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mymoonagedaydream · 1 year

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Summary: It was amazing, really, how quickly one person managed to turn your dream job into a living nightmare.

Pairing: ParkRanger!Bucky x y/n

Word Count: 6k

Warnings: Language

Author’s Note: I wrote this whole story before realising that it was some twisted RonSwanson!Bucky fantasy I'd cooked up, so if anyone can recommend a good therapist hmu

---

Monday, June 5th. Week 1.

“Oh, what a shame.”

Your eyes flicked up from the pile of paperwork in front of you, dread forming like a rock in your stomach when you saw the pitiful look she was giving you. Her head turned towards the older man sitting beside her and she pointed at something on your file.

“She's got the maintenance cabin in her coverage area.”

“Ah, oh dear.”

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat, hoping they’d just explain to you why that was such an issue so you didn’t have to ask. There was a tense silence as they shuffled some papers around. Eventually, Angela, who was your new supervisor and the woman looking at you like it was her job to let you know that you’re terminally ill, gave a weary sigh and pulled her glasses down her nose.

“Our maintenance manager can be… difficult.” The man scoffed at her delicate wording and received a subtle elbow to the ribs in response. “You’ll be fine, honestly, just don't try to make small talk and don't try to pet his dog. That thing is vicious.”

“Right. So what should I do?”

“Get in there, get his report and get out.”

That sounded easy enough. Even if it wasn’t, this was your dream job, so you weren’t about to let some crusty old man with a nasty temper ruin it for you. Six months of solitude in a tower in the middle of a national park was your idea of bliss and, if all you had to do in return was keep an eye on the canopy for signs of fire, you figured that was a pretty sweet deal. You’d eagerly snap up any opportunity to disconnect from the real world.

The meeting wrapped up and you were handed a sheet which detailed your daily and weekly duties. All you had to do each day was fill out a weather report, check in with basecamp and take a walk through your coverage area to make sure nothing was amiss. Easy. Your weekly list was a little longer, containing things like deep cleaning your tower and checking up on the wildlife, but you skipped past all that to find the point of contention.

Every Friday, collect weekly reports from any staff cabins in your coverage area. Review for urgent issues, gather further information if necessary and send back to basecamp alongside your weekly report.

Oh, that didn't sound too bad at all.

—

Friday, June 9th. Week 1.

The day was finally here.

Unfortunately, despite your initial attempts at optimism, you really had been dreading this, the occasional twangs of anxiety managing to effectively ruin what would otherwise have been an incredibly serene first week on the job. You figured there was a slight chance that Angela had been exaggerating, but you weren’t sure what benefit she’d get from scaring you like that. She didn’t seem like much of a sadist.

With a clipboard gripped in your white-knuckled hand, you reluctantly trudged up to the cabin door and gave two knocks. A bark from inside made you jump backwards before it swung open. The dark entranceway was filled with an imposing body, shoulders almost touching the wood on either side, arms folded across a broad chest.

You couldn’t help but give it a slightly confused look. Was this the dreaded maintenance manager? You’d been expecting a curmudgeonly old grandpa, but this guy couldn’t have been too far into his thirties. You were half-tempted to ask if his dad was in.

Recollecting yourself from the shock, not to mention the skittishness you always felt in the presence of men you found even slightly attractive, you gulped harshly and forced a smile.

“Hi, the new fire lookout. I'm here to collect your weekly report.”

“I don't do those.”

“Oh, right.” You looked down at your clipboard with a frown. “Just, it says here-”

The door slammed shut.

You were stunned into silence for a second, amazed that your first encounter with the national park boogeyman had gone down even worse that you’d expected. With a defeated sigh, you eventually turned away, muttering under your breath.

“Well fuck you, then.”

The porch steps creaked under your feet. Once safely out of earshot, you unclipped the radio from your belt and spun the dial, finding the frequency for basecamp.

“Come in, anybody there?”

Copy.

“Hey, so I just tried to pick up the weekly maintenance report and got a door slammed in my face. Apparently he doesn’t have to do them, I’m guessing that's a lie?”

God damn it, he does this every time, obviously thinks he can intimidate the newbies. Don’t worry, I'll get the supervisor onto him.

“Thanks.”

—

Friday, June 16th. Week 2.

Two weeks. Two whole weeks of your dream job had now been ruined by this asshole over some stupid fucking paperwork. What a waste. You’d been replaying your first encounter over and over in your head, just wishing you’d pushed back a little more or stuck your foot in the door or something, anything to look a bit less fucking pathetic.

Approaching his doorstep, you spotted a piece of paper lying on the porch. A wave of relief hit you. Getting the report and not having to talk to him at all was pretty much the ideal outcome here, maybe you could make this a regular arrangement.

When you reached it, however, you saw that it was just a blank sheet of paper with the word ‘fine’ scribbled in the top corner. For fuck’s sake. You snatched it off the ground and banged hard against the door, holding it up with an incredibly unimpressed expression once he answered.

“Seriously?”

“What?”

“I'm new but I'm not an idiot, you can't palm me off with this.”

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

“Stop bullshitting me. I know you've done these properly before, so just fucking do it, alright?” You shoved it into his chest before swivelling around and storming away, adding over your shoulder, “I'll be back for it after my rounds.”

You were pissed off for the rest of the day. It wasn’t that you cared about reports being filed in a timely fashion or even about him doing his job properly, in fact you couldn't have cared less about that, you were just concerned that his laziness would reflect badly on you and jeopardise your chances of ever landing one of these jobs again. They weren’t exactly easy to come by.

The sun was beginning to set by the time you got back to his cabin. Again, the paper was waiting for you on the porch and, again, he’d decided to behave like a child. He'd scribbled out his first draft and written underneath ‘mostly fine'. Jackass.

Naturally, you were straight back on the radio with basecamp, but their only advice was to file it anyway and just explain that he was being a pain in the ass once it got picked up on.

So that's exactly what you did.

—

Wednesday, June 21st. Week 3.

The sun was blazing in the clear sky and you were taking your time with your rounds, soaking up the warmth and making the most of your peaceful surroundings. The forest hummed with life and you pulled in the scent of wildflowers, branches cracking under your boots, wispy moss grazing against your knuckles.

About halfway along your trail, however, you noticed an unfamiliar sound in the distance. Something like rhythmic hammering was echoing through the tees. You rarely came across hikers or campers in this area, so you decided to check it out, just to make sure they weren’t causing trouble. Besides, it’d been weeks now since you’d had a pleasant conversation that didn’t crackle through a radio.

Pushing your way through the pines, you eventually reached the cause of the sound. That maintenance asshole was set up in a clearing, fixing up some dilapidated old wooden fencing while his dog sniffed around nearby. Both of them seemed too caught up in their activities to notice you peering through the shrubbery.

You observed him for a second, musing on what a shame it was that someone so visually pleasing was so fucking unbearable to hold a conversation with, and wondering how he’d ended up out here all alone. Maybe he’d just always been a huge dick to people.

The dog was inching closer. You had no idea what breed it was, your mom always had little terriers so you were hopeless when it came to the big types. Was it a husky? A big fluffy one? It looked harmless enough. Still, you figured it was best to skedaddle, slowly backing into the trees.

You thought you’d almost managed to slip away unnoticed when a booming voice made you freeze on the spot.

“You suck at hiding, y’know.”

Shit. How the hell were you going to play this off?

“Sorry,” you emerged from cover and took a few steps towards him, keeping the dog in the corner of your vision, “I wanted to make sure it wasn’t… bears.”

“Bears?”

“Mhmm.”

“With hammers?”

“...mhmm.”

He shook his head, dropped his tool on the ground and leant against the fence, shooting a resentful scowl in your direction. “Thanks for getting me chewed out last week.”

“Anytime.” He scowled harder. “Look, I really don't know what you expected. I’m not taking the fall for your lazy ass.”

“So you bad-mouth me instead?”

“Basically, yeah.”

“Can’t you just leave me the hell alone?”

“Trust me, I wish I could.”

It almost looked as though he was about to admit defeat and go back to work, but his eyes were suddenly pulled down towards something beside you. Following his gaze, you flinched dramatically, finding Cujo poised by your hand.

“Don't like dogs?”

“No, I do, I'm just,” it gave your fingers a curious sniff before licking them excitedly, “not used to big ones.”

“They told you she was vicious, right?”

“They might’ve done.”

“She can be,” the corner of his mouth curled menacingly, “when I tell her to be.”

You raised an eyebrow. “So, you tell her to be vicious towards your supervisors?”

He shrugged.

You squatted down and gave her a scratch, laughing when she eagerly began to wag her tail before flopping onto her back, legs in the air and belly exposed. Your eyes moved back up to his. You might have been imagining it but, just for a second, his face seemed to soften slightly. Then you blinked and he was back to looking like he was sucking on a wasp.

“What breed is she?”

“Akita.”

“Sweet. What’s her name?”

“Akita.”

His expression was completely blank.

“You named your Akita, Akita?”

“Mhmm.”

“Right.” You stood back up and brushed the loose hairs off your hands. “Well, I’d better get back to work. I guess I’ll see you Friday.”

“Looking forward to it.”

You ignored that snide comment and ventured back into the trees, desperately wondering why the fuck you weren’t more upset about the prospect of seeing him twice in one week.

—

Saturday, June 24th. Week 3.

Yesterday had been a fucking nightmare. The lookout in charge of the coverage area that bordered yours had spotted smoke on the horizon so it was all hands on deck. You had to rush through miles of unfamiliar forest at six in the morning, only to find an elderly couple stoking a campfire next to their tent. They claimed not to have seen the dozens of bright red signs warning travellers that it was the height of forest fire season. Idiots.

The worst part of the whole ordeal, however, was that all the rushing around and subsequent paperwork didn’t leave you any time to do your weekly duties, meaning you had no choice but to visit the maintenance asshole today. You were sure he'd be thrilled to see you on his day off.

As you walked up to the cabin, you saw him sitting on the porch swing with Akita, intensely focused on something he was doing in his lap. The dog jumped down to approach you as you neared, asshole’s eyes briefly flicking up to acknowledge your presence before returning to his project.

“Hey,” you folded your arms and leant against a beam of wood, “I'm sure you heard the panic over the radios yesterday.”

“Mhmm.”

“I didn’t have time to walk over here, can I just get your paperwork now?”

He huffed, dropped what he was holding onto the seat and stood up. “If you're gonna make me do these things you could at least come get them.”

There were a few seconds of silence. He was obviously trying to provoke you into an argument but you didn’t rise to it, instead just staring him down and waiting.

“So, you gonna go get it for me or…?”

He huffed again, like a toddler having a tantrum, before trudging inside.

Your attention shifted down to the little object lying on the porch swing. Letting your curiosity get the better of you, you tiptoed over and picked it up, turning it around in your hands. It was a small, intricate wooden deer figurine. Jesus, had he carved that by hand? It was beautiful.

The front door clicked back open and it was swiftly snatched out of your grasp.

“You mind?”

“Sorry, it's just really pretty. Did someone teach you?”

“No.”

“You taught yourself?”

“Lots of time to practise shit like that in this job, you'll see,” he sunk back into his seat, “you should find a hobby for the weekends so you can stop bothering me.”

“I think bothering you might be my new hobby.”

He chuckled. Your eyebrows shot up in surprise. It was obviously a shock to him too because, as soon as he caught himself, he immediately went stone-faced again. You tried not to make it too obvious how incredibly fucking pleased with yourself you were.

After skimming your eyes down the report to make sure it was done properly, you nodded to him faintly, giving Akita a quick scratch before going on your way. Only when you had your back to him did you allow a wide grin to spread across your face.

—

Tuesday, July 4th. Week 5.

A ferocious knocking at the door of your tower jolted you awake. Half-delirious, you reached an arm out to your nightstand and grabbed your phone, the brightness of the screen almost blinding you. It was 4:27am. What the fuck was going on?

The knocking sounded again, this time even louder and faster. You bolted to your feet and yanked your coat over your pyjamas, convinced that you were going to step outside and see the whole forest engulfed in flame.

The only thing you saw when you opened the door, however, was the maintenance asshole. The dim light above the door was illuminating his face. He looked shaken up, which was strange, because you’d only even seen him look bored with a hint of pissed off.

You rubbed your eyes. “Everything alright?”

“I need your help.”

“With what?”

“Akita. She’s gone.”

“Gone?” If it weren’t for the offensively loud sound of rustling trees and the harsh wind throwing your hair around, you’d have been convinced that this was all some elaborate dream.

“Yeah, she was scratching at the door so I let her out for a piss but she must’a got spooked,” he was tripping over his words, “cause she bolted into the trees too fast for me to catch her.”

“Well, she’s trained, right? So she’ll probably come back on her own?”

“She is but she’s never done this before, what if it was a bear or somethin’?”

You were actually starting to get a little concerned, he seemed about as on edge as someone with no emotions was capable of being. “Okay, sure, I’ll help. Just let me get my boots on.”

He stared you down intently as you rushed to get your laces tied. The two of you descended the tower stairs and headed into the forest, both calling her name, torches desperately searching through the darkness for any signs of life. Half an hour passed with no luck.

You stopped walking and pointed the torch towards him. “Should we split up? Cover more ground?”

“Nah.”

“Well, what’s the point in two of us being here, then? You could’ve done this on your own.”

“Just in case there is a bear.” You gave him a confused look. “I reckon I could run faster than you.”

He kept walking. It took you a second to process, but, had he just made a joke? You wouldn’t put it past him to actually throw you to the bears, if anything you’d be expecting it, but his tone was definitely lighter than usual.

So he did have a sense of humour, then. How interesting.

“You comin’?”

You had to jog to catch up with him. “Seriously, why am I here?”

“Cause she likes you, I figured two familiar voices was better than one.”

“You’re really worried, huh?”

He didn’t answer, instead just marching ahead and continuing to call her name. This carried on for what felt like hours, the sun slowly rising, thankfully lighting up the landscape. Eventually, you came across a small stream trickling over some rocks. There, having a leisurely drink, was Akita.

He rushed over, looking absolutely overjoyed. You couldn’t help but smile at the reunion. It was nice, seeing him showing emotion, almost like he was actually human. He could obviously be pretty sweet when he wanted to be.

He clipped a lead from his pocket onto her collar and looked over to you. “Thanks.”

“No worries, I’ll leave you two alone.”

“You want us to walk you back?”

“It’s ok, I know the way,” you gave him a smile, “I’ll see you on Friday.”

“See you then.”

You wandered away from the happy couple.

By this point, you were wide awake and already halfway through your coverage area, so you figured you might as well just finish up your rounds before heading back. Besides, you could use a solitary walk to clear your head a little.

You made sure to keep a keen eye out for any big scary mammals but saw nothing, finishing up and walking back just before midday. You’d already planned out your entire quiet, cosy evening in your head.

Climbing up to your tower, you noticed something sitting at the top of the stairs. A small wicker basket. Cautiously, you peered inside, your stomach fluttering slightly when you saw that it was holding a small bottle of whiskey and a carved wooden bear figurine. It was even more beautiful than the deer he’d been working on last week.

You didn’t really drink whiskey, but you appreciated the gesture, figuring it was probably the only other giftable thing he had to hand. Picking it up and taking it inside, you noticed a small folded note underneath the bottle. It read:

Thanks again for the help. Bucky.

Was that his name? Jesus, you’d never even asked. Well, at least you could stop calling him asshole now.

—

Friday, July 7th. Week 5.

You decided to head over to the cabin a little later than usual. You were risking facing his wrath again but, bottle of whiskey in hand, you were actually feeling bold. The sun was setting behind the mountains by the time you reached his porch.

He answered the door with slightly less resentment on his face than usual. “Thought you weren’t gonna show up again.”

“Sorry, it’s been a busy day.”

That was a lie, you’d spent three hours this afternoon trying to get a hot sauce stain out of your sweatpants. He eyed the whiskey.

“Oh, yeah, I really appreciate it, but I thought maybe we could share.” You held it out to him. “I’m guessing you don’t get to replenish your stock too often, didn’t want to deprive you.”

He hesitated for an offensively long time before taking it from you, stepping aside and gesturing for you to enter. You figured there was probably a fifty-fifty chance of you ever leaving here alive.

The inside of the cabin was pretty much as you expected, with exclusively wooden furniture, a couple of guns propped up against the wall and the faint smell of cigars hanging in the air. It was also pretty messy but, from your experience, that was typical of single male accommodation. The only thing that did throw you off was the lack of taxidermied animal heads hanging above the mantelpiece. Maybe that would be his next hobby.

You heard the whiskey pop open and the clink of glasses as he reached them out of a tall cabinet.

“Nice place.”

“Thanks. I don’t have guests very often.”

You glanced over to a pile of screwed-up clothes on the couch. “You don’t say?”

He took the hint, clearing them before inviting you to sit down. The two of you drank and made small talk for a while. It was pretty nice. He definitely enjoyed his liquor, though, cause you were only on your second glass by the time he’d finished off the rest of the bottle.

It hadn’t been your intention to take advantage of his tipsiness this evening, but you couldn’t help probing a little now he was nice and loosened up.

“So, how’d you end up with Akita?”

He glanced down to the dog whose head was resting on your lap, eyes closed as you softly stroked her head. “She’s a service dog.”

“Really? I had no idea.”

“Yeah, I got her when I left the army. I’m not great in crowded places anymore but I didn’t feel like being all alone out here. She helps me out.”

“That’s nice,” you ran one of her ears between your fingers, “I see why the two of you are so close now.”

He waited a few seconds, watching you with a vague hint of warmth dawning on his face before speaking again. “How’d you end up out here?”

“Nothing interesting, I’m afraid. I just like the peace.” He scoffed. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“No, go on.”

“S’just…” he looked embarrassed, “it was a helluva lot more peaceful for me here before you showed up.”

“I’ll bet it was. Shame you can’t intimidate me into leaving you alone.”

He chuckled. “Well, as far as pains in my ass go, I guess you’re not so bad.”

“Is that the nicest thing you’ve ever said to another person?”

“I think so.”

He smiled, you were pretty sure for the first time ever. Not bad at all. You looked down at your empty glass then across to the other side of the room, quickly realising that the whiskey had hit you like a train, and that it was probably time for you to go to bed. You had a habit of embarrassing yourself after too many drinks.

“I should get back, it's pretty late.”

“I’ll walk you.” You shook your head firmly but he didn’t back down, adding while pulling on his coat, “I don’t want you gettin’ lost or mauled by a bear.”

“Damn, you’re so much nicer when you’re drunk.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

Despite your protests, he did end up accompanying you on the moonlit stroll back to your tower, the fresh forest air swiftly sobering you up while Bucky’s knuckles occasionally grazed against yours. He even insisted on walking you to the top of the stairs, pausing as you rooted around in your pocket for the keys.

“Well, goodnight,” you pushed the door open, stepping inside and turning back around to face him, “I weirdly had a really nice evening.”

“Charming.”

You expected him to just walk away after that, cause he wasn’t exactly one for niceties, but he stayed where he was. The atmosphere between you suddenly changed, the look that settled on his face sending an electric chill down your neck and along both of your arms. He took a step towards you. What the fuck was happening?

Your answer came swiftly and suddenly as he dropped his head and firmly pressed his mouth against yours, hands perching themselves slightly awkwardly on your shoulders. He’d obviously not done this for a while. You just stayed still, frozen with shock. It was nice, it really was, but fucking hell were you confused.

He pulled away, his face immediately dropping when he saw yours all scrunched up.

“Shit, did you not want-”

“No, it’s not that, I just… well to be honest I thought you hated me.”

“Oh, yeah. I kinda did,” he shrugged slightly, “but I don’t anymore.”

“How romantic.”

Chuckling at his frankness, you took hold of his hands and manoeuvred them downwards, placing them in a less wooden position on your hips. He nodded, looking as though he was taking mental notes.

“It’s been a while.”

“I’d never have guessed.”

You got another smile from him before he moved in again, softer this time, while you reciprocated by cupping his rough face between your hands. The good news was that he was obviously a fast learner, but the bad news was that he was apparently too much of a gentleman to try and push things any further, so he pulled away after just a few seconds and took a step back. Considerate asshole.

He scratched the back of his head. “I’m gonna be away for a few days, there’s a big job on the other side of the park, but I’ll be back next Friday.”

“Okay, I’ll see you then.”

“Sounds good.”

He flashed a warm grin before disappearing down the stairs. You pinched yourself.

—

Tuesday, July 11th. Week 6.

You’d only just finished frantically tidying up when a knock sounded on your door. You really appreciated your supervisor taking the time to check up on you but, Jesus, she could’ve given you more than half an hour's notice.

“Hey, Angela,” you tried to hide how out of breath you were as you invited her in, “nice to see you.”

“Yes, you too. How have you been getting on?”

“All good, thanks. No complaints.”

“Really?” She planted herself down on the chair you’d set out and opened up the comically oversized file from under her arm, “because I hear you’ve been having some trouble with our maintenance manager.”

That was an understatement.

“Oh, yeah, a bit. But it’s all sorted now.”

She sighed and looked gravely towards you over the top of her glasses. “Look, I won’t beat around the bush, I’m here to collect evidence to support my argument for his termination.”

“You’re- his- what?”

“I need to take a statement from you about his behaviour.”

“You want to get rid of him?”

“I do.”

“Why?”

“Are you serious? You said yourself he’s impossible to work with.” She looked down and started reeling off the notes she’d already made in the file. “He doesn’t do his paperwork, he’s rude, he’s aggressive, he sets his dog on people.”

All good points.

“He’s good at his job though, right?”

“I’m afraid that just isn’t enough to cut it anymore.” She clicked her pen and poised it above the paper. “So, can you help me out?”

—

Friday, July 14th. Week 6.

You raced over to Bucky’s cabin at the crack of dawn, more eager to speak with him than you ever had been before. It was strange, if Angela had come to you asking for help just a couple of weeks ago, you probably would’ve obliged. Now, the prospect of working in the park for the next four and a half months without him actually felt pretty bleak.

You arrived at the cabin, he wasn’t there. Maybe you’d been a little overeager. Taking a seat on his porch step, you watched the birds fluttering in and out of the trees for what felt like hours before you heard his truck approaching. Your legs immediately sprung into action and launched you towards it. He pulled up, smiling at you through the windscreen. You yanked the door open.

“We need to talk.”

“About what?”

“Lots of stuff.”

“Can I unpack first?”

“No.”

“Are you alright?”

“Just, come on.”

You dragged him out of the car and into the cabin, noticing that the place looked much tidier than it did on your last visit. When did he have time to do that? He’d been away since Saturday, did he do a big clean after getting back from your tower last Friday night? Weird.

He dropped his bag by the door and Akita ran in behind the two of you, settling herself on the couch. He leaned against the wall as you paced around nervously.

“So what’s up?”

“Angela’s trying to get you fired.”

“Again?”

“I’m serious, Buck. She’s got this huge file full of evidence and statements against you, she wanted one from me too.”

“Did you give her one?”

“Yeah, obviously.”

“Really?”

“No, you dick.” You stopped in front of him, giving him a stern glare. “Look, you have to sort your shit out. She really wants you gone, you can’t give her any more ammunition.”

“What can I do?”

“File your paperwork, for a start. I can help with that.”

“Alright.” He pushed himself off the wall and gestured for you to follow, marching towards a closed door at the back of the cabin, but pausing and spinning back around just before reaching it. “Thanks, by the way.”

“It’s fine, I do so much paperwork now it’s basically second nature.”

“No, I meant thanks for warning me. I wouldn’t have blamed you for just letting me get fired.”

“Well, as far as pains in my ass go, I guess you’re not so bad.”

He smiled affectionately and you reciprocated, but all the joy immediately melted from your face when he opened the mysterious door to reveal piles and piles of unorganised papers stacked precariously on a rickety wooden desk. You shot him daggers, he just shrugged.

It took hours to get things in order, a total of twelve bulging envelopes of paperwork going back months eventually getting assembled. You also, somehow, managed to convince him to go and drop them off at basecamp in person, apologising to Angela in the process. You dreaded to think of the speech he’d come up with but you just hoped to god that it was better than nothing at all.

It was a nervous wait in the cabin with Akita. She could obviously tell you were stressed, because she kept pawing at your leg and forcing her head onto your lap, each time managing to pull you out of your anxiety spiral. She was good.

He reappeared through the door just over an hour later, the look on his face telling you it was good news. You shot to your feet.

“Well?”

“She’s agreed to give me a second chance.”

“Oh thank fuck for that,” you let out a relieved chuckle, “for a second there I thought you were gonna abandon me.”

“Not a chance.”

He rushed towards you, an excited yelp escaping from your lips as he grabbed hold of your waist and let the two of you fall onto the couch. Akita bolted and just about avoided a firm crushing. His mouth connected to yours, your bodies shuffling around until they found a comfortable position in such a compact area. His head moved downwards, stubble grazing across your jaw, lips starting to plant kisses against your neck and collarbone. Your eyes briefly fluttered closed but, when they opened again, you found yourself nose to nose with an incredibly confused looking hound.

“Uh, Buck?”

“What?” His voice was muffled against your skin.

“Does the dog usually watch or…?”

His head shot up, face contorting into a puzzled expression. “I don’t know, this is new territory for me.”

The two of you looked from her, to each other, and then back to her.

“Maybe let her outside.”

“Yeah.”

—

Friday, October 13th. Week 19.

You couldn’t believe how quickly the last few months had gone. Now you were getting close to the end of your time in the park, you were dreading it being over even more than you’d expected.

This job really hadn’t played out at all as you’d expected, but you could honestly say that you wouldn’t trade the time you’d spent with Bucky for anything. You were just nervous about what would come next. The park wouldn’t need fire lookouts until next summer and it was basically impossible to secure any other job there during the winter months. You couldn’t bear the thought of having to travel miles every time you wanted to see him, the walk from the tower was long enough.

What you didn’t know, however, was that he’d been thinking about it too.

When you went to collect his report, just like every Friday, and he invited you in, just like every Friday, there was something new in the living room. A set of beautiful, carved wooden shelves.

“Oh, wow,” you walked over and ran your fingertips across the smooth grain, “did you make these?”

“Yeah, took me weeks.”

“They’re beautiful. What are they for?”

He walked up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist, lowering his mouth to your ear. “Well, I thought maybe you could help me with that.”

“How?”

“I spend ages makin’ them, but I don’t have enough stuff to fill ‘em. Was wondering if you’d want to put all your stuff here.”

“Why would I-” Your heart jumped and you spun round in his grasp, eyes widening as they met his. “Are you serious?”

“Mhmm. It’ll be nice having someone to talk to who can actually talk back.”

You glanced over to Akita, laughing as her ears pinned back as if she knew she’d just been slandered. “Just wait a few weeks and you’ll be begging to go back to barking.”

“You’re probably right.”

“I am right, but that’s too bad, cause you’re stuck with me now.”

“Sounds good to me.”

—

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petricorah · 7 months

Note

i wanna start making comics but like. i dont really know how??? are there any tips that you could give me perhaps?

hi!

i've been working on trying to compile a list of resources for people (@aangsfrogs--i didn't forget!) who want to make comics for a long time. It would consist of some of my personal tips and a lot of links to other people's PDFs and youtubes. But that's...a hefty project, so if you had any specific questions for the meantime, my askbox is open!

But, for just beginning, here would be my tips:

Read comics. Read manga and webcomics and cartoons and medical comics. There is so much out there, and reading is such a big way to learn. If you see something you like, take a moment to think about why you like it. Are the expressions or colors appealing? Did it make you feel a certain emotion? Analyze what the artist may have done to get across what they did. (Is it the camera angle? the style they chose to draw in? the paneling? the pacing? the color? etc.) Doing this over time will help you recognize the tools available for telling stories through this medium, and you'll be able to put them in your own work.

Try to think about what you want to make comics about. What moves you? What topics interest you? What ideas or tropes do you love in media or think about often? What do you hate and wish was done better? What characters are you drawn to, or what characters do you want to create? (What about them compels you?) I find it's hard to create an idea out of thin air, but if you start writing down random ideas you have, you'll start thinking about them, and over time, you'll have a bank of things to pull from when you want to create.

Lastly, anatomical skill or knowledge of color does not a comic make! You don't have to know much to begin, and there aren't rules. Just start drawing what is meaningful to you!

This is just cursory and doesn't get into super specifics like paneling or scripts or plotting or colors or thumbnailing or....etc, but I'll try to expand my list of resources and get that out! And, hmu if you have any specific questions on topics!

happy drawing~

Book list under readmore:

Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics and his Making Comics. These books are taught in like, every comic class ever. While not my complete favorite, they do a good job of showing some history and fundamentals, and how easy it is to make comics even if you don't have a lot of drawing experience.

99 Ways to Tell a Story: Exercises in Style by Matt Madden: Really good if you don't know how to start analyzing comics. (Also it's just a fun visual exercise.) It shows the same short story done in 99 different styles with different emphasis on different moods and points of view.

The PreHistory of The Far Side: A 10th Anniversary Exhibit by Gary Larson and The Calvin and Hobbes: Tenth Anniversary Book by Bill Watterson: Two great books with work from my two favorite cartoonists. They both have writings from the author about getting ideas, developing stories, and being a comic artist.

Uncanny Bodies: Superhero Comics and Disability, edited by Scott T. Smith and José Alaniz and Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation, edited by Sheena C. Howard and Ronald L. Jackson II: These two aren't really about making comics, but they are great collections of analysis about old and new comics alike.

By no means a complete list, but some good ones that I can think of off the top of my head.

There's also the book Webtoon School: Everything you need to know about webtoon creation and story writing. To be honest, I didn't read this completely through because it was a bit more fundamental than I was expecting, but it gives a good cursory look of how to write comics if you're just starting out! It covers some history, how to write stories and arcs, etc.

Also, look to your favorite writers! A lot of webtoon/webcomic artists do tutorials or youtube videos. for instance, velnxi has this great tutorial up I really suggest looking at here.

#how to make comics #mytutorials #comics tutorials #asks #i also want to do a post on how to analyze comics #because analysis is often talked about in english or writing classes #but most dont talk about how to analyze a comic which i think can be a bit different #if people would be interested in that lmk #can yall tell i almost went to school to teach comics lmao. i love talking about this stuff

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brekwrites · 4 months

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Ew u another apologist of those aroace fuckwads and celestial family-obsessed fucktards. U not gonna write solarmoon cuz of us? Good! We don't need no fics from the likes of u. U really thought ur fics are worth missing? Bffr! There more solarmoon writers who writes better than u and writes better sex scenes

LMFAO Die mad about it, bitch.

To be clear, my stance on the issue is: do whatever the fuck you want as long as you're not being an asshole.

I put that in big, bold font so your stupid ass could easily find and read it, since you so clearly missed the point the first time around.

You don't want to ship anything and like the family dynamic? Great. You don't like a certain ship because it makes you uncomfortable, so you block the tag and make other content? Good for you. You ship the same things as me and want to talk to me about it? Hmu let's be friends. But don't go into my space, or anyone else's, and harass people for doing something that literally does not hurt anyone or involve you in any way. What are you, a fucking cop?

I also never said I was going to stop writing solarmoon. I said if you can't behave yourself, I'm blocking you and putting my work on private because nasty, hateful people like you don't deserve to have fun until you learn to shut up and quit bitching. I'm going to write whatever I damn well please, and unless you're going to reach through the screen and pull my hands off this keyboard, you're going to have to resign yourself to that fact.

Anyway, I'd like to take this opportunity to promote Tension, my Solar-centric, celestial family piece that has no ships and focuses on Solar's relationship with his new family. The canon celestial family dynamics are great and I enjoy them!

Finally, someone should shoot me a list of these other solarmoon writers who are better than me and write better sex scenes! If I haven't already seen their work, I would love some more reading material. :)

#meblog #answered ask #in a bad way :///#tsams #sams #fandom discourse #unfuckingfortunately #discourse #an unfortunate visit from the fun police #what are you the fucking government?#with the way you want to censor people you might as well be #like?? lmfaooo #sorry for the salty post but I just want to make my stance on this clear #for this individual and others that seem to lack basic reading comprehension skills #yay solarmoon! yay family dynamics! yay to doing whatever tf you want forever bc life is too short to give a shit about this!

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chelseachilly · 1 year

Text

king of my heart - pt 1

i’m perfectly fine, i live on my own i made up my mind, i’m better off being alone

pairing: reader x ben chilwell summary: Of all the men in London, Ben Chilwell would’ve been extremely low on the list of who you would expect to meet at a random party your friend dragged you to. You know who he is, obviously - your younger brother is a massive Chelsea fan, as was your dad before he passed away unexpectedly a couple years ago - but you hardly run in the same circles as professional footballers. Until now. warnings: mentions of death of a parent, takes place in a fantasy world in which chelsea will plausibly beat arsenal this season word count: 2.5k

author’s note: hi! i’m very new to the tumblr football world but needed a distraction from chelsea’s current situation, so here we are! i’ve noticed there aren’t enough fics for ben and this is my first time writing for him, pls let me know what you think and feel free to hmu about all things chelsea :) title from king of my heart by taylor obv

*faceclaims for y/n and your best friend are camila morrone and suki waterhouse bc i am obsessed with daisy jones and the six lmao

Of all the men in London, Ben Chilwell would’ve been extremely low on the list of who you would expect to meet at a random party your friend dragged you to.

You know who he is, obviously - your younger brother is a massive Chelsea fan, as was your dad before he passed away unexpectedly a couple years ago - but you hardly run in the same circles as professional footballers.

Until now.

A few months ago, your flatmate and best friend Charlotte got an amazing new job in PR. Since then, she’s been invited to a million fancy events and met a lot of famous (and semi-famous) people. Just last week, she went to the opening of a new club and apparently met some incredible, funny, super attractive guy who invited her to a party at his house tonight.

Although you’ve been really trying to push yourself to go out more lately and enjoy being young in the city, your idea of a perfect Friday night is often just staying in and reading or watching Netflix, so you still take some convincing.

“Charlotte, do you even know anything about this Mason guy?” You ask as Charlotte begins to put her makeup on in the bathroom of your shared flat, a tiny but cute two-bed in North London. “Like, his last name, his job, anything?”

“Nope,” Charlotte shrugs. “But I know he’s fit, and probably posh because the address he gave me is in South Kensington.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Didn’t know you were a gold digger now?”

“I’m not, but posh means open bar,” Charlotte grins. “Now hurry up and get ready.”

You reluctantly drag yourself up off the floor and go to your closet to put on your favourite little black dress - a safe bet for any party, regardless of how casual or fancy it might be.

After doing your hair and makeup and taking a couple shots to ease any social anxiety brewing in your stomach, Charlotte calls an Uber and you’re on your way. You quickly post a photo of the two of you before you leave.

yourusername

liked by charlottewright, yourmum, & 102 others

yourusername by the way, we’re going out tonight ✨

tagged: charlottewright

view all comments

charlottewright hell yeahhhh

yourmum Beautiful girls! xx

yourusername thanks mum x

When you reach the address this Mason guy gave Charlotte, there’s music blaring from the house. Several very expensive-looking sports cars are parked outside, and there are a few people sitting on the front steps, drinking and laughing.

“Don’t worry, Y/N,” Charlotte says as your car pulls up. She can obviously tell that you’re worried about socializing with all these strangers, especially ones way above your tax bracket. “We’ll get some drinks and have fun. Hey, maybe Mason has some cute friends he can introduce you to?”

You roll your eyes. Dating is far from a priority for you at the moment, having just begun the career in publishing that you’ve wanted since you were a little girl. Work is your focus, but you know Charlotte is right. It wouldn’t hurt to have a little fun.

“Okay, let’s do this.”

Before you can even fully get out of the car, still straightening out your dress and making sure you have your phone and purse, you hear Charlotte yell “Mason!” and run over to the group of people on the steps.

As you follow her and finally get a good look at the guy Charlotte won’t shut up about, you nearly trip over your own feet.

You recognize him instantly - Mason Mount, Chelsea midfielder. You may not follow the club the way you used to before your dad died two years ago, but you remember watching Mount score a hat trick during one of the last games you went to.

Charlotte doesn’t follow football at all, so you figure she also has no idea that standing next to Mason are his England national teammates Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.

You, however, can’t help but be a little starstruck. Football was a big part of your life growing up, and it’s a bit surreal to see all these athletic superstars right in front of you.

Thankfully, they’re all occupied with Charlotte and don’t seem to notice you until you regain your bearings and walk over to Charlotte’s side.

“Y/N, this is Mason and Declan,” Charlotte grins. “And what was your name again, sorry?”

“Jude,” Bellingham answers, smiling at you and shaking your hand. “What’s your name, love?”

“Y/N,” you answer, trying not to blush at the attention as Mason and Declan greet you.

“Well, come on in, ladies,” Mason smiles, gesturing to the front door. “Bar’s in the back, and there’s loads of food in the kitchen.”

As Mason leads the way into the house, which is just as massive and stunning as its exterior, you hang back a bit and grip Charlotte’s arm tightly.

“What is it?” Charlotte asks, furrowing her eyebrow.

“Charlotte, they’re not just posh, they’re footballers,” you explain, gesturing to the literal Champions League trophy casually sitting on a shelf. “Like, some of the best in the country.”

“Footballers?” Charlotte’s eyes widen for a moment. “Oh my god, so you know who they are?”

“Yeah, babes,” you chuckle. “Mason plays for Chelsea. I’ve watched him play for Chelsea.”

Charlotte’s face falls a bit, and she lowers her voice. “Oh, shit, do you want to leave? I know Chelsea was your thing with your dad-“

“No, no,” you wave her off with a small smile. “It’s alright, let’s have fun. He is super fit, and he probably finds it endearing that you clearly have no idea who he is.”

“Now that I think about it, he did mention having training in the morning last weekend. I think I asked what he was training for.” Charlotte laughs. “Shit, that’s a bit embarrassing.”

“Nah, he seems into you,” you comment, noting the way Mason’s eyes are glued to Charlotte as the two of you continue to speak privately. “Now go talk to him, I’m gonna go get a drink.”

Charlotte nods and returns to Mason’s side. God, it feels strange to see your best friend chatting up a guy you watched play in the World Cup on TV a few months ago.

You make your way to the back garden, weaving your way through lots of guys - some of whom you recognize as other footballers - and lots of very pretty girls. As promised, there is a full-service bar outside, and you order a vodka coke for yourself.

Thanking the bartender, you decide to stay out here for a few minutes. You’ll return to the party eventually, but you want to give Charlotte some alone time with Mason and despite your assurances that everything is fine, it’s a lot to digest being in the home of an actual Chelsea player.

Most of the partygoers are inside, with only a few people out back having a smoke or going to the bar. You find yourself a quiet spot in the back of the garden and sit on a patio chair, crossing your legs and leaning back as you enjoy your drink.

You pull out your phone and can’t resist pulling up and old photo of you and your dad at a Chelsea match when you were six years old, both of you smiling in blue. Although it’s difficult to look at, it makes you smile, too - you remember how Chelsea beat Liverpool 3-0 that day and how happy your dad was on the drive home. You’ll always treasure those memories.

“Hey, mind if I sit?”

A male voice prompts you to glance up from your phone. It really shouldn’t surprise you to see yet another familiar face at this point, but the man in front of you nearly takes your breath away.

You recognize him right away - the shiny dark hair, the piercing eyes - he’s unmistakable. He’s even more handsome in person than on TV, if that’s possible. Ben fucking Chilwell.

“Yeah, go for it,” you say, gesturing to the other chair and trying very hard not to stare at him too much.

Ben, who is holding a beer and wearing a hoodie and jeans with a pair of Air Force Ones, looks fascinatingly normal to you for someone who you know for a fact scored a Premier League goal just this afternoon - your sixteen year-old brother Max mentioned it when you spoke earlier, still as big of a Chelsea fan as your dad was. Luckily, losing your dad didn’t poison the game for him the way it did you.

“I’m Y/N,” you blurt out, feeling the need to explain yourself and your presence here for some reason. “I came with my flatmate Charlotte, she met Mason at some club last week.”

“I’m Ben,” he says with a small smile. “Mase and I…uh, work together.”

“Yeah, I know,” you chuckle. When he raises an eyebrow, you continue - there’s really no point in sitting here pretending you don’t know who he is. “My brother’s a massive Chelsea fan.”

“Ah,” Ben smiles, taking a swig of his beer. “Charlotte didn’t seem to have any idea who we were last weekend.” He seems to realize he may have come off a bit arrogant there, as he quickly shakes his head. “Not that she should. I was just-“

“All good,” you interject. “And for the record, I love her to death, but Charlotte thought Man City was a gay bar a couple weeks ago. She’s not much of a football fan.”

Ben laughs so hard he nearly spits out some of his beer, and you can’t help but laugh along with him - his smile is completely contagious. It also seems to be the first genuine one you’ve seen since he sat down.

“Fair enough,” he laughs, setting down his beer and turning his chair to face you properly. “So, Y/N, what brings you to this secluded corner of the garden? Not enjoying yourself?”

“I could ask you the same thing, Chilwell,” you smirk, taking a sip of your cocktail.

Frankly, you’re impressed with how cool you’re being given the situation. It’s not even the fact that he’s famous. Sure, you were starstruck at first, but now you just can’t stop looking at him. At those hands clutching the cold beer bottle, that fluffy hair that you’re dying to reach out and touch, those damn eyes…

“Well, I’m a bit knackered, to be honest,” he admits. “But I wanted to come out and celebrate the win. Honestly, I’m waiting til it’s late enough that I can leave without the lads calling me an old man at training on Monday.”

You laugh and nod sympathetically.

“I get what you mean. I kinda got dragged out tonight as well,” you say. “I wasn’t really in the mood to talk to a bunch of strangers after a long work day, but Charlotte wanted me here and she’s my best friend, so-“

“I’m happy to leave you alone if you’d prefer it,” Ben says quickly. “Well, not happy, but I can. If that’s what you want.”

You shake your head, maybe a bit too quickly.

“No, please,” you smile. “I was in budget meetings all day, but you scored a goal against Arsenal. I think that earns you a spot to sit.”

Ben raises an eyebrow and grins. “Sounds like you’re a fan as well, no?”

“I’m…not not a fan.” He looks confused, so you decide to elaborate a bit. “My dad was a massive supporter. We were season tickets holders at Stamford Bridge until he died a couple years ago. My brother, he’s sixteen, still follows the team, and he keeps me updated, but I haven’t really…well, it hasn’t been quite the same for me since then.”

Though you still miss your dad dearly, time has healed the pain enough for you to be able to talk about him like this. Although, you did have to stare at your shoes the whole time to get through it, and when you look up, Ben’s eyes are wide and full of concern.

You immediately worry that you just majorly overshared with this complete stranger.

“Sorry, you didn’t need to know all that,” you murmur, fiddling with the material of your dress. “I don’t even know you-“

“No, please don’t apologize,” Ben says in a much softer tone than he was using before. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Y/N.”

“Thanks,” you say with a sad smile. He holds your gaze, and you can’t help but feel comforted by his warm expression. Then, all of a sudden, a laugh escapes your lips, surprising Ben. “Sorry, I just…I was thinking about what my dad would say if he knew I was talking to the man he once described as ‘the best left-back in the country’ at a party.”

“Wow, that’s high praise,” Ben smiles. “Your dad sounds pretty great.”

“He was, but I love that your reason for thinking that is him praising you as a footballer,” you laugh softly. “To be fair, he was a big fan of Mount and Havertz as well.”

“Oh, well, never mind then,” Ben jokes, making you laugh even harder.

Probably harder than you’ve laughed in years.

The conversation continues as you each finish your drinks, and after Ben gets you a couple more rounds. You talk about everything - your job in publishing, his life growing up, both of your favourite films and music.

You don’t even realize how late it is until you see a much drunker Charlotte come outside with Mason keeping her upright. Despite her protests that she’s fine, you and Mason both agree you’d better get her home and to bed. After giving her some water, Mason calls an Uber for both of you, and in all the commotion, you barely get the chance to say goodbye to Ben.

It’s not until you get home and take care of Charlotte that you realize you didn’t even get his number. You could get Charlotte to ask Mason for it tomorrow, you suppose, but you don’t want to come across as desperate.

You aren’t even looking for a relationship. You just happened to meet a cute, funny, smart guy at a party who probably has girls lining up around the block just to sleep with him. It’s not like this is going to turn into anything.

Right?

You wake the next morning in Charlotte’s bed - you passed out next to her after making sure she had water and a bin next to her in case she got sick - to a loud buzzing sound.

“Too early,” Charlotte grumbles, feeling the beginnings of a bad hangover. “Turn it off.”

You reach over to the bedside table to silence your phone, but you quickly glance at the Instagram notification before you turn it off.

benchilwell

Hey, I found your insta through Charlotte’s, sorry if that’s stalkery lol

benchilwell

I had a lot of fun last night. Any chance you want to hang out again sometime?

“Oh my god,” you mumble groggily. “Ben Chilwell just slid into my DMs.”

Charlotte, still half-asleep, rubs her eyes and turns to face you. “Who the fuck is Ben Chilwell?”

next chapter 💙

#ben chilwell #ben chilwell x reader #ben chilwell x y/n #ben chilwell imagine #chelsea fc #komh

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esta-elavaris · 4 months

Text

Part One [1,592 words]

Prologue is here, I'll make a proper navigation post for it soon!

Jane Eyre inspired Aemond Targaryen fic (except there's no wife in the attic - only Vizzy T and his miniatures) -- I've been meaning to write this for ages and now with the new season around the corner my brain said it is time.

It's not on AO3 for now but I do have a whole load of other fics over there! I'll tag folk in the replies -- hmu if you want to be added to the list!

Dividers by cafekitsune.

A fingertip was tracing the birthmark in the crook of her arm. As the name implied, she’d had it since birth – no bigger than the nail of her little finger, a few shades darker than her skin…and in the distinct shape of the Seven-Pointed Star. Jeyne had never paid it much mind growing up. The novelty of it wore off around the same time that her school-and-orphanage managed to rid her of any silly fantasies that it meant the gods had something fantastic in store for her. In fact, she never thought about it at all until Aemond.

As the bond between them deepened, he’d taken to tracing his fingertips across it just like this – a habit so engrained and unfailing that it almost had the feel of a ritual. A tender ritual, if there ever was such a thing, and one so intimate that she’d almost fancied it felt like a kiss. Up until the first time he did actually kiss her, anyway, and then she realised how silly that thought had been.

But how was she to know? Before him, she’d never been touched in a manner that wasn’t corrective in nature. Not as far as she could recall, at least.

“We’re not at war. We’ve a strong position. Marriage for the sake of an alliance doesn’t seem pressing,” he murmured, his voice so low it was practically a purr as he stroked her arm.

“Princess Rhaenyra is married to your uncle,” Jeyne pointed out in return. “And Prince Aegon to Princess Helena. You’re all they have to offer, should an alliance be needed with a House beyond the Targaryens…or the Velaryons. Your family won’t allow that to be cast aside. Not for me.”

“The King would not,” he agreed readily enough. “But my mother…she might be swayed. She might be sympathetic. She’s fond of you, you know.”

What would fondness help, when the Queen’s word could not override the King’s wishes? If it did, Aegon would have been made heir apparent long ago. Jeyne voiced none of this, though, not wanting to spoil this little haven of peace they carved out for themselves here, together.

“The King’s health has been declining since before I was even born,” Aemond pointed out, his voice lower than a whisper. “But now it’s less of a decline and more of a…freefall.”

Jeyne was dangerously still, where she lounged at his side. What he was saying was barely sidestepping treason, to discuss the death of the King thus. Perhaps it was fine for him to do so, he was the King’s son, but if she joined in? A servant? It wouldn’t be right. Worse than that, it would be stupid.

But, going against their usual way, Aemond was not content to allow her silence. His silken silver hair slipped across his shoulder as he turned his head to regard her with his good eye.

“You’re not a simpleton, Jeyne. You know what I’m saying.”

“Of course I do,” she murmured.

“But you find it distasteful.”

“No! It just…it hardly seems real. Nor likely enough to hope for.”

“You doubt my resolve?” there was a teasing to his tone now that rejection had been ruled out.

“I’d never be so foolish as to do that,” she snorted.

“My affections, then?” the teasing tone remained, but she knew fine well that if she answered poorly the results could be disastrous.

So it was a good thing she tended towards honesty, as a rule.

“No,” she replied. “But I do doubt everybody not in this room – and how enthusiastic they would be to give you what it is you intend to ask for.”

Growing tired of having to keep his head turned if he wanted to see her, Aemond rolled atop her in a flash, his legs tangled amongst her skirts. They did like to kid themselves that so long as they both stayed mostly dressed, they weren’t toying with danger here. How neatly his hips slotted between her thighs said otherwise.

“I don’t intend to ask for anything,” he replied, his nose nudging hers. “I’ll demand it. And I’ll keep demanding it, until I’m granted it.”

“Aemond…think of everything you could lose…”

Her doubt might’ve held more weight if not for how her hands slid up his sides, then around to his back, feeling the wealth of lean muscle beneath the dark undershirt he wore.

“I prefer to think of all I could gain,” he smirked down at her.

“Oh yes, a more advantageous match there never was.”

There was a time when she’d never dare tease him thus – but now it had a fondness gleaming in his eye, maybe because he knew he was one of the very few she’d ever joke with at all, and he kissed her slowly.

“I don’t give a shit about advantages,” he replied simply when he drew back. “Names…gold…alliances…What could any other House bring that House Targaryen doesn’t already have? That we couldn’t just take from them, if we really needed to? With our dragons? But a wife like you, Jeyne?”

He paused then, planting a forearm into the bed beside her to hold his weight, so that he could use his other hand to trace the back of one finger slowly down the side of her face as he continued.

“That can’t be bartered for in the Small Council.”

“Your duty…” she murmured softly.

“My duty is to marry the woman who could best support me as I carry out my role. None could do that more than you.”

Lying there, with his weight pressing down, solid and comforting atop her, she tried to picture all that he promised. Herself, standing by his side in the Great Hall as court was held. Sitting by his side at banquets. Having the dragon-emblazoned cloak of House Targaryen draped across her shoulders in the Sept of Baelor.

Her imagination was seldom disappointing – it was her main source of solace throughout her childhood. But while she could picture all of those things, they felt like they were just that. Daydreams. Incredibly fanciful ones, no less.

And though Aemond only had one eye, it missed nothing, and he caught the doubt on her face easily enough.

“Five years ago, if you were told that you’d find employment in the Red Keep, would you have believed it?”

“Not at all.”

“And on your first day here, did you suspect you’d find yourself here?”

“Of course not. If I could scheme that well, I’d rule the Seven Kingdoms by now.”

“Mm. Maybe one day.”

“I’ve already come so far – risen far higher than my birth should have allowed. How realistic is it to expect more?”

“Realistic,” he echoed with a teasing sort of exasperation on his face. “The last time I set my mind to something this thoroughly, it got me Vhagar. If you can put your faith in nothing else, put it in this. In me.”

The touch at her arm, combined with the warmth in her limbs and the softness of the sheets beneath her, were all more than enough to have reality slipping from Jeyne’s mind. Her lips even parted, ready to murmur to him about the terrible nightmare she’d suffered, when another voice spoke instead.

“I think she’s waking up.”

The voice – that of a woman – opened the gates for reality to sweep in.

Jeyne’s eyes opened, already half-sitting up, but a hand pressed against her shoulder, urging her back down.

“Rest. You’re safe here.”

She was in a large square room, bundled in furs on the floor by the hearth. Before her knelt an older woman with kind grey eyes and dark curly hair, streaked with grey. Her skin was tanned and weatherbeaten – a farmer? If she was, she was well off. The floor beneath her was wooden, rather than dirt, and the walls were made of stone instead of wood.

A fierce gale blew outside, rattling the shutters on their hinges.

“Listen to that,” the woman murmured. “If she’d have been out in that tonight, she’d have died.”

It took Jeyne a moment to realise who she was talking to – another woman, of a similar age, with red hair bound tightly in a bun at the nape of her neck. She sat at the large wooden table at the other end of the room, mending by candlelight.

“I’m sure we’d all survive with one less beggar out there,” she responded without looking up.

“Ignore her,” the brunette said.

Obeying was easy enough, mostly because she was too concerned with looking about for her satchel. She spotted it, discarded by the door, still buckled shut, and the relief left her weak. Or maybe it just left her able to feel the weakness that had always been there.

“If you could just give me some water, please, I can be on my way in a moment,” she rasped.

“You’ll be going nowhere. Not until you recover your strength,” the woman argued firmly. “We’ve space and food aplenty, do not worry. What’s your name?”

“I…” she almost lied – up until she realised doing so might send them through her bag for cues when she next lost consciousness.

Judging by the black spots floating across her vision, that would be soon.

“Jeyne,” she breathed.

“Rest, Jeyne,” the woman urged. “You’re safe with my sister and I.”

She fell back against the furs, the strength sapping out of her limbs, her eyelids fluttering.

“What did you expect?” Aemond had sneered at her, in the end.

The answer was simple: nothing he hadn’t promised her.

#aemond targaryen #aemond targaryen/oc #aemond targaryen x oc #aemond targaryen fanfiction #aemond targaryen fic #hotdfic #house of the dragon fanfiction #OPL esta-elavaris #aemond/jeyne

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v1ctor14aaa · 2 years

Text

~ enha hyung line when you ignore them bcz they forgot ur bday ~

MASTERLIST | MAKNAE LINE VER.

warning: swearing (slight)

featuring: chaeyoung (twice), ryujin (itzy)

genre: fluff and angst (slight)

pairings: enha x y/n (fem reader)

a/n: this is a bit long for each member (i think jake's the longest) sorry😭, if u have any reqs or if you want to be added to my tag list hmu. this is also not proofread, forgive me. also pls support my friend @gh0stythelurker heheheh

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today is a special day for you, it's the day you have been anticipating the most. you couldn't sleep the whole night because of the excitement for this day to come, your birthday. you weren't excited because it was your birthday, you were excited of what your boyfriend is planning for your day. however, when a day has passed and it's finally the day, you didn't expect your boyfriend to forget it.

lee heeseung (이희승)

you woke up at 6am, you were looking like a zombie who hasn't eaten a brain for days (you just didn't get enough sleep). anyway, happiness took over your body as you see a notification from your mother greeting you.

you were happily prancing around the room but quietly because you didn't want to wake up your boyfriend who is sleeping. you got more excited remembering what you were thinking last night. you kept asking yourself "what is heeseung planning?" "where are we gonna go this time?". you went to shower and then went to the kitchen to cook some breakfast for the both of you. while you were cooking, you didn't notice that heeseung has woken up. he sneakily went to give you a back hug "good morning, love". you squealed when he hugged you, you were smiling widely remembering your thoughts about today.

"oh fuck, it's already 7am" he said.

"why? are you going somewhere??" you asked, still smiling thinking of what he might be planning.

"yeah, i actually gotta go. i have to go to practice for our new comeback."

"oh."

your smile suddenly faded. you felt hurt, you were so excited which now ends up disappointed. you finished cooking and ate then went to the bedroom ignoring him when he say his goodbyes. heeseung was confused on why you suddenly ignored him.

----- time skip -----

it's already night time and you were just watching movies the whole day. you didn't use your phone at all because you were feeling down of what just happened. heeseung forgot your birthday is all what you can think about. time passed and you didn't even realized but when you did you got more sad. you basically didn't celebrate your birthday. anyway, your phone has been buzzing since earlier. you knew it was probably heeseung updating you what's happening to his practice but you didn't care. you just wanted to ignore him right now and just watch movies. meanwhile, heeseung was worried. he's been checking his messages non-stop, waiting for your reply but no. he remembered earlier when you suddenly ignored him. he was walking back and forth in the practice room worried, thinking if he said something that made you upset.

"hey bro! the choreographer said we can go home now, shouldn't you go home and surprise y/n or something" jake was sitting down drinking water, confused on why heeseung kept walking back and forth.

"i can't go home yet, im still thinking of what i said earlier. im trying to remember because i think i might've upset her"

"bro, just go and surprise her, do your thing, and you wouldn't even need to worry about what made her upset anymore. i mean it's her birthday after all so" he laughed.

that's it. he was shook at himself for not remembering your birthday. he didn't even hesitated and ran to a nearest cake shop and bought one for you. he immediately went home after, and he saw you lying down the couch watching a movie. he was about to go up on you but he saw you sleeping. he put some candles on the cake and lit it up.

"love, wake up. happy birthday" as he hugged you and wakes you up with kisses. you woke up and was surprised to see him, you were about to ignore him again but then he sang happy birthday to you. you were teary and glad he remembered your birthday, not only that you get to hear his vocals. you thought how lucky you were that you get to hear him sing for free.

"love, im sorry i forgot your birthday. i was so busy thinking about my comeback so i didn't get to buy you gifts BUT tomorrow we could go out if you like and-"

you shushed him with a kiss and said "i forgive you" you giggled and continued giving him peck of kisses.

"i love you."

"i love you too."

park jongseong, jay (박정성)

you were lying down beside jay thinking of what to do on your birthday which is tomorrow. you wanted to go to a theme park with your boyfriend, you wanted to ask him if the both of you should go and buy tickets but you remembered that you wanted to wait for his plans for your birthday. you didn't want to admit it but it always makes you flustered when he cares and plans things for you, for some reason.

you woke up early in the morning and your boyfriend jay, who is not in the bed anymore seems to be cooking something in the kitchen. "does he plans to cook a lot for my birthday?" you thought. you finally got up and went to the kitchen but didn't see him there, you were confused but you saw him sitting on the couch watching a cooking show. you laughed at yourself for thinking it was him who is cooking.

"are you not gonna cook breakfast? or should i?" you asked.

"i'll cook, i got inspired to cook a new menu for today" he smirked. seeing him smirk made you think that whatever that new menu is, he's going to be cooking for your birthday. you love his cooking so much, it's like tasting heaven. before he even touched the chopping board, his phone started buzzing. "oh shit, something came up in the office. i gotta go." he said. you were worried on what could possibly happen so you asked him if you should go with him and he said that there's no need, and left.

you were sitting in the kitchen alone, wondering if this is a part of his plan or this is actually happening. he just left you alone in the house, but you didn't want to be negative so you took a shower and watched a movie.

----- time skip -----

he still isn't home, he didn't bother to call you as well. you went through your phone and saw that tickets to the theme park are now sold out. you were wondering what is taking him so long and hoping it's not that serious. anyway, you were already bored so you decided to go for a walk outside. you checked your messages to see if jay sent something but there was nothing, it was just silent. you were so worried so you decided to visit him in the office. everyone seems to know you are jay's girl, you got shy when you hear them. you saw jay sitting in his office with a cup of coffee on his hand laughing with his co-workers. a sudden thought suddenly flashed to your mind, he forgot your birthday. to think you were worried of him because he was taking long to come back home, it made your stomach turn. jay noticed you standing in front of his office and approached you "babe, what are you doing here?" smiling. he was about to kiss you but you dodged it and started to walk away. jay was frozen, "d-did she just dodge my kiss?" he got sad when you did that, especially that you didn't even say a word to him which made him more sad but he got worried if something happened. he followed you downstairs but you immediately went to your car and drove back home. he wasn't able to process you dodging his kiss but now this, he was confused and thinking if something bad has happened to you.

"hyung, heeseung and i plan to go to the karaoke, do you want to tag along?" ni-ki, his coworker, sipping his coffee.

"i don't think i can go, i have a problem to deal with" jay sat.

"ni-ki are you dumb, why would you invite him? you know it's y/n's birthday, don't bother his lovey dovey moment." heeseung laughed.

it hit him. YOUR BIRTHDAY. he didn't even say any words to his co-workers and immediately went to his car. he didn't know what to but he just drove around town and bought as much as he could for his gift to you. he started calling you but you ignored him. he was so worried that he might've made you cry and didn't want that so he immediately went home, searching for you in every room but you weren't home. where were you? well, let's go back to where you left jay's company. you did come home, however a person like you can't really stay home when you are feeling like this, you would always walk around the park. so, you did. you were walking around the park, head-empty and just wanted to stay there forever. you hear your phone buzzing and saw it was jay. of course, you ignore him like earlier. you didn't want to hear him talk since you thought it'll just made you feel more down. jay, on the other side, who can't find you anywhere got more worried. he didn't know what to do so he insisted to ask help from your mom.

minutes later, your phone buzzed again. you thought it was jay again but you saw it was your mom.

you didn't expect your mom to buy tickets there. you were a bit happy to know she's coming, it will at least make your day better. you were sitting on a bench, waiting for you mom, unknowingly who is behind you. it was jay, holding a bouquet and a box. you were surprised to see him, you were about to walk away again but he suddenly held your wrist. "y/n, love, my beautiful girlfriend. please don't go. im sorry i forgot your birthday." he hugged you. you were glad that he finally remembered, you didn't want to say anything at that moment and just wanted to hug him. he suddenly made you sit on the bench and opened the box, it's a necklace (an expensive one too). you were mesmerized of the necklace, you looked at him. he puts on the necklace to you, he was looking at you and thought you were the most beautiful girl ever.

"you didn't have to buy this"

"i just bought it, im sorry if it's not much"

"you remembering my birthday is already enough, silly." you giggled and kissed him.

"oh, by the way. your mom helped me find you."

"oh." you sneered at him, thinking he couldn't have done it himself but you find it funny otherwise.

"i love you." he said.

"yeah, let's go home."

"wait what, say it back" he pleaded.

"i love you too."

sim jaehyun, jake (심재윤)

the both of you were eating breakfast and you already planned one thing to do for your birthday, you are still expecting your boyfriend to do something for your birthday though.

"should i go to my hometown? i think it'll be nice to visit there plus my mom expects me to go and celebrate there instead."

"sure, what's the occasion?" he cluelessly asked. you couldn't believe your ears on what he just said, did he actually ask that. you stared at him for a whole minute and raised your eyebrow at him. you didn't want to think negatively so you decided to ask him.

"what day is today?" you asked, staring at him.

"uhh, sunday." he looked on his phone.

that's when you knew, he forgot. you couldn't eat and was shocked at your boyfriend for forgetting it. he isn't really the type to forget birthdays and ESPECIALLY yours or so you thought. you still couldn't believe what just happened and you decided to think that maybe this is a part of his plan, pranking you or something. however, you got sure that he indeed forgot on what happened next after.

"i gotta go shower, love. but before that, you haven't answered my question yet. what's the occasion? is it your mom's birthday? we could buy some gifts at ****."

you were flabbergasted after hearing his words. you finished your food and quickly washed the dishes, you still didn't give him an answer and just ignored him right away. he looked at you confused, he kept asking and you're not replying. he thought that you were probably too tired to reply so he didn't care much about it and just went to shower. while you are sitting on the bed, zoning out because of what just happened. you were sure that he forgot your birthday, you felt down. you still wanted to go to your hometown though but since he forgot your birthday, you thought that your parents will find out and get angry at him. they don't really like jake much, especially your father. your mom doesn't say much about him but you can see that she doesn't like him as well. anyway, the point is you're not going to your hometown so you messaged your mom about it and instead you'll have a reunion with your former co-workers and celebrate it with them. you don't know what to do with jake but you were disappointed and a bit annoyed with him for always remembering others' bday while he doesn't even bother to remember yours.

----- time skip -----

it's already night time and it's time for your dinner with your co-workers. you checked jake, he's already dressed. you didn't even say a word to him and just picked the keys and went out to the car. you sat on the passenger's seat because you knew jake would want to drive and he will keep bothering you if you drive, you didn't want to talk to him so you just immediately sat on the passenger's seat but while waiting for him you moved to the back seat for the reason that you didn't want to face and talk to him, you were still kind of angry and sad.

jake finally went in the car and see you in the back seat, he was so confused. you know, he's the type that wants you beside him all the time and seeing you in the back seat made him so bothered. he tried asking and talking to you but there was no answer, you were just staring at the window the whole time. he was getting sad, he still doesn't have a clue on why you're suddenly acting like this.

----- time skip ------

you two finally arrived at the restaurant and met your co-workers. you were happy to see them for such a long time and you talked with them for hours while jake was sitting beside you, he was getting teary eyed because you kept ignoring him. ni-ki and jungwon started to talk with jake. jake was pouting the whole time and looking like a puppy who just lost his owner.

"y/n sis, mom messaged me and said that you cancelled on going home. you didn't have to cancel it to go and have a reunion here." chaeyoung said.

"oh, mom and the others can wait. it's nice seeing all of you here though."

chaeyoung and ryujin looked at each other after hearing your low and sad tone saying that sentence. they realized that jake and you haven't even said a single word to each other since earlier.

"did the two of you fight?" ryujin asked loudly.

everyone looked at ryujin and gave her a confused look then they looked at the both you and jake. you didn't even look at jake and just laughed. "ryu, what do you mean. we're fine." you gave her a fake smile, which actually creeped sunoo and the others. sunoo whispered to chaeyoung "they're definitely not fine."

"i gotta go to the bathroom, don't eat dessert without me." you said.

once you went to the bathroom, they all looked at jake and asked "seriously, are the two of you really fine?" jake didn't know what to answer because he doesn't know either. he was feeling so many emotions all at once, he didn't answer them and just shrugged.

"you both doesn't seem fine, you should go and talk to her." chaeyoung exclaimed.

jake decided to do that and talk to you, he wants to know as well on why have you been ignoring him since earlier. he looks like he was about to cry while walking to the restroom waiting for you to come out. his phone buzzed.

"HOLY SHIT. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK." he panicked when he saw his notification. he felt ashamed for not remembering your birthday. he ran back to everyone, at the table. "guys, can you do me a favor?"

back to you, at the bathroom. you were sitting at the toilet, zoning out and tears were forming. it wasn't much tears but you were crying already. you didn't know what to do with your boyfriend, negative thoughts were swarming in your head. you thought you were taking too long in the restroom so you washed your hands and went back to the table. to your surprise, no one was in the restaurant anymore. the lights also went off, you got scared because everyone left you and you thought you got locked in.

you went to the main door and you saw a light forming from a distance away, your phone was about to die so you didn't bother turning on the flashlight this time. you were literally touching everywhere lol. anyway, a small light suddenly is closing up to you. you were so scared, you thought it was a ghost or something. then, suddenly all the lights opened and "SURPRISEEEEEEE!!" you almost had a heart attack. jake was in front of you holding a cake with lit candles "happy birthday, my pretty girl." everyone started singing and you couldn't help but cry. your boyfriend finally remembered. he kissed you and asked "so, what's your wish?".

"uh, for my boyfriend not to forget my birthday again." you shrugged.

he laughed "i love my girlfriend so much." and kissed you. "i love you too."

park sunghoon (박성훈)

your boyfriend is a skater and you work part-time as a barista but today it's your day off which is good because you know... it's your birthday. sunghoon though, is busy preparing for his ice skating competition. you wondered how the two of you will celebrate your birthday when he's this busy but you know sunghoon, he always have a plan when it comes to your birthday.

you woke up early in the morning and you see your boyfriend has already left. he ordered you breakfast before leaving and he also left a note. "sorry, i couldn't join you for breakfast. hope you enjoy what i ordered." you thought it was sweet of him to do so. however, you were feeling lonely for the past months. he has been busy than ever preparing for his competition. you both barely talk these past months, which made u feel lonely. with him busy, you weren't really expecting for the both of you to celebrate your day. despite him being busy, you waited for his message to greet you a happy birthday but nothing happened. you jokingly said "he's way too busy that he probably forgot about it." and laughed.

hours later, you finally saw sunghoon text you.

did he literally just forgot your birthday? your jaw dropped when he asked you that. you weren't even sad at all. well, you understood how busy he has been but there was just no way he just forgot about your bday.

----- time skip -----

your boyfriend got home. you were playing some games on your phone and he tried to hug you but you rolled over the couch. he laughed and thought you just fell, he decided to hug you again but you walked away.

"what?" he raised his eyebrow at you. he decided to hug you again but this time you ran and went straight to the bedroom. he was so flabbergasted when you did that. he was like "what the fuck?". you on the other hand was mad at him. he still didn't greet you so you felt that way. anyway, with what just happened. he sat down on the couch and zoned out.....

you were so bored, you decided to go out and go to a cinema. you don't really care if sunghoon is going to come with you or not but either way you're going. sunghoon saw you all dressed up and asked you "oh hey love, where are you going?". you straight up ignored him and closed the door loudly. he was so fucking confused, and was kind of annoyed with you. without hesitation, when you left he immediately worn some proper t-shirt and his shoes. he ran so fast to catch up on you. thank god, you haven't started the car yet. you were petting some cat that you saw. you noticed your boyfriend followed you so you went to the car, he then went in too.

"im driving."

you started driving without saying a word to him.

"oh, okay. you drive, i guess."

when you arrived at the cinema, you quickly lined up to get some tickets. sunghoon was surprised that you wanted to go to the cinema but just went along with it, he bought food for the both you to eat. of course, you weren't that awful so you also bought him ticket and gave it to him, still without saying a thing. hoon just basically followed you inside.

----- time skip -----

you enjoyed the movie, sunghoon kinda did as well but he misses you. like talking to you. he tried talking to you as well in the cinema but of course you still didn't reply. you badly wanted sunghoon to remember the occasion to himself so you stayed strong and kept ignoring him lol.

you drove around the town and went in some shops to buy things or foods. still not talking to sunghoon. your boyfriend got tired and when it was just the two of you alone, he had enough and said loudly "y/n, what the fuck do you want? why are you not talking to me? why do you kept ignoring me? im getting tired already. i tried talking to you a couple of times today but what the fuck. baby, if i did something wrong, please tell me. you know me, i care about u so much but fucking please tell me what's happening?" you didn't even looked at him as you went inside the car, ignoring him again.

"y/n, you know what. im done. if you're not gonna talk to me for the whole day, okay fine. im gonna go home but just know this, im fucking worried about you but you wont even let me talk to you." he left and went to get a taxi.

you sat alone in the car, crying. you were hoping for him to remember such a special day and greet you, that's what you only wanted. you weren't mad at him anymore instead you were sad, crying. you thought that there's a possibility that he doesn't care for you anymore. you though that maybe you have gone too far for not talking to him. you weren't in the mood to do anything, anymore but you didn't want to go home since sunghoon went home. you didn't want to face him yet after what just happened. you thought that you'll just let the day pass and talk to him tomorrow so you went to the nearest hotel to stay.

as for sunghoon, he was waiting for you to come home. he thought that he let his emotions control him that he shouted at you earlier. he was worriedly thinking on where have you gone off to. he was worried that he made you cry because of earlier.

it was already night time and hoon still doesn't have a clue on why you ignored him the whole day. a realization hit him on what day it is today. he checked the calendar and everything. it's your birthday. okay, you maybe wondering on how did he realized. he remembered the cinema that the both of you went to, it was titled "BD". he remembered what happened on the movie, a birthday basically. he cried a little because of the fact he shouted at you earlier when he was the one who's at fault for not remembering his dearest girlfriend's bday.

he didn't bother to buy you gifts or what but he went looking for you everywhere. he remembered you guys are both in 'life 360' and he saw where you are. he immediately went to the hotel and asked the staff on what room you're staying in. he knocked.

"love, it's me."

you were just lying down the bed and when you heard his voice, it sent a chill down your spine. you were surprised and confused on why he's there. you opened the door and he suddenly hugged you tightly.

"love, im really really really really sorry for forgetting your birthday. im also sorry for lashing out on you earlier. im so sorry love. i was so busy preparing for the competition that i completely forgot about your bday. im really sorry, y/n." he cried.

you wiped his tears and said "im sorry too, i shouldn't have ignored you the whole day and i should've just told you what's going on. hoonie im sorry."

"i love it when you call me that." he smirked and laughed.

"hoon." you stared at him for suddenly joking around.

"okay, i know i know. sorry. let's go inside first. wouldn't want people seeing us being dramatic. im sorry i didnt bring any gifts with me."

"honestly, i don't care if whether you have gifts or not. as long as you remember my silly birthday. i know, i don't say these often but im lucky to have a boyfriend like you."

"y/n, im more luckier having a dramatic girlfriend like you." he laughed.

"i love you so much that the whole universe can't even compete."

"baby, i love you sooo much too."

MASTERLIST | MAKNAE LINE VER.

please do not copy nor translate and post this as your own.

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