#( ALL I SEE ; ALL WITHIN REACH. ) / * aes .

[v4rus]

v.

[saltywritings]

(in the still of the night | aemond targaryen x strong! reader)

summary: the reader and aemond reconnect at the red keep after years of being apart. it is here the both of you reconnect with the reemerging memories of when the both of you were young. memories in italics.

warnings: mentions of death and murder, betrothal, sexual tension but no smut, yet. cursing?

word count: 3,835 words.

authors note: i do hope you enjoy reading this as much as i have had writing it. please consider reblogging or leaving a comment if you do enjoy. if this does well i will make a second part that will be absolutely filthy.

it was odd to you. the memories that flooded to you so clearly as you walked down the halls of the castle. eyes catching the stained glass windows of dragons, carefully moving up the stone steps as you did as a child. you remembered all the times you tripped down them, bruising your knees chasing after the young prince's. you remembered of how you ran down the halls hiding from them. you remembered sneaking out at night to the kitchens and eating cakes in the gardens under the light of the moon with aemond until your eldest brother dragged you back to your chambers.

yet, it was now as you remembered how close you and aemond had been as children. your eyes catching the garden from within the castle walls.

"y/n! y/n, wait up." aemond's voice rang in your head. nothing more than just a whisper as the two of your crept through the halls. aemond in his sleep shirt and you in your nightgown. if the two of you had not been children the situation would have been frowned upon, heavily. for you more than him considering your status as a lady.

you bare feet slowed as you looked behind you. waiting for an out of breath aemond to catch up. the targaryen prince had been holding a napkin, the cloth tied shut, and his fist holding the knot tightly. aemond took your hand in his own once he reached you, pulling you with him now through the halls and into the gardens. your feet ran against the soft grass and under the godswood. you sat beside the prince, as your little fingers fumbled with the tight knot. aemond helped you untie it and slid himself closer to you. the both of you side by side and your little fingers were pinching at the lemon cake.

"i stole this at dinner," aemond informed you as he shoved some of the cake in his mouth.

"did anyone see you?" you questioned softly, filling your own mouth as you did.

"just aegon-" aemond stopped himself. the boy remembered of how aegon called him a pig for taking more. though, he knew not of the nights that he shared with you, and aemond simply told his older brother to fuck off. "but he doesn't know." aemond assured you.

"good, your brother likes to make the worst of everything. doesn't he?" you remarked rather casually- but aemond had stopped eating. your dark eyes looking up now with regret in your own words. you had known how his brother and his nephews would torment him. aemond told you, here in the gardens, when the both of you were alone. "aemond-" your voice soft, your hand going to meet his again to comfort him.

what little comfort you felt you could offer. you hadn't known it now, but it was the only comfort aemond had ever known.

"it would be different if i too had a dragon." aemond defended himself, his eyes saddened and he looked down to his lap.

"dragons aren't everything, aemond. i don't have a dragon and i'm-" you were trying to comfort him, but the boy was quick to snap again.

"you wouldn't understand y/n- you're just a strong." aemond snapped at you. you closed your mouth and looked away, aemond quickly realizing his mistake in snapping at you and his hands grabbed at yours again. "no, no, y/n. i'm sorry. i didn't mean it in that way" he pleaded with you. his voice near begging you to turn to look at him. his fingers placed at your jaw as you turned to meet his eyes. "i'm a targaryen. we're dragon riders; all of them are but me. and- and its not fair" aemond eventually crumbled. you recalled as tears had begun to run from his eyes. aemond fell into your arms and wept.

"i'm sorry, aemond. i am." you whispered in an attempt to comfort him. your arms wrapped around the crying boy and help him close, he would sniffle and eventually pulled himself together.

"i wish i could take you on dragon back with me. so that way you would understand." aemond pleaded.

"maybe one day you will," you smiled to him and aemond smiled back to you at the very thought.

the sweet moment between the two of you was short lived, as your eldest brother harwin came storming into the garden. you barely had a moment to scramble to your feet before he grabbed onto your arm.

"y/n, how many times have i told you not to be sneaking out with the prince after dark?" harwin questioned you. your face went pale as his dark eyes peered into your own. "keep this up and i'll tell father you need to go back home. to harrenhal." he threatened. you began to resist him, began to plead, but aemond would have none of this.

"ser harwin strong. you will let lady y/n go. your prince demands it." aemond's voice was weak but he knew what to say. harwin, however, looked to the boy debating on what to do. "unhand her or i will tell my mother what you've done here on this night" aemond threatened again.,

harwin let go of your arm in a bit of a gruff, "the king wants the both of you in bed. go on your way or i will tell father, y/n." he demanded. the two of you would run off to your own chambers. but it was far from the last time the both of you had snuck out.

you were only a babe when your father brought you with him to the red keep. his first daughter, the product of his third wife. lyonel strong the newly appointed hand of the king had hoped that the court of the red keep would raise his daughter well. that you would grow in the mannerisms of a lady. lyonel thought this was be good for you. but if he had known of what was to happen he would have never allowed your mother to carry you past the door.

it was there in the red keep that you were raised closely with the kings own children as well as the princess's sons. the seven of you were only children, but even then the tensions had grown. even though you were only a girl you could see it. though, the turmoil's of your life had made you long forget the ones held at the court of the red keep.

your eyes stared at the godswood, reminiscing when you hear someone summon you.

"lady tyrell, it has been too long since you've last visited the red keep." you heard a voice call from behind you, lady tyrell a name you never really adjusted too. behind you was the sight of the queen.

"you grace," you bowed before her, queen alicent. "that it has been," you smiled to her softly.

"you're not with your husband?" she questioned you, her own hands brought together.

"no. lord tyrell is resting from the journey. he does not do well in far travels. even in the carriage." you insisted, giving her a smile to which alicent nodded in understanding.

"well, i do hope you get the chance to properly visit with aemond while you're here. i recall the two of you were good friends all those years ago." alicent spoke very matter of fact, but the mention of aemond was enough to make you smile.

"yes. i recall the same," you hummed. "where is the prince? i do hope our paths may cross before I retire with my husband." you questioned alicent who could not resist the smile that fell on her pale lips.

"aemond? he's off with vhagar, of course." alicent was practically musing.

you never got the privilege to see aemond on a dragon. you heard word at high garden when prince aemond lost his eyes. when he claimed vhagar as his dragon. there had never been a smile on your face like the one you had that day. though, you wished the letter would have been from aemond. for reasons that seemed obvious now aemond never wrote to you and you were never allowed to write to him.

perhaps it had been more obvious to everyone, but the both of you that the two of you were smitten over each other at a young age. perhaps it was the fact you were children, or perhaps it was that each of you lacked the confidence, but neither of you were able to see it yourself. aegon would constantly berate aemond every time he looked longingly in your direction. "can't you be more obvious? looking at y/n like she's a dragon. like looking at things you'll never have?" aegon would taunt constantly. he would get close to you. his hands wrapping around yours as you played just to bother his brother.

but you had never seen it. now, you could look back on your time together and the feeling in your chest grew warm. though the feeling was quickly snuffed out by the reminder of your station. a married woman. your husband was many years your successor and the two of you were yet to conceive a child after all these years together. your marriage to him felt like torture as the years passed on. he was never specifically cruel or vile towards you, not in the way that you heard stories of men hitting their wives or calling them names. but there had been no love in your marriage and you knew that you never would come to love him. for when you looked into his eyes all you could feel was loss. perhaps things could have been different had your father not betrothed you so young.

even that night as you laid next to your sleeping husband under the canopy you were unable to find sleep. you had hoped the journey would be enough to make you rest and yet? your eyes continued to look at the black silk of the canopy curtains. you stood from the bed, pulling on a robe to cover your nightgown, and quietly left the bedroom chambers. you walked along the torches through the halls you would sneak around when you were a child. there was an uneasiness about walking amongst the castle this late. part of you worried that harwin would be around the corner ready to scream at you to go back to your chambers. another part of you feared your own father may come to question why you were out of bed. though, you reminded yourself that was not possible. if anyone were to come for you here it would be larys. your last brother. the one who summoned you and your husband to the red keep in the first place.

it was a cruel thought to think. but you often thought of what your life would have become if your father would have died after your betrothal. if larys would have allowed you to stay there, with him at the red keep. it was a bitter thought. wishing he had been dead sooner, and yet? you thought it often. you didn't want to. in fact you tried not to think of nothing at all. your feet reached the open gardens and you paid no mind to the bitter air that attacked your exposed skin. you tried to look at the godswood, at the flowers in the moon light. anything to not think about your father or harwin. however, at the red keep again the thoughts felt impossible to keep away. you could not begin but to remember of how you cried the day that you found out your father had betrothed you after lord tyrell's first wife had passed. you went crying from the room after begging him and pleading with him to change his mind. to reconsider. but your father had made his decision. he promised you that one day you would thank him for the position he arranged for you. a chuckled slipped your lips, wondering if the time to be thankful would ever come.

"still sneaking away from your chambers at night?" the voice mused on. it was familiar and you could not help the smile that flooded to your lips as your turned around to see behind. before you stood aemond targaryen. taller than you remembered, leaner, his hair long and a patch covering his eye. he had been dressed in black, from head to toe. aemond did not look as you remembered him to look. though you were sure you did not look as he had remembered you either. still, the both of you smiled to one another.

"aemond-" you cheered gleefully. you were quick to rush into his arms. it was not proper of either of you. both knowing anyone could see, that neither of you respected the formalities. that the two of you now stood in the gardens as you did when you were children. his arms wrapped tightly around the frame of your body and your face nuzzled into his chest. you would hold one another for longer than two friends should before creating distance again. you looked up at aemond's face and his eye had been on you and only you. "you've grown-" you remarked, the smile not fading from your lips.

"as have you, y/n" aemond spoke. he reached out, carefully. taking your hand in his own and beginning to pull you along with him gently. "come on, y/n. there's something i want to show you." aemond instructed you. there was a small part of you that knew you shouldn't go with him. that you were a married lady in her night clothes with nothing but a robe to keep your modesty. though you followed aemond, without a second thought. despite what you knew you did not hesitate as aemond led you through the castle and you blindly followed him through the red keep. down the castle stairs and outside beyond the castle walls.

"should we be here, aemond?" you questioned following him blindly into the dark.

"if i told you we weren't would you turn back?" aemond did not as much as look to you he only continued walking.

"never" you confessed.

"then, no. we shouldn't. but i've been waiting years to show you vhagar" aemond continued to lead you through the field but it was easy to see her. the sight of her was near frightening to you. involuntarily your body moved closer to aemond's, the sight of her was frightening, but aemond could not help but to smile as he watched you cower. "it's okay. she won't hurt you when you're with me. i swear it." he reassured you as he approached vhagar.

your eyes took in the dragon before you and aemond was quick to move to the netting that hung from her side. one of his hands gripping onto it as he once again pulled you close to him. "you trust me, don't do you?" aemond questioned his hand bringing yours to the rope.

"yes," you confessed near breathless. it was now that aemond helped you up the dragon's side. him behind you, arms wrapped around grabbing onto the net, as he helped you climb her. when finally up, one of his hands gently held your waist get onto the saddle. aemond quickly pulled himself behind you. both of his hands pulling you from behind in a way that your back was against his chest and his arms were wrapped around your torso as he grabbed the reigns of the dragon. this was the moment that aemond has always wanted to show you, and as vhagar took off he could not contain the smile that made his way to his face as he watched your first ride on a dragon. aemond would take you flying on vhagar, the wind in your hair as you screamed with joy. your robe no longer tied as aemond kept his arms wrapped around you tightly. where aemond took you was unrecognizable to you now. some distant place from kingslanding; perhaps you knew it when you were a child but you had known it no longer now. aemond was quiet at the two of you sat on the ground. his arms were still wrapped around yours and his eye had been looking to you.

"i have missed you, here. y/n . . . " aemond confessed as your eyes looked up to meet his. a soft smile glowing on your lips.

"as i have missed you, my prince" you cooed to him softly, sitting up so that the two of you could be face to face. there was a silence that followed. a feeling that did not go away and it strained your chest and weakened your legs. you felt it when he looked at you the way he did now. aemond's hand cradled your face, pulling you close to him by your jaw, and without asking he pressed his lips onto yours. you kissed him back, your soft subtle lips that fought against his own. his hand grabbing onto the neckline of your nightgown as he begun to pull at it, exposing the skin of your shoulder. the sudden feeling of your duty flooding you through the mess of passionate kisses the two of you were ingulfed in.

"wait, wait- aemond we shouldn't do this." you attempted to stop what was unfolding before you. aemond kissed you again, and once again you kissed him back. your eyes closed before pulling yourself from his lips again. a nearly impossible task. "no, aemond. i'm married. i have a husband-" you pleaded.

the very mention of your husband was enough to make his blood boil. his face went cold for a moment as aemond remembered when he had found out about your betrothal. you were only given a day to pack your belongings and leave for high garden.

aemond remembered how your father had pulled his sobbing daughter away from the prince. he too had been in tears at the announcement. it was the last time he had seen you. being dragged by your father as you sobbed. the image of you in tears stuck in his mind as the years passed. you hadn't known this; your father never told you, and aemond never got the chance to, but the moment your father dragged you away aemond went running in tears to his mother. the youngest born prince burst into her room and ran to her. alicent's arms opened immediately and frantically.

"what is it? what happened, aemond? tell me-" alicent went frantic. she had never seen aemond so upset before and she worried that someone had been hurt.

"he betrothed her- y/n. lynoel strong. he betrothed her to the lord of high garden. he- he-" aemond was sobbing and alicent's arms were quick to wrap around her son. she had known what everyone around the castle had known. if anything she was waiting for this day to come and she rubbed her sons back as he wept into her chest.

"oh, aemond." alicent sighed. the queen paused attempting to gather some kind of comfort for her youngest son. "there comes a time in every young girls life when she must be betrothed. to become a wife." alicent begun to give her speech but aemond begun to push her back his face now red and flushed with anger.

"mother. no- i'm not upset about her being betrothed. i just-" aemoond stopped himself for a second before finally letting it out. "she should have been betrothed to me! not some lord of high garden. a rose? we're dragons- why not me?" aemond was sobbing again. "is it because i'm not the first born son?" he questioned tears in his eyes again. "is it because i don't have a dragon?" aemond wept again.

"no no, aemond. that's not why, darling" alicent quickly tried to scoop up her son, but he pushed her away the moment she came in contact with him. "aemond, please- i know she is your friend-" alicent hardly got a chance to get her words out before aemond interrupted her again.

"she's not just my friend." aemond spoke up, feeling a need to make his message clear on how important this was to him. "she's the only person in this whole bloody castle who treats me like i'm not wrothless." aemond spat out through his own sobs. alicent looked with sympathetic eyes. unsure what she had the power to do and in turn, she caved.

"i will offer lord strong a marriage proposal for her hand in place of lord tyrell. do you understand?" alicent attempted to clean her son's face. aemond would nod finally accepting his mothers arms again.

alicent would make the proposal to lynoel strong. y/n strong and prince aemond targaryen, to be wed in a few years time. but your father denied it without consideration. he did not waiver. he did not even give her a reasonable doubt. instead, lynoel sent you away to high garden and you watched, weeping out of a carriage window unaware that aemond was even an option for you. aemond, however, had known that some day you would return to him. if it were by the hands of the gods or his own hand.

now you were in his arms and there had only been one problem. your husband. something aemond thought about long before you arrived. "y/n. your husbands dead-" aemond informed you, he did not waiver. not once as he spoke. a look of confusion consumed your features.

"aemond . . ." you trailed off in your own confusion. "what are you talking about?" you questioned him brows furrowed together.

"he's gone, y/n. dead. that fat fool was smothered in his bed." aemond informed you without mercy. without remorse. still you looked at him in confusion, horror- unsure on how to process what aemond was saying to you.

"aemond. did you- did you have my husband killed?" you asked bluntly. there had been no mannerism that could have asked what you were asking him now. what you had already known. aemond smiled.

"obviously. hadn't you wondered why larys requested that the both of you come to kings landing? come on, y/n. i know after all these years at high garden you haven't become daft. i never stopped thinking about you." aemond confessed, his hand returned to your jaw and gently pulled you in closer to him. eye to eye, nose to nose. "even the largest dragon in the world could not fill the hole that you left behind." he confessed, his breath hot on your face.

"say you'll marry me. we'll set things right. say you'll marry me and be my wife. marry me and carry my heirs. say it, y/n." aemond was practically pleading with you. but the pleading had not been necessary. aemond had you wrapped around his finger.

"i'll marry you-"

[beansidhebumbling]

Once again begging for a bit of bitter rhysta bonding over feyssian being a bit too obvious

Liar, Liar

Idk pals. Blame @ae-neon for this. Warning for blood play I guess. Jesus.

They were dancing.

Again.

Familiar tattooed hands moved over her sister's lithe frame. Cassian seemed to forget she knew his tricks, the gentle tracing of the lower back, the hidden kisses to clasped hands. He'd used them on her too. In a time long gone now. Before Nyx, before the dissolution of the Night.

His hands dipped lower, skirting the bare skin of Feyre's lower back. Nesta looked away, focused now on the thin stem of her cocktail glass.

Lovers deserved privacy after all.

Even her husband.

Even her sister.

***

In this nook she liked to pretend he danced for her. That this was merely one of the games they'd played as newleyweds.

Foreplay.

A small part of her, not her heart, maybe her ring finger, the closest to the shackle held out hope he still loved her.

Hope that died with each secret letter she found, with each charged stare she bore witness to, with each dance she observed.

Hope was for heros and children.

***

The seductive beat moved through her pulse as the smooth vodka barely bit at her throat. This was the top shelf stuff. A rarer find after the treaty. He was clearly in a mood tonight. Sat in the corner as usual, the two regular voyeurs to the budding romance and erosion of two marriages.

She glanced at the slumped form of the former Lord of Night and new monarch of the Velarien Territories. The broken lands of a broken male.

'You can sit up, you know. She can't sense you.'

He glared purple-eyed venom at her. She nearly missed the time when that might have scared her. At least things seemed simple then.

'I don't understand what she sees in him. Three months we've been following them to their dancing'

His voice caught on the shards of jealousy that lined his throat.

'And I have to watch her love him. Him. He took everything.'

'You lose what you don't mind, your Highness.'

She relished in hurting him. Something about how his too-perfect face shuttered and stars sparked from his fingertips. Joy was a scarce commodity and his suffering a deep well of it.

'Don't sound too smug, love. It's your mate she's fucking.'

'I cannot lose what I've never had. You fae and your Cauldron. I have never heeded the divine ruling of crockery.'

His laugh, piercing and chilling, cracked her glass splintering it in her grasp. The smell of honey and iron tickled her nose as blood seeped from her clenched fist.

'Liar, liar Lady Death. I still remember you on the battlefields. You've always been quick to save the bastard.'

With agility she thought him too drunk for he moved closer and cradled her stained hand within his own, droplets of scarlet staining his indigo silk shirt.

'Not brother anymore then?'

Nesta smiled sweetly, words coated in honey and arsenic.

'Not sister anymore then?'

He mimicked, raising an eyebrow as she flinched sharply, his eyes glittering, the Ptsym constellation visible in his pupil.

'Don't talk about Feyre like that.'

She muttered.

Rhysand slowly prised open her palm, magicking away the shards until all that remained of his mirth was a deep oozing cut.

His lips, plush and sharp, dipped to kiss her wrist, licking the blood as he went, laving his tongue over pale skin and working slowly towards the wound.

Tingling electricity erupted, shooting from her head to her core. To swap blood was an act reserved for mates not whatever they were.

Enemies.

Less.

More.

Her head flung back hitting hard on the mahogany lined wall as he reached the cut and sucked deeply, silver flames catching on the seams of his mouth.

Rhysand raised his head, hair tossed and eyes wild. He grinned a feral bloody creation, his canines fully elongated before murmuring,

'I'm not very interested in talking at all. Sister."

[euphorianyx]

DADDY ISSUES [DAWN] -10-

Pairing: JungKook & Reader Genre: Smut /Intriguing/Violent/Soapy/Fluff/ Angst |+18| Summary: Two hearts that still burned for each other... I was water, he was fire ; together, we turned into haze He wanted my light, I wanted his pain Even if we try to deny, our hearts knew their way Money, glory, power for life, us was all we needed in the end ⟪A/N: Please do not copy or publish my work on other platforms without my permission. Every and each like & reblog are highly appreciated.⟫

⨳ DADDY ISSUES SUNSET -prequel- ⨳ ⨳ DADDY ISSUES DAWN other chapters ⨳ ⨳ DADDY ISSUES PLAYLIST ⨳

“What the heck is going on here?”

JungKook kept watching the car with furrowed eyebrows. His voice showed a bit of confusion, but his face was what got you. He was ice-cold, and you knew whatever going on would not be for good.

“JungKook”

You tried to get an explanation from him. His sort of deep yet velvety voice filled the air of the car.

“Did you see my father before you got here?”

Closing your eyes, a regretful sigh escaped from you.

“Yes ! I mean, I kind of talked back to him but… I… Uhh…”

Losing the way to your words, you began rambling. Much to your surprise, JungKook let out a crazy chuckle.

“Babydoll… You always find a way to amaze me.”

Gasping in utter shock, you could not help mocking his remark.

“I showed up with explosives, and what amazed you was me opposing your father?”

JungKook tilted his head once, like he was making a private joke. Any other human being spoke to him that way would beg to die within minutes. It was only and only you.

“My life… I will end what you started. Right now, something is going on, but I don't know what yet.”

After that remark, you were not able to form a single word. Jungkook has never called you 'my life' before. That was the softest you have heard of him so far. However, the rest of the sentence was vantablack.

The white car beside you sped up and cut through your way with a loud break. His eagle gaze never leaving the man, JungKook reached for the door whilst finishing his sentence.

“Stay in the car.”

Was what you heard before JungKook got out. For some reason, the man got out of the car as well and greeted JungKook. JungKook seemed far from patience. He arched his eyebrows while his eyes were busy tearing the man standing before him.

“Speak.”

Since he was not as tall as JungKook, the man tried his best to take the advantage by fixing his fresh clean suit.

“Mr. Park wants his daughter back. Apologies ahead, but Father Jeon does not want you to get involved any further.”

Watching their interaction closely, you knew… Knew one of the worst scenarios was about to unfold. A smirk spread across JungKook's face. The unhinged smirk you were quite familiar with… And his eyes light up.

“Call my father.”

Smiling, Jae Oh turned around and put his gun under JungKook's chin. Then he dialed the number of his father.

Upon seeing the shiny metal, the panic was evident in your eyes. You were scared of JungKook getting hurt again. However, he seemed as if he was getting ready to play an arcade game.

Father Jeon's deep voice met them through the speakers. JungKook spoke cheerfully.

“Father, I see you are getting old.”

His father's cold voice echoed.

“You are smart enough to know I have no option, son.”

JungKook's tone was almost mocking. Only if his father actually could read.

“Oh you don't father.”

Maybe he could understand how serious it ended.

“But I do.”

Then JungKook directed his words at the man sitting across father Jeon in suit and tie.

“Mr. Park, I guess the drink with my father was profitable.”

The replied with a dry voice, as he shifted on the comfy chair.

“Indeed it was.”

JungKook let out a bone chilling chuckle.

“I hope Jimin loved the chrysants through his goodbye. I did not plan them for Min Ae, but if I must; I will have fresh ones ready for you.”

Mr. Park had no idea what the situation was and thought he must step in to save his daughter. Hearing those words from JungKook was unsettling for him. Mr. Park cleared his throat while he was thinking of how to respond, JungKook cut the line. The phone loosely hung between JungKook's fingers. Right when Jae Oh's hand reached, JungKook let it fall on the ground. Jae Oh shook his head.

“Such a basic move for someone like you, Jeon.”

Then he pointed at the phone with his gun.

“Take it.”

JungKook's lips dropped into a serious pout. He crouched and grabbed a handful of dry foil from the roadside. Back on his feet, JungKook threw the foil at Jae Oh's eyes. Through his blink, JungKook already caught his wrist. Of course, Jae Oh was trained not to give up.

He raised his left leg to kick JungKook. However, the pain was not enough for JungKook to let go. It only bought a couple of seconds to Jae Oh, but it was not enough. JungKook did not go for the gun. He went straight for Jae Oh's chest. Cut out of breath, gun already fell from his hand. JungKook kicked it away, grabbed Jae Oh by his neck and continuously kicked him.

Jae Oh's left brow and lip were bleeding. His ribs were probably injured. With the last immense effort, Jae Oh lifted his head slightly, only for JungKook to grit his teeth and forcefully put his foot on his cheek. Jae Oh was unconscious after all the beating. JungKook grabbed him by his neck, dragged his body till the car. Lifted the heavy body up with both hands and threw Jae Oh in the trunk.

Watching everything, you just knew better to keep the silence. JungKook still had the warm blood on his hands.

“Whatever happens, you will be with me, right?”

JungKook tried to reassure himself. The way his voice softened in the end got through you. You knew something was coming, but you trusted JungKook.

“I will…”

Those words seemed simple yet heavier than any wow. You both knew you could not be apart. The only option left was to face everything together. He took your hand and never let go till the car reached the mansion. As JungKook pulled up by the door, Yugyeom and Johan came running toward you. You had no idea how he managed to put himself together, but Yugyeom was fresh and clean. JungKook asked with such a chilly tone that it kind of spooked you as well.

“Are they still here?”

Yugyeom gave JungKook a sharp nod.

JungKook directed his eyes at Johan, tilted his head to the side of the car.

“Luggage… I am planning a show.”

With no words, Johan made his way to the back of the car. He opened the trunk and dragged the unconscious man out. Seemed a bit surprised, Yugyeom informed JungKook.

“I will get Havoc and Ruffian ready, but…”

His eyes drifted to your side for a brief moment. JungKook kindly put his hands on each side of your arms.

“Babydoll, let's get you upstairs, so you can clean up and rest.”

You did not move.

“Havoc and Ruffian?”

JungKook closed his eyes and sighed.

“My German Shepherds. Now let's go.”

He held his hand out, and you took it kind of unwillingly.

“You have got dogs that I have never seen?!”

JungKook avoided your eyes as he rushed you inside the big mansion.

“Yes because they are wild. Only two people allowed near them.”

You did not need to ask who because you already figured the second person was Yugyeom. Curiosity outweighing your tiredness, you stopped before you stepped on the stairs.

“I want to see them.”

JungKook sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Doll, that will be a process, maybe later.”

You stood on your feet, not taking any step.

“Then tell me what you are going to do.”

JungKook had enough of your little antics. He narrowed his eyes, then you were swept off of your feet. To keep your balance, you wrapped your arms around his neck as he carried you in his arms.

“Why?”

You asked; half smiley, half serious.

“You are being stubborn. We are going to the bedroom.”

JungKook arrived to the large door of the room you have not been in for a while. You shyly opened it, as JungKook did not lose any time to step inside. He slowly put you down, caused you to look up at him with curious eyes.

"I need to change."

Was his reasonable explanation since you both were still covered in dust and dirt. He disappeared into the bathroom. You heard the water running for a few minutes. Jungkook walked out, a towel wrapped around his groins, hanging dangerously low. Smiling at you, JungKook picked a sunray colored shirt and dry seagrass colored trousers. While he was buttoning his shirt, you walked up to help. JungKook's large hand cupped your face as he looked directly into your eyes.

“Now, be a good girl… Stay here, clean up and get ready for me.”

Pretending that you did not get him, you took a step to get close again.

“You told me to have some rest.”

JungKook wrapped his arm around your waist as he pressed your bodies together. Giving you a short yet fiery kiss, he whispered in your ear.

“Obviously you don't want to, so I will help you.”

Giving you a playful smirk, he walked out of the door. Within a minute, one of the maids showed up. She greeted you respectfully.

“How would you like your bath, Mrs. Jeon? I can prepare some daisies, melissa and lavender to help you relax. Would you rather some dried sweet basil and sea salt to give you some energy?”

The simple thought of warm water was enough for you to relax, but you still wanted to see what JungKook was planning.

“Basil and sea salt, please.”

Unaware of the chaos that was about to unfold, you let your body soak in the refreshing water.

Meanwhile, JungKook casually walked out of the door to greet the small crowd in the garden by the table.

“Father”

JungKook greeted the old man in fine suit with a devilish spark in his eyes. Then he directed his eyes to Mr. Park. JungKook looked down at the hand he held out, almost mockingly. Ignoring it, JungKook took his place as the entrees were already served.

His eyes laid on Min Ae, who was sitting across him. She cheekily smiled at JungKook as if nothing happened. As if this was an ordinary, peaceful family dinner. Mr. Park, had a bite of his paçanga pastry, then drifted his eyes back to JungKook.

“You know, your father and I have go way back.”

Still wearing his poker face, JungKook answered the old man with gray hair and fine suit.

“I know… Almost to the building of the company.”

The old man smiled back while his hoarse voice filled the air again.

“If it was not for that, tonight would be a lot worse.”

An arrogant smile bloomed on JungKook's lips.

“Oh, it will be a lot worse.”

All present at the table were astonished upon hearing that statement. Even the maids that were serving the supper. They quickened their work and left with no words. Mr. Park was the one that broke the eerie silence.

“I believe no one has such an intention.”

A chilling chuckle from JungKook echoed.

“Mr. Park… The history of our generation is a little different from yours.”

Mr. Park's face hardened as his voice drifted.

“I am aware…but my son already paid the price for that.”

JungKook nodded twice then raised his hand. After his little gesture; YugYeom and the low growl of the dogs made their entrance.

“That is why tonight is just a little warning.”

Yugyeom followed the stone path and arrived to the wooden arbor. JungKook slowly made his way to the same place and removed the cover of Jae Oh. The beaten man squinted his eyes after the bright light hit his eyes.

Upon seeing two dogs with their teeth showing, Jae Oh began begging JungKook for mercy. Although, those calls were in vain. JungKook crouched to reach Havoc and Ruffian. Obediently, dogs just got closer to him. JungKook petted them both a few times. Dogs never looked away from JungKook.

“Are you hungry?”

Havoc let out a small growl, making JungKook smile.

“Of course you are… Go, here is your dinner.”

Under the horrified gaze of the small crowd, Havoc and Ruffian ripped apart the man in front of them. The agonizing screams of Jae Oh went on for a few minutes. Then they died down while the dogs were busy with his remains.

Finally regaining some energy, you stepped out of the tub. Grabbing the towel waiting, you walked out of the bathroom. Since nothing changed in his room, you made your way to the familiar dressing room. Considering JungKook's choice of color, you opted for a knee-length peach-colored dress. Fixing your hair into a ponytail, you felt you looked a bit decent at least.

Making your way to the window, you realized Min Ae was there by the table. Then your eyes shifted to the arbor. You froze as you witnessed the last minute of two dogs' cruel feast. Hand on your mouth, you just backed away from the window. You could feel your stomach started to get sick. You took a deep breath, grabbed a glass of water from the mini bar on the corner. Furthermore, you could not let that scene get to you.

Walking downstairs, you tried your best to keep calm and collected. The shock was still evident in the eyes of everyone by the table. When JungKook saw you, his first instinct was to send the dogs away with Yugyeom. Then he put the cover back on the ground. Regardless of his efforts, you could see the blood on the green leaves around the arbor. JungKook met you through halfway to the table.

“Babydoll, I told you to wait in our room.”

His whisper carried the hints of worry and annoyance. Your stare challenged him, even if you did not intend to.

"You asked me if I would be with you, whatever happens. And I said yes, Jungkook."

His fingers gently held your chin.

“I meant it Y/N…”

Then his voice softened.

“I just did not want you to see that gruesome mess.”

Your fingers slowly reached and caressed his ear before you fixed his dark hair.

“I know… I promised, so I am here for it all.”

After the reassurance, JungKook gave you an accepting nod and a soft smile. He held your hand above his as you walked toward the table. The crowd was still under the effect of not so little show of Jungkook. Mr. Jeon almost fell back on his chair. He uncomfortably loosened his tie. Mr. Park stepped away from the table as he told Min Ae to follow him. Before they could make another move, JungKook called out.

“Leaving already? I think you should stay for the dessert.”

Knowing well they had no chance, Mr. Park gestured his daughter to sit back while he did so. Mr. Park realized JungKook was far worse than he thought of. Not crossing his line was the only thing they could do. JungKook lifted your hand a little higher to place a little kiss. After that, he pulled the chair for you to sit. Silence took over again while maids served apple pies to everyone.

“Sorry for the inconvenience, Father.”

JungKook said while he cut the pie in front of him.

“Maybe you should try someone more professional.”

Father Jeon did not even try to say anything back. He just palmed his face out of stress. JungKook changed the cut pie with yours. Noticing Min Ae's eyes on him irked something in you.

“Mr. Park, I was hoping Min Ae to be our guest for a couple of days.”

[tomtenadia]

Detours to you - ch 2

Hello and good Sunday :)

For those interested I have e present. This chapter is a bit angsty and I am sorry.

Please do not be mad at either of them. it's a very tricky situation and they are just fighting for what they believe is the right thing to do.

Hope you will like it.

MASTERLIST

The following morning, Aelin arrived at the shop a bit earlier and found that Elide was already there “Morning, Lorcan kicked you out?”

Her friend turned and Aelin froze at the woman’s expression “El, are you okay?”

“Ae, I need to talk to you and I need to do it before we open.”

“You are scaring me,” Aelin dumped her behind the counter “what happened?”

Elide took a deep breath and counted till five “You know, Lorcan and his friends have a bro code and have  rules and all,” she blabbered “and you know he is stubborn and I tried…”

Aelin groaned hard “El, please.”

“Rowan is back and Lorcan told him about Maya.” She blurted out in one breath.

Aelin stood eyes wide open, her hands shaking.

“Aelin, please talk to me.”

She just grabbed her bag and ran to her office, slamming the door shut.

In that instant Lysandra walked in carrying hot drinks and sensed the bad energy in the air “what happened here?”

“I told Aelin that Rowan is back and that Lorcan told him about Maya.”

Lysandra cursed loudly “this is bad. Where is she?”

Elide nodded towards the office “I think she needs a bit of space before we open.

Both women stared at the closed door with a heavy heart “Your husband deserves to stay without sex for three months.”

“Hey, that’s a punishment for me too.”

Lysandra wanted to laugh but the situation did not call for it. Slowly they got the shop ready for the day and left Aelin in peace for a bit.

*

Rowan was excited and nervous at the same time for his first day as chief. Tradition was that the new chief would visit all of the houses on his first two days to introduce themselves to the teams. He had made a plan of the order in which he wanted to go and had started early. Now in his TFD pickup he was driving to the first one. He’d start from the northern part and slowly make his way down to the south and then hit the centre to finish with Station 15. His old firehouse. His old team. He had kept in touch with Lorcan and knew all about what had happened throughout the years. He was proud of them and was looking forward to see them again. But first of all he had to visit all of the other stations.

-

It was late noon when he decided to take a lunch break from his tour. He had a productive morning and had managed to visit a good number of firehouses and was on track to keep his schedule. He drove towards old Orynth and parked near the Florine, strolling through the pedestrian area. He had always loved the old part of the city. It had personality and charm. Rowan walked down the cobbled street reaching one of the street vendors where he bought some food and then sat down near the river bank on a bench. Terrasen and Orynth had always felt more home than Doranelle. He had set roots there, had spent a good part of his adult life in those lands and leaving had been painful. But now he was back and had unexpectedly found a new reason to never leave again.

He thought about Maya, he only had a small glimpse, but the girl looked like the most adorable child he had ever seen. He wanted to get to know her.

The previous night while laying in the grass he thought about things to teach her, wondered if she liked the stars or hockey or crazy sugary stuff like her mother. He had always wanted kids, that was something he and Aelin had discussed while they were dating. Rowan wanted a big family and now that the possibility was within grasp he would do his best to fight for it until the end.

Lunch finished he resumed his walk and found himself in front of the window of Aelin’s shop. He had missed the inauguration by a week but had seen photos. He had helped her throughout the whole process and saw the shop slowly coming alive. She had done well and, although he was mad at her for lying at him, he was proud of her.

Hesitation hit him hard. A part of him wanted to go inside, but the other was not sure. He had no idea how he would feel at seeing her again. His feelings were far too tangled to be able to predict his reaction and it unnerved him.

Step by step he moved closer and at the front door his hand moved on the handle and pushed the door open. 

A bell marked the arrival of a new customer and two heads turned towards him. Both black haired: Elide and Lysandra. He stood, incapable of moving an inch. His eyes scanned the shop and did not find Aelin.

“Rowan,” Elide had walked to him, followed by Lysandra.

“So you are back,” added Lysandra almost in a confrontational tone.

“My mum got tired of me.” He tried to make a joke but his nervousness hitched up a notch. The two women clearly did not like him and he was okay with it. He just wanted to talk to Aelin “Is Aelin around?”

The two women exchanged glances and then indicated the office with their heads. Before he could move, Lysandra’s hand landed on his arm “You hurt her and I swear Whitethorn, you will be running back to Wendlyn within a day.”

Rowan glared at the woman and gently extricated himself from the grip. Why was he the bad guy all of a sudden?

He reached the door of the office and knocked.

*

Aelin slumped on her chair behind the desk and buried her face in her hands. A sob broke the silence of the room and then another and one more. Aelin let her tears flow. So many questions crowding her mind. Rowan was back. And he knew. How was she going to explain to him the reasons why she had lied? Her fears? Why was he back?

She stood and paced the room, looking outside where the snow was falling hard. She had woken up in a wonderful mood but now… 

Aelin almost sat down again when a knock at the door stopped her.

Silence and a second knock came a few seconds later “Aelin?”

That voice. She hadn’t heard it in five years but it still had the power to undo her. His accent. That lilting tone that was so him. Her heart raced and concentrated hard on what awaited her behind the door.

“Come in,” she croaked.

The door opened slightly and Rowan appeared in front of her. He had his uniform on, a white shirt, blue cargo trousers and a blue soft shell jacket that read Chief Whitethorn. She looked up at his face and her breath caught. His hair was slightly longer and his face… the harsh lines that gave him a rugged handsomeness were all still there. She hadn’t seen him in five years and her heart still raced like the first time.

“Rowan,” she breathed harshly “You are back.”

He nodded in silence.

“You look good,” she added, trying to fight the awkwardness of the moment. All of a sudden she had no idea how to talk to him.

“I love the shop. It looks amazing,” his lips bent in a very tight smile.

Aelin leaned against the desk placing her hands behind her “Why are you here?”

A loud snort left Rowan “Really? Do you have to ask me that question?”

“I was not expecting you back.”

“Clearly,” he added trying to clamp down the irritation in his voice “So much that you decided it was okay to keep from me the fact that I have a daughter.”

Aelin briefly looked away “It was the best choice at the time.” She looked back at him and saw fury burn in his pine green eyes. Smouldering hot fury cursing through him.

“She is my daughter too,” he hissed at her “and you lied.”

“You left!” She growled back in response matching his tone.

“Aelin, my father had died, my family was falling apart,” he breathed hard and started pacing “My mother fell into such deep depression that for a while the doctors had thought to place her under suicide watch. I had to go.” The words hit like knives. His mother was doing so much better thanks to therapy and the medication, but he could not forget the months following his father passing. And he was in a dark place too.

“And I let you go, Rowan. I never tried to keep you away from your family so don’t make me pass like a monster.”

Rowan stared at the woman in front of him and all of a sudden he did not recognise her anymore. The woman who had been the love his life had become a stranger. And the deep part of him that still remembered what he felt for her, grieved at the loss.

He took a step closer “Were you pregnant the last time I came back?”

Aelin was silent all of a sudden.

“I did the math after Lorcan told me her birthday.”

“It was pointless anyway.” Her voice sad.

“I could have found a way.”

She looked up at him, her eyes shining with the hint of tears she was trying not to shed “Maya and I were not a weekend past time. You could have never fully committed to us, so I gave you an out.”

She could see that Rowan was pushing down his anger, she knew his reactions so well. His jaw was tight, making the lines of his face harsh, his hands tightened in fists at his side.

“Have you even thought about the fact that knowing that she was a grandma might have helped my mum? That I could have brought her to Terrasen for a while? Do you really think that I was so deep in my sorrow that I would have made a crappy father? I would have found a way to make things work.” He growled trying not to raise his voice.

Her blue eyes met his and saw deep sincerity in them. She knew that Rowan wanted a family and had no doubts that he would make the most caring father a child could have, but a the time she was positive that not telling him was the best way to protect everyone.

“I was just trying to protect her.”

“From her father?”

“From pain, Rowan. From you not being here for her.”

His hand raked roughly through his hair “That worked out well. You robbed me of five years of my daughter’s life. Five years of her growing up, learning to walk, talk, read.”

Aelin was silent and Rowan took that as a clue to keep venting his feelings “I have rights, Aelin. She is my daughter, my blood. I want to see her grow up. I want to teach her things, spend time with her.”

“Until you transfer again.”

He growled again “I bought a house Aelin, I am not leaving Orynth, this is my home.”

“I have to think about it.”

“About what?” He roared a bit too loud “If I am fit to be around her? Are you kidding me?”

“She is five, Rowan. Have you thought about how it would affect her to have a father all of a sudden?”

“Are you ready to answer the question when one day she comes home from school and asks you why she does not have a father like all the other kids?”

Aelin was stunned. Yes, until two days ago she had a lie ready. She would have told Maya that her dad was a firefighter and died bravely in a fire.

“You did!” He added at her silence.

“I was going to tell her you died heroically on the job.”

Pain. She saw the unyielding pain that cursed through Rowan at her admission. He stood silent, staring at her, his eyes set on her “I have rights, I want to see her. I can be a friend of your for now, but I want to see my daughter.”

Aelin was silent. Rowan drew a harsh breath and saw him regains his composure.

“Don’t make me involve lawyers, Aelin,” he said quietly “I don’t want to put our daughter through a custody battle, please.”

With that he left the room.

Aelin slumped on the floor and let the tears come in full force.

taglist

@rowaelinismyotp @swankii-art-teacher @whimsicallyreading @elentiyawhitethorn @aelin-bitch-queen @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity  @mis-lil-red @thegreyj @sailorsassley @leiawritesstories @clairec79 @morganofthewildfire @sv0430 @heartless--aromantic @autumnbabylon @rowanaelinn @backtobl4ck @susumaus98  @gracie-rosee @mybloodrunsblue @tanvee1231 @avenrebekah @whoever-you-choose-to-love  @theywillnotsingforme @universallytreepost @black-daisy-water @goddess-aelin @whispers-in-the-darkest-heart @lovely-dove-zee @athena127

[solitaireships]

Stay Like This Forever

I've been thinking about Xianyun a lot, so I wanted to write this fic about aer! This one is a pretty important one for me, so I hope you like it! And it's got a bit of a surprise (or maybe not a surprise if you've been seeing some of my posts lol)

Rating: Gen

Genre: Fluff

Words: 1337 words

Divider by saradika

“Would you like some more tea?” Xianyun asks as ae pours herself another cup of her own.

“Please,” Andromeda replies, offering her almost empty teacup to aer. 

“One is always glad to fulfill your wishes, my love,” she says. Ae’s tea pours are always impressively steady, and she fills the cup up to just below the rim to be sure none of it will be spilled as ae returns it to Andromeda. 

“Thank you very much,” she says with a grateful nod.

Xianyun gives a pleased hum as she watches Andromeda take a sip of the floral tea. It’s one that ae had picked out the last time she went shopping with Ganyu— she said it reminded aer of the qingxin flowers that grow up by her adobe in Mount Aocang. 

Andromeda’s glad that Xianyun’s adjusted more to the human world. She’s sure that aer kids being nearby has helped with that, and Andromeda likes to think that she’s been able to help her get used to life as a human too. Xianyun always manages to find something to occupy her time, be it training with Shuyu or viewing all the wonders that ae can find in the city, but Andromeda's glad she still always finds time for her. 

She likes these tea dates the two of them have. They’ve become a regular part of their week. It’s not like the two of them don’t see each other often— Andromeda’s been living with Xianyun for well over two months now. But these tea dates are time that’s scheduled just for the two of them, with the windows of their kitchen open to let in the warm sea air as the purple and orange hues of twilight wash over them. It’s peaceful, the perfect reprieve from the rest of existence. 

No matter what the world throws at her, no matter how challenging her detective cases are, she always can count on tea with Xianyun to get her back on her feet. It’s relaxing to have time for just the two of them, and there’s something soothing about having Xianyun across the table from her, their legs brushing against each other as gentle reminders that ae’s just within reach. 

“I want to stay like this with you forever,” Andromeda says.

Xianyun gives her a smile, but she can see a hint of sadness in aer eyes. “One wishes that we could remain together for all of eternity as well. But one is also far too aware that humans’ time on this world is limited to be able to promise you that we would be able to have forever.”

“I know.”

Andromeda and Xianyun don’t talk much about the inevitability of Andromeda’s eventual death. She knows she probably won’t die anytime soon unless something terrible happens, but no human can hope to live nearly as long as an adeptus. Xianyun is thousands of years old, and she’s seen countless people meet their ends over the years. One day ae will see the same with Andromeda, and that’s a thought neither of them can stand to bear.

But right now, they’re together. Andromeda tries to keep her mind from wandering to the future, when she knows this line of thought is one that will only lead to her being hurt. 

Andromeda’s happy with Xianyun. She’s happier than she thought she could be. She always wanted to have a long term relationship, but it’s never something that felt attainable to her. She’d always been focused on other goals, trying to learn about her background and to establish herself in the world as a detective. She would have rather focused on mysteries than relationships, even if she did feel the sharp spike of loneliness from time to time. 

Falling for Xianyun was unexpected, but now Andromeda can’t imagine what life would be like without her. She likes having someone in her life she knows she can count on, and she likes getting to come home to curl up in bed with aer. It’s fun listening to Xianyun get excited as she talks about her inventions, going on for hours if not stopped about the intricacies of every piece and all of aer accomplishments. But she never comes off as thinking of aerself as being better than everyone else. Xianyun knows that she’s smart, and that ae’s better at inventing things than just about any human could be. But she always listens to Andromeda talk with the rapt attention of someone curious to learn, genuinely happy to hear everything she has to say, never for a second thinking ae knows more than her. 

Andromeda adores Xianyun. And she knows that they won’t be able to have forever, but maybe they can at least make a move towards that in theory. 

“Pretty bird,” Andromeda starts slowly, “do you want to get married?”

“Married?”

This is a rare time Andromeda’s ever seen Xianyun at a loss for words. She can’t blame aer— spur of the moment ideas like this are unlike her. But Andromeda’s more sure that she wants to marry Xianyun than she is anything else. 

“Yeah,” Andromeda says. “I’d like to marry you. So if you want to get married, I think we should.”

Xianyun is quiet for another moment. Andromeda brushes off the worry that her silence means ae isn’t interested far more easily than she would have just a couple of months ago. It’s incredible how much she’s been able to feel more comfortable in herself just from being with aer. She supposes it’s something to do with being able to feel safe in a relationship, something she’s rarely felt before. 

“One… one can admit, one had never considered the possibility of marriage,” Xianyun says after a moment. 

“That’s fine,” Andromeda says. They don’t have to get married yet or ever. The most important thing is that the two of them are together. Marriage wouldn’t change their relationship much— it would just be a further commitment to each other, a promise of being each other's forever. If Xianyun doesn’t want that, they don’t need it. 

Xianyun raises a slim finger before Andromeda can say more. “One had never considered the possibility of marriage before meeting you.”

“Oh.”

“Should you be interested in marriage as well, one would find the opportunity to call you one’s wife a high honor unlike any one has ever been given,” ae continues. 

Andromeda can’t help the smile that spreads across her face. She knows that she had been the one to suggest marriage, but knowing that Xianyun wants to get married too sends a warm feeling through her body, a comfort unlike anything else. 

Andromeda gets up from her seat at the table so quickly that she nearly trips over herself. If she and Xianyun are getting married, she wants to do this right. She doesn’t have an engagement ring picked out, so she takes one of the ones from her finger— a simple silver band with a light blue gemstone. She gets on one knee at Xianyun’s side, looking up at her with adoration. 

“Xianyun,” she says, “will you marry me?”

“There’s nothing that could make one happier,” ae replies. She offers her hand, allowing Andromeda to slide the ring onto aer finger. It doesn’t fit quite right, but Andromeda will find the time to make sure she finds the perfect ring for Xianyun. She deserves nothing but the best, even if for now they’ll have to settle for the sentiment. 

Xianyun wants to marry her. That’s the most important thing right now. Andromeda presses a quick kiss to the back of Xianyun’s hand. As she gets back to her feet, ae stands up, getting out of her seat. 

“I love you,” Andromeda says, taking a step closer to Xianyun so she can wrap her arms around aer waist. 

“One loves you too,” Xianyun replies, closing the distance with a soft kiss to Andromeda’s lips. 

She hopes there’ll be countless more kisses like this ahead of them. But first, they’ll need to set a wedding date.

[akindofmagictoo]

DRAGONSONG: draft 2 update: 22/06

previous word count: 88,391

current word count: 90,366 (1975 added)

notes: WOOT I CRACKED 90K!! that's a lot of words :o

snippet:

Over the hours, SB had attempted a few spells, but seemed to have made no progress. Isi had seen barely any green light from his casting; most of the time, when he tried, nothing happened. SB groaned in frustration. “Stupid… fucking…” He glanced at Isi. “Maybe I should get you to hit me. Maybe that’ll finally get my magic working.” “I see what you mean, but I find myself unfortunately trapped within the confines of my blanket.” “I could throw something at you.” Sierra lowered herself out of her most recent pushup; Jasper had firmly requested she not do any archery practice inside, so she had settled for other exercise to build up her muscles. She rolled onto her back. “Would that work?” “I guess.” “How sharp do you want it to be? I’ve got this sweet dagger from Jasper…” Sierra held up a shiny dagger with an ornate hilt. “Or my handaxes.” “Maybe less sharp?” “Pillow?” “A pillow may not be threatening enough,” said Isi with a small smile. “True.” Sierra frowned as she sat up. “Chair?” “Bit risky in a small space, don’t you think?” said Robin. SB folded his arms. “How about a boot?” “Boot’s good.” Sierra reached down and pulled off her boot. “You ready?” SB sighed. “Never. Go ahead.” Sierra made a throwing motion, but held the boot back at the last second. SB flinched. She feinted again, in a slightly different direction, grinning. “I should head outside later and work on my archery, because throwing boots really isn’t a good substitute.” “Not really the same skill, no,” Isi agreed. “And I’m sure the king’s people are going to be so scared of me and my boots,” Sierra continued. “Pity I’ve only got two. They’ll be all like, oh no, we gotta—” She threw the boot. A flash of green light. The boot stopped dead in midair, a few inches from SB’s upraised hand. “Huh.” He twitched his fingers. The boot flew back towards Sierra, who caught it easily.

TAGLIST

@isherwoodj @metanoiamorii @lilmissravingwriter @weekofwednesdays @the-unwrittenwriter

@talesofsorrowandofruin @little-boats-on-a-lake @teriwrites @magicalwriting @magic-is-something-we-create

@writingbyjillian @waysofink @perditism @thehellinsideyourhead @calicowrites

@vellichor-virgo @google-plexed @therecouldbecolorsandlove @the-orangeauthor @ellatholmes

@happyorogeny @ladywithalamp @ashen-crest @authortango @strangerays

@moononherwings @nikkywrites @ambersky0319 @ambsthom @talesfromgringolandia

@wickerring @wizardfromthesea @diphthongsfordays @e-lisard @enchanted-lightning-aes

@emscribblings @teardropsandtherain @lowslore @fablewritten @copper-dragon-in-disguise

@reneesbooks @dirtybarkshark

[skyholly]

The best kept secret

Summary: What if Moiraine had a baby daughter she and Siuan were forced to leave to Anvaere to raise as her own?

moiraine/siuan

Chapter 1 here!

***************

Chapter 2: Moiraine

Moiraine couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw her. She was so grown up. Her father’s words resounded in her ears. Time is a thief. 

Her hair, of the warmest brown, sat neatly over her shoulders, when she’d once had soft, chestnut blonde curls. Her eyes remained the deepest of blue, but with more wisdom to them. Her height surprised her the most; the last time she saw her she could barely reach her waist, whilst now she stood almost as tall as her. And of course, that ring on her finger. That cursed ring. She knew when she’d joined the Tower and she knew she’d joined the Yellow Ajah, Siuan always kept her informed on such matters, but she very much wished she hadn’t. She had hoped she couldn’t have been able to channel. That she was allowed a normal life, a complete foreigner to the Tower’s demands. But the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills. 

It took Moiraine a moment to get a hold of herself, and before she realised it, she’d made her way home, muttered some words, and suddenly she found herself tucking a strand of hair behind Guinevere’s ear, her mind flooding with memories of that week, a week that she had so earnestly tried to erase from her memory, and yet could never fully escape it. I can never seen her again.

*************

Moiraine knew she shouldn’t, and yet, she couldn’t help it. She’d been sent on business to Cairhien by the Amyrlin’s orders and could stay at whatever inn she pleased, preferably while maintaining a low profile. But being in the city ignited something within her—a yearning, an ache that burned throughout her entire being. Before she could gather her thoughts, she found herself dragging Lan through the city’s streets and passageways etched into her memory, towards the childhood home she’d promised herself never to return to, until she was ready. The Light knew she wasn’t, but she couldn’t fight the feeling, the yearning to see her. 

“This isn’t wise, Moiraine.” Lan warned her. But he could feel everything she did, and he couldn’t help but to sympathise with what her Aes Sedai was going trough, all of her emotions burning within him as well. He diligently followed the woman across the city, until they reached a big, wealthy house with an enormous door on its front. “Moiraine.” He alerted her again, but she remained indifferent to it. Just one look at her. One look at her and I’m gone. 

Moiraine walked the steps towards the door, hesitating for a second, before knocking on it. She could hear some mayhem taking place inside the house, little footsteps running towards their direction, and the voice of a man, gentle, yet commanding, yelling for someone, before there was silence. Seconds later, the door opened abruptly, revealing who was behind such chaos. A man, tall, advanced in years, with grey hair and a smile so wide and kind it translated into his eyes, was standing before them, holding a giggling toddler in his arms. The three year old girl had golden, chestnut curls pulled into two braids; eyes the colour of midnight sky, and a mischievous grin on her face that would easily let any parent know she was a handful. Moiraine felt herself melt at such sight. 

“Moiraine!” The older man happily exclaimed, opening his eyes in surprise, hastily stepping aside to let the pair in. “It’s been so long, four years if I’m not mistaken, what are you doing here?” He asked, shifting the toddler from one arm to the other, who had suddenly gone silent at the presence of the two strangers. 

Moiraine knew she ought to answer, her brain knew as much, but she couldn’t draw her gaze away from the little girl in the man’s arms. She was so precious, every bit of endearing and magical as she had pictured her to be. She instantly felt compelled to take the toddler into her arms, and realised what a terrible mistake she’d made by returning. You fool! You most definitely aren’t ready. You’re endangering everything. 

“We're on Tower’s business,” Lan rushed to explain, noticing Moiraine was too absent minded to do so herself, “and we thought we’d stop by. My name is Lan Mandragoran, I’m Moiraine’s Warder.” He said, extending a hand towards him, which the older man shook happily. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Lan. I’m Torvin, Anvaere’s husband. ” He introduced himself, with a big smile, as he tilted his face towards the little girl resting her head on his shoulder. “This is our daughter, Guinevere. Winnie, this is your aunt Moiraine, and his Warder, Lan. Aren’t you going to say hi?” 

Guinevere stared at them, a shy smile covering her face, before she nudged even further into her father’s chest. “Has a mouse eaten your tongue? Why are you so quiet all of the sudden?” He teased her, as he started tickling the toddler, which managed to get her to erupt in giggles. 

“Darling?” A voice echoed from within the hall, a voice she could recognise anywhere. Moiraine felt herself go pale. Anvaere. “Who is it so late in the evening?” The woman asked, as she joined them in the room, but went still at the sight of their guests. At the sight of one guest in particular. “Moiraine,” she exhaled. 

“Hello, little sister. You look well,” Moiraine said, finally tearing her gaze from the toddler. “You all do.”

“We are.” Anvaere nodded, as she approached her husband, taking the child from his arms protectively into hers, with a hint of worry in her eyes that didn’t go unnoticed by her older sister. “We’re all very happy indeed.” 

“And I’m glad, sister, I truly am.” She professed, taking a quick glance at the young girl before stepping back towards the warder, a flicker of both anger and sympathy showing in Anvaere's expression. “We were sent to Caihrien on Amyrlin’s order and we thought we’d stop here, just as Lan said. Nothing more.” 

Moiraine and Anvaere stared at each other for a moment, silently speaking in their own language no one else knew. Moiraine understood why her sister was acting so guarded. The Aes Sedai puckered her eyes into a pleading expression, biting on her lip. I just want to see her. I’m not here to take her away from you. Anvaere felt her chest tighten at such sight, she couldn’t help but to empathise with her older sister. It broke her heart to see her like that. 

“You better join us for dinner, then.” Anvaere smiled, leaving a kiss on Guinevere’s temple. “You’ll always be welcome to stay here, sister.” 

Dinner went smoothly, their discussions centred around Barthanes’ travels to visit his uncle, how expertly he faired despite his young age, the latest scandals among Cairhien’s noble Houses, news from the Sun Palace, and whatever little they could speak of the Tower. Yet it ended fairly quickly, under the excuse that they needed to put Guinevere to bed early, lest she got moody. 

Anvaere had cambers prepared for the both of them, separate of course, as Lan was guided into one of the guests’ rooms and Moiraine into her own childhood bedroom. She was settling in, a torrent of memories coming back to her, when she heard a shy knock on the door, and then noticed someone peeking through a small gap in the opening. A tiny someone. And suddenly, a little girl came in rushing, lightly closing the door behind her. Moiraine remained still in her place next to the fireplace, deliberating on whether sending the girl back to her room, or allowing her to stay. 

Guinevere stood quiet, her back rigid against the door, her gaze set intensely into the older woman’s. “Is it true you’re an Aes Sedai? My brother says you are one.” She asked, bluntly, a hint ofboth fear and curiosity ringing in her voice.

Moiraine couldn’t help but smile. “I am,” she said, raising the hand where she carried her ring, “would you like to come see?”

Guinevere eagerly nodded, and then hesitantly walked towards the armchair Moiraine was sitting in. She softly brushed her fingers against the ring, staring in awe at the serpents that shaped it and the blue stone in the middle. “This gives you magic?” She asked. 

“No,” Moiraine softly laughed, removing it from her finger and handing it to the little girl, “the One Power is within all of us, within every stone, every body of water, every burning fire, every wind that blows on your hair. Some women simply are capable of pulling on its weaves.” She explained. Some men, as well. 

“Woah,” Guinevere exhaled, grabbing the ring, the jewel fitting loose on her little finger, “how do you find the weaves?” The child asked, tilting her head in confusion. She didn’t see any strings around, how could someone pull on something it didn’t exist?

“Like this.” Moiraine said, as she moved her hands in smooth motions, causing the fire on the chimney to unexpectedly burn higher and more fiercely. 

Guinevere gasped, both in amazement and fear, as she jumped into Moiraine’s lap, her little hands gripping on her chest. “You don’t need to be scared,” the woman chuckled, instinctively embracing the little girl, “it won’t hurt you.” 

The child kept staring in wonder at the dancing flames, and then turned towards her aunt. “Can I do that too?” Guinevere earnestly asked her, her big eyes, an exact copy of Moiraine’s, full of fascination. That look pulled at the woman’s heart strings, a wave of sadness and nostalgia of what could’ve been filling her with sorrow. Oh, my dearest Siuan, if only you could see her. 

“Maybe,” she whispered, gently tucking a strand of hair behind the little girl’s ear, “we’ll have to wait until you’re older, sometimes the ability to channel comes later. Speaking of late,” she added, taking Guinevere by her arms as to set her on the floor once again, “I believe you should be off to bed.” 

“No!” The girl yelled, holding on tighter to her aunt, all the shyness from before nothing but a stranger to her at that point. “I don’t want to go. I want you to tell me stories about Aes Sedai and magic and monsters.” She begged, pouting, eyes furrowing into the sweetest pleading expression she’d ever seen. How could anyone refuse? She suddenly understood Torvin’s words. 

Moiraine couldn’t help but giggle at the sight, giving in to Guinevere's cries. She helped the girl settle into her lap, a smug smile taking over the toddler’s semblance upon getting what she wanted. “Does that always work for you?” She asked, smiling. 

“Usually.” 

Moiraine started reciting tales about kings and queens from ancient times, as Guinevere’s unwavering stare on her kept turning into frowns and smiles and grins as she listened to the amazing stories her aunt told her. They remained like that, entranced in their own little world, until they heard a voice resound in the hallway. 

“Guinevere!” Anvaere’s angry voice reached them. “Where are you? Torvin, I can’t find Winnie!” She yelled, panic slowly settling into her. 

Moiraine turned towards the toddler. “Does your mother not know you’re here?” The girl shook her head, her face mimicking Moiraine’s own guilty expression. 

“Mama, I’m here!” She screamed, as she hopped off the armchair and ran towards the door. Anvaere barged into the room, just as the girl reached for it. “Winnie,” she sighed, relieved, picking the toddler up in her arms,“what were you doing in here?” 

“Aunt Moiraine was telling me a story!” She exclaimed, excitedly. Anvaere directed her gaze towards her sister, who had stood up, uncomfortably placing her hands on her stomach. “I’m sorry Anvaere, I didn’t know—

“It’s fine,” the woman interrupted her, sending a sympathetic look towards her, “I apologise, I just got concerned when I didn’t see her in her nursery.” 

“I understand.” Moiraine smiled at her sister, gesture that she wholeheartedly returned. 

“I can hardly blame you,” Anvaere sighed, tilting her head towards Guinevere, “I believe it was this little girl who pulled on some strings to get you to tell her stories, didn’t she?” She said, tickling the girl. 

“I-just-wanted-to-hear-some-stories!” The girl said, in between giggles. 

Moiraine lowered her gaze, softly smiling to herself. Wishing for something she long ago gave up, and could have no more. You shouldn’t have come here. She’s happy here. Anvaere can take so much better care of her. 

“Well, it’s time for you to go to bed now, and no more escaping, alright?” Anvaere warned the toddler in her arms. 

“Alright.” She conceded, her arms dropping in defeat. 

“Now say thank you and goodnight to your aunt, and maybe she’ll tell you some more stories tomorrow.” 

“Thank you Aunt Moiraine, goodnight Aunt Moiraine.” Guinevere said, waving a little hand in her direction. 

“Goonight, Guinevere.” 

The following night, Guinevere found her in her room once again. The little girl barged into her room, not bothering to knock, as she already felt comfortable enough in the presence of her aunt, and ran towards her bed, where Moiraine was busy reading a book. 

“Can you tell me another story?” The little girl begged, her face barely reaching the height of the mattress. Her hair hung loose over her shoulders, and she was wearing a white nightgown with flower embroidery. Moiraine recognised the piece of clothing as one of her own she used to wear as a child.  

Moiraine squinted her eyes at the girl. “Alright,” she eventually gave in, moving aside so that the toddler could jump into bed next to her. The two of them settled in, and so Moiraine started telling the story about Arthur Hawking and his fallen Empire. And just like the last time, Guinevere remained quiet, with her eyes wide as plates in astonishment, always asking Moiraine to keep on going whenever she tried calling it a night. 

The days in Cairhien passed quickly, each one blending into the next. Moiraine and Lan stayed longer than intended, their presence justified by vague mentions of Tower business. But Moiraine knew the real reason she stayed: Guinevere.

Every evening, Guinevere would sneak into Moiraine’s room, her eyes bright with anticipation. The bond between them grew stronger with each story shared, each moment of wonder at the magic Moiraine could summon. Anvaere allowed such things silently, a mixture of understanding and concern in her eyes.

One of those nights Moiraine came home and went straight to her bedroom, skipping dinner, for the events of the day had drained all energy away from her.

She was on the brink of falling asleep, when she heard the door open, and little footsteps started approaching her bed. She opened her eyes and saw Guinevere carefully walking towards her, carrying a platter full of cheese, bread and ham with her hands. “Mama told me to bring this to you,” she said, as Moiraine sat up against her pillow. The little girl placed the platter over her lap, and then climbed up the bed to sit next to her. 

“Are you sick Aunt Moiraine?” She asked, placing a little hand over the woman’s arm. Moiraine’s heart fluttered at the action. 

“Not sick, just tired.” She said, as she took a bite on a piece of cheese. 

“Oh, I get that,” Guinevere said, nodding, “I get sooo tired sometimes.” She added, theatrically tilting her head to the side and letting her body fall into the mattress. 

“You do?” Moiraine asked, amused at the girl’s cheekiness. 

Guinevere nodded earnestly, her little face serious. “Mama says I’m a handful.”

Moiraine laughed softly. “I can see why she would say that.”

The two of them sat in comfortable silence for a moment, Moiraine nibbling on the food Guinevere had brought, the little girl watching her with wide, curious eyes.

“Do you want to hear another story?” Moiraine asked, breaking the silence.

Guinevere’s face lit up. “Yes, please!”

Moiraine began telling her about the adventures of the ancient Aes Sedai and their battles against the Shadow. Guinevere listened with fascinated attention, occasionally gasping or giggling at the exciting parts. As the story unfolded, Moiraine felt a warmth spreading through her, a sense of connection and joy she hadn’t felt in a long time. She felt a surge of guilt, knowing Siuan wasn’t there to share such moments with them. 

It was well past Guinevere’s bedtime when Anvaere found them. She stood at the doorway, watching the scene with a mix of emotions. She knew no one else who could control her emotions like her older sister, but would they falter at the girl’s presence? “Winnie, it’s time for bed,” she said softly.

Guinevere pouted but didn’t argue. She slid off the bed and ran to her mother, giving her a hug. “Goodnight, Aunt Moiraine,” she said, waving as Anvaere picked her up.

“Goodnight, Guinevere,” Moiraine replied, feeling a pang of sadness as the door closed behind them.

She lay back in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind a whirl of thoughts and emotions. Coming back to Cairhien had opened old wounds but also brought unexpected joy. It is so easy. She is so easy, Siuan would be great with her, and Lan adores her. Maybe it could work out.

The following afternoon, Moiraine found herself pacing around her room, thinking about Guinevere, about the time they’d spent together, how seemlessly she blended into her life, when she heard yelling in the hallway. 

“I don’t want to get a bath!” A little voice shouted. 

“Winnie, you don’t get to choose—

“But I want Aunt Moiraine to tell me—

“GUINEVERE!” Anvaere finally raised her voice, as Moiraine made her way into the corridor, to find her sister, fuming, with both her hands on her hips, and feet away from her, a little girl, hair wild as if she had been riding, her dress stained with mud. “This is not a request, you are getting a bath right now before bed.” 

Guinevere crossed her arms, her lower lip jutting out in a stubborn pout. “But I want Aunt Moiraine to tell me a story first,” she insisted.

Anvaere sighed, her frustration melting into a look of resignation. “Moiraine, could you...?”

Moiraine smiled gently. “Of course.” She crouched down to Guinevere’s level, her eyes soft and understanding. “How about this: you take your bath now, and when you’re all clean and ready for bed, I’ll tell you the best story you’ve ever heard. Deal?”

Guinevere’s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. “Deal!”

“Go on, then,” Moiraine encouraged, giving her a gentle nudge towards the bath. Guinevere scampered off, Anvaere watching her go with a grateful smile.

“Thank you,” Anvaere said quietly, her eyes meeting Moiraine’s.

Moiraine simply nodded, her heart aching with a swirl of emotions she couldn’t quite name. Easy. 

Later that night, Guinevere, freshly bathed and in her nightgown, bounded into Moiraine’s room, her eyes wide with anticipation. She climbed into bed beside her aunt, who took her by the arms and settled her onto her lap, the little girl’s back resting against Moiraine’s legs. 

“Alright, Aunt Moiraine, I’m ready,” she declared.

Moiraine smiled, grabbing the little girl’s hands. “Once upon a time, in a land far to the north...” she began, weaving a tale of adventure and magic, her voice soothing and melodic.

As she spoke, she felt the weight of the world lift off her shoulders, if only for a little while. She glanced down at Guinevere, whose eyes were slowly drooping, her breathing becoming steady and even.

By the time Moiraine finished the story, Guinevere was fast asleep against her chest, her small hand clutching Moiraine’s robe. She softly caressed the little girl’s cheek, rosy and plump. It feels so right. At the moment Moiraine fell asleep, she’d already made her choice. 

The Aes Sedai woke up at the crack of dawn, before anyone else in the household, got up from the bed in a gentle manner so as to not wake Guinevere up, and started packing her bags. She then ran towards the little girl’s nursery, and picked up some clothes for her. That’ll be enough, we can always get more.

She started to feel her heart flicker as she headed towards the barn to get her horse ready, a mix of emotions palpable on her skin. Happy, guilty, scared, unsure, but determined. So very determined. She blocked her connection to Lan, just in case such torrent of sentiments woke the warder up, and bolted towards her room once again. She picked up the little girl on her arms, softly, avoiding to wake her up, rolled her in a blanket, and started to make her way out of the house.  

She skipped through the stairs with ease, and was about to reach the lower entrance, when someone swiftly intercepted her, blocking her way to the door. Torvin. 

Moiraine went stiff, reaching for the One Power, an electrical buzz surrounding her body, ready for confrontation if needed, but the older man didn’t appear to be angry at her, rather he wore a sad and sympathetic look on his face. He was aware of her intentions.

Curse you, Lan. 

“What are you doing, Moiraine?” The old man asked, softly, his voice barely a whisper. 

“Taking my daughter with me, Torvin.” She muttered, her lip quivering. 

“You know this isn’t the way,” Torvin said gently. “Anvaere will be devastated. And Guinevere...she needs stability, a home. She needs her family.”

“She is my family,” Moiraine shot back, her voice breaking. “I’ve given up so much already. I can’t leave her behind again. I won’t.”

Torvin took a step closer, clasping his hands together in a gentle motion. “What has changed, then? Four years ago, you came home with a whimpering baby in your arms, beggings us to take her and raise her as our own, because your life as Aes Sedai wasn’t compatible with a baby’s. Because of a mission sensitive you couldn’t even share with us. What’s different now?” 

Moiraine stood before Torvin, clutching Guinevere protectively, her heart pounding in her chest, as her breathing became uneven. The older man sighed, his expression a mix of understanding and sorrow. “If this is what you’ve chosen, then I guess I can’t convince you otherwise. She is yours, as you say. But taking her now, in the middle of the night… that’s not the answer.” 

She hesitated for a moment, before heading towards the door, brushing past the man. “Well, as you said, it is my choice, and I’m taking her now, whether you like it or—

“No.” A voice came from behind. She turned around, and found Anvaere and Lan rushing towards them from across the hall. “You are not taking her, Moiraine. She’s safe, she’s happy here.” Her sister explained, as she tried to take the child away from her hands. 

Moiraine tightened her grip on the girl, unintentionally causing her to wake up, the toddler slowly opening her eyes. “No, you don’t understand, I can manage now—

“Can you, really?” Anvaere asked, with a sorrowful look on her face, yet still determined to get the toddler into her arms. 

“Yes,” she whimpered, preventing tears from falling into her cheeks, “we can take her with us, she can come with us, she’d love all the travelling, I know—

Moiraine was interrupted by the little girl’s soft sniffles, frightened at being awakened in the middle of the night by her mother and aunt fighting, both pulling on her as if she were a prize. “Mama?” Guinevere cried, turning towards Anvaere, extending her arms towards her. 

Moiraine heart shattered at that, however, she remained reluctant to let her go, or that was until someone laid a hand over her shoulder, in a gentle motion. She glanced to her side. Lan. “Come on, Moiraine.” He whispered, locking eyes with her. We shouldn’t have come. That was all it took. 

She loosened her grip on Guinevere, allowing Anvaere to gently take the child from her arms. The little girl clung to her mother, burying her face in Anvaere’s shoulder, her small frame trembling with confusion and fear.

“Shh, it’s alright, Winnie. Everything’s alright,” Anvaere soothed, stroking Guinevere’s hair and whispering comforting words, as she left the room. 

Moiraine watched as Anvaere carried Guinevere away, her heart breaking into pieces. The child's soft cries echoed down the hall, each one a dagger to Moiraine's stomach. Lan's hand remained on her shoulder, grounding her, but it did little to ease the pain.

"You know she can’t come with us, Moiraine," Lan said gently, his voice low and filled with understanding, “we have a mission, and we cannot fit Guinevere into it, we’d only be hurting her.”

“I-I know,” she acknowledged, cheeks burning in a burgundy shade, “I don’t know what came over me.” She added, crossing her arms over her chest, shame covering every other emotion. She felt so embarrassed. Abducting a child, in the middle of the night, removing her from the warmth and safety of her bed. Not being able to get a grip on her emotions. Losing focus on what really mattered. Betraying her and Siuan’s purpose. Find the Dragon Reborn. It was so unlike her. 

Torvin smiled at her in a kind-hearted manner, as he gently rubbed the woman’s arm. “She is safe here, Moiraine. And so, so loved. She’ll be alright. And know that we will always welcome you in, should you feel the need to visit her.” Moiraine nodded, her eyes filled with unshed tears. They remained in silence, and the house seemed to hold its breath, the weight of the moment pressing down on them all. 

It was Anvaere, returning alone to the room, after putting Guinevere to bed, who broke the silence. “I think you should go, Moiraine.” She said, a sober expression on her face, as she intertwined her arm with Torvin’s. 

Moiraine stared at her sister, realisation sinking on her like an anchor. I can’t ever see her again. The mission is too important. “I think so too.” 

*************

“Guinevere, I—

“Little lady, my lady,” Jhonas interrupted them, as he barged into the room, “your sister is waiting for you in the drawing room.”

She abruptly drew her hand away, frightened by what she was about to do. Two minutes in the girl’s presence and she was already losing all caution. But this time she needed to be in the city. And she suspected she’d need her sister’s help as well, reluctant as she was to accept that. 

She hurried to follow Jhonas into the drawing room, Guinevere’s steady footsteps just behind her, and went almost still, feeling the air get caught up in her throat once again at the sight of her sister. She studied her hair, she was most probably wearing a wig, in an attempt to hide the grey beneath it; she studied the wrinkles around her eyes, tired and weary; she studied the curve of her mouth, surrounded by lines. She looked so much older, not only than before, but so much older than her as well. Her little sister, worn out by time. It was a tragic vision, a deadly punch in the gut. 

“You look well, little sister.” She somehow managed to say, fighting back tears. 

“As you do.” She said, a pleasing smile on her face, before tilting her gaze towards someone behind her. “Winnie, you probably don’t remember her, this is your Aunt Moiraine.” 

“We’ve already introduced ourselves.” Moiraine said, not bothering to glance backwards. 

“I see.” Anvaere replied, the slightest glimmer of rage crossing her eyes. She then extended her arms, gesturing for the girl to come closer to her. “Winnie dearest, weren’t you heading out?” She asked her, grabbing both her hands. 

“I-I was. I should be going, really.” Guinevere stuttered. 

“Then get on with it, darling,” she said, kissing her forehead, “and don’t be too late.” 

“I won’t.” The young girl replied. Anvaere tightened her grip on her hand. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d caused her mother to panic after not returning home before nightfall. “I promise. I’ll be going then. Goodbye Aunt Moiraine.” 

“I’ll see you later, Guinevere.” 

Anvaere waited until the girl was gone, until she shifted her gaze towards her sister again. “Please, sit,” she gestured towards the chair by her side, “we didn’t know—

“I won’t trouble you for tea.” Moiraine rushed to say. “I have stabled my horse, and I would use my old room, if it’s open. But I want to keep a low profile here in the city.”

“Of course, we—

“Jhonas!” She exclaimed, turning towards the older man. “Bring up a Ghaeldanin red from the cellar?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“And I need a dress ordered from—

“It’s been a decade, Moiraine!” Anvaere yelled, exasperated by her lack of attention. “Sit!”

Moiraine turned towards her sister, who was trying to gain some composure after her outbreak. “Have some tea.” She asked her. And how much Moiraine wanted that, she couldn’t possibly put in into words. How’d she’d missed her little sister, her companionship, and their talks and gossip reunions. But she was on Cairhien for a mission, and one mission only. Train the Dragon Reborn. She was sure Rand was in the city, somewhere. And she had to find him. 

“Perhaps lunch,” she said, and added, just before she left the room, “there’s someone I need to meet today.” 

She did felt terrible, leaving her sister, who simply wanted to have tea with her, alone, after fifteen years of not seeing each other, but her duty towards Rand was too important. 

She ran towards her childhood bedroom, and carefully put on some clothes. A blue dress with a lace, white turtleneck underneath, and of course the blue stone on her forehead, all with the purpose of avoiding people noticing what she was no more. She strolled around the room, reminiscing about her old self. Her book collection, her jewellery, her desk. Everything was exactly the same, covered in a thin layer of dust. Except for some things. Her music box was missing, a handful of books as well. Why would Anvaere touch such things? She closed her eyes as to clear her head, realising she was spending time she did not have, and rushed out of the door. 

She picked up the wine Jhonas had left for her, and hurried out the house, before anyone saw her. 

Moiraine came back home later than she’d expected, a defeated look on her face. She did not find Rand. She did not find anyone capable of saying where he was. Where he had been, yes, at the Sanitarium, but for some reason he missed work that day. She’d found out the inn he had been staying, but was there no more, since the place had apparently burned out. And Moiraine suspected Rand’d had something to do with it. Which meant she was too late. It was ridiculous to assume he would get a hold of his power in under six months, unassisted as well. She had been too late in searching for him. She’d failed. All because she’d been too focused moping about her, about losing her connection to the One Power. So egoistic. She, her problems, all of that was too unimportant in comparison to what the Wheel had prepared for Rand. She couldn’t let anything else drift her away from her mission, even when she felt she was asphixiating, fighting death every single day since she was cut out from the One Power. But she didn’t allow herself to keep on dwelling on such matters. 

She let out a breath as she walked into the house, peeking through the door to her sister’s chambers, dancing shadows indicating a warm fire was burning in the fireplace. She knew she ought to go to her. She wanted to. But she couldn’t deal with her at that moment. Focus. 

Moiraine walked away, towards her room, and was surprised to see Anvaere already there, waiting for her, sitting on an armchair beside the chimney. “You’ll pardon the intrusion, but I didn’t want to miss you. Please, sit.”

“Anvaere,” she sighed, putting a hand on her forehead, “I’ve had a long day. I…

“This is not what a woman should have to do to talk to the sister she spent half her life idolising.” Her little sister complained, yet somehow Moiraine felt as if she were being scolded. 

“If you want me to apologise for leaving,” she replied, shaking her head, “I won’t. An Aes Sedai cannot lie.” Could she? Can I claim myself an Aes Sedai any longer? 

“No, no, of course not.” Anvaere was quick to say, as Moiraine paced around the room. “In truth, you did nothing I wouldn’t have, if I could’ve channelled. Light knows I tried, on nights when our family’s future looked dim. After Uncle ruined us. After you left.” She said, with a hint of resentment on her voice. “But Father always held out hope that one day you’d come back and fix it all. You were his shining star. Shooting star, as it turned out, never to return once you left our sky. ”

“I…” Moiraine was as out of breath as she was out of words. It’s all too much. Her father, her sister, Rand, Guinevere. Siuan. She’d failed so many people. A lifetime wouldn’t be able to make up for all she’d done to them. “I would’ve come back if I could…” she murmured, taking a seat in front of her. 

“Spare me the false penitence.” Anvaere brushed her off. “You had your work, and I had mine. Less important, certainly, but no less demanding. Unless the Tower also taught you how to smile after someone spits in your eye? And I endured all of it with a little boy and a newborn girl to look after. But I got on with my work, just as you did with yours. Now my son is going to marry the Queen, and my daughter is the youngest Aes Sedai in years, and nobody will ever spit on House Damodred again.” 

Moiraine stared at her, sadness almost tangible on her eyes. “You’ve done well, little sister. Better than I would’ve done with the hand you were dealt.”

“Thank you, Moiraine.” Anvaere nodded, a smug grin on her face. “But somehow, finally, I don’t care what you think. I’m not here for your approval. I’m here because you will not endanger what I’ve worked all my life to build. You will not endanger Guinevere again.” 

Moiraine stood up, anger building up on her chest. It infuriated her, the way they talked about Guinevere, about her daughter, around her, as if she were any less concerned for her safety than them. “Sister, I truly am not—

“This is not your house. This is not your city.” She is no longer your daughter. “And I’m not your little sister anymore. All the eyes and ears you had here… they’re mine now. The head of the sanitarium, Celestin. The guard you hailed at the gate, Sandair. If you want to know where that redheaded boy in the inn went… you’re going to have to ask me very nicely, over tea.” Anvaere proclaimed, her lips turning into an arrogant smile, as she handed her a cup of tea, leaving Moiraine with no other choice than to accept it. 

Lanfear. It had to be her, it all fitted together. Rand was in danger, the fate of the world was in peril. Moiraine waited until Anvaere left, before she hurried into some more comfortable clothes: a loose pair of pants and a chape would do. She searched for a sword on a coffin she kept in her chambers, and placed it on her back, attached with a leather string. She opened the door to her room in a hurry, and almost collided into Guinevere, who was standing just there, with a box full of items on her arms, about to knock on the door. Moiraine found it hard not to gasp. She knew it’d be unavoidable, running into the girl, and she was prepared for it, as she had years of practing forcing her emotions confined, but nonetheless she found herself in stupor, each time she saw her. It feels like looking into a mirror. 

“Oh, Aunt Moiraine,” she muttered, equally shocked, grasping on the box about to fall out of her arms, “I just wanted you to give you these—

“I don’t have time, Guinevere.” She said, walking past her, not sparing her a second glance. It wasn’t easy, turning her down like that, but it was for the best. 

“Where are you going so late in the night?” The girl asked, curiosity evident in her voice, as she steadily followed her steps. 

“This doesn’t concern you.” Moiraine snapped at her, rather harshly, but it didn’t seem to upset the girl, who was too busy examing her thoroughly. 

“And with a sword on your back…” Guinevere muttered, suddenly going quiet, as realisation fell upon her. “You can’t touch the One Power.” She whispered. “You’ve been stilled.” 

Moiraine stopped abruptly on her tracks, and turned around, holding back tears, pursing her lips into a dangerously fine line. She stared at her, an intense rush of anger reaching towards the girl, as she silently begged her not to comment on it anymore. 

“Then take me with you.” Guinevere promptly said. “Whatever it is you have to do, whoever you need to fight, especially if you need a sword with you… take me.”

Moiraine fell silent, her mind racing. It did make sense, to have someone who could actually touch the Source go with her. Taking Guinevere with her, even if she were putting the girl in terrible danger, would be the cautious thing to do. The prudent, so evidently obvious and sensible thing to do… if finding Rand was indeed what mattered to her the most in the world. 

“No.” She finally snarled, getting on with her path. And yet Guinevere followed. Moiraine was reminded of something Siuan had told her a few years ago, shortly after Guinevere had joined the Tower. She’s as stubborn as her mother. 

“But Aunt Moiraine, you’ll need—

“I don’t need anything from you.” Moiraine said, forcing cruelty into her voice. “I can manage on my own, Guinevere.”

The girl stared back at her, dejection filling her eyes, as years of resentment and built up anger stiffened her body, yet keeping a straight face. “Fine.” She shrugged her shoulders, voice laced with poison. “Go. I don’t care.” 

Moiraine turned around, as she couldn’t stand one more second of all the loathing directed her way, and left. I’m so sorry I’ve failed you too.

********

Chapter 3 here!

[ill-s1on]

⸻⸻ ❝  basics.  ❞

birth name : seo jiye ( 서지예 )

stage name : aura ( 오라 )

birth date : may 3rd, 2001

zodiac sign : leo [ confident , charismatic , passionate , love for the spotlight ]

chinese zodiac sign : snake [ wise , mysterious , intuitive ]

place of birth : daegu, south korea

language(s) : korean ( native )

height : 170cm ( 5'7 )

⸻⸻ ❝  career.  ❞

occupation : idol

group : aespa

company : sm enterteinment (2014 - present)

position : lead dancer, sub vocalist.

official number : 08

official symbol : galaxy 🌌

official anymal : spider

instagram : aurastic

years active : 2022 - present.

⸻⸻ ❝  personality.  ❞

positive : playful ' witty ' charismatic ' expressive

negative : impulsive ' blunt ' overly competitive ' impatient

⸻⸻ ❝  trivia.  ❞

seo jiye made her television debut with disney channel's mickey mouse club alongside other smrookies. her energetic and witty personality made netizens fall in love with her, and highly anticipate her debut. after the show ended in 2015, they could catch glimpses of her on other group's music videos, but no news were spread about her potential launch on the industry.

when aespa was first revealed, several people were disappointed to find her missing from the lineup. rumors were spread about a potential departure from the company.

the first glimpse of aura within sm again came on the first episode of smcu, 'black mamba'. after the villain succeeded in disconnecting the members and their ae, a black screen appeared, and a voice echoed around a seemingly empty space, saying. "we have to find them. their are our only hope". the voice was attributed to naevis, appearing once more on the second episode, 'next level',

fans started theorizing and comparing naevis' voice to jiye's, using old videos as proof.

in the middle of 2022, aespa official sns started to behave weirdly, with posts containing glitched photos and binary coded as the description. after a while, this virus started spreading to other artists' accounts. once put in order, it translated to "are you there?", "can you see me?", and finally, "i want to help you"

after several theories ranging from actual hacking to a new group, a video was posted on sm's youtube account with the title 'i've been trying to reach you'. being mere two minutes long, it appeared to be a blank video, with only a black screen showing. after a while, small taps were heard.

"is this working?" [more taps. after a while, a girl with long black hair appeared.] "i hope i did this right. naevis told me to contact you, something about you needing back up. the black mamba is getting more powerful. i need you to find me. aura, out"

that obviously caused chaos to spread. aura was immediately recognized as jiye, and fans started to create theories about who she was in the smcu lore.

a few days later, "aespa 에스바 'ep. 2.5 Lucid Dream – SM Culture Universe" was uploaded and finally introduced aura as aespa newest addition! it followed the four girls searching for aura after the mysterious message. it was revealed that she was one of the users that had lost their ae's after the synk out, and instead of sitting still, managed to open a p.o.s and connect to naevis. ever since, she had been her "messager", acting like her voice on the real world (hence the use of her voice on the previous videos).

lore aside, jiye was always meant to debut on aespa. the creative director simply wanted to use her as something to deepen the concept, so she was held back. despite this, to form a bond between her and the girls, they had been living together since the original debut.

she helped on the production of all aespa's previous releases! credited as aura, she wrote most of their songs, acting as a producer in a few others.

she was obviously met with a lot of skepticism from mys who didn't want a new member, but the general public seemed happy with the addition, since jiye was pretty popular when she was young.

she was pretty shy during her first promotion period with girls and illusion, and preferred to stick by the girls, but seemed to get out of her shell around the end of the year festivals period.

she revealed that she mostly worked as a producer during the years she disappeared from the public eye, working mainly for sm artists. jiye says the work she is most proud of is boa's camo, because she was the singer who sparked the dream to be an idol within her and it was an honor to produce for her.

she is a cast member of variety show "HyeMiLeeYeChaeAuPa" alongside girls' day hyeri, (g)i-dle's miyeon, ygx's leejung, soloist choi yena, lesserafim's chaewon and television personality patricia.

due to her long eight years as a trainee, most of her friends are within sm itself. she is closest to nct's mark & haechan, red velvet's yeri, shinee's key and snsd's taeyeon, the latter two acting as older siblings to the girl.

her solo in the 'synk - hyper line' concert is called "빠져가 (into you)"

for the 'smcu palace', she sings jet (eunhyuk, hyo, taeyong, jaemin, sungchan, giselle, aura) & giants (taeyong, mark, yeri, winter, aura).

jiye resents her mmc days. she thinks she looked ugly and acted weird (she was a literal child, but alas)

she has a few credits as a voice actress, with the most famous being isabella, from encanto.

doesn't really enjoy her stage name :/ prefers to be called jiye by her members and friends.

her favorites in random categories are: the atelier of witch hat (manga), azumanga daioh (anime), gwenpool & silk (comics), meet the robinsons (movie) & the percy jackson series (books).

[denjidomination]

Shadows in I Love Yoo

spoilers up ahead!

Specifically with nol, we see a lot of instances where he is in the shadows. Shadows obviously signify darkness and in this case, i find it to be the darkness within one’s self. Us the readers, as well as most characters in ily are introduced to nol as yeong-gi. Yeong-gi is the light; while nol is kept in the dark. But as the story progresses, we notice the appearance of nol slowly creeping up. We see it physically as we see nol in the shadows.

This first panel is from episode 19, and the second is from episode 112.

Not only is nol facing the opposite side of yeong-gi, but he is also facing to the left. 100% this is a reach LMFAO but whenever i notice characters facing different directions, i like to point out what direction they are facing. To us who read left to right, going to the right means progression and the left is the opposite. Nol is alone and in the darkness; he is ultimately stuck with a depreciating mental state while everyone seems to progress with their lives.

Before his trial, nol spoke to yu-jing and stated that “if being a good person means sitting back and watching those i care about be wronged, then i don’t want to be a good person”. Once he said that, we see his face be covered by the shadows once again. Nol is the darkness slowly taking over yeong-gi. While nol as a concept isn’t inherintely bad, he is the other side of himself that he has been suppressing for so long. Nol is reaching his anti-hero moment. If people want to paint him as the bad guy, then fine, he will be the bad guy. Being “good” means being helpless and a pushover, and after so many wrongs, he finds that being “good” is not what he wants to be anymore.

After his fallout with his friends nol is, yet again, in the shadows. The light is so close to hitting him but he chooses to be in the dark so that he doesn’t drag anyone else with him.

With this last instance, nol is in the shadows, but also on a physical lower position than shin-ae. Shin-ae has grown a lot throughout the story, and that growth is what nol wishes to achieve. Within that same chapter, shin-ae speaks positively of nol to min-hyuk. Following those events, we see nol follow shin-ae as she moves upwards. This signifies nol slowly reaching for some sort of growth. These two are mirrors of each other. If shin-ae is capable of growth and contentment, then nol is as well. Him hearing about all the things shin-ae said about him made him believe that he can work towards that growth as well. Lastly, bringing back the talk of direction, we see nol chasing after shin-ae in what appears to be the right. *Right* means progression, *right* means growth. Shin-ae is growing, and nol is finally trying to be on the path that can grow alongside her.

[weilongfu]

MorkPi Nymph AU - Fox!Mork coming to flirt with Nymph!Pi with background AePete & FighterTutor

From his privileged spot circled by two dozing wolves, Tutor noticed an auburn fox weave its way through the brush towards a particular tree. Before his face could twist into a rather un-nymph like snarl, Pete flicked Tutor on the forehead. Tutor stifled his yelp, but the sound of flesh meeting flesh still woke the wolf closest to him, who started nosing about his legs.

"Not now, Fighter," Tutor said as he gently pushed the wolf's head away. Fighter whined and rested his head on Tutor's thigh instead. "So you smelled him coming and didn't chase him off?"

"You should give Mork a chance," Pete said as he gently scratched between Ae's ears. "It was a regrettable mistake, but he's making up for it, see?" Pete pointed at the fox and Tutor noticed the lone flower in its mouth and small packages tied to its back.

"A mistake is accidentally doing something wrong, like peeing on my tree," Tutor said as he tugged just a little harder than was necessary on Fighter's scruff to displace him. Fighter, only provided Tutor with sad eyes in response. "A mistake is not pretending to be a mountain spirit turned into a boulder and leading Pi on for a month."

"Now, now, it's not every day a young fox sees a pretty nymph and knows what to do," Pete said as he rubbed a soothing hand on Tutor's shoulder. Tutor tensed, but the cause was the fact that Pi, their sweet cousin and fellow nymph, had emerged from his tree to meet the daring fox Mork and look curiously at the flower he'd brought. "We've all heard stories of people doing the wrong thing and being stuck..." Another whine came from Tutor's side. "I didn't mean you, Fight."

Tutor opened his mouth to object, but stopped when Pi accepted the flower and brought it up to his nose to smell it. The fox changed forms to a handsome young man with a sly look and the barest hint of a brooding expression. Mork cupped Pi's hands with his own and gave him an earnest look.

Pi permitted it as Mork's thumbs rubbed his knuckles. Mork's hands then moved to touch wrist, then forearm, then upper arm and shoulder. Tutor nearly growled first but Fighter turned into his human form and tackled Tutor down into the soft grass. The scuffle was enough to break the spell and Pi noticed he was being watched. Pete only giggled and waved as Pi scampered back up his tree and Mork frowned.

Unable to contest the older nymphs and their imposing predator mates, Mork only bowed in respect and placed something else at the foot of Pi's tree and another item in the direction of his observers before turning back into a fox and running away, tail only barely not between his legs.

"Good effort!" Pete called out after him as he left the circle of Ae's form and went to see what Mork had left behind. Ae huffed and trotted after Pete. "Hmm... he must have traded with someone for these," Pete said after opening the leaf-wrapped package Mork had left for him and Tutor. Pete held up a tumbled and weathered stone, the time and weathering had exposed the brilliant crystal within and softened all the rough edges. Pete held the stone out for Ae to sniff and Ae did so before turning into his human form.

"He traded a water nymph for it," Ae said as he poked through the other stones and crystals in the package. "It smells like river nymph."

Pete smiled and gave Ae a peck on the cheek. "I figured as much. Now I wonder what he left for Pi..."

Pete approached the package at the foot of Pi's tree. "Pi? If you don't take a look at what Mork left you, I will!"

A hand reached down to snatch the package away before Pete could reach for it and Ae released a mix of a huff and a chuckle.

"Oh..." Pi said softly before stepping down from his tree to reveal colorful beads and stones, candied fruits, feathers from large birds, and even a bracelet made of leather, bone beads, and sinew.

Ae walked over and gave a dismissive sniff. "Most of that smells of human."

Pete curled around Ae. "Well, what a sly little fox, taking from humans to woo my little cousin."

"Is... is all of it stolen?" Pi frowned. "Did... did he not get any of it for me himself?"

"I didn't say stolen," Pete said while rubbing Pi's head. "Taken can mean lots of things, little one."

"The bracelet," said Ae. "That he made himself. It smells of him alone." Pete thanked Ae for his intervention with another kiss on the cheek.

"Would... would it be okay if I wore it?"

"I think Mork would like that very much," Pete said at the same time as they all heard Tutor yell, "DO NOT," before his voice was muffled again, likely by Fighter's mouth.

Pi played with the beads of bone before slipping the bracelet on his wrist. "It... it feels warm."

Pete smiled. "Well, things made by someone who loves you usually do." Pete pulled Pi's hand and wrist closer to examine Mork's work. "He probably worked very hard to get such good leather and bone, he's only a young fox after all."

"He's a scamp!" Tutor said as he stomped over, free at last from Fighter's best attempts at keeping him distracted. Fighter followed not far behind, latching himself to his nymph lover. His human form's puppy eyes were completely ignored. "If he cared, he should-"

"He's doing his best to make up for a mistake. He's done quite a bit already." Pete pressed down harder with every pat he gave Tutor's head. "Let's let Pi decide, hm?" Pete looked over at Pi again to see he was ignored. Pi's focus was solely on the bracelet on his wrist. "I think he might make a decision soon."

Pi's face turned pink. "M-maybe..."

"Let yourself be happy," Fighter said from over Tutor's shoulder, despite how the nymph elbowed him, but it was softer than usual. "It does wonders."

Pi sat down at the foot of his tree and played with the bracelet. "Maybe."

[thevede]

Corruption Game Ch.3 (Su Ji x Ha Rin)

Previous Chapter

Ch. 3

Su Ji

Nothing prepared her for the morning after. Her mind was in a foggy haze. Her vision dulled by the unyieldy moisture in her eyes. Her brain pounded, expanding and shrinking, threatening to escape from her skull. The entirety of her body felt weak and drowsy. 

She hovered over the toilet, wanting to be rid of all of the contents within her stomach, no scratch that, she wanted to be rid of her stomach entirely, cut it out of her body. 

Drool leaked out of the corner of her mouth. The nauseation was too difficult to bear. I don’t care anymore… I don’t care about anything anymore, just please let this end. 

This was death. This was how it feels to die. 

She needed to feel better… She needed to feel better… 

She leaned spineless against the bathroom wall, huffing for fresh air, but smelling her own breath infused with soju and stomach acid instead. She needed to feel better… Anything… 

Su Ji let her hand wander around her body, guiding her hand along her stomach. The cold touch shocked her skin, she trembled. The cold was nice though, it took away the burning pain. Her hand moved up, slowly, gently. She felt her ribs, they were like ripples, up, down, up, down… Then she reached her breast, soft and tender to the touch. The hand moved up more, reaching the pink peak of her mound… 

She wanted to feel good…

“Are you feeling better?” A voice interrupted her. She retracted her hand as fast as she could. 

Ha Rin had peeked her head in. The bitch kept encouraging her to take more shots last night. This is what you want to see, Baek Ha Rin? 

“Yes,” A wave of dizziness hit her again. “No… it’s still terrible.” She grabbed onto the toilet seat. 

Ha Rin smiled. “It’s okay. Rest up, we are not in a rush.” 

After what felt like an eternity of torment and three full bottles of water, her body was finally free of the symptoms of a hangover. She recovered at the perfect time as they checked out of their hotel and took a flight back to Incheon airport. 

She exited the black car, and shut the door. 

The window rolled down. “See you tomorrow, Su Ji.” Ha Rin said. 

“Bye, see you tomorrow.” She waved. 

When she got back to her home. She raced to the laundry machine to wash her clothes. It would not be ideal if her father found out she smoked. After that, she spent the rest of her Sunday making up for the assignments she has been slacking behind. 

She did her best to focus, but the memories of Jeju refused to escape her. She still couldn’t figure out Baek Ha Rin, the enigma. Why was she doing all this? Did Ha Rin like her? Did she really like Ha Rin? Question that could lead to infinite answers, forever puzzling… 

…

Monday was mundane compared to the more “turbulent” days she’s had. The classes passed normally, ignoring the constant fidgeting of her deskmate. 

Where did her English essay go? She remembered that she had put it in her desk drawer right under her English textbook. She grabbed all the stuff out of the drawer and checked them one by one. 

It wasn’t there. 

Maybe it’s in the locker or the bag. She stood up and went to the back of the classroom to check. Her little quest was interrupted by a shove from behind.

“Sung Su Ji, What are you doing?!” Pyo Ji Ae shouted. 

“What?” She turned and asked. Her tone flat. What does this nobody want?

“How can you just disappear during recess?! Don’t you know we are the ones suffering because of you? Seung Yi has been… ” The girl was emotional, her glasses foggy and her face red. 

“I don’t care.” She lied, she cared, she was happy they were being targeted. 

“What?!” Ji Ae’s voice went a pitch higher. 

Su Ji inched closer to the girl, close enough where she could feel the warmth from her body. She whispered: “You heard me. I don’t owe you anything. I will do whatever I want whenever I want.”

“Yah, Rank F. You are below…” Su Ji left, utterly uninterested in the conversation.  

She snuck into the music room. It was a great place to be alone in. The chairs were big and bulky, and if she sat in the back, passersby wouldn’t be able to see her. She sat and absent mindedly kicked the chair in front of her. 

She couldn’t just be Rank D, no, she needed to be at least C. 

In C, she was safe. C, that’s what she needed. She grabbed her phone and went onto the Pyramid Game app to check the last game’s votes. Five votes, five votes to get Rank C.

Who can she convince to vote for her? 

Baek Ha Rin. Could she trust Ha Rin? At this point, it’s not like she could trust anyone else. 

That’s one vote. 

Who else? 

The door of the music room barged open. Im Ye Rim stepped in wearing a headset and her gym clothes. 

“Why are you here?” Su Ji asked. 

Ye Rim wasn’t startled by her presence at all, she smiled at her instead. “Practicing my new set. Why are you here?”

Su Ji relaxed in her chair. “Because if I stay in the classroom for one more second, I’m going to want to kill everyone in there.” She didn’t bother to make anything up. 

“Including me?” Ye Rim asked, amused. 

“Including you.”

Ye Rim chuckled. “You’re funny.” 

Ye Rim went on the stage and practiced her routine. To Su Ji’s amateur eyes, Her moves were perfect. her body fluid and strong. Her movements flowed seamlessly, each step purposeful and precise, her muscles rippling beneath her clothes with every leap and turn. The sound of her feet tapping against the wood floor echoed. 

It was only a few minutes, but a captivating few.

After her set, Ye Rim paused to have some water and recover her breath. 

“Why do you play the game?” Su Ji asked her. “You are a trainee, aren’t you risking it all? If this leaks out into the public, your agency is going to drop you.”

Ye Rim took a swig from her bottle. “Are you going to leak it?”

“Maybe.”

“Do it then, not like it was my idea in the first place.”

“Whose is it?”

The girl shrugged and went back to her practice.  

When Su Ji came back to the classroom, she saw a familiar piece of paper in the trash can by the door. Was that her essay? She picked it out of the trash. It was. The paper was stained with shreddings of lead pencil and half of it was drenched in some kind of disgusting liquid. 

She looked around the classroom. Who could have done it? 

It’s not the bullies, it wasn’t their style, she shouldn’t rule them out. One of the nobodies, a Rank D, perhaps? Very possible. She hurried back to her desk, and hand copied everything onto a new piece of paper. That was a close call. 

…

Su Ji gazed at the view outside of the car as they smoked in peace. 

“Can you vote for me?” She asked Ha Rin. 

Ha Rin didn’t answer, she hummed her little tune in bliss.

She exhaled the smoke too quickly, and coughed a couple of times. “Ha Rin ah, can you vote for me?” She asked again.

“Why?” The girl stared at the seat in front her. Her eyes dazed and unfocused.  

“I don’t want to be F anymore.” 

“Why does it matter? It’s not like Da Yeon’s bothering you anymore.”

“I just don’t want to be at the bottom ever again.” It was the truth, she was better than most of the class, why does she deserve to be at the bottom? 

“Sure. I can give you votes” Ha Rin paused and looked at her. “But, I will need a favor from you.” 

“What is it?” She asked. 

It was that smirk again. “I will let you know when you need to.”

She hesitated. 

“Sure…” 

…  

A few days later

It was unusually hot and she sweated through her t-shirt as she practiced her dribbles. 

“That’s right, girls. Left, right, left, right, maintain the rhythm so the ball doesn’t fall from your hands.” The PE teacher repeated several times. Another five minutes of dribbling practice later, the bell rang. 

“Sung Soo Ji, can you bring the ball cart back to the storage room?”

“Yes, Mister Kim.” 

As she stepped into the room, she remembered the day when she saw Ja Eun under a safety cone, pummeled by volley balls. 

Bang! The door locked behind her as she tried to find a good spot for the cart in the cramped room. 

“What does Ha Rin find in you?” She turned around. It was the little brat, Bang Woo Yi. 

“Why? Are you jealous?” She said. An idea formed in her head. 

The brat practically foamed at her mouth. “You fucking bitch.” 

“Relax. I am not your rival. In fact, I can help. Put in a good word for you and all that.” She couldn’t hide her smugness. 

“Who the fuck are you?! You just came here, I’ve known Ha Rin for a year. We sit next to each other!” Woo yi shouted. 

Oh I’m going to enjoy this. “But she didn’t take you to Jeju, did she?” Su Ji teased. She did her best to make her face in a cunty disposition. 

“What?!” The girl screamed. Su Ji could see the disbelief on her face. 

“She took me to Jeju island last weekend. We had a lot of fun together. The beach, the spa, we had soju together… ”

Her voice shook. “You are lying… Why would she.” 

“Ask her if you want. I don’t care. But you noticed it, right? That’s why we’re talking right now. Because You noticed how close we've been…”

“Fuck you!” The brat lunged at her.  

Their hands grasped for each other's hair. Fingers entangled and nails dug into scalps as they grappled. 

Woo Yi pushed Su Ji against the cart. “I’m going to hurt…” Her threat was cut short by a knee to the stomach. The girl kneeled down onto the door, struggling for air as her drool dripped onto the ground. 

“We will both be around Ha Rin, so let’s not do this every time we meet, okay?”

Woo Yi looked up from her prone position, her eyes filled with venom. The hate was contagious, it ignited a flame of excitement within Su Ji. The heat spread throughout her body, replenishing her, energizing her. 

Blood boiled. Adrenaline rushed into her veins. She cupped Woo Yi’s  face and lightly slapped it. Once. Twice. Thrice. “You are cute when you are like this.” laughs escaped her lips. It’s fun to be a bit of a villain. 

…

Su Ji

[Don’t wait for me today.]

Ha Rin

[Okay.]

Seung Yi turned left when she left the school grounds. Su Ji quietly trailed behind her, carefully maintaining a safe distance. It was made easy by the fact that the girl she was following was constantly on the phone. They arrived at the train station and boarded on a train soon enough, Su ji made sure to stay behind a stranger in case Seung Yi looked her way. 

Some forty minutes and a transition to another rail line later, Su Ji found Seung Yi sitting on a bench alone. She checked her surroundings, there was no one else besides a sleeping salaryman at the end of the car. This was her chance. 

“Hello, deskmate.” She sat right next to Seung Yi, sliding within a few centimeters apart. 

“Wha.. what are you doing here?” Seung Yi looked at her, shocked and bewildered.

“I was on my way home and just happened to see you. Decided to come say hi.” She did her best fake smile. 

Seung Yi stood up and tried to leave, but Su Ji grabbed onto her shoulder. 

“Stay, I have something to say to you.”

The smaller girl tried to free herself from Su Ji’s grasp, but Su Ji was stronger. She used her own body to pin Seung Yi against the end of the bench. 

“What… What do you want?” Seung Yi asked. 

“Sit, and let’s talk.” She replied. A few seconds later, the girl complied. 

Su Ji gave her a little more space, but kept her hand on Seung Yi’s shoulder. “How have you been doing lately? Kim Da Yeon hasn’t been kind to you has she?”

“Leave me alone.” The girl retreated more into her little corner, refusing to look Su Ji in the eye. 

“It was you, wasn’t it?” Su Ji asked. “You were the one who threw my essay into the trash.”

“What… what are you talking about?” Came the nervous stutter. 

“It’s okay, Seung Yi. Everybody makes mistakes. Besides, that’s not why I am here. I’m here to help you with your current situation.” 

“How… You are F…” She asked weakly. 

“I won’t be F for long. Ha Rin will vote for me in the next HR.”

“How does that matter to me?”

“I am no longer going to be in F. Myung Ja Eun hides in whatever hole she’s in. Guess what? You are going to be Kim Da Yeon’s target for the foreseeable future. ” She could feel Seung Yi’s tremble. It made her tremble too, but not out of fear… 

“So what? What do you want?” Su Ji could see the girl’s teary eyes. What a poor conniving little thing. 

 Su Ji leaned into Seung Yi’s face and whispered. “I saw you and Ji Ae during lunch. You hate her guts, don’t you? She left you to the wolves. She’s a dirty little coward, who leaves their friends and runs away.”

“Don’t you dare speak about my friend like that!” The girl protested. There was a hint of anger in Seung Yi’s voice. Su Ji squeezed down on her shoulder, hard. Seung Yi whimpered. 

“I’m just saying what you are thinking. Anyways, you see the point I’m trying to get at right? You shouldn’t vote for her. There needs to be an F after all, that’s how the game works.”

Seung Yi cried out loud. Su Ji checked their surroundings again, the salary man was still asleep. 

“Why did you come? Things were fine before you came. Myung Ja Eun was F, she was the outcast. Ji Ae and I were out of eyesights, just being ourselves.”

“Cry. let it all out.” Su Ji caressed the girl’s hair gently. Seung Yi tried to flinch away, but the effort was moot. 

“What do you want me to do?”

“Simple. You don’t vote for Ji Ae, and we vote for each other.”

“How do I know you are not bluffing?”

“You don’t. But it’s not like you have any other way out. You can do nothing. Things will stay the same and you will still be their target.”

There was a pause. Seung Yi whispered. “I am… I’m betraying my best friend.”

She turned the girl to her and looked her in the eyes. “Seung Yi ah, she betrayed you first.”

… 

Next monday

She was in the back of the music room, contemplating her next move. 

Two votes so far.  

Who else can she get to vote for her? Ja Eun? It went disastrous last time, but it doesn’t hurt to try again. 

Who else?

“You are here again?” Ye Rim came into the music room with her usual get up. 

“Same can be said for you.” She said. 

“Can you help me with something?” The idol trainee asked her. 

“What is it?”

“Can you film me dancing? I want to look at it afterward.” Ye Rim said as she offered her the phone.

“Sure.”

“Thank you.”

She sat down at the front and tapped the film button as Ye Rim danced away.

Myung Ja Eun and Im Ye Rim. That’s who she needed to target next. 

…

Su Ji

[Want to meet after school?]

Ja Eun

[Why?]

Su Ji

[I need to talk to you in private] 

[Please Please Please]

Ja Eun

[Fine]

They sat by a table right outside of the convenience store she frequents. “Sorry Ja Eun ah, I just… I just really need someone to talk to right now…” 

“It’s okay.” Ja Eun’s voice was wooden, as wooden as her body, sitting rigidly across from Su Ji. 

After a short, awkward silence, Su Ji continued. “We should vote for each other.”

“I told you. I’m not playing the game.”

Your moral compass doesn’t even make sense! “I mean we should vote for each other, so nobody is in F. Isn’t that nice? Everyone will just be normal to each other after that. ”

“I don’t know… They might just do it anyway.” 

She clasped her hands together and begged. “Please? Please? I’m sorry about what I said last time. Please Forgive me. ”

“I just can’t. I’m sorry” Ja Eun replied. 

C’mon, c’mon. She needed that vote. She needed C. “You want another samgak? I will buy one extra for you.” Su Ji got up and headed to the store. 

“Wait!” Ja Eun grabbed onto Su Ji’s wrist and dragged her closer. The tall girl leaned into her collar and sniffed a couple times. “You smell like cigarettes.”

Oh, Fuck… 

[sleepingpopplio]

Observations for Bnha volume 37’s cover

Ok there is so much going on in this cover that I don’t even know where to begin and it’s pretty difficult for me to articulate my thoughts when I get scatter brained like this, so here are some important observations I made.

The cover looks similar to the draft version of volume 29’s clover, with the feral deku front in center mourning his injured friends. Except this time, it’s just him and an injured Bakugo— both have a feral deku, and both have an injured, unconscious Bakugo 

This cover reminds me of certain comic book illustrations of heros holding injured friends/loved ones/family members in their arms. I am not implying anything in particular, take that information as you will, but it definitely does display closeness between Izuku and Katsuki. 

The red used in the background is pretty much the exact same shade of red as the cover of volume 10. Both of these volumes also include hand imagery, as the force of AFO (with Shiguraki under his control/manipulation) stands in their way as heroes and in the way of their development as people and friends

The color same shade of red also appears in many other volumes, such as volumes 2, 8, and 12

This is clearly a pattern, and brining things back to volume 10 again because it is the most similar in terms of design motifs, we are coming back

Red is an extreme color, and is typically used to indicate danger, violence, and general intensity. It is also the color of blood and as we know, Katsuki’s blood has been spilt in an attempt to get to Izuku (which worked before Mirio stepped in as an emergency therapist lol)

@siflshonen told me that red in a Japanese cultural context, red can mean happiness, and is used for special events such as weddings. I’m personally not thinking too hard about this, but it’s still an interesting and thought provoking fun fact I found out as I was trying to dig around for info! (Also, take this information as you )

The red string of fate also exists in Japanese culture. The string is typically depicted as being tied to fingers, and interestingly enough this cover is filled with fingers in the background that happen to be red. Now I am taking this one more seriously, as this could be a sign of how Bakugo and Midoriya’s fates are intertwined within both their lives and the legacy of AFO & OFA (they each represent one half of heroism— saving and winning— afterall) (ps. I’m not necessarily implying a romantic subtext to this, but I do think fate is a key part of MHA’s story and Bakugo and Midoriya’s close relationship)

The colors of Deku’s new costume currently seem to be inconsistent throughout all the images we’ve gotten of it thus far. WHERE IS THE REFERENCE HORIKOSHI I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT COLOR IT IS

Not having character references is an artist’s worst nightmare, trust me

Deku’s face is covered by his cape. This was shown in multiple chapters, but clearly horikoshi wants us to notice as it is front and center. The last time deku’s face was covered was duing the vigilante arc, and I’ve already talked about how much trauma and pain he was trying to hide during that time. This is probably a similar case

We cannot see his expressions with his mouth, so we have no indication on whether he is smiling like he does when he wants to save, or a frown like when he wants to destructively win

This is not a good thing— this is a warning to the audience to be on the lookout for some more moral dilemmas and emotional hurdles for deku to overcome. 

Finally, it should be noted that this is the 3rd volume cover to just have Bakugo and Deku on it— no one else. The first one was volume 2, then volume 29, and now volume 37

The volumes start with a literal rift between Bakugo and Midoriya, and they clearly are on opposing sides. We then transition into Bakugo reaching his hand out to (kid) deku, and the gap between them is now being bridged by Bakugo’s outreached hand. We then end with this volume, with Deku supporting Bakugo’s body. The point I’m trying to make is that they ae slowing getting physically closer to eachother with each of these 3 volumes. This clearly shows the growth and recovery of their relationship.

In the 2nd volume I mentioned (volume 29), Bakugo is reaching his hand out to deku while in this volume (volume 37) Deku is putting his hand on Bakugo, almost like he is accepting the hand that Bakugo offered to him. Of course he can’t physically reach out to Bakugo’s hand since he’s kinda sorta dead at the moment, but the symbolism of accepting Bakugo’s hand is there.

Also quick shoutout to @mettywiththenotes for being the first post I saw to mention the similarities between the covers for volumes 10 and 37, right after I was shouting about it to people on discord lol it made me really happy

[in-my-feels-probably]

We’re Burned For Better - Chapter Ten

Chapter 10

(Warnings: the bedding ceremony, which is not graphic in description, but unpleasant for all involved. if you think any part of this subject will make you uncomfortable or trigger you, please skip that part once you get to it. if i missed any warnings, please let me know, and i will add them here)

—

The wedding came just hours later.

Handmaidens whisked Aelora away, and she was shoved into a hot bath, and then into a wedding dress fit for a Princess. It ran all the way to the floor, with lace wrapping down her arms to stop just at the top of her hands. Her hair was pinned back with intricate little braids all throughout, and a tiara was placed on her head, followed by a veil. She was forced to hold still as rouge and powders were applied to her face, making her scrunch her nose when the brushes would tickle her.

She looked beautiful.

And yet, she was absolutely miserable. She was fighting tears the entire time her handmaidens got her ready. She was fighting tears in the carriage on the way to the Sept, keeping her face away from the family. She was fighting tears as she passed the masses.

She could no longer fight her tears when she reached the end of the carpeted aisle, and Aegon was waiting for her with his Kingsguard in front and behind him.

“Your Grace,” she mumbled, no longer making an effort to wipe her tears.

He pulled a handkerchief from within his coat, handing it to her. “I expected this. You’ll want to hide your tears, Aelora. Don’t want to spook the common people, do we?”

Aelora shook her head, ignoring the handkerchief.

“I am my Mother’s child. I will hold my head up high. Tears are of no consequence.”

Aegon pushed the handkerchief into her hands. “They are if the masses can see them. Cry if you must, but do it quietly. Save those tears for your chambers tonight. They don’t belong on the steps of the Sept.”

Aelora stifled a sob, wiping away at her tears. When she was done, Aegon slipped the handkerchief back into his pocket, smiling at her.

“There. Beautiful as ever. Come on, then. Your betrothed awaits.”

A horn was blown, and the people came to stop along the guards posted down the stretch of the carpeted aisle.

Aelora could hear the Septon’s words before she began to walk. “We stand here today in thanks and praise to join two souls as one. Father, Mother, Warrior, Smith, Maiden, Crone, Stranger.”

Aegon held out his arm, and Aelora linked hers with his. As promised, she kept her head high the entire walk down the aisle. But she could not hide her tears. She kept quiet, though, never uttering a sound as walked past the common people who were screaming for her and the King’s attention.

She could not bring herself to look at the people who had accepted a usurper as their King.

At the end of the aisle, Alicent, Helaena, Otto, Ser Criston, and the High Septon awaited her. They stood on the far side of the steps, with the Septon in the middle. On the side closest to Aelora, where her family should have been, it was empty. And in the middle of the second to last top step, there he stood.

Aemond Targaryen.

Aelora’s husband to be. His face was hard, his body rigid. When she made it to the top of the step, and Aegon left her to stand next to Helaena, Aelora could see his face clearly for the first time.

He bristled at the sight of her tears.

His eyepatch was back on, as she expected it to be. His hair was completely down again, only neater this time. He was dressed nicer than she had ever seen him, certainly nicer than he had looked in the weeks since her return. And yet, when she looked hard enough, Aelora swore she could see a tear slip out of the eye set with a sapphire. She was distracted before she could get a good look.

Otto stepped to the edge of the steps, speaking loudly to the masses.

“We are here today to witness the betrothal between Prince Aemond Targaryen, son of Viserys Targaryen, and Princess Aelora Velaryon, daughter of Ser Laenor Velaryon!”

Aelora seethed at his words. Not even a mention of her Mother, or the men she truly considered to be her Father. Just the dead one she hadn’t seen in years.

“With their marriage, they will unite House Targaryen once again! House Targaryen is strong, as they are strong.”

Otto glanced over his shoulder long enough to meet Aelora’s gaze. Was that a joke he expected her to laugh at? As if the masses would dare to. If looks could kill, he’d be rolling down the steps with his severed head in his hands.

“Aelora has returned home. It is she who is uniting us! Our Princess will become a Targaryen, this very hour. The House of the Dragon stands tall, and burns bright! It is a joyous occasion. A royal marriage!”

The crowd cheered, clapping and waving their hands.

Otto stepped back, and the High Septon took his place. He stood in front of Aemond and Aelora, turning the two together.

“You may now cloak the bride, and bring her under your protection.”

Aemond removed his cloak, and Aelora turned around. She let out a light gasp as she felt his hands on her shoulders, securing it with a pin. His hands lingered for a moment, before he turned back to the Septon. Aelora turned back around as well.

“Hands, please,” the Septon mumbled, taking their hands, binding them with a ribbon and tying it into a knot, before turning back to the masses.

“Let it be known that Aemond Targaryen of the House Targaryen and Aelora Velaryon of the House Velaryon are one heart, one flesh, one soul! Cursed be he who would seek to tear them asunder. In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity."

The Septon removed the knot, turning them to each other. “Hear now their vows!”

Aelora took a breath, meeting Aemond’s gaze. He nodded ever so slightly, and they began to speak at the same time.

“Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger...I am hers…I am his, and she is mine…and he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days.”

The Septon smiled, nodding at Aemond. “You may kiss your bride.”

It was her turn to nod at him when he looked at her, face full of uncertainty. It was near imperceptible, but he noticed it anyway.

As Aemond glanced over Aelora’s shoulder, he noticed how empty it was behind her. As he cast his gaze back over his own, he saw his own Mother, smiling at him. He turned back to Aelora, his face full of pity.

“Forgive me,” he said, so quiet nobody but her could hear.

And then his lips were on hers.

Despite how long the two had known each other, they had never kissed before. Not even once. It was nothing like Aelora had expected it to be. She thought it would be coarse and without tact.

She was wrong.

He was soft, and gentle. She felt his hand come up to cup her jaw, holding her delicately. It was nothing like she had prepared herself for.

She couldn’t decide if that was better or worse.

He pulled away when he felt tears slip between his fingers. She made a sound of surprise when he backed away, swiping his thumb across her cheek. She couldn’t bring herself to take her eyes off his, until a loud cheer broke out in the crowd.

Otto stepped forward, holding his hand out to show off the new couple. “Aemond and Aelora Targaryen! Our newlyweds, the Prince and Princess of House Targaryen!”

The crowd cheered louder, and Aelora could hear the claps behind her coming from her family. She turned to them, plastering a fake smile on her face.

She linked her arms with Aemond’s, making no move to look at him.

Saving her from her misery, Aegon moved to clap his brother on the shoulder. “To the feast, then. Come along, brother. Bring your new wife.”

The guards led Aegon down the path, followed by Helaena, Otto, and Alicent. Arm linked in Aemond’s, she walked with him down the steps, through the crowd, and all the way back to the Keep.

A wedding banquet was set up in the Great Hall, with all the neighboring Lords and Ladies who had come to court attending. The occasion was much smaller than any of the royal or noble weddings Aelora had been to. She figured the expense was probably allocated towards the war effort instead of her wedding day.

She was a prisoner, after all. Money is not wasted on prisoners.

When they came through the doors, the crowd cheered, voicing their congratulations. Aemond and Aelora were led to the end of the hall, where a table was set up on a platform.

As they sat down, music filled the hall, along with boisterous chatter and laughter. People moved to the floor, dancing and entertaining each other.

Jason Lannister approached the table, a small chest in hand. “A gift for our Prince and Princess.”

Aelora slipped her mask into place, grinning back at him. “Thank you, My Lord. Enjoy the party.”

He set the chest on a nearby table, bowing before backing up and returning to the dance. Lords and Ladies came and went, and Aelora greeted each of them with a smile. It was nearly an hour of small talk and pleasantries, before she finally caught a break.

“You’re doing better than I expected you to,” Aemond mumbled.

She glared, turning to him. “What did you expect me to do, husband?”

He nearly laughed at the word. “I expected you to take my head and then be put to the sword.”

Aelora turned her whole body to him, grabbing his arm to swing him so he was facing her as well. She was not amused.

“What?”

“You wouldn’t risk killing Helaena or her children by burning down the Keep. There’s plenty of servants here you have no qualms with. Cruelty is not your way.”

She could tell by his face that he was not joking at all. “What is my way?”

“It’s not cruelty,” he scoffed. “It might be fire, but you’re not an idiot. You’d never do anything as easy as burning us alive. But you’re angry. I’ve never liked to see you angry. It’s unsettling. It’s dangerous.”

“Only when my anger is pointed at you,” Aelora snarled.

“And it is. I half expected you to kill me the second you arrived, and take whatever punishment was dealt to you. But I see, now. You wouldn’t do that, either. No…you’ll do your duty to your Mother, whatever you’ve decided that is. You won’t risk getting yourself killed simply because you’re angry at me—

“I’m not angry at you,” she immediately said.

Aemond raised a brow. “No?”

“No,” she confirmed. “I was, but not anymore. I just hate you now. There’s a difference.”

Before he could say anything else, Aelora stood, leaving him at the table. She walked all the way across the room, where Helaena was sitting at another table.

“Your Grace,” she curtsied.

Helaena smiled, nodding. “Sister. Are you enjoying yourself, Aelora?”

Aelora nodded, though it was a lie. “I am. You look very pretty tonight.”

“Thank you,” Helaena smiled. “I am afraid I cannot stay long. The children need to be put to bed. But I wanted to see you before I left. I do hope your wedding night is…easy.”

Aelora grimaced at the thought. “You don’t need to warn me, Your Grace. I am well aware of my duties. I’ll be fine, I assure you.”

Helaena stood, reaching for Aelora’s hand. She let her take it.

“He won’t hurt you, my brother. If that’s what you’re thinking.”

That was true enough. What more could he possibly do to hurt me that he hasn’t done already? Let him try, she thought.

Aelora ignored her thoughts, squeezing Helaena’s hand. “I know he won’t. Go, My Queen. Your children need you.”

Helaena smiled and nodded, letting her guards lead her away.

Aelora sighed, looking around the room. There had to be a Lord or Lady to talk to that didn’t make her want to pluck her own eyes out. Although, that seemed preferable to returning to her table. Just as she decided on a Lady she thought she recognized from one of the lesser known Northern houses, she felt a hand on her back.

“I wasn’t lying earlier,” Aegon said quietly, taking her arm to lead her around the edge of the room. “You do look beautiful.”

Aelora couldn’t tell if he was being genuine or not. She would have been flattered, if Aegon hadn’t been known to look at any woman who passed him by. Still, she took the comment as a compliment, one she assumed was supposed to comfort her.

“Thank you, Your Grace. You look rather handsome, as well. Did you do something different? Wash your hair, perhaps?”

Aemond chuckled, taking a sip of wine from the cup he had been carrying around all night. “Don’t make me laugh. Someone will hear us and try to talk to us. That will spoil all the fun, won’t it?”

“Yes,” Aelora mused. “Because I am having so much fun.”

Aegon didn’t speak, continuing to lead her around. Aelora caught a glimpse of Aemond across the room, who had taken to talking to his Mother and some Lord whose name she could not remember.

“Why are you with me, Aegon? I’m sure there are plenty of Lords who would love to kiss your ass tonight.”

“They’ll get their chance,” he laughed. “But I did have a matter to discuss with you. I assumed you wanted it private, so we’re all the way over here, far from any Lord who may want to kiss my ass.”

Aelora nodded. “Enlighten me, Your Grace.”

“The bedding ceremony.”

Aelora stopped in her tracks, turning to him. She tried to keep her face passive, not wanting anyone to see her vulnerable.

“What about it?”

“You won’t be getting out of it, if that’s what you were thinking. The Small Council has advised that we hold one. I’m afraid you cannot refuse it. Our House is unstable enough, and an unconsummated marriage would prove to be illegitimate. I can't allow that. Every Lord backing my reign has traveled to be here tonight. We can’t let a single one of them leave tomorrow, filling the realm with whispers of weakness.”

Aelora felt tears well in her eyes, and willed them not to fall. Her jaw was clenched as she spoke. “I am to let every Lord in here watch? You’d really have me do that?”

“No,” Aegon said, shaking his head. “Neither would Aemond. Apparently, he threatened enough of the council last night that they came to an agreement. The Hand of the King and the Maester will attend. The Maester is trusted well enough to confirm the consummation, and the Hand will corroborate his claim. I’m afraid the council doesn’t trust you enough to tell the truth of the matter.

“Your Grandsire doesn’t trust me,” Aelora spat. “You don’t have to lie to me, you can say it. The Hand hates me. This is punishment, and nothing more.”

“I expect the marriage will be punishment enough to you,” Aegon agreed. “But this is not a punishment. Not mine, at least. It’s simply an unpleasant duty that has fallen on you.”

Aelora seethed. “You’re the King. Surely your influence could have swayed their minds.”

“It very well could have, but I won’t use it. I happen to agree with their decision. It’s nothing personal, Aelora. We all have our duties. This one is yours.”

Aegon released her arm, turning to stand in the middle of the room.

“People of the court! Our guests of honor have to leave us. It is time for the bedding ceremony! We’re not invited, I’m afraid. We’ll continue the festivities in their absence. Not even a King can deny a man’s wishes on his wedding day. Bid our Prince and Princess goodnight, they have other matters to attend to!”

Aegon grinned, and the people of the court split down the center so Aemond and Aelora could pass through the hall.

Aemond reluctantly came to her side, holding his arm out for her to take. Aelora accepted, letting Aemond guide her. She did her duty, smiling and waving as she left the hall. She could hear the steps of Otto and the Maester following as they left.

Each thundering step felt like a knife to the heart.

As they walked through the halls, Aelora realized they were headed for her chambers. She squeezed Aemond’s arm getting his attention.

“Take me anywhere else but my chambers. I’m begging you. Please?” She asked, keeping her voice quiet enough that only he could hear.

Aemond only nodded, changing directions without a word as they walked.

Eventually, they reached his chamber door. Aelora felt her heart pounding in her chest as he opened it, desperately trying to pull air into her lungs.

Silently, he guided her in.

Otto closed the door behind him, taking his place next to the Maester on the far side of the room. They made small talk as Aemond reached for the pitcher of wine on the table, pouring himself and Aelora a glass. He chugged his before she could even bring her cup to her lips, pouring himself another immediately after.

“Just as unhappy with this as I am?” She asked, already aware of the answer.

Aemond sighed, frowning. “I’m sure nobody is more unhappy about it than you.”

She nodded in agreement. “Yes…let’s get it over and done with, then.”

She began taking off her clothes, reaching for the ties along her gown. Her hands shook as she undid the ties. As she began to pull at them, Aemond stopped her, setting his hands on hers.

“You don’t have to,” he murmured. “We don’t have to.”

She smiled sadly, pulling her hands from his. “But we do, husband. It’s our duty.”

Aemond shook his head, stopping her once more from undoing any more ties and buttons along her dress. She gave him a look of confusion, waiting for him to make a move.

“Really, you don’t have to. You don’t need to strip off all your clothes for this to happen. You can leave whatever you want on. All of it, if you wish.”

Aelora sighed, removing the cloak he had set on her shoulders just hours before. She pulled the first layer of her dress off, bending down to remove her shoes. She stopped once she was left in her corset, stockings, and shift, leaving it all on.

“Thank you,” she mumbled. “I’m ready now.”

She slid herself onto the bed, settling herself up against the pillows. She stared at the canopies above her, looking at their pattern as she listened to Aemond undress. She was surprised when she looked down to see that all he had removed was his shoes, coat, vest, and belt, leaving himself still clothed in a billowy white shirt and trousers.

He uneasily climbed up into the bed, crawling until he was hovering over her. With a whimper, Aelora opened her legs, letting Aemond place himself in between them. Aelora rolled her head to the side, her eyes landing on Otto and the Maester, silently watching in the corner.

She couldn’t stop the tears from falling as she looked into Otto’s eyes, finding a cruel blank expression staring back at her.

Aemond gently cupped her jaw, turning her eyes to his.

“Don’t look at them…look at me.”

Aelora nodded quickly, fighting to dry her tears as they continued to fall.

It wasn’t nearly as painful as people had warned. Maybe she had Aemond to thank for that. Every move he made was slow, and cautious. The shame hurt far worse than the pain of the act did. Aelora tried her hardest to turn her mind from what was happening to her, but the thoughts wouldn’t budge.

She eventually moved to hide her face in Aemond’s neck, bringing her arms up to cling to his shoulders.

She shut her eyes tight and held on to him, not letting go until she heard the sound of Otto and the Maester’s feet retreating from the room.

The second they were gone, Aemond pulled himself from her frame, scrambling for the end of the bed. Aelora pulled the sheets up to her chin, covering her body as she brought her knees up to her chest.

She glanced down to see Aemond at the foot of the bed, his head in his hands.

She tore her eyes from his frame, rolling over to face the wall with the covers tucked up around her chin. Aemond pulled his coat on, sinking to the floor at the foot of the bed.

Neither said a word to each other for the rest of the night, nor did they sleep a single second.

When birds could be heard chirping in the courtyard, only then did Aemond pull himself up from the floor, silently walking out and leaving Aelora alone in his chambers.

—

A/N - This chapter was a bit heavy for me to write. I don’t take subjects like this lightly, and I hope I handled it well. The next few won’t be as grim or graphic, but they won’t be all that happy either.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the story, please let me know your thoughts so far. Feel free to comment anything you want. More of Aemond and Aelora to come soon.

[theculturedmarxist]

🛑 Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 - News from the frontline, the battle of Djibo, November 27th, 2023.

I told you the government was going to give us more details on the 3000+ western mercenaries who tried to take control of Djibo. Here is what happened:

This Sunday, November 26, 2023, around 1 p.m., air vectors detected in the North-Central zone two large terrorist groups driving in the opposite direction at full speed and without stopping. Then suddenly, the largest group, with 300 motorbikes 🏍️ and several pickup trucks 🛻 , rushed towards Djibo at its northern entrance. Around 2 p.m., the 14th Joint Regiment detected nearly 800 terrorists speeding towards Djibo coming from Nassoumbou. The units used artillery to stop them. Drugged to death, the criminals braved the rockets and reached the outlying district of Djibo, called Djao-Djao.

They were joined at the entrance to the town by another group of around 500 fighters from Tongomael. Armed with pickup trucks, motorcycles and others on foot, they rushed towards their objective. Then suddenly, the Combatant Forces saw another group emerge from the south of Djibo from Pobe Mengao, numbering around a 1000 men with several pickup trucks and an armored vehicle. While all these criminals were advancing as one on the military camp, another group headed towards Baraboulé and joined the fight. Without delay, the air carriers engaged in combat.

While the valiant Fighting Forces kept a contingent of terrorists at bay with heavy fire, the enemy used an armored vehicle to breach the camp fence. For more than two hours, the fighting intensified and became violent, but the men held their ground. Unable to penetrate through the breach, the criminals opted to attack another combat post of the fighting forces to enter the camp. There they failed again. Around 3 p.m., another column of several hundred motorcycles (2 persons on each motorcycle) came as reinforcements and tried to rush through the two breaches opened by the armored vehicle. Mission impossible, the men heroically repelled them.

Then, the Combatant Forces changed their maneuver, the lookouts of the 14th joint regiment abandoned their positions and joined the battle. The air carriers coordinated quickly with the troops on the ground. Successively, the two terrorist groups at the breaches were decimated by missiles with a sound like thunder. I can see that they used very powerful missiles this time. The criminals withdrew but quickly returned to the attack, galvanized by the arrival of another group to provide reinforcement. When they saw their accomplices burning up, they avoided the fence. But they circled the camp, firing at the base with all their machine guns.

Faced with the resistance of the enemy, several combat planes and attack helicopters quickly flew to Djibo. Despite enemy attempts to shoot down the aircrafts, the missiles rained down on them like crazy. This time, the criminals got the message. They fled in several directions. A column was neutralized towards Nassoumbou, a few kilometers from the base, thanks to fighter planes. At 6 p.m., the air carriers circled the military base several times. It is intact. The brave fighters are on the move within and replenishing themselves after the fight. Their sacrifices and determination have been rewarded: they were able to hold the town of Djibo and it’s under control.

The fighting has stopped, but the hunt has only just begun according to the gov’t. At Baraboulé, survivors were hit, their pickup mounted with a machine gun was first hit. The criminals hid in the houses. They were pulverized in two houses. Folks, when France said on Friday that they will destabilize us, I now understand that they were counting on these mercenaries. @EmmanuelMacron come see all the criminals you sent to destabilize us! They will all perish. The Sahel will be their burial ground. Long live the AES! A luta continua!

[tomtenadia]

Never too late

Hello.... Here I am with a new Rowaelin. This is a prompt:

thegreyj asked:

Okay but apparently pregnancy after age 35 is considered a geriatric pregnancy (an old term but still used) and I just have a feeling Aelin would have a fit at being called geriatric

@rowaelinprompts I have been thinking about this for ages and now here I am.

Have fun

(yes, the title sucks)

words: 1.7k CW: only some language

------

Aelin stared at the stick on the bathroom counter and sighed heavily. The line confirming what she had been suspecting for a while. Pregnant. Another deep ragged sigh. Not that she was mad or afraid. No, she and Rowan had three children of varied ages. Their eldest had even started uni already. The youngest was nine and she and Rowan had finally started to enjoy once more the pleasure of sleeping an entire night without interruptions, diapers were a long nightmare away, and all of the aspects of raising an infant were once more a distant dream. She loved her children, madly but a selfish part of her was relishing in them being more self sufficient small humans. 

Another deep breath as she stared at the stick once more. 

And that’s when Rowan’s voice reached her “Ae, you okay? You have been in the bathroom a bit too long.”

Aelin opened the door and stared in the depth of her husband’s worried green eyes. He fussed. All the time and she could clearly see concern etched on his face.

She lifted the stick in front of him “Do you still remember how to burp, swaddle and soothe an infant?”

Aelin saw surprise in his face.

“Are you….”

She nodded and leaned against his hard chest. Within seconds she was cocooned in his arms.

“Ro, I am pregnant again.”

He heard the anguish in his wife’s voice and released a ragged breath too, understanding all of the words behind that statement. 

“Hey, look at me,” he grabbed her face and stared in her blue eyes “I will be at your side all through this again. We have done it three times already, we are pro.” He tried to reassure her as much as he could.

Her face went back to his neck “I know that, by the time we had Freyja we were good but…” how could she voice her thoughts without sounding selfish?

“I was getting used to sleep all through the night, of being able to take a shower almost uninterrupted and all of the other perks of having almost fully functional children.”

Rowan chuckled.

“Gods, I sound so selfish. I love all of them madly. It’s just… Ro, what if we are too old to deal with this?” 

He hugged her tightly. They had Maya, very early. They were both fresh out of uni and she had happened. At the time they had the opposite issue. What if they were too young? But they managed, with sacrifices and help from their parents they had managed to give Maya a happy childhood.

“Remember when you fell pregnant with Maya? We were two clueless teenagers with a lot of dreams. We made it work.” He kissed her nose “now we are adults with good jobs, a house and a better idea of what we are doing.”

“You always make everything sound easier.”

Another gentle kiss “oh don’t worry, I will be panicking again the first time they wake up at night screaming and I can’t put them back to sleep.”

“So, buzzard, are we doing this?”

“Yes, fireheart.”

*

A few days later Aelin was at the hospital for an appointment with her OB/GYN Yrene. The woman had helped her with the first three pregnancies and she liked her.

She was in the waiting room, alone. Rowan was a doctor in the same hospital and he had texted her that there had been an emergency in the A&E and he’d be slightly late. She was nervous, which did nothing to help with her already upset stomach. Morning sickness, something else she hadn’t missed. She was a big fan of keeping her food down. 

Rowan appeared twenty minutes later. Aelin had spoken to Yrene and told her that she didn’t want to go in until Rowan was there too.

Aelin was busy browsing her phone when she spotted a white coat over a set of green scrubs.

“Hey,” he bowed for a kiss “Sorry, MVA, it was chaos for a bit downstairs.” Rowan was the head of trauma surgery in the A&E. He had started from the bottom, juggled med school while looking after her and their daughter. She had gone to work in a bookshop as soon as she could. Then with time she had started working in a publishing company and now she was the head editor. He had worked hard at the same time and now he was the Chief. She was so proud of him.

“Yrene is waiting for us.”

“Welcome, both of you.” Said the doctor, as they walked in.

“Sorry for the delay. It was hellish downstairs.”

“When is the A&E ever quiet?”

The two of them chuckled with some sort of internal joke.

Yrene invited Aelin to lie down and Rowan moved at her side, grabbing her hand.

“So, how do you feel, Aelin?”

Her nose flinched as the cold gel touched her exposed belly “oh I was getting used to being able to keep my food down and definitely my bladder does not miss being used as a squeeze toy.”

Yrene chuckled and stared at the screen in front of her then pointed at a small blob “here we go, this is your baby.”

“This is my fourth time and I still struggle to see anything.”

Rowan gently pulled her hand and placed her finger on the spot were the embryo was visible on the screen “see this darker part here? This is our baby.”

Aelin grumbled “You cheat, you can read one of these screens.”

His hand gently brushed her hair “trust me, that’s it.”

“Look, it has your grumpy face.”

Rowan laughed hard while Yrene continued her checks.

“Everything looks fine for now, but geriatric pregnancies have a lot of possible problems that we will have keep an eye for.” Yrene continued babbling but Rowan did not miss the expression that appeared on Aelin’s face at the word geriatric. He knew it was not a very popular term but it could still be heard among doctors.

“You can still carry the pregnancy to term and delivery a healthy child, but I want to keep an eye on you.”

Rowan asked all of the question while he knew Aelin was on the bed stewing. He knew his wife well and knew that she was waiting for a moment of privacy to explode. He was not a fan of the term, it was old fashioned, but he had heard it thrown around the hospital. In all honesty it made him cringe.

He listened Yrene explain the possible issue with pregnancies n women over the age of 35. He knew all of them but Aelin had to hear them too, like it or not, she had to be more careful this time.

Once the visit was finished they thanked Yrene and he grabbed his wife who was silent at his side and together they made their way to the ground floor to his office where she could just blew up like a volcano. 

They barely made it in the room when Aelin let her anger go “Geriatric. She called me geriatric. How on Earth dare she? I am thirty seven, not a fucking grandma,” Aelin started pacing and Rowan sat against his desk and let her rant until it was time for him to jump in. A word from him at the wrong moment could make things worse. After many years together he knew her deeply and also loved her fire, but as a young couple, he had been burned far too many times for speaking at the wrong time. 

“I don’t have a single grey hair yet, I run almost everyday, I am fit and I could kick her arse in a fight. I am not fucking geriatric.” 

He looked at her finally stop and knew now was the time “Ae…” a tentative step closer “Although I hate the use the term of geriatric to describe the pregnancy of a woman over thirty five, it fits.”

The stare that Aelin gave him would have killed if his wife was able to shoot daggers from her eyes. Danger started to scream his internal mood sensor. 

“Excuse me?”

“Ae, I know you are healthy and fit, sugar intake aside,” a chuckle “and could definitely take Yrene in a fight, but the body ages and changes have taken place in your body that might affect the baby. As she said, it can be done, and I know you’ll do it just as well as you did the other three, but I want you to be a bit more careful this time. For all our family.”

She sighed and crashed against his chest. Damn, he always knew what to say to her and make her melt in a puddle. Her husband was such a sap.

“You are geriatric too, you are a forty years old, buzzard.”

Rowan laughed and knew the danger was over “I am but it looks like my swimmers still are quite resourceful.”

Aelin burst out laughing “you did not just say that.”

“It made you laugh,” his lips met hers in a tender kiss “and that’s my mission accomplished.”

“Do you really think we can do this?”

Rowan nodded “I do, plus we have three kids who, I am positive, will love to help us with their new sibling. Thomas will make a great big brother, Maya can help babysit and earn pocket money…” he explained “Now, Freyja might think the baby is a doll so perhaps she can skip out of babysitting duties for a while.” Another kiss “we have my parents too who will be delighted to have another grandchild. We are in a better place than when we were eighteen, fireheart.”

She looked up at her husband with a big smile. Rowan had been her rock since forever. They had surpassed every obstacles together. The good days and the bad days.

Her mouth landed on his neck, nibbling gently at his sensitive spot “my boobs will get bigger once again, think about the perks.”

Rowan’s arms circled her waist and pulled her closer.

Aelin kissed him hungrily, need seeping from her body “Buzzard, let’s just show the world who is geriatric.”

With Aelin still in his arms he pushed back to the door and locked it, then a moment later he was pushed on the sofa with Aelin straddling him “Show me what you got, old man.”

And together, on the sofa of his office, they let their fears behind and joined once more in that promise of blood and flesh that had been holding them together for two decades.

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