#pretending to be a winter spirit had to go well.

[nelkcats]

Winter in Spring

Danny was not a spirit of the seasons, he didn't have any idea if those kinds of spirits existed out of movies, what he did know was that for some reason the flowers were behaving rather strangely in one particular dimension right at the beginning of spring. And although he certainly didn't want to affect the place he knew he had to investigate it.

From what it seemed: strange plants that glowed just like those born in the Infinite Realms were appearing in Gotham and coming to life on their own. At first he suspected Undergrowth but the Ancient was offended by the accusation and commented that he was too busy in his haunt to care about a random city. Which turned out to be true.

Then he thought that maybe it was fine: the bright flowers seemed harmless (although they were very very...alive?) and didn't hurt anyone. That was until a red-haired girl seemed to upset them and they started attacking everyone around them; unfortunately, because they were ghost flowers they could dodge attacks very easily and the "heroes" couldn't defend themselves.

So, with no other options Danny traveled to Gotham and well, to put it simply he became a fake winter spirit; what else was he supposed to do? He needed an alibi and to spread ice as quickly as possible. Telling Gothamites that winter was coming early because of him was the least of his problems.

What he didn't expect was that after turning the city into a wasteland of ice and snow (and saving them from the invasion of ghost flowers, you're welcome), some guys in bat suits would start following him around with questions. He also didn't expect one of them to stare at him and ask if he'd be back in winter, he wondered if faking his identity was a good idea.

[kookygranger]

Fairytale of Hawkins: Part One

Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

A cheesy hallmark Christmas fic inspired by @bettyfrommars's tow truck!Eddie and prompts #1 & #6 from Betty and @allthingsjoeq's Holiday Prompt Party

Summary: You're spending Christmas in your best friend Robin's hometown this year, after spending far too many alone in the city. She can't wait to introduce you to the gang and all the wholesome festive activities they get up to, but you may have already made a not-so-good first (and second) impression on a certain metalhead in the first few days of your visit.

Warnings: mention of car crashing into snowbank (no damage), reader gets drunk (happy holidays!), reader doesn't have family, reader and Eddie are in their late 20s/early 30s, swearing

Word count: 4.4k

Author's note: I've spent far too long agonising over this when it's supposed to be silly and fun and not perfect, so please just have this first part and ignore me screaming into a pillow in the corner.

Part Two

6 Days 'Til Christmas

You really weren’t feeling the holiday spirit this year.

Not that you normally did.

Christmas for you, meant taking advantage of a quiet city, spending the hours alone walking the empty streets and having nothing but smoked salmon and champagne for dinner without feeling guilty. Sometimes (every Christmas), you’d let a corny Hallmark movie play on your TV and cringe and laugh at the predictableness of it all. Maybe, you’d be a bit quieter when the lovesick couple inevitably kissed at the end, maybe you’d pour yourself a little more champagne.

The aesthetic of the holiday season itself, you didn’t mind so much. The pretty twinkling lights, spiced hot drinks, and cookies you could take. But the frenzied crowds, all the talk of “goodwill” and “Christmas cheer”, when all you had to do was spend an hour in a department store to witness the real ugliness of humanity – hard pass. And let’s not forget Christmas day itself, either people would be spending it stuck with family, passive-aggressive comments and secrets coming out after the first few rounds of spiked punch, or they’d be forcefully and painfully reminded of just how lonely they were in this world.

The snow was nice. You secretly enjoyed the quiet and stillness a fresh blanket of snow could bring to the city. But out here in the sticks? Snow was your worst enemy.

Once your heart had settled back to a normal pace, you got out of the car to assess the damage. There was no smoke coming from places it shouldn’t, no visible scratches or dents that you could see – but there was also no way in hell that you were getting this car out of the snowbank you’d crashed into. At least the deer you swerved to avoid was probably off in the trees to your left with its family, living to frolic another day.

“Shit.”

You had no idea where you were. Already lost on the horrible directions your best friend Robin had given you before that damn deer came out of nowhere. The snow was coming down faster than the street plows could keep up with, your hair drenched in a few minutes as another shiver ran through your whole body.

Hawkins was cold. Like, freezing. You always thought winter was winter, but they really took it to another level here in the Midwest.

The day still had a little light left in it, but darkness was fast approaching. You decided the smart thing to do was wait in the car and hope that somebody driving by would be able to help. Or pretend to help before murdering you. Well, you didn’t think walking on a fairly deserted road in the middle of a snowstorm when you had no idea which direction to go would produce better results. So, you waited.

And waited.

Oh god, you were gonna die here all alone. You never should’ve let Robin talk you into coming home with her for Christmas. You could be happily wrapped up in blankets in your climate-controlled apartment with a warm mug of eggnog right now.

Wait! The rum you bought for making eggnog with Robin.

You scramble to reach over the car’s middle console, hands rummaging through the paper bags on the floor in the back until you find the smooth glass neck of a bottle.

The rum burns your throat on the way down with the first swig, but the edge is taken off soon after with a couple more swallows – the familiar warmth settling into your skin once you’ve polished off about a quarter of the bottle. You curl up into your seat, tucking your legs into your coat and holding the bottle of rum close to your chest.

Distracted by the fuzzy feeling seeping into your head and thoughts of which picture of you they’d use to announce your death on the local news, you don’t notice the sound of a truck approaching or its headlights shining across the back of your car.

Maybe Robin will give them a good one of you on vacation together in The Bahamas last year. God, you wish you’d gone somewhere warm instead.

You almost jump out of your skin, letting out an involuntary squeak when someone knocks on your window. Barely making out the shape of a man with wild hair through the condensation that had fogged up the glass.

“You alright in there?”

Please don’t be a murderer, please don’t be a murderer, please don’t be a murderer.

You open the car door and step out on shaky legs, almost stacking it when your feet are swallowed by a much thicker blanket of snow than you were expecting. The man reaches out to steady you, his hands engulfing your forearms as you look up at your rescuer. Or potential downfall. A black beanie covers the top of his head but does little to protect the rest of his wild curls that fall across his shoulders from the still falling snow. You briefly take note of the blue coveralls with a name sewn in red thread across his heart, before you’re sucked in by the worried look in his brown doe eyes.

“Are you alright?”

You nod, stuttering when you try and speak, gesturing to the car behind you and then to the road. “I–the car, there was a–and then, the ice just sort of…”

The stranger straightens up, the warmth from his hands leaving you as he eyes you wearily, “You been drink driving?”

“What? No! God, no…I–I,” you take a deep breath, trying to compose the thoughts that were tumbling too fast out of your mouth. God, he was pretty. “After I realised I wasn’t going anywhere,” you point to the front of the car, barely visible from the snow piled around it, “I may have opened a bottle of rum to keep warm.”

He scoffs a little meanly, “You realise that’s not how it works right? You actually lose heat faster when you’re drunk.”

A tingling warmth crawls up your neck at his scolding and you shrug, “Well, I thought if I was gonna die I might as well do it with a good buzz.”

He squints at you, his stare stony and you can’t tell what you’ve done to warrant this level of offence from a total stranger. Was he helping you or not? “You’re not from around here are you?”

You straighten up reflexively, shoulders going back in defence, “What makes you say that?”

He gestures vaguely to all of you, “Well, apart from the fact that you ooze city girl,” you frown, “it’s a small town. I woulda remembered you if you grew up here.”

He didn’t say it with a smirk or a sly look at your body. You knew it wasn’t meant as a compliment. Not a ‘you’re so pretty I would’ve remembered you’ but a ‘you stand out in all the wrong ways’.

“Okay, um,” you look around and notice his truck parked behind him, disbelief painting your face when you turn back to him and take in the ‘Munson Motors’ patch on the other side of his name. “Would you be able to help me?”

He answers with a frown as if the question itself is offensive. He has a tow truck and you're stranded on the side of the road in below-zero conditions. Of course, he’s going to help you.

Eddie, goes straight to work hooking up your car to the back of his truck, pulling it out of the snowbank and parking off to the side of the road again as you stand out of the way and watch, shivering now that the freezing outside air has begun to sober you up.

When he jumps back out of the truck to check your car is secure, he clears his throat, speaking to you like he's continuing a conversation, “How long you been out here?”

Your breath catches in a cloud of condensation as you exhale. “What’s the time?”

He pulls back the blue fabric of his left sleeve to check his watch, “Quarter past six.”

“Oh, um…a couple of hours I think.” It had been 45 minutes.

He nods as he gives a chain one final tug. “Guess no one’s come past ‘cause it’d be dumb to drive around in these conditions.”

You had to hold back from reflexively rolling your eyes. Here comes the mansplain.

“You know, you really shouldn’t be driving without chains on your tires.”

You huff, “Well, it’s not my car and I was only popping out to the store to get some groceries…an–and I got lost and then a deer just–” You wave your hand across the road stumbling over your words as the stupidly pretty tow truck driver turns to you and raises his eyebrows. “Forget it.” You sighed, “Is the car gonna be alright?”

Eddie licks his bottom lip, his intense gaze starting to heat you up again as he slowly nods. “The car will be fine. I can drop you and it off if you’ve got an address for me in town.”

“Uh, yeah. Thanks.”

***

A sigh leaves you as the warmth of the truck cab engulfs you, the smell of tobacco and the black ice magic tree hanging from the rearview mirror, along with something woodsy surrounding you on the inhale.

“Where to?” Eddie plops himself into the driver’s seat, pulling out onto the road as you give him Robin’s parent's address.

The ride there is mostly quiet, aside from the low hum of a Black Sabbath song coming out of the speakers, and you get the feeling Eddie the tow truck guy doesn’t take well to city girls getting themselves into sticky situations on his roads. You’re starting to feel a little silly yourself as the rum buzz well and truly wears off. This was a little too damsel in distress-y for your liking. You were an independent woman for god sake, the best solution you could come up with was getting drunk before an incredibly well-timed, handsome local had to come to your rescue?

As soon as Eddie pulls up to the curb he’s jumping out of the truck, clearly not wanting to spend another minute in awkward silence. You were never really good at small talk.

It isn’t until the passenger side door slams behind you that you notice the yelling.

“Oh my god! I thought you were for sure dead!”

Robin almost knocks you onto the sidewalk when she slams into you.

“Oh, I was so worried! I kept telling my dad, I think I told her the wrong directions. I told you to turn right on Maple when you should have turned left–“Her arms flail about in the air as she rambles in a panic and you just smile at her.

“Rob, I’m fine. I got to the shops okay in the end, it was getting back that was the problem. Then this deer ran out in front of me and I lost control when I swerved.”

“Oh my god, I can’t believe I almost killed you. You haven’t even been in town a full day!” She squishes your cheeks in between her hands, and you laugh.

Once she’s satisfied that you’re okay, she turns to Eddie as he walks up to the both of you. “Thanks for bringing my girl back alive Munson.” Robin beams and you notice Eddie’s eyes darting between the both of you, things clicking into place before she tackles him with a hug.

“Nice to see ya Buckley.” You hear Eddie mumble something into Robin’s hair and she laughs.

Figures. He was that Eddie. The metalhead with a heart of gold. Fantasy nerd that you were “going to love.” Obviously, your mind hadn’t immediately associated the grumpy tow truck driver Eddie with the one you’d heard hundreds of stories about, the one that was supposed to be warm and quick to welcome outsiders. Maybe it was just you?

“The car’ll be fine. Might just take a little while to warm up next time you go to start it, but if you have any issues just drop it by the shop.” He speaks directly to Robin as if it were her that he’d just rescued from the side of the road.

She thanked him with an affectionate punch to the shoulder and you tried to catch his eye before he turned away.

“Thanks again, for uh–for your help.”

He just nods, eyes briefly making contact with yours before they flit away again and he walks back to his truck.

“Don’t let her get lost again. It’s only gonna get colder over the next week.” He shouts before he slams his door shut behind him.

You turn to Robin who’s cheerily waving him off.

“Cold-er? It gets cold-er?!”

***

5 Days 'Til Christmas

“This is ridiculous.” Condensation forms around your huffs of breath, Jack Frost nipping at the tip of your nose and cheeks as you pull your coat tighter around you, stumbling slightly on the icy ground.

“The only thing ridiculous is your dress sense.” Robin giggles, pausing to let you catch up with her, arm linking with your own as you cross the car park together.

“This is my favourite coat.” You pout.

She shakes her head, “I know it is. And I know how much it cost, but we need to get you something sturdier and some thermals or something.” Her free hand rubs the thin, expensive material on your shoulder.

“Maybe, we should just stop leaving the house.” You grumble, causing Robin to knock her shoulder against yours.

“C’mon! I know we’re meeting everyone in a couple of days, but when Steve told me Jonathan and Nance we’re going to be at the bar tonight as well I thought it’d be the perfect opportunity for you to meet the grown-ups first.”

“Aren’t the kids at college now?”

You’d learnt a lot about Robin’s chosen family over the years. Having met Steve multiple times when he came to visit her in the city and been regaled by countless stories of the trouble they’d all gotten up to in high school.

“Yeah, but they’re not legal drinking age yet and it’ll be much easier meeting everyone else without them around trust me.”

The Hideout definitely wasn’t anything like the bars you frequented in the city, and you couldn’t help thinking about where you were a week ago – an office Christmas party that involved two-hundred-dollar bottles of champagne and coke in the marbled bathrooms – as your weather inappropriate shoes found the sticky floor and your nose wrinkled involuntarily at the smell, eyes wandering over the small crowd of mostly old men hunched over their half-empty drinks.

“Charming,” you murmur, Robin’s arm tightening its hold on you upon seeing her best friend waving at the both of you across the room.

“Hey dingus,” She ruffles Steve’s hair as you approach the group sitting around a small wooden table.

“Hey numbnut.” He was quick to push his hair back, everything but a lonely strand falling back into perfect place. Robin took an empty chair, while Steve captured you in a much-needed embrace, greeting you warmly and without a childish nickname.

He kept an arm around your shoulder as he introduced you to the three other occupants of the table. You shake Nancy and Jonathan’s hand, smiling at the way they held each other, but when you hold out your hand to their friend Argyle he just laughs and gets up to hug you with a “Come here my lil’ city slicker.” The scent of pineapple and pot clinging to you as you take a seat while Steve heads to the bar to get you and Robin a drink.

“Where’s Eddie?”

The pang that jolts you at Robin’s casual mention of her friend’s name is slightly concerning.

“He’s over there with the guys.” You follow Jonathan’s gesture to a group of boys standing next to a makeshift stage at the far end of the bar. A tousle of brown waves in a leather jacket stands with his back to you with three others dressed much the same, all drinking beer and laughing. You couldn’t see his face, but even from here you notice his shoulders look more relaxed than he was during your encounter yesterday.

Maybe you’d get to see the “warm” Eddie now that he wasn’t having to haul your car out of the snow.

Steve returns to your table with drinks and takes the seat next to you, reaching over your shoulders to pinch Robin when she complains about hers not having enough ice before letting his arm relax around you. Steve had seamlessly fit himself into your life when you first met just as he always did in any situation, and you knew that he could sense your nerves about meeting the rest of the group. You just hoped he didn’t pick up on any nerves about the presence of one in particular.

“Nice of you to join us Buckley.”

You tense as Eddie appears at the table and Steve squeezes your shoulder, smirking into his drink.

Never fucking mind.

“Oh my god, you guys I have to tell you all about Eddie’s hero moment yesterday!”

As Robin captures the attention of the group with a dramatic retelling of yesterday’s events, your eyes wander to your reluctant rescuer. He was yet to acknowledge your existence, only rubbing his neck and blushing when praise was thrown his way. His attention is mostly on Robin’s theatrics before it shifts, and you notice his gaze land on something by your shoulder. You look down at Steve’s hand still resting there and when you look back up your eyes catch shining, dark chocolate ones.

You’re the first to break the spell, eyes quickly landing on the table, unable to hold his intense stare.

When Robin finishes her story you excuse yourself to get another drink, having nervously gulped yours down already and you pass Steve on your way back to the table.

“Hey, can you give these to Eddie? He’s just outside. I need to take a leak, thanks.” He walks away quickly, leaving you with a packet of cigarettes in your hand.

***

Eddie stands with his back to you, leaning against the brick of the bar as you exit the swinging door, a blast of arctic air hitting you as you immediately wrap your arms around yourself.

“Hey.”

He spins around at the sound of your voice.

“Uh, Steve said you needed to borrow a smoke?” You hold up the pack.

He stares at you for a second before he lifts an unlit cigarette in between his fingers.

“I’m all good. Bummed one off Gareth.”

You nod and shove the carton in your coat pocket.

“You smoke?”

“God no, I value my lungs. These are Steve’s.” You shake your head and Eddie raises his eyebrows, pausing in his motion to light the cigarette now pursed between his lips, the yellow flame from his scuffed bic lighter flickering in the chilled breeze.

He releases his thumb from the lighter, taking the cigarette out of his mouth and frowning at it.

“So uh, I didn’t expect you and Buckley to show up tonight.”

You grip your coat tighter around you, it’s far too cold to be out here but you’re pleasantly surprised that he’s initiating conversation with you. “Oh yeah, Robin dragged me out of the house to come see some lame band. Personally, I think it’s too cold to do anything other than drink tea under a pile of blankets but–“

“Robin said they were lame?”

“What?”

“The band playing here tonight, she said they were lame?”

“No, she just mentioned that they’re here every Tuesday,” you look up at the neon signage hanging above the door, missing a ‘d’ with a barely flickering ‘o’ and shrug, “I figured–“

“Hey, Ed!” One of the boys Eddie had been standing with earlier pops his head out of the bar door, giving you a curt nod when you turn around. “You ready? We’re on in two.”

“Yeah, just give us a sec.”

The boy disappears back behind the door and you screw your eyes shut. Of course it was his band.

“Shit, Eddie I’m sor–“

“You always just say things without thinking?” His arms are crossed, eyes squinting at you in that offended disbelief that seemed to be reserved just for you and your big mouth.

You sigh, “Only around you apparently.”

You swear you see the corner of his mouth twitch. “Why’s that city girl?”

The nickname could almost pass as a term of endearment, the way it comes out of him in a drawl if it wasn’t for your terrible first and second impressions preceding you.

You shake your head, “Never mind. I’m gonna–“ You point your thumb behind your shoulder, “Yeah,” and walk back inside before you manage to say anything else idiotic, Eddie grinning after your retreating form.

***

You watch Eddie thrash about on stage under the haze of a couple of shots, needing a little liquid courage before you could throw yourself back into socialising – at least you seemed to be getting along with the rest of the group.

His skin was glowing with sweat under the cheap yellow stage lights, leather jacket abandoned so you could now see the tattoos peaking out from under his tattered old band shirt. One that hugged his biceps as they flexed with the ferocity of his guitar playing. Holy shit.

When he jumps off stage and approaches his friends, you can’t take your eyes off the damp hair that sticks to his neck and forehead.

“You guys were amazing.”

He bows his head at your compliment. The two of you now slightly off to the side of the rest of the group as they figure out whose round it is. “Not lame then?”

“No,” you shake your head, “no, I shouldn’t have–that was shitty of me to judge without hearing you. To judge, full stop. I’m not like that normally. I know you think I’m just some city girl who’s completely out of touch but I’m just–I got a bit nervous about meeting you all and making a good impression for Robin. I’m sorry.”

He rubs the back of his neck, “S’nothin’ to apologise for. Not like we’re playing The Garden or anything.”

“That doesn’t matter.” You frown, “You’re great–I mean the band are great–I can tell that you all love playing up there no matter the audience. That’s what’s important.”

“Thanks.” His soft tone and doe eyes threaten to swallow you whole. You look away, burning up under his attention again.

“You’re welcome.”

“We’re playing pool now, I need you on my team c’mon.” Robin wraps her arms around you and drags you away before Eddie gets the chance to keep you talking.

***

“Wait, Steve! You’re not driving?” You cringe at Robin’s slurred volume as she shouts across the small car park, thankful this isn’t a residential area.

“Pfft no! I’ve had way too many. I’m going in Nance’s car.” She glares at her best friend as he follows Jonathan and Argyle, waving her off.

“How are we getting home?!” She raises her arms in exasperation and turns to you as if you’d be able to offer a solution, the creaking of the bar door opening behind you grabbing both of your attention as Eddie steps out. He stops short, car keys coming to a halt mid-swing when he notices eyes on him.

“Eddieeee.” Robin sing-songs, wrapping her arm around your shoulder. His eyebrow quirks up. “Fancy dropping off two gorgeous young girls and making sure they get home safe?” She leans her head into yours and you giggle.

Eddie rolls his eyes. “Yeah whatever, get in.”

Robin turns away abruptly to head towards his van, leaving you to stumble without the support, Eddie’s warm hands brace your arms before you even have time to think.

“You good?”

You nod, “Had a lot to drink.”

He huffs a laugh as you sway, breath stuttering when you look up at him, “Yeah, you did.”

The snow that falls around you two lands softly on your face, melting in your hair and on your eyelashes as you crinkle your nose.

“It’s so cold.”

He licks his bottom lip, “Right, right let’s get you home yeah?”

***

Despite Robin’s clumsy nature she always manages to stay light on her feet when she’s drunk. So, by the time Eddie pulls up to the Buckley residence she’s shooting out of the van, cackling at her own joke while you’re still trying to undo your seatbelt. Eddie tells you to stay still before he jogs to the passenger side and unhooks you, holding onto your arm as you step down onto the ground on wobbly legs.

“Where’s Robin?” You look around, the front yard frosted in snow that’s warmed by yellow fairy lights hanging around the edges of the house, but noticeably void of your charmingly sassy friend.

“She’s already inside. Here, let me get you to the door.”

His hands help steady you, guiding you to safety up the icy path, one stretching over your lower back the other holding your elbow. You hadn’t noticed his rings before now, silver glinting under the lights now directly above you as you walk up to the front porch. These hands adorned in skulls seemed to keep coming to your rescue. But you don’t need some hot tow truck, sexy guitarist guy coming to your rescue. You’re a capable, independent woman.

You feel Eddie’s breath on the back of your neck when he laughs softly.

“You think I’m sexy huh?”

You frown as you stop at the front door, shaking your head “What, why would you think that?”

“’Cause you just said it.”

“Out loud?!”

He snickers as you bury your face in your hands, “I have to stop drinking around you.”

Eddie bites his lip as you slip through the front door mumbling a good night and close it behind you without another glance at his smug face. He’s still smiling as he turns the ignition, the radio on low as Fairytale of New York fills his van with warmth. He takes a deep breath and shakes his head before pulling away from the curb, this fuzzy feeling in his chest not something that’s familiar to him.

“Fuck.”

[minustwofingers]

cool about it teaser

pairing: closetedfem!reader x ellie

request? yes, by @gold-dustwomxn (:

summary: life in the apocalypse is hard enough. the last thing you need is unrequited feelings for your best friend—who is very much off limits. so you'll just be cool about it. really cool about it. set in a loose interpretation of canon where i toy around with the timeline and storyline just the slightest and this is also a bit of a slowburn

warnings: ur closeted asf, queer angst, gross men, explicit language, substance use

a/n: hey guys i haven't really been posting much recently, but i wanted to at least post two scenes from this series so u guys have an idea of what to expect...also so u guys can tell me which one you want me to work on more (love is a laserquest or this one). i hope u enjoy...sorry this one is a little disjointed! (there are many events that happen between the two scenes im sharing w u as a little treat)

I. (opening scene)

The revelation that your feelings towards your best friend had become complicated arrives with the dead of winter. It’s strange, really, how something within you came to life just as the rest of the world began to die. 

If you were wiser, you’d find ways to explain it away, to rationalize all the weird thoughts in your head. You’d cite the chill in the air. The holiday spirit running through Jackson. The desolation that came with your only outdoor companions being the brown corpses of deciduous trees and infected that hadn’t frozen in the winter storms that kept battering Wyoming. 

But with age came wisdom, and both of those virtues were in short supply in a post-apocalyptic world. So, you resign yourself to cataloging away these feelings and pretending like everything was absolutely normal and cool. 

The bad thing about having good things, you think to yourself bitterly one day as you watch Ellie’s eyes light up as she rambles in her room as you sit on her bed about a comic book Joel had found her, is that they’re risky. High risk—high reward. Ellie was special to you in a way that no one else was. And using this logic, losing her would bring such an unforeseen devastation that you weren’t sure that you could go on. 

So, normal. Cool. Chill. Because you cannot afford to fuck this one up. 

“I love when you tell me about your comics,” you tell her in a way that’s definitely not sappy sweet and gooey. 

She smiles crookedly back at you. “You’re such a fucking liar. I know you couldn’t give a shit about these.” 

“Am not!” You throw a punch at her arm, feeling your heart twist as she just grins wider. “For the record, I do give a shit. Many, actually.”

“That sounds gross.” 

“Your words, not mine.” 

And it’s absolutely gut wrenching how she can just smile at you like that, like she’s not holding your heart in her fist.

“So, uh, Cat,” you blurt out. You’d been staring at her for too long. “Dina said that you two were—uh…” 

You wave your hand around in the air like you’re sifting through thousands of possible word combinations. In reality, you know exactly what you need to say to get the answer you’re searching for. You just don’t want to ask. 

“Well…” She blushes. Her eyes drop to her hands, where her fingers are toying with the bits of cuticle she hasn’t already torn off. 

“I knew it!” you croon, hoping that the boatload of dread that just dropped in your stomach isn’t as obvious as it feels. “Tell me everything.”

“Nothing to tell,” she says. “Nothing yet, at least. It’s stupid but—I just noticed that she hangs around me a lot, you know? And, like, touches me more than she needs to. Shit like that. I dunno.”

The wound deep inside you splits like the fake grin on your lips. “Wowwwww. Look at you!” 

Ellie rolls her eyes. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“I mean,” she says, her eyes twinkling conspiratorially, “What about Eddie? Jesse told me that you spend a lot of time with him.”

“We’re patrol partners,” you offer. It’s not a lie. You’re just choosing to omit the part where Eddie spends half his patrol staring longingly in your direction while you pretend not to notice. 

“I know that.”

“It’s…” You gnaw on your bottom lip. “I don’t know how I feel about that right now.” 

That’s not a lie either. Eddie is…nice. All the other girls like him, except for Dina (she has Jesse) and Ellie (she has another very obvious reason). He’s attractive. At least, that’s what Bonnie tells you. Apparently the buzzed hair and heavy bluntness found in all of his features is considered hot. 

But just because you’re not into him now doesn’t mean you could never be. That’s what your mother used to say about your father—she hadn’t liked him upon their first meeting. But it changed with time, and you’d rather have someone than be all alone. 

Ellie hums, picking at the cuticle of her thumb. “He likes you.”

“So I’ve heard.” 

“Well,” she says, “I heard Jesse’s putting on another bonfire tonight. Want to walk there together after dinner?” 

You spend another evening staring across the fire at your best friend, watching the warm glow of the flames warp and distort the shape of her and Cat, pressed up against each other and smiling wide. You aren’t sure why it makes you so uncomfortable to see them together. Homophobia? No. Maybe? You recently learned that that was a thing, but you don’t consider yourself bigoted, and being a homophobe is more of an opt-in situation, right? 

But when you try to reach deep inside to find a more plausible answer, there’s nothing. 

It’s your detachment from reality that lets Eddie drape a heavy, hard arm over your shoulder. 

“Hey,” he whispers into your ear. His breath is hot and warm. 

“Hey,” you whisper back, wanting nothing more than to get away. Thankfully, Ellie is too preoccupied with Cat to even look your way. You’re sure that you’d die if she saw Eddie touching you like this. 

“You look really pretty tonight.”

“Thank you.”

It’s like someone shone a spotlight on you, hung a sign on your neck that said, I am perceived and desired by men. You don’t know why this makes your skin crawl so much. 

Eddie’s fingers are tracing patterns on the flesh of your arm. You find that you’re grateful for the extra layer your sweatshirt sleeve provides. You don’t want him to touch you—don’t want to know what it’s like for him to deliberately make contact with your skin. 

The next time he speaks to you, it’s in a murmur that you suppose is meant to sound seductive. “You’re quiet today.”

“Just a little tired.” And now you feel guilty, because Eddie really hasn’t done anything wrong. It’s you who has an issue with a boy who’s perfectly nice and clearly likes you. 

He laughs like you’d said something funny, tightening his arm so you press into his side. His body is blazing hot like a furnace, and it feels hard and foreign.

II. (scene from somewhere in the middle )

“Sorry!” You titter at the crowd of your friends who formed at the sliding glass door. “Um—sorry.” 

It seems to be the only thing you can say. 

“Cat,” Ellie says, an edge of desperation in her voice. “Cat, please, it’s not like—”

“I’m pretty fucking sure of what I saw,” snaps Cat. She turns to Eddie, a vicious glint in her eyes. “Didn’t know your girl swung that way.” 

And then she shoves past the mass of people, Ellie kicking off from the deck railing with a stream of apologies falling from her lips as she follows behind. 

Eddie walks forward, confusion the dominant emotion in his wide face.

“Uh—I didn’t—”

“I’m really drunk,” you say to him, feeling the tears begin to spill down your cheeks. “It’s not like that. I promise it’s not like that. I don’t know why I did that.”

“Hey,” he says, opening his arms. “Come here. Why are you crying?” 

“I don’t know,” you sputter, stepping into him and pressing your snotty face into his shirt. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Fuck.”

“It’s really okay.” His hand finds the flat part of your back between your shoulder blade and rubs circles. “It’s just a chick. If it were, like, I dunno, Jesse, I would’ve been angry.”

“You’re not mad?” you ask, pulling away to look up at him. Maybe there’s something tonight you didn’t ruin. 

He smiles down at you. “‘Course not. Some guys find that shit hot, you know. Two girls kissing like that.”

The smile that seemed so innocent at first sends a sharp, chilling pang through your chest. He doesn’t seem to notice your hesitation in the way your face falls as his head dips to kiss you, doesn’t seem to register the disgust you exhibit until you have to shove yourself away.

“I’m really drunk,” you repeat, looking anywhere but his face. “I want to go to bed.” 

“I can come—”

“No.”

final a/n: like i said so sorry about how disjointed this is. i just want to get a feel for what my readers are more interested in for now!!

[chimielie]

i swear that i will hate you 'till forever

summary: Yaku x F!Reader. sometimes divorce is what you really need to strengthen a marriage

word count: 1.2k

cw: angst, alcohol, pr marriage gone extremely wrong, yaku is older by six years, reader is a socialite with no life skills or healthy coping mechanisms, yaku also has no healthy coping mechanisms, no one in this story is doing well, The Judgment of God Himself, also blasphemy

a/n: heeey long time no see. i actually genuinely don't know when i wrote this, i'm just emptying my drafts of all the half-written fics i have locked in jail. i do still like this concept a lot so shoot me an ask if you want to know more about what i had planned for the full thing :)

Morisuke hates weddings.

He stares up at God, who is trapped in a little circle in a bigger circle, surrounded by gorgeous, centuries-old paintings of angels and saints and little red devils. Everything is gold, the flickering light of hanging chandeliers shining down to gild a rapt audience, even as the real people seem to pale in comparison to their artistically rendered counterparts. Standing here, surrounded by ornate displays of divinity, Morisuke has never felt so wealthy in spirit and physicality. He wasn’t raised in this religion, nor was he ever baptized into it as an adult, but he doesn’t find a seed of objection in himself he’d though he would. The icon he thinks is God looks both mournful and benevolent. All the shining things make Morisuke feel as though he’s looking into a mirror.

The people rustle, whispering among themselves. A stray string instrument sounds, alone and twanging into a silence far greater than itself, and Morisuke almost misses it when the orchestra starts up moments later. He has a headache, the kind that gets worse because he’s so irritated that he has one at all.

He looks down and away from God, straight into the blinding flash of a camera. His only reaction is a slight narrowing of the eyes, the closest he’s come to flinching in years. When the spots clear from his vision, you’re there, an angel from the fresco come to life, a goddess in the church.

Morisuke folds his hands. It feels only right to pray, the way he’s seen it on television, the way some of his teammates do before matches. You stare at him as you walk down the aisle, light playing over your dress in shining bursts that make his head throb harder. He can’t find any bridal tears in your eyes.

He shifts in his dress shoes, fights not to run his hands through his carefully-styled hair. The air-conditioning is too strong, meant to keep a thousand pressed-together people from overheating, or perhaps it’s the winter air leaking in through the great doors. You reach the stairs to the altar, wobbling a little on your first step up, though the movement is so minuscule anyone but him wouldn’t have noticed. Without thinking, Morisuke reaches a hand out to steady you. Your fingers press hard into the flesh of his palm, gripping him bruisingly tight. He can barely pull his hand away fast enough. The music stops, and Morisuke takes in a deep breath, while your chest doesn’t move to inhale or exhale. This is the last moment before you are knotted together irrevocably for life. A groom who hates weddings for a bride who doesn’t cry.

one year, eight months later

If you tilt your head up and almost close your eyes so that you’re looking through your lashes, you can pretend that you’re floating among the stars. You do so, walking backwards, tipping champagne down your throat as you go, trying to envision yourself as a constellation. You’re pretty sure you are one—Morisuke’s gift to you on your birthday, the first one after you’d married. The tabloids had eaten it up. You, watching him board a plane through the social media stories of your so-called friends, hadn’t felt quite as romanced as your picture in the news claimed.

You had forgotten about the constellation. Perhaps it had stuck in your subconscious, though; it was awfully romantic. Perhaps that’s why you had chosen the planetarium as a venue for tonight, though in the light of day it had been the midnight blue velvet and shadowy, domed ceilings that had cinched it for you. But you throw a lot of parties, and you don’t need any more sentiment in your life than what you’re currently suffocating under. You’ll come back on your own, you decide, finishing off your glass and plucking another from the nearest hand to you. You like being lost amongst your guests, freewheeling in space even without oxygen to breathe.

You stumble as you continue your backwards, meandering path through the party. You kick off your shoes, lab-grown crystals chipping off as they bounce. You don’t notice. You’ll buy more. You could buy the whole stupid world, with your husband’s money that he throws at you so he doesn’t have to come home and face you. Your husband who leaves you alone to do whatever you please. Alone, dancing among the stars.

Morisuke was twenty-eight when he proposed to you; you had just turned twenty-two when you said yes. You had been officially seeing each other for three months and acquaintances for nearly a year prior.

The story of your first meeting the interviewers knew was one you and your husband had told many times. A mutual friend had introduced you at a high-profile event and said, blatantly, that the two of you should “make babies.” Morisuke was smooth; you were flirtatious. The story played out like a romantic comedy, ending in a fairytale wedding.

You and he had kept the real story for yourselves, to take out and admire in times of trouble, to tuck away in your pocket like a note between secret lovers.

You were running through a rose-garden maze, eyes over your shoulder, hands fisted in your skirts. He had been walking a perpendicular path to yours (looking for someone else, another lover, you’d later learn) when you had tripped right over him, tumbling head over heels through the flora and into a new sector. Your breath knocked out of you, it was all you could do to stare up at the sky and try to laugh.

“Miss?” He’d called, ducking through the opening, pushing stray rose canes away. “Miss! Are you alright?”

He sounded so formal. You accepted his hand up, but only pulled yourself into a sitting position, trying desperately to catch your breath. He was so handsome, it was making things much harder. Inconsiderate of him, you thought

“I’m fine,” you managed, eventually. “Are you?”

“No more bruised than usual,” he’d returned, teasing. You cocked a brow. “I’m an athlete. I dive face-first onto hardwood floors all day."

For reasons you couldn’t recognize, you’d taken his hand, pushing up the sleeve of his shirt. His forearm toward the elbow had a nasty bruise, as he had said. You ran a careful finger over the discoloration, and he hissed.

“How was my form?”

“Awful,” he said frankly. “But—“ He’d seemed to get lost there, watching the way the sunlight filtered through the clouds and played across your features. With all the raw honesty of someone saying something they hadn’t even known they were thinking, he opened his mouth and said: “I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

On a slight breeze, the petals you’d knocked off drifted around the two of you, catching on his shirt, in your hair. They pooled between you, and when you ducked your head down they were all you could see.

You fell in love during that first meeting.

He never fell in love with you at all.

[leelei1980]

Mistletoe Menace

A Christmas Eddie Munson one shot:

🛑SMUT WARNING-MATURE CONTENT-18+ ONLY-MINORS DNI🛑

The holiday season was upon you and you felt like in the busyness of the season you and your boyfriend were drifting apart, but leave it to Eddie Munson to bring you back together again…..

Authors note: I wrote this quick and dirty,not my best work but it was fun! Possible misspelling, not really proofread, but I wrote it all in one sitting from an idea I had in my head. Please look past any mistakes that you might find, just pretend that they were never even there😂I hope you enjoy!

Reader-

It was a day. Who were you kidding? It had been a week from hell. The craziness of the holiday season had commenced and instead of people being overtaken with joy and holiday cheer, people were being complete and utter assholes. As if working in retail wasn’t hard enough, it only got worse the closer the countdown to Christmas got.

Your day started with you spilling your coffee all over your shirt, you being 5 minutes late because you had to change your shirt and then circling the parking lot at the mall eight million times trying to find a parking spot without someone taking it first.

You had taken the part time gig at the Mall as a seasonal employee to make some extra cash for the holiday season, you wanted to get your boyfriend something really nice for Christmas, he was 100% the best boyfriend in the world and you wanted to show him how much you loved and appreciated him by getting him a new amplifier for his guitar. He had had his eye on it forever, always commenting on how someday it would be his, every time you walked past the Music Store. Well his wish was finally coming true, in a week he would be unwrapping it on Christmas morning. Just seeing his face light up would make all this bullshit worth it.

You eyed your watch, 20 minutes until quitting time, please god, please don’t let one more person come up to you and ask if you have any more video games out back, if they do you know you are going to lose your shit.

Working retail after the Thanksgiving rush had really put a damper on your holiday spirit. You were always exhausted and decorating for Christmas was the last thing you wanted to do when you got home from your second job. You felt awful about it too, especially because it was your first Christmas with Eddie. You wanted to start new traditions with him, and he seemed so excited about it. You would make it up to him, tomorrow was your day off and you would finally be able to spend some quality time with him.

You missed him, his cheeky smile, his loving touches. Recently the two of you were like two ships passing in the night, he too had been looking to make extra money for the holidays so he had volunteered to go into the shop early, help out with the rush of people needing to have their winter tires changed over. With his early hours and your late hours you barely ever saw each other awake. Most of the time Eddie was asleep by the time you got home. Most nights you would cram a couple of snacks into your mouth, change out of your work clothes and crawl into bed with an already sleeping Eddie. He would roll over and spoon you, tell you he loved and missed you and then you would both fall fast asleep. In the morning when he got up for work he would lightly kiss your lips , tell you he loved you then he was off. The nighttime cuddles were wonderful, but you needed and wanted more and you were determined that tomorrow you were going to get the “Quality time” with your insanely gorgeous boyfriend that you had craved .

Luckily the drive home was short and uneventful, the one blessing of the day, and before you knew it you were turning the doorknob to your modest but cozy apartment and walking inside.

You gasped. Your apartment had been completely transformed into a winter wonderland. There were Christmas lights strung all around the apartment, paper snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and Mistletoe everywhere. And there in living area was Eddie, wrapping lights around a small Christmas tree in the corner of the room. You couldn’t help the tears that stung the corners of your eyes.

“ Hey Sweetheart, “ He smiled , the corners of his beautiful eyes crinkling and his dimples popping.” I , uh, hope you don’t mind, I wanted to surprise you . You’ve been working so goddamn hard, and I know you’ve been wanting to decorate but we just haven’t had the time. “ He shrugged.” I took a couple of hours off of work to get it started. I hope you like it, I’m just kind of winging it-“

You drop your coat and purse on the floor and run to him, wrapping your arms around him as soon as you make contact.” This is incredible, and so sweet. Thank you Baby.” You pressed your lips to his and you felt him draw you closer to his nice, warm body, and you melted into him.

He smiled as you pulled away. “ I figured that if I got the decorating done today, went and got the tree, than maybe we would have more time tomorrow to do .. other things.”

You smirked.”Other things? Like what, Eddie Munson?” You teased.

“ We can decorate the tree, maybe make some cookies….”

“ Those things sound nice.” You leaned your forehead to his, you could feel his big hands sliding from your waist, palming your ass and giving it a squeeze. “ What else could we possibly do tomorrow with our free time?”

He kissed the tip of your nose, than leaned in to whisper.” I could fuck you, over and over and over again. Would you like that Sweetheart?”

You groaned. It felt like it had been forever since the two of you have had sex. You certainly weren’t touch starved, Eddie had always been super affectionate, kisses on top of the head and neck, arms wrapped around you, head nestling into the crook of your neck, hand resting or rubbing on your thigh,he always had to be touching you in some way, and you loved it. But with your new schedule it hadn’t allowed for much awake time together, and by the time you got home you were always so tired…

“ I’m sorry Eddie, I know we haven’t made love in a while-“ you looked away.

“ Hey now,” he removed a hand from your ass to tilt your chin up, bringing your gaze to his.His eyes were full of love and affection.” You have nothing to apologize for Dollface. Life is fucking crazy right now, but it is only temporary. I don’t know how you do it, your fucking Wonder Woman working two jobs. I know we haven’t seen each other much, but as long as I wake up with you beside me I’m happy.”

“ I just miss you so much!”

“ I miss you too Sweetheart but we are almost there. “ He smiled than looked up. We were standing underneath a sprig of mistletoe.” You know what that means Angel.”

You got butterflies in your stomach, just his smile could give you butterflies. “ I guess that means you gotta lay one on me Munson.” You smiled back.

“ Those are the rules.” He dipped in and captured your mouth with his.

Goddamn, this man could kiss. His love and his passion was translated through his kisses, and they made you weak in the knees. Soft and sweet, hungry and needy, sometimes greedy and possessive, you loved them all. Eddies kisses were amazing.

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him in closer. This is exactly what you needed right now, to be held in his arms.” I love you Eddie.” You murmured into his lips.

“ I love you too Princess.” He walked you backwards a couple of steps then nodded up towards the ceiling.

You looked up and laughed. “Jesus Christ Munson, did you buy every piece of Mistletoe in the entire state of Indiana?” It was literally everywhere.

He smirked.” Well I know how much you like to kiss me…I thought it was romantic.”

“ It is, and your right, kissing you is my favorite thing to do.”

“ Are you sure it is your FAVORITE thing to do Darlin?”

“ I might be able to think of one more thing I like better than kissing.”

“ What would that be Sweetheart?” He asked, A slow smile spreading across his face.

“ I think my FAVORITE thing is when you fuck me. It’s another thing that you are incredibly good at.” And you weren’t lying. Eddie was an extremely talented lover. He was VERY giving, always making sure your needs were met before his own.

“ Well I aim to please.” He leaned his body into you and kissed you ,his mouth and his tongue ravaging yours, his feet slowly walking you back and pressing you up against the wall.

You moaned into his mouth as you felt his hands slide under your shirt, cupping your breast, running his thumbs over the fabric causing your nipples to peak.

He pulled away for a moment and you raised your arms up over your head, and as you did your fingertips brushed against something hanging above your head.You smiled, “ You even hung it on the wall?”

“ Of course I did Sweetheart, because this is the perfect place for me to fuck you up against the wall. I also have it hidden in other strategic locations, I can’t wait for you to find them.” He smirked and he slipped your shirt off as well as his own.

“ Your such a clever boy. “ You smiled and tugged at his belt buckle, your fingers working quickly, “ Let me guess, you have a sprig of it in here too?” You unbuttoned his jeans and reached inside. God, he was so fucking hard.

“ Mmmm, fuck Princess.”

You pulled down his pants and boxers and practically drooled at the sight of his rock hard member.” Jesus.” You breathed. You wanted him so bad.

He stripped you out of your remaining clothes in a flash and then his mouth and hands were on you, kissing, licking and caressing, his touch giving you goosebumps, making you shiver.

“ You alright Sweetheart?” He asked as he drew your breast into his his mouth.

“ Y-yes, god, I need you so bad Eddie.”

He pulled off with a pop.” What is it you want?” His hand slid down your body, cupping the mound between your legs, his fingers slipping through your slick and circling the little bundle of nerves there.

You moaned and felt your knees go week.” Fuck Eddie, stop teasing me and Fuck me already.”

Eddie smirked.” There she is, there’s my good fucking girl.” He grabbed your ass and lifted you up, you immediately wrapped your arms and legs around him. His hard body felt so good against your soft curves. Your body was humming.

He slowly lowered you down onto his cock. You gasped at the sensation of him entering you, stretching you.” Is that what you wanted Princess? You wanted me to fill that sweet little pussy up?”

“ Yes, Baby, that’s what I wanted.” You whined. You loved when your sweet as saccharin boyfriend talked filthy, and he was so good at it, like he was a poet of dirty words.

He slowly withdrew then thrusted back in causing you both to groan.” You feel so fucking good Baby, so fucking warm and tight. “ He leaned in and kissed your neck. “ So fucking perfect, just like you were made for me.”

“ Only for you.” You tugged at his hair as he pounded you into the wall, fucking into you at a relentless pace. You needed this ,you had both needed this.

“ F-feels so good, huh Sweetheart?” He leaned his forehead on yours. “ My perfect girl, taking all I have to give her.”

“ Don’t fucking stop Baby, feels so good. “

“ Wasn’t planning on it Doll. “ He drove up into you.” You going to cum for me my Love?”

“ Yes,” you whimpered as you felt your release build.” So close-“

“ Let it fucking go Angel.”

You felt the wave of pleasure wash over you, enveloping you, your body shuttering as Eddie fucked you through your orgasm, you felt his hips stutter and you knew by the movements, buy the stream of obscenities flying out of his mouth that he had reached his peak as well.

You reached up and held onto his face, peppering him with light kisses as he caught his breath.” I love you so much Baby.”

“ I love you too Darling.” He smiled and kissed the tip of your nose then a soft, sweet kiss on your lips.

“ God, I can’t wait to find the rest of the mistletoe.”

Eddie laughed. “ Neither can I.”

“ Thank you Eddie-“

“ For what Sweetness?” He ran a thumb over your lips.

“For knowing exactly what I needed. The decorations, “ You smiled shyly at him and twirled a piece of his hair around your finger.” The sex. I missed you.”

He smiled.” I missed you too baby.”

You spent the rest of the evening wrapped in Eddie’s arms on the couch, watching Christmas movies until you started drifting asleep. When you finally made it to bed you found another piece of mistletoe tied to the headboard, you rubbed your sleepy eyes but smiled and playfully pushed Eddie backwards onto the bed. He pulled you down with him.

“ I guess I owe you a kiss” You straddled him.

He smiled up at you. “ Well, it is tradition.”

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

The next day was wonderful, a lazy morning in bed with Eddie, more mistletoe in the shower, breakfast at the diner then home to make Christmas cookies. It was exactly the reset that you needed.

The two of you decorated the tree, you finally gave him the ornaments that you had made him out of an old D&D strategy guide and dice that you found at a thrift store. He looked at them in awe as you handed them over, amazed that you had made them yourself. He grinned and immediately put them on the tree. Your decorations now consisting of lights, snowmen,popcorn garland , dungeons and dragons ornaments and instead of an Angel your tree was topped with a Gene Simmons Kiss doll that you also found at the thrift store. It was awesome and it was totally you guys.

“ I know this last month has been fucking insane, but even with all the crazy, this Christmas has been the best of my life. I fucking love starting new traditions with you.” Eddie pulled you into his lap.

“ Ditto.” You kissed him. “ Please promise me you’ll continue to do the mistletoe game every year.”

“ You don’t need a sprig of tree branch to make out with me Sweetheart-“

“ I know but it’s exciting.”

Oh it was exciting all right. Eddie continued to hide the mistletoe every day from then on right up until Christmas Day. You promised each other that no matter how crazy your day got you would always take a moment to kiss under the mistletoe, to take that moment to be together. Often times the kissing under the mistletoe turned into groping under the mistletoe which then evolved into fucking under the mistletoe, or in one case you giving him a blow job under the mistletoe and another time him going down on you under the mistletoe.

When Christmas Day rolled around you finally got to give him the Amplifier that he had been dreaming about, and the shocked expression on his face made every moment of working at that miserable mall worth it. He was completely flabbergasted. You felt much the same when he knelt down before you with a ring box in his hand, the ring that he had been working extra hours as well to buy, and asked you to marry him…. Under the Mistletoe.

Taglist: @tlclick73 @fairymunson @micheledawn1975 @elegantkoalapaper @goth-cowgirl-03 @bmunson86 @retrorage86 @hideoutside @veemoon @emmyshortcake @erinekc @babyloutattoo89 @amberolivia666 @eddiesxangel @liminalpebble @eddiesacousticguitar @munsons-mayhem28 @munsonsmullet @skyline4446 @maskofmirrors @blainetiberiuswinchester @bexreadstoomuch @mmunson86

As always thank you for reading! Comments and are-blogs are always welcome ❤️

[hastyprovocateur]

What could be- Mizemi farm!au (mild nsfw)

It might be too good to be true.

But I wanted to picture Mizu and Akemi living together in the countryside and their relationship slowly developing as neither is rushed on any timeworn marriage- sex- children- grand children timeline. They'd spend their quiet days working the farm, cleaning their hut, raising pigs and horses. Mizu endured the tough lifting and tending, or repairing the roof and sheds as they'd require frequently. That or she'd monopolise the workshop. Akemi always accompanied her with cut fruit or sliced and salted vegetables with her ever piquant banter resonant through the sound of clanging tools. They'd chide each other with love.

"Pray, I've never seen wolves on our property" said Akemi and Mizu remarked impassively "They see you and warn each other to keep away"

Akemi, despite her dignified upbinging, had grown accustomed to the long walks to get anywhere, comfortable with the dirt flecking her pale feet. It is freedom she breathed through what the finer folks would call the strench of the rural outskirts. She engaged her hours in embroidering linens, patching up their clothes, especially all the elbows Mizu left threadbare from her training. She'd taken to the kitchen. Oddly elated at the fact that she could put exactly what she wanted in her body. Mizu gifted her a paring knife with a hidden love quote on the blunt edge and ever since, Akemi's indulged in finely chopping all the vegetables for their stew. She wasn't great at it but Mizu never griped. Even the most bitter concoction she wouldn't stop at less than 3 servings of. Akemi was determined to get better. Her heart nearly fluttered through her ribs when she managed to wring a sigh of pleasure from Mizu's lips when she'd tasted her miso soup one unremarkable evening. Mizu blushed at her sudden loss in composure, disguising it with the clatter of chopsticks and insistence that Akemi eat more.

"You eat. It's not everyday I cook this well" Akemi concealed a chuckle. "You always cook well" Mizu lied through her teeth.

Mizu set up a wall of shelves for Akemi to curate her books while Akemi recited many of her favorite poems to Mizu and taught her the basic meter. They'd sit together at night to trace their calligraphy in the same ornate style. Mizu fell in love with Akemi's hand. Akemi flicked her brush with artistic finess level with her sword wielding. Mizu never saw one any superior to the other. Akemi lay awake to paint sometimes. Rendering sprawling visions of the pastures and galloping horses. Their hut shared by two spirits. She said watching Mizu sleep invigorates her mind. Mizu claimed it's because she's not awake to spout nonsense in her ear. Akemi wrote Mizu seven poems inspired by all their nonsense. All of which Mizu pretended to never understand so she could ask Akemi to explain each verse again.

On the other hand, Mizu had been persistent in teaching Akemi how to throw a knife. It had been a task to get Akemi to single mindedly commit. Her mind turned forever lush in following the soaring sparrows, flitting butterflies, mating calls of toads and the frequent wondering if she'd left the pot on the hearth. Akemi grasped eventually, now flaunting all the peaches she could collect in just 3 strikes. The downside is that Mizu had to eat wagashi sweetened with peach preserve well into the winter. She never complained about the saccharine spinning in her head. But she'd pass out quickly after dinner. Which Akemi enjoyed watching, counting down till it worked.

"Anytime now" Akemi stroked Mizu's head on her lap as they watch the sun sink into the horizon from their porch. Mizu saw doubles, corners of her vision darkening "I'm not going down without a fight" she grits.

They shared a bed. Mizu offered to set up one close by but Akemi insisted on clutching the edge of her nagajuban as she slept. Mizu didn't object. She understood that Akemi slept light, still worried about being dragged off by strange men in the middle of the night. Unbeknownst to Akemi, Mizu harboured her katana under the mattress on her side if evil men do sully the sanctity of their homestead. Unbeknownst to Mizu, Akemi knew about the katana. They hadn't become intimate beyond the rare incidents of catching each other mid-dressing. They'd touch. Akemi would cleanse and dress Mizu's cuts and scrapes from work and Mizu would rinse Akemi's feet while she tried splashing water in her face. They'd often wake up wrapped up in each others arms.

"You said my name in your sleep" Akemi notes, her voice mellow and meek as Mizu grunted "You were threatening me with a knife." But she couldn't bring herself to confess that they'd been making incessant love in her dreams.

If Mizu woke up first, she'd clutch Akemi tight and in the time it took for her to rouse, Mizu would memorise every curve beneath Akemi's garments. She'd imagine them as she worked the fields as motivation to be done quick and return home and into her embrace. She'd sneak out to the river when it became unbearable, stripping down and letting the cold water numb her thoughts. Truth was... she wanted her more with every new, rising day. Akemi's beguiling smile shone bright as light itself, her quips quicker than a scholar's, her wisdom par to any monk. Her loose hair pooled over their pillow like wrought blessings, her pretty fingers clutched around her nagajuban like she'd lose herself if she let go, curled toes peeking from beneath the sheets. How was a person to deny such loveliness resting on their breast. When she'd call your name midsleep?

Likewise, Akemi would turn a flush red if she admitted it but she'd lay out Mizu's samue over their mattress in her absence and bury her face in it, touching herself as she imagined the slender in Mizu's calves, her sinewy arms and dexter fingers, the shape of her smooth back with dark hair flooding down her spine, the dark corners of her eyes, the unfettered sea in her gaze, her rich mouth. She'd crash from the waves of pleasure. Tossing and turning until she'd tire herself and then go prepare supper before Mizu returned home.

"Akemi!" Mizu called her one such evening as she'd just gotten done preparing hot stew, laying their scant and simple dinnerware out. Akemi came to, hearing the rumbling in the sky as it threatened to pour. "Coming!" Akemi ambled out the house, hair undone and feet bare. She came upon Mizu frenzied, grabbing at the clothes on the clothesline. They cracked in the storm, one blew away with a strong gust. "Mizu!" Akemi yelped, grabbing onto as many clothes as she could, bursting out in laughter halfway as she saw Mizu's eyes squinted, vexed by the dust kicked up by the wind. It began to drizzle... then pour. Akemi giggled harder as their clothes became soaked and Mizu continued to frantically collect them all. "Help me!" Mizu was exasperated, trying to yank down their bedsheet, stuck in place somehow by its pin. Akemi caught Mizu's obi before it flew off and began laughing uncontrollably as she tried to bring down the bedsheet along with Mizu.

The rain came down harder by the second and they are effectively soaked. Mizu stared at Akemi, the top of her head growing slick, loose locks stuck to her forehead. The corners of Mizu's lips twitched as she lost her composure as well. "Come off..." she continued to pull at it. "It'll tear!" Akemi tugged weakly, giving up eventually. "Don't stop!" Mizu insisted but Akemi simply smiled at her, reaching her arms out and looking skyward "It's already wet" she shrugged. Mizu looked at her quizzically "But you washed it..." she reasoned, still squinting from her irritated eyes. Akemi closed the distance between them, reaching for Mizu's face.

"Hold still" she laughed, stroking Mizu's waterline, gently easing a bit of debris out from the corner. Mizu peered down at her, chest heaving ever so slightly. Akemi's robe seeped through to her skin, clinging to it in places she's never seen bare with her eyes. She grew flustered, lowering her eyes from Mizu's piercing blue, resting them on Mizu's cupid's bow. "I'll wash it again... I'll wash them all" Akemi assured and Mizu quietly reached around Akemi, nestling her arms in the dip of her waist and pulling her even closer "Do you desire abhorrent work?" Mizu asked, water embedding into the fabric covering her broad shoulders, top knot coming undone. Akemi gulped, forehead level to Mizu's chest"It's not work to me. I'd do it everyday... blindly" her voice thinned.

To a near squeak.

"Meet my eyes" Mizu instructed her but Akemi hesitated, eyes affixed on Mizu's mouth, counting each part of her lips, the flick of her tongue. "Meet my eyes, Akemi" she repeated. Her tenor softer. Deeper. Sweeter. Akemi emboldened herself to peer up, finding Mizu's glacial blue eyes smiling down at her, the edges crinkled with love. Mizu brought herself closer, cradling Akemi's cheek and wandering her thumb over the soft expanse to push a wet strand back, resting it below her lips covered with raindrops "All this rain and I shall only be quenched by your lips-" Akemi lifted her bare heels above the ground, planting her lips on Mizu's with the tenderness of feathers brushing. Mizu held her tighter, face tilting to fit herself to her lover's lips. Like rivers meeting. They pulled back shyly only to meet again inevitably. Mizu drew away, crouching to hook Akemi under the knees and lifting her clean off the ground "You're getting your feet dirty" she marched her to back inside as Akemi rested her arms around Mizu's shoulders, eyes smitten with adoration "Bathe me" she rested her head in the crook of Mizu's neck

"Then wring me dry on our bed."

"Everyday... blindly" Mizu promised, sincere despite her wicked smile.

[damn-stark]

Chapter 12 The Siren’s trick

Chapter 12 of Moonlight

A/N- The consequences for leaving Dragonstone are going to bite her in the ass soon!

Warning- Swearing, ANGST!, suggested nfsw, fluff, talks of death and pregnancy, Larys jumpscare, and SPOILERS for future events of HOTD.

Pairing- Aemond Targaryen x Velaryon!fem-reader, Cregan Stark x Velaryon!fem-reader

Episode- After 1x09, events based off of Fire and Blood

(If you want to be tagged let me know)

————

Every bit of your intuition is telling you to just go back to your quarters, after all most of what you’ve heard about Lord Larys Strong has been very odd things.

Sure your source isn’t very reliable, but after so many of the same reports it has to be true—no it is true. So you should just leave him be and pretend the interaction didn’t happen. But your curiosity has the best of you. And you need to know how he knows about Cregan and you.

“Sit please,” he points to the wooden chair around a small wooden table holding two low candles. “Wine?” He asks.

You shake your head. “No thank you, I’m fine.” You look around and see that he brought you to some small dusty library.

“I’ve known your mother since she was a little girl,” Lord Larys interjects as he pours liquid into some teacups. “She possessed quite a rebellious spirit. Much like yours.”

You hum softly and smile for the first time since running into him. “I wish I would have known her since then,” you say. “My grandfather Viserys always had the best stories about her childhood.”

“I’m sure you would have become the best of friends,” Lord Larys says as he finally walks to the table. “Tea?” He asks and lifts the already served cup.

You nod stiffly and gently take the tea cup from his hands. When he’s taking his own seat across from you you make sure to smell the tea first. It doesn't smell like Moon tea or anything out of the ordinary, albeit if it was poison you probably wouldn’t smell it. Would he poison you?

Probably.

So instead you put the teacup down and just wait. “Prince Aemond went to a meeting with the King and other Lords, why are you not in attendance Lord Larys?” You ask the man.

Said man puts his cane aside and sips some of his wine before he answers you. “I’m not really a man of war. As you can see. My skills aren’t needed for war meetings.”

You hum in comprehension and wrap your hands around the teacup but you don’t raise it, you just keep your hands there. “My husband will return soon, so state your business Lord Larys.”

Lord Larys nods stiffly and sighs. “It seems that ever since your return your friends have disappeared. I just wish to be a friend to you princess.”

You smile and nod slowly. “A friend,” you repeat softly and glance down at your tea before you part your lips. “My friends are scarce here, it's true, but you will never be my friend.” You drag your eyes up and curl your lip to a menacing scowl. “You see, my few friends know about you, Lord Strong…”

Said man swallows thickly and blinks with discomfort.

“You may have leverage, but you don’t have my gullibility. One thing my friend Lord Stark taught me was to see through people. I see through you.” You lean forward, and he stiffens—“You’re a snake. Winter is coming Lord Larys, snakes don’t fare well in the winter. It would be sad to see you end up nothing more but a shriveled up shell.” You smile sweetly at him. “No?”

Lord Larys clears his throat and hides his discomfort with a nonchalant expression and a deadpanned answer. “Right.”

You hum and sit back. “So let’s just be allies, does that sound better?”

“Much,” he says and then leans forward. “You wish to help your mother, is that not true? That’s why you hide through these halls?

You nod as a response and he continues.

“Well ever since the death of Prince Jaehaerys Ser Otto has posted more guards, they watch the walls. They watch dusty corridors. Ever since you’ve come back they watch you too. It’s not safe for you to be wondering the halls, Princess. If you wish to help your mother by passing information you will need to be a lot smarter.”

“I will need an inside man,” you add quietly.

Lord Larys nods. “Precisely. I could help you. I could share what the lords say around their decorated table.”

You exhale and blink. “In exchange of what?” You ask knowing that this wouldn’t just be from the kindness of his heart.

“I told you already, I don’t wish to meet death so soon,” he continues saying. “When your mother and prince Daemon come to King’s Landing I want them to see me as an ally. Prince Daemon has no mercy for his enemies, he’d kill me the first chance he got, but if the Queen were to hear a good word from her only daughter, she’d calm her husband's thirst for blood.”

“That’s right,” you agree. “I could tell her to show you mercy. I’m sure she’ll be thankful to hear that you helped her cause.” You sigh and lift your chin. “But you must know that if you fail me in some way, I won’t need to wait for Daemon to kill you.”

Lord Larys scoffs softly and nods. “I don’t doubt you will.”

You offer him a stiff smile and push your seat back to get up and leave, but he reaches his hand out to touch yours, causing you to stop immediately and snap your eyes back to him.

“One more thing,” he adds and sits back. “As allies I would just like to give you a piece of advice.”

You slowly stand up and keep your eyes on him, letting him go on.

“If you wish to keep living through this game, you will need to play smarter than you already are. Death will come again, perhaps for another one of your brothers, or your mother herself…”

You grow stiff and narrow your gaze on him.

“If it does you can’t just waste away in your quarters giving your husband the cold shoulder,” Lord Larys adds almost sternly. “You’re a dragon, princess. You have Velaryon and Targaryen blood. You are married to Prince Aemond, you hold power many wish to possess. Use it.” He slowly pushes himself off his chair and doesn’t lose the serious look on his face. “Play the perfect wife, be the people’s Princess. The Realm’s Golden Girl. If not, you will not live to see your son's first name day.”

Now you grow quite uncomfortable, but you don’t show it, you just nod in comprehension before you offer him one last smile and leave the same way you came in.

As to not have Aemond arrive to an empty room, you hurry to your secret door, unable to keep yourself from thinking of what Lord Larys said at the end; he’s right of course, Aemond may have comforted you after that tragic dinner, you may have accepted his comfort, but after that night you kept trying to ignore him. He’s left you gifts like beautiful flowers, expensive jewelry, anything you liked he gifted it to you to help ease your anger and break your distance. But none of it helped, not when you dream of Lucerys often.

But Lord Larys is right, if you don’t try to mend your relationship they’ll catch you and kill you. Not Aemond, but his family and his brothers council would. And if you wish to keep helping your mother try to win her throne back, you need to…be as you were with Aemond.

You do still love him, you miss him, so…it shouldn’t be so hard. There will be hard moments perhaps, more deaths that threaten to break you apart, but you can’t lose your mother. Thus when you return to your quarters after checking that he wasn’t there already, you pick up Wolf off the couch to snuggle with him while you wait for Aemond to return.

Thankfully you don’t have to wait long.

“Where’s Aerion?” Is the first thing he asks.

You don’t try to give away your tactics, he’s no fool he’ll see right through you, so you continue to be as you were for now. Distant. “Sleeping. It’s his nap time.”

Aemond hums, and you turn around on the couch to watch him as he takes his eyepatch off and picks up his black leather one. Regardless of everything, you do like seeing him without his eyepatch.

“Where are you going?” You ask since he doesn’t sit down and seems to have a book in his other hand.

Aemond holds onto his eyepatch and slowly faces you, causing the corner of your lips to perk up just slightly at the sight of his pretty face.

“I need to talk to you,” he lets you know straight away. “Not here.”

Your interest piques. “Okay. Where then?” You probe and put the cat back on the couch.

Aemond loses the tension on his shoulders and keeps holding your gaze as he answers you. “Come with me and you’ll know.”

You let out a deep sigh and take a moment before you get off the couch and follow behind him. He doesn’t turn to any door that leads outside, and he keeps the book in his hand so it must be close and inside the castle. You would ask, but you want to be surprised.

Alas, when you round one corner you are surprised even if you know exactly where he’s leading you to; the roofs you used to sneak off to when you were kids.

“Tell me now your intentions,” you break your silence with a genuine smile decorating your features. “If you wish to push me off, let me know.”

Aemond peers back at you and scoffs just as he would when he was a boy.

You grin at him and let him grab your hand to help you out of the window and onto the tall roofs that have remained unchanged. After so much change, coming here and seeing that your one place of escape was the same, is a relief.

“The world looks smaller now,” you muse and slowly make way to the edge.

Aemond slowly trails behind you. “Hm. We’re older now.”

You smile down at the ground hundreds of feet below and nod slowly. “We’re married now. We have a son. All that was a fantasy before.” You blink and drift your eyes to the corner to watch him fall beside you. “I was so scared of being sent away to some old fat lord. I swore I would run away if I did.” You giggle softly. “I'm glad I didn’t. I don’t know what I would’ve done if…I was meant to live without you.”

Aemond swallows thickly and his eyes soften at your comment.

“Of course,” you tease him and glance away. “I think my grandfather mentioned that I could marry one of my fathers Velaryon cousins. I met them when Lady Laena died.”

“The plump one,” Aemond mentions. “I remember him talking to you.”

You smirk at him. “Were you jealous?” You probe sweetly. “I saw you watching me.”

Aemond just holds your gaze and doesn’t respond, letting you know that he was in fact jealous. However, your cockiness doesn’t last, your smirk slowly falters and a sigh leaves out of your nose. You sit down at the edge and slowly begin to swing your legs back and forth. Aemond exhales deeply before he sits down beside you.

You can hear him part his lips and close them again to swallow thickly. You can’t find what to say so you wait, but he takes a moment before he quietly speaks; reminding you of the sweet boy you once knew.

“I never meant to hurt you,” he mutters, making you meet his soft blue eye. “That was never my intention. It never has been. You know that. You…” he sighs. “Are special to me, more than anyone in this fucking world, you always have been.”

You can’t help it, hearing him express himself so kindly and vulnerably causes your heart to skip a beat and your lips to pull to a soft smile.

“I love you more than I loved anything, more than I thought possible,” he says softly. “I burn for you, you are the very air I need to breathe. You’re my tranquilly, my light in the dark.”

Your eyes fill with tears and your smile wobbles. He didn’t apologize, he won’t, but this is his way of making amends with you. And like a fool, you just slightly fall for it without the need to pretend. Sure a pang of guilt hits you after what Cregan and you did, but you brush it away, you have to.

“I love you more than anything,” you tell him sincerely. “I’ve loved you from the moment we were stupid children sneaking out of bed just to talk about nonsense,” you laugh softly and slowly take his hand to interlace your fingers together. “I’ve loved you everyday I was away. You are the very thing that keeps my world on its axis, without you—I…I can’t even imagine not having you with me.”

The corner of his lips pull to a smile and you can’t help but lean over to press your forehead against his. He cups your cheeks and presses a gentle kiss on your lips.

You grin slowly. “I missed that,” you whisper. “I missed you.”

Aemond grins softly, and this time you grab the back of his neck and pull him in for a deep lingering kiss. His fingers just gently dig into your cheeks and doesn’t hesitate to add passion to the kiss by slowly brushing his tongue over your bottom lip. Your heart skips a beat, but before you can further it pulls away.

You smile and he finally hands you the book he had been holding onto.

“Oh,” you whisper and pull back to lift it. “What is this? A book about me?” You giggle and turn it to read the cover. And the moment you do you can’t help but laugh at the irony.

Aemond scoffs softly. “What’s so funny?” He probes.

You brush your fingers over the words and whisper the title, “The tale of Daenys the Dreamer.” Your grin turns soft and before he can press you, you pull his hand closer to you to press his palm against your belly. “She’s itty bitty right now, but our Daenys is growing as we speak. She’s almost 2 months old?” You meet his gaze and see his smile soften.

It might not be his, time will only tell, but even if it isn’t his, it will be.

“Don’t jest,” Aemond warns you.

You shake your head. “I’m being serious. Maester Gerardys told me before I left. I've just held it from you just in case. It’s still so early on.”

Aemond glances down at your belly again and gently caresses it before he surprises you with a deep kiss. You should've held back, but you don’t, you kiss him back fiercely. You let the book go and cup his cheeks to only deepen your gesture, to move in sync.

After so long of just stealing glances at each others, brushing each others hands agaisnt each others while you slept, you both ached for each other more than ever before. You were both starved for each other. So much so that it doesn’t take long to start undressing each other there on the roof.

Of course you backed away from the edge, but you didn’t leave them to have sex. You did it there, then dressed sloppily and did it again in your quarters until the day ended and nightfall came. You probably would’ve gone longer, but he stopped himself.

“I’m leaving,” he lets you know as he caresses your back gently. “Aegon and I are flying to Rook's Rest to aid Ser Criston.”

So soon? Shit.

“When?” You probe quietly.

Aemond sighs. “Tonight. We leave tonight.”

Fuck. Fuck.

“If only I could go,” you mumble as you fiddle with his fingers. “I would be great help. Astraea and I.”

Aemond scoffs softly. “I don’t doubt you will, but Aegon doesn’t want you to. You go and he’d probably punish you. Or send you away.”

You nod lightly. “Yes, I imagine.” You sigh deeply and lift your head to meet his gaze. “What if you stay?” You ask knowing well what his answer will be. “Stay here with me and itty bitty?

Aemond exhales and slides his hand to your cheek. “I have to go,” you guess right. “I can’t stay back and let Aegon fight alone. He needs me. And this war won’t end unless we fight it. I want it to end so we can leave and be happy somewhere else. So we can raise our children.”

You glance away and sigh sadly. “So…you’ll live then?” You ask.

“You're not dead yet,” he mentions.

You quickly snap your eyes up and chuckle. He smiles at his comment and at the sound of your laugh. You follow by then shifting on top of him, and he grabs a hold of your hips as he smiles up at you.

“I’ll be waiting,” you mention against his lips. “I’ll look up at the stars, if you’re not back before dawn I’ll watch the sun assuring myself with the fact that you’ll be under the same sun and stars.”

Aemond holds your gaze with a loving look and doesn’t fret to kiss you again, again, and again until someone comes to the door and reminds him of his departure.

Of course you don’t just watch him leave from the comfort of your bed, you change into a light gown as he changes into his silver and green armor that he wears incredibly well, and has you aching for him all over again, even after how sore he just left you.

“Maybe,” you coo and slowly walk to him as you sway your hips. “We can do it again with your armor on.”

Aemond peers over at you and smirks. “I have to go, my love. I'm already late as it is.”

You hum in discontent, but sit him down on the chair in front of your vanity. “Well…when you come back then. I’ll be waiting for you,” you whisper in his ear. “Don’t take it off.” You giggle and brush his hair back. “I’ll wear that silk purple gown you love, and use the lilac fragrance.”

Aemond groans, and you catch his grin through the mirror.

“Hm?” You tease him as you begin to braid his hair.

Aemond exhales deeply and tries to calm down his excitement that makes the blood rush to his crotch.

“Now,” you add on. “why don’t you stop wearing that eyepatch? You look good without it.”

Aemond licks his lips and sighs. “I don’t…like people staring. I’ll be with soldiers, that's all they do.”

You scoff. “So what? They can stare. You’re the prince, you ride Vhagar. They should be intimidated. Besides, I think it’s like looking at the stars when I look at the sapphire.” You smile and glance at him.

Aemond smiles down at his hand, and when you finish braiding half his hair you tie it with the leather band.

“Done,” you let him know. “Now it won’t get in your face when you’re flying.” You wrap your arms around his neck and sigh. “<I love you.>”

Aemond meets your gaze through the mirror and grabs your hand to press a gentle kiss on it. “<I love you.>”

“Be careful, okay? Dragon or not, you can still get hurt when you’re on Vhagar. I don’t want to see you on a pyre, Aemond.”

Said man scoffs softly. “I’ll be okay.”

You only hope.

Now even after all your pleading you follow him out, but first make sure to take a detour to grab Aerion before you walk down to the shore where Vhagar, and Aegon sat on Sunfyre, await for him.

“Remember,” you whisper to Aemond. “We’ll be waiting. Aerion, me and itty bitty.”

Aemond caresses your belly before he presses a kiss on the top of Aerion’s head, saving your lingering kiss for last.

“<I love you,>” you whisper to him in Valyrian.

“<And I love you.>” He doesn’t hold back from saying, even if his brother waits for him with annoyance. He even makes sure to caress your cheek one last time before he finally turns away and walks to Vhagar to begin mounting her.

“No goodbye kiss for your King, princess?” Aegon shouts as he leans over his saddle.

You roll your eyes over to him and shoot him a pointed glare, whilst Aemond stops beside Vhagar and glares at his brother.

“Leave her alone, Aegon,” Aemond warns his brother.

Aegon snickers and shrugs whilst he sits back and grabs his handles. “I just want some luck,” he counters smugly.

Rather than countering back with spite you sass him. “I can fetch your wife, Your Grace. No better luck than a farewell kiss from your wife.” You shoot him a smile and Aegon's smile fades away at your comment.

He leaves you alone after that, so you proceed to watch Aemond climb his enormous dragon. Once he finally sits on his saddle they don’t hesitate to ascend to the sky. You don’t leave your spot on the sand until you lose sight of them in the dark night sky.

“Come on my sweet boy, let's put you back to bed,” you tell Aerion as he rubs his eyes.

Since there’s guards following you, you can’t wait for Astraea to land by the shore. Even if she did, you don’t have the warning for your mother, so you act normal and return inside. You put Aerion back to bed and return to the security of your private quarters.

Vanessa comes and helps you prepare for bed, but you trust her so you write your short warning.

“Rook’s Rest is a trap. Aegon and Aemond will be waiting for your arrival.”

No name just in case for some reason someone that shouldn’t, reads it.

You would write to your mother a lot more, you’d write to Jacaerys too, but you have to keep it short. Perhaps later on you’ll write an apology to your mother, you’ll ask for clarification on what she knows about what really happened to your father. As for now that’s all you write. And as to not raise suspicion, you wait for Astraea to come to you.

And of course, without fault your dragon comes to you, she lands on the roof over your head and leans her head down towards the balcony whilst she groans softly.

“<Hello, my sweet girl. It’s been a long time.” You grin and caress her snout. “I need you to do something for me. Deliver this message to Dragonstone.” You raise the glass bottle you tucked the note in, to show it to her. “To my mother, Jacaerys, Baela, Rhaena or my grandmother. Either one of those.>” You tell her desprestly.

Astraea pushes herself off the roof to fly down and show you her side where the rope to mount your saddle hangs. Before she can raise suspicion or before someone can surprise you, you secure the bottle with the rope. And to make your note more noticeable you tuck a Winter rose inside the bottle before closing it with a cork.

“<Go,” you order her, knowing well her intelligence was beyond what you or anyone else can understand. “I’ll see you again soon.>”

Without waiting a second longer Astraea flies away into the night sky, leaving you wishing you could fly the skies with her.

——

It’s been ten days since Aemond left for Rook's Rest, it’s been ten days since you warned your mother about the trap. You’ve since then received letters from Aemond, only a few just updating you that it’s been quiet—or as calm as a rampage can go.

Which is good, the longer he’s out there means that your mother heeded your warning and didn’t send anyone. But the longer he’s out there means that they’re still waiting, forcing your mother and her side to react.

You can only hope that they don’t give into the pressure, regardless if a Lord has to bend the knee to Aegon. You just can’t have either Aemond or your family to get hurt.

“Congratulations Princess you are with child,” the maester breaks you from your stupor to share a fact you already knew.

Regardlessly, you offer him a smile before you look over at Helaena with a bright grin. “You hear that?” You ask her in hopes to get her out of her head.

Considering there isn’t much you can do since you aren’t officially allowed in council meetings you try to help Helaena the best way you can. But that’s proven to be hard; it's like she’s completely retracted to this shell. Before it was there, but she was also here with everyone, she interacted, but now…now she’s completely hidden. She doesn’t even interact with Jaehaera, the Dowager Queen has completely taken responsibility for her.

“How far along, maester?” Alicent asks.

She insisted on being here with you to check up on you after Aemond let her know about your condition through a letter after he left. He needed her to know so someone could keep an eye on you while he was gone. It’s sweet, it fills you with guilt and regret, but you brush those feelings aside and focus on the fact whether you should be grateful Alicent is worried about you, or concerned that she is.

Sure she worried when you were with child with Aerion, but you didn’t think she’d care now.

“Basing off her last bleeding,” the maester backs away from you and turns to face Alicent. “Almost two months.”

Yeah you only spotted that one time, when your mother came to King’s Landing, but you haven’t actually bled normally since before that. So maybe the baby is truly Aemond’s.

“I also have some news,” the maester says and gets off the chair, letting you drag your legs down and sit up on your bed—“From further examination it seems two babies are growing.”

Two…

Your smile softens and joy overtakes the guilt and regret.

“Congratulations Princess,” the maester directs at you.

“Thank you, maester.”

“That’s excellent news, the prince will be pleased,” Alicent says. “May the mother bless the twins.”

The maester nods in agreement, and then sighs and turns to you. “It seems I have also seen strain. You need to calm down princess, expecting twins is troublesome. There’s many more risks than growing one babe. I’ll talk to the prince when he returns, I’d like you to stay out of battles...”

Yeah because you were allowed to fight in them before.

“And any news that may arrive,” he adds and glances at Alicent. “Please—”

“You will not have them keep any news from me,” you cut him off in annoyance. “I will know everything. My husband and my family fight this war. I will know.”

The maester clasps his hands together and looks away from you to briefly glance at Alicent. “At least please be careful with how the news is shared then. Any stress now can cause a miscarriage, especially with how delicate it’s going along, Princess.”

You slide off your bed and walk to the edge of bed. “Yes, of course.”

“Yes, thank you maester,” Alicent interjects quietly.

The maester bows and begins to walk to the door. Yet before he can reach it, a knock raps on the door.

“Come in,” you tell the visitor.

The door comes in and a knight stands outside. He bows his head to greet the three of you before sharing what he had to say. “Your Grace, Dowager Queen, Princess, the King has returned…” he trails off and nervously swallows thickly. “It’s urgent.”

You step forward and ask about the only person you care about. “Prince Aemond?” You ask.

The knight nods. “He’s riding behind the King’s carriage. They will arrive within the gates momentarily.”

Without bothering to even wonder why the knight was panicked about Aegon, you rush out of your chambers and quickly head down and past the gates to wait in the courtyard for Aemond.

Soon thereafter, a large carriage rolls in and bannermen run behind it. Other people also run to the carriage but you pay no mind to them, you just wait and watch as a second and smaller carriage rolls in.

You don’t even wait for it to stop, you just rush over to it with worry. And the moment the carriage stops the door opens and Aemond climbs out with his face unscathed, his blond-silver hair frizzy, his face covered with smoke, and his green cloak ripped and only hanging from one side.

“Aemond,” you gasp with relief before you throw your arms around him.

Said man wraps his arms around your body and you pull him close, noticing his armor is also covered with smoke from battle.

Hopefully, he was only battling men on the ground…

“Are you unharmed?” You ask him and pull back to study him and check for any wounds.

“Yes, I’m all right,” he assures you.

You blink and try to meet his gaze, but his eyes are behind you. You follow his line of gaze and see men carrying down…Aegon—that beaten body wrapped with bandages on half of his body is Aegon.

No…

“What happened?” You ask as you watch how his mother has him rushed inside so the grand maester can help him.

Aemond stays quiet, so you look at him again and press him to know. You’re too curious. “Aemond?”

Said man slowly meets your gaze and sighs. “Aegon has broken ribs, a broken hip and half of his body was burnt in battle… so much so that the armor on his left arm melted onto his skin.”

And he’s still alive? Gods.

He can die for all you care.

“You,” you press again and slide your hands down to his arms. “Tell me the truth.”

Aemond nods. “I'm fine. Vhagar protected me.”

You smile at him in relief and sigh. “Good. Good. When you’ve been released from all those meetings I assume you’ll have now, I have to tell you something. Some happy news amongst all th…” you trail off as you spot a wagon being rolled in.

“Y/N,” Aemond mutters and takes your hand. “Let’s head inside.” He pulls you with him, but you dig your heels in the ground as you notice that what’s being brought in is the head of The Red Queen, the dragon Meleys. Your grandmothers dragon.

“No,” you mouth immediately as you feel your heart drop to your stomach at the ill feeling that hits you. “Meleys.” You snap your eyes to Aemond and look at him with worry and denial. “My grandmother was there? Did you bring her too?”

Maybe they killed her dragon and captured her?

Aemond averts his gaze and swallows thickly, giving you the answer without having to say it right away.

“No,” you mewl and let him go. “No.”

“Sunfyre managed to…”

“No,” you cry out with grief knowing exactly what he was going to say. Your grandmother, the reason why Meleys’ head is here is because she’s gone.

“No,” you mutter again and break away from him to run over to the dragon's head since that’s the closest thing you had to actually being with her. “No, no, no!”

The men make the horses stop moving as you throw yourself over the snout, as you begin to cry against it like if it’s your grandmother herself.

“I’m sorry,” you whimper. “I’m sorry.” You sniffle. “I should’ve been there. I’m sorry.”

First Lucerys, now her too. You couldn’t help her either, like you couldn’t help Lucerys. Your grandmother is gone and you couldn’t even say goodbye, you didn’t say goodbye because you were angry at a man that wasn’t even there.

“Princess, all this stress is not good for the baby’s, please,” the maester who had helped you before tries to pull you away, but you snatch your arm away and continue to cradle the dragon head.

“Please, I’m sorry,” you sob to a person you won’t even see anymore. “Please, grandmother.”

“Y/N, my love,” Aemond whispers by your ear as he wraps his arm around you and slowly pulls you back. “Let’s get inside, please.”

You don’t fight him, he was a comfort in all the pain grief returns to your already aching heart. You let him walk you inside the Red Keep, you let him and Vanessa help you back to your quarters as all you can think about is your grandmother, what Baela and Rhaena must feel, the heartbreak your grandfather must feel. You wish you could be with them now and feel their own comfort as you grieve her.

You hardly think of your pain, or what it can cause the twins, you’re numb to it all, absent from the time continuing around you. You don’t even notice when you get in your quarters, when Aemond is whisked away by the Hand, you don’t even know how you’re conscious, or just simply living.

It’s not until you feel a wet cloth get dabbed on your face that it seems like you wake up.

“I warned them,” you say hoarsely as you register Vanessa trying to wipe the tears off your face. “I told them it was going to be a trap. And they got the message…you saw it right? The dragon glass they sent back as a secret signal.” You direct at Vanessa desperately.

Your handmaiden's dark eyes meet yours and a pitiful frown tugs on her face as she nods in agreement. “Yes. I saw it.”

You nod slowly and let out a shaky sigh. “They got it and they still sent my grandmother. She’s dead now…after I warned them!” You cry.

Vanessa puts the cloth down on the vanity surface and crouches down to meet your gaze at the level you are. “Perhaps it was their choice to go help. They possibly didn’t want to leave their ally helpless and tried to help regardless.”

You swallow thickly and find some sense in what she tries to tell you, but so many other possibilities still form in your head.

“You warned them,” she adds and picks up the cloth again. “They received the note. That’s all that matters now, all right?”

You let out a shaky breath and nod softly. Vanessa smiles softly and continues to help you get ready for what may come now that Aegon came back injured.

“Look,” she says and puts down a ring. “The jeweler finally made the orange pearl Ser Jason gave you into a ring.”

You pick up the gold ring that holds the beautiful orange pearl, and admire the twisted band that holds the pearl in the middle of the band. “He did an amazing job. It’s beautiful,” you muse while you put the ring on your right middle finger and admire the flame-like pearl.

“Almost as beautiful as the man himself,” Vanessa tries to lift your spirits as she moves back to fix your white-silver hair.

“Vanessa,” you giggle.

Said woman laughs quietly before she shares a quiet comment. “I swear he must be part Targaryen like yourself, he’s too beautiful to be just from Westeros.”

You scoff. “Wouldn’t that be a surprise?”

She hums in agreement, and as she does the door opens slowly, making her smile die as Aemond walks in with Aerion.

“Aemond,” you greet and look at your boys through the mirror. “Aerion.”

The baby squeals as he sees you, and you also hear his little feet kick the armor his father still has on.

“The maester says that Aegon will he bedridden for a couple months, 7 or more,” Aemond announces right away. And you know exactly what that means, if the King can’t rule his kingdoms the next in line rules for him, in this instance that’s…Aemond.

Besides, the fact that he will probably stay out of battles now, you also can’t help but feel pride over the fact that he will be regent. He deserves it, sure you prefer your mother on that throne, but that can’t be done right now, and if you had to pick between Aemond and Aegon, it would be Aemond everytime.

He’s much smarter, he’s studied, he’s a warrior without having to use Vhagar, Aegon learned to use his sword but he never gave into his training like Aemond or your brothers. So by all accounts Aemond deserves the crown and the title. Plus Aemond listens to you, you can use that, so it’s good Aegon got injured.

“You’ll be regent then?” You ask even if you know the answer.

Aemond hums in agreement.

You look back at Vanessa through the mirror, and she doesn’t need to be told verbally, she leaves your hair alone and then leaves you with Aemond and Aerion.

“I'm happy for you,” you direct at Aemond with a grin. “You deserve it. Sure the circumstances as to why you received this title are grieves, but there’s no one better than you.” You get up and walk over to him to steal a small but deep kiss.

Aemond cups your cheek and slides his hand down to cup your chin as he looks at you with a loving gaze. “I want to make you the Princess regent. Grief has taken too much from my sister, leaving her unable to perform her duties as Queen, and the realm needs a queen, why not have its Golden Girl?”

Control, more than you’ve had all your life? More abilities to help your mother in the shadows?

“Me?” You ask innocently. “But your council doesn’t trust me. They’d never let me.”

“I’ll be regent now, I’ll be their commander in every aspect, you will sit beside me because that’s what I want,” he assures you confidently.

You grab his hand and beam at him. Albeit your smile falters as something comes to mind, something rather important you can’t help but share out of your own personal gain.

“You are strong Aemond, strong willed and are not easily swayed,” you swallow thickly and cup his hand with yours to press it against your chest. “But we know that's not all that matters. It’s your people, the crown is not stable if they aren’t. You either need them to love you, or fear you, there’s no in between. And I don’t want to lose you. So I ask you this now. What do you want?”

Aemond raises his chin and smirks at you. “Fear,” he says in a low and intimidating voice.

You shoot him a mischievous smirk. “All right,” you mutter smugly. “Let it be fear.”

Aemond grins at you and then leans in to kiss you, albeit the kiss doesn’t last no matter how much you currently desire one another because Aerion is still here.

“Come on,” you direct at Aerion with a happy smile. “Let’s go down to the Throne room, your father is going to be crowned.” You take Aerion and take him down with you to the Throne room where Ser Criston, the rest of the council, and other Lords and Ladies already await.

Since what needed to be done was already discussed there’s no need for arguments, the people bow and curtsy as Aemond walks down the aisle. When he reaches the bottom of the steps you give Aerion to Vanessa and go and take the conqueror's crown from Ser Criston.

When you look over and watch Aemond climb those steps, when you see him brush his fingers on the throne's armrest, you can’t help but begin to smile. The moment he sits on that throne you grin proudly, he almost looks like a king.

He’s still not the person you want on that throne, but you’re here now, you know how much he wanted this, so you’re happy for him either way. Which is why you step up the throne's mighty steps with the conqueror's crown in hand, and don’t hesitate to place it on his silver-blond head.

“It looks better on you then it ever did on him,” you whisper.

Aemond hums in agreement, and grabs your hand to place a kiss on your knuckles. “Stay here with me,” he says.

His request catches you by surprise, but you don’t argue, you keep your hand secured in his hold and turn slowly to face all the Lords, ladies and knights below.

“All hail Prince Aemond of House Targaryen!” Ser Criston announces to the hall. “Prince Regent and Protector of the Realm! And his lady wife...”

You gasp and quickly look at Aemond. He meets your gaze and smirks at you.

“…Princess Y/N of House Velaryon! Princess regent!”

Everyone bows and curtseys at the new rulers that will rule in their Queen and King’s stead. They show their respect not only to Aemond but to you too. Sure this respect is something you’re used to because of your title as Princess, but this is different, you’re Princess Regent, you hold more power than before and they respect it.

You want your mother as Queen, but this—seeing them bow to you as you stand beside the throne, you can’t help but like it.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Tagged- @namelesslosers @stargaryenx @chainsawsangel @lauftivy @winxschester @cloudroomblog @llarue @padsdarlg @sofietargaryen @gracielikegrapes @dreaming-of-the-reality @itzelpeyton @patdsinner33 @mrsdominickstark @elaena-aerrin

[ell0ra-br3kk3r-writes]

The Phoenix and the Crow

part twenty-six

pairing: kaz brekker x fem!reader

genre: neutral

el's thoughts: i'm absolutely heartbroken that we won't be getting a spin off or sab s3... but also insanely grateful for the content creators out there who continue to share their talents with us <3

masterlist

Y/N felt like she and Kaz had become twin soldiers, marching on, pretending they were fine, hiding their wounds and bruises from the rest of the crew.

It took two more days of travel to reach the cliffs that overlooked Djerholm, but the going was easier as they moved south and toward the coast. The weather warmed, the ground thawed, and she began to see signs of spring. Y/N knew what the city looked like, having been before on quick missions. The docks were still crowded with ships, but it’s tidy streets marched to the water in orderly fashion, and the houses were painted in such colors- red, blue, yellow, pink- as if in defiance of the wild white land and the long winters this far north. Even the warehouses by the quay were wrought in cheerful colors. It looked like the city was made by fairies from her children’s books, everything was candy-hued and in its proper place.

“Cannon,” said Jesper.

Y/N turned and glanced up to where the Ice Court stood like a great white sentinel on a massive cliff overlooking the harbor.

Kaz squinted up at the big guns pointed out at the bay. “I’ve broken into banks, warehouses, mansions, museums, vaults, a rare book library, and once the bedchamber of a visiting Kaelish diplomat whose wife had a passion for emeralds. But I’ve never had a cannon shot at me.”

“There’s something to be said for novelty,” offered Jesper.

Y/N pressed her lips together, “Let’s say it’s not fun. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Those guns are there to stop invading armadas,” Jesper said confidently. “Good luck hitting a skinny little schooner cutting through the waves bound for fortune and glory.”

“I’ll quote you on that when a cannonball lands in my lap,” said Nina.

They slipped easily into the traffic of travelers and traders where the cliff road met the northern road that led to Upper Djerholm. The upper town was a rambling extension of the city below, a sprawling collection of shops, markets, and inns that served the guards and staff who worked at the Ice Court as well as visitors.

Signs of Hringkalla celebrations were everywhere. The shops had created displays of pepper cookies baked in the shape of wolves, some handing like ornaments from large, twisting trees, and the bridge spanning the river gorge had been festooned with ribbons in Fjerdan silver. One way into the Ice Court and one way out. Would they cross this bridge as victors tomorrow?

“What are they?” Wylan asked, pausing in front of a peddler’s cart laden with wreaths made of the same twisting branches and silver ribbons.

“Ash trees,” replied Matthias. “Sacred to Djel.”

“There’s supposed to be one in the middle of the White Island,” said Y/N, ignoring the harsh glare the Fjerdan threw her way. Her voice was low and hard, the toll of their journey evidently forcing her back into her usual role as a soldier.

“It’s where the druskelle gather for the listening ceremony,” Nina continued.

Kaz tapped his walking stick on the ground as he stood beside the Inferni, leaning closer to her ever-so slightly. “Why is this the first I’m hearing of it?”

“The ash is sustained by the spirit of Djel,” said Matthias. “It’s where we may best hear his voice.”

“Kaz’s eyes flickered. “Not what I asked. Why isn’t it on our plans?”

“Because it’s the holiest place in all of Fjerda and not essential to our mission.”

“I say what’s essential. Anything else you decided to leave out in your great wisdom?”

“The Ice Court is a vast structure,” Matthias said, turning away. “I can’t label every crack and corner.”

“Then let’s hope nothing is lurking in those corners,” Kaz replied.

~

“Here?” Jesper complained, peering into the dank main room of the run-down tavern. The whole place stank of garlic and fish.

Kaz gave a significant glance upward and said, “Terrace.”

“What’s a gestinge?” Inej wondered aloud as she read the welcome sign.

“It means ‘paradise’,” said Matthias. Even he looked skeptical.

Y/N helped secure them a table on the tavern’s rooftop terrace. It was mostly empty, the weather still too cold to attract many patrons. Or maybe they’d been scared away by the food- herring in rancid oil, stale black bread, and some kind of butter that looked distinctly mossy.

Jesper looked down at his plate and moaned. “Kaz, if you want me dead, I prefer a bullet to poison.”

Nina scrunched her nose. “When I don’t want to eat, you know there’s a problem.”

“We’re here for the view, not the food.” Kaz spoke from beside Y/N.

She mously picked at her piece of bread, nibbling on it slowly. She had to agree with the others, the food was terrible, but it still wasn’t the worst she had had to eat before.

“We’re going to start looking conspicuous soon,” said Nina. “This isn’t the kind of place people like to linger.”

“Maybe they don’t have anyone to take to jail,” suggested Wylan.

“There’s always someone to take to jail,” Kaz replied, then bobbed his chin toward the road. “Look.”

A boxy wagon was rolling to a stop at the guardhouse. Its roof and high sides were covered in black canvas, and it was drawn by four stout horses. The door at the back was heavy iron, bolted and padlocked.

Kaz reached into his coat pocket. “Here,” he said and handed Jesper a slender book with an elaborate cover.

“Are we going to read to each other?”

“Just flip it open to the back.” Jesper opened the book and peered at the last page, puzzled. “So?”

“Hold it up so we don’t have to look at your ugly face.”

“My face has character. Besides- oh!”

“An excellent read, isn’t it?”

“Who knew I had such a taste for literature?”

Jesper passed it to Wylan, who took it tentatively. “What does it say?”

“Just look,” smiled Jesper.

Wylan frowned and held it up, then he grinned. “Where did you get this?’

Matthias had his turn and released a surprised grunt.

“It’s called a backless book,” said Kaz as Y/N took the volume from Inej and held it up.

She peered through. To the barmaid and the other patrons on the terrace, it looked like they were handing a book around, discussing some interesting passage. Instead Y/N had a close view of the gatehouse and the wagon parked in front of it. She lowered the book and looked at Kaz, a proud smirk gracing her lips. “Clever.”

He nodded and turned his head quickly, but not before she could notice the light red painting his cheeks.

“Four guards,” she said, nodding towards Matthias confirming what he had shared before.

“They’re the first line of deffence,” said Matthias. “They’ll check paperwork and confirm identities, flag anyone they think requires closer scrutiny. By this time tomorrow the line going through the gates will be full of Hringkalla guests and backed up all the way to the gorge.”

“By then we’ll be inside,” Kaz said.

They continued discussing the schedule of the wagons as Y/N lifted the backless book again. The wagon driverwore a gray uniform similar to the ones worn by the guards at the gate but absent any sash or decoration. He swung down from his seat and came around to unlock the iron door.

“Saints,” Y/N said as the door swung open. Ten prisoners were seated along benches that ran the wagon’s length, their wrists and feet shackled, black sacks over their heads. She felt the group’s apprehension rise. Only Kaz seemed unfazed.

“Hooded, chained, and shackled?” said Jesper. “You’re sure we can’t go in as entertainers?”

“We go in as we are,” said Kaz, “as criminals.”

~*~

taglist: @katherinereid @littlecat21 @jahayla-parker @maliciousbrekker @brekkershadowsinger @brekkers-desigirl @clunaes @wonderland2425 @bookloverfilmoholic @karensirkobabes @bookworm-center @el-de-phi @so-get-this-sammy

[to-the-stars8]

Learning to Love Slowly

Jason Todd x Reader All Chapters AO3

37-Charles Dickens and Approved Transactions

“What do you think of it, babe?” You asked, putting down the book. “I thought it would be an interesting plot, but it turned out to be pretty dry.”

When you turned to look at Jason he was long gone, already halfway across the store to look at a book that had caught his eye. Sighing, you walked over to him to see what it was exactly that he was venturing over to. When you got to him, he reached out for your hand without looking at you, too intent on reading the summary on the back of a book. Smiling, you wrapped your hand around his. For once, his hands were warm and yours were cold. 

When Jason noticed, he looked at you. “I thought I was the one with the cold heart?”

You would never be amused by that joke, but it was the little smirk on his face that got you smiling. Jason was never the one for public displays of affection, but you could tell when his eyes flickered down to your lips he wanted to kiss you. A bit too shy yourself, you couldn’t muster the courage to kiss him in front of other people, either. 

“What book is that?” You asked to shake off the thought of kissing him. 

He flipped it over to show you the title. “It is getting closer to Christmas and I realized I’ve never read Charles Dickens.”

You were surprised. “Really?”

“I know,” He said, sounding a bit ashamed. “I meant to when I was younger then…”

“I see,” You said then picked up the book. “I guess you’ll have to read it to me because I haven’t read it either.” 

Jason smiled, already insisting that he pay for your books and his, the one habit you could not break of his. 

--

It was the perfect evening. Gotham winter was wet and cold, leaving little desire to go out at all. All was quiet except for the lowness of Jason’s voice and the pitter-patter of rain outside. Under the yellow hue of fairy lights, you were warm with that one fuzzy holiday blanket you owned wrapped around you with your head on Jason’s lap. His feet were propped up on the footrest as he leaned back against the couch with the book you had bought earlier in one hand and the other massaging your head. 

“‘I am the Ghost of Christmas Present,’  said the Spirit. ‘Look upon me!’” Jason read aloud. 

You reached up to grab his hand, bring it over to your lips, then let him trace a line from your chin, over your jaw, then back up to your hair. He kept on reading without missing a beat, his voice providing a kind of comfort that you could only get from someone who read evenly and well. 

“Jason,” You said. He stopped reading and looked down at you. “You have a lovely voice.”

He chuckled then looked away, a blush finding its way to his cheeks. “Thank you, sweetheart.” 

“You’re welcome, Jaybeans.”

Jason started to read again, but this time was more conscious of his voice. He couldn’t judge correctly what it really sounded like and hadn’t thought much of it. So, he stopped reading again to ask, “You really like my voice?”

You giggled. “Of course. I was just thinking that I should have you read to me more often. It’s better than buying one of those audiobook subscriptions.”

Jason cocked an eyebrow. “So is my voice you like, or the free services I’m providing?”

“Free?” You asked, your smile turning into a sly smirk. “I plan on paying you back, honeybee, just not with cash.”

“I’m sorry,” Jason said, snapping the book shut. “But I can’t continue without payment first.”

You shot up from your spot, pressing kisses all over his cheeks, lips, and the rest of his face. The two of you giggled between kisses, and you managed a grunt from him when you sucked a hickey into the nape of his neck. 

When you pulled away, flushed and still giggling, you asked, “Transaction approved?”

Jason pretended to think before answering. “I think that earned you about another hour of reading.”

You put your head back down onto his lap. “I’ll take it, but I bet next time I can get it up to two.”

“How’s that?” Jason asked, his heart pounding in his chest. 

You put a finger up to your lips, shushing him. “Just keep reading, and, while you’re at it, think of my pretty lips on you. You’ll know in an hour.”

Jason, in fact, did not know what you would do in an hour because within thirty minutes you were dead asleep.

[heartfullofleeches]

Hejehwkej slasher woman. She is probably a mechanic in the little town Reader and their friends visit for the holidays. The reader tries to get their car fixed so they can escape the town bc they are pretty sure there is something wrong with it, she can only lie and finish her cigar as she tells them the car has no fix, and tells them that if they are going to be here for a while, why not make it a good time, with her and ONLY her *wink* (she probably calls the Reader sugartits or darling too)

In a little town where nothing happened- everything happened that lone night.

The traditional began the winter following your last year of high school. You and a small group of friends had planned a vacation to a mountain retreat to celebrate the occasion, forgetting a key factor in the scene. The further out you traveled; the more snow began to fall. The roads became a slippery slope; visions obscured by the thick fog upon the horizon. There was no choice but for you to stop at the nearest exit; a small town not listed on a single map.

The snow would not let up for the remainder of the week, but soon your orginal destination became a memory of the past. While not ideal, you bunkered down and found your own fun within that time. When the snow let up some, you were able to explore the town, and find out more about its residents and history. Apparently, the remain townpeople were all that was left after the development of the same city you and your friends were heading. It drew in tourism from time to time due to the quality of each mom and pop store, and ghost tales surrounding missing persons cases from away ago.

Shaking off the latter fact, you had a good time just exploring the shops and taking your haul back to the inn. There was a lake behind it that, while frozen over, was a pretty chill spot to stay at. You even went outside by yourself some nights; just staring up at the unpolluted sky. Spirits high upon your departure, you decided to attempt the drive again the following year, stopping at the town along the way. It's a tradition that would last well into your college years with memories that would last a lifetime.

Where did it all go wrong?

-

Sitting in the passenger seat of an old beat-up truck, you defrost your frozen fingers against one of its heaters; shivering from the cold and the panic included adrenaline. A heavy winter coat hangs around your shoulders. It smells like motor oil and cigarettes, but it was better than facing the freezing cold and harsh reality alone. You try not to cry. The tears would only freeze to your cheeks. You had to stay strong. For everyone.

You jump a mile in your seat as the driver's side door pops open. A figure hops inside, dabbing a cigar again the ashtray as she sets a mug in the cupholder. The stream from it rubs against your leg. The woman groans as she grips the steering wheel, forgetting about the wound beneath the cloth wrapped around her hand.

"I'm sorry.." You croak.

She seems surprised at your apology. "Nah, t's fine, doll. You were scared, is all. Plus, I did do a number to your car in the process. "

You rest your head on your knees. Trapped alone on the desolate road with a flat tire, a truck pulled up out of nowhere when you were rearing to head back to the town. Fearing it was the same force that caused the disappearance of your friends, you locked the doors and pretended to not exist - only for the passenger window to be smashed open after repeated knocking.

Acting in fight or flight, you picked up the glass and slashed at whoever was trying to get in. As the wind's settled, you saw the logo of a repair shop on the woman's jumpsuit; her name right beneath it. Harper.

Harper tilts her head in the direction of the cup. "That's for you, by the way. You'll need it."

You silently pick up the cup. She chews on her lip.

"Wanna tell me what happened?"

You stare at the dark liquid. "I.. don't know. We were just having a good time at the lake, when we heard a scream. When we went back inside, the hotel owner was missing and soon... so was everyone else."

She goes to place her hand on your shoulder, but retracts as you flinch from her phantom touch. "That... that's rough, sugar."

You wipe your face with your sleeve. "Thank you.. by the way"

"Ah, it's the least I can do, specially considering I won't be able to fix your car tonight since there's more to it than a busted tire. Lines are down too so we can't call anyone. You can stay in here if ya want, but my place is only a couple miles more up the road. I just need to close up, but you'll have to step inside for a few so that we don't waste all the gas."

Weighting your options, there was only one to take. The snowfall was the worse it had been in years and the town was at least an hour and some change back.

"Okay."

Harper grins. "Pretty and smart. Let's get you inside."

-

Walking inside the shop, Harper leads you to the back office while she goes to finish up. As she walks off, you swear you can hear a click. Sure enough, when you check the door its locked. You try to swallow the bubbling fear as you step away from the door. It doesn't help when you find a familiar backpack on the floor; darkness staining its strap.

Looking through the bag, you find all of your friend's belongings had been dumped from it and a few of yours had been tucked inside along with a blue mask that almost makes you lose what little contents your stomach carried. Windows barricaded and searching for a way out, you find a set of keys under a rug, but instead of unlocking the door - it opens the safe beside your friend's bag.

Contents from bygone years spill from its bowels. An old coat you lost one winter, a bracelet the next. Tons upon tons of pictures of you from within that time frame. Some even from inside your hotel room. Some following you all the way back home. The final picture drags your heart to the bottom of your chest. A picture you all took that had been hung in the inn's lobby; each one of your friends' faces marked with a number-

While yours was surrounded by a heart.

" 'S not nice to snoop around other people's private areas, doll.

The room's door closes without so much as a creak.

"But that's okay. As a couple, the secret was bound to come out eventually."

[diabolik-art-blog]

Memories of that spring

AO3: chapter 02

Finfiction.net: chapter 02

Summary: Remember that you shouldn't show the book to anyone, not even your father. And don't tell anyone that you sneaked into the ruined castle.

As autumn passes, the people of the village endure one of the hardest winters. The weather is getting colder than the previous day and many people in the village are sick because of the cold weather and have no energy to work.

Little Yui and his best friend are playing in the snow outside the hut, and old Tenjin is sitting on his armchair next to the warm fireplace, watching the children play from behind the window and smiling.

Every time Yuma throws snow at Yui, Yui shivers with a sweet smile and tries to catch Yuma with her small size and throw snow at him. Yuma, who is taller and stronger than her, runs away from Yui very easily, but after a few moments, he pretends to be tired and can't continue running. At this moment, Yui hugs Yuma from behind and pushes him into the snow, and the two children start laughing.

The old man smiles softly while seeing his daughter's happiness from behind the window and wishes to see her always so happy. He wishes that Yuma would always be by her side so that he could always make her laugh.

Two children sit on the snow to rest after playing in the snow. Yuma sits next to Yui and tries to clean the snow from her hair and clothes so that she doesn't catch a cold. When he is done, he caresses Yui's cheek gently.

Yuma: Yui, we better go back inside the hut. Otherwise, you may catch a cold.

Yui was not happy with Yuma's words and puffed her cheeks to show that she disagreed.

Yui: I don't want to. I like to play in the snow more.

Yuma: But the weather is very cold. You forgot how you got sick before. Do you want to get sick again because of carelessness?

Yui looked at Yuma with innocent eyes and Yuma realized that Yui was upset at the thought of getting sick again.

Yuma: Ahhhhhhhhh Yui. You are very stubborn. Well then, let's do this instead.

Yuma takes off his coat and scarf and dresses Yui so that Yui will be warmer and not sick due to the cold weather.

Yui: But... in this way you get sick, Yuma.

Yuma: No. I don't get sick at all. I am very big and strong.

Yui: Yuma, you are only two years older than me.

Yuma: Well, I'm older. So why don't you listen to me like a good girl? Besides, I am a boy and I am much stronger than you.

Yui got upset again and puffed her cheeks and frowned at Yuma.

Yui: No... I'm stronger... I'll show you now.

Yui hugged Yuma and pushed him hard and Yuma fell on the snow and Yui started snowing on Yuma until Yuma started shivering from the cold.

Yuma: Oi... Yui... you idiot, what are you doing?

Yui: Fufu... did you see that I am stronger?

Yuma: Ahhhh..... I'll show you now.

Yui quickly ran away from Yuma and Yuma ran after her. They ran until Yuma finally caught up to Yui and hugged her tightly and started tickling Yui to force her to apologize.

Yui: Fufu... Hahaha... Yuma... Haha... Enough... Hahaha... Please stop...

Yuma: No, I won't stop. I will continue as long as you admit that I'm stronger.

Yui: Hahaha... ok ok... you are stronger Yuma.

Yuma stopped tickling Yui and smiled at her.

Yuma: Don't worry, Yui. Because I am strong, I promise to always take care of you.

Hearing Yuma's words, Yui smiled innocently and opened the scarf and wrapped it around Yuma's neck. Now they both use a common scarf and can feel each other's warm breath.

Yui's action made Yuma's face red as a tomato. Yui kissed Yuma's cheek and snuggled into Yuma's arms. She could feel the warmth in Yuma's arms and smiled sweetly.

Yui: Thank you, Yuma... I promise to take care of you. Even if I am not as strong as you, I will still take care of you.

Hearing Yui's words, he smiled warmly. He was so happy that Yui was so innocently trying to take care of him. Even though Yui was physically weak, she had a strong will and a kind spirit that made her stronger than anyone else.

While the two children were immersed in their innocent world, the old man calls them and asks them to go inside the hut. It looks like the weather is getting colder and it looks like a big blizzard is coming.

Yuma immediately stood up and took Yui's small and delicate hands and led her towards the hut. They both entered the hut and went near the fireplace to warm themselves. After sitting by the fireplace for a while, the old man brought some warm milk for the two children and they both started drinking the milk.

After warming his body by the fireplace, Yuma realized that it was getting darker and he should return home early to avoid being caught in a blizzard.

Yuma: Yui, I have to go. Would you like to play together again tomorrow?

Yui frowned and puffed her cheeks when she realized that Yuma wanted to go home. She didn't want Yuma to come home so soon and wanted to stay with him more.

Yui: Don't go Yuma. There is still a lot left until the evening. Please stay with me more.

Yui's childish and innocent tone and her puppy look made Yuma unable to resist and decided to stay with her a little longer. Yui always knew that this was Yuma's weak point, and if she looked at him with puppy eyes, Yuma couldn't resist.

Yui: Can you read me a book?

Yuma: Of course I do. But what book?

Yui grabbed Yuma's hand and pulled him along. They climbed the stairs to the attic and Yui went to her straw bed and pulled out an old book from under it, the cover scratched from the rain and the leaking roof.

Yui: Read this book to me. It is about vampires.

Yuma was surprised and took the book from Yui. He frowned looking at the scary pictures and pages and looked at Yui in surprise and wondered where Yui found this book.

Yuma: Yui, this book is not good at all. Where did you get it from?

Yui: I... I found it.

Yuma: From where?

Yui: I can't say.

Yuma: Why can't you say?

Yui: It's possible... both you and my father will be angry with me.

Yuma noticed that Yui was scared and took a deep breath and stroked her head to calm her down a bit and to understand where Yui got this book from.

Yuma: Yui, you must always tell me everything. If you hide something from me, how can I take care of you?

Hearing Yuma's words, Yui calmed down a bit and decided to tell Yuma the truth, hoping that he wouldn't get angry.

Yui: I found this book... in the ruined castle of the former king.

Hearing Yui's words, the book fell from Yuma's hand and his eyes widened. He couldn't control his emotions any more, and anger was building up in him, and his eyebrows were broken, which showed how angry he was.

The ruined castle is a forbidden zone, and the great king Karlheinz has ordered that anyone who goes there will be terribly punished. Realizing the fact that Yui had done such a dangerous thing that she sneaked into that castle and a forbidden area, Yuma became very angry and grabbed Yui's shoulders and was ready to scold her.

Yuma: What does that mean, Yui? You're stupid? You are really a real idiot. Why did you go there? You know what would happen to you if one of the nobles saw you there. Don't you know what king said? Do you want to be punished with a whip?

Without pausing to scold Yui for doing such a dangerous job, Yuma realized that Yui was upset and might cry at any moment. A tear fell from Yui's eyes and Yui quickly wiped it away with her sleeve.

Yui: I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I didn't want to make you angry. Yuma, I don't want them to whip me...... *sob*.....

Realizing how scared Yui was, Yuma tried to keep calm and not blame Yui anymore. He patted Yui's head gently to calm her down a bit.

Yuma: It's okay, Yui. Don’t Cry. It's good that no one noticed.

Yui: *Sniff*... *sob*...

Yuma: Why did you go there?

Yui: Someone was calling me and telling me to follow her.

Yuma, who was confused by Yui's words, raised his face as a question.

Yuma: Who calls you?

Yui: I don't know. She was like a ghost.

????: Yuma.... my son, are you here?

Hearing his father's voice, Yuma realized how late he was and that he should hurry home. He quickly pushed the book under the bed so no one would see it and wears his coat to get out of the attic, but before that, he warned Yui.

Yuma: Yui, remember that you shouldn't show the book to anyone, not even your father. And don't tell anyone that you sneaked into the ruined castle.

Yui: But why?

Yuma: I'll tell you later. Now I have to go back quickly. My father is waiting for me. Promise me you won't tell anyone.

Yui held Yuma's little finger with her own and gave Yuma a sweet smile.

Yui: I promise Yuma.

Yuma: Fufu.... well done good girl.

Yuma quickly said goodbye to Yui and went down the stairs and left the old man's hut. Yui watched him from the window as he and his father moved towards their house and went further and further away.

Right now, while Yuma was walking with his father in the snow, he was thinking about Yui's words. It was a little strange to hear someone calling her. A ghost and asking her to accompany her to the ruined castle.

Yuma had heard rumors about that castle before, which caused Karlheinz to declare the area as a forbidden area and even set a very heavy punishment for those who go there, but no one had ever said that the castle had a ghost.

However, Yuma knew very well that Yui is not a lying girl and she doesn't even fantasize, so he was sure that Yui really saw a ghost there. Yuma really wanted to go to that castle to see what was on Yui's mind so much, but is he brave enough to go to that castle?

*TIMESKIP*

A huge blizzard had engulfed the village. It was dark and the windows were shaking because of the storm. The sound of the wind could easily be heard and the snowstorm was everywhere, mercilessly making the air colder.

The young prince was practicing the violin in the castle. Playing the violin was the only thing that made him distance himself from his disgusting life and feel free for a moment. The beautiful melody of the violin takes him to a sweet dream.

He was so engrossed in his music that he could hear his little brother crying from behind his room door. Just when he thought he had found peace, the screams and cries of his little and spoiled brother ruined everything.

Shu, who could no longer bear this noise, angrily put the violin on the table and went to the door and opened it angrily.

*Creeeak*

Shu: Can't you cry in another place Kanato? The sound of your crying is very annoying. It is bothering my ears. I can't concentrate like this.

Kanato: Shut up. It's not my fault, it was Ayato's fault.

Shu looked away from his little brother to find Ayato. He noticed that Ayato was hiding behind the pillar in the corridor and was laughing. Shu went a little further and noticed that Ayato was teasing Kanato with a spider.

Shu: Ayato, if you want to bother Kanato, go somewhere far from my room. I can't stand the annoying noise of you two.

Kanato: Shut up.... I'm not annoying.

Ayato: Stop it. We are just playing. Why don't you join us?

Shu: For a very simple reason. You two are annoying and stupid. You are even more annoying than Reiji.

Shu, who couldn't stand Ayato and Kanato, left the corridor without another word and went to the ballroom. The ballroom was completely dark and empty. The sound of blizzard could be heard from the windows and Shu went to the middle of the hall.

A few days ago, a big celebration was held on the occasion of his birthday this year. That party was noisy and annoying like his brothers and everyone was happy that the young prince had become a year older but no one cared about what makes him happy.

Shu walked a little in the middle of the hall and reviewed the memories of that night in his mind. When his father entered the hall, everyone bowed in respect to him and no one had the right to stand up and speak without his permission. This was not a sign of people's respect for Karlheinz. It was mostly a sign of their fear of their king. Does this mean that Shu will suffer the same fate? That everyone should be afraid of him and treat him in such an unfriendly way? This was never his wish. He never wanted such a fate.

Shu remembers the moment he played the violin. As everyone looked at him with a smile and admired him. Shu wished that someone would actually look at him and smile with such a loving smile and not ask him to play the role of a king. He wished to have a loving family and a normal life rather than this chaotic and luxurious life.

He remembered the moments when his mother scolded him for not studying and did not give him a motherly and loving smile even once. All this made his sadness grow bigger and bigger and he hated his family and this palace more.

Shu was lost in his thoughts and didn't even notice that he was crying. until his brother's voice drew his attention to himself.

Reiji: It's really disgusting. The eldest son of the great king is crying like a child.

Shu, who had just noticed Reiji's presence, was surprised by his words and touched his face and realized that his eyes were filled with tears. He gently tried to hide his tears with his fingertips.

Shu: Why are you here?

Reiji: Mother is looking for you. She asked me to look for you after she found out that you had given up violin practice and were looking for some playfulness. Honestly, I'm surprised that you're really going to be the future king of this land when you can't handle even the smallest responsibility.

Shu: You... Reiji, you're really annoying. Please leave me alone

Reiji: Annoying.. that's probably the only word you know.

Shu: Reiji, please leave me alone.

Reiji: Hmmm... ok, I'll go. Because I have no interest in being with a loser like you. You are the most disgusting person I know.

Shu: Hahaha, so I have bad news for you. Because this disgusting person is going to be better and higher than you forever. And when I become king, I want to see you still have the courage to call me disgusting.

Shu's words pierced Reiji's heart like an arrow. All he could see now was blood, and he felt as if his anger was all over him, and he could attack Shu at any moment and strangle him. But he considered himself a polite person, so he tried not to lose control.

After he took a deep breath and calmed down, he went to the door and left the room. He was moving along the corridor with anger and hatred for his brother grew more and more in his heart.

Reiji: (Shu, I hate you. I hate you. One day I will take revenge on you. I will bring a terrible disaster on you so that you come to my feet and apologize for all the insults you have done to me.)

Still remaining in the ballroom, the young prince found himself crying even more than before. He tried to wipe his tears with his sleeve. The fact that his little brother never tried to have a good relationship with him made him think that he was very lonely.

Shu: I hate this family.

[exoticbabe69]

Theseus Scamander x reader

This is my first ever fic! Hope you enjoy! Making this a series🪄💗

✨Love is magical✨

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6| Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9| Part 10| Part 11|

You’re sitting in your office gazing at the stars outside, about to be off work. It’s winter in London, the weather outside is indeed frightful, snow is falling from the sky, and it might be the coldest night of the year but you don’t care because Christmas is only 20 days away! Yes, you were a sucker for Christmas, even though your family wasn’t Christian you just loved the Christmas spirit and everything that came with the heartwarming holiday. You moved to London about 6 months ago from the states. This was the first Christmas you’d be spending away from your family. And your ex who you broke up with before moving here because “long distance wasn’t going to work” for him, not to mention he flat out demanded you to quit your job. At this point you were basically over Peter (your ex) and that sadness that once filled your heart was now outpoured by curiosity for this new environment you were in. You liked London, sure the accents and lingo took some getting used to, but there was something magical about where you lived! You couldn’t quite put your finger on it, but the city just twinkled with a spark that had to be other worldly.✨

You left work to take off on a dreadfully cold trip home. You had to take the trolley because your car was in the shop. Even though it was unbearably cold the beautiful bright lights, and Christmas decorations filled throughout the city took your breath away!

You entered the trolley only to see it filled with couples, it was cute, sweet even, but it also kinda reminded you that you were very single, which made you a little sad. You look down at your feet after noticing everyone staring at you (you thought it was because you were alone and felt awkward but in reality everyone was taken aback by your beauty). You were the prettiest girl in that town but you having an even prettier soul and heart of gold never paid much attention to looks, you just thought people were being nice when they’d compliment you.

As you stand looking down at your shoes wishing your car wasn’t in the shop you hear a deep voice with a strong British accent say “excuse me miss would you like to sit down?” You look up and see a tall gentleman with blue eyes, and curly short brown hair smile at you endearingly.

You smile back and say “I’m fine thanks.” He gets up and says “I insist” to which you look back again and say “no really I’m fine, my stop is coming up!” The trolley stops just in time for you to wave bye and hop off.

The trolley stranger doesn’t hesitate to follow you pretending that it was his stop as well (which you think is a bit strange).

“I’m Theseus by the way, Theseus Scamander” he says. You nod your head and continue to walk, sure you thought he was handsome but you’re wary about meeting literal strangers.

“Aren’t you going to tell me your name, miss” he says looking at you with almost puppy dog eyes, like he was a kid begging his Mom for that delicious piece of candy she wouldn’t let him have.

“I’m y/n, y/ln,” you say, as you both stop. His eyes filled with delight and amazement “ah what a beautiful name, almost as beautiful as you miss y/n.”

You smile “thank you Theseus….so was this really your stop?” (Asked with suspicion in your voice).

He laughs “I’ll be perfectly honest, it wasn’t but I couldn’t pass up the chance of knowing your name.” You blush, and start walking again.

He walks briskly to keep up with you “so if I may ask, do you live here, in London?”

“Yes I moved here not long ago for work, how about you?”

“Yes I live here as well, all my life actually!”

“Oh and what do you do for work?” You ask.

“I’m head aur- *he stops himself mid sentence* “head of the architecture department.” He says nervously hoping you wouldn’t notice that he meant to say head auror at the ministry of magic.

You didn’t notice though, you just thought he was a bit goofy, but you like goofy, you were goofy yourself, and suddenly you found this stranger somewhat charming.

Theseus insists on letting him walk you home to make sure you get there safely. You chuckle “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.” He pauses and looks at you with the most sincere stare “please y/n, you can trust me.” For some reason the warmth in his eyes made you feel safe, at ease almost, and you believed him.

So you both continue and the entire way you’re laughing, and talking about your life stories. It was easy with him. Finally you make it to your door “well this is me” you say. Theseus becomes sad realizing that your time together has come to an end. “Thank you for the company Theseus,” you say before turning away.

As you’re walking into your home he yells ‘Y/n wait!!” “Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow? Please! I insist! I’d love to take you out and show you around town!”

You look back and smile “sure, I’d love that, stop by around 6.”

Theseus literally jumps for joy thinking you didn’t notice but oh you did, you bust out laughing and his cheeks flush a bright red. “You’re cute” you say blowing him a kiss good bye and locking the door behind you.

You swoon as soon as you walk in and slide your back on the door. A rush of what feels like magic takes over your body, and you’re basking in the glow of your first post break up crush.

[peony-pearl]

Hinode (aka Homestead) starts out with Ozai escaping prison (with help on the inside from Ukano and co) and booking it to the Earth Kingdom to try and hide out in one of the colonies; only he never makes it that far. He's attacked by some angry spirits, displaced by his razing of the Fire Nation during Sozin's Comet.

He tries to outrun them, but soon the damage is done - however, once he makes it to a forest he blacks out, only to awaken in a bed, even though he didn't see a home for miles during his travels.

He awakens in Hinode, a prosperous farming village teetering on becoming a small town. Hinode has had a boom in the last few years since the end of the war, and they are accruing more and more newcomers who arrive to become part of the new bustle of this cozy mountain land.

Ozai learns the town's most prominent lion-ram breeder was the one who found him, a woman named Niwa. She had gone to find one of her lamb cubs when she came across Ozai's battered body and sought help.

Ozai isn't keen on staying. He only intends to recover and then be on his way; but he quickly realizes he is surviving on good graces - it's best to not step on any toes while he is no longer a firebender and he cannot fully fight or defend himself.

Ozai eventually meets Niwa, and he's not impressed. She is a woman with olive eyes and bushels of thick, waving mousy hair. She is homely and naive; he thanks her and pretends to be in pain so he can have some alone time.

As he becomes stronger, the village leader asks Ozai (going by the name Chen) if he would be willing to help out around the village, and they will give him provisions for his travels. Begrudgingly, Ozai agrees, as he lost all of his supplies during the spirit attack.

Around this time he is asked to help Niwa shear some lion-ram manes for cloaks. He goes to help her, and the woman he supposed as empty-headed is eagerly wrestling her more stubborn rams, and he watches her pin one down, holding it and shearing it at the same time. She looks up to find Ozai and beams at the help. He's surprised she needs it as he sees the muscles he did not expect on her arms and back. Ozai does not much care for the chore, but Niwa continuously praises him after learning he has never done farmwork before. Ozai won't lie; he enjoys hearing praise again.

Ozai eventually has a small collection of money and supplies, and he is eager to be on the road. He wanders the forest, aiming to find his way out - only every single road leads him back to Hinode. Perhaps he needs a map. He asks for one, and he goes about the path perfectly... only he winds up back in the village.

He does not tell anyone of his predicament. He panics to himself as he continues to offer his services... but he can only amass so many supplies as they know he plans on leaving. He will look foolish and they may suspect something about him if he stays for too long, hoarding supplies. Especially as winter draws near. The village guru imparts upon him that he may find it better to stay for the winter. The trek beyond the forest can be treacherous in the snow and ice.

Ozai, upset with his lot, has no choice either way. He pretends to agree, and he stays in the village inn, so long as he continues to offer his services to the town. He helps with building new homes and barns, keeping watch through the night from predators or pillagers, and he finds himself helping Niwa, who is the last of her family ensuring care of her lion-rams.

Ozai hates it but he becomes soft on the beasts - and on Niwa, who smiles at him, and always ensures he leaves her home warm and fed. He notices how tired she is, as she hides it well. She is lonely, having lost her family over the past decade.

He begins to give her the brunt of his attention; waking up early to feed the lion-rams, that way when Niwa wakes up, she only has to ensure they are safe and warm from the winter. At first they don't have much to talk about. Ozai has remained rather quiet during his time there. Niwa asks him if he misses where he came from.

He closes his eyes and responds 'I did at first. Now I can see leaving was the best thing that ever happened to me.'

He thanks Niwa for rescuing him, and she blushes, telling him that the forest is always full of surprises. She has often believed herself lost, only to be led back in the nick of time; she swears she can see a figure who looks much like her grandfather, and she is certain his spirit has kept the land safe.

Ozai goes to speak to the village guru after this, and he finally admits he has not been able to leave Hinode. Even though he does not miss the Fire Nation, he isn't one for feeling trapped. The guru insists that, whatever Ozai's past is, perhaps he has something he is working towards.

He doesn't believe this; he is the Phoenix King!

... Right?

That name feels so far away now, but his pride is still burdened by dirtying himself on the daily, only to have exhaustion and soreness as his reward.

But the guru continues: 'for as much destruction caused by the Fire Nation, perhaps you are overdue to see to creation instead now.'

Her words freeze his blood; he stares... does she know who he is? She gives him a glance. One that he knows means she could tell anyone his truth, and he would have hundreds of villagers on his tail. And he still cannot escape the forest. He would be a dead man.

Ozai nods and bows to the guru, swiftly making his exit.

He tries to wander the forest again. To no avail.

He is still trapped.

Niwa notices him cursing at the edge of the forest as she tends to her flock. She goes to him, ensuring nothing is wrong, and she finds him crying out of frustration.

She brings him a cloak and something warm to drink, and she smiles at him. She sits with him, talking about how Hinode has been her only home, how it has become a haven for many different Nations of benders and smiths and creators.

Ozai murmurs he doesn't fit here. He's never been a creator.

He thinks about his children back in the Fire Nation. How he nearly destroyed them - and for once, something stirs in his belly. A gnawing, nasty feeling as the memory of scarring his son and abandoning his daughter suddenly have a different tone than he's ever known.

His emotions become worse, and Niwa stays with him as he sifts through his guilt and shame. He looks to Niwa, who he sees something different in now. She shows him patience and openness; she often speaks of how the past and the future become one with each choice they make.

Through his strained voice, Ozai admits that he wants to have a future. Confused, Niwa asks what he means. Ozai tells her he's been driven by anger, by bitterness, and by the want to destroy for so long; he'd almost carried out harming so many; and he's already hurt so many people.

He wants a future, but he doesn't know where to start.

Niwa takes his hand and insists he already has.

Ozai has rarely had anyone by his side that wasn't there due to his status. He was no longer the Fire Lord; he never became the Phoenix King - but why did he feel like he was being reborn? Reforged by the fire as his old life smoulders into ashes being carried away in the wind.

and he kisses Niwa. And she reciprocates.

If he isn't going anywhere, and if he wants a future... then let this be the one he has. Let this be his choice, how he proceeds to live.

The winter thaws, spring blooms, Ozai and Niwa become married in the summer, and Ozai lives a new kind of married life, unlike that he had with Ursa. Instead of politics demanding their every moment, he lives in peace, in this quiet, cozy home, enjoying meals and conversations and laughter; and in the gray of the following winter, it's revealed Niwa is expecting.

However, the ones who aided Ozai's escape from Prison are looking for him, wondering what happened to their Fire Lord, their Phoenix King. Surely he hasn't forgotten about them?

[orphic-musings]

All the glowing lights sparkle so delicately in your eyes

Characters: Cyno x reader, Tighnari x reader (platonic) (NOTE: this is when they are still students at the Akademiya!)

Genre: Fluff!

Warnings: None. Except one Cyno joke.

Summary: As students of the Akademiya, your friend Tighnari invites you out to the winter festival along with his friend Cyno…. who definitely has a crush on you.

Notes: I wrote this for a Secret Santa event by @2022gisecretsanta ! I was @yostresswritinggirl ‘s secret santa so I HOPE YOU ENJOYYY! 🫶🫶🫶 And Happy Holidays everyone! ❤️

Cyno stares up at the stars twirling and shimmering above his head. The student’s event council had been tirelessly working to make the Akademiya look festive, and these paper stars were some of the finishing touches. As the student decends the tall ladder he pushes out a sigh. The whole school, even the whole town, is in the spirit for the winter holidays, except him.

“C’mon Cyno, we’re almost done studying before the break, can’t you at least pretend you’re looking forward to it?” His amber eyes peer up at his fuzzy-eared friend, who’s staring at him with a dubious grin. “Or were you too busy thinking up bad puns to pay attention.” Cyno merely grumbles.

“I wish school would keep going instead, I just wanna get the year over with.” He plops his cheek against his palm, face ever stoic.

“But it’s the holidays! You can take the time to just nap and eat festive snacks if nothing else, what’s got you in such a sour mood?”

Tighnari notices Cyno suddenly stiffen, and he follows his friend’s gaze right over his shoulder and towards…

“I just finished my last final!” Another of Tighnari’s colleagues thumps their books against the table and slumps into the seat across from Tighnari and beside… Tighnari shoots a grin and an eyebrow wiggle at Cyno.

But Cyno doesn’t notice, he’s too busy trying to resist the flush that threatens to ignore him. Luckily, or unluckily, you pay no attention to him as your grumble to your good friend Tighnari.

“Well, since you’re all done why don’t you come to the festival with me and Cyno?” He offers, putting on a friendly smile to hide his mischevious intent. You glance between him and Cyno, before an excited grin takes over your tired features.

“I would love to! I didn’t have anyone to go with so I wasn’t going to go, but now…. ooh I’m so excited!”

Your pure elation cracks Tighnari’s calm demeanor, lighting his face up with a bright smile to match your own. The two of you are meanwhile oblivious to Cyno’s apparent suffocation.

“I have to return these library books, but I’ll see you two tomorrow?” You say, getting up from your seat.

“Yes, let’s meet at 6:30 in front of the library.” Tighnari says. You smile in reply, scooping up your heavy books and scampering off. Turning to Cyno, he shoots him a smirk, which, humoursly, Cyno could only describe as foxy.

»»————-　♡　-————««

The next day you wake up refreshed, enjoying being free from the stress of finals at last. You spend the day relaxing mostly, but you can’t help the excitement bubbling away. As half past six approaches you get ready, making sure to wear warm clothes. Although the days in Sumeru are quite warm, the nights quickly get cold.

“Oh, hi Cyno! Is Tighnari with you?” You call out, seeing the white haired boy standing alone. He whips his head around hearing your voice, you worry you may have given him whiplash.

“Hi um. Tighnari’s not here yet, hopefully he won’t be much longer.” He mumbles, looking away. His aloof nature doesn’t surprise you, you’ve heard he’s a rather stoic guy from other students. You watch his gaze, fixed at nothing in particular, and he appears in deep contemplation of something. Absentmindedly, you muse as to what it could be, unaware of your staring. Until Tighnari clears his throat, causing the two of you to startle.

“At ease soldiers,” he jokes, noting your riged statures. “Ready to go?” He asks, and you and Cyno both nod. Tighnari leads the conversation, effortlessly weaving both you and Cyno into the conversation. It makes you wonder if it tires him to be the middleman, but when you reach the festival you all have something in common.

The three of you stand in awe of the beautiful decorations. The Grand Bazaar radiates warmth with the lit-up stalls, the buzzing chatter and the joyful performances on stage.

“This is so amazing! I’m glad I came out here,” you say, eyes sparkling with wonder. Tighnari scans the wonderful scene too.

“I’m glad I came too,” Cyno concurrs, but his eyes are instead focused on your face, brighter than all the lights of Sumeru combined.

“Hey look, they have a tea stand! Let’s go get some!” You say, already dragging the other two along. You sip tea while observing all the various stalls and displays, the jubilent atmosphere filling your body and soul with warmth.

»»————-　♡　-————««

As the night goes on you find yourself standing beside Cyno, with Tighnari lost somewhere in the masses, claiming he wanted to go back to buy something.

“Do you think he’s coming back?” You ask, trying to break the silence. He merely shrugs. You notice his faraway gaze returns.

“What’s on your mind?” Your question surprises him a little, but he cracks a small smile, you would call it almost michevious.

“Y/N.” He turns to face you, and you look at him with anticipation.

“Why should you always invite mushrooms to a party?” He asks. Your mouth opens and you blink, taken aback. Taking a moment to recover from the sudden query, you begin to shake your head, dumbfounded.

“Because they’re fun guys,” he states plainly. You blink once more, before a wide smile splits your face and you burst out in laughter.

“That was the stupidest joke I’ve ever heard,” you says, features still scrunched up in amusement. His victorious smile fades a little, unsure if you are insulting or complimenting him. “But it did make me laugh so, I guess it worked.” You look at him with a smile still on your face.

“I’m glad,” he says, his grin returning, “you’re cute when you laugh.” He freezes. You freeze too. He didn’t mean to say that, he opens his mouth to stutter out an apology, but you interrupt him.

“You’re cuter,” you reply. He can’t tell which of you is more flustered in this moment. From within the crowd Tighnari emerges, but seeing your burning faces he ducks away without a sound, smiling to himself. Cyno inhales, trying to grab a hold of any confidence or courage in his bashfulness.

“Well, then in that case would you maybe like to hang out with me… sometime. A-as like a date, only if you want of cours-“

“I would love to.” You quiet his ramblings with your sound reply, and a hand placed on his. He maneuvers his hand so his fingers are slotted between yours, and he squeezes gently.

“I already say this but… I’m glad I came out here,” you whisper, and put your head on his shoulder. The warmth from his hand, the tickle of his long hair and the scent of oranges, earth and amber provide you with an overwhelming sense of comfort. Suddenly a tingly warmth and restful heaviness fall over you.

“Me too,” he says, and he gently rests his head over yours, staring up at the glow of the festival illuminating the navy sky. He smiles.

[balkanradfem]

Do you celebrate Palm Sunday?

I had to look this up and I figured out what it is xD Ishtar Sun day!

The original pagan holiday celebrated the descent and resurrection of the goddess Ishtar, or Inanna.

"The Easter story comes from the Sumerian legend of Damuzi (Tammuz) and his wife Inanna (Ishtar), an epic myth called “The Descent of Inanna” found inscribed on cuneiform clay tablets dating back to 2100 BC. When Tammuz dies, Ishtar is grief–stricken and follows him to the underworld. In the underworld, she enters through seven gates, and her worldly attire is removed. "Naked and bowed low" she is judged, killed, and then hung on display. In her absence, the earth loses its fertility, crops cease to grow and animals stop reproducing. Unless something is done, all life on earth will end.

After Inanna has been missing for three days her assistant goes to other gods for help. Finally one of them Enki, creates two creatures who carry the plant of life and water of life down to the Underworld, sprinkling them on Inanna and Damuzi, resurrecting them, and giving them the power to return to the earth as the light of the sun for six months. After the six months are up, Tammuz returns to the underworld of the dead, remaining there for another six months, and Ishtar pursues him, prompting the water god to rescue them both. Thus were the cycles of winter death and spring life." - Source

That makes more sense, all original holidays celebrated the circle of light and darkness that we go trough each year with the movements of the Earth in relation to the Sun. I love how the holidays created stories around something that is very tangible and observable every year! Christianity is pretending that all of that stuff outside isn't even that important and instead we should focus on this one dude. And it was a woman who was originally resurrected - later they found out that in order to create jesus' tomb, they tore down Ishtar's temple. Vile and disrespectful. And there's more:

"Easter as a Celebration of the Goddess of Spring

A related perspective is that, rather than being a representation of the story of Ishtar, Easter was originally a celebration of Eostre, goddess of Spring, otherwise known as Ostara, Austra, and Eastre. One of the most revered aspects of Ostara for both ancient and modern observers is a spirit of renewal.

Celebrated at Spring Equinox on March 21, Ostara marks the day when light is equal to darkness, and will continue to grow. As the bringer of light after a long dark winter, the goddess was often depicted with the hare, an animal that represents the arrival of spring as well as the fertility of the season.

According to Jacob Grimm’s Deutsche Mythologie, the idea of resurrection was ingrained within the celebration of Ostara: “Ostara, Eástre seems therefore to have been the divinity of the radiant dawn, of upspringing light, a spectacle that brings joy and blessing, whose meaning could be easily adapted by the resurrection-day of the christian’s God.”

Most analyses of the origin of the word ‘Easter’ agree that it was named after Eostre, an ancient word meaning ‘spring’, though many European languages use one form or another of the Latin name for Easter, Pascha, which is derived from the Hebrew Pesach, meaning Passover."

That's two female goddesses they conveniently attempted to replace with one male :( Women own the spring and the power of resurrection, as we own the power of birth as well!

Wish I knew in detail what the pagan holidays looked like and how they were celebrated, I'd love to get into that.

[simmingwithmila]

The Greenways | It's So Hard to Say Goodbye

*Disclaimer: this post is about death. It focuses on how Sims die from laughter. If this will trigger any emotion, please scroll past.

It was the day after Christmas. Zabrina was called into work, the kids were hanging out with their friends, which left Chris home alone, well with Max the cat. Chris enjoyed Christmas this year, so much that he sat on the couch and began to think about the day. From Laila wobbling down the hall to get to the Christmas tree, Reign being the teenager that she is, pretending she did not want to spend time with her family although secretly she couldn't get enough of family time, to Genesis who eagerly awaited Father Winter and to his beautiful wife, Zabrina, who just smiled as everyone opened their gifts, taking pictures of everything that she almost fell into the tree! Chris chuckled, and then he chuckled some more. He chuckled so hard that he got up from the couch and he clinched is heart, something was wrong, but he couldn't stop laughing. It was uncontrollable to the point Chris fell onto the floor and closed his eyes. His spirit leaving his body lying there, lifeless.

The family buried Chris in the backyard, next to the treehouse that he was so proud of putting together. Zabrina stood in front of the tombstone, silent. She had cried so much when she got the phone call from Reign, cried so much at the funeral, she didn't have much tears left. Her better half, her best friend, gone, just like that. She didn't have the words on what it felt like. As her daughters all looked at the ground with deep sorrow, Zabrina moved forward towards the tombstone and put her hand on top of it. "What I wouldn't give to see you again, my love." Zabrina whispered. She guessed she was wrong; she did have more tears as one drop fell onto the ground. As she began to walk away, she felt a warm wind touch her face. Zabrina quickly turned around and couldn't believe it. Standing in front of her was Chris.

Reign: "Daddy!"

She ran to him and gave him a long embrace. Although Reign couldn't physically feel her father's arm around her, she knew it was there. Zabrina watched in disbelief, in awe and in happiness. Reign and Chris were very close, and Zabrina couldn't imagine how she would comfort her daughter while trying to be strong.

Chris let go of Reign and turned to his wife. Zabrina, the love of his life. He hated that he wouldn't be there on earth with her but in spirit he would always be watching her, guiding her, rooting for her, loving her for all eternally.

Chris: "I cannot stay long but I wanted to say goodbye and to let you know how much I love you and that I am so proud of you. I am with you always, baby, always."

Zabrina ran to Chris and kissed him passionately. She didn't want to let him go, she wanted to stay in his arms forever. Finally, Chris pulled away and looked her. She was going to be okay, he knew it.

Chris: "I don't want you grieving for long. I want you to move on with this amazing life we built together. To be the best mom to the girls."

With that he turned to face Genesis and Laila who were standing in disbelief. He motioned for them to come to him. They slowly moved towards the spirit of their father and gave him a big hug. Chris felt a tear run down his cheek. How he wished that he could be there to see Genesis turn into a teenager. He wondered what kind of child Laila would be.

As Zabrina watched the moment, an idea struck her. As a best-selling author, she now had the opportunity to write the book of life, a book that could bring anyone back from the dead. She could write it quickly and hopefully bring Chris back to them.

Zabrina: "I can bring you back to life!"

Chris turned to Zabrina with a puzzling look.

Chris: "Zabrina, they are calling me babe, it is okay, this was the path."

Zabrina shook her head as tears flowed.

Zabrina: "It is called the book of life, only top authors can write it, I can write it, Chris, I can write it so fast!"

Zabrina went to run into the house to hop on the computer but she felt Chris pull her back.

Chris: "Zabrina, I hear the bells, it is time for me to go. You are so strong and amazing, I told you, I right here with you, always."

Chris held his hand to her heart. Zabrina put her hands on his and whimpered.

Reign: "We can take one last family photo."

Reign put up the tripod and attached the camera. The family got in place.

Reign: "Okay, 1,2,3 cheese."

The family tried to muster up a smile. The camera clicked and flashed.

Zabrina: "Well that is going to be a nice one. I know just where to hang..."

Zabrina turned and Chris was gone.