in the royal vault; it was the only tangible thread linking him to you. Through this favor, you were his and he was yours, bonded through blood and silk. He hoped one day he could shower you in trinkets; ruby-red necklaces, perhaps paired with a green samite gown, or freshwater pearls jewelery ; he had heard that Riverrun made amazing hairnet with them  –Aemond could not help but smile at the thought of you outfitted with tokens from him, all would know that you belonged to him.  

Aemond let the fabric dance lightly between his fingertips and bringing the scarf closer, he tentatively pressed it against his nose, inhaling deeply. The fragrance was faint, a hint of your presence as if you had only briefly held the fabric in your grasp. Frustration flickered within him as he sought more of your scent, breathing in with an intensity born of deep longing and desire. Aemond was no stranger to yearning; his life was a testament to insatiable hunger - for recognition, for greatness, for respect, and for the Iron Throne. His brother, with his lecherous appetite and penchant for debauchery, and his older sister who is always entangled in a web of deceit with her brood of Strong bastards, were both underserving of what should have been rightfully Aemond.  

Yet, as he held the fabric close to his face, Aemond felt his greed transform from ugly and covetous to an all-encompassing desire to protect and care. He yearned not for accolades or crowns, but for the intimacy of your existence in his arms. Indeed, Aemond was a greedy man, and at that moment, he longed to truly have you, to have your scent permeate his skin. The mere thought of burying his face in your hair, drawing in the essence of your being, became a need that tugged at his very core. He almost scoffed at his thoughts, to think that the dragonrider of Vhagar would be reduced to a puddle of quivering emotions! If, when his mother first informed him of his betrothal, Aegon had told him that in barely a moon's turn he would desire nothing more than the simple pleasure of his betrothed's closeness, to breathe in the sweet aroma, he would have throttled his idiot brother. But you had ensnared him – a simple instant in your presence, a look from your beautiful eyes and he was yours. What a mess he was.  

Closing his eyes, Aemond did his best to recall the delicate touch of your hands as they had wrapped the fabric around his arm. The feeling of your delicate fingers resonated deep within him, intimate and gentle, unlike any he had ever experienced. The soft pressure of your fingers against his skin, the careful way you secured the scarf, it all felt like a silent promise, I shall care for you, my lord husbands. Words Aemond yearned to hear falling from your plush lips.  

Under the tender scrutiny of your eyes, Aemond felt a man transformed; Gone was the bitter sting of being known as 'Aemond the Dragonless' or 'Aemond-who-sends-the-maids-crying.' Instead, he felt seen as who he should have been, had fate not cruelly snatched away his eye – a true dragon prince, deserving of admiration and respect. Deserving of a crown, even if his weak father refused to admit it.  

"Prince Aemond!" The call from Ser Criston echoed forcefully through the door, breaking the stillness of the chamber and brought Aemond from his musings. Huffing, Aemond groaned in displeasure, he could understand now why Aegon stopped his sword training - Ser Criston did have the worst of timing. Maybe if he held his breath, Ser Criston would go away. He waited a minute, but the pounding restarted; Of course, he would not go away, the knight was relentless.  

"Just a moment," Aemond replied tersely.  

"The Queen requests your presence immediately, my prince. The matter is urgent, so please make haste my prince" came Ser Criston's insistent voice from the other side. 

Aemond groaned before swiftly splashing cool water across his face, feeling it's refreshing touch against his skin and hastily pulling a tunic over his head, covering his bare chest. There would be time for a proper bath later in the evening, before dinner and the official presentation of his betrothed to court, he reasoned. 

His fingers then reached for the purple silk and carefully he tied it around his wrist, positioning it high enough to remain concealed beneath the folds of his jerkin. Though hidden from view, its presence was a secret comfort, a reminder that he did not dream you – that you existed, in flesh and blood.  

Aemond flung the door open, his movements brusque, revealing the stern figure of Ser Criston Cole. The knight looked annoyed; his lips downturned in displeasure. Without exchanging words, Aemond began striding towards his mother’s solar, the path so familiar that he required no guidance, least of all from his mother’s shadow. 

"The Queen is quite agitated, my prince," Ser Criston broke the silence, his voice echoing down the dimly lit corridor. "She has been informed of the incident at the market and is... less than pleased." 

Aemond's steps faltered, his fists clenching at his sides, he knew it was coming, he just had not imagined it would happen so soon, although it made sense as Alicent had many eyes and ears all over the city. Aemond looked at Ser Criston before rolling his eye, the knight had no doubt babbled the second he had reached his mother's vicinity. The thought of disappointing his mother tightly squeezed at his heart, with gritted teeth, Aemond let out a noncommittal grunt in a thinly veiled effort to maintain composure. Ser Criston, however, persisted. "In light of the current tensions at court, such a public display of violence was... ill-advised, to say the least. For a prince of the realm to act so rashly..." 

Stopping abruptly, the torchlight casting long shadows that danced on the walls, Aemond turned sharply, his eyes a stormy sea of frustration and barely contained rage. "And what would you have had me do, Ser Criston? Stand by while that animal threatened my betrothed with cold steel? Be grateful I let him leave with his life." 

Ser Criston's demeanor remained stoic, attempting to soothe the prince's anger. "These are indeed trying times, my prince. But your betrothed should not have found herself in such a predicament. A lady of her station venturing away from her escort raises questions about her discretion. Such behavior could bring unforeseen troubles to our doorstep..." 

Aemond's voice cut through the air, sharp as Valyrian steel. "I severed the hand that dared harm her. What do you think I would do to the tongues of those who dare tarnish her name?" 

Ser Criston's expression flickered, a brief moment of uncertainty crossing his face. "My prince, I did not mean to imply—" 

"I know exactly what you implied," Aemond interjected, his voice laced with a cold venom. He unconsciously reached to his right arm where he knew your favor was hidden, touching it to bring your bravery to his words. "Remember your place, Ser Criston. As much as you are a valued member of this household and as much as I have always considered you to be a great mentor, I will not tolerate any slight against my betrothed. Is that clear?" 

"Yes, my prince," Ser Criston conceded, the strain in his voice evident. "I shall be more mindful." 

With a curt nod, Aemond turned away and, as he moved through the corridors, passing servants and knights alike, he noticed their efforts to avoid meeting his gaze. It was a dance he had grown accustomed to, yet today, it felt more pronounced as it made the hole beneath the eye-patch throbbed. Trying to keep the pain at bay, he imagined you at his side holding his hand and giving a sweet reassuring smile. It seemed to help somewhat as the pain started subsiding, leaving in its wake only the feeling of emptiness. It would do for now.  

 Reaching the door to the Queen's solar, Aemond paused, collecting his thoughts. He had hoped that by now, his usual icy composure would have resettled over him like a familiar cloak, that the fiery dragon within would have been tamed and subdued. Yet, beneath his skin, a prickling heat lingered, a reminder of the inferno that had coursed through his veins earlier. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself for the encounter ahead. The comforting memory of your grateful eyes had to be set aside, replaced with the bracing reality of his mother's scrutiny. 

Aemond gently rapped on the door and after a brief pause, one of his mother's handmaidens opened the door, allowing him and Ser Criston to enter the room. Inside, Queen Alicent, adorned in a dress of her usual striking green, paced before a large window. Her anxiety was palpable, evidenced by the way she gnawed at her cuticles, some of which were surrounded by tiny specks of blood where she had bitten too deeply.  

Aemond felt a pang of shame tighten in his gut. He was rather unaccustomed to being the source of his mother's disappointment. Throughout his life, she had always shown him a particular kind of attention, especially during his more vulnerable, bullied childhood years when he did not have a dragon to stop people (Aegon) from mocking him. Displeasing Queen Alicent was not something he took lightly. His gaze swept across the room, and Aemond noticed the unusual absence of Otto Hightower, which was odd as the man always had a way to immerse himself in every family discussion. 

Aemond's thoughts were shattered by the sharp rebuke of his mother. "Aemond, for the love of the Seven, what possessed you?" Queen Alicent's voice might have sounded stern and strict to the uneased ear, but Aemond could hear a pinch of desperation. "To attack and dismember a gold cloak in full view of the public. Do you realize the talk this will incite!?" Her eyes, usually so full of maternal warmth reserved for him, now bore into him with a sternness that made him inwardly flinch. 

The smoldering embers of Aemond's anger flared up once more, and he met his mother's gaze with his own steely look – the one that made grown man shudder. "Mother, that man was a disgrace to his cloak. He was assaulting the woman who is to be my wife, threatening her life. He was a beast, unworthy of his position and of the gold on his back. By intervening, I not only did what was necessary to protect my intended, but I restored the name of the King in the eyes of the people of King’s Landing. I will not apologize for my actions as I was under the impression that Lady Dayne, being betrothed to a prince, would be under the protection of our house. It seems I was mistaken. Perhaps I should have allowed her to be stripped naked and beaten for all of Flea bottom to see, would this have been more appropriate?!" 

Queen Alicent, her fingers once again finding their way to her mouth, bit her nails nervously. With a weary sigh, she approached Aemond, her hands reaching out to gently grasp his arms. "Aemond, you misunderstand my concern," she began, her voice tinged with fatigue. "Your actions in defending your betrothed were commendable, but the manner in which you executed them... it is the brutality of it that troubles me. Such a display of violence and cruelty, it's not befitting a prince of your stature." 

Aemond's response came with a touch of bitterness, "Mother, the people of King’s Landing have always viewed me as a monster. What I did today is likely mild in comparison to what they all believe me capable of. And frankly, the man got off lightly. Had it been solely up to me, I would have fed him to Vhagar without a second thought." 

Queen Alicent's sigh was heavy. "Aemond, please," she implored. "I understand your urge to protect your future wife, but you have not even properly met her, your reaction was..." 

"You understand nothing," Aemond interjected sharply, his voice rising with indignation. "My name is Aemond Targaryen! NOT Aemond Hightower and I will uphold the words of my house, 'Fire and Blood,' in dealing with any who threaten us. And that includes Lady Dayne, from the moment Ggrandfather arranged for our betrothal. " 

Alicent's expression turned grave, her gaze unyielding "Is that truly your desire, Aemond? To be remembered as another Maegor the Cruel? To walk the same dark path as your uncle, the rogue that all the nobility of the realm scorns? What legacy do you wish to leave – Aemond the Monstrous? Aemond the Brutal?" 

Aemond winced upon his mother's words – Aemond the monstruous? A bitter retort escaped his lips, "Perhaps I do want that. Perhaps if they called me 'Aemond the Cruel' openly as they all think it, my dear older sister would reconsider herself, parading her bastards as if they were legitimate heirs, worthy of the throne." 

Queen Alicent took a deep, steadying breath, her eyes closing momentarily in a silent plea for patience. She released Aemond's arms, turning away from him, her posture one of weary resignation. "I only wish that you would remember the lessons of mercy taught by the Mother," she said softly. "I understand your anger, Aemond, but you must see that there are alternatives to your actions. Violence, war, death – these are not the sole answers to all our difficulties." 

Aemond felt sour upon his mother’s words, had she always been so blind? "And what would be the 'appropriate' answer, mother, when Rhaenyra learns of your plans with Grandfather? When she discovers your intention to crown Aegon over her?" 

"Aemond, please," Alicent implored, but he pressed on relentlessly. 

"Do you truly believe she will simply just accept it? Do you not see that war and violence are already at our doorstep? Is this not why you arranged my marriage to Lady Dayne – to secure Dorne's support when conflict inevitably breaks out? Consider how our position would weaken if I had allowed the first Dornish lady on our soil since the conquest to be abused on the streets of King's Landing. Prince Quoren might have renounced our alliance entirely. And then what, Mother? Whom would you have me marry? A distant Beesbury cousin? Perhaps some lesser Velaryon to challenge Lord Corlys? What would your grand strategy be, mother?" 

Alicent remained silent, her figure still and composed, even as the tension in the room thickened. Aemond felt like a snarling dragon, spewing fire at the calm and poised figure of his mother – but a dragon could burn down a tower if needed. From his vantage point in the corner, Ser Criston, who had been observing the exchange in silence, finally spoke up, his voice stern. "Prince or not, you will show the proper respect when addressing the Queen." 

Alicent's voice was calm, final. "It is alright, Ser Criston. My son is evidently still distressed from today's events. You may leave us, Aemond." She did not turn back to look at Aemond, her gaze fixed somewhere distant. 

"Mother," Aemond uttered, the anger was still there, but a deep feeling of regret was starting to tightnened in his troath – he had never spoken to his mother this. Had always revered her as the woman who had always loved him, would always love and cherish him, eyes or no eyes. The woman who had taken his side on Driftmark, who had been willing to draw blood for him. So why was he so angry? Because you know of another woman who would have taken your side on Driftmark now, a smooth voice whispered in his mind. He could imagine Lady Dayne, except instead of the little street urchin clinging to you, it was him – holding you as you were soothing him and urling insults to the Strong. Nevertheless, although Aemond knew he had won the argument, the victory was hollow and left a bitter taste in his mouth.  

As Aemond stormed out of his mother's solar, the door slammed shut with a force that was quite petulant and wholly unbefitting of his princely demeanor. The urge to visit Vhagar tugged at him; her presence, the soothing texture of her scales, and the smoldering depths of her yellow eyes often brought him solace in tumultuous times. Soaring through the skies on her back, he found unparalleled freedom, a sense of true self that grounded him amidst the chaos of court life. But today, his steps wavered, his usual path to where Vhagar rested, momentarily forgotten. 

A different impulse guided him instead, steering his course through the corridors of the castle. He caught sight of a maid, her steps quick and purposeful towards the kitchens. In a swift motion, Aemond reached out, his hand gently but firmly grasping her arm. His voice, though laced with the lingering storm of his recent encounter, carried a softer edge. "Tell me, where in the castle is the Dayne retinue lodging?" 

The maid, attempting to maintain her composure, did everything to avoid the intense gaze of his solitary eye, stuttered her reply. "In... the west wing, my prince," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. With a nod of acknowledgement, Aemond released her, his mind now set on a new destination. 

Navigating the labyrinth of corridors towards the West wing, Prince Aemond was in a whirlwind as each step he took was shadowed by uncertainty - would you be there in your quarters? And if so, would you welcome his presence? He wondered if the radiant spark that had lit your eyes earlier, the one that had captivated him so completely, would still shine when faced with him alone. Doubt nagged at him, whispering questions of whether you might prefer solitude over his company. He shook his head, none of it mattered; the second-guessing, the fear. He needed to see you, to lay eyes on you and ensure your well-being. These thoughts propelled him towards your quarters, and he felt more like a dragon than ever before, like a great beast tracking its prey before feasting – unrelenting, with a singular purpose. You.  

As Prince Aemond neared the West wing, he was met with a contingent of guards adorned with the Dayne sigil – a white fallen star against a field of lilac. A frown marred his features. Where had these men been when you needed them most? "I wish to see my betrothed." Aemond’s tone left no place for arguments. 

However, one of the guards, an older man with a graying beard and sharp brown eyes, appeared unmoved by Aemond's royal status and instead eyed the prince distrustfully. "The lady is currently resting after a taxing day... My prince" The last part was definitely added as an afterthought. 

Bastard, Aemond thought angrily, did he not know he was speaking to a prince? How dare this commoner (who had let harm come to you) come between him and his need to see you! Aemond's sneer was barely concealed. "I'm well aware of her trying day, as I was present," he retorted, trying to quell the anger that pulsed in his veins. "Is it a Dornish custom then, that betrothed couples cannot converse? Especially after one of the party saved the other. Quite a peculiar custom if you ask me." 

Another younger guard grumbled “Not as much as fucking your siblings...” If Aemond was not so consumed with thoughts of you, he would have had whipped this guard for the insolence.  

The older guard's expression soured further, his eyes narrowing. "Given today’s events, where one of your men assaulted our lady, you'll understand my prince,” definitely a sneer” “Our caution.”  

"And the man responsible has been dealt with," Aemond countered firmly, his gaze unwavering. 

The standoff continued for a tense moment before the older guard relented under Aemond's intense gaze. For once, Aemond was quite satisfied that his one eye could make even the fiercest of men grow uncomfortable, it helped to get his bidding done. The guard led the prince to a corner door and knocked briskly. "My lady, Prince Aemond is here to see you," he announced. 

The response came in the form of your familiar, melodious voice, which had haunted Aemond's thoughts throughout the day. "Come in!" you called out, and Aemond felt a mixture of relief and apprehension as he prepared to enter. 

Upon opening the room, Aemond was met with a scene quite unexpected. There you were, center stage in the spacious chamber, having exchanged your earlier attire for a strikingly different ensemble. You were adorned in a long, elegant purple tunic with short sleeves that left your arms gracefully exposed. Underneath, a pair of voluminous white breeches reached down to your calves, leaving the lower parts of your legs exposed. Aemond gulped loudly at the sight of you, he had never seen a young lady dressed in such a manner. Were all Dornish ladies such beautiful women, who scorned proper attire? Were all Dornish ladies so... enticing? No, Aemond thought decidedly, you must be one of a kind, a lone bright star in the otherwise dark skies of his life.  

Yet, it was the action before him that truly caught him off guard. You were in the midst of a tussle with the same young boy from earlier - Daven, was it? You were attempting to apply soap to his hair, a task he seemed to be resisting with all the vigor a 5-year-old boy could muster. On the large bed nearby, another boy of a similar age sat, munching on a bright red apple, his eyes wide with fascination as he observed the struggle. 

“My Lady... Am I... Bothering you? Aemond muttered, at a lost feeling like he might be intruding on such a strange, yet merry moment.”  

Your smile bloomed like a desert rose at dawn, eyes sparkling with the kind of joy that one might associate with discovering a long-lost treasure, or seeing a long-lost friend... Or lover. Gently, you shifted the still-pouting boy in your arms to face Aemond, calling to him with a warmth that melted the icy barriers around the prince's heart. "Look, Davos! Our brave prince who saved us earlier has come to see us!" The boy, Davos, offered a shy smile and a timid wave, his earlier resistance forgotten in the presence of his hero. 

Aemond felt an unfamiliar flush of warmth spread across his cheeks under your gaze, filled with gratitude and something deeper, something that seemed to stir the very core of his being. The usual fire that raged within him, driving his every ambition and desire, seemed to simmer down into a comforting warmth, a feeling he couldn't quite place but didn't wish to escape. 

His heart pounding a rapid rhythm, Aemond offered a slight bow. "Might I be of assistance, my Lady?" 

Your response came with an infectious beam. "Another pair of hands would be most welcome." 

Positioning himself to be of help, Aemond muttered, "Guide me to where I can be most useful, my Lady." 

With a soft and tender smile, you replied, "I believe, my prince, that you are perfect just where you are." 

Perfect right where he is?  

Aemond would never leave your side, nothing would ever tear from you and you from him. The Gods had always scorned him since his childhood, this was payment. His due. You were his and he was yours from this day until the end of his days.  

Next chapter

[merakiui]

overblot! Riddle nonconning you in front of Ace and Deuce while going on about how this is the only thing a magicless nobody is good for 👍🏼

Omg yes,,,,,,,,

(cw: yandere, gender neutral, nsfw, non-con, humiliation/degradation, public sex)

Amidst a ruined, debris-ridden rose maze, a monster looms. No one dares stray close, lest they find themselves maimed and sent to the grave, and so they can only watch helplessly from the safety of overturned chairs, tables, and uprooted rose trees. The scene was once serene, an almost-perfect Unbirthday. Now it is desolate and bleak, a nightmarish reality that leaves thick, discomforting silence blanketing the grounds.

Riddle casts a grotesquely bone-chilling shadow, and his appearance mirrors that of a creature torn from the pages of a classic horror; that's the only way to describe him: cruel and cold, all sharp, vicious edges and thorns, dripping blot. He's on the verge of a supernova, toeing the line of life and death, a monstrous mage who has reached the consequences of a culmination of excessive magic, spilled over into bitter negativity. The aura that clings to him is, in a word, utterly terrifying.

And you're right there in his shadow, a fragile, caged thing bent down on your hands and knees. Your fingers curl into the grass, tearing clumps. No one dares to speak up, to demand he release you, to fight for your safety and dignity. Hopelessly collared, Ace and Deuce, your closest companions in all of this mess, look on in horror even though they don't mean to.

It's like a tragedy spun right before their eyes. They want to look away, but they can't. It's morbidly ensorcelling.

"Observe!" Riddle's voice booms, commanding absolute obedience and attention. His pallid hips press against your ass while clawed hands dig into your hips, holding you perfectly still. Blood is drawn; it seeps beneath his sharpened nails, leaving painful indents. You feel filthy and fearful, cut down to something small and insignificant and weak. Droplets of blot speckle your backside each time he shifts. It's warm like candle wax, but it doesn't burn.

The betrayal does, though—stains through to your very soul.

You grit your teeth, squeezing your eyes shut in hopes of drifting off elsewhere. Anywhere that isn't here, speared on his cock for all to see, forced into the grass like you're bowing apologetically before the Queen and her card soldiers.

"You lack the key capabilities all mages must possess, and yet you thought it wise to challenge my rules? Here? When my word is law?" He barks out a laugh, sickly amused. Scarlet eyes narrow with disdain. "Perhaps you're as slovenly as you are disobedient. As expected of a disrespectful, magic-less fool who knows nothing! Absolutely nothing of the order I so carefully uphold!"

He pulls back, seething through grit teeth, and snaps his hips forwards. You collapse on shaky arms, gasping in pain.

It hurts more than heartbreak, more than a bruise, more than a slap. Tears spot your lash line, threatening to fall with one more well-aimed, brutal thrust. Spidery fingers dance along your waist, tracing a line towards your neck. He grips your chin and forces you to look upon a crowd of terrified faces, all ogling with bated breath. Ace is watching and so is Deuce, albeit through the cracks in his hands.

"What did you hope to achieve—to prove—by defying me?" he demands, his grip a deadly vise. "That I could be in the wrong? That all I've worked tirelessly for, all that I've done, is wrong?"

"Riddle..." You wince in your futile attempt to pull away. "Riddle, please... I... I'm sorry, but please... You're hurting me..."

He turns your head towards him, eyes ablaze with a furious tempest, and he leans closer, pinning you with startling ease. His cock presses up against your insides, enveloped tightly in your walls, and you shudder through the discomfort and the agony. A single claw traces dangerously close to your jugular.

"Speak up if you have something to say!"

"It hurts!" You gasp again, outright sobbing now. "It hurts! Please..."

"It's a punishment," he sneers, glaring disapprovingly. "It's meant to impart a lesson—one learned through pain. If you understand this, stop sniveling and respond appropriately."

You're not sure which is worse: humiliation at the hands of someone you considered a friendly acquaintance or the fact that, no matter how villainous he may be, you only wish for him to return to himself. You'd never wish this fate on anyone, but maybe it's your too-big heart that makes it impossible to hate him. You don't hate him. You can't.

And perhaps that's the worst part of all this.

You hang your head, defeated and devoid of hope. "Yes, Dorm Leader..."

And so he teaches you and all those who witness the devastating spectacle a lesson neither will ever forget.

Red is passionate and fiery, a reflection of roses and redamancy. But it is not a pleasant color. Not anymore. Not in the aftermath.

Red is the color of Riddle and Heartslabyul and blood and pain and anger. And every time you spy the slowly healing marks from that day, you feel it all over you. Red everywhere, inside and out. Externally, you may heal with all matter of magical cures, but internally it's not an easy fix.

So red is no longer a comfortable color. You wish you could look upon it and admire it for what it is: a color. But that proves impossible, for a color that is so highly revered as pretty does not evoke pretty feelings for you.