#i was just at a conservatory i like and was saying i was sad that they have seemingly zero research into the insects there or

[televenus]

being passionate about bugs is so fucking depressing i cant even mention them half the time without getting viscerally negative or disgusted responses it genuinely makes me miserable even trying to bring them up

[drunk-person]

Lys the lovely (Modern Au) P.5

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x cousin!reader

Summary: One of the most talked about gossips among the lower class servants in Kings Landing is the fact (or not) that Aemond Targaryen got involved with his cousin Y/n Targaryen when they were both teenagers. Mainly due to the fact that at the age of 17 she was sent to Old Town overnight. Some employees claim that Aemond was caught between her legs. Some say that, like her father, she had had a horrible fight with her uncle and aunt and was sent away. And other than that none of this happened, she just became interested in the course offered at the Old Town conservatory. But now five years later, Y/n Targaryen is back, and rumors haunt those who favor them.

This chapter is a part of a main story The gossip, you can find the previous chapter, summary and general tags by accessing the link.

Summary of the chapter: Aemond and Y/n decide to escape for a moment alone in the most isolated place they know, but the world outside keeps turning.

Warnings of the chapter: 18+ mdni! Fluff, summer things, light alcohol consumption, couples trip, slight codependency, no description for reader.

Word count: 12.500 k

A/N: I hope you like the new chapter, I'm very happy and grateful for all the dear people who commented on the previous chapter, thank you very much, your comments inspire me! Comments and suggestions are welcome 💕

A/N²: I listened to several songs while writing this chapter, Summer Time Sadness by Lana was one of them, but one that really hit me and I listened to a lot was Little Talks of Monsters and Men, maybe you think it fits. I hope you enjoy the new chapter. 💕💕

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"Hey hey kings landing, Floris Baratheon showed up alone at the opening of Lyana Blackwood's restaurant. Apparently when they asked her about Aemond Targaryen she didn't seem very happy, and some even said she rolled her eyes at times when talking about him. Could it be that our once unshakable couple is going through problems?"

❦❦❧

The company was almost completely deserted when Aemond and Y/n went down to the parking lot, which was a good thing since the appearance of both of them was not what could be called presentable. Y/n's hair, previously perfectly tied in a bun with braids, was completely loose and with the braids coming out of the sides, her clothes were completely wrinkled and her legs were still trembling.

Aemond wasn't in much better condition, with his hair messy and his clothes disheveled, but the smile was constant on his lips. The older man rested his jacket on Y/n's shoulders, since the blouse was sticking to her sweaty skin and marking her beautiful breasts that belonged only to his eyes. She just smiled at him brightly as they rode in the elevator.

-I can't wait for us to be alone in Lys. - Y/n's excitement was visible as she got into the car, already taking off her heels and putting them in the bag, and also Aemond's jacket, hanging it on the seat.

-Do you know that since I left I haven't been to the beach anymore? I've missed the sea a lot. - The smile was constant as she spoke, it was almost that same innocent smile from childhood when they both discovered something new that excited them both.

Aemond felt almost physical pain hearing her say that with such joy. Every time he stopped, even for a second, to think about everything she had lost in the last few years, he felt bile rising in his throat with the guilt of not having done anything to stop it.

He knew there was more to it than Y/n was telling him, that she wasn't as okay with all of this as she seemed, but the idea of ​​pressuring her to talk without knowing if she was ready didn't seem right to him, and in the end, he didn't even know if he was ready to talk about everything that happened that night and in the five years that followed. He just wanted to see her happy, and be happy by her side.

-I heard there's a luau on the beach that's beautiful. - Y/n sighed, crossing one leg over the other and leaning towards Aemond. - We can watch the stars together.

-It's going to be wonderful. - He smiled sideways and gently squeezed her thigh. The oldest was driving while Y/n chattered excitedly about everything they were going to do at the weekend and looked out the window observing the city at night. Little by little, her brow furrowed as she observed the path that was visibly different from the one they had taken earlier.

-Where are we going, Aem? - Her voice was curious as she looked at him expectantly.

-Well, if we're going to take the weekend off to spend time together… let's make the most of it. - He shrugged, looking at her while stopping at the traffic light. - I'm going straight to the airfield.

-You swear? - She smiled excitedly and Aemond nodded.

-We'll take the jet from there and be in Lys in 2 hours at the most.

Aemond was giving that simple side smile as he said this, and Y/n jumped on him distributing kisses on his neck and cheeks, she only stopped when they both heard a horn and noticed the green light of the traffic light invading the car. He just rolled his eyes and huffed while Y/n laughed returning to her seat. The remaining path was not very long with the Aerodrome being located south of the city near Rhaenys hill, Aemond just stopped at a pizzeria on the way at Y/n's request and picked up a pizza to take away.

-Mr. Targaryen. - The pilot greeted Aemond respectfully as they entered. - Going to a business meeting?

The man's gaze changed instantly and he had to force himself not to choke when he saw Y/n next to Aemond.

-Not today, Captain White. - Aemond approached the man with a serious gaze. - I'm going to Lys with my cousin, and I would like your utmost discretion regarding this.

Faced with Aemond's completely serious tone, the man just nodded, avoiding looking at the two any longer.

-And when do you plan to return? - He still looked away as he questioned his boss.

-You can pick us up on Sunday night.

-Yes, sir. - The older man said, already going to prepare things for takeoff and leaving them alone.

-I know I already said that I love your business voice, but I'll say it again. - Y/n smiled, hanging onto Aemond's neck now that they were alone. - I love your business voice.

Aemond just gave a sideways smile and pulled her closer by the waist, leaving a peck on her soft lips, and then pulled her by the waist in the direction of the hangar.

A few minutes later, they were both already settled inside the private jet Targaryen just waiting for takeoff without suitcases, without giving any satisfaction. Just the two of them, without anyone else knowing.

After the jet took off and was stabilized, the two took off their seat belts and sat in front of the television with Y/n pulling the pizza box while Aemond took the TV control.

-No movies with historical drama. You know I hate sad endings. - Y/n protested, snuggling closer to Aemond. - Remember when they showed a movie about the story of Elia Martell in ancient history class? I cried like a baby!

-You were sad for days. - The oldest threw his head back laughing at the memory.

-That's not funny! - Y/n rolled her eyes. - Our stupid ancestor destroyed that poor girl's life.

-So, no Rhaegar as possible names for our future child? - He frowned, teasing her.

-No. Never. - Y/n replied smiling, until she opened the pizza box.

-Aemond I can't believe you ordered ham with pineapple pizza. - She pushed his shoulder, making him smile.

-It's delicious. - He shrugged as he reached into the box, taking a bite out of it.

-It's disgusting. - Y/n grimaced as she watched him eat a slice of pizza with the greatest amount of grace she had ever seen in a human being.

-Haven't you lost your childish taste yet? - He cocked his eyebrow ironically.

-First, I don't have a childish taste, this is just a matter of civility. - She pulled the pizza box back towards her. - And second, if that freak you dare call pizza has passed flavor to my cheese half, I will definitely kill you.

Aemond just smiled, rolled his eyes and pulled her by the shoulder closer to him while he selected any movie from the available menu.

The rest of the trip was short, since Kings Landing wasn't that far from the free cities, and the two took advantage of the time to just lie down together in one of the plane's seats while they talked and laughed. Aemond stroking Y/n's hair, and she clung to his chest as if he were going to disappear.

-Did you know that I always dreamed about that?- Aemond whispered against her ear and Y/n felt her chest heat up. - Since the day I started working in that room I dreamed of you sucking my dick like that.

-Really? - She rested her hands on his chest and raised her torso to look him in the eyes, and Aemond just murmured in agreement, nodding his head positively. - I left you a good memory then. - Y/n smiled smugly as she caressed his chest.

-You were horrible at this before. - He chuckled, rolling his eyes.

-You said I was great. - She hit his chest, now offended.

-Because I had never been sucked before in my life. But being able to compare your current self with your 15-year-old self, I can say that you were horrible.

-I should have bitten you. - She growled, hitting his chest. - I'll never suck your cock again in my life.

-We both know that's a lie. - He smiled ironically, grabbing her arm and pulling her in for a kiss.

-Am I good now? - She asked, resting on his shoulders and looking at him.

-So fucking good. - He murmured against her lips, still smiling mischievously, making her blush slightly and kiss him once more.

Y/n laughed and distributed kisses on his neck, chin, jaw and jaw, with Aemond pulling her closer and kissing her on the lips.

-We look like two rabbits in heat. - Aemond spoke between kisses and Y/n laughed, tucking her head into the crook of his neck.

-That's because we miss each other so much. - She kissed his jaw.

-We've been like this since we found out we could have sex. - He raised his eyebrow at Y/n and she just laughed, burying her head even deeper into his neck, making Aemond pull her by the jaw for another kiss.

-Did you touch yourself thinking about me? - He asked maliciously against her lips and Y/n nodded anxiously.

-Almost every night. But it was never enough, I missed your fingers, your cock so much. - She pointed out, leaving kisses on Aemond's marked jaw and sighing against his skin.

-Touch yourself for me. - He asked against her strands of hair, practically rubbing his own body against Y/n's. - Just like you did in the past, let me see you touch that cunt, and then I'll give you all the pleasure you want.

And Y/n did, just like when they were first figuring out how to pleasure each other as teenagers, she lay back against the couch and spread her legs before him, languidly touching herself as she cried out Aemond's name. And when she finally came against his fingers, whimpering for him, Aemond kissed her and made good on what he had said.

After spilling himself inside her for the third time that day, Aemond lay panting over Y/n's tired body, trailing soft kisses all over her collarbone. He had forgotten how good sex could be, not just any sex, sex with Y/n. It had been so hard to stop, and now he was addicted again, it was like he was 17 again and all he could think about was fucking her, being inside her, kissing her whole body.

In the years that had passed, he had never felt desire for any other woman, at most he had used his own hand to pleasure himself while looking at that damn polaroid of Y/n naked and smiling lazily between the sheets. But he felt no relief because what he really wanted was her, the warmth of her arms, the sweetness of her words whispered in his ear, the wonderful taste of her lips that drove him crazy. And now he had all of that back and he couldn't stop.

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In Kings Landing Mayane Dancil had barely closed the door after arriving home from a long day of work and her niece had already jumped on her telling her about what had happened in the store earlier while she told her about what she had seen in Aemond's apartment.

-Didn't you tell his mother? - Milla asked in shock.

-But of course not! - Her aunt answered promptly, as if that were the most obvious thing in the world. - We don't meddle in the bosses' affairs Milla, you should know that by now.

-It's one thing to gossip among ourselves about what they do, it's another to let them know what we do. - The older woman was very serious as she said those words. - What do you think Aemond Targaryen would do to me if he found out that I was telling his mother what was going on inside his house?

-Most likely I would put you out on the street. - The girl answered somewhat embarrassed while looking at a potted plant as if it were very interesting.

-Worse than that, it would guarantee that I would never get a job again. - She sighed and looked at her niece. - Do you know why I work for both brothers?

The youngest just shook her head at the question.

-Mrs. Hightower helped me get the job because she wanted me to tell her everything her children do. - The woman spoke in a whisper, as if Alicent could hear her. - But I never told her anything significant because I'm not stupid enough to think that woman would protect me from the wrath of her children if they found out something like that.

-Never forget our position, Milla. - Her aunt's voice was serious, but softer as she tucked a strand of hair behind her niece's ear. - We can have fun gossiping about their lives, but we can't interfere in the games they play.

-You saw what happened to Joy today, she almost got fired for talking too much in front of Floris Baratheon. - The oldest caressed her niece's hair. - Don't make the same mistake she did.

Almost immediately after she finished speaking, the cell phone rang on the screen, the name flashing brightly.

Mrs. Hightower

Mayane shivered and signaled for her niece to be quiet as she answered the phone using the most polite voice she had.

-Good evening Mrs Hightower, is there any problem? - Mayane held her breath after speaking.

-Whether there was anything strange in your son’s apartment today? - She raised her eyebrows at her niece as she spoke to the woman on the phone. - Everything exactly as always, ma'am, Mr. Aemond is a very organized young man.

-Yes, I'm sure. - She shook her head without even realizing it while she was lying. - Good night ma'am.

When the call ended, the woman finally started breathing normally again.

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Alicent knew that the maid was lying, she knew that it was impossible that she had not seen anything, but she could not force her to tell the truth.

-What are we going to do, father? - Her eyes were closed as she faced Oto.

-Are you sure about what you are talking about, Alicent? - The older man walked around the room with a thoughtful look.

-If this is true, we will need to intervene as soon as possible. For his sake and mine, the elections are coming up and it will not be well received by the party if it comes to light that my grandson has been involved with a cousin. The opposition will descend on this like the vultures they are.

-I don't know what else to do to keep him away from her. - Alicent's eyes were bloodshot as she picked at her cuticles. - He doesn't listen to me, and Viserys won't do anything about it.

-We will appeal to Aemond's ambitious side. - Oto poured two fingers of whiskey into a glass as he paced the room with calculated movements. - Remember what I told you at the last party meeting? It's still in his favor. If Aemond wants to take advantage of this opportunity, he'll have to distance himself from her.

-And if that doesn't work? - Alicent squeaked, looking at her father in exasperation.

-Then we'll go down the path of his loyalty to the family. - Oto smiled reassuringly at Alicent. - She may even have some power over him, but Aemond would never do anything that would harm my campaign or the name of the entire family.

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Y/n and Aemond fixed their disheveled appearance before exiting the jet, both with satisfied smiles on their faces as they walked down the stairs on the Lys runway. She decided to leave her hair loose, which now fell wildly down her back, much to Aemond's delight, who loved to see it loose.

As soon as they entered Lys Airport, they were guided to a counter where they were supposed to leave any electronics that could record images. Aemond had already left his cell phone and other belongings in the trunk of the car, and Y/n's cell phone had been forgotten in the hotel room for two days. After that, they went through the X-ray and were allowed to enter the country without any major problems.

-What hotel are we staying in? - Y/n asked after getting into the black car that was waiting for them at the exit of the airport at Aemond's request.

-Aegon said he came here once and stayed at the Lotus Flower, but I don't know if it's reliable considering the source. - Aemond said laughing and sitting very close to Y/n in the back seat while the driver remained silent until he was told to drive to the main streets, where the two got off at a busy square with a beautiful water fountain in the center and started walking.

The night in Lys was beautiful, Friday night and everyone was in the streets partying even though it was quite late. There were bars and restaurants packed with people having fun, and Y/n and Aemond just walked with their arms around each other smiling on the sidewalk and watching everything. People didn't have cell phones, cameras, or Internet in that part of the island, they were just themselves. They were just dancing, shouting, being silly, not caring that the next day all of this would be ruining their lives online.

Minutes later the two spotted a bar that was playing fun music and they both decided to go in to have a drink together before finding a hotel. The two drank about three drinks and the conversation that was already flowing naturally between them became increasingly excited as they talked a little more loudly and exchanged kisses, feeling loosened by the alcohol.

Aemond felt free. There was no one watching him, no one waiting for a slip to judge him, he was so mixed in among the people that no one gave a damn about who he could be. In Westeros, anyone who laid eyes on him would know he was a Targaryen by his hair, but in Lys… he was just another silver-haired guy, just like the bartender and half of the male population of the island. And taken by this thought and the extra confidence of the alcohol, he pulled Y/n by the hand to the dance floor.

Y/n didn't even blink, just threw her head back laughing as she went with him towards the dance floor.

-I hate this song. - She whispered in his ear while biting his ear.

-Yeah, but you're going to dance with me anyway. - Aemond pulled her firmly by the hip.

-Why? - She questioned him with her eyes shining.

-Because I'm asking. - He murmured against her lips.

-Egocentric. - Y/n sighed, kissing him on the lips once more.

The two then pressed their bodies together, smiling as they danced to the lively melody, slightly drunk on alcohol and joy, spinning and jumping around the dance floor amidst other couples without anyone stopping to look at them as if they were a tourist attraction.

The hours passed without them noticing, and both of their feet ached from exhaustion.

-Want to go find a hotel? - Aemond spoke in a slightly louder voice to stand out over the loud music after a few dances and a few more drinks later.

Y/n just nodded, laying her head on his shoulder, completely exhausted after the long day. The older man guided her by the waist to the exit to get to the car once again.

-Take us to a good hotel. - Aemond asked the driver while Y/n lay against his shoulder and closed her eyes, her hair falling in front of her face with the action.

It didn't take them even five minutes to arrive at a beautiful hotel facing the sea with a beautiful flower garden around it. And Aemond smiled softly when he noticed that Y/n had fallen asleep on the short car ride, and without thinking much he just picked her up in his arms and carried her into the hotel with ease while the youngest just snuggled in his arms.

-Only the honeymoon suite is vacant, sir. - The receptionist said after checking the system.

-Excellent. We will keep it. - He smiled slightly drunk, taking the key card between his fingers without letting go of Y/n who was still sleeping snuggled in his arms and heading towards the elevator.

When he got to the room he gently placed her on the bed with soft sheets and took off her sandals and clothes, smiling sideways as he admired her naked body. Aemond opened the door of one of the closets and took out a light pink silk nightgown and carefully put it on her, then laid her on the bed once more, leaving a loving kiss on Y/n's forehead.

Then he, equally tired, took off his own clothes, getting naked and lying down next to her, pulling her towards him and hugging her from behind, snuggling, putting his head in the gap of her neck and falling into a deep sleep soon after, completely relaxed as he was holding onto Y/n.

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Without a single worry in mind, the two slept almost halfway through the day, tightly holding onto each other while forgetting that there was a world outside.

Aemond, as almost always happened, woke up before Y/n and with a side smile he distributed kisses on her exposed neck, who just groaned and buried her face in the pillows.

-We need to get up if we don't want to waste the day. - He whispered in her ear, pulling her towards him while Y/n buried her face in his bare chest.

-Your feet are cold, Aem. - She grumbled as she snuggled even closer to him.

-Mnmm. - He just murmured and nodded, stroking her unruly hair.

-Give me ten more minutes and I swear I'll be ready to get up. - She begged against his neck with her voice hoarse from sleep, and Aemond, after a smile, got up, leaving a kiss on her back and heading towards the large bathroom.

Without Y/n with him, the shower was slightly quick, and when he came out with the towel wrapped around his waist, he noticed that neither he nor Y/n had any clothes for the day, since they hadn't even bothered about it when they left the day before. And with a sigh, he put on the hotel's fluffy robe and called the reception to request clothes from the hotel store in his and Y/n's sizes.

Almost immediately after Aemond hung up the intercom, Y/n stood up lazily and left a kiss on his jaw as she headed towards the bathroom to take a shower and start the day.

Aemond was sitting in an armchair, smiling as he heard Y/n hum softly during her shower, and he almost didn't notice the soft knocks on the bedroom door indicating the arrival of the clothes he had ordered.

After the second knock, he got up to open the door and receive the two orange bags with the hotel's crest engraved on them. And as soon as he closed the door and looked at the contents of the bags, he knew he was in trouble.

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-I won't use this even if I die. - Y/n said, wrapped in a towel, holding it tightly against her chest as she shook her head in disbelief at the sight of the clothes.

-Why not? - Aemond asked, holding the white shirt in one hand and the orange pants in the other. He knew the answer, but they were still the only clothes he had gotten.

-Because it's ridiculous! I'd rather go out naked than wear this, Aemond! - She frowned slightly, laughing at the clothes that were on the bed.

-It's not an option, dear. - He said, furrowing his eyebrows with a roguish smile and pulling her towards him by the waist.

-You can't make me wear those clothes. - She rolled her eyes, putting one hand on his shoulder while holding the towel against her chest with the other.

-No one will see you wearing this. - He chuckled against her hair. - I assure you, I'm not much happier with this than you are, Your Highness, but we don't have much of a choice.

-Aem… - She looked him in the eyes, pouting, and Aemond just bit her lip and pulled it.

-Let's go to a store after here and we can both choose something. - He smiled against her lips, squeezing her tightly around the waist. - If you're good, I can even let you choose my clothes.

– Do you swear? - She raised her left eyebrow, staring at him.

-I swear. - He murmured against the shell of her ear, making her feel goosebumps.

-Then let's get on with it, because if you stay this close to me, we won't be leaving this room any time soon today. - She smiled, pushing him away from her while pulling the clothes off the bed.

As soon as she put on her clothes and turned towards the mirror, Y/n burst out laughing and Aemond couldn't help but laugh softly along with her when he saw himself in the mirror's reflection. Both dressed identically, wearing white cotton shirts and bright orange plain baggy pants.

-We look like two inmates, Aemond. - Y/n writhed with laughter, looking at herself and him. - Didn't they even have shorts?

-They were missing. - Aemond scratched his head as he smiled and admired Y/n so smiling, wearing the ugly hotel clothes and with her hair still damp from the recent shower. - Let's go down or we won't enjoy the day at all.

-I look even worse than you wearing the necklace. - Y/n said as Aemond grabbed the wallet from the sideboard, then pulled it towards him and they both walked out the door still laughing.

-I already know! - Y/n exclaimed, stopping walking and staring at Aemond with wide eyes. - We were arrested because we stole the necklace! - She laughed, throwing her head back and laughing at her own joke, making the older man laugh too, but more restrainedly than Y/n, while holding her close to him.

Upon arriving at the reception, Aemond, now sober, rented a car to they could easily get around the island, a beautiful moss green convertible with retro-looking leather seats. And Y/n couldn't help but tease him about the fact that he was renting a completely classic car on a tropical island, making him smile sideways as he started the car.

-Ok, you can choose the store. - The eldest murmured, gently squeezing Y/n's knee, driving along one of the island's main streets with a smile while her silver hair flew in the gentle wind breeze.

-Gimme a moment. - She smiled, carefully analyzing the stores through the window. The brands were very different in Lys and she didn't know many, only the most famous Love & Grace, but she didn't see it there. And with a smile she asked Aemond to park after seeing a dozen beautiful dresses and other summer clothes in a simple display case.

-You better get ready to keep your promise because today you're going to be my personal model. - She practically bounced when she got out of the car, even briefly forgetting about the ridiculous clothes from the Hotel.

For a moment, as he got out of the car, Aemond looked around, afraid that someone would see them together acting so passionately, or that someone would see him wearing those clothes. But then he remembered where he was and smiled at Y/n, taking her hand in his to cross the street together.

-I told you I could choose an outfit. - He protested and pulled her closer to him, putting his arm around her back and holding her by the waist as they crossed the street.

-I’m pretty sure I heard clothes in the plural. - Y/n hummed. - And don't even try to fool me, Aemond Targaryen, I know you too well for that.

Aemond just smiled and placed a kiss on her hair. As soon as the door opened and they both entered, the store attendant chuckled and looked away slightly when she saw the two, and Y/n just looked at Aemond and curved her eyebrow as if to say "I told you so!" and the older one, in return, just pouted and shrugged in an almost audible gesture of "What can I do?".

And letting go of Aemond, Y/n went towards the smiling attendant who immediately tried to be serious.

-Good morning, I would like to try on the dresses that are on display in your window. - Y/n said, smiling friendly as she leaned over the counter. And the young woman, without looking her in the eyes, nodded positively, already heading towards the window to see what the pieces were, tripping on the way and regaining her balance while holding on to the counter.

-It's okay to laugh. - Y/n smiled again towards the attendant when she noticed the girl's nervousness. - We know we look ridiculous. - She made a face, pointing at her own clothes in a relaxed manner, and the girl smiled a little as she asked Y/n's size.

-What's your name? - Y/n asked as she looked at some clothes and Aemond had to hold back a smile, she hadn't lost her chatty manner.

-Arlie, miss.

-It's a very pretty name if you want to know. - She smiled at the girl as she pulled out two shirts that Aemond strongly suspected were for him.

-Ahem, let's go to the fitting room. - She pulled him by the hand, confirming his suspicions. - Try these on and I'll bring you some more.

The relief Aemond felt when he took his clothes out of the hotel was fleeting when he put on the shirts Y/n gave him.

-I brought black shorts out of respect for your goth side. - She said as she hung the shorts on the dressing room door and waited for him to come out already dressed.

-Speaking of which and paraphrasing you earlier today. - He paused dramatically and opened the dressing room door, coming out with the black shorts and bright yellow shirt. - I'm not wearing that shirt even if I'm dead.

He looked at her very seriously and Y/n burst out laughing at the same time, holding on to the door frame of the dressing room as she looked at him, making Aemond raise his eyebrows.

-I didn't expect you to use it. - She looked at him, still smiling. - That was just personal revenge for making me wear that. - She said pointing to her own clothes, and the older man, rolling his eyes, ripped the shirt off his head and threw it over her, making her laugh even more.

-I'm going to regret letting you do that…

-Okay, okay. - Y/n interrupted him with pleading eyes. - I'll be good now, I promise. - And when she kissed his fingers as she said that, Aemond felt like a string was pulling at his heart, and shaking his head negatively, he brought his hand to the back of her neck and pulled her in for a sweet, soft kiss before returning to the dressing room, leaving Y/n standing there smiling and looking at the door.

-I'll be much nicer now. - She spoke loudly, returning to the store's hall, making the older man smile to himself inside the fitting room as he waited for more clothes.

About forty minutes later, Y/n had already chosen clothes for herself and was just watching Aemond try on his with a look that mixed between pure love, desire and genuine happiness as he changed looked at the pieces with that serious and firm look directed at her, smiling every now and then as they talked.

-You're lucky we don't have much time to waste. - Y/n bit her lower lip as she admired him wearing the looks she put together, already dressed in a beautiful flowing lilac dress and wearing a green bikini underneath. - Or we would stay here forever.

-We already have more than enough for today and tomorrow. - He pulled her by the hips close to him. - Are you satisfied?

-For now. - She gave him a quick peck on the lips and pulled him by the hand towards the cashier, while Arlie passed the clothes. Y/n smiled when she saw a pair of black sunglasses that she knew would look perfect on Aemond. And still smiling, she turned him towards her with her fingertips and placed the glasses on his face, sighing at the result, making Aemond roll his eyes.

-I think it's fair that I at least choose your sunglasses. - He murmured, smiling sideways and Y/n agreed, narrowing her eyes.

-No funny business, sir.

Aemond rolled his eyes, choosing a nice pair of glasses that matched his own and placing them on Y/n's face.

-Excellent taste. - She smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror and Aemond just shrugged with a slightly shy smile as he paid the bill, making her smile even more.

-Bye Arlie, I hope you have a good day of sales. - Y/n waved to the attendant as the two left the store with their various shopping bags.

As she put the bags she was carrying in the trunk of the car, Y/n raised her eyebrows slightly when she noticed that Aemond had put their ugly hotel clothes in a bag from the store, but she ended up not asking him anything when she felt a soft kiss on the back of her neck as he closed the trunk and guided her by the waist towards the passenger seat.

-Where to now? - He smiled, squeezing her thigh as he maneuvered the car.

-I saw a lovely restaurant in front of the beach a few meters back. - She smiled, looking at him. - We can eat and then stay at the beach.

-Sounds really good to me. - Aemond then looked away at Y/n's body and smiled slightly. -This dress looks like the one you wore to my graduation.

-Do you remember? - She looked down analyzing her own clothes with a stupid smile on her lips.

-How could I forget, you were so suspenseful about this that it seemed like it was already our wedding day. - Aemond rolled his eyes with a smile. - And then there you were, more beautiful than any of the graduates sitting in the front rows, waving at me and smiling. I felt like it was more worth being there to admire you than for anything else.

Y/n's heart melted as she heard Aemond describe the way he remembered her that night. And with a smile she placed her own hand over his hand that was on her thigh while he drove and squeezed it gently in affection.

It didn't take them five whole minutes to get to the restaurant, and it really was lovely. With a beautiful bouquet of purple Bougainvillea climbing up the columns and tiles of the porch, making the place cozy and colorful, and several wicker tables and chairs spread across the polished wooden floor.

Aemond pulled out a yellow wicker chair for Y/n to sit on and after she did so he placed a kiss on her hair as he pulled out a chair for himself, sitting next to her and already picking up one of the menus on the table and analyzing it.

They both ordered salmon, but Y/n opted for a Mediterranean salad without onions while Aemond chose something with more green leaves. The lunch was light and peaceful with the two laughing and talking as they shared food from each other's plates even though they had ordered almost the same thing.

And after paying the bill, the two finally went towards the beach, which was empty in that part, but there were still some people talking or sitting in the kiosks, far from the privacy they both wanted.

-We can go to a more secluded place. - Aemond suggested. - We'll take a snack and have a picnic later.

Y/n's eyes lit up at the suggestion and she nodded, pulling Aemond by the hand towards a wooden kiosk covered with straw.

Aemond bought a wicker basket while Y/n chose some things they could take to eat, and in the end she ended up with fruit juices, two sandwiches, a bowl with a mix of strawberries and cherries and some crab cakes.

-Apparently they don't sell lemon cake in beach kiosks. - Y/n rolled her eyes as she put everything in the basket under the watchful eye of Aemond, who just smiled sideways at her.

The two walked and talked for what seemed like hours, until they reached a completely empty and quiet beach. Only the sound of the waves and their voices interrupted there, and with a smile Y/n spread the aqua green linen blanket that Aemond had recently bought on the sand for them both to sit on.

-Gods i missed this so much. - Y/n smiled as she felt the cool sea breeze against her face.

-You just stayed in the conservatory all the time? - He bowed his forehead. - Not allowed to go out?

-We had guided "tours" into town once every two months.

-But? From your tone I know there's a but.

-I was banned because the first time I tried to call you from a pay phone. - She huffed, feeling tears in her eyes as she remembered that horrible day.

-It's okay. - Aemond murmured against her hair after gently pulling her towards him. - We're together now, you're safe and with me.

-No one will separate us anymore. - He stated with certainty, looking into her eyes. - Do you understand me, Y/n?

She nodded, wiping away a tear and smiling at Aemond, giving her a hug.

-Want to talk about this? - He murmured against her hair as he stroked her back with his fingertips.

Y/n just shook her head slowly and then looked him in the eyes.

-I just want to be happy to be here now. - She smiled at the eldest and left a sweet kiss on his angular chin.

❦❦❦

The sunlight shone on Y/n's skin and Aemond enjoyed it as he ran his fingers gently over it. He could notice more clearly every little change in that body he loved so much. Some small light stretch marks that were not there before now went down her breasts and lodged below the fabric of her bikini and Aemond wished to see her naked under the sun so he could see them completely clearly.

And satisfying that desire, he untied the knot of the bikini top, pulling it down and he could see her breasts under the golden sun of Lys. Y/n didn't object, she just stood there with her eyes closed, feeling the touch of his fingers and enjoying the warmth of his gaze.

Aemond gently traced his fingers along the white lines that had appeared there due to the growth. The touch was not malicious, but rather adoration. Y/n's nipples gradually rose with his gentle touch and noticing this, the older smiled and placed a sweet kiss on her left breast, making her shudder.

And with a bigger smile he distributed kisses over her left breast, being meticulous in each small new mark that had appeared. And when he finished he gently sucked her nipple making her bite her lips and gasp his name.

-I'm taking care of you. - He answered simply as he moved to the other breast and did the exact same thing, making Y/n sigh, and when he finished and sucked her right nipple Y/n opened her eyes and pulled him into a slow and passionate kiss that in both of their minds seemed to last hours.

-When we're done I'll have recounted each of your freckles in case a new one has appeared out of my sight. - He promised, trailing kisses down her neck while Y/n tangled her hands in his hair, pulling him closer and closer until they were both hugging each other, Y/n's bare breasts pressed against Aemond's bare chest.

When the two finally let go of each other, Y/n stood up under Aemond's confused gaze, who frowned. And with a mischievous smile, Y/n removed the bottom of her bikini under Aemond's watchful eye. And still laughing, she turned and began walking towards the sea, completely naked.

-Y/n! - Aemond shouted her name, who just laughed, looking at him over her shoulder. - Seven hells. - He grumbled, mesmerized by the sight of her walking naked along the deserted beach under the sun.

-Come with me, Aem. - She called him with that melodious voice while making the come here gesture with her index finger, already entering the water and getting lost in the waves.

Seeing her there, naked in the middle of the sea waves, Aemond suspected that perhaps his cousin was a mermaid, or one of those mythical sea creatures he had read about, that bewitched weak-hearted idiot men. The way he couldn't contain himself in her presence couldn't be normal, there had to be something wrong with it. And with that thought, he took off his own shorts and went towards the sea where Y/n was waiting for him with only her eyes out of the water, and just by looking into her eyes, Aemond knew that she was smiling mischievously at him.

As soon as he approached, she entwined herself around his body like a vine, pulling him close and kissing him slowly.

-I think that in at least one place in the world what you do to me should be considered a crime. - Aemond murmured against her neck salted by seawater.

-Maybe, but I don't care as long as I have you. - She sighed, looking into his eyes and Aemond smiled, pulling her in for another kiss.

-How could you have spent 5 years confined in a conservatory and still be like this? - The eldest bit her lower lip, pulling it slightly.

-Have you ever heard the theory that repression is the best way to create rebellion?

-Good theory. - He kissed her again with even more passion.

-My mother would be so pissed if my ass appeared on the cover of a newspaper. - Aemond said, squinting after thinking for a few moments, making Y/n laugh.

-That's already happened to Aegon, twice, and he's still alive. - She laughed, hanging around his neck. - She'd probably kill you for your naked ass being next to my naked ass.

-Mmmm. - He just muttered under his breath while laughing and Y/n, taking advantage of the distraction, splashed water on him while laughing.

And as if they were children again, the two screamed and splashed water on each other, smiling and laughing amidst kisses and laughter. When they were both shivering from the cold, they got out of the water, still kissing, lightly biting each other's lips.

-You're the most beautiful person I've ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. - Aemond tucked a lock of hair behind Y/n's ear, speaking in a low, soft voice, making her blush, and then he kissed her deeply once more.

And with her body still wet from the salty sea water, Aemond laid her down on the blanket on the sand and took her under the golden sunset of Lys, loving every part of her body with passionate kisses and sweet caresses while the last rays of the day's sun bathed their naked bodies.

-You're so beautiful.- Y/n sighed, looking at him with bright eyes and her head lying on Aemond's bare chest and her legs entwined between his, both comfortable under the starry sky while the only audible sound was that of the crickets. - The most beautiful man I've ever seen.

-Considering the last few years, I don't think there were many to compare it to. - Aemond joked, slightly laughing and Y/n rolled her eyes with a huff.

-You're the most beautiful Aemond Targaryen, just deal with it. - She lifted her head and her torso, looking into his eyes, speaking seriously, making him let out a nasal laugh and pulling her to lie back on his chest.

-I'm happy to be here with you. - He stroked her hair lovingly while admiring the stars. - It's like I feel alive again after years of living under anesthesia.

-It's funny you say that because I feel the same way. - She caressed his chest with her fingertips.

-Sometimes I don't know who I am anymore. I spent so much time pretending that I think I forgot, but when I'm with you I feel like I'm me again. Just me, without having to try hard for it, without having to think or pretend. - Y/n pressed her eyes tightly as she said this, and Aemond remembered what she had said the day before about pretending to avoid being punished and with that thought he hugged her tightly.

-No need to pretend. Not with me, I will always love you and accept you exactly the way you are. - He smiled softly, looking into her eyes. - Every characteristic of yours makes you my Y/n, and I would never change anything.

Y/n laughed, feeling tears in her eyes.

-Not even my total dislike for reading and dramatic movies? - Her voice was choked as she teased him.

-Maybe the books part. - He tightened his grip on her waist, making her laugh out loud and shrink against him, hiding her face in the crook of his neck.

-I'm hungry. - She murmured against his skin.

-I think we'll have a picnic under the stars then. - He chuckled, pulling the wicker basket closer.

❦❦❦

Y/n and Aemond returned to the hotel for a quick shower and a change of clothes since night had fallen and the youngest was anxious for them to go to the famous luau on the main beach. The two of them put on light-colored clothes and decided to walk since the beach where the luau was taking place was just a few meters from the hotel.

The beach was lit only by fire torches and moonlight while several people laughed, ate and danced to the soft music that was played on a guitar. Some women were weaving flowery necklaces and there were food and drink stalls. Y/n let go of his hand so she could walk around and observe things more closely.

When she returned smiling moments later, she was carrying a shell necklace that she had received from a stranger, and before Aemond could say anything, she put it around his neck with a radiant smile.

-It looks beautiful on you, Aem.

He just smiled and pulled her by the waist, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. The two of them bought a new blanket and spread it on the sand to sit and watch the stars and the sea while enjoying the music, sharing drinks and eating some food that was being served.

The youngest smiled, sipping a fruit drink and humming the same melody that was played on the guitar. And watching Y/n sway gently to the slow rhythm of the music, Aemond took the last sip of his own drink before getting up from the blanket and pulling Y/n to stand as well.

-Would you grant me the honor of this dance, My Lady? - His voice was gallant as he bowed, making Y/n laugh and throw her head back.

-Of course, my good sir. - She bowed with a wide smile as she joined Aemond.

The two danced barefoot on the sand of the beach under the silver moonlight, with satisfied smiles on their faces. Aemond pulled her closer and closer, while his hands grabbed her waist and hips firmly.

-I'm sure that wasn't how our ancestors danced. - She laughed against his neck when she felt a firmer grip on her hip.

-These are modern times, we can adapt some things. - He shrugged, leaving a gentle kiss on her neck and she snuggled even closer to him.

-You know, that dress looked breathtaking on you too. - The compliment flowed easily on Aemond's tongue as the two danced slowly, holding on to each other.

-Truth? - Normally Y/n didn't depend on compliments from others, especially when it came to clothes, but when they came from Aemond it was different.

-Yeah. - He assured, leaving more kisses on her neck and ears. - You're by far the most beautiful of all the people present.

-I can't even blame those assholes for drooling over you when you look so good. - He whispered in her ear and Y/n looked back to see two boys watching them, she just rolled her eyes and laid her head on Aemond's chest.

-They are idiots not for looking, but for thinking that maybe they could have a chance. - She looked at him from under her eyelashes and Aemond smiled, leaving a kiss on her forehead.

Suddenly Y/n felt the skirt of her dress being pulled and when she looked down she found a beautiful little girl with blond hair looking at her shyly.

-Hello dear, what's wrong? - Y/n crouched down looking into her eyes. - Are you lost?

The girl shook her head, her cheeks flushed as she smiled shyly.

-I need to choose someone to participate in the dance contest. - The girl smiled at Y/n.

-And you chose me?

- Only if you want to. - She smiled sweetly while looking at her feet.

-Of course I want to, it will be an honor. - Y/n smiled sweetly at her.

The girl's eyes lit up at the same moment and she offered her hand to Y/n who held it and then gave Aemond a smiling look before following the little girl.

Aemond walked towards the circle in the sand where the torches were positioned to illuminate the girls who were already positioned and with his heart pounding he watched his Y/n enter the circle with that charming smile that made anyone love her, and he knew even before the song started that she would be the winner.

And when the music finally started and everyone started dancing, she looked exclusively at Aemond as if she was dancing only for him, smiling and moving her hips and arms to the rhythm of the music.

As the competition progressed the music became more agitated and more lively and only Y/n and two other women were left. And when only she and a red-haired woman with green eyes were left, the man returned to the stage and asked the audience to decide which one had been better.

As soon as the man extended his hand to Y/n, Aemond applauded loudly along with several other people, and when she was declared the winner, the same little girl who had chosen her was called to place a crown of purple flowers on Y/n's head, who, after being crowned, picked the little girl up with a wide smile on her lips.

Aemond's heart warmed at that sight, and he remembered the dream he had once had as a teenager where he saw Y/n with a silver-haired girl in her arms, but in his dreams that girl was his daughter.

After letting go of the girl, Y/n ran towards Aemond, laughing and throwing herself into his arms as lightning flashed across the night sky followed by thunder.

-Seeing you with that flower crown makes me think that if we had been born centuries ago I would have fought in every tournament just to crown you queen of love and beauty. - He brushed his nose against hers, feeling a light drop of rain drip on his cheek.

-I don't know why I can't imagine you participating in tournaments. - She looked at him smiling from under her eyelashes, hanging from his neck.

-Maybe our lives would be easier if we had been born during the conquest period. - He murmured against her lips.

-Maybe. - She smiled slightly sadly, leaving a sweet kiss on the corner of Aemond's lip.

Little by little the two of them moved away from where the people were gathered, dancing alone in the dark even though they could no longer hear the sound of the music, only the sound of each other's heartbeats.

And slowly the fine drops of rain began to fall thicker and the two laughed with joy, spinning around the beach with the sand stuck to their feet as they felt the fresh, cold water running through their skin. Aemond grabbed her by the waist and spun her in the air, making Y/n throw her head back as she laughed with a bright smile on her face.

And at that moment bathing in the rain with Y/n on the beach under the moonlight, he didn't need to think much to know that he had smiled more in the last five days than in the last five years.

❦❦❦

The next morning, the two woke up shortly after sunrise, determined to make the most of the day before returning to Kings Landing. Their hair was still slightly damp from the night before, after they both ran back to the hotel in a heavy rain during the night, jumping into puddles of water formed on the cobblestones of the streets of Lys and exchanging passionate kisses.

The two said they would not stay in bed that morning, they would go straight to the shower, but after calling the reception and requesting breakfast, Aemond lay down again behind Y/n, rubbing himself sleepily against her thighs, which inevitably led to a round of lazy morning sex while they waited for coffee.

Y/n was still lying there panting and Aemond reluctantly pulled out of her, because as much as he liked to stay in contact with her after climax, there was something else he also liked. And positioning himself between her open legs, he watched with an adoring look as his seed dripped from her intimacy.

-Damn how I missed that. - He sighed in delight as he just admired between her legs. Little by little, he took his own seed with his fingertips and placed it back inside Y/n, only to see it drip from inside her once more as she panted.

After that, he kissed her belly and slowly moved up, making her sigh. He passed through the valley between her breasts, through her neck, until he reached her lips. He placed a gentle, smiling kiss there.

-I want to stay like this forever. Stuck with you. - Aemond laid his head on her chest, listening to the still agitated beating of that heart that proudly belonged to him. - Whenever I'm with you, I can't help but feel at peace with the world. It's like nothing can touch me or knock me down, like I suddenly became the strongest being on this earth.

Y/n stroked the older man's silky silver hair as she felt her heart race with each of his declarations, feeling loved and cherished with each word he uttered.

The two were interrupted by the knock of the maid who brought the breakfast requested by Aemond. Contrary to what was expected, the day had dawned very sunny, and after the rain the waves of the sea were visibly bigger.

And with a smile and many kisses spread across his face and neck, Y/n convinced Aemond to surf just like they had done on a trip to Driftmark when they were already teenagers, and he kept up the habit when they returned to Kings Landing. The oldest rented a board from a kiosk on the beach and the two went hand in hand towards the sea, this time staying in the main part as they didn't want to go too far from the hotel and the main streets.

-I haven't done that in years. - Aemond spoke in a voice a few tones higher to stand out over the loud sound of the waves breaking as he lay face down looking out to sea.

-Honestly, I think if you fell, I would laugh. - Y/n ran her hands through her wet hair, putting it back as she leaned on the surfboard and stared at Aemond.

-Would you at least help me get on the board again? - He raised his eyebrows laughing since the idea of ​​surfing had been hers.

-Probably! - Y/n left a quick kiss on his lips.

Y/n slowly moved away while Aemond went to the deeper side waiting for a wave. And when a particularly big one formed, he swam out quickly and managed to stand on the board while Y/n laughed, screamed and applauded. After leaving the tube, he jumped into the sea, submerging for a few moments before returning to the surface laughing and hitting the water with his fist.

-It was amazing! - Y/n shouted as she swam towards him, still smiling.

-Like riding a bike. - Aemond shrugged and Y/n rolled her eyes, pushing his forehead back with the palm of her hand.

-Always egocentric.

-Mmmm. - He pulled her close to him by the waist. - I can't avoid it. And now it's your turn, My Lady.

-No. - Y/n widened her eyes when she heard him say that, putting her hands on his chest and trying to push him away without success. - No, no, no.

-Just one. - He laughed, holding her against his chest as she struggled. - A small one.

-I never managed to learn how to surf like you and the others. - She rolled her eyes at the memory. - Did you forget? I was terrible, I fell off the board every time, even Uncle Corlys said I was a lost cause that time.

-Not for me. - He immediately denied it with a smile and a chaste kiss on her temple. - You're going to catch a wave today even if we have to stay here all day.

-I hate you. - Y/n looked at him sulkily while grimacing.

-I know that. - The oldest smiled and left a sweet kiss on her neck, already removing the board from his own ankle and passing it to Y/n's.

-If I drown, it will be your fault, Aemond Targaryen. - She grumbled as he helped her onto the board.

-I find it hard, you surf terribly but you swim very well.

Y/n just showed him the middle finger after hearing that and then grabbed the board again.

It took about two hours of instruction from Aemond, Y/n fell off the board every ten minutes. He laughed and she hit his chest with the palm of her hand and threatened to take the board off her ankle. When the sun was already stronger in the sky, she finally managed to stand on the board and with an exuberant smile on her face she surfed a wave for the first time, a small one, but a wave. The love and pride were visible in Aemond's eyes as he smiled and applauded the youngest.

-Fuck you Corlys Velaryon. - She screamed in ecstasy as she threw herself on Aemond, hanging onto his neck while laughing. - I did it, I did it. Did you see that, Aem?

-I told you I could do it. - He left a kiss on her salty lips and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

-Thank you. - Y/n gently brushed her nose against his affectionately as she smiled and looked at him from under her eyelashes.

In the middle of the conversation, the two didn't even notice that the board had come loose from Y/n's ankle and was speeding away into the sea. And with a very serious look, Aemond apologized to the kiosk owner, paying him some gold coins for the lost board while Y/n watched everything with her hands behind her back, biting her lips.

The two chose to go back to the hotel for a shower and after that, they had lunch at the same restaurant as the day before, since Aemond had liked the food and he was very picky about it. Y/n didn't even try, she just liked the fact that the restaurant was covered in beautiful purple flowers.

Lunch was full of conversation and laughter as the two remembered silly things and shared their order with each other as they liked to do, drinking a delicious wine produced right there on the island that Aemond assured Y/n that he would take at least two bottles back with them to Kings Landing.

-Damn, I forgot my wallet at the desk. - Aemond rolled his eyes after putting on his sunglasses, realizing he was missing his wallet as soon as they reached the restaurant's sidewalk, letting go of Y/n's hand and going back inside. - Wait a minute, I'll get it.

-Do you want to know your future child? - A hoarse and cold voice asked as soon as Aemond entered the restaurant, making the hairs on the back of Y/n's neck stand on end. When she turned around, she came face to face with an old woman with extremely white hair and violet eyes wearing completely black clothes that were very closed for such a hot day.

-No, thank you very much. - She smiled, taking a step away from the old woman who had approached. - I don't believe in these things.

-Your pain and suffering will suffocate you until there's nothing left if you don't let them out. - The strange-looking old woman grabbed her hand, looking deeply into her eyes, and Y/n felt her stomach turn with anxiety. - If your soul only pretends to forgive, without actually embracing its essence, your destiny will be covered in bitterness and will take away from you the one you love most.

-I didn't ask to know my future! - Y/n hissed very harshly, pulling her hand towards herself and letting go of the old woman with an angry look while Aemond, who had returned, frowned since it wasn't common to see her treating anyone that way.

-Let's get out of here. - She pulled Aemond by the hand as soon as she saw him practically dragging her towards the car.

-What happened back there? - He started the car while Y/n looked out the window without looking at him.

-I don't want to talk about it. - That was all she said, still without looking at him, and Aemond didn't want to pressure her about it, but he suddenly felt like he was invading her personal space, something he had never felt before and he didn't like that feeling.

The heavy mood that had set in after meeting the elderly woman gradually dissipated as they admired the beautiful landscape of Lys with the wind blowing through their hair, since the convertible top was open.

-We'll have to moisturize our hair when we get back or we'll end up looking like corn on the cob. - Y/n laughed, looking at herself in the car mirror while Aemond smiled sideways and squeezed her knee.

-Where are we? - She frowned when Aemond stopped the car at what looked like the entrance to a park.

-Earlier, the owner of the hotel told me that if we come that side we could see the fountain of the goddess of love. It is she who is on the coins. - He took one of the coins from the pocket of his black linen pants and handed it to Y/n, who finally paid attention to the local coin. It was oval and golden with the design of a beautiful naked woman with long hair and who looked like a mermaid in the center.

-She is beautiful. - Y/n smiled, taking the coin from Aemond's hand and holding it between her fingers with a smile.

The two walked through the lush gardens with enchanted looks, Y/n for admiring the garden and Aemond for admiring Y/n who was wearing a beautiful off-white dress that flowed down to her feet with a slightly transparent skirt that gave her an almost ethereal appearance in the afternoon sunlight. Seeing her walking and smiling amidst all those flowers was what Aemond thought was the closest he would ever get to seeing an angel.

-I've never seen such beautiful hydrangeas in my life, Aem. - She leaned in to smell the scent of the flowers, closing her eyes with an expression of delight on her face. - I'm sure Helaena would love to see this.

-Where is Hel living? - She smiled excitedly as she remembered her older cousin. - I need to go see her as soon as we get back.

-Near the exit to Rosby, facing Blackwater Bay. - Aemond also smiled as he remembered his sister. - She spends almost all her time at the beach.

-She's living alone?

-She adopted a huge dog named Dreamfyre. She was at an adoption fair in Driftmark on a trip Hel took to support an environmental project of Rhaenys. - Aemond shrugged.

-She must be beautiful.

-She drools all over everything, barks non-stop and ate half of Helaena's furniture. - Aemond rolled his eyes.

-That doesn't make her any less beautiful. - Y/n curled her mouth downwards and raised her eyebrows, making Aemond roll his eyes again as he pulled her closer to him by the hip.

After about ten minutes of walking through the beautiful park full of beautiful flowers and a huge number of fruit and ornamental trees, the two arrived at the center where there were a few people sitting on benches admiring the beautiful fountain.

It was all white with a statue of the goddess of love in the center, who now looked even more like a mermaid, but in this version she was holding a clay vase from which crystal clear water fell softly in calm noises.

-The natives say she grants love requests. - Aemond whispered into Y/n's ear.

And with a smile of satisfaction, love and hope on her face, Y/n closed her eyes and threw the coin that Aemond had given her earlier, and which had been pressed firmly in her hands until that moment.

-What did you ask for?

-So that I could be yours and you mine in this life and in all those to come. - She crossed her arms against his neck, joining her forehead with Aemond's.

-You wasted a wish asking for something that is already real. - He kissed her chastely on the lips, smiling when he felt that sweetness he loved so much.

❦❦❦

As dusk approached, Y/n and Aemond walked smiling and holding each other down the main street, trying out food and talking. Y/n had already bought three handmade dresses that she found in smaller stores while they were walking, and a beautiful dark blue shirt for Aemond.

As the sun was setting on the horizon, the two passed in front of a temple to the goddess of love and stopped to watch a couple leaving to the applause of several people. Apparently a wedding due to the clothes and happiness, the two held each other's hands tightly as they smiled at the scene before them. Aemond smiled and gently brushed his lips against Y/n's, then left a gentle kiss there while still holding her hand.

The two separated with smiles at each other and just stood for a few more moments on the other side of the street admiring the happiness of the newlyweds. Suddenly a very dirty and thin dark gray cat came limping down the street, Aemond's eyes instantly went in her direction and Y/n could see him getting sad almost instantly.

And with a sad smile Aemond crouched down and made a soft sound with his mouth, catching the cat's attention. She first looked at him suspiciously showing her teeth and exciting to get closer, and he insisted a little more still making soft sounds as he approached her.

-Calm down girl. - His voice sounded calm and confident, and Y/n smiled seeing the scene. Slowly he reached out his hand, and the little street cat let him touch her dirty and dull fur.

And Aemond took the chance he had been given and gently caressed her with a kind smile on his face.

-Poor little thing. You're probably starving. - His voice sounded sad as he observed the cat who had ribs protruding under her skin because she was so thin.

-Let's get her something to eat then. - Y/n smiled, placing her hand on Aemond's shoulder, who looked back with his eyes shining in agreement.

Aemond had always been passionate about cats, he had a fondness for them since Y/n had met him as a child. He always told her about how cats were intelligent and majestic animals, and when he was younger he was obsessed with the fact that some ancient civilizations worshiped them as if they were deities.

Unfortunately Alicent and Viserys never let Aemond have a cat, Viserys had an old dog named Balerion who was very territorial, and even though he stayed outside more than inside the mansion, Alicent said that he could hurt any other animal and wouldn't let them have other animals.

When Balerion died of old age, Viserys was devastated, but even so, animals were not allowed because Alicent always said that one of them might have an allergy. But that did very little to diminish Aemond's love for cats.

The two walked to a pet shop that they had seen a few blocks back, and when they got there, they bought food for the little cat who ate everything that was offered to her very happily under the watchful eye of Aemond who occasionally stroked her between the ears.

-Why don't you keep her? - Y/n asked when she saw how happy Aemond was with the dirty kitten.

Aemond automatically raised his eyebrows, as if her suggestion was completely absurd.

-I can't have a cat.

-And why not? - She asked gently as she stroked his arm who just stared at her in confusion.

-Because… - Aemond looked at her confusedly as he thought.

There was no Because.

-Aem, you're an adult now, you have your own apartment, you pay your own bills and you're responsible for yourself. - Y/n smiled encouragingly. - There's nothing wrong with doing something you want. Like finally having a cat.

Aemond smiled in disbelief, but that disbelief slowly turned into relief.

-I can do the things I want too. - He repeated to himself, as if Y/n couldn't hear. But she could, and smiled when she heard him say that.

Aemond then walked to the store counter once more to talk to the attendant who was visibly distracted while reading a book with an old cover.

-I'll want a cat carrier. - His voice sounded confident, and Y/n smiled as she looked from Aemond to the cat, who had followed him to the counter and was rubbing against his leg, purring.

❦❦❦

When the two realized it, it was already night, and at any moment Captain White would be waiting for them in the private hangar of the island's airport. Y/n felt her heart tighten in her chest just at the thought of returning to Westeros. Where nothing was private and everyone watched their lives with a magnifying glass, analyzing every mistake to try to separate them. It was as if the weekend had lasted a lifetime, but at the same time it had passed as quickly as a gust of wind.

-Hey beautiful, I have something for you. - Aemond walked through the door with a smile and a red bag in his hands, he had come down a few minutes ago to close the hotel and car rental bill.

-What is it? - Y/n arched her eyebrows, approaching and trying to look inside the bag, and when she saw the contents, her eyes sparkled with joy. - No fucking way. Is that Myrish chocolate?

-Apparently they don't just sell junk at the hotel store. - He smiled and then gasped, stepping back trying to regain his balance after the impact of Y/n jumping on him and distributing kisses all over his face while saying thank you.

Y/n threw herself on the bed, still smiling, with the bag in her hands, already pulling out one of the bars and peeling the chocolate. As soon as she put it in her mouth, she gently threw her head back and moaned with contentment, slowly licking her fingers where the melted parts of the chocolate had remained.

-If you keep going like this, we're going to have a problem. - Aemond raised his eyebrows, admiring her on the bed, and Y/n laughed, running her tongue over her lips provocatively.

-Teasing. - He rolled his eyes, discreetly adjusting his pants as he finished putting the things they had bought in a new brown suitcase.

-This is the best thing I've ever eaten in my life. I could cry because this chocolate is so good, all the other chocolates have been ruined for me, Aem. - She spoke happily as she ate and Aemond just smiled as he watched her genuine joy.

When the room phone rang with a warning that the car had arrived to pick them up, Y/n felt her own heart constricting in her chest with each step she took towards the door.

-What's going on, love? - Aemond placed the cat's transport box on the armchair and held her with both hands, looking into her eyes, and Y/n lowered her gaze, staring at her own feet, unable to say anything.

-You know you can talk to me, Y/n. - He murmured, getting even closer to her. - It's me, Aem.

-I'm afraid to go back. - Y/n sighed, tucking her head into the crook of Aemond's neck.

-What are you afraid of? - He pulled her so he could look into her eyes and could see the shine of tears there.

-That all of this will end. - She practically sobbed, her voice choked. - That they'll separate us once again. - A tear ran down her cheek. - To lose you.

-No. - Aemond spoke in a serious voice, holding her tightly close to him and looking into her eyes. - I won't allow anyone to separate us again. Never again.

-Do you swear? - She asked, still tearful.

-I swear. - Aemond promised as he wiped the tears that had escaped from his Y/n's eyes. - It will be you and me forever. Nothing will come between us, not again.

Y/n smiled slightly upon hearing this and hugged him again, resting her head close to Aemond 's heart and sighing upon hearing the agitated sound that came from there. That heart belonged to her, it always did. Just as hers belonged to him, and Y/n didn't know what she would do if, of all people in the world, Aemond broke it.

tag list: @afro-hispwriter @fan-goddess @strangersunghoon @zenka69 @callsignwidow @amanda08319 @alesswift-blog @marialikescherries

Final notes: Thank you to all of you who commented on previous chapters and asked to be tagged, I think you're all here. 💕💕

Ps: A virtual hug to whoever guesses who the dear cat that Aemond adopted is. Hahaha 💕💕

Tell me what you think of the story, it makes me very happy. 💖

Next chapter

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

The Haunted House

It's boring being a ghost. At least Virgil has two lovely boyfriends to spend his afterlife with.

----

| Ao3 |

Warnings: non-graphic talk of death

Pairings: Anaroceit

Word Count: 1008

Notes:

HELLOOO

@anaroceitweek day three is here! The prompt here being 'Ghost'.

This is genuinely just short, cute and fluffy, I love it.

Honestly, being a ghost sucked, for the most part. Virgil couldn’t touch anything, he couldn’t interact with the living beyond causing a chill in the air when they walked past him, he couldn’t read books, he couldn’t watch TV, he couldn’t even clean the dusty ass master bedroom he slept in.

At least, amongst all of that, he wasn’t lonely. 

“Virgil darling!!” Came the booming voice of his partner through the house, “It’s raining out! Your favourite! Would you like to go for a walk?”

Virgil floated through the ceiling to appear downstairs before his partner - Roman, a victorian actor who had died mid-way through performance, leaving him in the dress of the woman he had been portraying. Roman wasn’t actually upset by that turn of events. 

“Hello love,” Roman said, voice quieter now that Virgil was in the room with him, “It looks like we’re in for a bit of a storm, let's hope that old tree doesn’t come down…”

He looked out of the window to see the old, gnarled tree that Roman was talking about - it looked primed and ready to fall on the falling apart conservatory the last owners of this house had build.

“Well - no point dwelling on that,” He said brightly, “What would you like to do? We could go out for a walk in the rain, reenact sad scenes of your ‘movies’ you liked - we could even drag Janus out of his corner to cuddle together on the window seat of the library if you’d like!”

Reenacting movie scenes was definitely tempting, though neither of his boyfriends really ‘got it’. Roman was better than Janus, being an actor, but he always ended up slipping back into that fancy old talk that he was used to when acting. Virgil didn’t fault him, but it made playing pretend a little awkward when Virgil barely understood what he was saying - Virgil had slacked off when they studied Romeo and Juliet in highschool. 

Janus was even worse at it, he had barely even grasped what the concept of a movie was, being some kind of con-man (Virgil hadn’t quite figured out exactly what he had done) in the early 1700s, he was definitely a shady guy and Virgil had never managed to get his profession out of him. Virgil liked him anyway, but no matter how much he tried to explain certain modern concepts, he simply refused to understand. Part of Virgil thought he was messing with him. 

Virgil was the most modern of the ghosts, in fact he had only died a few years ago - an embarrassing story, certainly, he had been exploring the ‘haunted house’ and he’d tripped over something and fallen down the stairs and died. He could never work out what exactly had tripped him - he must have fallen over his own feet. 

He didn’t exactly like being dead, but it did certainly have the perks of two beautiful boyfriends to spend eternity with. 

“Hm…. Kinda feel like cuddling right now, if Janus wants to,” He said, taking Roman’s offered hand. At least they could persuade him to join him.

“Wonderful!” Roman said, grinning as he lead Virgil towards the stairs - Roman had always preferred going the alive way, if it was Virgil’s call they would’ve just floated up through the ceiling to go and find him, “Oh Janusss-!” Roman sang, peeking into the study where Janus preferred to hang around. They were right, he was sitting in the chair by the window with one leg crossed over the other. Janus looked up and tipped his hat to the two of them.

“Hello you two,” He said with a smile, “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“It’s raining!” Roman said excitedly.

“Isn’t that when you two usually do your strange modern tragedy reenactments?” Janus asked, tilting his head and glancing out of the window.

Shrugging, Roman walked over to plant himself in Janus’ lap, wrapping an arm around his neck and smiling when Janus looked flustered - it was hard to make Janus flustered, Virgil grinned, “Our darling dark little stormcloud wants cuddles instead.”

“Oh really?” Janus says, smirking at Virgil before shoving Roman off of him so he could get up and walk over. Janus was taller than Virgil by, a bit (not a lot, at all, Virgil wasn’t short, shut up) so he was easily able to lift him up and spin him around, making Virgil squeak in surprise. 

“Hey! Put me down, asshole!” Virgil cried, whacking Janus’ arm and making him laugh. 

“Awee,” Janus said, kissing Virgil’s cheek before putting him down, “The library?”

Nodding, Virgil took Janus’ hand and reached for Roman and led the both of them to the library after Roman took it. It was a little sad, in his opinion, that they had so many books and they couldn’t read any of them. Roman could interact with the environment just a little, but not nearly enough to lift a book from the shelf. He was working on it, but he still couldn’t quite get it. 

Janus’ power was by far Virgil’s favourite, he could be heard by the living - as a whisper - though it wasn’t exactly helpful in finding activities for them to do whilst no-one living was there. 

Thunder rolled outside and Virgil really hoped that today wouldn’t be the day that the old tree finally fell, but right now Virgil wasn’t trying to worry about it. Right now, Roman was sitting down on the cushioned bay window seat and opening his arms for the other two. Virgil happily followed Janus into his embrace, cuddling up between him and the window so that he could watch the sheets of rain fall down over the countryside beyond the land on which this house sat. 

Janus curled up to Roman’s other side and draped himself across them both and even though none of them were warm anymore, Virgil still felt a warmth in his chest as he closed his eyes and curled up with the lovely, beautiful, boyfriends he had to spend his afterlife with.

----

Tags: @full-of-roman-angst-trash @your-local-random-dino @cutebisexualmess @glacierreblogs @roseianxiety @bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti @scalesfeathersnfur @oatmeal-stans-the-trash-rat @littlerat2 ( if anyone wants to be added, let me know!)

[waltricia]

Accidentally wrote another casual essay. If you like thinking about what words mean, this might be of interest. Otherwise, feel free to ignore. It’s mostly just for me. It’s an analysis of a single phrase. And, ultimately, an appreciation of Chris Van Dusen and his team.

Ever since the Bridgerton S3 trailer dropped, I’ve been thinking on and off (currently on) about candles, so I can’t help but notice them in my rewatch. This time, I got stuck on a quote by Portia, which she says in 2x01 at the conservatory ball, “Darkness has been our candle in recent months.” First of all, I’m not taking this very seriously- we’re not meant to- this is a comical scene and she is faking grief in this moment. But I can’t help but try to figure out what this phrase means. I mean, I know what it means- like I said, she’s faking her grief- but how did we get there? Why does it mean that? D’ya know what I mean? Darkness has been our candle. I guess, given the context, I assume the message she’s trying to convey to the Finch’s is that there hasn’t been any light/ happiness in their lives. It’s just been dark/ sad.

But I had a thought- when you refer to something as your candle, you wouldn’t be talking about an unlit candle, right? Because what use is a candle if it’s not lit? The only time a candle is doing something is when it’s burning. So if you’re saying something is your candle, you’re talking about a lit candle. And a lit candle means light and happiness (and attraction in certain other circumstances 😉). So when you say “darkness has been our candle,” aren’t you implying that the darkness has been good?

Ok, so I think I actually really love this line. Because I’m no fan of the late Lord Featherington. He really only ever came across to me as a shit dad and a shit husband. The only time I had any appreciation for him was during 1x01 when he was neglectful enough to not notice or care what Penelope wore to the Vauxhall Ball, which allowed her to dress how she wanted (and everyone knows that was her best look of season 1). So I kinda feel like there could be a bit of intentionality in that phrasing such that the hidden meaning of what Portia is saying is that there was possibly a bit of relief in his absence? 😬 Maybe?

Or at least that the shroud of mourning has been a relief. This would actually make sense because it circles back to the fact that she was faking her grief. She was using it as a stalling tactic. So maybe possibly, the surface meaning is that basically they’ve been grieving, but the secondary meaning, the one meant for the audience, like an inside joke, is that the mourning period has been a blessing and the very thing keeping them afloat.

Am I on to something? If so, that is some pretty clever writing. This show is so surprisingly layered.

It’s also possible this whole analysis makes no sense. Did I just ramble for no reason? If so, I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t tag this… but I’m going to, just in case anyone out there is as insane about this shit as I am.

[houserosaire]

Prompt #17: Sally

The door to the conservatory had been left ajar, or at least unlatched. Silvaineaux was the one who had left it half open in his wake, so that it might seem a trifle less as if he were prowling around someone else’s house uninvited rather than simply hiding from the ballroom. It was clear enough no one had intended the conservatory to be part of the festivities, it was only the silver moonlight that lit the leaves around him. 

It was rather nice, the hue of the light was cool but the room was humid and warm, the scent of rich soil and leaves filling his nostrils even if it was a bitter winter outside.  And best of all no one was looking at him, no one spoke to him and the glass of wine was very fine. It was also, he noticed with some dismay when next he lifted it, nearly empty.

He frowned down at the dregs and then lifted his eyes to peer through the glass at the ballroom.  While it was dim and shadowy in the conservatory, in the great room just a little beyond it everything was golden bright. The bright skirts of the ladies, and the fine coats of the gentlemen swayed and turned nearly in unison. It was like a living painting and from this solitary distance Silvaineaux thought he could almost have enjoyed a ball.

He caught sight of Valerian as he swung past, his golden head tipped close to the dark one of the lady in his arms. Valerian did not notice him, he had eyes only for the adoring ones tipped in his direction and they both looked so happy that Silvaineaux smiled rather indulgently.

It was then he heard the very soft click of something touching the door, and the soft tromp of a quietly placed boot. The heavy air stirred with the movement at his side. He turned to great Narcisse with a smile. Guessing which of his friends might have thought to seek him out.

It wasn't Narcisse.

“So here is where you have wandered off too.” Seraphin murmured. “I wondered.”

“Surely you didn’t  come all the way in here to hunt me when you could be dancing.” Silvaineaux said. “You cannot tell me anyone else will even have noticed my absence so there’s no reason to drag me back out...” Yet as he spoke he looked at Seraphin, really looked. His words trailed off. It was near dark in the conservatory, but the light from the ballroom caught on the proud planes of Seraphin’s face, gilding him gently at the edges. It was enough that Silvaineaux could see the small tightness at the corners of his brother’s lips, the small sadness that hung in his eyes. Seraphin likely thought the dark concealed him. Doubtless his own eyes were still adjusting to it.  

“I didn’t come to drag you back.” Seraphin said quietly. “I noticed the door and thought I could do with a breath myself. I might have known you’d thought of it first.” His brother turned to face him. “What say you? Mind if I join you for just a moment? We can slip out again before anybody notices I’m missing?” He paused. “Unless you were waiting for someone…”

Silvaineaux hastily shook his head. “I wasn’t. This was strictly a solitary post.”

Seraphin nodded, his eyes turning back out toward the ballroom. 

Silvaineaux thought perhaps he was watching something, though he could not pick out whatever it was his brother’s eyes were following. Whatever it was though, the sight brought with it that same small setting of Seraphin’s jaw. Silvaineaux didn’t ask. Whatever it was his brother wouldn’t tell him. “I don’t mind the company.” He said instead. “And I suppose I was considering a brief sally to capture a fresh glass of wine…”

Seraphin said nothing else, but after a moment his older brother’s shoulder bumped briefly against his own, in something that seemed to Silvaineaux like thanks.

[danydragons21]

TSTS Chapter 34: The Hourglass

Read it on ao3 here.

Chapter 34: The Hourglass

Elain scented her sister before she saw her.

The eldest Archeron was in the library at the Mortal Manor, a book balanced between her palms, blue-gray eyes narrowed intently as they quickly and smartly scanned the page. She was so enraptured she didn’t even notice Elain, who was on her way back from Vassa’s quarters - she had just tried to intercept the queen at the start of nightfall yet again, unsuccessfully, of course - when she’d caught a whiff of Nesta’s signature scent: rich vanilla and silvery smoke and burning embers. 

She had to call her sister’s name to get her attention.

“Nesta,” she said. 

“Elain!” she replied, surprised. She snapped the book shut.

“What are you doing here?” If Elain was blunt, she didn’t much care. What was it with her family showing up unannounced, time and time again? 

“There’s an impromptu meeting this evening to discuss the ball. We need to go over the plan and discuss a few…loose ends.”

Elain regarded her sister suspiciously. “Is it anything I should be worried about -?”

“Oh no, no,” Nesta reassured. “Just logistical things, mostly.” 

“Oh.” Elain nodded. “Okay.”

They were both quiet for a long moment.

“So how have you -”

“I’ve been meaning to stop by -”

They spoke over each other, stumbling over their words, before resorting back to an uncomfortable silence. 

Then Nesta sighed, heavily.

“It used to be so easy between us,” she said. “Don’t you remember?”

“Of course,” Elain replied warily. Of course she remembered. Nesta was her closest companion, the other half to her whole, for so many years. Even before their mother died, but especially after. Poor, sweet Feyre, always shunted to the side…but Elain and Nesta were inseparable. For a long time, Elain believed it was because her sister loved her more than anything else in the world. Now, she sees it for what it was: a love of control. 

Nesta's eyes were sad. “The meeting is in an hour. I was hoping you’d like to spend some time together before…” the eldest Archeron trailed off. 

What was she supposed to say? No, I’d rather not spend time with you, because every time I look at you I feel a simmering, boiling rage that I simply don’t know what to do with ? That would do no one a drop of good. 

So instead, Elain nodded tightly and gave as genuine a smile as she could muster. “How does a walk around the Manor sound?” she suggested, and ignoring the stab of guilt she felt when Nesta’s worried expression brightened at her acquiescence.

***

After a slightly awkward albeit rather relaxing walk around the Manor, in which Elain intentionally avoided visiting the conservatory (Cassian might have been fooled by the fast growth of the flora but Nesta most certainly would not, and Elain was in no mood to answer difficult questions), the two sisters entered the doors to the grand atrium.

They were the last ones to arrive. Everyone else was already seated around the long table in the center of the room: Feyre, smiling brightly but tiredly; Jurian, his face tan and weatherbeaten, as if he'd been out in the field more often than not; Lucien, who was avoiding Elain’s eyes; Cassian, who was avoiding Nesta’s eyes; and Vassa, who was avoiding everyone’s gaze all together. 

Elain couldn’t blame them. She was feeling slightly uncomfortable herself; it was the first time she’d seen Lucien since that night in the gardens, and it was the first time she’d seen Vassa since returning from her travels.

Not to mention it was the first time Cassian and Nesta had seen each other since The Incident . She tried to send a subtle, warning look to Cassian, but he wasn’t looking at her; instead, he was staring fixedly at the floor, as if even glancing at Nesta would make the secret come spilling out. 

Whatever. He could handle things however he wanted as long as he stayed quiet. If he kept his mouth shut, there was no way Nesta could find out, right? 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her elder sister give her mate a curious, suspicious glance. Then she thought about how Nesta could always tell when she and Feyre were lying as kids, and her stomach started to hurt.

In an attempt to distract herself, Elain looked around the room. She'd only been in the grand atrium once before, at the very beginning of her stay at the Manor. Vassa had taken her. The queen said it was a hallowed sort of space used traditionally, reverently and sparingly for only the most prestigious of occasions - but it was also rather plain. 

That is, except for the one piece of decor in the room: the gigantic hourglass embedded into one of the walls. It was filled with silvery sand that glimmered as it trickled down and protruded so naturally, so effortlessly, from the wall that it looked like it had grown there, like some sort of plant. Like some sort of rot.

Every time the sand in the top bulb emptied entirely, the hourglass - and the pieces of stone wall it touched - moved until the hourglass was flipped upside down, and the whole process started again. It was both impactful and beautiful.

“My father used to joke about why the first royals might have put the hourglass into the Grand Atrium,” Vassa had told her. “He said that it was obviously to keep track of time during long and tedious meetings, because if our ancestors were anything like me and my mother, then impatience was as in grain ed in them as the grains in the hourglass.”

Elain had smiled then, but she wasn’t smiling now. The hourglass did not seem beautiful anymore. It seemed more like a taunt. 

The queasy feeling in her stomach intensified, but before she allowed herself to mull over it, she turned her attention back to the table. Everyone seemed to be watching Vassa, who was scanning the contents of several handwritten papers. Elain couldn’t help but notice the dark purple circles rimming the queen’s eyes.

“Notes on Koschei,” Feyre said in an undertone, noting Elain’s curious glance at the documents. “Amren, Rhys and I have been visiting different libraries throughout Prythian and finding every book on him we can. We haven’t found much information that is helpful, to be honest. It almost makes me wish we knew where Bryaxis was so we could ask it for details; I’m sure it knows plenty about Koschei, given that they’ve both existed for eons.” 

Elain considered reminding her sister that they had enough to worry about without adding Bryaxis into the equation, but she just nodded instead. 

“This is nothing I didn’t already know,” Vassa said, throwing the papers back at Feyre. “But that’s alright. I wasn’t expecting much anyway.” 

Startled, her sister blinked. Elain felt similarly taken aback. She’d never heard Vassa sound so…uncaring. 

“Well?” the queen asked, raising an eyebrow. Impatience laced her words. “Who wants to begin?” 

“I can,” Nesta said. Then she cleared her throat. 

“There are three levels to this plan,” she said, voice louder and deeper than before. The voice of the Captain of the Valkyries, dangerous and cool. But sometimes, when her sister spoke in such an authoritative voice, she was reminded of when they were little and Nesta would boss her and Feyre around the house like the little mother she was. Elain had to fight back a grin. Then she remembered that she was still angry at her older sister, and the grin faded away. 

“The first level is the Bait,” Nesta said. With the world’s smallest, tensest grimace, she nodded toward Elain. “AKA, Elain.”

Everyone’s eyes turned toward her, and she did her very best to remain cool and collected, staring blankly into her sister’s blue-grey eyes. 

Nesta tore her gaze away, jaw flexing, before continuing. “As we are all aware, Koschei believes Elain knows where the missing part of his soul is being kept. During the ball, we are going to use this to our advantage and leverage Elain to lure Koschei into a trap. 

“Because of this, I’m sure you’ll all agree that a majority of our magical protection should go toward surrounding Elain,” Nesta said.

“Elain is the bait, yes, but what about Vassa? Have we forgotten the curse he put on her? Have we forgotten the promise he made to return her to that hellhole of a lake? Vassa must remain just as protected. What if he’s tricking us into who his true target is?” Jurian said, eyes gleaming fiercely. 

“That’s a good point,” Elain murmured thoughtfully.

“I don’t think so,” Vassa said. “As soon as the power of the curse returns in full force, he will not have to trap me to get me to return to his lake. I will immediately be back under his enchantment. There will be no capturing or chasing or tracking that he will have to do. I will simply be gone.”

Lucien’s knuckles turned white. “No,” he said darkly. 

“It is not something you can have an opinion on,” Vassa said sharply, refusing to meet his eyes. Refusing to meet any of their eyes. “It is simply the truth. So fine, put some level of protection on me, but the majority should be on Elain. He may not be able to control her mind, but he will try to get to her in other, more dangerous ways. I am an inevitable casualty at this point. Elain is not.” 

“Don’t say that,” Elain said quietly, but the edge in her voice was all sharp steel.

Vassa remained quiet, as did the others, until finally Nesta resumed the plan.

“We will have a welcome ceremony the evening before the actual ball, with appetizers and cocktails and the like. We have more than enough rooms in the mortal manor to provide lodging for the guests. It’s the perfect way to get a feel for what we’re up against before the ball the next evening.

“When the ball begins, Vassa will make a welcome announcement. She will thank everyone for being there, and then specifically thank Elain for helping her with an unknown project. She’ll make sure to mention how dangerous the task is and how Elain is doing it out of the goodwill of her heart, along with her desire to keep all the courts safe from outside forces that might try and hurt them.”

“In short, she will place even more of a target on Elain’s back,” Jurian said flatly, but she knew him well enough by now to clock the worry lacing his tone. She felt a sudden rush of affection for the mortal.

“Sounds good to me,” Elain said, keeping her tone light. She didn’t want anyone to worry about her. “Keep going.” 

Nesta continued on, Feyre and Cassian interjecting every now and then with more details. Lucien surprised them all with his cunning, thoughtful questions that poked holes in the plan -  “ What happens if he hasn’t shown up by midnight? Do we have a backup plan if the magic doesn’t hold during the Presentation of the Courts? What if the other courts are gone by the time we reach Level 3? ” - forcing them to reevaluate and redesign specific components. But eventually, they all came to an agreed-upon scheme.

Well, almost.

“What exactly is our game plan during cocktail hour?” Lucien asked, “Because ‘ roam around and observe ’ doesn’t exactly sound strategic.”

Feyre let out a giggle, clearly forgetting they were in a serious and important meeting. Then she cleared her throat.

“You’re right. Let’s expand on that. How about..after Vassa gives her speech, we will split into groups and observe our guests,” Feyre suggested. “We can decide on the exact groupings later, but it would make sense, and look less suspicious, if those that are couples stay together. Rhys and I, Nes and Cas…”she paused.

Vassa interjected, “Jurian and I will remain together. The mortals that will be there know both of us well, and it would make sense to present us as a united force.”

Feyre nodded her approval, though Elain noticed Lucien’s jaw tighten. 

“We have invited Gwyn and Emerie to come, as well. Having the three Valkyrie leaders will add an additional level of prestige as well as protection. Gwyn and Emerie can stick together,” Nesta added.

“Smart,” Jurian said.

“Since Amren will remain behind to protect the Night Court, that just leaves Elain, Lucien, Mor and Azriel…” Feyre trailed off awkwardly. 

Elain cleared her throat and braced herself. She knew what she had to do, for the sake of the plan. “I’ve thought a lot about what you all suggested. About…about pretending that Lucien and I,” she gestured toward the red-haired male, who blinked in surprise, “have accepted the mating bond.” 

A thick quiet wrapped itself around the group. Feyre stared at Elain with wide eyes while Nesta, quite uncharacteristically, gasped softly in surprise. Jurian and Vassa exchanged a startled glance. It dawned on her that she’d never so explicitly mentioned the bond in front of the two mortals. Cassian looked utterly bewildered and, unless she was imagining it, slightly displeased.

The only other person in the room who didn’t seem taken aback was Lucien. He simply regarded Elain with a wary expression on his face. 

It was the longest they’d looked at each other since that night beneath the fae lights.

“And?” Feyre asked.

Elain cleared her throat. “And I think you’re right. There will be many potential enemies there. But if Lucien and I act like a pair, those enemies will be less likely to instigate anything. So I’m okay with…with making it seem like we are together. For the evening. But only if it’s okay with you,” she added awkwardly, finally meeting Lucien's gaze. His one good eye burned into her, and the memory of their almost-kiss flashed across her mind without warning. She was sure he was thinking about it, too.

“Of course it’s okay with me. It is what is safest for you, and that is all that matters,” he said finally.

She nodded once and looked down at the floor. 

“So that just leaves Azriel and Mor,” Feyre said, returning to the matter at hand. 

Despite the fact that Elain knew her decision was the right one, not only for her safety, but for the safety of others and for the good of the plan as a whole, her heart dropped at the thought of Azriel and Mor sashaying through the ballroom, the beautiful blonde hooked on Azriel’s arm. She could already see the way his hazel eyes would glow as he stared at the female he’d loved for centuries, who for the night was all his, all his . It was enough to make her feel slightly nauseous.

As was the thought of how Azriel would react when he found out she and Lucien were going to pretend to be mates for the evening. 

But gods, he had made it clear as day that they were not a couple. Sure, he’d admitted to caring about her, to liking her, but that was it. If the Cassian debacle had proved anything, it was that he wanted to keep their affection a dirty little secret. Perhaps she would simply have to accept their relationship (or lack thereof) for what it was and what it was not. Accept it was all it would ever be.

Just as Azriel would have to accept that for two nights, she would pretend to the world that her heart belonged to another. 

Even if it was just another bitter lie.

***

Elain had hoped to speak to Vassa after the planning meeting and confront her at last, but the Queen slipped out before she could reach her. Then Nesta and Feyre had cornered her to tell her just how proud they were of her for agreeing to be fake-mates with Lucien for an evening. As if it was a favor she was doing them. As she was a little girl in pigtails who needed to be praised and coddled for every "correct" decision she made. 

She didn't do it to make her sisters or anyone else happy. She did it because, deep down, she knew they were right. Not about everything, of course; she still wanted to give Rhys a swift kick up his 500-year-old ass in retaliation for the last time he'd imposed his sense of right and wrong on her. But about this one thing - about this, they were right. It was safer for everyone, not just her, to pretend that they had accepted the mating bond. Safer, and better for the plan, and the right thing to do. 

But every time she though of Mor and Azriel together, smiling and dancing, she wanted to throw something. Or scream. Or both.

Suffice it to say, Elain was not a pleased female by the time she left the grand atrium.

Hence the broad scowl that graced her face as she stomped angrily through the corridors. What the bloody hells was she supposed to do with the rest of her evening now? She was too worked up to sleep. Too emotionally-unsteady to do something productive. Too angry to hang out with anyone else in this stupid manor, especially -

“I hope that face isn’t because of me.”

Elain whipped around. “Don’t flatter yourself," she told Lucien with a small smile. "You may make me mad, but only my sisters can make me this mad.” She considers for a second. “And Vassa,” she added, then cringed. Lucien and Vassa were very close, after all. “Sorry.”

Unexpectedly, Lucien grinned. “I like it when you’re honest with me,” he says. 

She grinned a bit back, but she couldn’t hide her wariness. This was the first time they had been around each other since the almost-kiss in the gardens, let alone standing in close proximity to each other in a vacant hallway.

Without warrant, her heartbeat sped up.

Lucien seemed to notice the change in her mood too, for the sly grin dropped from his face. “I’m about to leave again,” he told her. “I’m going to…going to the Autumn Court.”

“What?” Elain breathed, her eyes wide. “No, you can’t,” she said, her voice rising in panic.

“Beron is threatening to not come to the Symposium or the Ball if I don’t pay him a visit,” he said grimly. “And we need him here that night. He’s an essential part of the plan.” 

“What does he want with you?” she nearly whispered.

Lucien’s shrug was too tense to be casual. “Who the hells knows. Maybe he just misses my pretty face.”

“You don’t think he knows about…you know,” she hedged.

Lucien’s face remained unreadable.“I guess we’ll find out,” he said finally.

Well, that wasn’t reassuring at all. She frowned at him, and he visibly softened. 

“I’ll be fine,” he said. Then a corner of his lip twitched up. “Though it’s sweet of you to worry,” he teased. 

Elain smiled without thinking about it. 

Her smile seemed to trigger something in him. He sobered up immediately, and before she could even question what was wrong, grabbed her face with both his hands. 

“Before I go,” he said, his mouth so close to hers she could feel his hot breath on her lips, “I have to kiss you first.”

She froze, utterly shocked. 

“Just once,” he murmured, those arresting, uneven eyes staring straight into her own. “Just to see.” 

And she was so shocked, so taken aback by the declaration, that she didn’t stop him when he leaned forward and kissed her. 

***

While Elain was frozen, the Shadowsinger was in the middle of an interrogation.

Azriel studied the male in front of him, frowning slightly. This was taking longer than he expected. Longer than he had wanted it to take; otherwise, he might have made it to the Ball Planning meeting on time. Unfortunately, the Autumn Court soldier, who had been captured by one of his loyal spies, had yet to break. He’d already lost three fingers, for Cauldron’s sake, yet he still wouldn’t talk. 

But Az wasn’t worried. He would talk. They always talked in the end.

It had been several months since he last traveled to the Court of Nightmares. He might not admit it to anyone else, but he could admit it to himself - it was somewhat of a relief to be back. There was no better time for him to… let loose, per say. If only because his blood was close to boiling over already, what with every other burden he bore on his back. 

The anxiety. The guilt. The secrets . How come he’d never fully realized before how heavy secrets were? They were weighing him down like sand. 

But here, in the dark and cool caverns beneath the Court of Nightmares, where not even the strongest Fae hearing could detect a scream - here, he felt the glorious relief of lifted pressure; of steady, pulsing silence. Here, he could wear the worst parts of himself like a shining suit of armor. Here, he could be the Azriel everyone knew and feared. 

Smoothly, he slipped Truth-Teller out of its sheath and twirled it between his fingers with casual, lethal precision. 

“Next question,” he said. “Where did you stay while in Pentalos?”

The male said nothing. The only sounds were his ragged panting and the blood dripping slowly from the little stumps on his hand.

“I’ll wait,” Azriel said. “I’ve been told I’m very patient.” A pause. “But I’m also incredibly impulsive, and I get mad easily. So who knows what will happen.” He cocked his head to the side. “I suppose we'll find out soon enough.”

Still, the male said nothing. Instead, he summoned all his strength and spit in Azriel's direction.

The dagger was in the Spymaster's palm, and the next second it was lodged in the man’s kneecap, deep and through the bone. The scream the soldier let out was so blood-curdling that even his shadows winced, tightening themselves against him like a second skin.

But Azriel did not react a bit. No, he simply watched as the male screamed in agony, his own expression blank and empty. There was nothing he hated more than insolence.

He let the soldier cry and sob until there were simply no tears left to cry. Slowly, Azriel approached the man and retrieved his favorite dagger before retreating once more. And only then, only then did the Spymaster speak.

“I’ll ask you one more time,” he said quietly. “Where did you stay while in Pentalos?”

The soldier let out a dry, hopeless sob, and Azriel knew he had won. 

“In the caves,” the male said, his voice raw and rasping. “In the underground caves.”

Azriel froze. “There are no underground caves on Pentalos.”

“There are,” the soldier said, exhausted. He was getting close to death; Azriel could tell. “There are.” 

Well. That was news to Az. And everyone else who scoured the island. This prisoner was turning out to be useful after all.

“One more question. Almost done,” he said, but there was no compassion lacing his voice. Just an underlying, dark promise. He tried to ignore the sudden pounding of his heart. “What does Koschei want with Elain Archeron?”

A grating, humorless laugh worked its way out of the soldier’s throat, and Azriel had to fight the urge to kill him right then. “What does he want with her?” he repeated, but his tone wasn’t mocking; just resigned. Just tired. “He wants her ruined .” 

“ No ,” Azriel growled, as if the intensity of his objection could ensure Elain’s infinite safety. “He won’t ever get what he wants. Ever. But why does he want her?”

The soldier shook his head, something close to regret in his expression. “She can’t be saved,” he rasped. “Koschei wants her too much. He needs her too much.”

Pure, unadulterated panic shot through his chest, followed closely by white-hot, furious denial.

His fingers clenched around Truth-Teller.                   

“Wrong answer,” he said. There was a flash of silver, a shocked, gurgling gasp, and the Autumn Court soldier spoke no more. 

But the panic threatened to drown the Shadowsinger all the same.

***

It was four in the morning, and Elain had yet to sleep a wink.

Her mind simply wouldn’t shut up. She couldn’t stop thinking about - well, about everything , about so many things she couldn’t keep track. Things that happened today and things that happened yesterday; things that happened decades ago and things she wished she could do again; things that never happened and things that never will. All of it flashed through her mind at the speed of light: 

The cabin she used to live in, when she and her sisters slept in one bed together, curled around each other like cats;

Nesta in the library, smelling like vanilla and smoke and wariness;

The garden in the Night Court, thriving and beautiful without her tending to it;

Vassa, loving her like a sister and then avoiding her like the plague;

The cauldon, big and black and formidable, mocking her with its mightiness;

All the things she wished she would have said to her father - and to her mother;

The Flame Keeper tapping on her chest three times as she mouthed 'speak to the Queen;'

Lucien in the hallway, a deafening quiet engulfing them as his lips pressed against hers;

The looming presence of Koschei hanging over her like a storm cloud;

Azriel on his knees and between her legs, smiling at her and kissing her thigh with heart-wrenching tenderness, a thousand unspoken words gleaming in his piercing hazel eyes -  

She sat straight up in bed, her chest heaving. For a long moment, she was frozen, just staring intently at the full moon.

“Fuck it,” she muttered, then threw the covers off and stood to her full height. 

Less than a minute later - she forgot how convenient Fae speed was sometimes - she was outside Vassa’s quarters, knocking on the heavy oak door with loud and obnoxious persistence.

A servant answered the door. “Lady Elain, what is it?” the young girl asked. “Do you know the hour?”

“I need to speak with Vassa,” she said promptly. “And don’t bother telling me she isn’t awake. And I apologize in advance for my bluntness, but don’t bother trying to stop me from going in.”

The servant swallowed, glancing behind her nervously. “Lady Elain, I’m very sorry, but the Queen has given orders -”

“I don’t care what orders she’s given you,” Elain said patiently.

The servant looked downright scared now. “I’m very sorry, my Lady, but -” 

Elain sighed, then strode past the servant faster than the human could blink. 

She found Vassa in the last place she expected - outside, on a small balcony just off the side of her bedroom. With all the time she’d spent outdoors since the curse returned, Elain assumed the queen would much prefer the indoor comforts of her home. But perhaps even the familiar felt strange to Vassa now. 

Unnoticed, Elain observed her friend for a minute. The queen looked too tired. And too skinny. And too sad, too hopeless , her eyes blank and open as she surveyed the starlit night, hands gripping the railing like it was a lifeline. 

“Vassa,” she said softly, trying not to scare her.

To her credit, Vassa didn’t even flinch. And she did not turn around as she said, “Elain.” It almost sounded like a sigh. Like she’d been expecting and waiting for and dreading this moment, and here it was. 

But Elain didn’t let that mess with her. “You’ve been avoiding me,” she said steadily. 

Vassa still didn’t bother turning around. “Yes.” 

Slowly, like approaching a wild animal, Elain joined Vassa at the balcony. She followed her friend’s lead and stared at the expansive landscape before them. 

“Did you have a good relationship with your mother?” Elain asked out of nowhere. 

Vassa visibly started. “What in the world made you ask that?”

Elain shrugged. “I’m not quite sure, to be honest.”

“Yes,” the queen finally answered. “Yes, I did. My mother was a wonderful person. Both my parents were.” A clear note of wistful grief rang in her voice. 

Elain smiled, just a little bit sadly. “That’s good,” she said. “I’m sure they were lovely, seeing as they managed to raise a woman like you.”

“What was your mother like?” Vassa asked after a beat, her voice noticeably softer. 

“Oh, she was an absolute delight.” Elain let out a laugh that didn’t sound quite right. “She was intelligent, beautiful, and well-connected. She was incredibly good at reading people. She was trendy, and her taste was impeccable, and she loved finery; she always made sure we were dressed in the latest fashions.

“And she was also cold, callous, and cruel.” Elain shook her head slightly. “It’s hard for me to pick which one of us she was most awful to. We all got it worse in some ways, I suppose. Nesta was the heir apparent, treated more like a soldier than a child, expected to not only obey but to carry out my mother’s every order. Feyre was the forgotten child.

“And I was a pretty little puppet who was too silly and naive to try and cut off the strings that held me in place.”

Elain’s hands flexed unintentionally on the railing. She forced them to relax.

“I don’t think of my mother often,” she continued. “And I talk of her even less. My sisters are the same way. Sometimes it feels like she never existed, like I just made her up in my mind, but even I’m not enough of a masochist to imagine someone so uncaring. So unkind.

“But even though we never talk about her or miss her or hold any fond feelings toward her at all, and even though she died when we were quite little…I think she’s left her stain on us all. And I wonder, sometimes, if it can ever be washed out.”

Vassa was quiet for a very long time. But Elain was used to waiting. Used to being patient. It was yet another thing that separated her from her sisters: where Feyre and Nesta were impulsive, Elain was content to wait in the shadows for the proper time to strike.

And wait she did. 

Vassa finally broke the silence. 

“Why did you come here tonight, Elain?” she asked.

It was then that Elain turned to face the queen fully.

“There’s something I need to do. And you’re coming with me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s quite important, actually. And guess what?” Elain raised a brow.

“What?” the queen asked dryly. 

“You're going to do it, too.”

"I am?"

"Yes. You need to do it, actually."

“Do I really?”

Elain nodded, ignoring the lack of enthusiasm in Vassa’s tone. 

“And what, may I ask, do we both need to do that is so important you barged into my quarters in the dead of night?”

Elain cocked her head at her and grinned slightly. Something in her expression finally tipped Vassa off. 

“Oh, I don’t like that look,” the queen said, and though she was shaking her head, the first traces of excitement finally seeped through her voice. “What are you planning?”

Elain just grinned wider. “Vass,” she said, “Do you fancy a swim?”

***

The two females hurried through the woods. Leaves crackled beneath their feet; a heavy breeze whooshed over their bodies, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake; moonlight streamed through the gaps in the lush forest canopy, lighting their way.

“We are nearly there,” Vassa said, and though she spoke quietly, the sound still had Elain jolting slightly. Being this deep in the woods, no one around but the creatures who lived here, no sound but for the whispering wind and the rustling of foliage, had words themselves feeling foreign. Alien. 

Rounding a corner, they came to a huge clearing in the forest. The trees here arched toward each other, creating a high, curved canopy. In the center of the clearing was a large, glassy pond, or perhaps a small, circular lake, depending on who you asked. The surface was still as a statue, and the way it reflected the night sky made the water look like it was composed entirely of silvery starlight. 

“Wow,” Elain whispered. Vassa nodded in agreement. Together, they approached the edge of the glossy lake.

“When was the last time you were here?” Elain asked.

“Ages ago,” she said. “I don’t even remember. I fly over it sometimes, when I’m…in my other form. But I’ve not been this close since before the curse. Since before I became Queen, perhaps.” She shook her head as if the movement would shake away the memories. 

“Are you ready?” Elain asked.

“No,” Vassa said. “But let’s do it anyway.”

They stripped to their undergarments. Elain neatly folded her clothes and placed them on a large, flat rock; Vassa threw hers in a pile on the ground. Elain dipped a toe in and shivered. 

“It’s cold.”

“It’s November,” Vassa reminded her.

“Well. It’s not going to get any warmer with us standing here,” she replied shrewdly. “Come on. Let’s jump.”

A thick swallow worked its way down Vassa’s throat. Her hands were trembling, and Elain did not think it was because of the cold.

“You don’t have to do this, you know,” she said softly. 

“Yes. I do,” her friend replied. She took a deep, rattling breath and then held out her hand to Elain. 

In that moment, Elain forgot any anger she had with the queen. Without hesitation, she grabbed Vassa’s hand and laced their fingers together. 

“On three?”

The red-haired woman nodded tightly. 

“One,” she began.

“Two,” counted Vassa, her voice a nervous croak that nearly vanished with the wind. Elain couldn't deny it, either: she was nervous as well. She still hadn't dunked her head entirely underwater since the Cauldron...but she had to. She had to get Vassa to talk to her. And this was the only thing she could think of that might work.

“Three,” they said together, and then they were jumping. The second they hit the water, their grasp broke apart. It was cold, so cold, but so lovely too, invigorating and refreshing and a delicious shock to her very soul. 

Kicking her way up, Elain gasped as she broke above the surface, relishing the way the cool night air bit at her damp skin. A few feet away, Vassa emerged from the depths, crimson locks plastered to her face, blue eyes bright and gleaming in the light of the moon. 

“It’s fucking cold,” the queen gasped. 

“Is it?” Elain asked. “Feels amazing to me.” 

In unison, they started laughing uncontrollably. If asked, Elain could not have said what was funny, but maybe that was the point; maybe it was simply the nature of the situation, the thrill of acting on an impulse, that had mirth uncontrollably bubbling up inside of her. Or maybe it was the way she felt renewed; the way she felt clean , like all the dirty parts of her had been eliminated by the biting cool of the water; washed away like the tide, utter and absolute. Like all the rot inside of her had been cut out and replaced with new, thriving life. 

After several minutes, their laughter guttered out, throats left raw from the act. They stared at each other, treading water, soft smiles on their faces.

“Thank you,” Vassa said. The thin film of moisture in her eyes did not seem like it was from the pool they swam in, but Elain couldn’t be sure. “I don’t know if I ever would have come back here if it wasn’t for you.”

“You would have,” Elain said confidently. She was sure of that. Her friend may have her faults, but Vassa was brave and bold and true, and she would not let any obstacle stand in her way for long. Not if she could help it. 

Suddenly, Vassa's expression shifted dramatically, going from bright and giddy to starkly sober.

The mood shifted immediately, the queen’s words a catalyst to the thundering of Elain's heart. Even the forest around them seemed to quiet, the wind stilling, no creatures stirring, all listening for what came next. 

“Elain,” Vassa said, low and clear. “I need to tell you something.”

Afraid a trembling voice might give away her nerves, Elain merely nodded in response.  

Vassa took a deep, rattling breath. “Before I go any further, I want you to know that - “

She never finished the sentence. One moment she was there, staring at Elain with serious and mournful eyes, and the next she was gone. She vanished beneath the surface as if she was never there at all. She was gone so quickly she did not even have time to scream.

But Elain had seen the petrified expression on the queen’s face before her friend was pulled beneath the surface. A horror so heavy it sank like stone.

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[coulombury-conservatory]

And the Joltiks (and Mama Galvantula) have left the building. Well, all but one of course.

It was more bittersweet than usual, because watching Jewel say goodbye to them was definitely sad, but she seems to be doing just fine regardless. All of the babies were already very independent as it is, but the likelihood of her ever seeing them again is low, so I made sure she had all the time she wanted.

They should all do just fine though! The other 13 babies all showed promising survival skills. I wouldn’t have released them if I didn’t trust they’d be okay!

It truly does feel like the end of a chapter, for both me and Jewel, but we’ll just keep going. There are more Pokemon that need the conservatory’s help, after all!

[thisgirlnamedblusy]

I absolutely LOVED ‘someone is going to catch us’ and I was hoping if you could make a continuation with them having a meeting with the principal in part two if you’re okay writing one? Thank you!!

Yesss here it is!!!! Maybe it's a bit sad, but it has happy ending. I just tried to be realistic, and I thought what the real Larissa's reaction would be. Anyway, I hope you like it and sorry about the language mistakes!!!! :)))))

-This is a continuation for: Someone is going to catch us

Someone caught us

Pairing: Marilyn Thornhill x Fem, Student! Reader

Warnings: slightly mentions of smut, angst, fluff

Word count: 1,808

Summary: Larissa caught you. Now you two have to face the consequences

N/A: Requests are open!!! Sorry about the delays, I’m working hard on your requests. I love you all!!!

“I told you, damn it, (Y/N), I told you,” Marilyn repeated at the of the principal's office door. You rolled your eyes, you were scared and nervous. Larissa had caught you, and it was not exactly a simple kiss, it was something, much worse.

Larissa watched as your lover was taking you against the desk, in the conservatory. You were embarrassed and the consequences would be devastating, but one thing was clear to you. You weren't going to give up Marilyn.

“Shut up,” you answered in a bad way. “If you had been less cowardly this would not have happened,” you said. You were nervous and angry with the world. You didn't want to take it out on Marilyn, she was right. It was your fault, but you weren't the one that was fucking you with a strap-on. Two people are needed for that.

“What? Are you blaming me?” the redhead asked with wide eyes. “It's not me who came to the conservatory wanting to fuck.”

“Maybe I wouldn't if we could live a normal life, unless that's not what you want, Marilyn,” you said, crossing your arms. You were teary-eyed and your whole body was shaking.

“What? You're diverting the conversation, you always do,” she answered you, shaking her head.

“You are not able to admit that you are ashamed of me. You don't want anyone to find out about us. You live in fear.”

“I think it's a little late for that, (Y/N). Larissa, my boss, the principal has found out. I hope you're proud,” she reproached you.

Surely that attitude was not the best you could have. You lost nothing but your reputation. She lost it too, but with it, her job. You felt guilty, but you couldn't prove it, deep down you kept believing that if you had had a normal relationship that wouldn't have happened.

“Well, yes, I am. It no longer makes sense to hide it,” you said with a presumptuous tone. Her jaw dropped and she continued to shake her head.

“You're an immature brat, (Y/N), you don't realize the consequences of your actions,” she hissed, getting closer to you in a dangerous way.

“Great, leave me. Go with someone your age,” you answered, hoping that she would not accept your proposition. You didn't want to lose her. You loved her, you loved her very much.

“Maybe it's the best thing we can do…” She whispered, looking towards the door again.

A tear ran down your cheek. You weren't willing to accept it. You didn't mean it, you didn't want to leave it with her. You started hating yourself for being so stupid.

“Coward,” you said, sobbing. Marilyn frowned at you. She didn't say anything, just looked away, placing a hand on her forehead uneasily.

“Ahem.” Larissa's voice interrupted the worst moment of your life.

She looked at you with annoyance, with anger, as she opened the door to her office. You both bowed your heads and went in after her.

Larissa didn't speak as she sat in her chair, looking at some papers. When she finished she stared at you, sighing.

“I've been the Nevermore principal for more than 10 years and I have to admit that I've never had to face something like this,” she said, with the most serious voice you've ever heard from her.

You looked at the ground, clenching your fists. The embarrassment of being caught was nothing compared to that little argument.

“I have had to face many things,” Weems continued. “Fights between normies and outcasts, parents who do not accept the ineptitude of their children, drunk and incompetent teachers. But this is new to me, so I'll just ask one thing…” She said, getting up from the chair with her arms resting on the table, leaning towards you. “What the hell were you thinking, Marilyn?!”

That scream wasn't going towards you, it was going towards the redhead, who was scared of Larissa's fury. She was embarrassed and didn't even meet the eyes of the woman who was yelling at her.

“I certainly didn't expect that from you. With a student, in a class in… Well, anyway, you know exactly what you were doing. Have you gone crazy?!”

“I…” The redhead whispered, her voice cracking.

“I don't want to hear what is surely an absurd explanation. I can't forgive you for this, Marilyn, I can't turn a blind eye to something like that. (Y/N) is your student! A teenager! What kind of morals do you have to do something like that?”

It dresses you with the need to intervene. It was humiliation enough for poor Marilyn, that she wept discreetly, without looking up.

“Eh, I'm not a kid, I'm 18 years old,” you said, furious to see Larissa speaking that way to the love of your life.

“I'm not talking to you, yet” Larissa said, now looking at you.

“She hasn't done anything wrong, it was my fault,” you said with conviction.

“I'll have to decide that.”

“You don't know what you're talking about,” you said, sobbing. “You don't understand.”

“I know exactly what I'm talking about, (Y/N)! I have seen it with my own eyes! You have broken so many rules that I should expel you right now,” Larissa told you, threatening.

Marilyn looked at you sideways. You've never seen her with those eyes. Her entire body trembled.

“No, please, no, don't expel her,” the redhead said, unexpectedly coming to your defense. “It's my fault, please.”

“Was it? Whose fault was it?” Weems asked, with a dangerous look.

“Mine,” you answered in unison.

“Oh… Please…” Larissa sighed, sitting back down.

“We love each other,” you said emboldening yourself. Marilyn looked up in surprise. It wasn't that look from a few minutes ago, it was one of sadness.

“What?”

“We are together, and we love each other. If you were capable of accepting it, none of this would have happened,” you kept saying.

Marilyn did something that brought you even more tears. She reached her hand into yours and grabbed it.

“Don't talk nonsense, (Y/N)… Nobody is judging the love you say you feel. What I'm judging is showing that love in public, at school,” Larissa whispered, writing on a piece of paper. “Let's get this over with. I don't care what you have between you two. It is not allowed, it is immoral. Maybe if I hadn't found out, or if you weren't stupid enough to do what you did, I might have missed it. But you've come too far, and Nevermore can't afford a scandal like this.”

You both looked at each other, your hands did not separate.

“Marilyn, from what (Y/N) says, I don't think you've done anything that is out of the law. Until today you have proven to be a good teacher, so I will not mention this in the next meeting. But I'm afraid you can't continue in Nevermore,” she said, extending a paper towards the redhead.

“It is a formal resignation for your position. That will make things easier for you and won't hurt your reputation. I am also going to write a letter of recommendation so that you can find a job as soon as possible. Sign it, it's the best for everyone.”

Marilyn wept silently as she picked up a pen from the top of the paper. You cried even more, seeing how she leaned over to sign it. With a rush of adrenaline you snatched the paper off the table.

“No! Don't do it!” You yelled. Marilyn and Larissa looked at you with wide eyes.

“(Y/N), calm down, it's the best. If I sign it, there will be nothing that prevents us from being together, do you understand?” She told you, taking you by the shoulders and reassuring you. Larissa watched the scene, curiously.

“No, it's not fair, Marilyn, you haven't done anything wrong…” You sobbed, preventing her from picking up the paper again.

“What we did was not right, (Y/N), it was risky and every risk has its consequence. Don't cry anymore, please,” she told you, running a hand over your cheek, wiping away your tears.

“We were just loving each other… Love is not a bad thing,” you said, hugging her desperately. “Please, do not sign, I do not want you to leave…”

She hesitated, but she hugged you back, sighing.

All of this was taking place under the watchful eye of Larissa, who remained silent.

“Calm down, my girl…” She whispered in your ear. It seemed as if the words she said to you before entering the office had been forgotten. It was a sad, heartbreaking moment, but you never felt so loved. “I will come to see you every day, I promise.”

Saying so and placing a soft kiss on your forehead, she took the paper from your hand and leaned down to sign it, handing it to Larissa as she tried to hide her own tears. Weems looked at the paper and nodded.

“It's not fair…” You sobbed. Larissa looked at you over the top of the paper and closed her eyes, sighing.

A sound of torn paper filled the office. Larissa broke that document into several pieces, leaving it completely unreadable.

“What?” the redhead asked, stunned.

“I'm only going to say it once. If I see you doing something inappropriate again I won't be so kind, do you understand? There will be no second chance,” she said, getting up from the chair again. “I don't want to see you together at school.”

“Sure, sure,” Marilyn said quickly, smiling with joy.

“Do what you have to do very far from here, is that clear?”

You nodded, taking the redhead's hand again.

“Get out, out, out of my sight…” Larissa said, moving her hand as she rested her head on the other. The two of you hurried out of the office.

Once outside you launched yourself at Marilyn, kissing her passionately. She pushed you away after a few seconds.

“Didn't you hear what she told us?” She said, also unable to hide her joy.

“She said she doesn't want to see us, she's not seeing us,” you said joking. She laughed and stroked your cheek again, shaking her head.

“What you said is beautiful, (Y/N). I didn't think you loved me that much.”

“Well yes, I love you, I adore you, I love you so much…” You whispered in her ear. “Do you know something?”

She shook her head, grabbing your waist.

“I still carry it in my backpack… I know of a place in the library that…”

“Oh my God, (Y/N), again?”

“There is no one... It has a door... Do you remember that I can walk through walls?”

She smiled sheepishly, but she bit her lip thoughtfully.

“Well, okay, but if they catch us again it will be your fault,” she said, while you grabbed her wrist, pulling her.

[alphashley14]

One of Us

A Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated/Mystery Skulls Crossover

<Prev Next>

Chapter 17

Get in the Car

“Oh!” Ricky exclaimed, hardly able to suppress his surprise. “Your daughter? She uh…” Ricky looked down at the thing in the hole and tried to patch up his reaction. What’s the polite thing to say here?! “-She looks just like you.” 

That is not the polite thing to say here, you idiot!  

But Mystery just laughed as he gently re-buried the head. “Don’t fret, I can see why one may be confused. Shiomori wasn’t my child in the sense that most people would think. But I took another living thing, created her of my blood, and raised her as my own. What is a daughter if not that?” He explained, patting the soil firm again. 

“Sorry for not being all whimsical and shit, but I’m going to need a better explanation than that,” Ricky said.

Again, Mystery laughed that fox-like laugh of his. “I should think so! Where to begin? Shiomori wasn’t a particular kind of Yokai per say. She was actually the product of an experiment of mine. I was trying to create an extremely dangerous yokai (at least to humans) called a Jubokko. But instead the result resembled a hodge-podge between a Jubokko, a Furutsubaki no rei, and a Kiyo. And I know you don’t know what those are so long story short, Jubokko and Furutsubaki are tree yokai and a Kiyo is the female equivalent of an Oni, which is a creature akin to goblins in western lore. Following along?” 

“Not about the yokai stuff.” 

“I can refer you to texts later. That information isn’t entirely important. Anyway - skipping to the end, Shiomori and I parted ways when I joined Mushi, and there was a lack of communication that led to… a lot of anger. I imagine Shio believed I had forsaken her. I ran from her for years, until she caught up with us. I tried to appease her, to stop the fight. But Vivi didn’t know about Shiomori, and she was attacking us. So she killed her.” 

“That’s awful,” Ricky said, at a loss. “I’m sorry.” 

“It does make me extremely sad, but I am not and cannot be angry with Vivi over it,” Mystery said, ears drooped. “She gave Shiomori the chance to live and leave, but she just kept coming. Vivi was protecting me and the fight came to be through my own doing. Really, the fault is all mine. So why should I forsake one daughter for the death of another?” 

“You consider Vivi your daughter?” 

“By all intents and purposes, they are my friends. But I can’t help but consider all of the Mystery Skulls, Vivi especially, to be my children in a way. I watch over them, protect them, had a hand in raising them, and their futures are ever on my mind.” 

“So… if Shiomori is dead, then what’s with all…?” Ricky gestured to the planted tree and all of the adornments around it. “Is this her grave?”

“Not exactly. Death is not always as final to a Yokai as one may think,” Mystery replied. “Shiomori has easily regenerated from losing limbs, being cut in half, and even being beheaded. Vivi knocked out Shiomori’s weak point - her heart. But it wasn’t destroyed. So after the fact, we found where it landed and put it back inside her body. The energy’s weak, but it’s still there. She didn’t regenerate immediately, but she could still come back. I don’t believe she’s entirely gone. Rather, she’s in a sort of hibernation. The issue is that it could be decades before she’s strong enough to wake up again. So all of this is the least I can do to make up for what I did to her. I can’t change the past, but I can make better choices going forward. So until she wakes up, it’s my duty as her creator to keep her safe and to speed the process of her healing and awakening along as much as I can.” 

Ricky made a face, and what he said next sort of just slipped out. “With what? Miracle-Gro?” WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?

But, completely serious, Mystery replied, “And my blood, yes.”

Ricky blinked at him. “Oh. Of course. I should have known.”

And again, Mystery just laughed. 

They departed from the conservatory side by side - Mystery wanted to tell the whole story to everyone so he didn’t need to repeat himself. They found the others back in the lounge, where Vivi had made everyone tea and Scooby was finishing off a tray of rice crackers. 

How that dog was fitting any more food into his body after that huge dinner was beyond Ricky. But then again, he’d read somewhere once that dogs didn’t have that part of their brains that told them when they were full, so maybe Scooby just ate whatever food he came across no matter how much he’d eaten. Then again, Ricky reeeally wasn’t one to judge in his position given that just the sight of the food was making his (or rather Shaggy’s) mouth water. Maybe he was missing that part of his brain too.

No but seriously, the kid had to have some kind of condition.

“Hey guys,” Vivi said, bringing the group’s attention to their arrival. 

“So… everything good?” Fred asked. 

Ricky looked over at Mystery, and they spared each other a smile. “Yeah, we’re good,” Ricky said. 

“Where is Lewis? Has he already departed?” Mystery asked. 

“Yeah, he said goodbye. You just missed him actually,” Daphne said. 

“Hold on. I’m missing something. Where did Lewis go?” Ricky asked. 

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As much as Lewis had been able to calm down over the course of the past few hours, his anxiety was flaring with a vengeance and he could feel his energy destabilizing once again as he drove the Mystery Skulls van through the backroads, bound for Destroido.

Had you asked Lewis when he was alive whether or not ghosts drove cars to get places, he would have laughed and said no. They have like, magical powers. Why would they drive? Now that he was a ghost however… long-distance teleportation takes a lot out of a ghoul, okay?! 

But such thoughts weren’t exactly on his mind at the moment. Rather, he couldn’t stop thinking about what might be waiting for him at his destination. 

Arthur got caught. 

They hurt him. 

What if Ricky and Shaggy lied? 

Mind you, it wasn’t that Lewis doubted Arthur’s abilities nor that he mistrusted Ricky or Shaggy. It was just that Artie was so… So… 

Selfless. 

Small.

Fragile. 

Strong.

Important. 

Sweet. 

Smart. 

Loyal.

Caring. 

Thoughtful. 

Cute. 

Lewis’ flames flickered at that last thought and he quickly shoved it out of his mind. Arthur? Cute? I mean sure his eyebrows are shaped like hearts and that front and center patch of brown hair sticks up like the antennae of a doodlebug. Okay, so Arthur was pretty cute. But not like that kind of cute. 

… Right?

Lewis turned on the radio to reorient his thoughts, and the CD that he’d put in earlier today picked up where it left off.

“Baby youuu got me wrong… Let me siiing you my songs… Let me shooow you where I been… Let me teeeell you everything! Let me take you with meee~! Mmm-mmmh! Let me take you with me~! Let me take you with meeee~! I’ll take you some place far. If you get in the car… (Right now.)”

Fuck, it would be nice to be able to just toss Arthur in the car and go. But he couldn’t exactly do that. And what Lewis wanted right now didn’t matter anyway. 

“Ooh, -Drivin’ down the highway with my baby!  Ooh, windows down, music up, it makes me crazy! Ooh, driving faster than we ever been before! Has it. Ever felt this good? Ooh, driving down the highway with my baby! Ooh, windows down, music up, it makes me crazy! Ooh, driving faster than we ever been before! Has it. Ever felt this good?”

Whatever was waiting for him ahead, Lewis was going to be whatever Arthur damn well needed him to be. Whether that be a sword, a shield, an ally, a spy, or a friend. 

“Baby, you got me so misunderstood. We're driving down the highway like I told you we would, Taking you places that I can't explain my actions, If you think I don't know, I gave you no satisfaction. I keep tellin' you-”

-And not just because Arthur was his best friend. Or because they’d known each other for as long as they could remember. Or because Arthur was there for Vivi and the Peppers when Lewis couldn’t be. 

“Ooh, -Drivin’ down the highway with my baby! Ooh, windows down, music up, it makes me crazy! Ooh, driving faster than we ever been before. Has it. Ever felt this good?”

No. This was more than favors between friends. This was repentance.

“Ooh, -Drivin’ down the highway with my baby! Ooh, windows down, music up, it makes me crazy! Ooh, driving faster than we ever been before! Has it. Ever felt this good?"

Saving his life is the least you can do, you piece of shit. Because after he looked after your girlfriend and your family while dealing with losing a limb and going days without sleeping looking for you, what did you do?

You tried to kill him.

And you almost succeeded.

An image flashed through Lewis’ mind, of the shock and horror that had been in Arthur’s eyes the moment his best friend dropped him to what would have been his death. 

Lewis shook that image away. Lewis may have been a ghost, but for three years he had been haunted by the what-ifs of what could have followed that moment. 

He never wanted to see that look on Arthur’s face again. 

Lewis would not let that happen. 

“Baby youuu got me wrong. Let me siiing you my songs. Let me shooow you where I been. Let me teeell you everything!”

Lewis’ thoughts wandered to Mystery, and the story he was telling back home by now. God, he just hoped that conversation went well.

“Let me take you with meee! Mmm-mmmh! Let me take you with meeeee~! Let me take you with meeeeee-e~! I'll take you some place far. If you get in the car-”

Lewis turned the radio off.

Before long, the trees along the road turned black and decayed as the van entered Destroido’s polluted grounds. Lewis drove off-road and parked the car in the poisoned forest, parking as far away from the facility as possible while staying reasonably close. He used a bit of magic to cover the vehicle with mutated or decaying shrubbery and placed a glamour over it to make it unnoticeable, then drifted in the form of a pink mist through the anomalous forest until he reached the same hilltop he and the others had stood and argued upon only hours before. 

Destroido Corp. was a truly dismal, ghastly place. Mystery didn’t like it, that was for certain. Being a Mori, every moment he spent in these woods rubbed his fur the wrong way. And using any of his related powers here felt like chugging battery acid with how polluted and mutated everything was. Though Lewis knew he hadn’t said anything about it because he didn’t want Ricky to feel bad.

It was hard to connect the Ricky Lewis had met today to the Mr. E who had put ruin such as this out into the world. Not that Lewis should really be surprised. He knew Ricky had done a lot of things he regretted. But he was trying to do better. So maybe after Arthur took everything back and they didn’t have a curse, a crazy parrot, or an evil eldritch deity to deal with, Ricky could do something about… this. 

But, that would be Ricky’s choice to make and his mess to deal with. For now, Lewis’ place was at his friend’s side. 

Come to think of it… Lewis didn’t know what adult-Ricky looked like. He’d seen pictures of the original Mystery Inc. as kids, he knew Ricky wore a striped shirt and a purple jacket with a red ‘E’ seal on it, and somebody had mentioned that Ricky had long hair. So he had that to go on. 

Let’s see. If I was Arthur pretending to be Mr. E… where would I be? 

༻˚⁺･⚉｡○✼༓☾⦾♫෴♡💛♡෴♫⦾☽༓✼○｡⚉･⁺˚༺

“That’s right! Arthur wanted to talk to Lewis!” A whole new stab of guilt hit Ricky at the mention of Arthur. Ghosts, ice magic, and yokai had kept his mind so occupied that the guy living his Hell who was in the process of saving his life had somehow managed to evade his thoughts. “So that’s what Arthur meant by that,” Ricky said, pushing through. “But he couldn’t tell us at the time because- ahhh, I see. Wow. It’s going to be really easy for Lewis to get into Destroido. I most certainly never thought to ghost-proof the place. Nor would I know how. And I doubt Professor Pericles would either. So, Vivi? Any idea what Arthur may need him for?” 

“Well obviously, Lewis is a lot more powerful and more intelligent than the Dead Beats - no offense, guys.” 

The dozen or so Dead Beats who were hanging out around the room made noises and gestures of mock-indignation, pretending to be offended. Except for one, who stuck his tongue out and nodded in agreement. But his buddy next to him smacked him upside the head and he quickly joined in with the others’ protest. Ricky snorted. 

“There are any number of reasons Arthur may need Lewis for something,” Vivi said thoughtfully. “It probably has something to do with his escape plan, but I can’t be sure. If there’s anything Arthur needs done that would take a bit more finesse than the Dead Beats’ capabilities, then he’d need Lewis. Whatever it is, Lew will tell us when he gets back or in the morning, depending on whether or not we’re asleep when he returns. I mean it is past eleven.”  

“I just hope he’s okay,” Ricky sighed. 

“Hey, don’t worry,” Vivi said with a forced smile. “Arthur’s a really capable guy. If he says he can do it, then he can do it!” 

“But?” 

“But what?” 

“That did not sound very firm, Vivi. So where’s the but?” 

Vivi sighed. “Arthur… makes bad choices when it comes to his own health and safety. He is really capable but… his self-preservation isn’t exactly great and he cares about other people too much more than his own life. I believe in him. Really, I do.” Then she cringed. “Buuuuut this is the guy who once speedballed two Red Bulls and his pain meds and then didn’t sleep for five days so-”

“Heeey! I believe I owed you guys one more story!” Mystery quickly and loudly butted in before Vivi could completely dash everyone’s faith in Arthur. 

But Ricky didn’t let him. “Wait no- no. I’m sorry. He did WHAT?”

“What the hell was he thinking?!” Velma cried.

“Let’s just say he makes poor life choices and leave it at that,” Vivi said, realizing her slip-up. 

But then something possessed Mystery to make it worse. “Vivi, he saw cracks in reality on the third day. We found him in the attic trying to speak to his past lives. I’d say ‘poor life choices’ is an understatement.”

“Oh my God I’m gonna die…” Ricky uttered with sheer horror. 

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I’m going to kill him… 

Deep within the labyrinth that was Destroido, Judy was silently seething. She snatched up another piece of equipment and furiously went about the process of taking it apart and putting it back together again. Checking their trapping gear was a regular activity she shared with Brad. A peaceful, habitual chore that they could do together, perfectly in sync. 

Usually. 

“Judy! You used the wrong screws in the Spangleheimmer 3,000! Do you have any idea how disastrously this could have made a trap fail?” 

“At least I didn’t forget to check the tension on the iron cables, Brad!” 

“I already apologized for that, Judy.” Brad snapped. “Or is there still wine in your ears keeping you from hearing me!” 

“Enough, you dummkopf!” Professor Pericles snapped, fluttering between them. 

“You sure are one to talk, Professor Pericles. That little button of yours was supposed to solve our Ricky problem once and for all!” Judy sneered.

“Und it has,” Professor Pericles insisted. “No matter how defiant he pretends to be, at the end of the day he is powerless.” 

“Is he?” Brad and Judy both asked at once. 

“Last I saw him, he didn’t exactly seem powerless, as you said he’d be!” Judy grumbled. 

“If I wasn’t so angry, I’d be impressed,” Brad said. “I didn’t even know Ricky had that in him, much less in his position.” 

Neither did I, Pericles realized with a jolt of anger - he really didn’t like not knowing things. 

“Makes me wonder what else Ricky might ‘have in him’” Judy mused. “I guess it’s true what they say, Brad: You can only push someone so far.”

I pushed my sweet Ricky too far, an old voice whimpered annoyingly and pathetically in the back of his mind. 

No, No. Professor Pericles had worked too long and too hard to allow such weakness to stand in his way! Ricky was simply… scraping out his last traces of defiance. He was broken. BROKEN. And with Cassidy dead and the kinder firmly against him, outside these walls he had nothing. What choice did he have but to stay with Pericles, where he belonged, and to do as he was told? 

“For now,” the Parrot said, “We shall give Ricky the space he so desires. But we are at too important a stage of my genius plan to allow such insubordination to thwart a single step. Perhaps I have allowed Ricky too long a length of chain. He will need to be controlled much more closely.” 

“What do you have in mind?” Judy asked gleefully. 

“Let us just say that by the end of it, Ricky shall regret ever showing such disdain for my generosity,” Professor Pericles sneered. “When I am done with him he shall-” 

But Professor Pericles stopped short. 

Because that’s when the cold pierced through his feathers like a thousand needles. Involuntarily, his feathers puffed up in an attempt to conserve heat and his breath- what? 

Professor Pericles exhaled experimentally and felt a different sort of shiver run through him as a puff of visible, condensed air left his beak. 

Brad and Judy were shivering too, looking around in confusion and fear. Each of them wordlessly grabbed a weapon and stood, back to back, the hairs on the backs of their necks raised. With a few beats of his wings, Pericles flew up to land on Judy’s shoulder. 

Something in the air had changed. As if someone was here- something- What was that? In a reflection, Brad could have sworn he’d seen a face glaring at him. But it darted out of sight. Was it a hallucination? Or something more?  

That’s when whatever it had been dissipated, the tension in the air disappearing and the cold fleeing the room just as quickly as it had come.

What the fuck?

What the fuck?

Was zum Teufel?

Maybe Ricky… needed to go on the backburner for now. 

༻˚⁺･⚉｡○✼༓☾⦾♫෴♡💛♡෴♫⦾☽༓✼○｡⚉･⁺˚༺

“Jeepers… that’s awful, Mystery.” Daphne said once Mystery was done telling the kids about Shiomori. 

“You killed her, Vivi?” Velma said, looking at Vivi in a new light.

“Three years ago was… a big night. For all of us.” Vivi said, putting the tea set back on the tray. Daphne got up to help her with it. 

“Oh,” Ricky said, the timing dawning on him. “So… it happened around the same time Arthur lost his arm. And Lewis…” Ricky trailed off as Vivi wordlessly took the last couple of cups from Daphne and skedaddled out of the room. 

“Please tell me I didn’t say something wrong,” Ricky groaned. 

“You didn’t,” Mystery sighed from where he was lying in front of the fireplace. “Three years ago is a difficult time for any of us to talk about. And we struggle with what we can and can’t tell you without giving away more than we should for Arthur’s sake.” 

“Like we get that though,” Shaggy said. “It was like, major for him. I wouldn’t want other people sharing stuff like that about me either.” 

“Seriously. Don’t push yourselves to tell us any more than you’re comfortable with at a time. We may not know what happened three years ago, but I think we know enough that it’s even worse than what we’ve been through,” Fred said. 

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Mystery said, slightly raising his teeth in anger. But this time no one flinched, because it was on their behalf. “Trauma is trauma and it isn’t a game of top trumps to see who’s ‘had it worse’. How it happened does not change the fact that everyone here has known pain. In one way or another, we have been lied to, used, and our worlds have fallen apart - permanently in some cases.” 

There was a pregnant silence as his words sank in. 

Fred remembered all too well the nagging anxiety that had stabbed at him when he’d pieced together his Mayor-Dad’s lies, and what he’d done to the Original Mystery Inc… then the agony that had pierced him when he’d learned who his real parents were. Then how close he’d come to losing Daphne forever… Perhaps it was the fresh wound from his father’s betrayal that made him almost numb to it when his “real blood” chose the treasure over him.

Daphne remembered all too well the way her heart had crumbled when Fred broke off their engagement and left Crystal Cove. The words “Mystery Incorporated is dead” rang through her ears for days afterward, and she cried so much that she nearly ran out of tears to shed. And of course her parents had been little help. In fact Daddy had seen fit to rub it in that he’d never approved of Fred. Then Baylor Hotner had- … Daphne knew he was an idiot. A monster and a criminal. But Daphne really had liked him. And that he’d just been using her from the start… hurt.

Shaggy remembered all too well what it felt like to be ripped away from Scooby and the others. Time and time again forces outside his control seemed to try and take his dog away from him. Velma. The robot dog and Jason’s Mom. Supervillians, and then his own parents- …Military School had been… rough. Separated from the gang and from Crystal Cove. Scoob sent away to live on some farm. And knowing that his own parents, who were supposed to love him more than anything, had sent him away in an attempt to “fix him” had made it all the worse. 

Scooby remembered all too well what it had felt like to lose Shaggy and the others over and over again. Being locked away like some animal in the Animal Asylum. Being sent away to some farm while the others were falling apart and Pericles was alive and could hurt them without Scooby there to look after his kids! Then Nova- Scooby had gotten the gang back… He didn’t know if he was ever going to get Nova back.

Velma remembered all too well how crushed she’d been when the gang blamed her for the breakup. A tumultuous game of tug-of-war had gone through her head for months afterward. Should I have told them about Angel sooner? Was it my fault? Why didn’t I fight harder? Why was it so easy for them to turn their backs on me? What else could I have said? When Crybaby Clown showed up, forming an alliance with Mr. E and Marcie had served as a welcome distraction. Marcie… telling her she had to leave the gang had been the hardest thing Velma had ever had to do. She felt this… ache in her chest that she’d never felt before and she was still figuring it out. As for Mr. E: of course Velma now knew why, but he had purposefully kept them at a distance back then. No matter how much Velma tried to make it clear that she and Marcie were his teammates, not his employees, he continuously treated them like the latter. And you know what? She didn’t ‘know’ Mr. E very long (at least in person), but she’d been disappointed by the ‘real thing’ in comparison to the Mr. E who had sent her friends clues and playfully teased them over the phone. Since Mr. E- Ricky had apologized and Velma now knew about the eldritch god that had been playing with his head and parts of what he’d been going through at the time, she felt… a sense of closure in understanding why he’d acted that way. But that didn’t erase the sting she’d felt at the time. 

Ricky remembered-

Without saying a word, five heads slowly turned to him at once. And by the way he trembled, clutching the edge of the couch with white knuckles, staring ahead with eyes that were seeing horrors both long-past and not-so-long-past… they all knew at once what he remembered all too well. 

Velma tentatively placed a hand on his shoulder, and flinched when he jumped. But the haze of momentary panic cleared when he looked at her, and she gave him a comforting squeeze. Ricky gulped, taking a deep breath, and appreciatively placed his hand over hers with a smile. 

Next to Velma, Scooby laid his head on Shaggy’s lap and the boy started stroking his dog’s head. On the other couch, Daphne scooted closer to Fred to lean on him, and he for once got the hint to wrap his arm around her and pull her closer. 

“Fortunately for us, humans are extremely social creatures,” Mystery said, repeating his earlier words. “And unfortunately for our enemies, nothing has the power to bring people together like shared pain. To think that pain makes you stronger… humans really are incredible,” Mystery said reverently, but then his brows furrowed and his ears drooped. “I only wish that I had realized that sooner.” 

“What do you mean?” Velma asked. 

“You were right to distrust a nogistune,” Mystery said with shame. “Up until now, you have gotten to know only one side of me. Others are… darker. But they are a mere shadow in comparison to the monster I once was.” 

“Until you met Mushi,” said Fred.

Mystery nodded. “Let me tell you everything - lay my sins bare. So that when I tell you that I am being honest and my intentions are sincere, you will believe it. I only ask… that you judge me for how I have grown, and who I am now. Not for who I was.” 

The six mystery solvers looked at each other, then with a nod they all agreed. 

And the kitsune began his tale.

Aaand that's a wrap on chapter 17! The people have spoken overwhelmingly in favor of Lewvithur, and tbh I can't exactly blame you. They're so cuuute. This chapter is, to me, kinda underwhelming. But it reeeally nicely sets up chapter 18. I sort of think of it as the prelude leading into chapter 18. Which ya'all are gonna love, btw. Still, I liked writing it. And I did have some fun. I was intending for this chapter to be at least mostly light-hearted (hence all the jokes), and I couldn't resist the opportunity to make a reference to my favorite Mystery Skulls fancomic, "Mother-like friends." IDK what about that comic makes me laugh so hard, but apparently it's my exact breed of humor. Shout-out to its creator, huppupbup. And thanks to the talented voice actors who gave it a voice. I also liked checking in on Pericles, Brad, and Judy. Like, let's not forget that they exist. And cracks are beginning to form. Also Lewis giving them a lil scare was so satisfying to write. Eat it, birdbrains. 😈 I really don't know where that mountain of angst came from at the very end of this chapter, but I'm happy to have it. With how much Ricky and Mystery Skulls angst is in this fic, I think it's important that I not forget or skim over the fact that the gang has been through some shit, too. The wait for chapter 18 shouldn't be very long. It's like, totally done (and it is a doozy!) I just need to make a couple of edits. Though I might make ya'all wait just to give me some time to work on chapter 19, which I haven't even started. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I can't wait to share the next one with you!

Chapters 1-16 of One of Us are presently posted on Archive of Our Own.

Chapter 17 should be posted on Ao3 within the next 24 hours.

[mermaidsirennikita]

Weekly Book Recs: 10/6-10/13

Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne

Easily one of the best Pride and Prejudice retellings I've read, this takes our prickly leads and turns them into an activist versus a billionaire (who has a lot more going for him than "billionaire", believe). It's socially conscious, funny, and touching--and it captures the more melancholic aspects of P&P more than most reboots I've read. There's a real old school 90s-2000s romcom vibe to the fallout aspect of the book. Pick it up! #23for23

Jana Goes Wild by Farah Heron

I blogged a bit about this one as I was reading it--and suffice to say, I was impressed. It's a risky premise--Jana and Anil have a two week fling during which she falls head over heels, finds out he's married, and, after blocking him on every platform possible, discovers she's knocked up... Cut to five years later, and they're co-parents of a daughter while seeing each other as little as possible. Until they end up a part of the same wedding party. At a destination wedding. In Tanzania. It's a big swing of a story, and with a charming hero (Anil and his daughter... my heart) and a heroine who's so hesitant to take a risk after being burned (but so drawn to her baby daddy) it really impressed me. I know this one is polarizing in romance circles; and if you're familiar with romance circles, you can guess why. Cardinal romance rules broken! The heroine isn't perfect and she's a woman of color so the standard has to be impossibly high! Whatever, man. This shit is good. #23for23

Sinner by Sierra Simone

I read this a year ago and wasn't really feeling it, but gave it another shot when my mood shifted--and liked it a lot more this time around. I'd call this perhaps the most "approachable" Sierra Simone I've read so far--it's really a sex lessons/age gap/brother's best friend book, with the added bonus of the heroine being thisclose to becoming a nun. I won't lie--if you wanted to dip your toes into Sierra Simone's work, I think Priest is probably a more... accurate... representation of her standard fare (Sean Bell keeps going "I'm a bad man, my good brother Tyler over there on the other hand" and like. My guy. Sean. Tyler is OBSCENE.) but this one is quite good. And very, very hot. TW: Sean is a primary caretaker for his mother, who has terminal cancer. That is a big part of the book, and while I thought it was done beautifully, it is very sad.

The Professional by Kresley Cole

Kresley Cole is one of those authors whose style was kind of made for mafia romance--over the top, super hot, and alpha to the nth degree. This is the first non-IAD book I've read by her, and though I was surprised by some differences (it's first person POV, single POV at that) it's a fucking romp, the way I expect a Kresley book to be. There's stalking-is-love, our hero kidnaps our heroine after watching her masturbate to the memory of him in the bathtub, there's a lot of good bit of kink. And it's a bodyguard romance, which I personally love. It's a little softer than some of the mafia romances I've read--but I am more than confident that the next book will be... different.

A Rake's Vow by Stephanie Laurens

In theory, there isn't a lot that's super crazy about the plot of A Rake's Vow--it's basically a rake/resistant virgin book, with a light, fun mystery. But it's just so fun. The tone is perfect. Vane just wants this woman to marry him, because Fate demands it, damn it! And Patience is resistant for a reason I don't know that I've seen a lot, or at all in historicals--her father was a rake, and she doesn't want to end up like her heartbroken mother. (Also, she's raising her little brother and very Practical and doesn't want Vane to be a bad influence on him, and it's all very amusing.) This is a house party book without the party, full of a cast of quirky characters. At one point, he starts putting the moves on her in the conservatory and she's like "what are you doing" and he goes "you followed me into the CONSERVATORY". Like I said, it's so much fun. And Cynster men are conquerors--don't ever forget that.

Never Met a Duke Like You by Amalie Howard

A funny, sexy retelling of Clueless (which is a retelling of Emma, and it all works). Out 11/14, read my full review here.

[odusseus-xvi]

I'm not the type to willingly look at critics of stuff I like. Mainly cause it makes me sad. But I've seen some recently about c3, and I have to admit there are some valid points... But a lot of them just makes me confused.

For exemple one that comes up a lot : There is too much/not enough stakes.

Both are utilized a lot. 10/20 episodes back people kept saying the campaign was boring and "there is no stakes, and no overall goals, and nothing to look towards" etc... Now I see a lot of "There is too much stakes, I don't understand what's happening, It's too stressful, Why is there stakes that early" etc...

WHAT DO YOU WANT ? Like seriously, I'm not even mad at those people just... confused. They also keep comparing those aspects to C2 for some reason (because c2 is absolutely perfect of course and was cr's peak and all that bullshit) Don't get me wrong, I loved both the previous campaigns, but like, they had stakes too. The Chroma attack, Vecna, Lorenzo kidnapping half the party and killing one member permanently very early in the campaign, The Angels of Iron trying to f* release Tharizdun or help spread it's chaos, Cognouza and I can probably keep going.

Then there is : "Bells Hells don't talk about there problems like M9 did, They are all so open to each other already I don't understand. They feel unorganic."

Ok. Let's look at something.

Goals of the M9 at the start of c2 :

All (exception of Fjord) : I'm fleeing from things and people, I need to survive and make money. I don't know who I can trust, but I probably will have more chances if I accept some help.

It make sense for them to be wary of each other, and to open up later. They don't have an urgency, a goal that makes them go forward, not yet.

Goals of BH at the start of c3 :

Orym (Dorian and Ferane follows) : Set on a quest to uncover what happened to his home and husband, searching for Oshad Breshio.

Imogen (Laudna follows) : Get to the starpoint conservatory to undestand her (and laudna's) powers.

Ashton : Clear their debts. Understand what happened this day.

FCG : Uncover what happened to their old party.

Chetney : Finding people to help him controls his powers.

They are all tangled up in misteries the want to untangle. They want to understand their lives, why they are here right now. They really quickly realise they were all traumatized in some way by things like that, AND that each of their misteries are probably more dangerous and out of their league that they anticipated ; They both realize they are gonna need help AND understands the others situation very early on. They have reasons to keep going and walking without thinking too much about what to do next. Well shit. When you think about it... It also makes sense.

Last point. This made me laugh more than the others. It was two comments under the same critic : It went a bit like this.

1st "I fully agree. I think they should talk more. They don't open up enough, and too much is happening."

2nd " I agree, They talk way too much, I want things to advance. Even back in c1 they had this problem. I skipped all the roleplay parts to get to the combat and big events." (like wtf bud)

Finally this is just to say I absolutely think that critics is necessary to a healthy fandom, and I don't mind that. Not only that but there is also something i can respect about them, even the dumb ones ; it seems more and more realise and admits, that this is fully subjective ; That they don't like all of it, but that they are also part of the problem themselves. I respect that, and I'm happy to see more and more realise it instead of outright saying it's just "bad and terrible, and not what it was".

Honeslty, personally, as long as the cast is having fun at the table, I am too.

(sorry if there are some mistakes in there I am both a fast typer and a non native english speaker)

[sarcasticdolphin]

todolf conservatory au request.. can’t wait to see them scramble to deal with rudolf’s (and tod’s??) disappearance I’m like the yes ha ha ha yes meme

"Missing"

The beginning of the aftermath. Colloredo's POV. Under the cut for length and the fact that Colloredo has thoughts about Mozart that College Deans really shouldn't be having about students ....

The receptions after graduation ceremonies were Hieronymus’ most and least favorite events to attend, depending on the day. Who would say no to alcohol on the college’s dime? Then again the swill that was labeled champagne barely made the cut.

Normally he wouldn’t stay long - enough to offer a toast to the new graduates and not raise eyebrows, but no longer. That all went out the window when the Chancellor’s son was one of the students graduating. Hieronymus was now on his fifth glass of whatever was in those little plastic cups, and instead of a pleasant buzz, all that he had managed to grant himself was the beginnings of a severe headache. 

He wasn’t the senior administrator - what with the Chancellor here and all - but somehow that just made it worse. Awkward moments came and went. He congratulated students he’d never seen before, avoiding the few who he’d had the occasion to meet under earlier less joyful circumstances. 

The minutes felt like hours, but gradually the crowd thinned and Hieronymus found himself standing next to the chancellor, offering congratulations on the graduation of his son through slightly gritted teeth. He couldn’t say he was sad to see Rudolf von Habsburg leave, what with the whole mess with Tod. The mess Hieronymus had never really gotten to the bottom of. 

Franz accepts the thanks gracefully enough, but his brow furrows. It’s getting late, and the reception is almost over. Wherever has Rudolf gone off to?

Hieronymus glances around, not seeing the boy who had vexed him far more than most. Franz has his phone to his ear when Hieronymus turns back, waiting patiently through the rings, until it goes straight to voicemail. He tries again, but nothing changes.

“Odd.” Franz’s brow is furrowed more properly now. “I swear he’s glued to that thing most of the time.”

He tries once more to no avail before muttering something under his breath. 

The cold click of heels on the tile announces Franz’s wife. “Elisabeth.” Her arrival brings a smile to Franz’s face, even if the worry never left his eyes. Hieronymus felt the odd urge to duck his head before the icy statue in the shape of a woman. She always had that effect, or so his predecessor had said.

Franz’s wife was beautiful, or perhaps it was more that she had been beautiful. The Botox was well done, but the lack of lines in her face seemed to Hieronymus more unnatural than youthful. Franz had aged gracefully. His wife seemed content to spend obscene sums of money to avoid the same, but in Hieronymus’ view she was worse off in the end.

“Our son is being petulant.” Franz sounds resigned more than anything else. “Would you?”

The young woman who accompanied the Chancellor’s wife - Hieronymus had been introduced to her once, but he couldn’t recall her name - dutifully pulled a phone from the purse she carried and handed it over to Elisabeth. Even the simple act of carrying her own phone was evidently beneath the icy goddess that Franz had married. What he saw in her, Hieronymus would never understand. 

The rings came again. Straight to voicemail. 

“He hates this sort of social event. He probably headed back to the house, and his phone is just in another room. Or he can’t hear it over the piano.” Franz’s words ring hollow to Hieronymus’ ears, like the Chancellor is trying to convince himself most of all. 

The Chancellor and his icy Empress depart together, and Hieronymus for his part slips off into the night. He needs something stronger than the swill from earlier.

—-------------

He dreams of his composer, of the pretty thing coming to heel. Accepting guidance. Because Wolfgang Mozart was a diamond in the rough, so incredibly talented but without the discipline to use said talent. No matter. Others - Hieronymus - could provide the needed guidance. And the young man would look so pretty on his knees.

Dream-Mozart was nothing like his real counterpart, all platitudes and doe eyes. So submissive, and so willing to learn. To please. 

So no one could blame Hieronymus for the storm of curses that erupted as his phone pulled him from his dream. 10 am already. He squints enough to see the caller ID. Franz. Fuck.

“Colloredo.” Hieronymus’ voice sounds hoarse even to his own ears

—------------

There’s not really much he can tell the officers. Yes, Rudolf had attended graduation. But the reception had been so crowded, and Hieronymus hadn’t seen Rudolf there. He’d been busy. The detective coldly scribbles notes. 

The questions are mostly generic, and Colloredo’s clouded brain gives automatic answers until the last one. Is there anything else they should know?

He swallows. Because there is. God on high, there certainly is. 

“He was quite close to Professor Tod.” An understatement if ever there was one. But that’s all his muddled brain can conjure for now. Thoughts dart back and forth - close wasn’t the right word. But he couldn’t think of another. 

The detective thanks him and Hieronymus offers a brief prayer that Rudolf is simply hiding out at his erstwhile advisor’s house and avoiding his father. It seems in character enough. 

Advisor. Because Tod had been Rudolf’s advisor in the end. Hieronymus would be lying if he didn’t find the circumstances more than a little suspicious, but there was nothing. Infuriatingly, there was nothing save perhaps the echo of smirk as Tod had ever so graciously offered to step in at the last minute, and as Colloredo had forced a thankful acceptance of said offer through clenched teeth, thinking all the while that it would be what the department head would have wanted. Of all semesters this would be the one the man was on sabbatical.

Arco emerges with a file for the officers. Tod’s address, hopefully. Then this can all be over. And perhaps Tod might even just step far enough over the line. The fraternization rules were stricter than most. And part of Hieronymus was all too happy to envision that conversation, much as he usually hated them and found talking to Tod more than a little unnerving most of the time. Because that was the sort of conversation that ended with a resignation if the professor had any idea what was good for them.

And then Hieronymus would be free of his accursed doppelganger. Yes, perhaps this whole affair, inconvenient as it was, would have a positive outcome in the end.

[thebandcampdiaries]

An interview with Ayric: an artist with a one-of-a-kind background.

-Thanks for your time Ayric! Can you tell us about your musical journey and how you developed your passion for music, eventually becoming a musician, singer, and songwriter?

Music, for me, is a window to a different and endless world.

In this world, I can make a music that originates from my feelings and the lyrics that come to my mind, with the combination of melody and harmony  ،this song is a part of me.

With my music, I relieve my sadness, I relax, I get happy, I get motivated and I continue on my way.

Along with enjoying music, it requires a lot of effort and dedication to continue and improve continuously

Special attention should be paid to each section 

And for a musician this is a lifestyle

- You graduated from the Tehran Music Conservatory in composition. How has your formal education in music influenced your artistic style and approach to composing and arranging songs?

University education in the field of composition has given me a deeper and broader perspective in this field.

But ultimately, in today's music, sometimes a single chord is much more effective than a complex harmony.

In a music that emphasizes singing, the melody of the voice is the most important, and during this study, I had the opportunity to learn, practice and improve my singing skill with professional teachers in the field of classical singing.

And I am currently using this singing ability to present the desired feeling in the song.

- Moving from Iran to Italy must have been a significant transition for you. Ayric, how has your cultural background influenced your music, and how do you navigate blending different musical influences in your compositions?

Basically, this forced migration happened because of the existence of a dictatorship in my country, Iran, and forced me to pay a lot of money and lose a lot of time.

But anyway, this has given me a better perspective of the future

Most of the songs that have been released were created before the migration. After moving, I have composed other songs, which will be released soon.

I use elements of Persian pop music in my work and always will; but for diversity and creating new works, I use elements from different genres of music, so that it is in the format defined for me.

- “Life is Beautiful" seems to carry a powerful message about finding hope and beauty in the face of life's challenges. What inspired you to write this song, and how do you hope it resonates with your audience?

The message of this song is clear, “Life is beautiful, open your eyes”.

The text of this song is from the famous Iranian poet “Rumi”.

This song is about wisdom, and like hundreds of other artists, I share my experiences with the audience in the form of songs. We, as humans, face many challenges, and it can be like a long marathon, and the thing that saves us is having hope and looking at the beauty of life. This song has a sentence: “I have seen the cure after throwing away the pain.” This means that we must see beyond the problems, difficulties, and pains to be able to overcome the challenges and continue our life's path.

We should not just be alive, we should live and enjoy it.

We Persians have a proverb that says: whatever comes from the heart will be placed on another's heart, and the audience who has a similar experience will connect with this song.

- Your collaboration with artists from different backgrounds, like the song "Incontrare te," demonstrates a willingness to explore diverse musical ideas and styles. How do you approach collaborations, and what do you believe they bring to your creative process?

Yeah, this collaboration was a wonderful experience and I have a long relationship with these artist friends

And when we came to the conclusion that we are offended by racial discrimination and the lack of equality and peace in different countries, and as artists, we felt it was our duty to do something to protest this situation, and finally, the song “Incontrare te” was made.

I am very interested in communicating with other artists, and I will continue these collaborations in different ways in the future.

In general, meeting different cultures is very attractive and will also lead to more knowledge, more learning and richer music.

- As an artist who has experienced different stages and platforms, from performing on stages in Rome to being featured on Italian TV, how do you feel your music has evolved, and what are your aspirations for the future in terms of your musical career?

I really enjoy performing on stage; seeing the emotional impact that my singing has on the audience is very interesting to me.

I am very happy that I can make and perform music that makes the audience feel good.

Performances definitely bring experiences and help to further progress.

In the future, I plan to release the songs and videos that I am working on and communicate with more audiences and also engage in music activities on a wider level.

Find out more about Ayric's music!

[larabiatasstuff]

Imagine there a big party at Terry's House and its for the dojo like getting more students and all that stuff so Johnny is talking to a man and his daughter is bored so she skipps to her daddy saying "daddy I'm bored" she says he rests his hand on her head crouching down, what's that gunny? He asks "I'm bored" he huffs nodding OK baby let daddy just see a few more people and we can go OK? The little girl shakes her head what's up? He asks "I wanted to stay her with you and uncle Terry" where Terry? "playing poker" which Johnny knows that he always wins, he sends her to Terry he is going very excited over winning he is smoking and drinking but once he sees his little angel coming to the table he takes his eyes off the game in to her "what's up angel?" he asks and she's tells him that she wanted to stay with him and Johnny tonight but the party is still going on she would cross her arms and Terry would smile with a chuckle "you Terry time?" she nods now would he kick everyone out and spend time with his goddaughter and Johnny or wait for the party to finsh? Say if he does kick everyone out, after the party they sit and watch a movie the little girl sleeping in her daddy's arms and Terry wrapping an arm around Johnny who is also a sleep he looks at his sleeping friend and his daughter smiling at them both he kisses Johnny on the cheek and sits up and kisses the little girl on the head throwing a blanket over then and turning the light off after he leaves the room. Could you see Terry doing this like telling everyone to go home even if it is an important party? Can I have (kk3) Terry on this please and older Terry

When kk3 Terry hosts a big party to get more students for the dojo John and him would be very busy talking to people, while Johns daughter is playing in the living room with her dolls. But since there are no other children it would be boring at some point, so she grabs her plushie and goes searching for her dad. John stands outside talking to someone, she approaches him and tugs on his sleeve. "Hey babygirl, is everything okay?" she'd shake her head "I'm bored daddy." He crouches down to her level "Oh honey, let daddy talk to a few more people and then we're going okay." "No daddy I wanna stay here with you and uncle Terry. Where is uncle Terry daddy?" "He's in the conservatory playing poker with some friends." She nods "Okay, I go to him." She grabs her plushie tighter and makes her way to the conservatory. Terry sitting there smoking a cigar as soon as he sees his goddaughter approach him he drops it into his drink. "Hey there's my favorite little girl! What's up sweetie?" she'd climb on his lap looking at him with her big puppy eyes. "Uncle Terry I'm bored and daddy is busy." He'd hug her tight "Oh my poor little angel, do you want some Terry-time?"He gives her a big smile "Yeeesss Terry-time yaaay." Terry would immediately kick everyone out, yes the party was to get more students but his princess means alot more to him. Of course John would scold him, tell him that she can't always get what she wants but he has no chance against Terry and his daughter. The three of them would end up sitting on the couch watching her favorite movie. His goddaughter sleeping in Johns arms who is sleeping too. He'd turn off the tv, get a big, soft blanket and tucks them both in. He'd give the little girl a kiss on the forehead and John on the cheek. After that he'd turn off the light and goes to his bedroom. Old man Terry would sit in the seating area in his garden when he sees his goddaughter coming to him. "Hey sweetie are you okay?" she'd stand before him looking at her feet her bottom lip slightly shaking. "I'm bored uncle Terry and I can't find daddy. There are no other children here and nobody wants to play with me." Terry's heart would ache when he sees how sad his little angel is, so he picks her up sitting her on his lap "What do say when uncle Terry says goodbye to everyone and then we play whatever you want." her face would instantly light up and she'd hug him "Thank you uncle Terry you're the best." Terry would turn to the men sitting next to him "Gentlemen I'm afraid the party ends here. If you'll excuse me my goddaughter needs my attention." When John comes back from the bathroom and sees everyone is gone and Terry and his daughter playing on the living room floor. "Look daddy uncle Terry and I are playing," "I see that honey. Terry what the hell happened?" Terry would look at him with a charming smile. "This little lady over there was bored and sad that no one plays with her." John would pinch the bridge of his nose "So you dropped everything, to play with her? She's got you wrapped around her finger Terry." Terry would pull the little girl in his arms "How can I say no to such an adorable face John?" John would just shake his head and laugh. ✌️☺️

[jeon-s-sins]

Moon's Sun │ 11 │ Mission

Synopsis : The BBs have been given a new mission. In addition to finding the Chosen One, three must find a spotter to improve the Institute's defense system.

Warning : none

Word count : 3k

n/a: English is not my first language, so I may have missed some mistakes while proofreading. Enjoy reading, and please don't forget to vote, comment, and ask questions if there are any. 😁.

Translations, republications, and rewritings of my stories are not allowed. Failure to comply with this request will result in legal action.

©Jeon_s_Sins

↤ Previous │ Index │ m.list │ Ask

The BBs - Bangtan Boys - left to pack their bags as soon as the meeting was over. 

Once again, they will go on a mission, disappear, and leave you without news. And then, as usual, they would reappear like flowers, as if nothing had happened. 

The boys had been doing this full-time for as long as they could remember. For years, they had no choice but to lie to you. 

As far as you were concerned, they all had regular jobs. 

Jin worked as a cook in a restaurant. He often traveled around the country for competitions to become a star chef. 

Yoongi worked in the music field as a piano teacher, and he also traveled a lot to lecture at conservatories and was sometimes even hired for official parties and weddings. 

Namjoon, equally focused on his studies and books, had two jobs: a librarian and a literature professor in his spare time. This meant that he traveled a lot for seminars.  

Hoseok was a dance teacher, and like his fellow students, he traveled to dance competitions and idol concerts as a dancer. But he would never tell you which celebrities used his skills. You often felt sad, but you tried hard to understand his motivations.

Like Hoseok, Jimin was also a dance teacher. However, unlike Hoseok, who focuses more on hip-hop, Jimin focuses on classical dance. Although when he told you this, you found it a little hard to believe until he demonstrated his talents. You had to admit that the boy put up quite a fight.  

As for Taehyung, you knew very well about what he was doing since he worked with you. But you also knew that he loved e-gaming, just like Jungkook, and that's why they traveled together. They were part of the same team, so it was obvious that if one disappeared, the other would too. Although you'd watched a few friendly games between Tae and some of the cybercafe's customers when he was on break, you'd never attended his (official) games with his team.

Despite being on the same e-gaming team as Taehyung, Jungkook had two other jobs. On the one hand, he was a sports coach; on the other, he was a bouncer at a nightclub. Admittedly, when he told you this, even though you weren't too close to Jungkook and had little say in the matter, you weren't too pleased. You knew how dangerous this job was, how everything could be okay, and then everything could go wrong in a split second. 

Of course, it was all a facade. None of it was real. But you knew nothing about who your friends were or what they did.  

The truth was much more complicated and far-fetched for a mere human. It was evident that they couldn't tell you the truth. And more than once, they tried to keep you in the dark and make you believe all their lies. But it was all for your safety. The less you knew, the better off you'd be. 

They all hoped you would never find out what they were up to. 

A few years ago, it was easier for them to hide their lives from you because, back then, you could be considered naive. But the more you grew up, the more the seven men realized what a strong, feisty, intelligent young woman you'd become. 

Several times, you'd been led to ask questions about their profession. But the strangest thing was that none of them had ever invited you to see them at work. 

Of course, you didn't go to the gym yourself. The thought of all those people exercising was enough to tire you. On the other hand, when you asked Jungkook the name of the nightclub where he worked, he stuttered. And the name he gave you didn't show up anywhere on Google Maps. 

Untraceable. Nonexistent. 

Or when you jokingly - but not jokingly - asked Jimin, Hoseok, and Yoongi when they'd send you a VIP invitation to their presentations, the only response you got from any of the three men was a tight smile. Not to mention that Jin never invited you to his restaurant, which is odd. 

Ordinary people once holding a business want to show their relatives what they've accomplished. But not your friends. Telling a story.

So, for a long time, you had doubts about their whereabouts. But what you found even harder to understand was that if your suspicions turned out to be accurate and your friends were lying about their jobs, what would be the reason? 

You prefer to put the matter to bed and not think about it to avoid conflict. 

Besides, your efforts were worthwhile, for all seven of them had taken into account that you were taking it upon yourself not to confront them about the matter. And they discreetly thanked you for that. It would have been difficult for them to be honest with you, knowing that you certainly would not believe them. Not until they proved it to you. And for that, the only way they could've proven this was by breaking the rules or bringing you along on one of their missions.  

On their part, what prevented them from telling you the truth was that it would inevitably put you in very delicate situations. For them, your safety came first. You were one of them, their best friend. Their little sister. And as your big brothers, it was their duty to protect you from all the evil in the world.   

It was very late at night when the seven men set out on their missions. 

They were to perform two one-shot missions. But one seemed to be much easier than the other. 

Finding the spotter was much easier than finding the Chosen One. 

For a decade or so, the Guardians had been trying to get their hands on the Chosen One before the followers of evil did. But it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. The chances of them getting the Chosen One were almost impossible. 

But doable.

Namjoon, as team leader, had arranged to meet his brothers around midnight. 

It was easier to meet one of these creatures at night than in the middle of the day. 

Jungkook was in his room preparing for the upcoming mission. 

He didn't like it at all.

Ten years had passed since the last great war. The young man lost his parents in a harsh battle during that war. They had died as heroes. Their sacrifice had saved almost the entire Institute, him, the human world, and all those who had become now his new family. 

When he was younger, Jungkook was angry at his parents. He couldn't understand why they chose saving strangers' lives over staying with him. 

As the years went by and he grew up, he wished to have his parents by his side instead of being raised by people he didn't share a single blood bond.

But as the young Jungkook gave way to the present one, he couldn't be more proud to carry the Jeon family name. With this name, he knew that devotion, honor, and sacrifice ran through his veins. His parents had died as heroes, and he had to accept that. Jungkook was proud of them.

Still, even today, he sometimes thought of his parents and hoped they would return to him one day. That would have been the happiest day of his life. 

Still, within the four walls of his quarters, Jungkook looked at the last photo he'd taken with his parents. The candles on the cake in front of them indicated that it was Jungkook's fifteenth birthday. 

If he remembered correctly, this photo had been taken a few days before the big battle before his parents disappeared. And a few days before, he met you and Taehyung.    

That vision will never be engraved in his memory. 

At that time, you were still very young - thirteen, one year younger than Jungkook, but already inclined to work and not depend on others. 

At a young age, he was shocked to see you working at the cybercafe with Taehyung and thought your parents didn't care about you or even forced you to work to earn money. But when Taehyung explained your situation, Jungkook blamed himself for misjudging your parents. 

Even today, looking back, he still blames himself.

Since that famous day, Jungkook has always respected you. 

You have had him and your other friends since you met, but you were mostly alone. But not lonely. Whereas Jungkook had Jin and his parents and, of course, his five other friends all the time after he lost his parents.

From day one, Jungkook had seen you as a fighter, and his admiration for you hadn't changed and wouldn't change anytime soon.

Midnight had finally arrived, and Jungkook was waiting for the others in the garage. 

As with every mission, cars were provided for the guards to make it easier for them to get around the city. This also allowed them to get to the mission site faster.

"What took you so long?" Leaning against the mission car, Jungkook couldn't wait to get started. 

"Is it age that makes you so slow?" He never missed an opportunity to tease his brothers. 

"Cheeky boy, do you think you'll stay young all your life?" If there was anything that made Jin lose his cool, it was being reminded that he wasn't as young as he used to be. No, he wasn't old, but he was the senior of your friends and had an aging complex. 

To his great misfortune, the four youngest - Jimin, Taehyung, Jungkook, and you - were constantly teasing him with little jokes. Jin's reactions made you laugh at every opportunity, making him even more annoyed. 

Jin didn't mind because he knew your little jabs were light-hearted and friendly. They were meant to annoy him, so he played along and reacted how he knew you'd expect. 

In his family, like many of the other six - Yoongi, Hoseok, and Jungkook (before he lost his family) - Jin was the youngest. But with his friends, he was the oldest, and he took his role as "big brother" to you to heart. 

Jin always took care of you all. He always cooked delicious meals and cared for you when you weren't feeling well, both physically and mentally. He was always the first to cheer you up when you were feeling down.

Although he was the oldest and had his mature side that came out when needed, most of the time, Jin let his childish side take over, and many times, you wondered who was the youngest of the bunch between him and you. 

The interaction between Jungkook and Jin always made the rest of you laugh. Their relationship was worthy of Tom and Jerry or Tweety and Sylvester.

"Good, everyone has arrived." Like his six faithful companions, Namjoon entered the garage dressed in black from head to toe. "Here is what we're going to do."

The seven men gather around the car's hood, positioning themselves on either side as Namjoon spreads a city map. 

"We're going to split into two groups to cover more ground and have a better chance of completing the missions as quickly as possible. The first group, consisting of Jimin, Tae, and Jungkook, will be in charge of finding a spotter and bringing him back to the Anthill so the researchers can study it and update our databases and defense system. Once that's done, you will join us and help find the Chosen One.

"Roger. "

"We will start by inspecting Seoul. We'll comb the city, but we'll find him. We are still determining where he is, but one thing is sure: he must be in Seoul. Mr. Bang used the Celestial Well, and it showed him the City of Seoul. 

The Celestial Well is a vessel carved out of marble that comes directly from heaven and contains a translucent liquid that resembles water - but it's not water - that allows the person who asks to see the thing, person, or object they wish to find a bit like the Pensieve in Harry Potter.

"For some reason, the Well hasn't given up any more information about the Chosen One. So we must do everything we can to find him as soon as possible." 

Returning to the city map, Namjoon begins to assign districts to groups. 

"Hoseok and Yoongi, you'll focus on the southern districts: Seongdong-Gu, Gwanjin-Gu, Guandong-Gu, Songpa-Gu, Gangnam-Gu, Seocho-Gu, Gwanak-Gu, and Geumcheon-Gu." The concerned nodded. 

"Jimin, Jungkook, and Taehyung, you will cover the northern zone. Dobong, Nowon, Gangbuk, Seongbuk, Jongo, Jung-Gu, Dongdaemu and Jungnag." 

"Yes, sir." 

The three men saluted. 

"Finally, Jin and I will cover the western zone. Eunpyeog, Seodaemun, Mapo, Yongsan, Dongjak, Yeongdeungpo, Guro, Yangcheong and Gangseo." 

"Roger." Jin agreed.

Before they could leave, Taehyung asked an important question. 

"That's all well and good, but how will we be able to find the Chosen One? It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. Almost impossible." 

Tae's question wasn't ignored because it made Namjoon remember that he had forgotten something important. 

"Ah, yes. I almost forgot. Thanks, Tae." Digging into the pockets of his mission cargo pants, Namjoon pulled out seven necklaces. A purple crystal dangled from the tip - amethyst that the researchers had manipulated to make it receptive to the presence of the Chosen One. 

"Mister Bang gave me this," they each grabbed a necklace. "These stones will help us find him more easily." 

"How?" Hoseok looked at his friend as he put the necklace around his neck.

"Very simple. Amethyst, an enchanting crystal known for its spiritual properties, can also help find lost objects. Thanks to its soothing energy and intuitive abilities, amethyst can strengthen a person's connection to their inner guidance," Namjoon explained. 

"Amethyst's calming influence can help calm the mind and create a receptive state for intuitive ideas and flashes of inspiration. By tapping into its gentle yet powerful vibrations, amethyst can bring clarity and lead to the discovery of the missing object. Since it's not an object but a person we're looking for, this stone has been christened with the Divine Flow, as have all our other weapons and gadgets. This should have made our task more manageable." 

But this was not the case. It had been four days since the group set out on their mission. In those four days, it had been three days since the trio had managed to capture a spotter and bring him back to the Institute before continuing their primary mission.

The seven men - guardians - had spent four days in a large, black, armored car, crisscrossing the national territory in search of the Chosen One. 

All the cars belonging to the Institute are imported directly from the USA. And a few privileged guardians - including your friends - have their vehicles imported from the same country and customized by the same company.  

These jewels have a unique feature that other cars sold in Korea do not have. In addition to being armored, they come directly from AddArmor.

AddArmor is a company founded by former special forces. As a result, the vehicles are a thousand times more powerful and adapted to the life of the guards. For example, since the BBs - Bantan Boys - didn't know what to expect on this mission, they chose the armored version of the Cadillac Escalade they possessed. 

These little marvels were bulletproof, from 30.06 to 7.62 (AK47 cartridges), and cartridges for assault weapons such as 5.56 (US Army rifle ammunition.) The windows were at least 7 cm thick. A special alloy of carbon and composite materials protects the body. - Usually used for armored vehicles.

There's also a 360-degree camera at the rear of the vehicle, which can come in handy if the car is being chased or to help the driver park. 

An active explosive detection and protection system and a satellite link to a command center - in their case, the Institute's command center - were also included. If a guard was ambushed during a mission, they knew they had everything they needed to regain the upper hand. 

Moreover, if a problem arose, a siren would sound, and the center would send guards to the rescue. 

On more leisurely missions, such as scouting or providing close protection for a vital team member, agents could take it easy and benefit from the Wi-Fi connection and a 32-inch TV screen. 

This is practical and functional for humans, but as guardians battling non-human creatures, little extras had to be added to make them better suited to their job. 

Each of the cars - mission cars and the cars explicitly belonging to the Guardians who owned them - were customized according to their owner's wishes, but Mr. Bang imposed some things for the safety of his agents. 

A pepper gas device - which has the same effect on motels as it does on immortals—is a device that creates a smoke screen, making it easier for agents to lose their attackers. 

The Sound Cannon could deafen attackers for a while, causing them to lose all sense of balance and spatial awareness.

In addition to its function in hearing, the inner ear plays a vital role in balance through the vestibular system. This sensory organ allows us to find our way in space. It plays a crucial role in maintaining posture and stabilizing gaze.

There was no need to panic if the guards ran out of ammunition or weapons to defend themselves. Secret drawers were under each seat with some weapons: daggers, pistols, bows and arrows, and more. 

Fortunately, Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung were fine without any of these devices to complete the first phase of their mission. 

But the second phase was about to get a little more complicated. Now that everyone was sure that the hunt for the Chosen One had begun, they were twice as likely to run into enemies.

The question now was who would stumble upon the Chosen One first. The Guardians of the Demons?

Next ↦

n/a: I hope you enjoy this short story as much as I do. To ensure you don’t miss the progress of the chapters and their release, don’t forget to check out the Working on and Updates section. There you’ll find updates on “Moon’s Sun” and other stories and “One Shot” that you’ll probably enjoy. Also, don’t forget to check out the Masterlist. You’ll probably find something for you among my other stories in progress and those to come.

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© Jeon_s_Sins

[hannibutts]

HANNIBAL SPOILERS S01E11

RARA CHILTON LETS GOOOOOO

There’s so much symbolism in this fuxking show - is Will’s tsunami dream supposed to be linked to the conversation that Hannibal and baby girl sad lil chilton we’re having about not pushing their patients too hard?

Ah the ol’ senator Kelly melting into the bed trick, huh? God, I’m starting to hate Will’s nightmares so much because I’ve had similar ones and they’re hitting too close to home.

Eddie izzard gives good serial killer

Look at the ragamuffin baby girl go, his head movements are giving bratty cheerleader 😂 and he’s all puppy with his tail between his legs in front of Hannibal and then all proud and gloaty with Gideon and Alana

I know I’m supposed to be on Will and Alana’s side here but alas, I’m on the foghorn leghorn baby girl’s side.

Ooh antler room

This show reads like Hannibal fan fiction because there’s inklings of what happens in the books like the way Hannibal is treating Will is a lot like the way that he manipulates Clarice. What I don’t get is does Hannibal want a killing partner? like does he see a killer in Will and wants him for that or is he legit taken in by Will’s main character of an anime energy and just wants him because he’s complex and pretty? Or both?

Yeah Alana is getting a bit on my nerves - like the dude is sick and she’s sending him mixed messages galore.

Boo Freddie lounds

Oooh Dr Gideon got her… 🤷🏻‍♀️

Booo she’s still alive

Ah that reminds me, I gotta donate blood soon

Oh no Gideon has Chilton… I’m not too worried because I’m pretty sure rara is in this all three seasons but nope don’t like that.

Also Anna chlumsky who plays Miriam in this appeared in the first episode that rara appeared in on hannibal which is funny because they both are in the their first appearances on SVU, the episode based on fifty shades.

NOOOO WHAY THE FUCK GET OUT OF RARA’S GUTS JESUS CHRIST OH BABY GIRL NO WTF

Finally they make Will stay behind in The car, I’m almost surprised Jack didn’t walk into the conservatory with Will as a shield.

Aaaaaand of course he got out of the car.

Oh Rara - hold on to those guts my little dude.

Oof Will is losing it. Man, Hugh Dancy plays distraught and disturbed so well.

Of course Will takes Gideon to Hannibal.

So Will has a seizure and then just stands there while Hannibal and Gideon have a chat? Alrighty then 🤷🏻‍♀️

Oh shit he’s offering Gideon Alana

Gideon mutilated Dr Chilton 😭

“I’m worried about Alana” he says 😂 as he very pointedly leaves a gun and his keys for Will. Why not a map to Alana’s house l too?

So I don’t get the whole Will seeing Garrett Jacob Hobbs instead of Gideon thing. Like is it because it’s Will’s first kill? Did he actually enjoy killing GJH and that’s why he hallucinated the corpse saying “see” and now he’s haunted by that because it might prove that he actually enjoys killing? I don’t know if I’m pulling stuff out of my ass at this point. Oh yeah and what’s with the stag all the time? It can’t be a good thing because it always leads will to bad places. Is it like the representation of the serial killer inside Will?

Babygirl DID NOT have a good time this episode.