#rowan ruthless

[gagmedrag]

Rowan Ruthless, 2023

[peachywritesstuff]

Ghostface!Xavier headcannons

Warnings:mentions of stakking,killing(duh),a little of soft! yandere!Xavier, Xavier taking "I will kill for you" to the next level.this ended up being hella long. I got carried away

When the killings first start. You obviously don't know Xavier was behind them. And he make sure you didn't know either.

He was very good at keeping the whole thing a secret.

Like you never suspected your sweet boyfriend to be the one behind the murders.

But... who said he was doing it alone?

Cue Ajax and Xavier killing victims together.

Xavier would do prank calls to his victims.

Fucks with them for a while before killing them.

And he kills all his victims in different ways so whenever the police would find a body it would look completely different then the last body they found

There was times he would come back bruised or a little bloodied(not his blood) from his victims fighting back,but he just say that it was just paint or he went a little to far in fencing.

Now on to you.

You were his sweet precious baby,and he wasn't gonna let anything happen to you.

And he is definitely not afraid to kill for you that's for sure.

He would watch you from afar and make sure you got to where you were going safe and sound.

So the guys that would bother you? Suddenly they end up missing. The guy that was flirting with you? Babe,he dead in a ditch somewhere.

If a guy decides to hurt you? Oh Xavier sees red and goes fucking crazy.

I mean look what happened with Rowan.

He.got.fucked.up

But anyways back to you.

He didn't mean to kill Rowan infront of you.

He just saw red when he saw what he was doing to you. He didn't see or hear anything else. The only thing on his mind was to kill him

He didn't stop stabbing the fucker until he heard your cries.

And as much as he enjoyed watching him choke on his own blood he hated to see you so hysterical

It broke him to see you cowering beneath a tree,covered in Rowan's blood,and shaking like a leaf.

His heart shattered when he saw the look on his face when he took his mask off.

That look alone almost made him want to stop the killing. He never wanted the love of his life to look at him that way ever again.

Keyword: Almost

He approached you so cautiously,like a scared little animal that he was afraid would run away.

And you tried.

He caught you very quickly and dropped the bloodied knife to the ground when kept starting it and crying even more.

You tried to push yourself away from his embrace but he held you tighter. Rocking you side to side as you sobbed in his arms.

You were shaking so bad he thought you never stop.

He carried you back to his shed leaving Rowan's body behind,and you were quiet as a mouse.

No he didn't forget the knife,his mask,or his camera. He wasn't stupid.

Still in a state of shock.

You flinched when his hand reaches up to wipe to wipe Rowan's blood off you and he paused and gently grabbed your face with his hands.

"I would rather die then to ever hurt you baby." He looked deep into your eyes. Filled with so much love,and sincerity. How can these hands who have killed countless people,hold you so gently? Like you were a proclain doll?

You were still sitting there in shock and disbelief.

Everything seemed to make sense now, times he would disappear and come back late at night,the "red paint" that was on his clothes.

When you saw him killing Rowan... he was an entirely different person and it scared you so much

The boy you knew since you were 14 was a ruthless killer and never thought you would use Xavier and serial killer in the same sentence.

"Do you like it?" Xavier made eye contact with you. "Killing." He looked down at his feet,his legs beginning to bounce.

"Yeah," his voice cracked a little. "Yeah I do."

You let out a shaky exhale at that.

He admitted that he was the one that killed Tyler and some of the other previous victims

He decided to leave out Ajax for now

Yall sat in silence for what seemed like forever. Him looking at you and you avoiding looking at him.

You asked out of the blue if he would ever thought of killing you and he practically yelled out a 'no'.

After witnessing the murder of Rowan.You never fully got use to him being Ghostface.

Obviously you never told a single soul

Wednesday is suspicious

But yall's relationship dynamic changed after that.

Xavier was surprised that you decided to stay with him even after that happened. I mean, after the talk in his art shed,you ignores him for a week. He thought the relationship was as good as gone.

Xavier didn't throw everything at you all at once which you were thankful for.

Because it took you months to be comfortable with your killer boyfriend's schedule.

At the beginning you felt so much guilt. Knowing who the killer was but not saying a word about it.

But it was the love of your life,you couldn't just rat him out and leave him in a prison to rot for the rest of his life.

I mean look at Wednesday's family

With all that being said,let's talk about when you do feel comfortable about the whole thing.

Now,Xavier is very deeply,in love with you. Think him as Gomez really.

He can and will kill for you

So if you were making it known you wanted someone dead or just bluntly say it then that person would end up being dead by the next morning.

No questions asked.

You also may or may not have developed a knife kink or a hand kink over the process of a few months.

And Xavier takes a full on advantage to that.

Xavier will literally drop dead if you want to join in on the killing.

He would die a happy man.

[h0c-if]

HOUSE OF CARDS: THE CRIMSON COURT is a character driven romance interactive fiction set in a realm that resembles earth. The story follow you, a noble from the kingdom of Argonia sent to the kingdom of your enemies in an arranged marriage, all in the name of peace.

This game depends and focus heavily on the component relationships, Complex Relationships, and choices.

MAIN-THEMES (GENRES): Court Intrigue, Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama.

SUB-THEMES: Family Saga, Revenge/Vengeance, Cultural Clash.

TAGS:  Betrayal, Manipulation, Assassinaution, Complex Family Relationship, Affairs, Arranged marriage, Discrimination.

War. The malevolent force that breeds corruption, inflicts pain, nurtures hate, and reaps death, casting a dark shadow upon all that is good. Can love find a way to bloom within its merciless grasp?

SUMMARY:

As fate would have it, you find yourself torn from familiar shores and thrust into the clutches of a kingdom that has long been embroiled in conflict with your homeland. And to further complicate matters, your partner in this arrangement is none other than the Commander of the enemy's fleets, a name that reverberates with terror throughout the land. Whispers of their ruthless prowess in the merciless ways they dismantles their foes, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and etching a chilling image of their power.

As you journey towards your own path. Will you rise to the challenge and become a beacon of hope and peace, or will you succumb to the siren song of ambition and greed?

Only time will tell, as the fates of kingdoms hang in the balance.

Follow the story of the noble House Scion as they traverse the complex web of politics, alliances, and betrayals. Will they prove to be worthy, or will their own desires and flaws consume them, leading to the downfall of all they hold dear?

Immerse yourself in a richly detailed world inspired by historical fiction, where court intrigue and political machinations shape the destiny of nations:

As an influential figure, what kind of reputation do you want to build for yourself? And as a character, what personality will you adopt? Play as the dove of peace, a brutal iron fist, a sly snake, or a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Romance three main characters, each with their own relationship dynamics. Plus; a possible secret Ro: Experience a captivating romance that defies societal boundaries, or would you rather find yourself entangled in a forbidden love that challenges loyalties and tests the limits of your own heart.

A diverse cast of characters to build and form relationships: Deepen or sever relationships with a number of important characters and; betray, befriend, antagonise or kill.

Your choices will impact both your personality and the game's story: Make choices that will have far-reaching consequences, shaping the course of the story and influencing the fates of both individuals and empires. Interact with the world and discover who you truly are. Will you be able to forge a new future for yourself and those around you in the midst of this chaos?

There are always hands playing in the shadows. Play their game or make your own: Navigate a world filled with people striving to feed their own agendas. Engage in strategic alliances and tactical decisions, as you use your wits and cunning to navigate the dangerous waters of war and diplomacy.

ROMANCE TROPES: Love at First Sight. Fake relationship. Rebellious Love. Amour Fou (Mad Love). Domestic Affair OR Friends to lovers. Enemies to lovers. Forbidden Love.

THE COMMANDER [M/F]

ELISAE ROWAN DELACROIX:

Elisae is hailed as a war hero in Borgia. Born to the King's second sister, the Grand Duchess of the North, Elisae followed in their mother's footsteps and joined the war from a tender age. Their valor and strategic brilliance earned them numerous titles and led the kingdom to many victorious battles. They played a vital role in shaping Argonia's destiny.

[DESCRIPTION]: Elisae is a formidable presence with a commanding stature, standing tall at 6 feet. Their piercing grey eyes, sharp as steel, hold a depth of determination and wisdom. Their ebony hair, meticulously styled and slicked back, contrasting against their tanned skin.

Have you begun to devise a plan to melt the icy barrier encasing your spouse's heart? Or do you intend to shatter it into fragments?

DUCHESS/DUKE[F/M]

JADE MAXIMILLIAN WINTER:

Jade is a figure of grace and elegance. As the esteemed Duke/Duchess of House Winter, Jade's political stance differs from your spouse's, which created a strain in the relationship of the two childhood friends.

Renowned for their esteemed position among the nobles and loved for their charming and easygoing personality, Jade exudes an aura of refinement and unyielding confidence. Their presence commands attention, while their subtle gestures and expressions hint at a depth of emotions and hidden desires. With a captivating charm and an enigmatic aura, Jade leaves an indelible mark on those who cross their path.

[DESCRIPTION]: Jade's mesmerizing eyes, a striking melted honey color, exude an air of mystery and intelligence. Their ash hair, cascading in waves, complements their fair complexion, imbuing them with an ethereal allure.

But what does that flaming smile hide? Can you withstand the searing heat of their radiance and still dare to draw near?

THE ESCORT [F/M]

RAINE HAWTHORNE:

[ABOUT]: Raine is a figure of quiet strength. With a quiet confidence and a sense of duty ingrained in their every action, Raine emanates an aura of reliability and protection.

Raine is assigned as your escort by the House of Delacroix upon your arrival in Borgia, Raine appears indifferent, showing little interest in anything. However, when it comes to protecting you and ensuring your safety, Raine is unwaveringly dedicated.

[DESCRIPTION]: Raine stands at an average height. Their piercing green eyes, sharp and discerning, hold an intensity that mirrors the depths of their soul. Their chestnut hair, tousled and windswept, adds a touch of ruggedness to their appearance. Raine's bronze skin bears the faint marks of battles fought and hardships endured. As a guard, they possess a lean and agile physique, honed through years of training and dedication.

Beneath the stoic facade lies a well-guarded heart. Can you unravel the secrets that lie within Raine's enigmatic gaze?

[SECRET RO]

♧LINKS♧

DEMO TBA. ROs MASTERPOST.

THANK YOU!! FEEL FREE TO SEND YOUR ASKS!!

[faeriecinna]

FaerieCinna's Writerblr Intro::

Hi, I'm Sav! 23, They/She, living in the UK. I've been writing literally for as long as I can remember and decided it was finally time to share my shit on the internet.

If I'm not writing I'm working at LUSH full time, delving into a DnD campaign or baking!

Please don't be afraid to hop in my DMs or Asks because the whole point of me jumping back onto this hellsite was to make some writing pals because apparently that's an impossible feat irl.

Now for the good stuff~

WIPs::

Project.Ink

In a world torn by ancient conflict between the humans and Fae, alliances shift when the humans join forces with the mages. Amidst this uneasy camaraderie, young Fae like Rowan Kelly vanish - memories erased, appearance glamoured, and placed under human 'protection.' Unaware of her true identity, Rowan is haunted by dreams of a mysterious church in the forest. As she embarks on a journey to uncover the truth, she stumbles upon the entryway to her forgotten Fae realm, awakening a dangerous curiosity that threatens to unravel the delicate balance between the two worlds.

Her presence triggers suspicion among the elves, leading to her capture by The Inquisitor, once her lover but now a stranger due to the cruel enchantment. As Rowan grapples with resurfacing memories, the elves see only an unstable human in their midst. The Inquisitor, merciless and accusatory, soon faces the revelation of the girl's true identity. Amidst the conflict, love and betrayal mingle in the perilous quest to break the enchantment that binds Rowan to a false reality.

Project.Seraph

In the war ravaged kingdom of Infernelle, where shadows dance with secrets, Teo leads a group of travelling thieves who seek sanctuary within the city walls. Their ticket to safety? Capture a live angel as a pet for the ruthless monarch, Queen Reinette.

Rumours lead them on a futile chase and the elusive Seraph, Nevaeh, becomes their prize, shot out of the sky. Teo, adept in manipulation, promises safety to the angel, concealing a darker agenda. As alliances teeter on the edge of betrayal, and lies weave a web around the unsuspecting angel, she becomes an unwitting pawn in a dangerous game.

In a world where destinies intertwine with treacherous threads, Teo struggles with the weight of his deceit, haunted by the unspoken. As he grows unexpectedly fond of the celestial captive, guilt festers beneath his callous exterior. Whispers of the queen's malevolent plans for the angel spark a rebellion within the thief, turning a dubious bargain into a daring coup.

Plotting in progress.......

Project.Oath (Dark fantasy, human doctor x creature patient)

Project.Claw (Gay werewolf murder novel)

You can also find me on.......

(TBA)

[kald-dal-art]

please infodump about your hunger games OCs more, i beg 🙏

Of course I can infodump about THG OCs at any time, at any day. Don’t know which specific ones you wanted me to talk about so just going to talk about my headcannons for the 12th-15th Victors. Because I like the idea of the direct aftermath of the 10th game to be a very experimental decade for the games.

Ash Jorgenson D7: the 12th game

So after the 10th game they ditched the capitol arena after the bombings and started to use outdoors arenas. The first outdoor arena was a deserted island and the arena was a massive success. So the gamemakers decided to be more ambitious with a forest on top of a hill. They ended up being too ambitious with how hard core the arena ended up being.

Most of the tributes ended up dying from exposure. Ash managed to win mostly through having the actual survival skills to survive the arena. Also helped when the gamemakers released a swarm of mutts into the arena to weed out the remeaning tributes Ash managed to climb on top of a tree and managed to kick down one of the other tributes that tried to climb the tree after him.

Ash ended up being the first Victor from D7. He ended up being severally traumatised by his games not managing to fully settle down. He manages to mentor 1 tribute to Victor, a girl named Rowan a decade or so after his Victory and becomes rather close to her and her family. She even names one of her kids after him.

Ford Wright D6: the 13th game

So after the disaster of the 12th game the gamemakers decided to do an arena that wasn’t as hardcore when it came to the weather, exposure and sheer nature. Going a bit back to their roots with having a more crammed arena that wasn’t made out of nature. So the arena for this year was an abondend scrapyard.

The arena being a scrapyard ended up working fantastic for Ford, seeing as he had worked in his family workshop for years, he knew exactly how to use the scrapped automobiles to his advantage. One of the more memorable moments from his game was when he managed to restart one of the cars, slamming it into 3 tributes.

Ford ended up being the first victor from D6, a few years after his games he marries his girlfriend he had before the games. Having a daughter a few years later, but unfortunetly she ended up being reaped for the games and dying in them. Which ended his marriage and he starts drinking alchohol to cope with the game season from now on. He ended up mentoring 1 victor, a girl named Kennedy. They’re close, having almost a father/daughter relationship, but Kennedy would rather jump infront of a train than to admit to that.

Minerva Paxton D2: the 14th game

When a young girl got reaped the last thing anyone expected was someone begging to go in her place. That is how Minerva Paxton immediatley caught the attention to everyone. Being the first ever volunteer in these games. With some people thinking she was an idiot and other admirring her bravery.

Her arena was an abondend city and she was a ruthless player. Immediatley a popular victor and is credited for starting the ball of the “Career” tribute, in 2 especially. It’s a legacy she has grown to dislike more and more for each year she has to see a volunteer die in the games. She only volunteered to save her cousin.

She never ends up marrying or having children. Ended up mentoring 2 victors, but she was never a fan of mentoring and when D2 started to train children for the games she refused every request to teach anyone.

Claude Demont D10: the 15th game

The gamemakers wanted to do something completly different for these games, introducing a weapon that had never been introduced before, fire arms. Unfortunetly it backfired (ha), a lot of the bloodiness and battles were gone. A good amount of the tributes had no idea how to actually use them, some of them accidentally shooting themselves with the weapons.

Claude however, was a surprisngly good shot, essetianly snipping his competiton one by one. After his Victory the Capitol got suspicious with his skills with the firearm though. With not really beliving that it was something he just happened to pick up on in the arena. So let’s just say his family didn’t get to have a very long warrant on life after his games.

Claude was always considered a bit of a paranoid nutcase in D10. Putting a million little traps around his house in Victor’s village. He did end up by miracle settle down with someone. Never had children though. Ended up mentoring 2 tributes to Victory, one girl named Lucia, and one boy named Mateo.

[onestepbackwards]

something i came up for the self aware!pla au. so, you know how the game shows us the ancestors of current day pokemon characters (kamado > rowan and all that)? so, what if the characters ingame knew about that, and went to you to figure out just who and what their descendant will be like. decided to drop a few dribbles for that:

cyllene:

cyllene was the first person to ask you about what will become of her legacy, and who will be the next person to carry the torch. the whole idea that someone will be there after her fascinates her, but unfortunately for you and her.. you played pokemon platinum before. you know you gotta tell her. after a long explanation about who cyrus is, his motivation and what will he do to sinnoh scares her, to say the least. truly, how one like HIM gets to carry the family name is a disgrace, but.. she feels sorry for him, in a way. judging by the way he grew up, it's no wonder he turned out the way he did. maybe cyllene won't be able to do much now, but she will try her hardest to prevent that mistake from happening again.

kamado:

while you always had a bone to pick with the guy, you were quite surprised to see him ask you about just WHO his future great-great-great-great-great grandson is gonna be. will he stay honorable? will he learn from kamado's mistakes and stay off the path he carved to himself? maybe. surprisingly enough, he was more than delighted to hear that his grandson was gonna be a pokemon professor. beats being a war monger, at least.. and who knows, maybe he'll even be like laventon! wouldn't hurt to have a brilliant mind in the bloodline.

volo & cogita:

another curious pair who heard about the ancestry thing. with both of them already recognizing you for your "true, godly powers", they figured out you could give them the answers. you ARE all-knowing, after all. of course, they bicker with each other before you can finally give them the answer. volo wishes that HIS descendant got HIS smarts and didn't cogita's attitude, while cogita wishes that HER descendant got HER manners, and not volo's ego. luckily, you tell them that their descendant, cynthia, got the best of both worlds and none of the worst. you continue telling them about her, and you can't help but see cogita perk up when she hears the word "champion". oh, what a grandiose title! truly, only one of her bloodline can afford one as such! but volo finds more excitement when you tell him that cynthia is just as interested in history and ruins as he is, while sharing a team thats ALMOST identical to his. a garchomp AND a spiritomb? yeah, she's his descendant, no word about it.

It would be such a funny experience fksjfj

“Oh great god, what are my descendants like? Do you know?”

And your face varies over who asks.

Cyllene asks and you just 😬

“Um… I respect you too much to lie but… he kinda tries to commit universal genocide and attempts to become a god of a new universe??”

Cyllene is deathly still.

“He what.”

You are frantically moving you hands.

“No worries! The hero stopped them in their time too!”

Cyllene slumps back in her chair.

“Is… that why they always seemed so nervous around me at first?”

“If it’s any consultation, someone here tried to do the same thing, when ironically his descendant helped the hero stop your descendant??”

She rubs her temples, clearly getting a migraine.

“Please, could you elaborate?”

“On what?”

“Everything.”

You could probably tell others too about their descendants with various reactions.

“Oh yeah, Beni’s descendant almost became champion. Dude became a powerful trainer in the future, rivaled by the eventual champion themself.”

“…”

“Was the real underdog. Sweet kid too.”

You could also do this to fuck with random people, should you desire it.

“Oh yeah! Your descendants do great thing! Until the accident.”

“The what.”

“I have to go.”

I love these ideas though 💕💕 especially telling Volo or Cogita about Cynthia, explaining she is one of the strongest, most ruthless champions across the world.

They would have an ego about it.

And I feel Komado would find some peace with his descendant being a professor. When you tell him about how the hero even knows him, he feels a bit worse though.

No wonder the hero trusted him so easily, if they knew his descendant. His act of banishing them probably hurt even more now that he knows that.

He probably now has caused his descendant strife if the hero eve returns to their time. He knows he caused damage, he just silently hopes and prays his descendant is spared from the hero’s pain.

[shyvioletcat]

ROWAELIN MONTH: DAY TWO

~ Accidents Happen ~

Welcome to the new au spawned by Rowaelin month brought to you by @rowaelinscourt. This started as a completely harebrained idea and then I thought about it some more and then couldn't stop laughing and knew I had to write it. This fic will get a few other updates throughout the month and I really hope you enjoy it.

~~~~~

Rowan had been carrying a secret around, for weeks it had been weighing on him. It was the kind that he wanted to share, but he didn’t exactly know how to. It was awkward and embarrassing and he didn’t know how to explain himself. On the flip side of the coin it was also exciting, thrilling and mildly terrifying. Being in love usually was.

The beer in front of him was meant to give him courage, and maybe it would if he could bring himself to drink more than a sip. His friends had arrived a few minutes ago and were in the process of getting their own drinks. One by one they all purchased their beverage of choice and were making their way back to the table Rowan was able to secure by arriving 15 minutes early. Lorcan led the way through the warren of tables, his huge form nearly blocking out everyone who followed behind. With their impending approach Rowan bolsted his resolve, and downed half his beer in one go. 

Then he counted, one, two, three, four, as each of his friends took their seats, the methodical thinking keeping him focused on his own tasks. The four other men were chatting about something, but with the speech Rowan was trying to form in his head he didn’t hear a thing. It wasn’t until Connal said his name that Rowan broke out of his inward trance with a shake of his head. 

“What was that?”

“I was asking how you’ve been,” Connall clarified. 

“Oh… yeah, great,” Rowan replied without enthusiasm. 

Fenrys snorted. “And you were the one who was so insistent that we meet up.”

“Maybe he just missed us,” Vaughan said. “He’s apparently been so busy that he can never ever meet up when any of us ask to do anything.”

“With what, is the question,” Lorcan added into the rim of his glass.

They were ganging up on him, they knew something was up. Rowan was cornered. He might as well get it over and done with—put an end to his delightful misery. 

“I accidentally became a sugar daddy but I’m actually in love with her.”

Stunned silence was all that he was met with for a long while. 

Eventually it was Lorcan who spoke. “You what?”

Then Fenrys started laughing and he couldn’t stop. When Rowan could bring himself to look up from his glass the expressions that he saw ranged from open shock to thinly veiled amusement, except for Lorcan who was looking at Rowan like he had lost his mind. 

“Wait, wait,” Fenrys said through incessant giggles. “Are you being serious? How did you manage that?”

Rowan sighed, took another mouthful of beer and swallowed. “Let me explain.”

~~~~~

Being the last one in the office was not uncommon for Rowan. Most often than not he found himself alone on the dark and quiet floor of this office building, putting in more hours than he was paid for. He didn’t win his cases by slacking off or doing the bare minimum. He didn’t gain the reputation of the best and most ruthless corporate lawyer in the city by doing what was required of him. No, he got that by going above and beyond to make sure he, and his company by a necessary extension, flourished. 

It cost him though. Rowan had next to no social life except for his friends that seemed to hang on no matter what. Other than that the only people he saw were his colleagues in the office. His mother was always on his case about romantic involvements, citing that she wasn’t getting any younger and she would like to see at least one grandchild before she died. Rowan told her that reminding him of her mortality was a low blow, she reminded him he worked as a lawyer so he would know all about unethical ways to get what you wanted. He reminded her that he wasn’t one of those kinds of lawyers, her response was always so non-commital. 

Feeling a tightness between his shoulder blades had Rowan straightening from the hunch he’d been holding over his desk. His spine cracked, a timely reminder of his own that the number attached to his age was steadily rising too. Maybe his mother had a point.

Thirty two wasn’t exactly old, but he wasn’t getting any younger. An outstanding career wasn’t the only thing that he wanted from life. He wanted a family of his own and sitting in an office night after night certainly wasn’t the way to get what he desired.  

Rowan’s phone lit up on the desk, and he expected the notification to be some email or text with vital case information. It was neither. Instead it was a calendar alert. 

Charity Gala Saturday 7:30. BRING A DATE.

“Oh, shit,” Rowan said, rubbing a hand over his tired face. 

The gala has been sitting in the back of his mind for weeks, but there had been more pressing things keeping him occupied. Finding a date for that had been the furthest thing from his mind. His firm was trying to land Forest Fae Toys and Games and they wanted him to appear more family friendly. Apparently his icy notoriety needed thawing and having a certain kind of friend on his arm was the key to that. 

Rowan didn’t have any female friends worth asking, all his family members looked too much like him and that would raise some uncomfortable questions. With the gala less than 24 hours away he was out of time and options, he was screwed. 

He sat there for a long while considering the best way to go about this. The stipulation of a date had been non-negotiable, Rowan knew because he had tried negotiating his way out of it. All he had received was an ultimatum—bring a date or he was off the case. And he really, really wanted this case. 

But what else could he do? He couldn’t conjure a woman into existence, he didn’t have the energy or will to go and meet someone tonight and veritably beg a stranger to attend with him. It’s not like he could hire someone.

Rowan froze. Suddenly that idea didn’t sound so preposterous. Money wasn’t a problem so he could… no. Hiring a girlfriend was not something he would stoop to. Plus, it was embarrassing that his social interactions were so low that he had to stoop to that alternative. Then again, he had to ask himself whether or not losing his chance with this client was worth it.

With a sigh, Rowan came to a bleak realisation. It wasn’t worth it. His reputation would be tarnished and he’d lose a shit-tonne of money if he couldn’t do something as simple as bring a date to an event. Unlocking his phone he tapped on his web browser and opened an incognito window. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, considering what to type. Escort services were an obvious search choice, but that seemed a little risky. Yes, he just needed a one off evening hire but if it got out if he had resorted to an escort service, and gods only knew who he might end up with. Maybe he should just accept his fate and be doomed. 

Then a conversation came back to him. A long while ago on a random night out Fenrys had made a comment about hiring a sugar baby. A someone who Rowan could pay to spend time with him, no string of extenuating effort needed—just payment. His friend had kindly been pointing out Rowan’s perpetual spinster status, but maybe he was onto something. 

Rowan spent half an hour researching the best way to find a reputable sugar baby, if there was such a thing, and settled for an app that charged an exorbitant fee. Sweet As Sugar was the name of it, and it bragged to have the best and most vetted list of sugar babies. Rowan had to upload a photo and create a profile, and then he was able to start browsing. For someone who was desperate and under the clock he probably spent far too long considering who he might hire. He just needed to pick, pay them and explain the situation.

Rowan was about to go back to his favourited list when swiped to a profile of an absolutely stunning woman. Her hair was gold, and her eyes were a shade of blue he’d never seen before. She smiled at the camera and her beauty was damn near entrancing. Celeana was the name under her photo and without even thinking it through he’d clicked on her profile and started reading. 

She was in her mid twenties and studying, she was smart not to give specifics. Celaena liked dogs, music and chocolate with hazelnuts in it. Rowan couldn’t see any apparent red flags and she was beautiful. There honestly wasn’t much else to it.

“Why the hell not,” Rowan muttered to himself and tapped on the little heart stamped envelope that would request the chat between them be opened. It was in Celeana’s court now, she would have the final decision on whether or not she would accept his offer. 

He waited and waited, long enough that his phone locked on its own. Rowan started berating himself for such a stupid idea and began considering if Sellene truly looked too much like him to pass her off as unrelated. But then his phone lit up his dark office, a notification from his newest app.

Request accepted.

~~~~~

Tags: @fucking-winchester-trash // @literary-licorice // @tangledraysofsunshine // @highqueenofelfhame // @3am-reading // @soup-that-is-too-hawt // @nalgenewhore // @http-itsrebecca // @sleep-and-books // @alifletcher2012 // @westofmoon // @sleeping-and-books // @ttakeitbacknoww // @mariamuses // @chocolate-eating-bitch-queen // @velarian-trash // @queenofxhearts //

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[richmond-rex]

For many in the Richard III Society, including Philippa Langley, Richard’s “hunchback” was a slanderous Tudor invention, and the confirmation of his scoliosis was a blow—even, for Langley, a “personal [. . .] disaster.” The excavation forced Langley and the Society to shift tack, from denying any spinal difference, to insisting that scoliosis would not have actually impaired the royal body. Langley’s excavation account describes scoliosis as a “condition, not a disability,” while the Society’s website stresses the fact that the athlete Usain Bolt also has scoliosis to demonstrate that it “doesn’t necessarily limit physical capability.” This strategy recalls a line from Josephine Tey’s 1951 Ricardian novel The Daughter of Time, in which a detective investigating the murder of the Princes in the Tower speaks to an expert who claims Richard had ‘“no visible deformity. At least, none that mattered.”’ Deformity, disability: all must be minimized, framed as “not matter[ing],” if this Richard is to be claimed by the Ricardians.

More than Richard’s moral reputation is at stake in the Society’s engagement with his skeleton. The Ricardians’ resistance to the idea of a physically impaired Richard relates to an anxiety that a disabled or visibly “othered” royal body would be incompatible with their perceptions of medieval English kingship as muscular, masculine, warlike. Langley’s excavation account characterises Richard and his “era” in terms inflected by nostalgic, romantic medievalism. If Richard was ever harsh, this was simply a product of his being a prince in a “ruthless era;” these qualities, moreover, were balanced out by his considerable martial “fortitude” and “chivalry.” The Society’s Richard is a knight, a pseudo-Arthurian defender of the realm—perhaps, recalling the popular emphasis on Richard’s death in battle, the last real fighting English king.

— Rowan Wilson, Reading the “human braille”: Discourses of Ableism and Medievalism in the Reburial of Richard III

[lorata]

I’m loving the “outsider/insider perspective” fic that’s going on re: the Games. Your Rowan and Blake, @cloversworldsblog’s bit about the outlier Victors and Alec, it’s so good and it helps add so many layers to the worldbuilding! The idea of the people who “know” (or think they do) the Games, and yet, they really don’t know everything.

For Rowan, the thing that caught me was the whole attitude about the 74th being a love story-how clearly the Centre sees that it’s just that, a story, how the rules change wasn’t ever going to last, even how Katniss was fully prepared to shoot Peeta in the end (a kind of ruthlessness Two would begrudgingly approve of). But even though they *know* it’s just an angle, the word comes down from the Capitol, and Two falls in line, parrots the storyline even though they don’t believe it.

Also, I’d love to see a story with Two’s Mentors (it would have to be Two, One is too resentful and Four is in that odd space) dealing with the outlier Districts, and just flat out telling them, “You would have done the exact same thing if you had the chance. To save your children, you would make the same choice we did, and if you deny it you’re lying.”

"You would have done the exact same thing if you had the chance" is exactly the undercurrent and the tension that plays in a lot of the mentor interactions, and I swore I wrote that precise line in a Ronan scene somewhere but I can't find it so maybe I imagined it? or maybe it's just like ............ so steeped in all the unsaid even though he's never actually said it aloud, haha

I'm really loving the discussions and interplay that's coming out of things lately as well! Chaff's "I'm nothing like him" (Alec) is incredibly damning but it IS the mystique that the Capitol -- and the Centre machine itself -- work so very hard to maintain on many different levels. D2 kids die, yes, but choose to be there. D2 victor prostitution is "different" because they choose their targets; they aren't sold, they're selling themselves. D2 victors might be disfigured or traumatized but they wanted this so they can't complain.

as someone who was around in the early 2010s and saw how the prevailing fandom attitudes were basically ... well, the above, it's really gratifying to see such rich, nuanced conversations happening around all the districts and the propaganda that goes into keeping the people divided. partly due to people growing up but even new & young fans are having these discussions, partly, i think, due to like ... world events that have happened since. a 14yo in 2012 has had a very, very different life experience than a 14yo in 2022

also just as an aside since you mentioned it, Katniss and Peeta have very different skillsets as far as the Centre is concerned and it makes for fascinating watching. Peeta has the crowd work while Katniss does not -- they point this out, that he's the one who's been giving her audience appeal, he's the one who (if he weren't bleeding to death) could have walked out with sympathy by throwing the knife away at the same time Katniss pointed the arrow, but he lacks survival skills. Katniss has a singleminded ruthlessness (in the Marco Animorphs sense, where she can see the bright, clear line from A to B) that makes survival possible, but the audience doesn't like her and she makes very little effort to do so until forced. they need each other and it was a fascinating game to analyze, from a strategy standpoint.

the trainers always assumed the rule change would be revoked at an appropriately dramatic point, but they also thought that whoever won would be a disappointment without the other as complement. a weird game to play and no clear resolution, until the kids blew the whole thing up

not one that would work for any of you, indeed

[punkassbookjockey26]

Sleight of Hand, Part 4: The Kiss

I wrote this thing in like an hour, so it's probably pretty rough. Enjoy reading! I'm glad I am able to write again.

Rating: T, Warnings: Language

-------

Another week passed, and Aelin was ready to tear her hair out.

Rowan had been at her apartment almost every night since their accidental cuddle sesh the previous Thursday. He didn’t seem to realize what had happened, or if he did, he was taking the “it never happened” route. Which was fine by her. After all, he was the one who wanted to be friends, and friends didn’t have sleepovers that involved cuddling.

But for the past week, it became clear that whatever “just friends” meant to the both of them were two wildly different definitions, and it was slowly driving her mad. He texted her first thing in the morning to tell her he hoped she had a good day at work and punctuated that same workday with jokes, comments, or other silly things that inevitably led them down a rabbit hole of discussion. In the evenings, they watched movies, dissected TV shows, talked about their favorite books, and he even managed to teach her a card game that was somehow more ruthless than ERS.

Aelin couldn’t remember the last time she had so much fun with someone who wasn’t Lysandra and didn’t think she ever had this much fun with a member of the opposite sex. Too often, they were trying to get into her pants to really want to talk about her interests. Still, she and Rowan had settled into a casual intimacy more befitting of a long-term friendship than the brief companionship they had found in each other.

It pissed her off to no end.

They shared so many of the same interests. They could talk for hours, waxing poetic about the intricacies of their favorite books and the utter shit that some critically acclaimed movies were – their only constraint was time, and even then, he would pick conversations back up almost immediately when they were both awake and ready.  

In addition to the ease of their conversations, there had been the touching. So much touching. The soft grazes on her legs when they sat in bed to watch a movie; the hugs he mentioned that he hated but seemed to dole out to her at a whim; the casual grasping of her hands, her legs, her feet, her whatever body part he could get a hand on. Nothing salacious, but every time he brushed against her skin, Aelin couldn’t help the want that bloomed imperiously in her body.

The past week had been excruciating. Aelin felt on edge, torn between running away from him, knowing that devastation lay waiting in the wings, or confronting him about the confusing nature of their relationship, only to get rejected again. Aelin had been all ready to shut down her crush on him. She could respect the boundary he set – nothing said he was required to pursue a relationship with her, even if the feelings were mutual. She had worked hard to ensure she had her heart eyes under control when he was around. But Rowan had the complete and utter audacity to be charming, funny, gorgeous, and totally into her, even if he wasn’t interested in furthering their relationship.

She never stood a chance.

And really, if she spent longer than five seconds thinking about it, the whole situation scared her shitless. Here she was again, careening headfirst into a level of infatuation that was frankly insane. She shouldn’t have been surprised – it was her MO when it came to guys and dating, but she figured after the shit with Chaol that she would have been more discerning. Apparently, all it takes is for a guy to treat her with the slightest modicum of respect, and she was a goner.

That thought plagued her every time she opened his text thread, or he stopped by her apartment. What she had already felt for Rowan had eclipsed her supposed feelings for Chaol, and she had stayed with him for almost two years. All she could see was the end of the summer and the soul-wrenching pain of heartbreak. But she couldn’t stop herself. She found herself obsessing over the slight touches, the warmth of his body radiating into her as they sat next to each other on her bed, the infectious way he made her laugh, and the smiles he seemed to save just for her. It had only been two weeks since he slammed that wall down between them, but to Aelin, it had felt like a lifetime had stretched between them during those two weeks. He made her feel so much that it was already hard enough to walk away at the end of the summer. But right now? Even with self-preservation on the line, she couldn’t make herself do it.

Which was why she found herself standing at the door to his apartment that Friday evening. He had texted her earlier to let her know that his roommates were heading out of town for the weekend, and he had the whole place to himself if she wanted to stop by for a movie marathon. Aelin surmised that he probably didn’t intend the suggestive tone she read from his message, but heat had spread quickly throughout her body at the thought of being truly alone with him. She had her own room that allowed for some privacy, of course, but she was never without company in her apartment, not with the scores of friends who had unfettered access to her home.

Her skin prickled in anticipation as she knocked on the door. She shivered when the breeze brushed over her, definitely due to nerves; Rifthold was experiencing one of the hottest summers on record, so whatever wind was just as warm and sticky as the night that surrounded her. She heard the shuffling of footsteps from inside, a lock that thunked into place, and the whine of older hinges as the door opened in front of her.

Rowan smiled at her brightly, that smile that seemed to be only for her. Aelin hadn’t seen him interact with many people to know if there was a difference between what he gave to them versus what he saved for her, but she had the impression that smiles for him were rare. She savored those smiles. They were precious and, in her mind, meant only for her.

“Hey, Ae,” Rowan said warmly. She swore her heart fluttered at that single-syllable utterance. Two weeks, and he already had a nickname for her. Took Chaol several months into their relationship before he called her anything other than Aelin. Just another obvious tell that Chaol had not been right for her. Rowan’s presence in her life put all of Chaol’s shortfalls on blast, and she may as well have been keeping a running tally every time a new one popped up.

“Hey, yourself.” Aelin found herself returning his smile with a grin of her own and didn’t wait before entering his apartment. It wasn’t as spartan as she had expected – she had seen the interiors of some apartments with nothing but a chair and a TV – but the furniture was sparse, making the transient nature of its tenants obvious. A single couch lay against the wall opposite a TV on what appeared to be a rickety stand. A foldout tray stood beside it, holding up the latest gaming system. It was functional, but it was also evident that Rowan had never intended to put down any roots.

Swallowing the lump that rose unbidden in her throat, she turned back to Rowan. “You mentioned a movie marathon. What are we watching tonight?”

Rowan brushed a hand behind his head, that same nervous tick she had noticed from the beginning. “How do you feel about westerns?”

Aelin tried to avoid making a face, but it was almost instantaneous. Westerns were decidedly not her favorite thing, but they were obviously something that Rowan enjoyed. She knew she had misstepped the second his grin melted away into embarrassment, and he immediately started backpedaling.

“We don’t have to watch them,” he said sheepishly. “We can watch something else instead.”

“No, Rowan,” Aelin stepped towards him, laying her hand on his arm. The heat of his skin scorched her palm, and she felt him take a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry for making a face just now; I wasn’t trying to make any decisions or make you feel bad. What movies did you have in mind?”

Rowan’s demeanor brightened a bit at the concession. “You’ve heard of The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, right?”

Aelin rolled her eyes. “Well, of course. I think everyone has.”

“Did you know it’s actually the third movie in a trilogy?”

She was surprised, even though there really was no reason for her to be. She didn’t watch Westerns, so why would she know it was part of a trilogy? She only knew of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly by name.

At her silence, Rowan continued to talk. “It is arguably the best movie in the trilogy, and obviously the most well-known, but The Man with No Name has many stories to tell.”

Aelin started. “I’m sorry, the who?”

Rowan chuckled at her. “Let’s start at the beginning.”

---

Three hours later, Aelin felt herself dozing. They had gotten through A Fistful of Dollars with little fanfare and immediately started For a Few Dollars More. But the second movie was almost twice as long as the first, and while she hadn’t hated the experience so far, it was a bit of a stretch for her to say that she was actively enjoying the movies.

Rowan, on the other hand, sat rapt next to her, his eyes never moving away from the screen. He mainly had been quiet throughout the first movie, only focusing on her when she had a question regarding the plot. Aelin could tell that this was one of his favorites, so she made sure never to give the impression that she disliked it, but after pausing the movie and declaring a need for a break, she found herself curious about something.

“So why Westerns?” Aelin asked. He was wearing a faded Nirvana t-shirt and another pair of ratty jeans. She was pretty sure the shoes next to the door were a beat-up pair of Chuck Taylors. Everything about him screamed alternative, so the Western thing was a bit surprising.

Rowan had paused for a moment, thinking. “My uncle loves them.”

Rowan took a deep breath, almost as if to calm himself down. Aelin prompted him to continue.

“My parents passed away when I was eight years old,” Rowan said quietly. “My dad had a heart attack when he was still young, and my mother followed soon after, consumed with grief.”

Aelin felt the tears welling up. “Oh, Rowan, I’m so sorry.”

Rowan waved his hand noncommittally, but it was evident that he still felt their deaths strongly, even years later.

“Afterward, I went to live with my uncle and my cousins. I have so many of them; having another child in the midst didn’t seem out of place. He watched Westerns whenever he had a chance. When I missed my parents or didn’t want to be around my cousins, I sought him out, and we would watch them together. He is a huge fan of the John Wayne ones, but his favorite is Once Upon a Time in the West. The director, Sergio Leone, also made the movies we’re watching, effectively creating the whole ‘spaghetti western’ sub-genre.”

Aelin wrinkled her nose. “What’s a spaghetti western?”

Rowan laughed. “Literally speaking, they're Western movies made by Italian directors,” he started. “But also as an antithesis to the traditional US Western. Most US Westerns depict a conflict between an incorruptible hero and a diabolical villain. Spaghetti Westerns turn that tradition on its head and are categorized by their rougher, bloodier, and more violent nature. You see that Clint Eastwood’s character isn’t a good guy, right? But he is still very much the protagonist of these movies.”

Aelin thought about the movie for a moment. She supposed that even if the film wasn’t her thing, she could appreciate the storytelling aspect of having a flawed anti-hero as the protagonist.

Aelin turned and smiled back at Rowan. “If Once Upon a Time in the West is your Uncle’s favorite, what is yours?”

Without a beat, Rowan responded. “Also Once Upon a Time in the West.”

“Well, why aren’t we watching that one instead?”

“Because,” he stated. “It’s an almost three-hour movie, and if you’re already fading this much with just A Fistful of Dollars under your belt, you’d never last.”

“I am not fading,” Aelin said indiginantly.

“Sure, you definitely weren’t dozing the twenty minutes before you called for a break.” Rowan’s eyes twinkled in the dim light, his joy illuminated by the TV screen. They commenced in a staring contest, neither one backing down from their asserted position. Time seemed to still in that moment, and Aelin felt like she was drowning in the warmth radiating from his emerald green eyes.

Moments passed before Rowan spoke again, this time softly, and Aelin might have missed it if she hadn’t already been so free with the attention she gave.

“Thank you.”

The soft comment broke her from her daze. “What are you thanking me for?”

“For watching them with me. I know it’s not your thing; your face spoke volumes earlier. But I still appreciate your willingness to watch them with me just because they’re my favorite.”

Aelin felt emotion swell inside, her face splitting into a wide grin. “Of course, Rowan. I want to learn about what makes you who you are.”

“Well, in that case…what is your favorite movie?”

Aelin chuckled. “We’re not answering questions about me right now.”

Whatever shadows had lingered in his eyes from his earlier conversation had cleared, and only a mischievous gleam remained. “But part of what makes me who I am is an insatiable need to know more about you. I actually can’t believe we’ve spent most of the last week watching movies, and this topic never came up once.”

Aelin smiled softly at his antics but quickly sobered as she noticed he was still expecting an answer to his question. “You’re going to laugh.”

“I absolutely will not,” Rowan said, crossing his finger over the left side of his chest. “Cross my heart.”

She sighed deeply before resigning herself to whatever happens.“It’s Beauty and the Beast.”

A deep laugh burst out of Rowan’s chest, and Aelin scowled at him. Chaol had done the same thing, and she supposed it left a sting behind.

“I swear, I’m not laughing at you. Okay, maybe I am, but only because you thought I would laugh at you for liking the first animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.”

“Okay, maybe it’s not that embarrassing, but plenty of people have made me feel bad for enjoying a “kid’s movie” so much.” Chaol for sure had, preferring the over-the-top artsy crap that was always in the running for awards.

Rowan immediately stopped laughing and looked at her somberly. “Well, those people are dicks and wouldn’t know good cinema if it bit them in the ass.”

---

Rowan had pressed play on the movie not too shortly after their conversation, but Aelin couldn’t recall much of what had happened. She had tried to stay awake, but the stress of the week and the film that was most definitely not working for her led to her falling asleep. When she woke, the soft grayish light was peeking through the blinds in the living room, letting her know that it was still very early in the morning.

She and Rowan had fallen asleep on the couch together, it appeared. And much like the week before, Rowan had wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her into his body. She marveled at how well they fit together, that even though she was definitely on the tall side, he was still that much taller and broader than she was. She fit perfectly under his chin.

But unlike last week, she had difficulty extricating herself from his arms. She was comfortable, surrounded everywhere by his warmth and that pine/snow scent radiating off him in waves. It made her think of home, of Oakwald forest where she would play with other members of her family who had been lost to time, illness, and more. The forest was so close to the Staghorn mountains that when the wind would come in from the mountaintops, it mixed delightfully with the lush pine scent of the trees.

She would only allow herself a few moments of snuggling, but then she would work on removing herself from his arms again. She got lucky last week in sparing themselves the embarrassment, but she didn’t think she would be so lucky this time.

And she wasn’t. The second she turned her head away from the window, her eyes met a set of green in the dimly lit space. Her breath hitched. Aelin wasn’t sure how Rowan would handle being caught in this compromising situation, and she didn’t really want to stick around to find out.

However, neither of them moved. They both lay entwined, breathing each other in. The couch was not deep, and if not for how close they were laying, Aelin likely would have ended up on the floor at some point in the night. Rowan’s hold on her waist seemingly tightened around her, and Aelin swore he could feel the thunderous beat of her heart against his chest.

It could have been seconds or minutes that they lay there looking at each other, seemingly unwilling to move from this protective haven of warmth and comfort. And just as Aelin decided to remove herself, Rowan reached his hand to cup her cheek.

His palm was warm against her face, his thumb swiping across her cheekbone so softly that Aelin wasn’t entirely sure it was happening. Rowan’s fingers twined with the hair coming loose from the ponytail she wore last night as his gaze turned into something molten that caused a fire to spark to life inside her.

Before she could ask him what he was doing, Rowan leaned forward and placed a soft kiss against her mouth.

It wasn’t anything more than a chaste peck, and it was over before she even fully registered that it happened, but Aelin jumped in his arms at the touch, and without his arm around her, she started falling off the couch.

Rowan immediately shifted, trying to keep her from sliding off the edge, only to end up on the floor in the ensuing scuffle. Rowan’s hand cradled the back of her head as if he were trying to prevent a head injury in the half foot or so she fell to the floor. The other was wrapped tightly around her waist, and with the added bonus of gravity, Aelin could feel all of Rowan’s weight deliciously on top of her.

They both stared wide-eyed at each other – Rowan’s were mixed with a level of surprise and concern, whereas she was confident that hers were just surprised by the unfolding of events that occurred. A moment passed. Another. A third one before Rowan finally put them out of their misery.

His lips pressed against hers once again.

This one was not the chaste kiss from mere moments ago. This one had a hunger to it that left Aelin breathless. She registered his soft, firm, demanding mouth against hers and moved hers in whatever way he directed. She felt the soft slide of his tongue against her lips, and she gladly allowed him entrance to her mouth. Their tongues sensually moved against each other, and his hands tightened around her waist. He had pulled her fully against him, not that there was anywhere else to go between his hard body and the floor. Not that Aelin even wanted to move.

The rational part of her said that they needed to stop and talk about what was actively transpiring at that moment. But the other part of her brain was content to keep this boy in her arms for as long as possible.

Rowan had moved from her mouth down the column of her neck, placing little nips in the sensitive skin before trailing back up and doing it all over again. Aelin carded her fingers through the soft hair at the nape of his neck, the same spot he went to when he was nervous. He sure didn’t seem nervous now. In fact, Rowan seemed completely capable of kissing away the breath in her lungs.

But as he nibbled down her neck, she couldn’t help asking. “Rowan, what are you doing?”

“Kissing you” was the only smart-alec response he got from the man currently ravishing her.

“But…what about…,” Aelin drew in a sharp breath as Rowan found a particularly erogenous zone right at the base of her neck, where it met her collar bone. Aelin attempted to stifle the moan that slid up through her throat, but she was not entirely successful. She heard Rowan groan in response as he continued to place sucking kisses against her sensitive skin.

Aelin tried again to get his attention. “Rowan…I’m-…we’re not supposed to be doing this.”

Only then did Rowan stop. He pulled back from her throat, his arms braced against her head as he stared down at her. She watched as he licked his lips as if savoring the taste of her mouth inside his, and she practically melted right into the floor.

Never in her wildest dreams had a man look at her the way Rowan looked at her then. Like she was fierce and passionate, a warrior, but also someone capable of taking his breath away. He sighed, reluctantly relenting just a tiny bit of space to say his piece.

“We can do whatever we like. And you’re right; we probably shouldn’t. But now that I’ve started this, I can’t seem to stop.”

It didn’t hurt her ego to hear him say that. She had practically been in a whirlwind of emotion for the past week, analyzing and reanalyzing their interactions, and it was nice to hear that he had been experiencing a similar kind of hell.

“We can be friends who kiss, right?” Aelin asked tentatively. She didn’t want to do it, but she also knew that this would only ever be a summer fling, so if she wanted him, she needed to meet him where he was and be okay with what happened after.

She didn’t have to wait long. Rowan quickly returned to what he was doing before she interrupted him. He even responded to the question she asked about friends who kiss. However, despite the shiny golden light unfurling within her like a newborn star, his response to her question left an ominous sense of dread in its wake.

“We can be friends who kiss, but I still have to leave at the end of the summer."

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

Tagging those who might still be interested in this ancient fossil of a fic:

@highqueenofelfhame @shyvioletcat @westofmoon @whimsicallyreading @morganofthewildfire @mariamuses @1islessthan3books @superspiritfestival @jesstargaryenqueen @chieflemming @swankii-art-teacher @rowaelinismyotp @booknerdproblems

[bonefall]

I wanted to ask something queer because it’s pride month but I can’t think of anything… do you have any queer bb rewrite stuff to talk about?

HERE, have a queer jumble of a bunch of the gay changes in BB;

As far back as DOTC, Thunder Storm was transmasc. His childhood best friend is also his lover; Lightning Cry.

There is a third gender in Clan Culture; Meewa. Gray Wing was Meewa and to this day, the role is associated with parenthood and wisdom.

Bumble and Turtle Heart were mates.

The Clanmew parental terms are decoupled from gender; the Mi is the primary parent, a Ba is a secondary.

For an example; Breezepelt is the Mi of his litters, Harestar and Heathertail were both Ba.

In Clanmew, Harestar had so many Ys in his warrior name (Yywayayiaoyyr) that Breezepelt got the kits to call him Yya.

Bluestar was queer. She had strange relationships with almost everything personal, but the only thing that matters is how much she LOVED her friends and how far she would go for them

The entire Forget-me-not friend group was queer in some ways.

And Bluestar’s friend Rosetail, turns out she's aromantic!

She loves romance, matchmaking, but eventually realized she doesn't like being in one. She just likes the idea a lot.

So of course Thistleclaw was PISSED when his sister claimed Queen’s Rights and adamantly refused to name a father.

She matched up her son Redtail with Runningwind, I like to think she was a very "when am i getting grandkits" kind of mom

Redtail was trans, but also gave birth to his children. That was Sandstorm and Longtail.

Redtail's transness was why Bluestar gave Dustpaw to him, she could see that Dust was working something out and hoped that Red would help

Dustpelt is genderqueer! He doesn't conform to the expectations of toms for his society; construction is largely a molly activity.

One-eye was a legendary builder in her time. It was a high honor when she came out of retirement to mentor him, when she was nearly 20 years old no less!

Cinderpelt was a lesbian, but there wasn't really anyone in the Clan she was interested in. Meh.

I do want to write a little scene where she goes to BloodClan to learn about mobility devices to help Wildfur, and has an AWOOGA moment at Cody

Leafpool and Mothwing are in love with each other, and look forward to every meeting. But they serve their Clans above all. The yearning.

I am very partial to Daisy x Squirrelflight, loooong in the future, after Squirrelflight has found fulfillment in her family and mentorships.

Conversely the untapped potential of Spiderleg x Bramblestar is unmatched. Nightmare husbands, this is the funniest thing I've ever heard of

Heartbreaking! the worst people you know have gotten gay married

Brokenstar and Runningnose were so gay I don't even have words for it, there's homosexual and then there's whatever the hell is going on over there

"My childhood best friend is a manifested curse and I would do anything for him, so I dedicated my whole life to becoming a more ruthless and brutal asset to serve his wants and desires, rejecting the stars and walking into the netherworld with glee, and only finding that it is hell because he isn't there. When you look between us, it's impossible to tell which of us was the monster, and which was the man, and yet I have never made a choice that I wouldn't make again."

Blackstar was aromantic! Russetfur was his lifelong best friend and partner, her death devastated him

He had flings and friends with benefits, though. Specifically, he's homosexual/aromantic.

Russetfur was gay too, I'm not sure if she ever had a wife though

I haven't drawn her yet but I see her as butch. Also she had large eyebrows.

Rowanclaw, honor sired for Newtspeck, was transtom

His apprentice, Talonclaw, survived the mauling because Smokefall did not die in the mountain this time around! They had a summer wedding

Irony struck when Rowan's kid Tigerheart also ended up being trans, but transmolly

Funny coincidence that everyone around Rowan ends up being queer

Tigerheart, who later becomes Heartstar, was in love with Dovewing from the moment they were apprentices on the Beaver Quest, before she even hatched

Dovewing dated Bumblestripe, even choosing him and ThunderClan over the instability of running off with Tigerheart

But when she got pregnant she SKEDADDLED

Lightleap and Shadowsight are biologically Bumble's, but Heartstar adopted them immediately

Heartstar is incredibly smug about this. "My wife. My kids. Cry about it"

Ivypool went through something similar, in a pretty bad relationship with Blossomfall and eventually getting with Fernsong

Only Fernsong is NOT smug, he's an ex-kittypet who joined during ThunderClan's Tempest and BOY HOWDY did he not want to make waves

But now he's dating the deputy's grandchild (thru Lionblaze), has an angry Blossomfall on his ass, and.... it's worth it lmao, have you seen his wife? Marvelous

He is the Mi of the children, this is the life for him

Thriftear and Plumstone are gay

Over in RiverClan, Hawkfrost and Reedwhisker were an item and were going to get serious... but then, well. Hawkfrost went through TNP and ended up dead.

In SkyClan, Violetshine, Dragonfly, and Tree are a polycule

I'm not quite sure what's going on with Echosong, Leafstar, and Billystorm. But Leaf and Billy are together, and I think Leaf has a thing with Echo. But Echo and Billy are not together, and Echo isn't involved with the kittens.

This isn't a queer thing but Sharptooth's wife Cherrytail was spayed. I think Hawkwing and co were surrogated by Echosong, but I'm not sure yet

But I do know that Cherry did not birth those kittens

Over in WindClan, I combined Jake and Sparrow into one character. Tallstar’s Collapse is reworked into Talltail traveling around with him and his group, until ultimately, he realizes it's not that easy to leave his Clan behind

I want to approach it as a tragedy, that he couldn't stay somewhere he was truly loved and happy

He was raising kids with Jake, two orphans they found. One of them followed him, even though he tried to tell him to stay with Jake and his sibling

That kid becomes Flytail, and then Flylight as an honor title

Sunstrike and Furzepelt are gay, and Furze is going to be an AVOS save thanks to Brushblaze, Breezepelt, Harestar, Heathertail, Crowfeather, and two more cats I haven't picked yet

Speaking of Brushblaze, Leo is an ex-BloodClan trader who joined WindClan to be with Onewhisker

It fell apart and he's been bitter about it ever since

Onestar is a disaaaaaaaster

He had a fling with Firestar before Fire realized he was aromantic, and it never would have worked anyway since Firestar was leading a clan

He always had an excuse for why he wasn't doing PDA with Brush, but while he was going through apprenticeship (despite being a qualified adult cat, very frustrating) Onewhisker was seeing Smoke

I kinda just want to remove Onewhisker having Whitetail as a mate entirely, I already fixed the apprenticeship thing but I kinda just like him having someone honor dam for him and he raised Heathertail alone

And lastly, Firestar

Firestar is totally aromantic.

He honor sired Sandstorm's kittens and raised them with her, because she is a deeply reliable friend and ally. They're in a QPR!

There's definitely a couple I missed (toadnettlepool, Sedgecreek x Greenflower) but that's enough for now

[legacyshenanigans]

You know what fascinates me?

How I've made Marvolo and Rowan ruthless killers...But like, with ✨️fun sides✨️

And we all just gloss over and forgive the fact that they kill people. 🤣🤣

[noveldivergence]

Rowan Foxx-Delgado is, on the surface, a stay-at-home mommy blogger who has her own courses she sells about everything from parenting to influencing to coding to programming. Not that she needs to work--she's married to Vesper Delgado after all, who has more money from both his parents than most could ever imagine.

Under the surface, the MIT-grad operates the cult of shadow's digital footprint, managing all of the finances and more. She's far more ruthless than people give her credit for.

[photo reference was Kat McNamara]

Click here to learn more about The Apostates universe and see more of my art.

[slowpress]

CROWNS Context:

“Ruled by Maeve and her two sisters, whom they called Mora and Mab.

GOLD

Cunning Mora, who bore the shape of a great hawk.

Canon: We haven't seen Mora's crown outside of TOG

radiant crown of golden spikes—the rays of the sun,

Canon: Helions Crown Canon: Gave up her immortality for a mortal man

In Terrasen, child Aelin had a gold crown, gold and stags symbol of terrasen. Antler crown (burned to ash) stag + flame is mala Avallen has throne of Stags. Rowan's line is of Mora. Assumed: Mala, the gold crown that Feyre wears ch39 MAF

radiant crown of golden spikes—the rays of the sun,

Helions' Crown in WAR

SILVER

Fair Mab, who bore the shape of a swan.

Canon: Mab, who gave up her immortality, crowned a goddess when she died & renamed as Deanna, lady of the Hunt, Aelin's greatgrandmother, the moon, hounds, healing powers, shifting powers,little folk, crown 'silver, pearl, and diamond fashioned into upswept swan wings'

Assumed: Trapped by Koschei / Meave

BLACK

And the dark Maeve, whose wildness could not be contained by any single form.

Maeve… A warrior, rumor claimed, had stolen her heart with his clever mind and pure soul. But he had died in some long-ago war and lost the ring he’d intended for her, and since then, Maeve had cherished her warriors above all others. They loved her for it—made her a mighty queen.

A portrait of a ruthless, cunning ruler who could conquer the world if she wished, but instead kept to her forest realm of Doranelle.”

Assumed: the raven crown rhys wears is Meaves

BRONZE

Canon: Mala, sun goddess, light bringer, sister & sometimes rival to Deanna. Forged Athril's ring

Brannon (fire) and Athril (dearest friend to brannon) went to get the keys from Valg. Meave killed both. Anthill made ring to halt Valg power, and Goldryn.

Assumed: Mala is Mora

STARS

Canon: The Witches crown

Assumed: Rhys also has the witches crown of stars, ch42 MAF

IRON

Canon: Bluebood witches crown, barbed. On forehead. Iron wood = witches broomsticks Iron wood bed that the Archerons were born on Assumed: Like Hunts crown of thorns?

FLOWERS

Canon: Tamlins & the little people's crown MOON Crown

crafted of silver and diamond, all fashioned into swirls of stars and various phases of the moon. Its arching apex held aloft a crescent moon of solid diamond, flanked by two exploding stars.

Feyre's crown in WAR

[nikethestatue]

Antis have this “explanation “ that elriel won’t happen because lucien and gwyn will end alone and sjm likes happy endings. First that’s a kindergarten level reason. Second lucien could end with vassa and third What part of the books hints that gwyn is ready for romance? I understand I like gwyn and I want her to be happy and I will love for her to find love one day but her arc was not about that on acosf. The only valkyrie other than nesta that was hinted to have a romantic interest was emerie because she blush when she saw mor. Gwyn went back to the library I don’t think love is her priority right now. I totally believe we will see more of her in future books but that’s it.

At the end of the day antis could be right only sjm knows but Sjm would have to write a really good explanation of all those eriel hints.

Yes, firstly, it's an extremely juvenile reasoning 'everyone has to end up with a love interest', but also, it's not true and SJM is often very ruthless with side characters actually.

(LOTS OF TOG AND CC SPOILERS BELOW)

A couple of other things:

Main characters don't end up with secondary characters. It's determined pretty early one who is going to be one of the mains, and then 'mains-mains' and it's always like that.

There are 6 main characters in ACOTAR: 3 sisters and 3 bat boys. It's about them.

Lucien is always a supporting character, from day one, and he will end up with a secondary character such as Vassa and not an Archeron sister. Same with Elain--she is not going to end up with someone like Jurian, who is present, but is a secondary character.

Same happened with Aelin, for example. Rowan was set up as a main early on, once he was introduced. He wasn't a friend of a friend, or whatever. But, Fenrys WAS a friend of a friend (namely a friend of Rowan's) and that's why, despite everything, and arguably, you could say that Fenrys and Aelin were incredibly close and went through hell together, she still ended up with Rowan, and not Fenrys.

And guess what--Fenrys, despite his importance, fan popularity and beauty, in fact, did end up without a LI.

I think another good example is Asterin--if we compare Asterin to Gwyn, Asterin was also a warrior, a friend to a major character (Manon, one of the mains), has a horrible backstory and in the end, she was killed.

Sorscha, another secondary character was killed as well. I mean, we can go on and on, secondary characters (even very beloved ones) get killed off frequently--Gavriel, Danika, Connor, and even in relationships such as Dorian x Manon, and Lorcan x Elide, there is an element of sadness, since we know that Manon is immortal and Dorian isn't, and Lorcan would become mortal for Elide.

I think that there are perfectly 'sacrificable' characters in ACOTAR, and we are long overdue for some deaths. I feel that some would include:

Helion

Eris

Gwyn

LOA

Mor or Amren

Tarquin

Varian

Tamlin

Clotho

Jurian

I think that Lucien is PROBABLY safe, because he has a story attached to him.

Gwyn doesn't really have a story, other than maybe being a LS and being a Valkyrie, but that doesn't mean she is safe.

SJM killed off the Suriel and the Bone Carver, and we have very few truly secondary characters left, so I wouldn't get too confident.

I think the only ones truly safe are the Bat Boys and the Archeron Girls.

[goddess-aelin]

Little Did I Know

Chapter 13- The End, The New Beginning

Masterlist | LDIK Masterlist

Word Count: 3k

Warnings: none!

The days following the almost-wedding ceremony had been a whirlwind of activity. Since she was now officially set to take the throne, the Lords turned to her for more matters than ever, asking for her opinion on small things like colors of tablecloths for the coronation to the bigger things like moving funding to a specific charity. To say Aelin was overwhelmed would have been an understatement.

On top of it all, Arobynn’s trial had been scheduled for just a few days following the attack. She had never been put into a position to dole out punishment like this before and it certainly wasn’t something she enjoyed doing, even if the turdish ex-lord deserved it. 

Aedion, Lysandra, and Elide were by her side through it all. Aedion, her trusty advisor and protector, just as he’d always been. Lysandra, the voice of reason that came with a surprisingly sharp tongue. And Elide, sweet Elide, who on the surface looked like a quiet, gentle ruler, yet was the most cunning and ruthless of them all. The four of them together made up what would be her main court, her most trusted advisors. There was just one thing missing. Or one person. 

The days following the ceremony, Aelin hadn’t seen Rowan since he slipped out amongst the chaotic aftermath of Arobynn’s arrest. She didn’t know what to make of it. She thought that she was worth more to him than cheaply fleeing. She didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to him after their departure. And when she made her way to his room two days later, they were sparse. When Aelin questioned the maid cleaning the room, she simply replied that the Prince had left for Doranelle. 

Maybe it was better this way, she thought. Maybe it would hurt less if they didn’t linger. Maybe she wouldn’t be prompted to blurt something that she probably shouldn’t.

But all those maybes didn’t make her feel any better. Missing Rowan was like missing a limb. Her realization that she loved him came at the most inopportune time, directly before she called off their wedding and he fled. She was proud of herself for being selfless and putting him first. He could marry who he wanted, he could move where he wanted. He could be free. He was no longer shackled to her.

That didn’t make the fire that was eating away at her insides hurt any less when she thought of Rowan going back to his lover in Doranelle. While she was trying to be a selfless person, she could still admit that she was wholly jealous. The feeling was unwelcome, burning her stomach and occupying space in her thoughts that she didn’t have room for. Her focus needed to be on her kingdom, on a peaceful transition of power, not on puppy love that lasted a few short months. 

Who was she kidding? What she felt for Rowan was more than puppy love. 

She tried to put on a brave face, smiling when she needed to and laughing when she knew something should’ve been funny. Yet she knew that Lysandra and Elide could see right through her facade. She knew her smiles didn’t reach her eyes, her laughs hollow. None of the warmth that Rowan brought into her life was there anymore. 

Time. It would just take time. That’s what she told herself. She was in love with the man, for the Gods’ sakes. She wasn’t expecting to snap out of that in a few days. 

It was the Thursday after the wedding debacle when she finally had a chance to breathe. She felt stuck in a never ending circle of council meetings and the lords ambushing her to butter her up so she would be on their side of whatever debate they were trying to win. To be alone and breathing in the cool air on the balcony attached to her room was an absolute gift. Here she could just be Aelin. She could breathe without feeling the pressure of the crown and she could bask in the beauty of Terrasen. 

Down time, however, also meant room for an idle mind. And her idle mind always led to thoughts of him. As she watched the sky turn from blue to golden-streaked hues of pink, Aelin wondered what Rowan was doing. Was he looking out of his window watching the night sky? Were his thoughts turning to her just as hers always were of him? Out of all the things she hoped for, she hoped most of all that he was happy. 

She started humming a tune, one that she couldn’t place the name of but was sure her mother used to sing to her when she was a child. The song was slow and meaningful, yet held an undertone of melancholy. How fitting. She allowed her humming to take over through memory alone, a slight sway to her body carrying her away from time and space, the wind brushing past her skin, her dance partner. The melody was a mournful ode to a lost lover. A lost almost lover. A goodbye. 

As the final notes left her lips, Aelin sighed, taking in the quickly darkening sky, as a single tear rolled down her cheek. 

“Fireheart.” Her nickname was murmured so low, she almost didn’t hear it. But what a beautiful sound it was. 

With a sharp intake of breath, she turned around slowly, eyebrows raised to her hairline and eyes wide, not understanding why he was there. How? The setting sun illuminated half of his face in brilliant purples and pinks. She thought he had never looked so beautiful. 

“Fireheart,” he repeated lowly. She swore his voice cracked, emotion hoarse in his throat. 

Swallowing thickly, she forced herself to reply. “Rowan?” Her voice was little more than a breath of air. “What are you doing here?” 

“I’m here to see you.” A non-answer. 

“What…Why…I—” She paused to gather her thoughts, breathing deeply. “I thought you went back to Doranelle?”

“I did,” he replied as he began stalking his way toward her. Step by step, he came closer and her breath got shallower and shallower. Could he be- no. She would not get her hopes up. Of course he was just here to say goodbye, to collect his things. Not to confess his undying love for her. 

She tried to school her voice so it contained less emotion than the bursts of it she was feeling inside her chest. “Then why are you here? If you forgot something, we surely could’ve just shipped it to you or something. And your horse, I know that we could have secured passage for him.” Aelin knew she was rambling but she couldn’t help her racing thoughts.

“Aelin, breathe.” His hands came up to cup her cheeks now that he was right in front of her. “I did go back to Doranelle. But I went back just to get my affairs in order.” He paused and took a deep breath. “Because somewhere in the last few months, Terrasen has become my home. Its future Queen is one of the most selfless and amazing people I’ve ever met. And if she’ll have me, I would like to move here and serve her in any way that I can. It would be an honor to be a part of this court.” He paused before adding, “The court that will change the world.” His brilliant smile illuminated the dying light of the sunset. 

Aelin felt tears starting to swell in her eyes. He was truly here to stay?

“But what about your family? And Lyria?” She looked away from him, shaking her head, fearing his answer to her next statement. “You deserve to be with the woman you love.” 

Rowan leaned his head toward hers, keeping his gentle yet steadfast touch on her face, and bringing his forehead to meet hers. It felt like ages until he spoke again. “I am right where I want to be, where I need to be. With my best friend, my Queen, the other half of my soul. I’m already with the woman I love. You, Fireheart. I love you.” 

Aelin couldn’t help the sob that escaped her at his words. His beautiful, beautiful words. The ones that she swore she waited her whole life to hear- just from him. 

It seemed like Rowan was getting good at wiping the tears off of her face. She didn’t think she’d ever cried in front of anyone as much as she had with Rowan the past few months. Yet every time that she felt like she was falling apart, he was there with those damn thumbs to put her back together, one wiped tear at a time. 

When she was all out of tears, she slowly turned her face up to his. He was so, so beautiful. So beautiful and perfect that it took her breath away. But she needed her breath to say what she wanted to say next. 

“I love you, too.” 

The smile that crossed Rowan’s face at her words, well, she didn’t think she had ever seen anything as dazzling or flawless. She felt his smile, not only against her forehead as he placed a gentle kiss between her brows, but inside, in her soul. It was as if a puzzle piece had been fitted into a part of her heart she didn’t even know was missing. 

She felt the more sturdy press of his hands against her cheeks and the back of her neck, tilting her head towards his. She knew what was coming next yet she wasn’t sure that anything could have prepared her for the elation she felt when Rowan’s lips touched her own. As her heart was beating rapidly, her face heating, and butterflies erupting throughout her entire body, the only word that made its way to her mind was finally. 

Kissing Rowan felt like coming home. And after weeks of almost-kisses and interruptions, she finally was able to experience it in all its beautiful and mind-numbing glory. The peck she gave him after calling off the wedding was nothing compared to feeling the soft press of his lips against hers, feeling the heat of his body through their clothing like this, his tongue sweeping across her own. She couldn’t even think further about how it would feel to have him inside her, their bodies and souls melding as one, for fear of her entire body combusting.   

Their breathing was heavy when they finally pulled away; seconds, minutes, hours later. Aelin couldn’t be sure of the time just as she couldn’t be sure she wasn’t dreaming. Because everything she was experiencing was right out of one of her beloved romance novels. 

“Does that mean I can stay?” Rowan broke the silence with a hushed murmur. 

Aelin lightly smacked his arm, knowing he was joking but finding it not funny all the same. “Of course you can stay, you dumb buzzard.” He chuckled.

“I missed you.” Rowan’s voice took on a serious tone. “I know we were only apart for a few days but I missed you like crazy. It killed me to not say goodbye to you. I hoped I hadn’t ruined everything. But with everything else going on, it was easier to just slip away quietly, hoping you didn’t even notice I was gone.”

“I noticed,” Aelin admitted. “I noticed right away. How could I not? The man I loved fled after I called off our wedding. I thought that I had ruined everything. I don’t necessarily regret how things happened but I wish that I would have told you how I felt. I wish that I was just honest and maybe we should’ve just gotten married. It might have saved us both some angst.” She chuckled.

Rowan tipped her head up, shaking his own as their eyes intently met. “I disagree. I think everything happened exactly as it should have. You needed to be independent and fight for your throne without a man by your side. You deserved nothing less than to get what you were rightfully owed without having to marry someone. And I’m so, so proud of you.” Rowan pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. “If you had confessed, I’m not sure I would’ve made it back to Doranelle. And I needed to go back so that I could explain to my family what was going on, to say my goodbyes and tell them that there’s a better way to live than what we were doing in Doranelle. And I had to go back so that I could get this…” 

Rowan dropped her face, taking a step back and reaching into the pocket of his trousers. His hand was holding a small, nondescript box when he brought it back out. He took another step back while taking one of Aelin’s hands in his own.  She wasn’t sure she was breathing when he got down on one knee. Again.

“I know we’ve only truly known each other for four months but I feel like you are part of my soul, Aelin. And this doesn’t have to be a true engagement if you don’t want it to be, but maybe rather a promise. A promise that I will always be by your side, a promise to love you and support you in whatever you do. A promise that you are my Fireheart, and I am your Buzzard. And when you’re ready, when we’re both ready, we can talk about getting married.” He pulled his hand away so he could open the box. A beautiful green emerald stared back at her, not too large, yet enough to catch the light of the sunset just right. 

“I know you technically already have a ring but that one…I hated that one. I didn’t pick that out and it wasn’t truly from me. Darrow just gave it to me to give to you and that was it. I had no say in it and to be quite honest, I don’t think it was something that you liked either. I’m hoping that you’ll like this one better.” Rowan plucked it out of its cushion, slowly standing and taking her hand once more to place it on her finger.

He paused before sliding it on and Aelin realized belatedly that he was waiting for her assent. “Oh Gods, yes! Yes, Rowan. Whatever you’re offering, everything you’re offering, it’s a yes.” He breathed out a sigh she didn’t realize he was holding, slipping the beautiful ring onto her finger before she flung her arms around him. He picked her off the ground, holding her like his life depended on it and twirling her. She wasn’t sure that she’d ever been so happy. 

As he set her back on her feet, she admired her new jewelry. The weight, unlike the diamond from before, was a welcome feeling on her ring finger. And the band was truly beautiful, a gold to match the ring around her eyes. “It’s beautiful, Rowan.” 

He touched his forehead to hers once more. “I’m glad you like it. It…it was my mother’s, actually. I’ve kept it all these years because I just couldn’t part with it. And then I met a woman with fire in her soul who’s beauty rivaled the gem in this ring. And at some point, I realized that since my heart already belonged to you, so did this ring.” 

“Such a sappy Buzzard.” Aelin chuckled but her eyes were once again filling with tears. Rowan leaned down and kissed each one away, trailing a path down her cheek until his lips met hers once more. Aelin started chuckling against his lips as a thought popped into her head. “We’re going to have to have a very, very longggg engagement. Otherwise, Darrow might kill me if he has to plan another wedding after I called off the last one.” 

Rowan’s full belly laugh was music to her ears. She didn’t know how she got so lucky. After all she’d been through, there was finally someone that was her equal, her soulmate. She never used to like thinking about the future and what it might bring. There was too much death and pain in her past to think about a family or finding love. But she could have that, she realized. With Rowan, she could see herself having it all.

 Her thoughts drifted to their friends, gathered around for a (real) wedding ceremony; of taking a honeymoon to Antica, where she always wanted to go but never had the chance; to meeting Rowan’s family and getting to know the people who shaped her fiance into the man he was; to their future children with silver hair and turquoise eyes. Thoughts of the future didn’t scare her at that moment. Not if Rowan was with her to take on every battle that came their way. 

A finger on her chin brought her back to reality. “Hey, where did you go?”

Aelin smiled at him, her best friend; Her fiance once again. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”

“Do I get to know what my Fireheart was thinking about?” He raised his eyebrows playfully.

“Hmm…maybe I could be convinced to tell you…” 

Rowan pulled on her hand, leading her into her bedroom. “Well, then allow me to convince you, your Highness.” Aelin couldn’t help but smile back at him as they started their future together.

A/N: Well, here we are. It's technically the end though we have an epilogue after this to tie it all up. This has been my biggest project to date and while it's probably small compared to some of your monstrous fics, at 38k words, I'm pretty proud of how much love went into this. Fun fact: It all started with a single scene, the one that can be read above. I was listening to Love Story by TSwift and this image popped into my head of Aelin and Rowan on a balcony, confessing and proposing and crying and it was beautiful. So I hope that translated into the scene from this chapter. That one idea evolved into an entire Princess Diaries 2- based fic. Thanks for reading, my loves!

tagging:

@cretaceous-therapod @morganofthewildfire @tomtenadia @live-the-fangirl-life @charlizeed @violet-mermaid7 @euphoric-melancholyy @kritical24 @rubyriveraqueen @dealfea @wellofnothing @ayaashryver @moonknight-spector @leiawritesstories @whoever-you-choose-to-love @holdthefrickup @heirofflowers @thecrispypotatochip @shanias-world @rowanaelinn @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity @hanging-from-a-cliff @fantacysoup @swankii-art-teacher @thegreyj @fromthelibraryofemilyj @westofmoon @lovely-dove-zee @books4eva04 @cookiemonsterwholovesbooks @backtobl4ck @dreamer-133 @elentiyawhitethorn @writtenonreceipts @shyvioletcat @aelinchocolatelover @captain-of-the-gwynriel-ship @athena127