#MY BLUE EYED KING I NEVER DOUBTED YOU

[akugumi]

in all seriousness i really didn’t like this chapter .. except for megumi and yuuji wanting to apologise the whole dialogue felt like it was just a narrator’s voice instead of actual characters talking. but what really makes me so heartbroken is how no one is mentioning gojo. except for kusakabe who only did so to put the blame on him (don’t get me wrong, i know that gege is pushing his whole ‘no one gets to take youth away from the young’ agenda but you can do that without disrespecting another character). gojo did so much for his students. constantly sacrificing his humanity to protect everyone around him. taking care of the higher ups so that his students can be safe even if he’s gone. he did so much damage to sukuna and only thanks to that they were able to win in the end. he sacrificed so much, agreed to his body being used after his death, all the while smiling and believing in his students, that even if he falls they will still win. and no one says anything?? all we get is it’s gojo’s fault? cool

[venmondiese]

LITTLE BOX FULL OF SURPRISES

masterlist ✧works in procress ✧ AO3

based on this request⭑.ᐟ

-ˋˏsummary: The maimed one-eyed prince marries the most beautiful woman on earth. She is dutiful, beautiful and perfect, but Aemond can't stand when someone, specially his uncle, look with desire at what it is his. ✧Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x Tully!Original Female Character ✧word count: 3.1k ✧Warnings: : MDNI 18+, p in v sex, dom/sub undertones, face slapping, spitting on the mouth, degradation kink, possesive Aemond, Aemond is WHIPPED by his wife.

Every time his grandsire and his mother spoke of a Lady of great beauty coming to King’s landing, he rolled his eye. 

Even when they present a small portrait, small to fit his palm, he does not seem impressed. Perhaps it is too small, perhaps it is too pretentious. Either the painter exaggerated your features or he couldn’t properly paint a small portrait. But he was curious, after all. Named the most beautiful woman on earth, blessed by the Gods. 

He doesn’t doubt that Lady Tully was beautiful. Perhaps she was truly a beautiful woman, with her long red hair, ‘like fire’ said the letter. But being called The Maiden on Earth seems exaggerated to him.

His grandsire had told them about the implications of his betrothal, about how important it was to have secured the Riverlands, since Grover Tully was an old lord, and will not understand reason. To have his most beloved granddaughter as a princess, was the only way to win his approval, and support. 

Aemond finally meets her on the little garden near the Weirwood tree. They had been serving little cakes, as some lords and ladies talked nearby, not even half of court was here, and he liked the quietness. That made him less self-conscious.

She was near the table, her hand hovering above all the treats she could get, smiling as she watches them with interest. She is expressive, he realises. He hasn’t seen her face, only her back and the day her hand moves and her head is tilted, curious about the southern gastronomy.

 “My lady” Aemond says softly. 

She turns so gracefully, and she is surprised to see him. Her hand still extended, and she quickly moves it to grab her skirts, and do a courtesy to him. She has a sweet smile, and she speaks. 

 “My prince” she says, a bit surprised. “I… I didn’t expect you.”

“I must admit I came a bit earlier than agreed…” he murmurs, looking behind him and then back to her.

The most beautiful maiden on earth fell short to her. She was… something else, in the best way possible. She had that curiosity, that life in her eyes, as she smiles at him, her lips are perfect, and he could see that her maids probably used those Myrish lip taints, for they were a very natural red colour, almost matching with her hair. Her dress was magnificent, wearing the colour of her house, red and blue decorating everything. Even her eyes, blue like the opaque blue rivers in the Riverlands, and her hair, red like flames, matched with her house colours. She wore fish details, her earrings and in her dress pattern. But she was wearing a collar with a seven pointed star in it, and he sighed at her beauty. She was breathtaking.

“Oh, well, so it seems…” she says as she smiles a bit sheepishly, looking at him. “It’s a fine castle, my prince. It does have its own beauty.” 

Aemond has never thought of the red Keep as something beautiful, at all. He always wanted to live in Dragonstone, but his wish was not granted.  But, if she says so, it must be true, and with good reason.

“You think so?” 

She grabs a lemon cake, and eats it carefully as she nods. “Yes! And you also have a Weirwood tree here. When we made our trip here, we passed through Raventree, and their Weirwood was a bit… depressing…” she says, smiling sweetly. “But here it’s very beautiful. More… alive”

As she talks, he watches her closely. Even when his mother, his sickly father and his siblings arrive, when his mother gives him a scolding look for arriving earlier, he sort of watches you in silence, his chest swelling with an air of mystery. 

“You are not what I expected” he admits, quietly between the two of them as their parents talked about the betrothal.

“No?” She asks smiling, licking her finger from the cream of the lemon cakes. “You’ll see I’m a little box full of surprises” 

That’s the beginning.

A ceremony on the Sept, as she stood next to him, reciting vows and the cloak with dragon sigils is on her shoulders, left behind the fish one. Aemond has never looked so smug and proud. The bedding ceremony was… traditional. Having a crowd was awkward for both, surely, but Aemond made it all more comfortable for her, covering her body with his, and not exposing her, at his own expense.

“Just focus on me” He murmurs closely to her face, as she looks at him with wide eyes. He was between her open legs, and he insisted for her to keep her chemise on, while he had no problem in nudity “Your septa and mother could have told you…”

“Not much” She whispers back.

“Not much” he repeats, moving a strand of hair out other face, tenderly watching her face for discomfort. “But I will be gentle, and… we’ll learn together. Yes?”

“Yes. Thank you…, husband” she says, and he feels a prideful pressure on his chest. He was her husband. The most beautiful woman’s husband. 

And she was always thankful for his patience and gentleness towards her, and she stuck to him to all times, even when she was in court, charming everyone around. Her arm was always interlocked with his, and referred to him as ‘her sweet husband’. 

Love came quieter than expected, as they laughed on their bed at nights, having picnics in the gardens or going to the Riverlands in Vhagar together, swimming on Riverrun’s rivers, and just… enjoying each other. It was more than love when they had their first son, a lovely and happy baby, mismatched eyes, with both purple and a deep blue. Aemond adored his son, his little Daerion, and he adored you more.

“Black looks well on you” Aemond comments. 

Daerion’s blabbing was a way to agree with Aemond’s statement as the maid finished putting on her headband, the same tone of her dress. Her orange hair is in braids, two simple ones with some gold details on them, and some dragon earrings that he gifted her. She was gorgeous, and all his. 

“Your wardrobe hasn’t changed” she states looking at him. “Went from velvet black to dark black” 

Aemond walks over to his wife, watching her being just so beautiful like that, sitting, waiting peacefully like a porcelain doll.

“Mhm... As if changing colours would make everything amicable…” Aemond murmurs, taking Daerion in his arms, and he allows him to play with his hair. “Does father know it’s useless? Rhaenyra wearing green won’t change anything, nor will my mother wearing black. HIs voice comes as a grunt as he bounces their baby. 

“It’s foolish when you put it that way” her voice is tender, sweet, and somewhat like velvet. He is still besotted by her, as maidens do with knights. He watches the shape of her breasts on that dress, how the cleavage is so delightful for his eyes and the roundness of her tits that make the fabric around stretch a bit. As if the tailor always got the measurement of her chest wrong on purpose, which he won’t complain about. 

Her bright red hair contrasts with how the black makes her skin look paler, and her eye colour deeper.

“They shouldn’t call you the Maiden herself anymore” Aemond murmurs softly, walking closer to her, still holding Daerion in his arms. “You are like the mother herself. Like the Goddess Syrax of Old Valyria. Beautiful, strong… so alluring…”

“You never seem to run out of compliments” her hands move to grab her rings, and the one he likes the most is the sapphire one, just to symbolise her marriage to him. 

“Never, more so if a goddess like you is my wife. All mine…”

“My prince, my lady.” It’s a Kings guard who interrupts. “Supper is ready, and Queen Alicent asks for you both to arrive earlier…”

“Hm” Aemond says, leaving Daerion in the wet nurse’s arms.

“Thank you, ser Willis” the knight smiles at his wife before walking to wait outside the door.

He rolls his eye as he leans to kiss his son’s forehead, caressing his chubby cheek and he smiles fondly at his sight. The little freckles he has that he inherited from his mother, something that Aemond loved. Yet remembering how unnecessary kind his wife is… annoys him.

Kindness and sweetness only helped to enhance her beauty and popularity, and he also loved that. She was beautiful, perfect in any way, tied to a One-Eyed maimed monster, like him. All he could offer to you, that it was worthy, was the luxuries of the royalty, all the kids you want and his unconditional love. He was at your mercy.

He has one eye, but he is not blind. Any man here on the keep, would pull their breeches down if his wife asked so. They would even cut their own throats for her mere delight, and Aemond would be one of them. 

“Goodbye, my sweet love” the sweet motherly tone makes little Daerion squeal happily, extending his little arms for his mother. She kisses both his hands, later to wave to him as they leave the room, arms interlocked.

Aemond always bites his tongue when his lady wife is kind to men. He hates it, yet he knows she does it for the kindness of her heart, and not any ulterior motives.

He was smitten for her, moving the chair for her to sit, and helping her, her dress not getting stuck anywhere or her headpiece, and only then, he sat on his own seat at peace.

“I heard they might have some goose” she murmurs to him, as the room fills. Her fingers caress his arm, and he hears her every word. “I’d eat it all if I could, you know” she teases.

“Mhm.” Aemond murmurs. Even if he is besotted, his facade is still the same; stoic, cold, distant. Yet to her, his gaze was always loving.

“I would only share it with you” she states proudly, leaning to give him a peck on the lips, before standing up once the King is brought to the room.

As he stands, he doesn’t miss how his uncle watches her. Aemond might not know the man personally, but he knew the look of desire in a man’s face. Much more when they looked at her 

The supper is mostly… tense, and awkward. But Lady Tully is charming to everyone and even toasts as well for Baela and Rhaena in their betrothal, congratulating them and speaking nothing but wonders about her own married life, making Aemond wear the slightest, yet most smug smirk on his face.

“Amazing” she says, with her mouth full as she eats the goose, and Aemond nods, a hand rubbing her back so she doesn’t choke for eating so quickly. “Here, my love” she says, extending the fork with a bit of the goose that she adores so much. 

Aemond eats shamelessly, enjoying the taste as he nods softly, approving, which makes her smile. His hand resting on the back of her chair, as he drank his wine quietly, watching his sister and nephew go to dance together. He is highly unaware of the prying eyes that watch them both.

Helaena and Jacaerys’ giggles and the movement of her dress is enough for lady Tully to watch curiously. Her husband was not one for dances, as he had not a good perception of objects with one eye. She never pressured him, and accepted the fact. 

She always would say how Daerion once he would be tall enough to walk, she’d dance with her son all the songs and dances, and Aemond approved that idea. 

“Lady Tully” It was Daemon Targaryen’s deep voice, and she looks at him a bit surprised, leaving her fork on the table as she covers her mouth, her hand unconsciously fetching wine, which Aemond hands her his. 

“Prince Daemon” her melodic voice is a bit confused, and more so when the uncle of her husband extends his hand. The green fabrics from his suit are deep, yet he still wore dragon details on it, and he looked smug about it.

She turns to watch Aemond, his jaw tensing as he looks at Daemon. And he has to physically stop himself from cutting his uncle’s throat when his wife walks with him to join Helaena and the bastard. Aegon and he share a look, both upset and annoyed, as their wives are so freely dancing with other men. 

Aemond watches her beautiful face, frowning as Daemon talks about something, whispering it closely so no one else hears it. His grip on the edge of his seat is strong; knuckles’ turning white as his jaw is tense, not looking pleased at all. And then, he hears her warm laugh, giggling at what he said, as her whole face brightened up.

Once they serve the pig in front of him and hear the little bastard giggles, it is enough to send him through a fit of rage. 

He literally drags his wife by the arm after everything went downhill, after saying that stupid toast, after the Velaryon’s boys attempt to defend themselves (very badly) and both her husband and her good brother humiliate them.

“Dancing with him” Aemond murmurs, walking to their shared chambers, not minding seeing the servants stop and look at them both. “Accepting it, and giggling to his jokes as he shamelessly flirts with you” 

��It was politeness...” her voice is weak when protesting.

“Did he mocked me for having only one eye?” He asks roughly. “Did he told you how beautiful your are and how full your breasts are?”

She opens her mouth a bit taken aback by his lewds remarks. “I am dutiful to what it’s expected of me. I wouldn't have allowed him to mock you”

“You should…”

“My family’s words are Family. Duty. Honour. And you know I care for that very deeply.” she says as she tries to keep up with his long steps “And I did just what was asked…”

“You are mine” he states, walking inside his chambers as his grip does nothing but become stronger. “My wife and you are… putting yourself in display for my uncle, laughing at his flirting. I know your family words are important for you, but this is… beyond that”

Perhaps it was her confused eyes or her angelic face, but he loosened up his grip yet he kept talking. 

“He wanted you! To have you below him and fuck you like a… wench or… or some kind of…”

“I know” 

Aemond turns drastically, eye twitching at his wife's words.

“You knew?”

“It was being cordial. It was duty. To amend broken ties…”

“I will break and burn and turn into ashes any ties from you to him” he says exasperated, insane with jealousy. His eye is wide, twitching in rage as he cannot believe this. She was his wife. 

Seeing Daemon’s hand grip on her hip, almost groping her, made him insane. Because he knew that Lady Tully, beautiful as the Maiden, a beloved goddess amongst the poor and rich, could do so much better than him. Yet, she still chooses him.

“Get naked” he says simply.

“What?”

“You heard me just right. Get. Naked.” He says again, not wanting a negative. 

Her whine is endearing, as she starts taking off little by little. Her gown, the diminutive buttons at the back, her collar, and her hellish headpiece.

“Let me” he grumbles as he helps her take off the headpiece, tossing it aside more carefully.

She is possibly the most beautiful when she is naked. Round breasts, even fuller thanks to lactating, and her body was tempting enough to anyone. 

“Undress me” he says instead. He took delight when she was the one serving him, in this way. He loved to see her desperation, her eagerness for him. His jerkin is out in no time, and she kneels to undo his breeches.

Because she had an angelic face, but it was only he who knew how obsessed she was with his cock. She could spend hours lying on the bed, sucking his cock as she rested her head on his abdomen as Aemond read. She wouldn’t even suck him off properly, his wife would only suck the tip, give kitten licks, and lazily press some kisses. During hours and hours. 

“I forbid you to speak to any one of them. Ever again” 

Confused eyes turned up to look at him, as the careful hands undid his breeches, almost a bit eagerly. “Forbid?”

“Hm. It’s what I said, is it not?” He says, narrowing his eye as if asking to be defied. 

“But it’s mad” she protests, frowning. “I promised Jace and Baela a tour in the gardens, and it would be impolite if I didn’t spoke-”

“Too bad” his voice cuts the conversation, and he is not leaving it up for conversation. 

“You are being irrational...”

“And you are being a fucking brat” he spats, grabbing her chin as he bites his lower lip. “I’ll show you how irrational I can get”

Her eyes watched him, almost too innocent for her own good. It made him hard; he could feel his cock stirring on his untied breeches. 

“Fucking slut, giving yourself to other men” his tone is harsh, but by the way her knees move, to accommodate the weight as he grips her chin, he knows that she is aroused. So is he.

Lady Tully was beautiful, and a box of surprises with everything, he realised with time. He had everyone trapped under her charms, and kept her secrets very private. And he loved it.

“Whore.”  His hand leaves her chin, only to move it to slap her across the face. 

She gasps, her face turned. It wasn’t harsh, yet the sting was burning on her skin, as she placed a hand on her cheek. To foreign eyes, he just slapped his wife. But he has done it before, to her request. Aemond knew that if his wife was enraged by that, he would have been beaten over and over, because she was kind, but didn’t stand for people dishonouring her. 

Aemond, more gently places his hand back on her chin, pulling it so she can look at him. “You will learn your place” Aemond says, as she looks up at him, with those meek eyes of hers. He loved her eyes. “Open your mouth”

 He leaned down, his mouth opening over hers, so near that she could feel his hot breath. His hand goes to wrap the bright red hair of hers, and his firm grip got her head secured. 

Perhaps Aemond would kiss those perfect lips, yet he pulled back and released a strand of saliva directly into her waiting mouth. Aemond’s fingers tightened the grip in her hair, as his other hand came up to wipe away the excess of spit. 

“There is my good girl” he murmurs, looking at her. “Mhm. I’m going to teach you a lesson” 

Aemond lifts his wife to her feet as if she weighs nothing, his grip on her hair almost dragging her to the bed, forcefully as he heard her little whines. He had a moment or two to decide which position suited best, for then to grab her hips and guide her to be on her hands and knees. He grabs the long red hair once again, angling her head to the side, because Aemond needed to see her face the same way he needed air.

She was soaking wet, and that is a satisfaction for her husband. Aemond accommodated behind her, watching her body as he positioned his cock at her entrance.

 “Such a sweet little cunt” he growls, his eye flashing with lust and desire as he thrusts into her from behind, in one swift motion. 

Her whimpers and pants are loud, as she grips on the sheets as her back is arched. She was desperate to be filled and fucked, not something unusual. The unusual thing was that… nothing happened.

“Aemond” She whines, moving her head to watch him from above her shoulder. She had that desperate, pitiful appearance that he loved.

“Yes, my love?” He asks almost nonchalantly, watching her ass, and how his cock is fully sank inside her 

She can barely think straight as his dick is deep inside her, throbbing in her walls as she just needs him to start fucking her. “Eh… move?”

“I don’t think so” he murmurs, his hand moving to caress her ass to his liking. “You’ll have to fuck yourself on my cock” His wife opens her mouth, confused as her eyebrows frown in hesitation. “Show me how much you need me” he says simply, he was fucking teasing her. “How much you need my cock”

Feeling the thick length of Aemond’s cock inside her, she accommodates on her hands, slowly moving away just to sink down onto his cock again. Her slick walls gripping him tightly as she impales herself on his thick cock. 

“Aemond… Fu-uck, you feel… oh, yes…” She whimpers, and her voice is filled with pleasure as her pussy starts getting pounded as she liked so much. If Lady Tully liked something in life, was probably getting fucked until her mind is mush.  

Her hips start moving on their own accord, as she grips on the sheets, trying to keep a stable posture to move her hips better, as her moans are obscenely loud, trying to get his cock deeper and deeper. Aemond leaves a groan, watching how she sinks down on his cock, and it is an image that would make any man cum in seconds. He truly was the luckiest man ever. 

He feels the fire in his stomach tighten, as her moans grew more and more delighted to the feeling of his cock pounding into her. At first, she had thought of it as promiscuous, and asked the maiden for forgiveness, but gods damn her if it wasn’t the best thing in life to get a good fuck from the love of her life.

“So responsive when getting a cock in your needy pussy” Aemond mutters, as one of his hands raises to spank her ass, the sharp slap only serves for the sounds coming out of her mouth to increase, and he spanks her again, and again, and again, to his own amusement and delight. 

“Please, Aemond…” 

“You just love misbehaving with me, because you know I will put you in your place” he says, moving forward to her body to grip his hair with his right hand, his left goes right next to her hand gripping the sheets to hold his weight. “Because you are a needy whore” he states, gripping her hair as she nods forcefully. 

“Yes” she says, in that whiny tone of hers. He knows her reactions yet every time they aroused him even more. “Yes, please”

The grip on her hair only serves to help him push her back against his cock, his hips now making the effort to start properly pounding into her cunt as she loved; hard, rough and at a deliciously good pace. Her body is practically numb as he starts to use her body for his own pleasure, just as she loved.

Who would have said that the most beautiful woman on earth loved being used by her husband? Definitely not him. She was the most perfect creature, in any way. Smart, funny, pretty, a good wife and mother. And yet she always craved his cock, like the filthiest whores of Flea Bottom. 

“Let those bastards hear you, hm?” He asks, as he leans to speak lowly near her ear. “How it’s your husband who pleases you. Perhaps my uncle will get the notion that you are mine. Only mine. Fucking mine. That fucking dodderer will die by my hand if he ever dares to lay his eyes on you” 

The mere thought infuriates him, making his hips slam into her harder and more feral. Rutting into her cunt in an animalistic pace as he has to clench his jaw in rage. His hand on her hair and the other on her waist, he groans at the feeling of her soaking cunt. 

The sobs he hears as his cock keeps on pounding into her sweet spot, makes him smug enough, and even more aroused. His sweet lady wife, so prone to cry when she had too much pleasure when she got overwhelmed with lust. 

“Please, please…” the round of pleas comes up with her tears, and Aemond moans, shamelessly, as he was so close. “I can’t t-take i-it… anymo-ore” 

“Oh, you will” he says through gritted teeth as he lets go of her hair, only for his other hand to go to her shoulder to help her get his dick deeper. “I will breed you. Cum so deep that my seed takes root, and everyone will know who you belong to.” 

Her nods between sobs, pleas and trembling legs help him pound in feral thrusts into her, feeling her cunt already milking him, inner walls attempting to squeeze his dick inside and never let it go.

“Cum for me, my love” he murmurs, still fucking her deep and nice how she likes it. “My beautiful wife” he murmurs, besotted by her as she cries, her tears rolling down her rosy cheeks with little freckles that he adored. 

The little spasms of her body, her wails and the way her cunt squeezes him, it’s enough to drive him to the edge, holding her body down into his cock as he moans loudly, rolling his eye back in pleasure as he cums hard. She whimpers, whining a bit as his seed just keeps on filling her, his balls tensing up as his grip will probably leave her delicate skin with red marks.

He is caring afterwards, as he cleans her with a towel, or when he places her in bed and covers her, lying by her side each time as she snuggles to him.

“You have to know–” she says softly, her fingers tracing circles on his chest. “You are hot when jealous”

Aemond huffs, grumbling about it a bit as he seems reluctant. It amuses her.

“You always find me hot, I could be… Killing a chicken and you would be leaking”

“Get on my place for a moment, please, just imagine how your muscles would flex” she says dead serious and he rolls his eye amused, as the corners of his lips gives him away.

The fixation on his hair would be a problem if he didn’t love her so much. Aemond allows his lady Tully to braid it as they talk in bed. 

“I didn’t really mean it” he says softly. 

“Hm?” She asks curious, her fingers working on a single small braid on his hair.

“You can talk to them” he says through gritted teeth. “Just-... not too much”

Her little laugh warms his heart. “Very well” she says amused. “For each sentence I say to them, I will suck you”

“I retract myself, talk to them very much, all you like” he says, and it has her giggling. “You know I love you…” he says; as it comes into his view her concentrated face, her tongue coming out of her pink lips as she was focused. He could see the freckles that he so adored, and her pretty eyes. How he loved her.

“You know I love you more…” she says fixing his braid to stick to his hair. Her mouth forms a pleased smile as she sits, as she inspects her work. “Yes. Seems pretty nice”

He could feel the hair strand tight, and he moved his hand to touch his head. “What in the Seven Hells you did to my hair, woman?” 

She looks very pleased as she giggles, her body accommodating against his chest as she shrugs innocently, as he keeps on playfully trying to decipher what his wife did to his hair. 

[bagofshinyrocks]

Green-Eyed Monster

Prompt: Established relationship; Reader is jealous of someone flirting with their spouse Thranduil, who is oblivious [inspo from @nightfall-writer]

Featuring: Thranduil Oropherion x GN!Spouse!Reader

Word Count: 1.5k

Warnings: nothing besides my "Tauriel and Legolas are BFFs" propaganda

You had no reason for envy. 

You were happily wed to the love of your life. Joined the royalty of Eryn Galen through your marriage to the Elvenking Thranduil Oropherion. Doted upon by your husband, and cared for by your subjects. You wanted for nothing.

And yet… in had crept “the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (Othello III:3).

There was never any doubt in your mind that Thranduil was faithful to you. His love for you was as unwavering as water downhill. As was yours for him.

He couldn’t help but smile when he saw you, and all but melted into your embrace in the privacy of your bedchambers. The touch of your hand more calming than chamomile. The taste of your lips more intoxicating than wine. Your bare skin more alluring than a soft bed after a long day.

But as wise and regal as your husband was, he could be a bit thick in the head at times.

It had been a whole ordeal for the two of you to come together in the first place. A host of conspirators, led by Legolas and Tauriel. An idiotic dance as the two of you convinced yourselves that your feelings were unrequited. You were surprised that your now step-son had not smacked either of you upside the head at least once. His patience was unparalleled. In this instance at least.

So you couldn’t quite blame your husband for not recognizing others’ romantic interest in him.

There were nobles from other lands, elf, dwarrow, and man alike, who were visiting. After the Battle of the Five Armies and the retaking of Erebor by the line of Durin, he decided (i.e. he was persuaded) to expand trade relations, renew treaties, and welcome ambassadors. It seemed that almost every month brought someone new to his halls.

And you weren’t surprised that someone else would find your husband attractive. Not at all.

When you first met him, you could barely breathe. Ageless beauty. Sleek, shining blond hair. Piercing blue eyes. Luxurious clothing and jewelry with more detail than one could find in a day. Voice and speech that crept into your ears and made a home in your mind. You found the Sindar attractive the moment you saw him.

For an ambassador or noble to find Thranduil handsome meant their eyes functioned in some capacity. To find his voice and speech charming, their ears. That did not bother you. It was when their feelings changed like yours did, from aesthetic appreciation to romantic desire.

And he was oblivious to it all. Your speechlessness the day you met, your intimidation at meeting a king. The eagerness for those to meet with him, an eagerness to engage with Eren Galen and its wealth of materials, labor, and beauty.

Jealousy seemed so irrational an emotion. Thranduil was wholly yours; inattentive towards other romantic pursuits. Doted upon you. Craved your company and affection at all times

But it ate at you. Others and their lingering glances. Flirtatious words. Gentle brushes against him. And the ugliness of what you felt.

Your marriage was still recent, especially by elven standards. You didn’t want to make a fool of yourself. To act like a child who refuses to let others play with their toy. You would turn away and pretend you did not see it, or skip meetings you were not invited to.

Thranduil was concerned. Held you close at night. Reminded you how much he loved you and how brilliant you were. How lucky he was to have you in his life and as his spouse. He must have thought that all the social engagements were draining you. 

“I thank you for meeting with us, sir.” You stood from your seat at the head of the table, and everyone else leaped to their feet. It was still a little strange for so many people to hang on your every word. “I will bring your proposal to King Thranduil shortly.”

The man from Dale beamed and bowed low. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Most of the councilors filed out, but the nobleman scampered over to your side. Another low bow which you met with a nod.

“Long have I heard of the beauty of elves, Your Majesty…” A quirk in your eyebrow reminded him of his place, and he quickly caught himself. “The beauty of your halls, your craftsmanship and arts. It is an honor to see it all.” 

You gave him a polite smile. “Thank you, sir. You are too kind.”

He opened his mouth again for more flattery, but another voice interrupted. One from the doorway.

“Meleth nín?”

There stood your husband, dressed in robes blue as water in moonlight. A tall crown of silver branches. White stones imitated snow and ice amongst the delicate wire.

“Forgive me, sir,” he said, not even sparing the nobleman a glance, “but I must speak with my love now.”

The nobleman quickly excused himself, but hadn’t the chance to leave the room before Thranduil had your hands in his, and his lips on yours.

When he leaned in, you expected a chaste kiss against your cheek. Instead, one hand settled on the back of your neck, and the other placed your hand against his chest. Its opposite quickly mirrored and both of your hands held the fabric of his robe.

Your lips were shiny and your face warm by the time your husband pulled away from you. All the tension had melted from him, and he wasted no time in pressing his forehead against yours and letting his eyes flutter closed again. Once his breath came easy again, he gave you a chaste kiss on the nose.

“Forgive my forwardness, meleth nín,” he cooed in Sindarin, a gentle brush of his hand over your cheek.

“Nothing to forgive, husband.” A kiss to his nose. “How could I be upset at the notion that my husband, the most handsome of all who have lived, live now, and will ever life, desires me?”

A smile at your words, and another kiss on your forehead.

That evening, the two of you were entwined on the couch in your apartments. His head rested against your chest, against your heartbeat, and your fingers combed through his hair and rubbed his back.

A fire crackled in the hearth, and two half-drunk goblets of wine sat on the table at your elbow. A comfortable silence, broken after a good while by a single word.

“Beloved,” he asked quietly.

“Yes?”

“I have a confession. And need your advice.”

The hand formerly in his hair transferred to gently scratch the back of his neck and you briefly squeezed him close with the other arm. He adjusted so he could look up at your face a bit better.

“Of course, meleth nín. What is it?”

“When you were speaking to that man from Dale… I had a foolish thought. Jealousy. I’ve felt it a great deal over the past few weeks, thought I never acted upon it. Until today. I feel childish now, interrupting and publicly expressing physical affection in neither the right time nor the right place. I-”

You cut him off with a kiss to his lips. A startled noise from him, then he pulled himself further up the couch so you could kiss more passionately. He wasn’t entirely sure why you were so taken with the idea of him being so immature, but he was glad you weren’t disappointed.

A quick huff of breath as you pulled apart.

“I love you so much,” you panted, then breaking into giggles. His brows furrowed.

“What is so funny?”

You kissed his nose. “Because I have been feeling jealous the past few weeks. And I hadn’t a clue you were feeling similarly.”

“Why are you feeling jealous?”

“Because,” you flicked his chest, “you have an entourage of nobles, merchants, and ambassadors doting after you. And I was disappointed in myself for being so immature.”

“I do?”

A very unregal snort from you. “Meleth nín, for one so wise, you are so…”

“Don’t finish that sentence.”

More giggles from you. “Very well.”

He rested his head on your shoulder and his nose was tucked comfortably against your throat. The soothing warmth of his breath and the movement of his chest almost lulled you to sleep.

“I don’t think feeling jealousy is a bad thing,” you mused, fingers tracing the embroidery of his leisure dress. “It is a natural part of our behavior, to feel protective of things we love. And you weren’t rude or aggressive, for which I would have been unhappy. I’m glad you love me so much that somewhere in you,” a tap to the side of his head, as if to point the spot out, “a primal sliver encourages you to keep me all to yourself.”

A deep kiss from your husband. One hand behind your neck, cradling your head. The other crept between your back and the couch, fingers pressing into your flesh, pulling you into him as if any distance between you two still existed. You were smiling wide against his lips.

“How silly we both are,” he chuckled after leaning back for air.

Your fingers combed through his hair, finally settling to gently scratch the scalp around his ears.

“Indeed we are, my love.”

Enjoy reading this? Here's a link to my other works! Thanks for reading :-)

Posted: 2024 March 7

[leondickrider]

relationship headcanons | leon s kennedy x gn!reader

💭 . . . hiii, so i moved to this account from my old account @movedoopsie so this an updated version of both of my old relationship headcanons posts and nsfw post (with some new bonus headcanons hehe) (‘. • ᵕ •. `)

before reading: fluff, suggestive, nsfw marked, some are sad bc i love making leon suffer ₍ᐡ｡っ ̫-｡ᐡ₎ not proofread | warnings: cursing, substance abuse mentioned | wc 2.1k

love with him kinda gives me and your mama by childish gambino but very much guns and roses by lana del rey 🎀

ONE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION IN MY ORIGINAL POSTS: television heaven by lana del rey is so re2make leon coded !!!! and maybe perhaps starry eyed... just maybe...

it's canon that he listens to rock (refer to re2r opening) but I'm sure he would listen to alternative and hip hop

btw, to the spotify playlist makers, he would never listen to mother mother he is quite literally born in the 70s

also i doubt he would actually listen to lana del rey, but if he did he would listen to ultraviolence ₍ᐢ.”⚇.”ᐢ₎

when he's frustrated, he'll mutter curses under his breath like it's so sexy and hot and pussy soddening or dick hardening (I don't have a dick idk how it works)

he loves when you wear long, flowy dresses or shirts, especially if they are in white. if you get it you get it

he would like white clothes on you since white typically represents like purity and cleanliness. and with all the stuff he's been through and it's just comforting

his favorite colors are blue and green tho

he's a good kisser 10/10

leon definitely replies with the driest things ever over text. like you could say "hey baby I love you <3 be careful at work" and he'll say "Ok love you." and he uses the period too

also replies with 👍, 👎, 😀 and 😍

when you are both going to sleep at the same time, he will scratch your back out of habit, even if he falls asleep you will feel his hand making circular motions on your back

he's the lightest sleeper ever. he wakes up if you shift in bed too fast, if you make any unusual sound, literally wakes up so easily and this leads to him being very sleepy :(

he would want 2 kids so they aren't lonely. he wouldn't ever want his kids to feel the loneliness he felt as an orphan

he's a girl dad but if he had a son then you already know that kid is going to be a carbon copy of his dad

sometimes he comes home really drunk and he leans all over you, kissing you all over and saying how much he loves you and stuff and then he cries and then falls asleep

when he goes fishing or hunting or camping he always drags you along for it even if you complain

he looks like he goes camping like every season as the vacation he so desperately asks for 24/7

he doesn't understand text abbreviations. he's like a victorian child. he says "LOL" and doesn't even know what it means. "leon I'm feeling really sick, bring me some soup please" "Ok LOL."

he also replies really slowly to texts sometimes, it's not even on purpose he is just has no clue how to iphone

during missions, he has those cute lil kitten sneezes (like in re4r) but at home this man forces them to be obnoxiously loud because it always makes you giggle

and his hearts melts a little every time you giggle. your laughter is like his favorite sound in the whole wide world

he gets home at unholy hours of the night usually, so he usually just goes to the bedroom, gives you a kiss on your forehead or cheek while you're asleep and takes a quick shower before sleeping

however on nights where you wait for him to get home he is taken by surprise when you fling yourself into his arms when he enters

when be walks in he'll be like "sono a casa..." really quietly

yeah he learned a little italian bc he's like a mafioso son basically so he decided "why not just learn italian and make my girlfriend swoon over it?" il mio king

he's incredibly insecure in relationships. he thinks you deserve better than him, somebody who can be there for you without fail and isn't heavily traumatized

when you're sick he will literally do everything for you, he doesn't let you do anything until you're better

even when you aren't sick he does everything, he justa bit more lenient

hero complex ofc, he loves being there to 'save you' even if it's just helping you get something off the top shelf or helping you zip up a dress or a shirt

always puts his bed by you in minecraft even tho he has no idea how to play :3

also, loves bear hugging you. but he also does those hugs where he lifts you up completely and spins you around a little

if you where in raccoon city with him he would do the spinning hug the second you were finally safe

when he's feeling really affectionate (usually when he's a lil tipsy) he'll tell you things like "sei tutto il mio mondo" and "sei la metà della mia mela" (this is so cute if you also love apples)

he's a heavyweight this man can handle his alcohol, so if you get drunk easy like me, then yea he's def got you covered

doesn't let anybody he doesn't trust near you when you're drunk

also, even when he's drunk he's very protective. he's actually more protective

he is really good at comforting you when you need it but often pushes you away when you need it :(

sometime he will disappear for long periods of times. and he cuts off all contact. but eventually you will get a call from somebody like chris, claire, etc. that leon was drinking and they were bringing him home

he goes through cycles of highs where he stops drinking and lows where he drinks excessively (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀)

sometimes he'll send you random selfies when he gets service or random texts like "Hi." and tbh it scared the shit out of you to just get a random Hi when he's in the middle of like the desert a few times

he isn't really good with physical affection, he'll give you awkward hugs and hold your hands but he's just very awkward in general so...

but if we're talking cute re2make leon then omfg hugs 24/7 he will not keep his hands off you

he isn't really into pda bc he's shy about it, he will hold your hand and maybe give you an awkward side hug but that's really it unless it's one of those special occasions lmfao

this is kind of random but when he's alone he likes to look at old pictures of you both and just reminisce on the past ໒꒰ྀི´ ˘ ` ꒱ྀིა

re2make leon the typa guy to play just dance with you

maybe re4make if he's in love enough (he is)

his style is actually really good so he ALWAYS looks so good next to you (refer to casual leon model) 🐩

he sings in the shower sometimes

he likes to take showers with you since it's relaxing when you wash his hair since you have like soft hands and not his big thick meaty manly leather beefy hands

falls asleep with light piano music and rain audios in the background 😭

his instagram is basically a fanpage for you. always appreciating you!! "My s/o took this." "Date night night with s/o." "Imagine not having the prettiest bestest amazingest s/o ever."

he and ada are mutuals, this is his revenge for ghosting him lol

takes you on picnic dates a lot

for people with periods, he is like so good with helping you woth getting tampons/pads, getting medicine, etc etc

his ideal house with you would be one of those stereotypical white american family suburb houses (he's so american i'll never let him live down calling luis 'lewis' 😭)

he pledge allegiance to the flag he is a PATRIOT🇺🇸

he spoils the hell out of you !!!! you look at a dress twice? magically in your closet the next day. you look at a pretty necklace that costs more than a car? he already got it

government paycheck

when he was 21 he dreamed of having a really normal life with you. a normal house, normal cars, 2 kids, a dog, all these other totally normal things

he does not get the normal life lol

nsfw

he is very territorial, he definitely marks you up in spots that are very visible and harder to hide

he isn't really picky about what lingerie you wear but if you wear white sets with little blue or pink ribbons then you got your work cut out for you

he's very romantic during sex. on anniversaries he'll even get rose petals and candles in you're into that kinda stuff lol

had to buy a whole different phone just for videos/photos of you both because his phone has a ton of work things and he didn't want to risk accidentally sending the wrong picture to the wrong person

when he gets back from missions that were very stressful and got him pent up then sex is way rougher than usual

he is definitely into worshipping your body. he'll tell you how beautiful you are and kiss every inch if your skin that he can

sometime he'll also say some italian things to you while you do the deed like "sei molto bella"

when he's horny he'll tell you "mi ecciti così tanto"

although, italian bedroom talk is kinda cringe sometimes so he usually sticks to english

he is definitely very experienced, he's been with several women, usually one night stands. but we do also know he had a girlfriend before resi 2 so there's that

he would prefer sex stays in the bedroom, or the house at least

he probably gets pleasure from making you get pleasure. like just from eating you out he will... yea

as i said before, territorial 😊

one of his sexual fantasies is fucking you while he's on a mission but he probably wouldn't want to take that risk bc like zombies

it's not rare to have quickies in the mornings

he's big like maybe 6 or 7 inches? he may not have a könig bulge but he's absolutely packing

dirty talk. says things like "y'like that princess?" "that feel good?" "i know you like it baby" "you feel so girl pretty girl" "look at me lovie" when you close ur eyes

man is a freak (refer to THAT clip from death island)

however, sex with him is usually really vanilla simply because he is too tired from all these missions to be doing all that

when it's not vanilla he's a switch simply bc I know it. he'll let you take the reins from time to time, but he is always the one in control if we're being fr

also i'm pretty sure he's top leaning because like... the shit he's been through?? he'd want a little control over something and having control in bed makes him feel really powerful

he still likes to bottom tho lol

he also calls u mommy or daddy or master or mistress if u a freaky freak lol

loves brat taming!!!!!

he likes to hold your hand while having sex

enjoys morning sex lots, especially the morning after he returns from a mission. he's too exhausted the night of returning, so he wakes up early and fucks you

love love loves missionary bc he gets to look at your face and he can just look down to see him yk thrusting (goodbye i hate this word)

i will say tho sometimes he will say the most outlandish things like "i wanna pump so many babies into you that we repopulate raccoon city" but it's ok bc it's leon

loves white sets on you (refer to 8)

sooo good with after care!!! if you need something he will do it or get it. want a snack? he's grabbing it. want a nice warm bubble bath? he's running the water and grabbing the soap for bubbles

spoils you with aftercare tbh.... after him you really cannot ever get better aftercare

very vocal, lots of whimpers and whines coming from him

really good with his hands, I mean look at the way he handles guns. i'm sure his hands come in handy in more ways than just flipping a gun around

amazing with his tongue and mouth as well 🎀

he love love loves when u sit on his face !!!

when you give him head he likes to rub your scalp and he makes the most attractive noises ever

he owns a couple toys. he def owns a vibrator and a pair of handcuffs

he probably has no preference to if you're shaved or not when he's older

but when he's younger he prefers it shaved or trimmed cuz he lives between your legs and it gets a bit annoying getting hair in his mouth 😭

(i'm sorry if all the nsfw seems aimed towards afab people, I literally have no idea how to write for amab but i'm trying to spoil everybody...)

౨ৎ translations "sono a casa" i'm home; "il mio [re]" my king; "sei tutto il mio mondo" you are my whole world; "sei la metà della mia mela" you are half of my apple; "sei molto bella" you're very beautiful; "mi eciti così tanto" you're turning me on | please correct me if any of this is wrong since i rarely speak to my italian friends and family and i don't say these things to them. i had to research :)

reblogs and replies appreciated always <3

leon kennedy masterlist

[boxofbonesfic]

Title: Brave [2 of ?]

Pairing: Orc!Steve x Reader

Summary: As you begin to acclimate to life in the pack, your new leader seems to take a keen interest in your ability to survive. 

Warnings: 18+ Only, Genre typical violence, Warlord Nomad AU, Dark Fantasy AU, Enemies to lovers, Eventual smut, References to past abuse

A/N: i really hope you guys enjoy this next piece! mind the warnings ❤️

You run your tongue across your chapped lips before reaching for the skin of water hanging from a long strap across your shoulder. The liquid inside is over-warm from the sun hanging mercilessly overhead, but you are grateful for it still. 

Where are we even going?

The river had been days ago—three, perhaps four at your best estimation—and the pack had been pushing on ever since, riding out into the grass sea further than you had ever thought possible. When you had asked, your father had told you simply that there was nothing out there, his breath stinking of ale as he reminded you to keep your mind to your housework, else he would ensure you found out for yourself. And now, for all the fates cruel humor, you had found out anyway. 

You had been spared death at the river, but the same luck that had kept you breathing now also bound you to the blue-eyed-orc and his pack. You had tried twice already to sneak away in the darkness, only to find yourself practically nose to nose with your captor, his eyes bright even in the dark.

Dangerous out there in the dark, Sweetmeat, he’d said, turning you around with one huge hand on your shoulder, tapping the flat of his blade against your backside as your cheeks flamed with hot anger and embarrassment. If you’re looking to raise an army for vengeance, you should ride in daylight. Even now, your face heats with anger. You had no intention of riding to the capital to raise the alarm—even if you knew how to get there, you doubt anyone would care for the fate of a tiny village in the borderlands. 

You slip dangerously in the saddle, yelping as you grab for the reins, righting yourself. You had never ridden a horse before now, much preferring to watch the huge beasts from afar rather than subject yourself to them up close. The stallion beneath you seems to know it, tossing his head irritatedly as you pull back haphazardly. 

“I’m afraid the saddle is too big for you.” The voice startles you, and you almost slip down out of the saddle again as you whirl to look at its source. Mirthful blue eyes meet your own. “We shall have to find you a smaller one.” 

You glare at him, your mouth stubbornly shut. 

“Oh come now. Are you still angry about last night?” He makes no effort to hide his amusement. You keep your jaw locked, refusing to answer—which only serves to amuse him further. Finally, your ire loosens your tongue.

“You would have killed me three days ago,” you bite out through gritted teeth. “And left my corpse in the dirt.” 

“Aye,” he answers, cocking his head. “Yet I did not.” Somehow, this enrages you even more. 

“You hunted the others for sport—” You half choke on the words. “You ran them down like dogs.”

“What use is a lame horse, Sweetmeat?” He asks. “Or a dog that won’t hunt?” There is no derision in his words, only indifference. “I cannot ask my riders to carry that burden.”

“So you kill them.” 

“Aye.” You see reflected in his eyes the same cool apathy a wild dog might give a rabbit. “Would you ask a wolf to apologize for feeding its strongest cubs, Little One?” You bristle, but he continues before you can speak. “Perhaps because it is removed from you, you do not see it. But I have seen it. I have seen your great cities of men, and the bodies that line the ditches of their streets. There is death for them everywhere.” You want to deny the truth of his words, but they settle on your skin like oil. “Better a quick death by my steel than a slow one beneath the heel of the man you call King.”

He stops his horse, and you mirror him, watching the orc warily. 

“If you wish to return to it, you’ve my blessing to do so, Sweetmeat. May you go and die in whichever way seems best to you.” 

You are overcome with the urge to dig your heels into the stallion’s sides and take off, to cut through the swaying sea of grass like a clean blade—but you hesitate. 

Your life in the village had been one of little note and much misery; tending to your father as he sickened himself with either too much ale or for the want of it as the days ground on and on. You’d felt little sorrow at his passing, considering he’d blacked your eye only three days prior. There were, no doubt, several villagers that had escaped on horses of their own, racing back toward the mountain to warn others of the orc-pack roaming the borderlands. You suppose you could rejoin them—the same people who had watched as your father’s druken rages consumed him and done nothing to help you. 

Your skin prickles with distaste. 

“No?” He asks after a lengthy silence. “Then let us ride on.” 

You watch sullenly as he takes his place at the front of the group, the other riders falling into a loose line behind him. 

—

No one offers to help you as you struggle down from your horse when they break to make camp, and you drop unceremoniously to the ground. For the most part, the rest of the pack ignores you completely, regarding you with the same indifference one might pay a rock as they go about setting up their bedrolls and hobbling the horses. They dwarf you as you all line up to fill your water skins, and the one with chestnut hair—-the blue-eyed-one had called him Buck—narrows his eyes at you. 

“What’d you do to earn water today?” He sneers. “Get to the back. We’ll see if we have any left for you.” You dig your heels in gritting your teeth despite your fear. The protestation is there on your tongue, but before you can voice it, someone else speaks instead. 

“Give her the water, Bucky.” The blue-eyed-orc rests a hand on his shoulder. 

“Steve, she will do nothing but slow us down and rob us of our food, our water—”

“Calm, Bucky.” He holds up a hand. “The human will hunt tomorrow, and tomorrow she will earn it. Tonight, give her the water.” For a moment there is tension between them, a charged current you can’t see, but it soon breaks. Reluctantly, Bucky fills your water skin, shoving it into your hands with a grimace. 

“It was fine to give her Roth’s horse—he fell, he’s got no need for it now,” Bucky spits irritatedly. “But Tarrath’s a fortnight’s ride from here. She’s going to need to earn her water.” He frowns at you. “Like the rest of us.” Steve nods his understanding. 

“Aye. She will. Consider it half my portion.”

Angrily, you shuffle back over to your horse and begin unstrapping your bed-roll from its back. Nothing has been said outright, but you sleep away from the others, setting your roll up at the edge of camp. You know you aren’t welcome. You know you shouldn’t care at all for your usefulness, but you aren’t sure you’d fare any better wandering the grass sea alone. Your horse—Roth’s horse—stares down at you judgmentally while you wind the length of rope around his front legs, and you frown deeper. 

“Even the blasted horse,” you mutter, kicking aside a few loose rocks as you lay down the roll beside him. You don’t know how to hunt—it wasn’t as if your father had taught you, and you doubt he had the knowledge to do so in the first place. There is large bow strapped to the saddle, thus far untouched by you, and gently you undo the bindings. It is heavier than it looks, and you hold it aloft clumsily, the string biting hard into your fingers as you struggle to draw it back. 

“You won’t catch anything like that.” 

You don’t turn to look at him. 

“You didn’t have to give me your water. Steve.” He chuckles at the sound of his name on your lips. 

“I won’t be doing it again, Sweetmeat. So you’d better learn how to use that thing.” This time you do turn. He is closer than you anticipated, and you squeak with surprise as he plucks the bow from your hands with ease. “Hold it up, like this.” He draws the string back, the muscles rippling across his bare chest. “This is the sight, here, this notch.” He runs his thumb over the place where the arrow head will sit. “Come.” 

When you don’t move, he grips your hands firmly, winding them around the bow. 

“Like this, put your hand here.” His hand curls over yours, covering it completely. You’re practically trembling when he pulls away, your palms sweaty against the lacquered wood. “One last piece of advice, Sweetmeat.” 

“What?”

“Don’t miss.” 

to be continued

next

[first-edition]

Fox and the Hound

Chapter 8

Previous chapter here

Sum-Joffrey wants to send a message to your family after your brother embarrasses him, so he marries you off to his most unwanted man in his court, the hound. But will this marriage truly be a statement for an eyesore, or will it grow into something more. 

Cw for this chapter- mention of smut, mention of 18+ themes. Cussing, bathing together, mention of war, description of scarring, child abuse, sandors past, Joffrey being a little bitch, merryn trant.

Sandor stands next to joffrey in between him and cersi as a messenger has arrived. 

“Your g-grace.” the man said out of breath hurrying into the great hall as he ran most of the way. 

“Speak man!” jeoffry barks already annoyed. 

“HIs late grace, the king's brother stannis barathion is planning to invade king's landing…and t-take the throne for himself as it is his birthright.” he says panting but talking as fast he can for the annoyed new child king. 

“Where did you hear this?” cersi speaks. The man approaches cautiously, side -eyed sandor afraid of him. He hands her a piece of paper while bowing. She takes it from his hands. He backs up from the royals and waits as she reads the letter. 

“Fuck..” she says under her breath. 

“Mother?” Joffrey asks, looking up at her as she now stands. 

“Ser merryn gathers as many men as you can to begin fortifying the walls. Tell the iron mages and blacksmiths to begin preparation for incoming weapons.” she says handing the letter to her handmaiden before ser merryn bows and begins to walk off. 

“Go with him dog.” jeoffry speaks  looking up at the hound as he grumbles and then follows ser merryn reluctantly. He'd much rather have his dick buried inside of you right now back in your shared chambers. Your soft body on his as your whimpers and moans echo off the stone walls of the room as you whine out his name telling him how good he feels, but no.

Hes following merryn fucking trant out to the kings gaurd and outside the castle walls to inform all of the soon to be burning kingdom. 

“Don't be so silent now clegane. I know you're just jumping under that hard exterior.'' Merryn says. 

“Shut the fuck up. Do you want me to beat you into the mud again? " Sandor speaks immediately, shutting the other knight up. Passing through the halls you and Sansa walk down a guard and two other ladies are waiting following behind you both. Your arms are linked and you both laugh.

You wear a light gray dress, with an off the shoulder bodice that's lined with fur, the golden and jeweled accents scattering the bodice no doubt a choice from the queen. Your skirt is held in place yet is flowy. Sansa wears something similar but in a light blue. 

Sansa gives your arm a light squeeze signaling for you to look ahead and you are seeing sandor with ser merryn. You both meet at the hall as ser merryn and sandor both stop giving a quick bow before speaking. 

“Princess, my lady.” ser merryn says. 

“Where are you both off too you're never assigned together?” you speak. 

“None of your concern my lady.” Merryn speaks you raise your eyebrows at his sudden rudeness

“Well..then I hope my beloved husband will enlighten me?”you say turning your head to sandor fixing your eyes on his. 

“No. he will not.” Sandor speaks coldly before looking up at the other guard behind you both. 

“You. Go with trant to the amory.” he gruffly speaks. The knight nod and bows to you before ser merryn and him walk onward to the journey they were set on. 

“Sandor?” you ask. 

“Stannis Baratheon is going to invade kings landing and take the throne in 3 days.” he speaks once ser merryn is gone from ear shot. 

“What?” Sansa speaks. Before letting go of you. 

“Excuse me.” she hurries off her maid following her and you and sandor and your hand maiden are left in the halls.

“Are you certain?” you ask. 

“Yes. one of varys messengers sent the note.” he says 

“I'll arrange for you and I to take a ship to Volantis then.” you say. 

“Don't bother, I won't be on it with you.” he says, looking down at you. 

“W-what? Why not?” you ask, stepping closer to him. 

“I'm staying here, I have to fight on the king's orders,” he says. You scoff a sarcastic smile forming on your face. 

“And since when have you carried what the boy king has to order?” you roll your eyes and cross your arms at his stupid notion. 

“Since he married you to me.” he speaks plainly now, finding his notion no longer stupid as you drop your arms to your sides. You slightly bite your lip, a sheen of blush flowing to your cheeks as your eyes revert down quickly before looking back up at him. 

“O-oh..” you stutter out. 

“I'll have more guards posted outside your doors.” he says before moving around you and heading off down the hall to assign guards to be posted. You stand there watching as he walks away before he disappears past the corner. 

“If it's not too much to mention my lady, but, I think the lord clegane may love you.” your maiden says. A small smile forms on your lips. 

“I think you're right.” you say smiling at her before you both turn to continue your walk down the hall. 

—---

You didn't see Sandor for the rest of the day after he informed you. He was outside the wall and in the knightstand training area. Watched out to the court yard as more troops of knights marched in but sandor was nowhere to be seen. You missed him. 

You missed him until the night fell and you were in your room. He wasn't lying about having more guards posted outside the room, instead of the usual two three were now eight. Two on either side of the door and two across from your door posted on either side. Your handmaids scurried past them as they entered and exited.

“Will you draw a bath please?” you ask one of them. She nodded and left along with another to collect the contents for bathing. You sighed and undid the lacing of the back of the dress you wear. The stretch of reaching behind you a much needed one as the ache of your muscles from your night with sandor last was still lingering. 

The doors open once again making you turn your head in confusion as to why your hand maidens were back so fast. But you were met happily with the sight of your husband. He sets down his sword on the side of the door against the wall. He groans annoyingly as he does. 

“I haven't seen you all day. Are you alright?” you ask, walking up. You meet him and place your hands on  his cheeks; he slightly leans into your soft touch. Your palm resting on the scarred part of his face. 

“Bunch of cunts.” he grumbles. 

“I have the maids drawing a bath ... .would you ... .would you like to join me?” you ask. Sandor goes quiet bringing his hand up to yours keeping it placed on your cheek. 

“Okay.” he simply says. Your heart jumps at his answer. 

“I'll need something from you first.” you say. 

“Mm.” he answers. 

“Can you unlace my dress?” you ask. He lets out a soft chuckle and nods. You take your hand from his face only to catch his hand in yours and lead him to the bed. 

“When you ask me to unlace your dress, little fox…” he trails off as you sit him on the bed. 

“I mean unlace my dress.” you say turning around standing in the space between his legs. You move your hair to the side as he had come up feeling the fabric on your waist making you shiver before he truly moves to the back of your dress and begins to unlace the dress.

You feel it becoming looser and looser with each segment of lacing until it's loose enough to slip off your body. You step out of it as you bend down, picking it up and laying it on the space next to him on the bed. Left in your underclothes sandors hands find your waist again, turning you around to face him. 

He pulls you closer to him leaning his head up but not too much as even as sitting he's still comfortably level with you. His lips catch yours in a kiss feeling the softness he was deprived of all day. You moan into his mouth as his fingers dig into the flesh of your hips and your arms around his neck. The kiss is only broken when the doors open once again your hand maids arrive with bathing materials and begin to fill the tub in the corner but not before apologizing for intruding on the two of you. 

You admire the features of your husband, his scruff already growing back from shaving it thank goodness on your behalf. You sit on his lap, the hot water warming you both. His arms rest on either side of the bathtub as his eyes search you. No matter how many times he will view your body nothing will ever compare to its beauty. The moment calms him but the focus is to keep the blood rushing to his cock while your breasts are virtually centered in front of his face. His knuckle tightens the side of the tub as he closes his eyes. 

“S-sorry.” you speak, causing his eyes to open again and his grip to cease. He looks up at you in confusion. Your hands are now resting on his collar bones. 

“It's not that..” he says realizing you pulled away thinking he closed his eyes due to you touching his scars. He takes your hand bringing it back to his face somehow finding a sort of comfort in you tracing his marks. 

“Does it still hurt?” You ask him as you move his hair out of his face, your fingers brushing against his scar. 

“No.” He says 

“Good…what happened?” You ask

“I’m sure some servant has told you the gruesome story.” He says slowly.

“Yes…but..I’m asking you. What happend?” You ask again.

“Like you’ve heard little fox, I was pressed into the fire like a nice juicy mutton chop by my brother.” He says gesturing to his scar. 

“Why.” You ask. 

“Though I stole one of his toys, I didn't steal it, I was just borrowing it…playing with it. I was 6 or so.” He says you tilt your head slightly brushing your thumb over his cheek. 

“The pain was bad, the smell was worse…but…” he sighs before continuing. 

“The worst thing was that it was my brother who did it. My older brother. My father who protected him..told everyone my bedding caught fire. And my mother…wouldn’t even look at me said i was too ugly to love.” He says eyes averting from yours. It's quiet, the only noise is the crackling of the fire and the light swishing of the water. 

“I can look at you...” You say moving closer to him. His eyes make contact with yours like before. 

“...And I love you, Sandor.” You say he lets out a relieved sort of sigh before pulling you to him placing a much need kiss on your forehead.

chapter 9 here

Tag list- @stephyshadows @germansarechill

[mousy-nona]

I feel like a fic potentially focusing on Lucifer’s depression would be really interesting! That is, like.. Alastor can’t let the hotel be seen with a king (who’s a sniffling whiny bitch). Its sadly more beneficial to have him revered in this particular instance, so he’s determined to “fix” it? Idk how in character that prompt is, but I figured sending it to you wouldn’t hurt!!

TW: heavy stuff halfway through -- depression; angst.

There were some days Lucifer couldn’t get out of bed.

There was nothing particularly wrong with him. Which made it all the more embarrassing, which made it harder to explain, which made it easier to stay in bed and hide from the world, and so on and so forth…

Get up, the Stern Lucifer in his head said, sternly. You have the Assembly today. What’ll the Sins think if you don’t show up?

“Don’ wanna,” he groaned and tossed the covers over his head. The darkness was soothing. He let his eyes slip closed. Just one more minute…

“People are beginning to talk.” 

He bolted upright, his eyes growing so wide he was worried they might actually pop out of his skull.

“Alastor? What the Hell are you doing on my bed?”

Because he was. On the far edge. Sitting with his legs crossed. As casually as if this was the kind of thing regular people did every day: break into the King of Hell’s room and sit on his bed.

(Not that Lucifer hadn’t thought about the demon in his bed before, but usually it was in the damn thing and with a lot less clothes and what the actual Hell was he thinking right now?) 

“People are beginning to talk.”

“You’ve said that already.”

“Yes. Because I don’t think you heard me the first time.” Alastor eyed him, clearly unimpressed by what he saw. It had the odd effect of making Lucifer want to punch the demon in the nose and pull the covers over his head at the same time. “If you don’t get up in the next five minutes, you’ll be late for the meeting.”

“Oh, who cares?” Lucifer sighed, rubbing his tired eyes. “It doesn’t matter whether I’m there or not. They’ll squabble and Ozzie will flirt and Beezlebub will try to get everyone drunk and Mammon will drive everyone up the wall with new pyramid schemes.” 

Alastor tilted his head almost a full 45 degrees. It was disconcerting, to say the least. Was the man half-owl? A mean gleam shimmered just below the surface, turning his eyes into bloody rubies. “If you hate ruling so much, why not just give up the crown? Let someone better take it.”

“Oh?” Lucifer snorted. “Sounds like you have someone in mind.” 

Alastor sighed, as melodramatic as a soap opera. “Alas, I would – but I doubt the six Sins would listen to lil’ ol’ me.” His accent slipped from transatlantic to all New Orleans, and Lucifer found himself hanging on every word. Southern suited the demon, was just as much Alastor as the color red and his old fashioned suits.

He shook himself out of it, snorting. “Please. Try the humble pie act somewhere else. You’ve never thought of yourself as little even once in your life.” 

“Caught in the act!” The demon sang.

There was a long moment of silence as Lucifer hugged his blankets to himself and Alastor hummed some blues under his breath.

“How do you do it?” Lucifer said suddenly, and blushed, ducking his head back into his knees.

“Do what?” 

If Alastor had looked even the tiniest bit mocking, or teasing, or annoyed, Lucifer would have dove into his blankets and that would have been that. No meeting, no big Assembly, the entirety of Hell could go to…well, Hell, for all he cared. 

But Alastor seemed honestly curious. Not soft, never that, but he was looking at Lucifer as if he actually cared what he had to say. 

“How do you keep going every day?” 

With anyone else, he would have apologized immediately for worrying them. Charlie would have started crying and immediately urging him to go see someone about his problem. Lilith would have listened, but a part of her would have been writing up her list of to-dos for the day. And anyone else – well. 

He didn’t have anyone else. 

That was part of the problem though, wasn’t it? 

But because Alastor was a cold, callous bastard, he didn’t have to apologize. He could just be honest. Already he was starting to feel some of the weight fall off his shoulders, as if carrying the words around had been half the battle. 

Alastor tapped his cane on the ground. “Because I have half a doe in the fridge, plans with Rosie next Tuesday, and in a few months I fully intend to rule Hell.”

The last one caught Lucifer completely by surprise. He half-snorted, half-coughed into the crook of his arm. “Excuse me?” He squeaked. “Should I be alarmed?” 

“Absolutely not, my dear.” When Alastor grinned, there was something remarkably predator about it. “Didn’t you hear me say the Sins would never listen to me? I couldn't do it alone.”

“But then how do you intend…” Lucifer stopped, and his cheeks turned an absolutely brilliant shade of scarlet. “You– you– you don’t mean?”

“Ah, there we go,” Alastor said. “Took you long enough. It’s a good thing you’ve got a pretty face, hmm?”

“I’m married!” 

Alastor leaned forward. For one brief second Lucifer thought he was going to kiss him – but instead, he pat him on the head, as if he was an overgrown toddler. “My dear…one wedding ring does not a marriage make.”

Lucifer scrambled out of bed and tumbled to the floor in his hurry to get away from the complete and utter madman. 

“Ah, good! You’re up!” Alastor snapped to attention, bustling about as he got Lucifer’s outfit prepared for the day with the grace and ease of a seasoned valet. 

Lucifer took the proffered outfit, gaping up at the demon looming above him like – a nightmare? A dream? You could never tell which was which when it came to the Radio Demon. “Were you trying to get me out of bed this entire time?” 

“Wasn’t it obvious?”

“No!” He spluttered, his cheeks once against stained wine-red. “So all that stuff about – wanting to rule Hell was…?” He would absolutely explode if he had to complete the sentence.

“Perhaps if you get up in the next–” Alastor checked his bare wrist, no watch in sight. “Two minutes, I’ll let you know.” 

The man is absolutely bonkers, Lucifer thought, but he did pick himself up off the ground and start getting ready. For some reason, it wasn’t nearly as hard as it had been earlier this morning – not when Alastor was there to confuse, entice, confuse, ridicule him. 

Alastor walked jauntily towards the door, but paused with his hand on the knob. 

“One step at a time,” he said suddenly. 

“Excuse me?” 

Alastor graced him with his patented I have been saddled with an idiot look. “You asked me how I keep going. I take it one step at a time.” 

Then he was gone. Lucifer stared at the outfit he’d left for him -- it was his favorite suit, with gold accents and ruby highlights. When had Alastor bothered to notice?

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

One step at a time, huh? He could do that.

[things-arent-what-they-seem66]

1, 3, 39 Adamsapple pirate au please 🙏

1. “If you felt want and longing the way I did — the way I still do — I promise you’d be driven fucking mad.”

3. “You really couldn’t have been any more obvious.” “That’s because I didn’t have anything to hide. I was being obvious, because I needed you to know, without a doubt, that I love you.” 

39. “Chasing you is like chasing the rainbow… It’s impossible. You’re always slipping away no matter how fast I run after you.”

Thank you for sending this in! 😁 Please feel free to send more if you'd like! Any au you want. 😎

Adam struggled against the firm grip of the Krakens tentacles that were wrapped around his body keeping him in place. A hand came out and gently plucked his hat from his head and placed it on the ground next to the mountain of treasure that the King of the seven seas surrounded himself with. "Let me go, asshole!" Adam snarled, but he was only brought in closer to the king. The hand that removed his hat caressed his jawline from ear to chin.

Lucifer hummed as he gazed adoringly at his most prized jewel. "Never again my precious gem."

"The only reason I'm here is because you threatened to destroy an entire island full of innocent fucking people. You're crazy!" Adam tried to move again but the grip only got tighter.

Lucifer leaned in closer to Adams face, he gripped his jaw to make the sea captain look him in the eye. "If you felt want and longing the way I did — the way I still do — I promise you’d be driven fucking mad, too." He placed a kiss on Adams nose, he laughed when the captain wrinkled it and was practically cross eyed looking at his own nose. Or at least as much as someone could with only one good eye. "I've waited so long to have you."

Adam scoffed. "After what you did?"

"For the last time, your eye was an accident. Why the fuck would I purposely damage one of the things I love most about you?" Lucifer said feeling like they just kept having the same conversation.

"Right." Adam looked Lucifer over. “You really couldn’t have been any more obvious. Wearing your heart on your sleeve like that."

“That’s because I didn’t have anything to hide. I was being obvious, because I needed you to know, without a doubt, that I love you.” Lucifer pulled Adams back flush to his chest, he started to kiss the humans ear, cheek, jaw and neck. Hands rubbing up and down on his chest. Lucifer smirked when he heard Adam gasp softly, he licked a strip back up to his ear to whisper. "I searched the seven seas high and low for you all these years. Imagine my surprise when I see you working for the Royal Navy."

Adam wiggled against Lucifer, he really hoped that was a dagger poking him in the ass. "I needed a job."

"As my queen you'll never need to work again." Lucifer kissed his cheek. “Chasing you is like chasing the rainbow… It’s impossible. You’re always slipping away no matter how fast I run after you." He got back close to Adams ear. "Now that I've caught you, I'm never letting go."

Lucifer turned Adams head and smashed their lips together, stealing the air from Adam's lungs. He let his magic flow through him into Adam, if he was to rule by his side he would need to breathe underwater. When he pulled away from the kiss he watched as his magic did it's job.

Adam's brown eyes turned to gold, even the injured one was a pale golden color. Gills opened up on his neck, his skin changed from tan to a slightly more blue shade. His hands became webbed, Adam groaned in pain as tentacles of his own grew out of his back golden in color. "The fuck did you do to me!?"

"Made you perfect." And Lucifer kissed him again.

[deeptrashwitch]

Ashes of Freedom

Synopsis: An old kingdom filled of powerful people was forgotten after a war that costed so much to the people. Liberitas. Land of legends, steel and power. Two princes and the princess of the kingdom, spirits of the past that seem to be back.

They want vengance against the tyrant's cruel descendant and take back what is theirs. And nothing will stop them.

Tag list: @snootlestheangel @stuffireadandenjoy @catterdraws

Chapter 1: The past collides

For centuries, the continent was ruled under four royal families.

The first one, Ignia. Royalty of the east, recognizable for their hair so red as the forge fires they mastered during hundreds of generations, the second strongest dynasty of the old ages. All of them learned to forge, to create the most beautiful and lethal weapons across the continent. Every warrior under their command was trained to know how to fight with magic and non-magic weapons, they could fight even with broken swords or spears and their magic was reigned by their emotions.

The second one, Pra-ve, is famous nowadays but forgotten before. This royal house emerged back after the creation of the empire and the end of the war. All the power they have comes from money, the mines on their territory are the finest in all the continent, and their refineries are the most advanced as well. Even if they don’t have magic, they are an important part of this empire, they have the largest functioning port.

The third one, a name long faded. They, my children, were savages, never doing the best for their people just out of pride. Amazing hunters they were, I have to admit, but so arrogant and dependent on their magic based on the safety of earth. Our great emperor was so clever to stop them, ending their reign of blood and violence, bringing peace to their people.

But the fourth royal house, they were the real monsters. Taranis. Legends among humans, warriors without a trace of mercy and unhinged fighters. They ruled the west with iron fist, princes and princesses taught from their first steps how to fight under any condition, and they had the best naval fleet on all the continent. All of the heirs had green eyes, the story says they got them from a pagan deity itself, granting them strength and intelligence. 

During the war they resisted even with their cavalry and infantry torn to shreds. Nertan Taranis, the bloodthirst king, fought as he was a wounded animal and killed as many soldiers as he could, covering himself in their blood. The massacre just ended once a brave soldier, tired of the death and pain, betrayed the deranged monarch. He took a sword and ended the principal lineage, beheading the crown prince. 

They gave up after that, their people being less than a half because of the stubbornness of their rulers. That crown was kept by Nertan in a sign of shame until his deathbed, then his second despised son took the throne, Johan Taranis. Their legend…

-Mother, you may excuse me for interrupting your story, but I doubt it is the truth-said a man with blue eyes and black hair while he looked at his glass of wine, then looking at his mother-have you seen how king Darion and queen Lenna are? Are they legends? Surely they created those stories to cover their sheer stupidity

-I hate to give this bum the reason, but is impossible that peasants like that faint-hearted, second class kings are anything else than simple ants against our power-muttered with anger a blonde young man as his red eyes shined with disgust-Regilis Antartes should have done the same he did with the old Saveka’s royal family, execute them

-You shouldn’t underestimate such old lineage, Renkal, the books relate enormous and long battles between Liberita’s army and Galantia’s troops-interrupted another young man, also blond but with cold amber eyes, looking at the red-eyed and then the blue-eyed man-neither should you, Elric, you are the crown heir, it isn’t wise to underestimate your enemies. I’m sure that the Taranis princes would rip off your heart if they are given an opportunity

-How dare you speak so adamantly, you dog?!-snarled Renkal Antartes, the second prince, livid while looking at him-you should know by now that you aren’t on our level just to speak so freely, with an imperial prince. And you defend those Liberitas fools no less!

-Novaris, you insult me if you even think I would relate with such miserable people-commented the heir going back to look at his glass

-It’s obvious you don’t learn anything from your tutors, Markel Novaris, do you think that you have any will to talk here?-asked a black-haired woman with red eyes, standing up as she looked severely to the young one-you are nothing more than the bastard child of my husband, my son said it, you’re just a dog. Understood?

-...Yes, Empress-answered as he lowered his head 

-Never forget that-ordered before pouring wine over his head with a malicious smile-now, get out of my sight, mutt

-I salute the holy princes and the great consort star of the empire, I may go now-Markel murmured before leaving the room

He still had wine dripping down his face and hair, ruining his suit. But before he could clean his face on his own, a voice called out for him.

-Markel, wait! Are you sure you are okay?-a girl who looked exactly as the empress asked while she gave him a handkerchief-here, you really should change clothes

-Thank you, princess Kianre-said emotionlessly before walking again

-You know you can call me “sister”! We are family!

The young man didn’t answer as he walked down one of the aisles with the lights outside the window as a beautiful sight. Arachne's Palace. It was the beautiful imperial palace, an amazing spectacle to the eyes that even foreign guests ask for more time to stay in those beautiful rooms and gardens. 

But for him…it was disgusting. A gold-painted cage filled with double intentions and traps behind every corner, such a different environment than the one he met in his home. The attitude of the imperial family was repulsive, filled with rotten people, with fake smiles and twisted minds. He shook his head and continued walking trying not to acknowledge his reflection on the window, he couldn’t bear his looks after what his mom went through for them.

-Your highness?-called a man’s voice followed by the sound of steps

-Ah, Crissen, can I help you with something?-he asked, smiling to the gray-eyed and brown-haired man

-No, but are you alright, my liege?

-Don’t worry about it, it’s just another tantrum of the empress

-You should say something to the emperor, you are an imperial prince as well-Crissen said with a sigh, using his own sleeve to clean part of Markel’s face-no one has the right to treat you this way

-I’m just an illegitimate child, he won’t intervene on my favor

-My lord…

-Go back to your duties, General, I’ll continue from here

The General stayed silent for a second, but bowed down with respect before walking away. Markel started to think as he walked, squeezing the handkerchief on his hand as he asked himself why the second princess helped him. As he got inside his room, he threw the rag to the floor with hate and fury.

He doesn’t need the compassion of the Antartes family. Not now. Not ever. 

Once he closed the door, the room walls were filled with golden symbols that created a powerful light, which soon disappeared and left the room as if nothing happened. He giggled silently before it became a maniac laughter, and then it became fury. With his blood boiling he took a lamp and threw it against the wall, then an ashtray and an ink jar followed it.

He growled as if he was an animal, but then smiled once he took a glance at the documents over his desk. Just a little bit of time and everything would be ready. Then his hands let out black sparks and whirlpools that started floating around to create a strong wind which ruffled his hair. 

With a smile he started to chant in a mysterious language, until the black sparks fused and took a human silhouette. Markel stopped his chanting and looked at the silhouette with absolute respect. Then, it let out a sound that tried to be similar to a voice and slowly the place where the eyes were filled with a green shine.

-You took your time, Elder One

-My apologies, my liege, but I've been busy inside the palace-said as he bowed down towards the silhouette-even if I hate to deal with the imperial family, I brought useful information

-Before that, are you dripping wine?

-Just a tantrum from the empress, nothing to be uneasy about, your highness

-I'm sorry, Markel, if we knew they would treat you this way we would have never allowed you to go inside Fraxia. We should have kept you by our side

-I'm…flattered by what you are saying, royal highness, but I'm just a shadow under the royal family command-Markel murmured with a smile, grateful by the worry shown-it's nothing that should keep any of you awake at night, it's just wine. Also I'm here under my free will to be useful to the crown

-You should know better than anyone how much my brother hates when you say that of yourself. But I know you well enough to be sure that you won't change your mind, so let's hear what you found, Captain Novaris

-Yes, your highness-answered as he took the documents and made them float-not so long ago, during the reunion where the princes participated, the emperor showed these documents to Prince Renkal and me. These are marriage arrangements with noble ladies of our kingdom, and is asking for some exchanges

-Exchanges? What kind of?

-He wants the main port of the capital, the alliances he knows about and basically he wants to put our prince on a leash. He has the king and queen under his thumb, now he needs you to kneel against the imperial flag…just then he'll have the power he craves for

-So the emperor wants my siblings and I to be at his beck and call, huh? What an idiot

-Just give me the order, your highness, and I'll destroy everything that family could ever love under your names-asked with hate on his tone, kneeling with a hand over his heart-if with that I can secure the brighter future of our home and our royal family, then my shadows and I will burn to the ashes this continent

-Put your head up, Markel, it's not time yet to do so. It'll be soon though, I promise, and you'll be by our side when the time comes. Until then, you must remain like now, but also take care…we don't want a good friend getting hurt

-As you wish, your highness-muttered with a smile-the marriage arrangements are on their way to the capital, one of my shadows took them last night and they should arrive soon. It's always a pleasure to talk to the Whisper of the Winds, but I must retire now. I wish you joy and good riddance during Scaris honors

-Good luck, Captain, we'll see eachother sooner than you think 

-I look forward for it, Your Highness

The silhouette disappeared slowly and once it was completely gone, Markel ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. He clicked his tongue when he felt it slimy and sticky, absolutely disgusted. Then took the papers and threw them to the chimney, looking at the flames in silence as the orange color reflected on his eyes while any proof of what he did got burnt to the ground. It was just a matter of time until the princes got the documents.

Soon a creaking sound put him on high alert, with his hand shot to his belt where he carried his dagger. With his weapon in hand, he looked at the door and how the magic symbols blinked and disappeared. Markel holded his breath waiting to see who enters, ready for anything.

-You…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapters:

< - >

[adhdzagreus]

happy holidays @kaikaykoa !! i was your secret santa and here is your gift

First Sight

Fandom: Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Characters: Leander Aristides, Queen Nerea Length: 775 words Warnings: None

The king of Hydropolis has called a meeting with the head of the Aristides family to discuss matters of state. The families have always been close, the Aristides providing financial support and their intellectual capabilities to the endeavors of the royal family in exchange for social influence and authority. The arrangement suits both parties just fine as it has ensured the successful ruling of Hydropolis for centuries now. 

Today, the matriarch of the Aristides family brings the newest member of their clan to meet the king. His name is Leander, and he has just turned six. He clutches his grandmother’s hand as they descend into the palace below the waves. 

He tries his best to be brave as they pass by palace guards in shining suits of armor. His grandmother has explained to him that he must make a good impression, so he’s wearing his nicest clothes today, a green coat and purple trousers, and he has on his most serious, grown-up face. 

It wavers a little bit as his grandmother stops them outside of a large room and informs him that this is the throne room and that he must be on his best behavior because the king is inside. Leander has never met the king before, and this makes him nervous, but he nods and promises that he will. 

She opens the door, and they enter, him half a step behind her and almost hidden in her skirts. He would prefer not to be seen until he has gathered his bearings, and the throne room is large and round and frightening for the youngest member of the Aristides family. 

Most intimidating of all is the man who sits in the center of the room on a plinth. He has blue hair and a beard, and he is attired in gleaming golden scales that make Leander’s eyes water. In his hand, he holds a scepter, and his expression is even more serious than Grandmother Aristide’s. This, Leander has no doubt, is the king. 

“Your Majesty,” his grandmother says with a curt bow. Leander does his best to mimic it. 

The king smiles, and he instantly becomes far less frightening. “Phaethusa, my old friend. And who is the little one you’ve brought with you?” 

His grandmother nudges him forward. “Introduce yourself, child.” 

Leander swallows nervously. His gaze is on the ground. “L-leander Aristides, Your Majesty.” 

“Another Aristides!” the king proclaims. “This is fine news indeed. And how old are you, young Leander?” 

“S-six, Your Majesty,” he says, wide-eyed. 

The king’s smile widens. “Why, that’s the same age as my daughter! Nerea, dear, come out from behind those columns! I know you’re here.” 

A girl with her father’s blue hair steps out from behind a column with her hands on her hips. “I wasn’t hiding,” she says. 

Leander’s eyes are round as saucers at this young girl’s bravery, but the king just laughs. “No, you weren’t hiding. You were eavesdropping again, little one,” he says. “Come and introduce yourself to our guests. This is Phaethusa, an old family friend, and her grandson, Leander.” 

The girl walks over to stand in front of her father and lifts her little chin. “I am Nerea, princess of Hydropolis.” 

Leander stares at her, starry-eyed. She is the prettiest girl he has ever seen and she’s a princess. 

“H-hello, Your Highness,” he says and bows again. 

This seems to please her because she smiles. 

“Nerea, dear,” the king says. “Why don’t you show Leander to your room while the grown-ups talk business?” 

She seems to consider this. “Yes, that would be fine. Come along, Leander.” 

She sweeps out of the room, skirt swishing dramatically, and Leander hurries after her with a nervous look at his grandmother who nods in approval. This is fortunate because, between the wills of his grandmother and the princess, he isn’t sure who would win out. 

As it is, he follows Nerea down the corridor with his heart in his throat, and after a moment, they enter a tidy and well-furnished bedchamber. The walls are painted with images of jellyfish and sea stars, and a large toy chest rests in one corner. Nerea immediately goes over and opens it. She pulls out a toy sword and hands it to him. 

“We’re going to play princess and knight,” she says. “You’ll be the knight, and I’ll be the princess.”

“Alright,” Leander says eagerly. He brandishes the sword, and she nods in approval. 

“Your task is to vanquish the dreaded monster Cetus. Are you capable of it?” 

“I am,” he says as seriously as he can. 

“Very good,” she says. “I think we will get along swimmingly.” 

He quietly agrees. 

[noisydreamlandkoala]

The Queens Court

CHAPTER FOUR :THE STORY OF THE CAT AND SNAKE.

YOUROFFICIALREPIRTER@BLONDIE

Rumor has it they is going to be a battle on who gets to be king.

#lettgegamesbegin

After a bit of discussion and strategiesing Chloe had left the pair alone due to needing to head back to school as lunch period was over. Marinette had decided to not return to school, and Chloe had of course agreed. Aurora had already hinted on the queens return earlier then expected and her return to school was suppose to be grand.

"Sooo," Marinette had dragged out after a minute of silence. Both set on the floor legs crossed, facing toward one another. "We need to talk"

"You mean argue?" the blonde said . He had never been one to beat around the bush. He leaned forward with his infuriating smirk, hocking his finger on her chin. "I'm sure we can find better things to do with our time."

Color spread throughout the bluenette's cheeks. She took a deep breath trying to control her haywire mind before gently pushing the blonde away.

"Stop doing that," she hissed causing him to smirk as he leaned back exposing a bit more of his chest driving the blue eyed girl crazier then before.

"Stop what," he asked with a raised eyebrow almost daring her to voice her thoughts out.

"That," she said feverishly gesturing towards his general direction. "Your messing with my mind"

"Well it's not my fault we're crazy about each other," he said chuckling at the girls flustered state.

"We're supposed to be having a serious conversation," the girl says through her gritted teeth.

"Talk my Queen, I'll never miss the opportunity to listen to you melodic voice," Felix say leaning forward as a gesture of his undivided attention.

Marinette froze for awhile at the word 'melodic'. It reminded her of a certain guitarist. Guilt seemed to settle in the stomach, her she was thinking of another men in front of Felix, whom she could not deny her feelings for.

"You okay love?" Felix asked worry clear in his eyes. Marinette realized she had frozen for a minute too long and was not able to keep her negative emotions from being visible on her face.

"I-i don't think you know the real me Felix," she whispered eyes studying the floor. "You can't possibly be in love with me"

"What do you mean, of course I know the real you Marie," he said softly, using her birth given name. This gave her a sense of dejavu for two entirely different reasons. "I know you as you are and I love you for it"

"You in love with a facade," she shouted. "This cold ruthless queen that is not who I am, I-"

"Have a heart of gold, I know," he cuts in causing her to stare at him in shock. "Marie I've known for as long as you've been alive and that's a long time for me not to truly see what kind of person you are."

His admission caused her heart to feel with warmth, releasing a tension she did not know was there to begin with from her shoulders.

"You're the type of person who begins to cry in the middle of a ball ruin, making a scene in order to draw attention away from an unfortunate woman who had made a mess of her dress," he continues. "You the type of person who punches a grown men in the balls at the age of five for getting handsy with a teenager."

"You fight a destroy as much evil as you can and I am more than happy to fight besides you," he states earnestly. "I will follow you to the ends of the earth because I know that your heart is leading the way."

"I know you Marie and I never want you doubting my love for you ever again."

Felix's admission hung in the air. Something about it felt as pure and powerful as Luka's admission. In that moment Marinette knew she was in trouble. Both of her suitors had admitted their love for her in the purest way imaginable and she had no idea who to pick.

"He's a true cat," Tikki swooned shattering the two's peace. She had her tiny paw on her forehead, leaning back dramatically.

"Tikki," Marinette yelped at the way the kwami had exposed herself.

"What he already knows, you were bound to introduce is to each other," Tikki states floating around the boy carefully assessing him. "Quiet a fine specimen."

"Tikki," the girl yelped once again throughly embarrassed.

"He sssstill, gottt notthing on Luka thoughhh," Sass hissed making his presence known. Marinette looked at the creature in astonishment.

"How'd you get out of the box," Marinette yelped causing the snake to smirk at her, letting her know she was not receiving the answer to that question.

"Luka?" Felix questioned. "Is that his name? "

"The tale of the Cat and the Snake , a war that has been raging on since the very beginning of time, each trying to win over the heart of Ladybug," Wayzz said seemingly materializing from thin air.

"Seriously, where are you guys coming from," Marinette said surveying the room for anymore stray Kwami's.

"Who wins?" Felix asked frantically.

"What?" four voices echoed.

"Who wins her heart, the Cat or the Snake," he asks firmly staring at the beings.

"It issss/is not predetermined," Both Wayzz and Sass echo out at the same time.

"Yeah I guess I wouldn't like it is fate stripped my choice away from me," Marinette absentmindedly mumbled.

"Well let me make your choice simpler," Felix announced pulling her onto his lap, taking the bluenette completely by surprise. Marinette let out a yelp at the sudden movement.

Felix pulled her face toward his. Their lips had barely touched before another bang disturbed causing Felix to groan against a giggling Marinette's lips.

"Now now dear little sister what have I said about having boys in your room," the one and only Jason Todd said with a smirk.

"Not to do anything you wouldn't do," the girl answered turning towards her brother while trying to detach from the boy.

"Nice try but no," he said with a chuckle fully emerging into the room. "The only thing stopping me from putting a bullet between pretty boys head is you... Well that and the fact that neither of you is naked"

"Jason," the girl yelled as she finally managed to pull herself up.

"A few minutes and you would have," Felix said causing Marinette to look at him in horror.

"Careful blondy," Jason warned as he embraced his sister. "Long time no see you little devil"

"It's been awhile," the girl whispered with a hint of guilt.

"We'll discuss that later," he said ruffling her hair. "Right now special delivery."

YOUROFFICIALREPIRTER@BLONDIE

Not many know what brought the court together, when asked they had one answer. Family matters.

#Mysteriouspast

[scarlett-dunbar101]

Cast light into the shadows

Soulmate Au

Azriel x reader (part 1)

Soulmates are usually made within the same reality. It is a very rare occurrence that someone gets a soul mark for a person in another dimension. Almost all of them never find away into that world. How could they? Magic does not exist with in our realm, or so we thought. Well…. turns out you just need know where to look.

I dreamt all day, everyday of being in these worlds created by astounding books I knew without doubt I did not belong in this world. My heart ached when I disappeared into my books, only to come back to this reality. On my 21 birthday when everyone receives their soul mark, it was confirmed when I got my soul mark. “Azriel shadow singer” appeared across my rib cage, I was not long for this world. I knew exactly where I belonged but how would I get there. I was determined to find away. I spent countless hours scouring the internet trying to find away to get there.

I went to work and asked my best friend. I walked over to Jordan and whispered “ I need to show you something.” And headed toward the bathroom, she was two steps behind. Once inside I checked the stalls then locked the bathroom door. I lifted and showed her my soul mark. Once she read it, she gasped with realization. I look her dead in the face, “ I need to find a way.” she contemplates many things for a moment and says “ I may know a way. Meet me outside after work.” All through out our shift I see her texting someone vigorously.

After we are closed we are walking outside to her car. When I see a tall, gorgeous, black haired, blue eyed woman leaning on the trunk. I give Jordan a quizzed look. She holds up her hand and goes over speaking in hushed tone before beckoning me over. As I approach the women is very blunt and blurts “ I can make it happen but I can not determine when or where you will appear.” I nod “ I want to try anyways.” She closes her eyes starts this song like chant and it sounds like he voice doubles and echos inside my head. It disorients me so I close my eyes. Finally when her voice is gone and I open my eyes I am still here and she is gone. I look at Jordan with confusion and sadness. All she utters is, “ Give it time.”

I go home and take shower, decompressing from the day I have had. Once I lay down to go to sleep, it comes at me all at once and I don’t even remember when my eyes closed. As I dream I seem to fall through this endless darkness that seems to move and hum with life around me. It seems to think before an immense, excruciating and nauseating pain erupts from my back and angel-like wings begin to grow, with feathers of black and gold. I scream in pain as they finish growing. Then I feel this power flow through me that feels like life itself. This golden light erupts from every pore in my body, then disappears. Then suddenly I am yanked from the darkness and thrown on a cold hard floor, sopping wet. I look around as the whole room is silent and all eyes are on me in shock. I try to figure out how the faces belong to. I see two other girls in sopping wet dresses. One whose face is more soft, mousey I know that to be Elain, so I deduce the other to be Nesta. The hulk of a man lying on the floor with shredded wings is Cassian and Azriel with the shadows that clinging to him.

I’m interrupted when the King growls at me, “ Who are you?” I move to stand no realizing the state of my undress. Feyre moves towards me and covers me with her cloak, I nod to her in thanks. I look up at the man on the thrown and say, “ I was someone in this other world, but’ I look back at my wings and then back to him ‘ I am someone different now. I don’t feel the same, i am not the same. Better but not at the same time.” I look down at me hands. “ what do you mean?” I don’t even have to respond. Because my hands start emitting pure energy and light. The whole room collectively sucks in air. The events between Tamlin, Feyre and Rhysand have already transpired because she stands next to him and not her mate.

I stepped back my eyes darting to the door, wanting to make a break for it. I knew I wouldn’t make it far with these new wings and barely wearing any clothes . My eyes then landed on Azriel praying he could feel the mating bond, when our eyes connected. He has a sharp in take of breathe, “ it’s not possible.” Is all he said. He shows no effort to move in my direction. My head dropped, Rhysand speaking in my mind come to my side. So I moved to towards him and the King ask “ where are you going?” Rhysand’s confident voice spoke “ she is spoken for and will be coming back with me.” The King growled but did not argue. Rhys wrapped his arm around me as he guided me out of the throne room. Nesta helped Elain follow and Azriel helped Cassian.

~time skip~

I have been wasting away to nothing in my room at the house of wind. I didn’t leave, Azriel refused to talk to me or see me for reasons unbeknownst to me. Also I refused to let in the light that my body needed, that it craved so desperately. That’s another reason that I could feel myself slowly dying because I had neither of the things that I longed for, the things that made me want to breathe and see the sun.

One morning I awoke from a deep sleep to hear arguing down the hall. “ Go see her damn it, Az!” Azriel whispers something back in hushed tones. Cassian was not a happy with his response so he roars back, “ She is dying! And a lot faster than Elain or Nesta! You have a mate and you are allowing her to die!” His volume grew seeming to shake the whole tower.

In an effort to make them stop fighting, I tried to stand. Not knowing I couldn’t from the state of my body and the weight of my wings, I collapse to the floor. The pain from the impact reverberates through my body, causing me to yell out in pain.

I hear the door swing open and rushed footstep, but I don’t look up. I keep my hair in front of my face as curtain between me and him so he won’t see the tears running down my face. I can't bare to look up and not see the man I really need in front of me. I feel a hand brush my hair behind my ear and when he whispers gently and sensitively, “ Look at me.”… My eyes timidly raise to meet hazel eyes that gleam in the rising suns light.

It’s not Cassian kneeling before me…..

[safely-in-vhagars-belly]

Fire and blood (THE FANFIC!) 18+ Dark!Aemond x oc/reader and dark!aegon x oc/reader

Chapter 23: Birth.

COOL HEADER CREDITS: @) firefly-in-darkness

🔷Summary:You are the Lady Brienne Beesbury, Aegon's tutor for his Valyrian lessons. You are elegant and the beloved daughter of Lyman Beesbury, his youngest precious daughter. Needless to say, your pupil Aegon takes a interest in you, and when Aemond also takes a interest in you, things go south rather quickly. They make a deal that you are quick to accept: You will be their plaything for their dark pleasures. You just had no idea.......How far the realm would burn, and how much you all would suffer because of these choices.

🔷Author's note: Please head the warnings.

Wordcount :5000

🔷Warnings: Childloss, birth, assassins, blood, gore, angst, depression, child-birth-depression, be careful what you wish for-ism and other shenanigans MURDER GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS OF MURDER AND CRAZY TARGARYENS AS WELL AS TREASON WAAH ALMOST FORGOT THIS ONE, THIS ONE CRUCIAL ONE: BOOK SPOILERS, POSSIBLE SHOW SPOILERS!!!!! MDNI18

Many thoughts go through your head, causing a headache when you see Aemond Targaryen has returned from his adventures in the Riverlands. You thought you would never see him again, after he was sent away and Aegon married you, sprunging him. 

You are close to losing yourself once again to emotions, as you want to hug someone, anyone. You watch in silence when Aemond nods to his brother, giving a small bow out of respect. You watch teary eyed as it happens. You always wish they would get along, but not like this. Not when one is facing what could be his final battle.

Aemond’s light blue eyes switch from Aegon’s body to your own, taking in your big swollen belly while you see many emotions reflected back in his only good eye. Jealousy, heartbreak, and finally, a gentle and timid smile grows on his pink soft lips.  ‘’You mustn't be here. You must be in your rooms, resting.’’ He tells you, commanding you, as if you are still a lady and he is the prince. But the moment he hears the words leave his lips, he grabs your hands gently, lowering his voice a bit. 

‘’It’s what Aegon would have wanted. You must be kept safe, no matter the cost.’’ He starts to squeeze your hands, perhaps unintentionally. 

You become slightly uncomfortable under his hard, intense gaze and give an obedient nod. But you won’t leave your Aegon. You made a vow to him, unknowingly, perhaps, but you vowed you would be one soul, one flesh, one heart. ‘’My place is beside Aegon. I’m only leaving if he is brought to his ancestors, resting in the crypt.’’ You picture a funeral parade for your loved one, being paraded around the town when civilians look on, their brave king covered in green and gold, before being put to rest with his ancestors, finally free of the burdens of this world, a world that never fully and truly suited him. 

Aemond sighs, as you sit down on Aegon’s bed. You lean in and kiss Aegon’s forehead, which is still warm, giving you a slight comfort. He is still in there, your Aegon. You just hope you can survive long enough on your own until he comes back out. The prince speaks, before sitting down on the other end of the bed, joining you.‘’You always were a stubborn woman.’’ 

You laugh, despite your tears. But that laugh slowly dies as the cold truth settles and wraps around you as a blanket, nearly choking the joy and light out of you. ‘’It’s too much, Aemond. I can’t lose him. Not after everything we have been through. I have nightmares where my child is cut from my body.’’ You look at your belly, rubbing it. You have nightmares about Helaena too. She warns you to be careful. You won’t bring her up in front of Aemond, however.

The prince is insulted you even thought he would allow such a thing to happen. As if it is not possible that you all might lose this war, become captives and die. ‘’I would never let that happen, and you know it.’’ 

You have your doubts. There is only so much they can do. ‘’I’m the Queen of Seven fucking kingdoms, ruling over millions of people and yet I feel completely alone.’’ You confess, without any tears running down your cheeks. You have no one. Not really. Without Aegon, you are powerless and weak. These men claim that a woman is unfit to rule, why would they even listen to what you want?

Aemond’s fingers gently reach out to touch your hands that rest on your belly, holding your hand when leaning in closer. ‘’You’re not alone…’’ He turns his head, and is reminded of his brother. He drops your hands, and you feel even more alone than before. ‘’Your grace.’’ He adds with a dutiful faint smile that hurts your heart. You love him still, of course you do. But you can’t bear to love anyone until your Aegon wakes up, for you vowed you wouldn’t love another man, and you are not sure that you can love another man.

‘’He is so peaceful, almost as if he’s dreaming.’’ You whisper, gently touching Aegon’s hands and taking them into your own. Aemond is silently hurt written all over his face. Yet he nods, dutiful. ‘’I wonder what he dreams about.’’ You murmur, a bit delusional. 

Aemond speaks, whispering as well, not ruining the moment. ‘’I know, your grace.’’ He tells you, clearing his voice. You turn your head and see that you are not the only one who feels terribly lost and alone anymore. 

Just seeing him cry is enough to make your bleeding heart be cut again. ‘’You do?’’ You ask, in disbelief, your voice small, breakable.

Aemond nods. ‘’Hmhm. He dreams about the only thing that he ever wanted, the only thing that ever mattered. He dreams about something that every man should thank the gods for, that they have it.’’

He turns his head and finally looks you in the eye when speaking. ‘’He dreams about you, your grace.’’

The doors of your bedroom are opened from the otherside, and a red haired green wearing woman enters with quick, precise steps, her hands folded against her stomach and her glare judgemental when she takes you and Aemon in, sitting close to one another. She even clears her throat to annouche herself. ‘’Ahum.’’ Alicent Hightower is here.

Aemond rises from the bed, quickly going to his mother. ‘’Mother, you shouldn’t have come here.’’ He tells her in a warm, hushed voice. You let them be, touching Aegon’s warm cheeks and caressing his face. You think back of the many times he was sitting in front of you, with his nose in a book he didn’t want to read, before his bright eyes wandered to your face, listening as you would read to him.

You know Alicent well, by now. She already lost her only daughter, now she is about to lose her first born son. She pushes Aemond gently aside, and once again you hear her footsteps approach you. ‘’If the gods did not want me to see my son, they would have taken him away from me already.’’ Alicent then looks at her son, sleeping quietly, his face half blackened, his eyebrows gone and his arm that is now half metal. She does not speak a single word, but keeps staring at him, her mouth forming wordless prayers only the gods may hear. When she is finished, she lifts her head before addressing you and Aemond but barely looking at you. ‘’If you both can please join us, we have a emergency council meeting.’’

—------------------------------------------------------------

The small council room is not unfamiliar to you. You have been here at various times. The first time will always be unforgettable. You had woken up after the dinner, in Aemond’s bed, and heard your father had died. You stumbled into the chamber, and found your father with his head smashed in, still sitting his seat, still wearing his pin. Today, you sit in that chair, and you firmly believe it will be your head that will be smashed in this time.

The way Alicent smiles says it all. She has a plan to make sure that the Hightowers once again prevail, and once again that means that justice, honesty and the good will have the bow for their plots and schemes. She sits in the chair of your husband, of your king. Just her, sitting in that chair is enough to cause you worry. Luckily Aemond is here as well, although you doubt it that he would pick your side over hers. Alicent speaks, looking around the room and addressing the council of Aegon II. ‘’We are here today with a sorrowful task. My son, your king, was injured in battle, possibly beyond recovery.’’ Her hazelnut brown eyes are piercing holes in yours as she speaks, clearly blaming you for the possible death of her son. ‘’We have come here today, to choose an heir.’’ You slowly raise your brows.

‘’It was my husband’s wish to see our son take the Iron throne.’’ You interrupt her sharply. ‘’To discuss anyone else would be the highest of treason. Maelor nor Jaehaera are well enough to rule the kingdoms, you know this as their grandmother.’’  

‘’And yet your son is? You are still with child. We do not know for certain if the child born will be a male, your grace.’’ Maester Orwyle speaks, keeping his gaze lowered and his hands hidden in the pockets of his tunic. 

The weasel that is Jasper begins interfering too, reminding you all of the ancient succession laws that have been at work longer than any of you. ‘’And aside from that, the rule of succession has been very clear. You are only a queen-consort. Should anything happen to Aegon, you have no heirs with him that can take the throne. So, the throne will pass to the eldest living descendant of the former king.’’ From the corner of your eye, you notice that Aemond almost perks up at this conclusion. 

Alicent folds her hands, leaning on the table before turning to her son. You palen, following her gaze and turning your head to Aemond as well. ‘’Aemond, I know it is a lot to ask. But until your brother either recovers or dies, do you wish to take the crown and lead the kingdoms?’’ She asks him.

Aemond thinks for a moment, before giving a nod. You glare at him. This is all he ever wanted, to rule the kingdoms. He doesn't care that he has to do it over the back of his comatic brother, or you, the girl he once loved so dearly. ‘’Yes, mother. I shall carry my duty and birthright with honor and pride.’’ You slam your hands on the table.

The fragile sphere in the room changes every passing moment. Tyland Lannister comes with another proposal however.  ‘’Our king is as good as dead. He has no heirs left. He started this war nearly 2 years ago now. We all lost so much. We suffered so much.’’

A hush falls over the small council as every one of you considers the words of Tyland. ‘’We must surrender now, bend the knee to Rhaenyra, perhaps she’ll be merciful.’’ 

Several people erupt into protest, all but yourself. Aemond is the first to talk, rising to stand when pointing in your direction with clear disgust written on his face. ‘’Surrender? Are you insane? Brienne is pregnant with Aegon’s child. Do you know what will happen to her?’’ Your child will die. Rhaenyra won’t allow another challenger to her throne to live. He will die, your son. 

Alicent huffs. ‘’Nothing she did not deserve for endangering him in the first place.’’ Your blood becomes cold and Aemond has to hold you back from ripping the red curls from her skull. 

Your protests are in vain. ‘’I won’t stand for this. This is treason!’’ You look around for the other members, Criston being your best shot. He owes you a favor. Multiple ones. He killed your father, he proposed the plan that led to Aegon’s demise, and he is hand now because of you. ‘’Ser Criston…’’

But one look at him and you know you won’t have his support. ‘’The prince will make a fine ruler, my Lady. You did well, as Queen. But without Aegon, you are only our consort.’’ You become teary-eyed. He took everything from you and you made him the second most powerful man in the realm, and how does he repay you for that?

Alicent smugly smiles, trying to hide it very well but her eyes shimmer with sadism. ‘’Perhaps the Queen can be removed from the small council and brought to her chambers? She should be resting this late into her pregnancy.’’ You huff, ignoring that statement.

She turns to her son for further support. ‘’Aemond, you are our King now. Decide what must be done with her.’’ What must be done with you? What will they even do, execute you?

You growl at Alicent. ‘’I carry your grandchild inside of me!’’

Alicent is unfazed or unbothered by your outcries only proving her points that you are not well because of your pregnancy. ‘’You tried to rob my other grandchildren of their birthright. You tried to outsmart me and you failed. Yield, Lady Brienne of house Beesbury.’’

Aemond Targaryen takes one look at you before nodding, turning his gaze anywhere but at you.

‘’Yes, I quite agree.’’

This is treason. ‘’Aemond,’’ you warn him with a stern glare. Aemond ignores you as the guards surround you. ‘’Aemond, I warn you.’’ You add. Aemond simply shrugs, ignoring you. As a naughty brat you are sent to your chambers. You spent the next few days alone in your rooms with maids to attend your every need. But you are not allowed to leave anymore. Not until your child is born. Finally on the 5th day, Aemond decides it's time for a visit.

He greets you with a respectful bow. You curtsy to him before walking over to him, and hitting him so hard across his face that you are convinced that for a moment, just a brief moment, the sight in his left eye came back. He hisses in pain and displeasure as you walk back to the chair you were sitting in, and sit yourself down. ‘’What do you want?’’ You demand.

He nervously folds his hands on his back. ‘’I’ve come to see you.’’ He speaks, as if he is your lover. You glare.

And then you ignore him. ‘’Oh.  Am I allowed to give birth to my child or will you cut it out now that you are the king?’’ You remark.

He wrinkled his nose in pure disgust before faithfully kneeling by your side.  ‘’I’m only the Prince regent. And that’s the stupidest sentence that ever left your lips.’’ He whispers. He gently lays a hand on your belly. ‘’No one, including myself, will take your child from you.’’

It breaks you, shatters you into dozens of little pieces. You break into sobs, clutching him tightly when begging to not be let go of. ‘’I’m so scared.’’

You whisper.

He tries to be as respectful as possible. ‘’I know. You are safe with me. The maester said it must be a few days before you give birth, so I’m off to attend some duties in the Riverlands. You’ll be left in their care.’’ How can you be safe with him if he’s flying to the fucking Riverlands?

You grab his hands. ‘’Please stay.’’

He coldly pushes your fingers away, almost as if your touch kills him.  ‘’You know I can’t. But I will return to you.’’ He promises and for a moment you are frozen as his lips come closer and closer and finally leave a soft kiss on your hair. Aemond walks out of the room, and does not look back

.

The next morning, early, you awake from sharp pains in your stomach. You notice there is a puddle of water on your bed linen, together with blood. A sharp pain sends you into a cry, ending a long moan. Your baby is coming.

One of your ladies rushes in the moment she hears your cries, delighted. ‘’The Queen is giving birth! Fetch Maester Orwyle!  She tells another lady, as you whirt and twist in agony and pain. The pain feels as if your child is ripping your insides to shreds. Two other ladies rush up to you, with linen and begin undressing you of your nightgown. 

The wetnurses help you deliver your child, who comes into this world screaming, kicking and red faced. Your son comes into the cruel world, and you are so proud he is finally here, but mostly glad it is just over.

Your baby cries and is hushed to sleep. ‘’She is healthy, my Queen.’’ The wetnurse speaks as she dresses your child. You hear her words. That can’t be right.

‘’She?’’ You remark, beyond disappointed. The wetnurse holds your daughter, taking in your sullen expression. A she. A her. A daughter. It is  a disappointment to you. An innocent baby has become a disappointment to you, because you have become a cold-blooded survivor. A girl like her will never sit the throne.

You laugh, a little deliriously as you are inspected by the worried Maester. ‘’Aegon was so excited for a son.’’ You mutter.

The wetnurse tries to hand you your baby but you refuse the child, especially when you see one set of clear blue eyes all too familiar to you looking back. Eyes that will never open. You refuse to hold your child. ‘’I don’t want to hold it.’’ You confess, stubbornly turning away from your only child. 

‘’Put in the crib and be done with it.’’

Tears sting and threaten to fall. You are helped out of bed, before your linen is changed. You are given a new gown and change into it. You have failed Aegon. You will never have his son. He will never have his heir, and he will never rule this kingdom again. You are all sheep waiting to be slaughtered by Rhaenyra’s butchers. ‘’But my Queen, this is a cause of celebration…’’ The maester tries to cheer you up. You glare in his direction.

‘’There is nothing to celebrate. And I am not your queen. I’m no one’s. Not until our king wakes up.’’ After that you don’t speak a single word.

Slowly but surely, the wetnurses, the ladies that were ready to bestow you well wishes, everyone that came happily into your rooms, is turned to silence and leaves you alone. You close the curtains and lay in the dark, staring at the ceiling. 

‘’Shut up.’’ You tell her. ‘’I don’t want anything to do with you.’’ You confess. The baby ignores you, crying loudly. You begin to cry as well. ‘’You were my last chance. You were my final hope to solve this madness.’’ You wordlessly mumble, rocking yourself as grief and despair take hold of you. You scream it out, kicking against the bed and hurting yourself in the process. ‘’Why gods?!’’ You take a swing at the vase at your bed stand where witherflowers are standing. Flowers Aegon gave you, the day your pregnancy was confirmed. The vase shatters as your soul, into dozens of tiny pieces.

The child keeps crying.

You let her cry.

Perhaps she won’t make it.

Finally, it becomes silent.

Peaceful almost.

A calm before the storm.

And yet you can’t sleep. Your mind wonders how your baby is doing. You stand up, your steps becoming quicker and quicker as you approach the sleeping baby. You pick her up, shake her until she opens her eyes. She looks at you, before breaking into a smile. You chuckle, despite your tears. You put her against your chest and start rocking the baby to sleep. 

You saw her as a curse.

A plague.

But now you see her for who she is.

A blessing, a solution.

You kiss her head, where tiny silver hairs are growing. You walk to your favorite reading chair and sit down with her clutched to your chest, eagerly drinking by you. You smile at how easy it all goes. You’re a natural. Your mother wasn’t there for you when growing up. A fever took her. You hope that you will be there for your daughter. You want to be her friend, her mother, her guide and her counselor. You want your daughter to grow up and you want to cherish these moments. Your only regret is that Aegon is not here to see her.

You think long of a name for your princess, for your sweetest baby. You want to be her friend, yes. But she is a Targaryen. She has proved herself strong and clever already, but her name must be meaningful. It must hold importance to Aegon’s house, and sway Alicent. And just like that: You just know what to call her.

You kiss her head, putting her back in her crib as she gently sleeps. ‘’Sleep well, my Helaena.’’ You tell her, before putting the blanket around her body. 

—-------

The next time you awake, Helaena is crying loudly, alarming you. You sigh before grabbing your chamberobe and rushing over to her crib. But it's empty. You rush to the sitting room, perhaps she is there. When you open the door to the hall, you notice there are 6 beheaded men outside your room, clearly killed in combat. 

You don’t think rational when you hear Helaena’s cry again, opening the door and rushing in. You see two men standing near the windows, one has Helaena in his big savage hands. The other holds an axe, big enough to cut a tree. You rush to them. ‘’Let her go! She is innocent. Queen Rhaenyra and me are friends.’’ You demand them, but at the same time you try to reason with them.

The tiny one scoffs. ‘’Queen Rhaenyra said that you became the enemy the moment you slept with Aegon.’’ You gawk at him, at a loss for words. 

So you do the only thing you can think of. You plead. ‘’Please, she is my daughter. Perhaps my only child. She is the light of my life, do not snuff her out.’’ You beg. ‘’I didn’t kill Lucerys. I didn’t start this war! I’m a victim, just as Queen Rhaenyra. Take me hostage and I’ll prove it to you, but don’t kill her.’’ You beg.

The two hesitate, briefly. But that moment ends. 

The one with the knife brings it to Helaena’s small chest, before stabbing it right through her flesh, causing blood to spray. You watch as your daughter is murdered.

Helaena lets out one final cry, before her cries die a miserable death just as she does. Your world crumbles to ashes right in front of you as you sink to your knees, and watch as the heart of your daughter is carved out of her chest. You begin to scream and sob at the same time, but you don’t bother to run anymore. They can have you, if they must.

One of the killers moves his bloodied knife to your neck. ‘’Don’t worry lassy. There is someone upstairs taking care of your sick king. You will be with your daughter and your king soon.’’ They sent an assassin after Aegon too. At least he will be free from this misery soon. At least you will be free of this misery soon.

Until the door is opened and several armed men of the King’s guard enter the room. You are tossed in their path as a blockade before the two leave, taking your daughter’s heart with them. Your daughter remains on the ground in a puddle of her own blood. Ser Criston is the first to notice you both. ‘’Gods, it’s the Queen!’ He rushes to your side, helping you stand and quickly checks if you are unhurt. ‘’My lady, your grace? Are you unharmed?’’ You laugh, before bursting into tears, pointing at Helaena.

‘’My heart is…it’s broken.’’ You mutter, as your hands start to shake violently. You have trouble seeing as dots and worms dance over your vision, blinding you almost. Ser Criston grabs you by your hips, lifting you over his shoulders and carries you out of the room.

‘’My child…’’ You protest but Cole does not care. He carries you to the throne room, where Aemond is waiting for you. The moment he sees you, covered in blood he mutters something to the gods, likely a thank you. He rushes to you, grabbing you by your hips before holding you so tightly that you cannot breath. But you doubt that has much to do with his hug. 

‘’Ser Criston. Thank you. I assume the Prince is safe too?’’ He asks. Prince. He didn’t hear. He came so early from the Riverlands too, he must have heard it and came as fast as he could. 

Ser Arryk returns, carrying the body of your daughter, her body in a fresh new gown, hiding the fact that she was murdered. Arryk puts the child before your feet, as Aemond’s confused smile becomes a horrible ugly scowl, as he takes deep breaths. ‘’Who was responsible for this?’’ He demands. Arryk shakes his head. 

You can’t believe this stupidity.

‘’Who do you think? Who has it always been?’’ You grit out. ‘’Your sister. That whore at Dragonstone, that Maegor with Tits!’’ The surrounding nobles take notice of you saying this but you don’t care anymore. You know it is Rhaenyra, they confirmed it yourself. 

You’ll never get to see Helaena grow up, or to teach her how to sing. She’ll never fly a dragon, hold her first ball or meet the love of her life. She was robbed of it all by Rhaenyra.

Another guard drags in the two assassins, now in chains and severely beaten. ‘’The assassins have been captured.’’ He tells Aemond. Another beheaded man is brought before the prince regent as well. ‘’This scum tried to kill the King. He didn't make it very far.’’ The guard dryly comments. You nod, studying the head of the man.

You see the man that killed your daughter. You take a dagger from Aemond’s belt, before rushing at him, and slashing the assassin’s left eye open. Blood comes pouring out when he screams, but you don’t stop just yet. You drive the dagger deeply into the socket, causing the eye to completely be ruined. Then, you twist it. You rip the shirt from his chest. You make an outline with the dagger where his heart should be. ‘’May the gods have mercy on your Queen. She came for my daughter’s heart, I will send her yours in return.’’ You vow. You drag the knife deep in his skin as if he is a tree and your knife is an axe. You drop your knife before taking his own, and you carve his heart out when he still lives, cutting loose the bloodied organ. When you are finished, your hands are drained in blood and the man has fallen to his knees, dead.  You give the heart to one of your ladies maids. ‘’Give it to the Dragons. It is time they start learning to eat traitors.’’ Aemond watches, a fascinated smirk on his lips.

You do feel tired, and let him kill the other assassin with an unexpected but swift slash of his sword that ends in a simple beheading. You pick up your daughter’s still warm corpse and force her to sit on your lap, holding her tightly, feeling the hole where her heart used to be. 

Aemond speaks to you when all the others have left, but four guards remain to protect you both. ‘’Your son uhm…’’ He stutters, a bit uncomfortable. 

You break into a tearful smile. ‘’It was a girl, Aemond. She had the most beautiful smile I ever saw. Her eyes were like Aegons, bright and blue. They were ever so bright, even when they cut her heart out of her chest.’’ Aemond boils with rage next to you. ‘’I named her Helaena, after my best friend, your shared sister.’’ You tell him. He does not even listen. He walks to the doors and two guards follow him, before he disappears leaving you alone with your child.

You prepare Helaena later for her meeting with the Gods. You wrap and prepare her for her cremation, as is custom. You go to bed, sleeping in Aemond’s olds rooms, the rooms where all of this once started. The guards are in your room now, otherwise you won’t be able to find rest. And you still can’t find rest. Your soul is broken, your heart bleeds and your life looks bleak and meaningless. 

You even think of ending it all.

You have suffered and endured enough.

You have been tortured enough.

But something tells you to remain. So you do. 

Something inside of you is not done yet. Something wants to continue despite your suffering, despite your heartbreak and despite the fact that you know it can all end in war any moment now. 

Months pass without much improvement of your mental health, beside that. You don’t feel happy, you feel fine, but also empty. You feel that Helaena left a void that nothing can fulfill. You are still awake when Aemond comes to you, in one  morning. ‘’My queen.’’ He greets you, formally. You don’t look up to meet his eye. You don’t look up for anything anymore. ‘’My regency has ended.’’ That can only mean one thing. Aegon has been declared dead.

Aemond breaks into a broad smile and you feel hope for the first time in months. ‘’Your grace, it is a miracle. Bless the gods, for he woke up.’’

You are let into Aegon’s chambers, and you are confronted with your husband, sitting in his bed, alive. His eyes are open and you are confronted with the loss of your child. His lips break into a smile when he sees you approaching. ‘’There is my queen.’’ He tells you with a sweet smile. He looks at your stomach and bends his head slightly. You silently sit by his side, just taking him in.

Aemond and the other attendees leave, giving you both rest and privacy. You gently embrace your husband, burying yourself into his sweet safe embrace. He hugs you back, smiling. ‘’I am back. I won’t go easily.’’ He jests. You have the awful suspicious feeling that he doesn't know what has happened yet.

He sees your smile and caresses your face before kissing your stiff frozen lips and whispering in your ear. ‘’Now where is my heir? Where is my son?’’

a/n:

In case ya need it:

Suicide Hotlines & Crisis Helplines | Free, 24/7 Chat, Text & Phone (findahelpline.com), this is not a jab, but yeah, if you need it, use it. My mental health isnt doing so well recently, so im sharing it for that reason.

[heynikkiyousofine]

Here’s a little sneak peek for my InuKag royalty au, “Crowned Jewel” coming Jan. 29th! 💕

Stomping down the hall, Inuyasha growled, ignoring the worried looks from the staff. After dealing with stubborn guards about their new post along their southern border, against the Great Forest and having to reassure many villagers about the new precautions, he was ready for some answers. Knowing his parents would still be awake, he stormed into his parent’s chambers, shocked to see the peasant girl from earlier, seated very close to his mother.

“What the fuck is she doing here, in your personal chambers?” He barked, narrowing his eyes at his Father, who promptly stood in front of the girl. Her fear filled the room and he heard faint words from his mother, reassuring her that he wouldn’t harm her. She’s scared of me? Freezing, he focused on his father’s approach.

“Language, son. You know your Mother doesn’t like that kind of speech.” Toga spoke softly, no doubt noting the girl’s fear as well. “What goes on in this room is none of your concern.”

“None of my concern?” He sputtered, his anger rising once more.

“We will work on your hair while my husband deals with our son.” Izayoi rose, grabbing a small comb from the vanity nearby, “Darling, will you send me Lady Sango when you are finished?”

“Of course, dear.”

Inuyasha watched silently as his mother, the literal queen, degraded herself by combing through the matted hair, something a servant should be doing and the woman’s eyes lowered to her lap. Her fear morphed into embarrassment, her hands clasped tightly together and Inuyasha wanted to snarl at the sight.

His demon thundered inside of him, his emotion ranging from confusion, to shock, to fury and back again. Inuyasha needed to get a grip on the bastard, before his father put him in his place. What is going with me? It’s like I can’t control myself since she appeared.

“Father, tell me what is going on, please. Why is she suddenly so important?” He demanded, his fists clenching.

“Now, Inuyasha, please leave us be and everything will be explained in due time.”

“I don’t understand what is so secretive? What did that phrase she spoke mean? Why are you calling for Sesshomaru and the others in the middle of the night? You’re not taking her in as a concubine, are you?” He knew he was beginning to ramble, but could no longer control himself. “You wouldn’t dare do that to Mother, would you?”

“Inuyasha!” Toga roared, his eyes flashing red. Taking a step back, Inuyasha swallowed his smart remark, knowing his father would never raise his voice, unless he was trying to refrain from losing his temper. “I would never do a thing like that to her, you very well know the Inu ways. She is mine as I am hers, so no. The girl is not a concubine. She is a guest in our home and she will be treated with the utmost respect. You will do well to OBEY MY COMMAND, AS I AM KING.”

Shit, he’s serious. Backing down, Inuyasha glanced at the woman, her eyes still downcast and his mind tumbled. Miroku was correct, something else was happening.

“Darling, Lady Sango please.” His mother’s soft voice called out.

“I’m heading out now.” Toga sighed, “Come son, we need to leave the ladies.”

He nodded silently, giving into his curiosity once more, peeking over his father’s broad shoulders. Surprised, he met the woman’s gaze once more, reminding him of the crystal blue ocean he loved to visit as a child. He felt the same feeling from before, layers of his soul being stripped away to reveal his bare heart for her. Just who is she?

Swiftly turning on his heels, Inuyasha headed in the opposite direction from his father, heading straight for the monk, who he was sure would know what to do next. He was going to find out who the hell the blue-eyed beauty was and why she was here.

[heatwa-ves]

list all the blue eyed enstars go

oh my god ok. from memory I can only think of rinne hiiro niki izumi eichi and subaru but I KNOW there's more gimme a second

after some wiki searching uhhh here's a comprehensive list of every blue eyed enstars guy!

eichi

subaru

hokuto

midori

hiiro

mayoi

ibara

½ of mika

rinne

niki

izumi

sora

anzu

there are some that are kinda purply blue/indigo but I didn't count those. anyway this is genuinely tragic.... blue eyes jumpscare fr. also I was convinced kanata had blue eyes but he doesn't. I'm so sorry king i should never have doubted you.

[shaevilux]

Can you write some more on Aditya Karikalan and Nandini? I love them❤️

[Hey sorry I'm late. I think this is my last Nandhin/Karikalan fic for a while simply because I don't personally care for the ship lmao. They're a goldmine for character drama, though. Anyway this works as a prequel to my previous fic so enjoy!]

She swayed on the parapets, and he could not help but be mesmerized by the grace of her movements.

Behind her the Ponni river flowed, it's water lapping softly into the stone she stood on. Her red saree contrasted with the green waters behind her and the blue sky above her.

She was dancing, her feet bare as they moved precisely, nimbly on the narrow stone she stood on. It was an unsafe endeavour. The stone was wet and slick. Some of the stones had fallen, and the whole parapet was uneven. A stray wind might knock her off her feet if she was not careful.

But what he learned those days was that Nandhini would not allow herself any kind of elegance if there was not a semblance of danger to it. At least, when he was around.

It was less her showing off and more her relishing in his concern for her.

He knew this, and as much as he resisted her intent behind her dance, he could not look away from her feet, hoping she would not misstep.

"To what end? Do you wish to fall into the river?" He called.

She did not reply, and instead smiled as she pirouetted around so he could not see her face as she continued dancing. Her arms making hypnotic arcs, cutting the air. Her fingers twirling as if collecting and spinning an invisible thread.

"Oh, so you're tired of the kingdom calling you the best dancer in it and are seeking the attention of our river?" He shouted.

"Kaveri dances a hundred times more relentlessly and a thousand times more elegantly than I can hope to match." She replied.

"She's a river. She is vast and violent. But I'm sure she enjoys your presence, and appreciates you taking the time to dance for it. But I also hear she has poor eyesight. So, shouldn't you be in her waters when you dance, so she can feel your movements?"

"You would like that, wouldn't you, firstborn prince? For me to be soaked? How unseemly."

"Unfounded accusations. But perhaps it is not a good idea. The river is known to be particularly treacherous in this crossing. The Kaveri is violent, like I said."

"There is a difference between violence and passion, my prince."

"Nothing good can come from that passion, is what I meant."

"You, of all people, should know that to be untrue. Or do you forget why the people know your brother by another name?"

Karikalan tried to think of a comeback, but could not think of any. She had him there.

Nandhini smiled, "Ponniyin Selvan. The Precious Son of Kaveri. The river is passionate. And I can only dream of being able to match that passion."

"It was just a suggestion. I wouldn't let you descend into the water, I swear it."

"You have sworn many things to me these past few weeks. Many promises that weren't kept. But I have no doubt this one you'll keep."

"I apologize for that, my princess of beauty."

"Your sweet words hold no weight."

"But your entire body holds more than its weight in gold for me."

"You're not a poet, Adi. What you said sounded idiotic."

"You wound me. My instructor would be—"

"You're instructor is an idiot as well, then." She said, without missing a beat.

"You would call the king an idiot?" Adithya asked, smiling. This time, he got her.

Nandhini ceased her dancing, and turned around.

"I didn't mean to insult your father."

"Well, he's not here to hear it."

"I apologize if I offended you, my prince." She said, getting down from the stone.

"You can never offend me, Nandhini."

"I sometimes forget myself."

"No, those are the moments when you are yourself. And I love those moments when they happen."

"You notice them, do you? Keen eyed, are you? Waiting to see my falter?"

"Even when you falter you are graceful."

"Close your mouth, my prince. Enough."

"'My prince.' You love saying that, don't you."

"Why are you here?"

"To see you."

"You've seen me. You may leave."

"You're dismissing me?"

"If you would allow me to, then yes, I am dismissing you." She said, crossing her arms.

"Alright, my princess. I'll take my leave." He said, dejected but smiling as he turned to leave.

"'My princess.' You love saying that, don't you?" She called after him, which made him smile even more.

----

They met again a few days later, at the same broken stone parapets. This was becoming their spot.

"Firstborn Prince." She called out as he climbed down to her.

"Trespasser." He called out to her in return.

"Trespasser?" She said, confused.

"I wondered why no one ever comes here but you. Apparently this whole area is part of the royal grounds."

"And you did not know that, my prince?"

"You're telling me you knew this?"

"I do. These grounds are shared by both the temple and the palace. Do you not know who I am, Adi? Well, you've never asked, have you?"

"Forgive me, that was rude of me. I was so smitten by your beauty I forgot my manners."

"Enough with compliments. You do know of the Lady Sembiyan Mahadhevi, don't you?"

"Is that a jest?"

"I am one of her wards, you oblivious kingling."

"Kingling?"

"I was tired of calling you my prince."

"I don't think I've seen you around in the palace, no less anyone mention you."

"They don't mention me by name. I'm just known as 'the pretty one of Mahadhevi's', and I rarely come by the palace. I'm part of the temple. They keep me relatively hidden."

"Why?"

"Circumstances of my birth, I think."

"Who are your parents?"

"I only have guesses. It took you this long to ask these questions?"

"I am not one for conversations. And I confess I know little of who my mother keeps as her wards. She is known to be devout."

"That, she is. I know not what she prays for, but it can't... Never mind."

"Tell me, queenling."

"I told you, enough with that."

"I jest, Nandhini. But to think you've been part of the palace and I have never seen you..."

"I rarely come by the palace. I don't like it much."

"I can give you a room."

"You would give me a cage."

"Would you really call it that?"

"I do not want favours or handouts, my prince."

"Of course not. I am the fool to try and help you." He said, sarcastically.

"Your passions and eagerness are tiresome." She replied, matching his tone.

"So are yours."

They stared at each other a moment, Karikalan smiling.

But Nandhini was not.

"I think I may be needed at the temple. I'll be taking my leave." She said, curtly, stepping away from the prince.

Karikalan moved to touch her hand, but she withdrew it out of reach.

"Nandhini..." He called after her, but she did not look back.

------

The next time they met at the stoney parapets, it was Nandhini who started the conversation. She was in a better mood today.

"The other day, you told me I was eager for something, passionate about something. What am I eager for, do you think?" She asked.

"What we are all eager for. Freedom."

"I am free."

"Then why do you come here almost every day? Looking across the Kaveri with that longing look? What lies beyond that you wish for?" He asked.

"You pay too close of an attention to me, Adi. You're a prince. Don't you have your own matters to tend to?"

"Stately affairs are boring. My sister has a better grasp for that sort of thing. But my grandfather proposes going to war with the Pandiyas. Talking about eagerness, that is something I am eager for."

"War? Bloodshed?"

"I am better with a sword than I am with words."

"One should hope so, if what you recited to me the other day was meant to be poetry."

"You should come see my practice."

"I'll pass."

"Indulge me. I have seen you move. It's only fair you see me."

"I didn't 'move' for you."

"Yes, we all know you dance for Kaveri and for her eyes only."

"You're right when you said she has a poor eyesight. Because that means she sees me for who I am. Not for my looks. Not for my figure. But for me. I don't dance for you, Adi. I like to see your reactions, but the dance isn't meant for you."

"Would you come and see something that was meant for you?"

"Only if you would blindfold me. So I can truly appreciate it." She replied sarcastically.

Karikalan turned away, dejected again, but not smiling this time.

"Do you not like me?"

"This is childish."

"Answer the question, Nandhini."

"I do. I like our time together. But we both know this will not last."

"Would you marry me?"

"Is that what you would ask of me?"

"You are puzzle I wish to solve."

"You are an idiot who looks at a woman and sees a puzzle."

"You're different."

"Be sure to tell the other women you meet that, as well."

"I won't meet any like you."

"Because they won't be me. That's the thing about different people, you see, my idiot prince. They are all different."

"Yes. In that they aren't you. I will marry you, Nandini. And make you—"

"Yours?"

"My queen."

"Respectfully, my prince, I'll have to decline."

"Why?"

"To think just moments ago you had rightfully reflected that I sought freedom. And now you would wish to bind me."

"Bind you? It's a marriage, Nandhini. Everyone gets married. Wouldn't you rather marry someone whom you like? Who likes you in return?"

"It does not matter what I, alone, think. There is also the Lady Mahadhevi."

"She would be glad to have you marry me. Anyone would be glad."

"Then go make someone else happy."

"Why this hostility? What have I said that you find bothersome?"

"What do you like about me?"

"Everything." Aditha said without pause.

"Don't say that."

"Why not? Do you not like me the same way I like you? Do you not give me the glances that melt my insides? Do I not do the same for you?"

"No. I do not melt from a simple glance."

Karikalan balked.

"But yes, I do like you the same way." She said, smiling at Karikalan's dumbfounded expression.

"Then... Then marry me."

"How can an orphan marry the Chola kingdom's heir?"

"You're not an orphan. You're my mother's ward."

"Not all would see it that way."

"Why do you care what others—"

"My idiot prince, think! Our passions are nothing compared to the duty of our stations. I am to be a Vishnavaite. A maiden in service to Lord Vishnu. I am a woman of the temple. And you, you are the crown prince. You'll have to marry within your station. Probably to another princess to forge an alliance with her kingdom or strengthen your own. You can't marry me and I cannot marry you."

"You sound like my sister."

"Your sister sees reason, then."

"Do you not like me?

"There you are, behaving childish again."

"There you are, calling me childish again. I speak plainly, Nandhini. I don't have the gift of words. I can't bend them into song or poetry or give them meanings beyond the literal. I am not like you. So, just this once, be childish with me. Speak plainly with me. Do you love me?"

There was a long pause. They heard the storks honking overhead. The Ponni river lapping softly against the stone. And then,

"I do." Nandhini said, finally.

Karikalan smiled, and despite herself, Nandini laughed as well, calling him her idiot prince.

--

"You can't marry her." Kundhavai's eyes went wide as Karikalan told her his feelings. They were in the palace courtyard. Karikalan had been in a good mood all day, and wished to share the news with someone, anyone. So, he went to his sister.

"Why not?" He asked, undeterred.

"She's a nobody. She—"

"She's not a nobody. She's our mother's ward."

"An orphan, nonetheless. Besides, she's a Vishnavaite. She can't marry."

"We love each other."

"Did she say that? Did she say she loves you?"

"She did."

"She lied, then. You are a prince. There will be many sweet-tongued women who'd wish to get on your—"

"She doesn't lie. She didn't want to marry me, you know? Not at first. For the same reasons you stated. She also told me about my own station. Of how I needed to marry a princess. Of my responsibilities to the Chola kingdom."

"And yet—"

"And yet we love each other. That is also true. There can be two truths."

"Contradictory truths cannot exist for long. Not for us, and not for things like this. One truth will have to take precedent."

"Then, the truth is we love each other."

"Brother—"

"Don't I deserve to be happy?"

"Happiness comes second after duty. We are the heirs to the Chola kingdom, brother. We can't act as we please. We have duty. We have honour."

"I am well aware." Karikalan said darkly.

--

The next day Karikalan went to the watery stones overlooking the beautiful Ponni river. He had formulated a poem for her, and he was excited for her to hear it. Maybe she would like it, or more likely, she would laugh and mock it. Either way, he would be happy.

But she was not there.

He waited, reciting the poem out loud, practicing the tone, the cadence. He threw and skipped flat stones across the water. He sang the songs she sang.

But she never came.

He trekked to her temple. He greeted the powder boys at the steps, who bowed and let him in.

He asked the priests about Nandhini, but they only looked at him with pursed lips. They knew of the meetings between the two. It was easy to notice, and many did. And the priests did not approve in the slightest.

Karikalan left the temple, but not before stopping at the steps and asking one of the powder boys.

"Where's Nandhini?" He asked.

The boy's eyes widened, and he said, "I don't know. There were soldiers here this morning. She went with them."

Karikalan's eyes became furious, and the child shrank back. The prince made his way back to he palace, his blood boiling.

--

"Is this your doing?" He entered his sister's room without permission.

"Brother. You—"

"Where is she?"

"It was the king's order."

"You told him?"

"I told our mother. She told him."

"Why—"

"Everyone knows, brother. That you were meeting with her."

"It was never a secret."

"And it was not seen as such."

"Then why—"

"Because you wanted to marry her. Infatuations and flings are common. But to seek marriage with someone who's lineage can come to be questioned is not permissible."

"Permissible?"

"We are bound by laws. By duty."

"She'll hate me. She'll blame me. She had a good life here, as a woman of the temple. As our mother's ward. This is my doing. No... This is your doing." He said icily.

"Brother—"

"Where is she?"

"She's gone. She was compensated for her travels and more."

"You paid for her to leave?"

"It is for the best, brother. In time, you'll get over her. And your mind will be clearer."

"Clearer? It is clear right now. It is clear that I am surrounded by those who wish me well but will stop at nothing to do my heart harm. I was not even consulted. This was all conspired behind my back! No! I can't stay here. Thanjai without her is empty, pointless. Full of snakes and deceit."

"Brother..."

What is it everyone wishes of me? To fulfill my duties as the heir to this kingdom? Is that what is required of me? Fine. That is what I'll do. I'll let my grandfather know. The armies he has amassed for the coming war. Well, I am ready to fight now."

"The king—"

"Will be glad I'll be bringing the fight to them. That I'm leading the war. Duty, is it? Well, the Tiger flag will fly high. Will fly everywhere. I'll take all the kingdoms I come across. I'll keep marching on and on until there is nowhere for us to expand. But I won't ever be returning."

"What does that mean?"

But Karikalan was already leaving.