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nolita-fairytale · 9 months

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burn your life down | chef luca x fem!reader | chapter nine

summary: you catch up with an old friend and luca makes you dinner.

warnings: fluff, eventual angst not use of y/n, conversations about divorce, slow burn, baby, second person pov, swearing, danish inaccuracies, very little connection to the storyline of the bear.

word count: 3.3k

listen to: the official 'burn your life down' playlist (songs mentioned in chapter are in this playlist!)

a/n: i've always pictured mathilde & jesper as the chalamet siblings AND astrid is in fact played by rina sawayama i don't make the rules (i do). thank you for all comments, reblogs, and screaming at me because we are all obsessed. seriously, it's an honor and i'm just so excited that you all are just as excited as me. let me know if you'd like to be added or removed from the taglist.

chapter eight | masterlist | chapter ten

You spend your first Sunday afternoon without Luca, for the first time in a few weeks, deep cleaning your home. Between your new relationship and your work at the restaurant, you’d found yourself falling behind on chores. But he’d worked the late shift last night, filling in for a cook who called out, which is how you’d ended up with a night and morning of divine alone time.

With your headphones on, it’s easy to multitask, simultaneously folding clothes while you catch up with your friend, formerly-sister-in-law, over the phone.

“Anyways, work’s kept me so damn busy that I’ve barely had a moment in my own home but… we are all doing quite alright over here,” she explains, after detailing her travels all across Europe.

Being a buyer for Nordstrom UK keeps her on the road, or rather, in the sky, at a frequent rate.

“Well I’m glad you called. It’s good to hear from you. And It’s really good to catch up, Astrid,” you say, smiling to yourself as you finish folding a pile of t-shirts.

“Well, just because you and Joe didn’t work out doesn’t change anything. You’re still my sister,” she replies, with a small laugh. “We’re family, regardless of the fact that he couldn’t keep a good thing around.”

“Astrid! You know it wasn’t like that,” you protest, though you know it’s all in jest.

“I know,” she sighs, and you can practically hear her rolling her eyes from all the way to England. “Selfishly, I’m just feeling a bit contrary about it, is all. But enough about me. How are you? How’s everything at the restaurant?”

“It’s been great. I… can’t believe that I have a restaurant,” you answer as you shake your head in disbelief.

“God, I’ve gotta get out there soon. I haven’t stopped thinking about that lumache from my last visit – what was it – last November? Yeah, it’s been too long,” Astrid recalls lightheartedly.

“Yeah, it really has. Just let me know. You know I’m always up for hosting you,” you agree, hopeful that she’ll come visit soon.

“Besides work, what else’s new? And don’t tell me you’re still just burying yourself in the restaurant because I don’t want to hear it,” she asks, a curious tone in her voice as she segways from work to

“Well um…” you trail off, treading lightly over the delicate subject.

The thing you want to tell her about is Luca, because he is what’s new in your life. His presence in your life is evident – it’s in the pair of sweatpants he tossed in with your laundry that you’re folding now, the spare toothbrush you ‘lent’ him that sits right next to yours, and the way that thinking of him makes your heart race.

You don’t want to lie to her… but you’re also not sure what the etiquette is either.

It’s not like this is included in the divorcee handbook you never got in the first place.

“I’m… sort of seeing someone,” you admit, hesitantly.

“What?!” she gasps, instantly giddy with excitement. “Yeah, we uh…” you hesitate, testing the waters since she seems excited about it. “We’ve been dating for about a month now, maybe.”

“Shut up! That’s mega! How’d you meet? Tell me everything,” she gushes.

“Well, he actually came into the restaurant. Kind of became a regular and uh…” you explain, and she can hear the smile in your voice as you do. “He’s great. You’ll love this story, actually. He’s also a chef – a pastry chef. One night after coming in, he left a box of croissants for my staff and a handwritten note inviting me to come to the restaurant he works at. It was very….”

“Romantic. Wow…” Astrid adds, too excited for you as she listens. “And a bold move. Knows what he wants. I like him already.”

“Yeah, he’s… he’s really incredible. I swear. He has the patience of a saint, especially as I’ve uh… you know, I’ve been trying to figure this whole… dating after you end your marriage kinda thing,” you continue, chuckling in response to the awkwardness of it all.

“We were friends actually, for a while. Just friends, which, I know you’ll yell at me about when you see what he looks like. But I think it was good for us, for me, really – to be friends first.”

“Well, now you have to send me a picture,” she requests, even more intrigued as you fiddle with your phone, pulling up a photo you took of Luca the other day.

You wait a beat. Then another, seeing that the photo has been delivered as Astrid shrieks in your ear.

“Are you fuckin’ kidding me, mate?!” she practically screams.

“I know,” you squeal.

“You are absolutely unbelievable,” she shakes her head, staring at the gorgeous blonde on her screen. “How did you not jump right into bed?!”

“Trust me,” you reply, the room suddenly feeling 5 degrees hotter. “After we agreed to start seeing each other, we didn’t wait very long.”

”Sounds like you have a boyfriend,” Astrid comments smugly, as she waits for your reaction. You have expect yourself to panic, but you don’t as you the words tumble out of your mouth.

“I… it does sound that way, doesn’t it?” you ask her, your voice soft as you reply.

“Absolutely, my darling,” Astrid replies, before changing the subject. “Okay, so how’s the sex?!”

“Astrid!” you protest with a laugh. “Do you really want to-?”

“Of fucking bloody course I do! Now spill!” she demands.

You pause, grinning as your cheeks blush.

“It’s fucking incredible,” you admit, eliciting a giggle from your friend.

“Shit, babe,” she sighs, contently. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks,” you say back, because you’re pretty damn happy too. “Astrid, will you keep this between us? It’s just that it’s all still so new and….”

You pause.

“I just don’t want Joe to hear it from anyone but me.”

“Of course,” she replies, compassionately, in deep understanding.

“What else are sisters for?”

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

You showed up to Luca’s flat uncertain of what to expect, but then he’d pulled you into his home and kissed you like you’d been on his mind all day – and in his defense, you really had.

“Why don’t you come over Sunday night, then? Let me cook you dinner for a change,” he had suggested as you were figuring out your schedules for the week.

“You sure you’ll be up for that after working overtime this week?” you’d asked in response.

“I’ll be alright, love,” he’d answered, like he had unlimited energy when it came to you.

And even though you’d asked him if you should bring dessert – only to be met with a cheeky comment about you being dessert – you showed up anyway with a matcha basque cheesecake in hand and a deli container filled with a yuzu scented whipped cream to top it with.

So this is how you find yourself perched on top of Luca’s kitchen island countertop, after having watched his exceptional knife skills for the last thirty. You spend your evening snacking on sliced sourdough bread you’re not sure how he had the time to make, and sip on your glass of red wine while watching him prepare a coq au vin. You swear you’ve got hearts in your eyes when you look at him, watching his muscular, inked forearms flex with how he grips his chef’s knife. As music plays softly in the background, a playlist you can only imagine is the entirety of Luca’s music library put on shuffle, you busy yourself, refilling your wine glass for your second glass of the night.

“Want another, babe?” you ask him, noticing that he’s on his way to empty as well.

“Sure. Thank you, my love,” he replies, scooping a handful of chopped carrots up from his cutting board with a bench scraper, depositing them into a small bowl. You watch as Luca picks up his glass of wine and makes his way over to you.

He hands you the glass, then places a gentle kiss against your lips, a smile spreading across his lips. Luca takes a few steps away so that you can fill his glass again, making a few swift movements to turn the heat down on the gas burner.

“How was your day?” he asks, while still moving around his kitchen.

You fill him in on your productive day of chores and catching up with an old friend while Luca listens, busy with removing the pieces of chicken out from the heavy, enameled, cast-iron pot and onto a plate. By the time Luca’s added hot oil to the pot, followed by the chopped carrots and peeled, halved cipollini onions, you’ve caught him up on the long version of Jesper’s latest love-life updates, since he and Claudio have now decided to make it official.

“So you used to make this with your mom?” you ask curiously, changing the subject as you watch Luca scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pot.

He nods in response, stealing a glance your way, his lips turned up into a half smile.

“Yeah. Most coq au vins can take up to three to four hours, but my mum didn’t have the time,” Luca explains, as you watch him remove the pieces of chicken from out of the heavy, enameled, cast-iron pot and onto a plate. “But it was important for her… to cook for me… to share that ritual with me when she could.”

The sound of the wine and cognac mixture hitting the hot pan sizzles throughout Luca’s home, your nose filling with the smell of deglazed caramelized bits.

“And I spent a lot of time as a kid watching the cooking channel, so while we didn’t exactly spend all Sunday cooking a classic French coq au vin, Jamie Oliver’s did the job quite well,” Luca recalls, sharing a piece of his relationship with food with you.

“Well, it smells incredible,” you say, as he approaches you once more, this time with a full glass of wine in your hands, ready for him.

As Luca leans in again, the way he kisses you is much more languid, slow, like time is limitless. You breathe him in, completely enamored with the man that’s kissing you, and before anything too wild can happen, he pulls away, leaving you wanting more. Luca smirks, and you swear he knows the effect he has on you. He presses a quick peck to your lips this time, before taking the glass of wine from your hands and heading back to his post in front of the stovetop.

“This all goes back in,” he continues, using tongs to add the chicken and pancetta bits back into the simmering pot. “Then we braise it in the oven for about… thirty, forty minutes maybe.”

You raise your glass of wine to your lips, taking a quick sip of the beaujolais you’re using both for the coq au vin and to unwind, listening as the song changes in the background, instantly recognizing the drum pattern. The corners of your lips turn up into a smile as you close your eyes, enjoying the familiarity of the song as you say:

“God, I love this song.”

Luca smiles, “It’s a classic. Great song.”

Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick

The one that makes me scream, she said

The one that makes me laugh, she said

Threw her arms around my neck

“You know, I saw them when I was in my early 20s. It was just me and a bunch of somebody’s dads,” you grin, in reference to The Cure.

Luca chuckles at your comment, before asking, “Did you really?”

“Yes. And when they came out on stage, smoke machine and all, I wept because it was the fulfillment of a childhood dream – to see them. I… was a bit of an angsty teen,” you answer, raising your wine glass to your lips once more.

“Think we all had an angsty phase, more or less. Mine was less pining to The Cure and more stirrin’ up trouble,” Luca admits, lightheartedly.

“Again, and I’m holding you to it. You promised me pictures,” you remind him with aplomb.

“I did, yeah,” he chuckles, shyly, with a sigh of resignation.

You focus on enjoying one of your favorite songs and sipping on your glass of wine, as you watch Luca put the enameled cast-iron plot, full of the ready-to-braise coq au vin, into the oven.

Comfortable silences between you and Luca have become more frequent. There are days that all you want to do is stay up till the early hours of the morning talking and kissing and fucking, and there are others that you love leaning into the quiet intimacy that seems to be developing between you. It’s almost as if you’ve forgotten what this feels like – the excitement of something new where you’re learning so much about each other and everything feels like the first time.

It’s thrilling and it’s also safe.

Luca makes you feel safe, and you can’t imagine doing this with anyone else but him.

For a first time relationship, post-divorce, you really hit the jackpot, you think to yourself.

Luca continues moving around the kitchen, drinking his wine in between clean up tasks, as if he’s at work, hell bent on keeping his station clean. He’s much better than you are at that, you observe, as he does a few dishes that he’s used up, instead of leaving them in the sink for tomorrow.

As he dries his hands on a dish towel, the song changes, and the opening notes of Beyonce’s Love On Top begin playing. You smile as you hear the undeniable:

Bring the beat in!

“Alright, mate. Hear me out,” Luca proposes, spinning around with excitement. “And I don’t say this lightly. But this. This is one of the greatest songs of all time.”

“I-I’m sorry,” you giggle as you watch Luca dance to the song in his kitchen with a smoothness that’s somehow simultaneously a little silly.

“What? You don’t agree?” he asks, shooting you a look as he ball changes towards you, earning another laugh from you.

“No, I do. I love this song,” you grin from ear to ear. “I’m just so tickled by the fact that you love this song.”

“It’s Beyonce,” he defends, in his best ‘well-duh’ kind of tone, gesturing wildly. “C’mon. Let’s dance.”

“Wh-,” you begin to say, before Luca’s practically pulling you off of the counter to join him. “Luca!!”

But he’s not having any of your protests as he wraps his arms around you. You hang onto him, holding him close as he leads you in a silly uptempo kind of dance, spinning and turning you with him in a way that has you in a fit of giggles. The two of you stumble from his kitchen into the living space area as you move together, embracing how goofy and ridiculous you both feel.

Luca sings along softly, something you get a better listen to as soon as he’s pulling you close to him.

“What the fuck!” you practically shriek, your jaw practically on the floor.

“Hmm?” he hums in response, unphased by your outburst.

“You’re unfuckingreal,” you balk, as you listen to him hum along to the Beyonce song. “I mean. You-, like, you look like this, you’re great in bed, and you have a nice singing voice? How-, how’s a girl ever supposed to stand a chance?”

He chuckles, his lips ghosting over the shell of your ear, sending chills down your spine as he coos, teasingly, “I’m great in the sack, hmm?”

Your heart skips a beat as you pull back, just enough to look into the eyes of your lover as you say, “Oh fuck off.”

He laughs again, this time, leaving a soft kiss against your ear, hugging you closer to him as you slow your dance down as the song begins to end. There’s a pause between this and the next song, providing the perfect opportunity for Luca to answer your earlier question.

“You weren’t,” Luca replies, his voice quiet but sure. Supposed to stand a chance, he means. “I think we were supposed to meet. Supposed to be here.”

Supposed to fall in love.

He leans down to kiss you as the next song begins, transitioning into a much bluesier sound. The crooning sounds of Etta James blast from Luca’s living room speakers, as you smile into the kiss. You groan, your heart aching in the best way as kiss him to:

I want a Sunday kind of love

A love to last past Saturday night

And I'd like to know it's more than love at first sight

And I want a Sunday kind of love, oh yeah, yeah

“My God. I think tonight’s shuffle is proof that you may just have the most versatile taste in music history,” you mumble, pulling away for a moment from the kiss.

As you open your eyes, Luca’s just admiring you, an awestruck look on his face that steals your breath. No longer able to deflect with humor or anything else really, you lay your head on his chest, settling into the soft swaying motion of the dance that you and Luca have fallen into. Your arms go around his neck once more as Luca holds you close to him, making a mental note to remember this forever.

“How did you know?” you ask Luca, softly.

“What’s that, love?” he asks back.

“You said that you thought we might be good at this. At… at an ‘us.’ When we talked about starting to see each other,” you begin, choosing your words carefully, underscored by the violins of the song.

Luca takes a deep breath admitting that, “I didn’t.”

“What do you mean?” you ask, looking up at him, your eyes full of adoration for the man that’s captured your heart.

“Babe, I-,” he starts, letting out a small laugh. “I knew we got on well. And that I liked you. And I thought… if we got on this well as friends and you felt the same, that we could give it a go. See what happens.” He takes a beat, choosing his words, before continuing with:

“But, my love, I can’t predict the future. It could work out in the long run, it could not. But I wanted-, I want to see how far we can take it.”

You take a deep breath, because this conversation is deep-breath worthy.

Notorious for wanting to read the last page of a book first, you know he’s right, that you can’t predict the future, and you, now just as much as he does, would like to see how far this could go.

“Yeah it-, that makes complete sense,” you stammer, feeling incredibly vulnerable all of a sudden. You rest your head against his chest again, settling back into your slow sway to the beat.

Like clockwork, the song ends, something a little more upbeat trickling in through the speakers. You and Luca remain in each others’ arms, content to stay here forever. You’re amazed at his confidence, at his fearlessness to take a chance on love, and you think to yourself, he might be teaching you some of that too.

“Let’s take a trip together,” Luca suggests, the low resonance of his voice cutting through the quiet. “Maybe end of the month or something. An end of summer trip.” He chuckles, a hand coming up to stroke your hair as you enjoy the way his voice vibrates in his chest.

“Fuck it. I could care less if we make it in time for the end of summer. Let’s just get out of the city together.”

“That sounds spectacular,” you answer.

And it’s there, in Luca’s arms after a dance party for two, that you think to yourself, you couldn’t be happier.

#chef luca #will poulter #luca the bear #the bear season 2 #the bear headcanon #luca x reader #the bear hulu #the bear fx #the bear fanfiction #chef luca x reader #pastry chef luca #burn your life down

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smolvenger · 7 months

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The Tavern Prince (Prince Hal x fem! Y/N Oneshot)

Summary: You are shocked and unhappy to find out you are betrothed to notorious rake, Prince Hal. But one evening, he sneaks you into the Boar's Head Tavern...and your mind about him starts to change.

Warnings: Smut at the end!! 18+ NSFW! (thigh riding, fingering, loss of virginity, dirty talk, good ol' p in v). Reader is super Proper and Prim and has a stick up her butt just because I wanted her to in this fic for the drama and tension of paring her with Hal (and I'm sick of Pick Me Girls in Historic Fiction. So Much) Mentions of sex and cheating (but no actual cheating, our boy would never. Trust me, I'm a Shakespeare expert). Not believable, but we're running on vibes, not accuracy so forget that couples were chaperoned or whatever. References to Shakespeare's plays and words (like "Die"= slang for orgasm and "wag"= boy).

Word Count: 9K (get some water, besties, and whores)

Taglist: @huntress-artemiss @ijuststareatstuffhereok89 @evelyn-kingsley@jennyggggrrr@five-miles-over @fictive-sl0th@ladycamillewrites@villainousshakespeare@holdmytesseract (smut starts at "sweetest of ladies" and ends at "Hal...I have no words.." btw bestie for your comfort) @eleniblue@twhxhck@lokisgoodgirl@lovelysizzlingbluebird@raqnarokr@holymultiplefandomsbatman@michelleleewise@wolfsmom1@cheekyscamp@mochie85@muddyorbsblr

“Y/N, we have something very exciting to announce. The king has given his consent. You are going to marry the prince…” your father announced to you at the table. Your mother nodded her head beside him.

You let a smile spread across your face. You were so thrilled you held your breath for a second. This was an honor beyond anything you could comprehend of what he would say. How many would want that honor? What woman didn’t want to be a princess? There were many princes in the world, but it had to be one of the English princes. They couldn’t mean some other country. The English king had four sons- which one was your groom? Likely not the youngest two- Humphrey and Thomas. They were boys, far too young for marriage.

That meant- the second eldest son! You interrupted in your excitement.

“Oh! I am to marry John of Lancaster! Oh, mother-father! How wonderful! He’s the sweetest youth- and he is always at each meeting with his father, the king! Oh, what a good husband he will be! I am so hap-”

“Y/N, I believe you misunderstood us,” your mother cut in.

You froze, blinking quickly.

“What do you mean?” you asked. “I’m not marrying a prince?”

“No, you are…” replied your mother.

If not Humphrey, if not Thomas, if not John…that left one English prince.

They smiled and took your hands across the table.

“The one who matters. The one who will make you one day queen of England through your union…”

Oh no, you thought, God’s blood, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, please, please oh Lord Above- please not him please not-

“You betrothed to his grace, the Prince of Wales, Henry Lancaster…”

It felt like a punch. You blinked, and your voice got smaller.

“You mean…Prince Harry?” you asked.

“Oh, yes, dear girl! Our daughter- Princess of Wales and then Queen of England!” your mother cooed. She went up and hugged you. Not that she could see the frown growing on your face.

Your father kissed your forehead. You put on a small smile. A practice one when they were looking. You swallowed it back.

You should have been thrilled to find out you were marrying the prince of Wales, the heir to England, to Bolingbroke, to the Lancasters. Your rational mind knew it was a huge honor.

But married to Prince Harry- no, Hal! That was what his vile friends all called him! Seems fit you should think of him as such!

Hal, the rake. The riotous son. The dishonorable son. The one with a dozen prostitutes at his heels! He even wore a glove from one to a joust once! The rebel. The drunk. The prankster. The scoundrel. The son his father wished could be swapped for another- everyone knew that. The reason why John of Lancaster was always in court? Because Hal was so little seen in the castle and at events and never appeared! Shirking his responsibilities to hang around bars! With seedy thieves and criminals and who knows what else!

You were not strangers. You had spoken with him the few times he had been in court. Your parents were good friends and old allies of Henry Bolingbroke before the chaotic events that crowned him. The few banquets Hal appeared, you were there. He only appeared at that ball a few days ago. You did have a dance with him. He spoke some, no more than polite subjects and small talk. But he seemed bored. Perhaps his father was breathing down his neck not to sneak out.

This was to be your husband?!! And this was to be the king?! The one not even his own father could be proud of?! Bound to until only Death did you Part!?

When you went to your private quarters, and no one was around, you went to your bed and screamed into your pillow.

You could already see your married life. Picture it in your head. Princess Y/N and Prince Hal, soon King Hal and Queen Y/N. The banquets would be a mess. Late into the night, there would be crowds of dirty, smelly people. Laughing with food still in their mouths and spitting and pissing all over the banquet halls. There would be thieves trying to reach to grab the jewels on you. Or try to grope you, only there would be no protection. So many drunkards vomiting all over the pretty stone hallways and throwing rocks through the tall windows.

Your waking vision of your future spiraled further in your head. You knew you would have separate quarters. You would have to go alone- you knew your husband's bed would have one if not two if not four ladies of the night to pleasure him until dawn. Or he would go into your room, bold and drunk with liquor and lust. He had the right to barge in when he wanted now.

It made you want to cry.

Three days later, there was a celebratory dinner at the castle for the betrothal announcement. All of you sat down. You were decked in a dark green dress and some jewelry given to you. To make you seem more regal. Not that it made you feel that way. You sat with your family, the King of England wrapped in his dark furs. The three younger Lancaster brothers all looked at you with small smiles- perhaps looking forward to having a sister-in-law. There was just one very crucial seat next to you left empty.

Of course, once the wine was poured and dishes were just set, in strode in, red leather jacket, hat, and all, none other than your intended.

You hated that he was the most beautiful man you had ever laid eyes on. An ivory face with tall cheekbones, a high forehead, and blue eyes. Tall and lean. He waltzed in with a slight smirk. His arms dangling back and forth so casually. A slight smile on his face.

“I apologize, I am late, I know!” he announced.

The king stood up, his hands over his thick, dark robe on his hips. Following him, everyone else rose up

“Harry-where have you been?! We were just about to dine at your betrothal dinner!” he chided.

“Only getting ready, father! I wanted to be more presentable-” he insisted, still standing.

“You will be punctual in the future, especially to show respect to your bride!” the king added on, gesturing to where you sat.

You only looked down at your plate. Bride, bride, bride. Once you thought of the word like a dream, like the word “fairy.” Something light and lilting- surreal and beautiful. Something you could attain too. But it only made your stomach curl.

You could feel Hal’s eyes, already on you. Then he walked forward and pulled out the chair next to you.

As the king sat down, all sat down.

Everyone began to eat. You barely could look at Hal. When you did, you found his eyes would drift up to see you. Then at once, you pulled yours down. Then your mother boasted of you.

“Our daughter- she was raised in a convent as any lady should be. The nuns all praised her as a good student- so quiet, ladylike, and diligent in her studies. She is learning all the dances done at parties. Oh- and her needlework is wonderful!”

You stood up, nodding.

“Yes! I sewed on little strawberries on my handkerchief! And I am making some new needlework of a pink rose, like the ones in the springtime-”

Your voice cut you off. Aware you were gushing so much. It wasn’t just the fact that the king watched. He was so used to his sons that a younger female presence was fascinating. King Henry the Fourth himself looked at you with a smile and soft eyes.

No- because Hal was listening and watching. you swallowed and looked next to you. Hal’s face was neutral. He leaned on the table, a mouth over his lip, scratching his chin. You saw him swallow a little and then look back down at his meal.

He didn’t like you. Didn’t even like you, you knew it. He was already thinking of how boring you were! You did have a cousin named Beatrice. She was the one who was climbing trees, and talking saucily to everyone and rebelling and speaking and laughing wildly. If only she wasn’t married by now! Then your family would throw her Hal’s way and they would be happy! If he had to marry at all, it should be someone like her! Not like…not like…not like you…He wouldn’t like you, either. You were sure. Calling you boring just because you prioritized manners and decency. Laughing at your sewing and the dresses you cherished so much.

“Oh, I am sure they are quite pretty, Y/N. And what think you, Harry?” the king asked.

Hal perked up.

“They…they should be.” he replied.

Copying what his father said .Of course. He took another bite and then he put a hand over his mouth again.

“Now- we must set a date for these children. What dates shall you say?” the king asked.

You and Hal shared a look and then perked up.

“We want enough time to prepare a decent wedding, of course. And to prepare them. Yet…the new Lancaster family must be secured through another heir, we know…” your father replied.

You could have thrown up the wine in your stomach. You looked down, not daring to see the look on Hal’s face.

“I agree. And my son must settle- therefore, I say two months from now shall give us enough time,” the king confirmed.

Two months?! It seemed so short. Not even time to come around to it.

You always wanted romance. To be wooed and won and courted. You dreamed of the day love would finally shine in some man’s eyes as he fell to his knees and begged for your heart and hand. Not thrown away to a scoundrel who didn’t like you.

“Now- don’t you be so worried, dear daughter,” the king consoled.

You looked up, and you saw him smile kindly at you.

“I remember the days I was nervous about my nuptials, too. Do not be afraid, lady Y/N- you will leave your family, but you will have a new one. Think of me more of a father here than king. You shall have me and three brothers who will look after you and be sure you want for nothing, my dear. And therefore…”

His eyes shot to Hal.

“If this rapscallion does anything to you before the marriage- hurts you. Breaks your heart-anything. You shall come to me and ask to end the betrothal, and you will have my blessing.”

Hal’s jaw dropped.

You gave the king a smile, a genuine one.

“Thank you, your grace.”

You went back down to your food, eating with more of a flourish. Hal then turned to you. It was the first few words he spoke directly to you that night. You braced for a bawdy joke about your wedding night from him, but there was none.

“We do have confits, here, my lady- would you like to try some?” he asked.

He offered you a golden bowl full of little sweets. They were tiny white spheres. He pressed the bowl your way as you peeked in.

“I’ve never had any,” you remarked.

“They are well, after dinner.“Here- try some,” he said,

You popped one in your mouth. And let out a sound of appreciation. They were very light and sweet, you nodded your head.

“Hm- very nice. And they are…sweet, my lord,” you commented.

You took another one as the servants arrived to clear your plates.

The next day was a formal announcement. It would be put on the doors of every church. And all of the court was gathered to watch with their rich cloaks and jewels glinting in the sun.

In Hal stumbled. How pale he looked- no doubt still hungover. He looked at you and he stopped. Then he stepped forward. You felt as if it was a wedding ceremony already and it made lightning

“We hereby announce an engagement- his majesty, Henry of Lancaster and the Lady Y/N will be married in two months time. Though they are already married in our eyes- we shall congratulate them on their union and the nuptials to follow,” announced the king to applause.

He turned to you both. He gave his son strict instructions, his eyes stern.

“Now Harry- kiss her and call her your princess,” ordered the king.

Hal looked down on you. He licked his lips, looking down at yours. Dear lord- was he about to kiss you before everyone! You instintually jerked a little away. He froze. Hesitated. He lowered his mouth and then set it tight shut again. Then your intended whispered in your ear.

“The cheek?”

You paused. It didn’t sound as bad as the lips.

“Yes,” you answered.

He gave you a chaste kiss on the cheek with it seemed half of England to witness.

This is began. Four long weeks of learning everything one had to know of being a princess. Learning French to converse with ambassadors, the history of the throne, the order of the servants, current matters, in addition to etiquette (which you took to very well) and so many things your head spun. Numerous formal public events where you had to stand by Hal and pretend you were a smiling, happy bride. Swallowing back what you really thought of him.

Only talking to him when required.

You didn’t doubt tha the didn’t like you.

No doubt he wishes he was off in Esatcheap, you thought. He doesn't even tolerate me.

All of your life, you did what you were told. It kept the peace. You never asked for much- just to be safe and content. Hopefully one day, maybe one day, fall in love with some nice gentleman and marry him. A nice, peaceful, happy life. But instead- you had him?! Why couldn’t it be John instead? Or some foreign prince! One who didn’t get drunk constantly!

One day, you had time to yourself. You sat there with your embroidery, putting the pink thread in and out of the white cloth. Glad it could relieve the stress of your mind. In walked Hal, he was a member of the family now and was welcome in and out of your home. You only looked up, acknowledging him.

“How are you, my lady?” he asked.

“I have been quite busy.” you answered.

He didnt have his cap, but kept on his red leather jacket and dark pants. His auburn curls that shone like amber when he walked by a ray of sunlight. And how…well fitting his jacket was on him. There was something stirring on you when you looked at him that you didn’t like. Attraction and yet also disgust.

“What did you…do this morning, my lady?” he asked. He fiddled with his hands placed on his lap.

He was forcing himself to spend time with you- you knew it. Just trying to be nice, pretending to be nice.

“Said my prayers, Ate breakfast. Wrote a few letters. I had a walk about…” you reported.

“That sounds very nice, Y/N,” he replied.

He sat up. Folding his arms, he leaned against the wall. He gave you a smile as he looked down on you, licking his lips. You had a guess as to what his thoughts were now. But here, without a thousand eyes watching over you, you could indulge in bluntness.

“And you, no doubt, enjoyed your morning with your whores from the London streets,” you sniped, pulling the pink thread through again. “We might as well be honest with each other if our parents want us to marry, Hal. Expecting fidelity from you is like expecting a fish to sprout wings and feathers. I’m saving myself the disappointment.”

You kept your eyes down. Ready to stitch in the next one when Hal said-

“I have not lain with whores…”

You turned your face to meet his, and found his eyes hardening. His smile dropped. He stood up from leaning against the wall. You found your own mouth opening a little, though the words struggled to come out.

“What…what did you say?” you asked. You weren’t sure if you heard it right.

“I…I have not lain with a whore in…five months, Y/N. I will tell you that…”

Guilt burned inside you. You turned your eyes down.

“Oh…I’m sorry…my mistake…” you wished earnestly. “I just know how your…reputation of…you know…”

“I cannot blame you that…” he commented.

You kept sewing, with a bit more fervor. You saw Hal out of the corner of your eye get closer to you, sitting beside you.

“You are always busy, my lady. Always doing something. Don’t think I do not notice how you study everything one must know to…to… I hardly see you smile.” he said.

You looked up at him.

“I have serious matters to bear- and I for one, take this upcoming marriage seriously…” you said. “If I must adapt to life in the castle, life as a princess-your princess- I will know how…”

“It is all you do…”

“It’s my duty to…it’s what…what it means to…to marry you…” you sputtered out.

You didn’t know why you suddenly felt so anguished, so sad. You saw the imprint of hte needle on your fingertips. They felt sore- how long had you sewn?

“You think I don’t…don’t take this marriage seriously?! That I don’t take you seriously?!” Hal asked.

You tossed it down and went to the window to look outside to the green trees and grey sky. Unable to face him, wrapping arms around yourself. Feeling tears in your eye ducts.

“Hal…you know I am not the kind of person you’d choose to be your wife…you know I am not the kind of lady you fancy…just go…I don’t care if you’re betrothed to her or buy her for the night, at least you’ll be happy with some other woman. Just…just admit it…You don’t like me, I will…I’ll just make you miserable, I’ll…spare you the disappointment. I’ll speak to your father- ask him to end it… just- go and end the betrothal and leave me in peace…”

You felt a few tears in you.

“My lady…you’re…you’re crying…” he commented.

You heard him walk behind you. You finally confessed it all.

“Hal…I wanted…I just wanted to..to have a good life. A normal, peaceful life. I dreamt of…of love and of being wooed and courted and romance…and now here I am, but…but…I’m…”

You thought of it. The upcoming days. Everything. Your life upheaving. Married and made royalty in months.

“I’m just…overwhelmed…” you confessed.

You felt tears go down your eyes. You flinched. You expected him to laugh at you. To scoff at you. He didn’t.

You turned around to him. He found your handkerchief, white with strawberries sewn on it, and handed it to you. You wiped off your face.

“Do you want to know a secret?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“The reason father wanted me to marry you was that you were always so good, so rule-abiding. He believed you would tame me. But I see you…you’re so afraid of pleasing others. You forget your own pleasures in life-haven’t you ever wanted to see life? Life outside of manors and castles? See real people? Not lords and ladies- What it is like?” he asked, leaning closer to you.

You looked up. He opened his hand. You accepted it.

“You look like you have never relaxed a day in your life! And for all your assumptions about me…have you ever seen a tavern, my lady?” he asked.

“I…I…uh…no. No, I haven’t,” you confessed.

“Then…how about a change of scene?” he asked. He gave a small wink. It made you a little breathless.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

You were dressed in some peasant clothes that fit you- a simple blue dress over a white shift and a brown belt and long sleeves. Simple, but pretty. You liked pretty things and wanted to feel a little even as a peasant. Hal in his usual red leather. You both rode out on his black horse He took you out to those streets. It buzzed with flies. You could smell meat and see the butcher’s wares of dead animals hung out everywhere. A tall dog wagged its tail and sniffed the ground. It went up to you and you petted it. He felt scruffy and soft and panted with a smile. Then he went about sniffing. Hal turned to you. He looked out. It was a steady crowd of people going about. You couldn’t help but look about you.

“Here, my lady…take my hand,” he offered, outstretching his.

“How come?”

“I don’t want you to get lost,” he explained.

You accepted it. Feeling it’s warmth as he walked you through. Many turned to see him and bowed to him. It amazed you. He looked around- you never knew so many just ordinary people. All about. Lvinig their lives- how fascinating they were.

He then smiled.

“This…this is the one. The one that’s my favorite!”

It was called The Boar’s Tavern. He helped you in. Already it was crowded with people. Wooden and smelling of roasting, rich, savory meats and of ale, of wine. People chatted everywhere. Children played about with balls made of cloth. Ladies sat on the laps of men and laughed.

In was a woman with an apron, a hat over her head, and fingerless gloves. She was short and had grey hair and bright, red cheeks from her bustling about.

“Aye! It is his grace, our Hal!”

He went up to her and kissed the side of her head.

The woman turned over and peeked at you, merely folding your hands before you.

“And my-who is this lady?”

You curtsied out of habit and placed your hands before you. Suddenly shy.

“Mistreress Quickly-this is the lady Y/N. She is…she is my betrothed. Lady Y/N, this is Misteress Quickly-she owns and runs this tavern.”

You looked about. To think- she, a lady, ran this whole business! It was hers! She wasn’t a whore or a wife, she was a woman of business!

“All of this is yours?” you asked.

“Aye, it is. A right and good establishment, if I say so.” Mistress Quickly boasted.

“It’s…it’s very…it’s cozy…and it looked fun!” you said.

“Oh, we do have some fun. Hal-pour her some sack. We will give her some and a meal, on the house! Especially one about to be Lady Hal- oh, to think I’d see the day!” she remarked.

She went over to gather up a fire for your meal and drinks. Men went about to lounge and laugh with each other. And about were women. Their shoulders exposed, and dresses cut to show more of their decolletage. Would they laugh at you? No…they were focused on drying their laundry. Or their eyes would turn up to you, nodding heads in acknowledgment before returning to their business. Misteress Quickly arrived and handed you both cups of wine or “sack.” It felt cheaper than what you drank at home-but stronger, burning down your belly.

Then, finally, one approached you. Her head tilted in curiosity. She had unbrushed blonde hair and a dirty dress that revealed her shoulders. She put her hands on her hips.

“Why- you’re the lady Y/N, ain’t you?” she asked.

“Yes, yes I am. Pleased to meet you. What is your name?”

“Eh, call me Doll,” she answered.

It was obvious-A whore! A real one! Flesh and blood! But even if she was one…you still owed her good manners. She looked down and then up at you.

“Why then- good to meet you too. I can tell already you’ve never had to put a toe here- but need not fear. We’re a merry bunch. Harmless. Everyone’s all laughter and drinks and all.,” she advised.

“That…that sounds nice…” you replied.

She went up to you, gently slapping your arm to hold it. Speaking already as if you were an old friend.

“But you don’t have to be so all ‘yes my lord’ and ‘no my lord,’ here. Some old goat bothers you, you shove ‘im off. Here…have yourself a drink…”

“I…I’ve never met a…a whore before…” you commented.

“Why, now you have. Don't be scared- I don’t bite,” she said.

Mistress Quickly handed you a cup. Hal was already teasing a serving man named Francis with how many times he could run about.

“Do you…like what you do?” you asked Doll.

“When the man’s nice, like my dear old Jack here” she gestured to Falstaff. “You get enough to get by.”

“Are you scared of having a baby?” you asked.

“You learn all the herbs and tricks to stop that. Most men want you to pleasure them with your mouth, anyways- can’t have a baby there,”

You looked down at your cup, warm with embarrassment. Then you asked further, lowering your voice.

“Have you…been with Hal?”

She let out a little a small smile. She didn’t lower her voice.

“Course I have! Yes-some of the women say he visited them. He’s a regular!” she told you.

“Doll, What was he…he like? Does it…does he hurt you?” you asked agian in a quite voice.

“Hurt! Oh no! He’s sweet as can be! He won’t hurt you- unless you ask him to give you a good slap as he’s ridin’ you!”

She laughed at your embarrassed look.

“I’m…I’m his intended so…I wanted to know, to be ready…” you explained.

“Oh! Nervous for your duty and all that!? Well, I’ll tell you- he is a good man. And he’ll be good to you when it’s your turn. Now…what do you think of the sack?”

You took another sip of your cup.

“It’s…it’s so good!”

“Try it with honey-it’s even better!”

She showed you a honey jar and poured a little in your cup. And yes- it was even better.

Then in stumbled an old man. So bulbous and a face so red he reminded you of a tomato. His white hair and great white beard, boasting to a crowd.

“Three men! Oh no- I tell you- it was five men, hm yes! Five men I defeated there!” he bragged to the dirited companions surrounding him, all with amused looks.

Then his eyes lit up, seeing you.

“Falstaff…this is Y/N”

“Yes, and when I saw those six men, I-”

The man called Falstaff paused his bragging and turned to see you. He put his hands over his hips to look at you. You curtsied again.

“Pleased to meet you, sir.” you said.

The old man, plumper than a peach with a long grey beard and a red face went to you. He looked you up and down. Then he talked-talked so much you didn’t have time to reply.

“Hmmm, ah, yes. This is the Y/N-the famous Y/N, lady Y/N. Yes-how much I see already. Her hands positioned to hold- the little smile, her posture-mmph, can tell already where she’s been. One of those convent girls. But if that is who will make Hal die on his wedding night, he will die smugly… I tell you, sweet wag-”

You turned your eyes down before the floor. Falstaff was talking so boldly of…le petit mort in a public space! But you should have guessed from the whores how open everything was here. Hal blushed and put his head down. You looked away. Falstaff released a large laugh at your reaction.

The old knight turned to Hal and patted his shoulder.

“I’ve conquered many a heart in my day. Oooo, old Jack Falstaff has ways with women. Hmm- the letters I’d send them. There is a Lady Ford and a Lady Page and with one letter to each, I’ll cuckold their husbands easily! So- here’s my advice, wag. Give her a sweet word, a letter -and she’ll be yours. I can show you the format- yes, yes. No woman can resist the love of the knight, Falstaff…I doubt even less this-”

He pinched Hal’s cheek.

“-Handsome, young prince here!”

He handed you the letters he planned on sending them. To your immense surprise, it was the same one only the names were switched. Before you could comment he got them again and folded them up, putting them in his pocket.

“Hmm- this calls for celebration- for Hal’s marriage and my seduction! Francis! Come over, lad! Give some sack before I die!”

He waddled over to where the cup bearer sat.

“Should we tell him? The letters are the same?” you asked.

“I would rather sit by and watch and laugh at him!” Hal replied.

Then in came a young man with dark hair and dark eyes-slender and with a triangular nose.

“Oh here! A lady is here?! A new lady-” he said.

“Why, Poins-here-I would like you to meet her. This is Lady Y/N.”

You made your curtsies again. He only gave you a cheeky smile.

“Oh, well- tis time!” he muttered.

Hal shot to him with wide, nervous eyes.

“Poins I-”

Poins then swooped you into his arms. You let out a little shreik from the feeling.

“Hal! I have your maid! And now she is mine!” he teased.

So light and fun, you did not feel any fear. He caught you and lifted you above him with his strong arms. You were surprised at his strength- he hoisted you up and began running through the tavern. People laughed as Poins ran about with Hal chasing him and even you couldn’t help but laugh too.

“Oh, Poins, you dog! Let me have her!” Hal cried.

Quickly he ran, you squealed from the feeling. Up high and dangling as Poins ran off. He went to a quick corner in one end and set you down. After seeing that he was hidden, he turned to you.

“He will never admit it-but the man adores you, Y/N!” he confided.

Your jaw dropped.

“He…he what! Since…the bethrothal?” you asked.

“Before that- for several months since he met you! Won’t even touch Doll anymore!”

Shock flooded your system. The words earlier- they made sense.

Poins put up a hand.

“ I swear he’s like some doe-eyed lover in a romance for you! He could hardly speak to you in your bethrothal- you make him nervous, Y/N! He wanted nothing more than you since when you first met! And now he sighs and pines. He blushes like a maiden! And seems half a man whenever your name is brought up! Y/N- And I must tell you something!”

He leaned closer.

“Long before the betrothal was a whisper…there was one night. It was dark and four in the morn. My sweet honey lord was quite drunk. He would sigh into his cup. I had to be fetched to drag him to a bed. Do you know what he was muttering? He cursed into his cup, lamenting “Y/N- sweet creature- Oh, Y/N! Curse the day Fate gives you to another!’ before he fell to the floor. Dear lady-show him a little mercy! Or be clever- Turn this prince into your servant when you can!”

You had no words. Your eyes are wide. Of course…this could be a lie. Just something he was making up to flatter you. To prank you. But, something inside of you was telling you it was truth…if so, why would he lie to you? What would Poins gain?

Then Hal swept in, his face bright red.

“Please, enough! Are you hungry, my lady!? I think you should to dinner- there’s going to be music you might like.” he suggested.

“Of…of course, Hal,” you replied.

He turned around, his eyebrows going up as you used his nickname. The one his friends here called him.

As you reached over, you clasped his hand. Hal went still for a moment, seeing that you eagerly put yours in his. Feeling your touch. Then he went on.

As you ate, you noticed women left with men. They held the hands of their customers and led them to their rooms. Then the moans and grunts and the rhythms of something hitting the walls not long after. Wet sounds, too- without shame of their volume. You swallowed the urge to gasp and looked down in embarrassment. Hal only gave a smirk as he ate on.

“Are they…” you turned to Hal.

“They aren’t reading, I can tell you that…” Hal laughed as he picked up some meat and chewed it in his mouth.

“They’re so…so loud…so…so shameless, I never….Wouldn’t they be embarrassed?” you asked.

Yet part of you…you would never admit it…the sounds also…you liked them. You…envied them. And with Hal so near. His leather just brushed against your arms.

“When one finds pleasure here, they don’t feel ashamed of it. They just enjoy it.”

“Isn’t it…sinful?” you asked.

“Sinful for how their bodies react when they touch each other? How God made them? If they agree to it, it cannot be, I think…”

Both of you finished your meals. The sounds of their pleasure became dimmer. You heard people get out instruments and play them. There was starting to be laughter. A gentleman with a large and red nose- Bardolph, went up and greeted Hal. As Hal went up to welcome his friend, you suddenly felt a tug on your arm.

There was a gentleman at least ten years your senior. He had sharp eyes and his strong arm pulled you closer. He gave you a wide, lascivious smile as he handed you several coins.

“Here, girl…” he said.

“Sir…what is this?” you asked, looking at the coins.

“This, this is for you, of course, my dear.”

“For me?” you repeated.

It then hit you why.

He grabbed your arms.Panic surged through your system. He tried to drag you off to the nearest dark corner, but you forced your feet still. Tugging at him, struggling to break off. You managed out of his arms, and then he grabbed your hand. But you stayed still. A glimpse at Doll Tearsheet and your heart was racing.

“Sir- there’s been a mistake! I’m a lady! I am not a whore!” you stated.

“Ah, the whore thinks she can refuse, eh?! Why else would Misteress Quickly bring a new beauty to The Boar’s Head!” he asked.

“I’m just visiting, sir! Doll is right over there! And plenty of others could use it more than me!” you cried. Glancing towards the other women.

Doll’s head perked up and she sensed something amiss. Even the whores looked among each other in seriousness once they realized what was happening.

“This money’s not for Doll, it’s for you. You would be a delight in bed tonight!”

Doll touched the arm of the prince by Bardolph, alerting him.

You were ready to fight him, ready to run, then in came Hal. He whipped out his dagger and pointed it to the man’s nose. He jumped off. Doll ran forward and pulled you away, pulling you into a protective hug.

“Leave her be- you miscreant!”

The villain held up his hands and backed off slowly.

“Why, your little grace..what else have you to do with this woman? I was about to pay for her, like any other man here. Why do you act thus?”

The music paused and eyes turned. Amused and worried, as to what would happen next. Would a fight break out? Would there be more men who thought they could be your “customers?” You cowered further into Doll, clinging to her. Oh dear God, how bad this was getting!

Your heart raced. Hal glanced at you. You looked at Hal with wide eyes. He then unsheathed his dagger and looked at the man. Then Hal made his reply.

“Because she is my whore for tonight!”

The earth stopped turning. You could hear your fast heartbeat and your jaw dropped. Hal went up to you. With great strength, he pulled you from Doll’s arms to his. In a second, before you could process it, he sat down on the nearest surface and pulled you to his lap. You made a small gasp at the feeling. He wrapped an arm possessively around you.

Then he looked thunderously at the tavern. They were silent as he made a declaration.

“I bought her company all this evening. Tonight, she is mine. And if any man here thinks they can dare touch what is mine, their head will be lobbed off under order of the Prince of Wales- is that clear!?”

He nodded his head, and the other wide-eyed men swallowed and took note.

Mistress Quickly scurried towards the musicians.

“Play! Play! Oh- give us a song! Something merry!” she insisted.

They played and the tension relaxed. People went back to their drinking and their business. But you remained sitting on Hal.

“Play along,” he whispered into your ear.

But sitting on his lap… It was making you…feel something. Something you couldn’t quite name. Your heart was beating even harder. Your body felt like it was with fever. And as for between your legs, it was stirring, something, something you had never felt before-and you wanted more of it. He was right there, beneath you. You felt his hands go around to your back.

Others were siting at Hal’s table. You both glanced to see whores with their customers- they were kissing.

He eyed you and them. Then, he touched touched your chin. He asked.

“A kiss for me, my beauty?”

Enough so that no one would suspect anything.

“I, uh-yes,” you replied.

Then he pulled you in for a kiss. A deep, passionate kiss. Feeling his soft lips, the wine on his breath and tasting rich, like you could become drunk from him-his touch alone was making you feel intoxicated already. You tugged at him, and he kept a hand at your back to secure you. You sighed from it. Groaning from it. Then he released. His pupils were wide and both of you were catching your breaths.

“Hal…”

You then gathered your skirt in your hands and looked down. What scared you was how much you liked touching him. How…how wonderful this felt. How…nice. Something between your legs was stirring. It was getting wet and you sensed it was not with urine or menstrual blood.

Hal then smiled at his companions at the table and raised a glass to them.

“Y/N…my pretty whore…to the jewel of the Boar’s Head, Y/N-and a jewel she will be in my bed tonight.”

They cheered as they raised their cups. They had a deep drink. You were handed one and drank too.

“Yes-uh, yes, my lord, I will be-uh, very happy to pleasure you tonight,” you muttered in agreement, before having a sip.

He reached his hand down yours. Then he lifted up your hand to his lips and kissed you on your pulse, keeping a steady hold on it as he lowered.

Then they began to boast of how the wine caskets were being opened and how much they could drink in one go. Laughing, they ran over to sample it.

Hal turned over to you. He had a half-smile

“My lady…your pulse is racing very fast…are you afraid of me?” he asked, though with a touch of cheekiness.

“No,” you answered. But you were afraid of how much you liked this.

“It’s only when I touch you, is it?” you asked.

“Yes…yes it is…” you confessed breathlessly.

He made a small laugh and you could have sworn he was blushing.

“It’s only your body reacting to me. It’s how God, how nature made us- nothing more… Can you continue the pretense? For a little bit?” he asked.

“Yes, Hal, I can,” you said.

He then slid you off of his lap to be on the seat next to him. Once when you thought you could cool your senses, he turned close to you, touching your leg as you were near and wrapping his other arm around you.

“Do you like the wine here, my lady?” he asked.

“I’ve…I’ve never had better, sweeter wine…I haven’t drank too much of it, have I?” you asked.

“If you’re still walking safely, then the answer is no, Y/N,” he replied.

Then the music got to a gig. People got up, getting partners.

“Are they going to dance?” you asked.

“Yes, they are!” he confirmed.

“You took his hands, smiling and getting up.”

“Dance with me Hal- do you know how to?” you asked.

“Yes, yes I do!” he answered.

You led him over as couples gathered around. They managed to kick their steps in time and though he still had trouble with his feet, he was smiling- relaxed. Far more relaxed than he was at any court ball.

At one point you had to turn around. But all you could see was him. Your bodies moved so well together- almost in sync here. You could look at him and do the steps fluidly. Feeling his touch, looking into his eyes. He held your hand…something was different. He kept a hand to your back warm and splayed. It never felt this nice.

Then…it ended. And he was still holding your hand. Catching your breaths and looking into each other's eyes. Hesitantly, he let go.

“Did you like that, my lady?” he asked.

“I…I liked it. Very much.”

You wanted him. You wanted his touch. More of him. He placed you back on his lap as he sat down right next to a table. He nestled into your neck.

“I’ll tell them I’m taking you with me to the palace and then escort you home,” he whispered.

“People are…are leaving more, now…” you commented. The crowds were thinning. The noise was calming down.

“Why…it’s getting late…a tavern has two lives. The celebration and then the dimming, the seriousness, when all is dark and gloomy.”

“It’s still…it’s peaceful… I do like it Hal…”

His lips moved to speak and then froze. He touched your cheek tenderly.

“Y/N…” he muttered.

“What is it?”

His softened to you.

“You’re…you’re a beautiful woman…and…and a good woman, too…” he confessed breathily, earnestly.

“I am your…your whore…” you said aloud, aware there were others. You nervously glanced around and then he held your chin back to face him.

“Y/N, I don’t care what you are now. I just want you to kiss me again.”

You did, feeling him. His mouth. His touch. He pressed himself towards you- to keep you close again. You heard him sigh into it. Then lips releasing- yet it felt too soon. He whispered your name. His voice. And it was not pretense.

“Sweetest of ladies…my dearest…”

Before you knew it, he laid you down on that table. Your breath was knocked out of you. You felt your back hit the wood. He crawled on top of you on the table. Your bare legs peeking from your skirt being hiked up from your position, he touched them, feeling your skin up and down. But his weight didn’t touch you and his hands feeling your thigh made you feel even dizzier. He laid another kiss on you. You couldn’t catch your breath. You couldn’t believe How…good all of this felt. And your folds were wetting already, and not with urine or menstrual blood. He kissed you again. His hips touched yours and you felt your legs go up in instinct. A truly whorelike moan escaped you. You never felt…like this before. This climb up, this ecstasy.

This…need.

He let go of his lips. Then pulled off of you. But The cold air hit you like a shot. But it was still stirring inside of you. This desire…screaming, turning inside you.

You wanted him.

“I’m sorry- I was carried away,” he muttered. “Y/N…I’ll…I’ll stop,”

“No!” you hissed.

He paused, his eyes wide. You went to him and touched his face. You swallowed deeply.

“I…I didn’t want you to stop,” you confessed.

“What?” he mumbled, tilting his head.

The words flew out of you. You gathered yourself on his lap. Feeling your legs wide, the cool air against your soaking, throbbing arousal. You wanted it complete- you wanted him. You touched his face, speaking softly.

“Hal…I don’t want you to stop…what…what is it like? When you lie with a woman? With a whore? How does it feel? I want to know Hal…I want to…I want you to…to do the act on me. Take me…you are my husband already they say…then show me what is it like to bed you. What will it be like to be your wife? Please Hal-they think I’m your whore anyway- so bed me. Tonight. Now. Show me what it is like…” you begged quietly.

His jaw dropped. He pulled you closer. Another hand wrapping around you close. His voice was husky and his eyes gentle.

"Y/N...tonight...You want me... and you trust me?”

“Yes,” you answered.

You felt his breaths shudder. Then he took your hand. He downright pulled you to Mistress Quickley in a corner counting money.

"Is there a spare room?" he asked.

She pointed upstairs.

"For you? The second one you see up there," she explained with a nod.

He paid her. Then, he took your hand and led you up. Your heart was racing, going right up. He opened the door and let you in.

It was a wooden room. Cozy with plenty of space. Humble chairs. A window with brown crossed latched. And a large bed with a feathered mattress and four posters right when you opened the door. Moonlight shone through the windows. There were a few lit candles. Enough to see, but enough it was dim, private, romantic.

Hal, far too tall for the doorframe, ducked under it with a fluid ease.

“Now…at last, we can be alone…and at last…you will be mine in every way…” he husked.

He pushed the door shut as he kept looking into your eyes. Then He grabbed your face and he kissed you. Then he took his hands and put his hips to yours. It caused friction that made you gasp. It nudged a sensitive part of you and you shuddered.

"Is it locked? If...if someone walks in?" you muttered, remembering yourself.

"Will they disturb the Prince of Wales, now? I will send them away..." he whispered.

You felt his fingers going up from your sides, then to touch your waist, gripping it.

"I have someone more important with me now," he said with a smile.

He sat on the bed and pulled you to sit on his leg. You let out a small sound at the feeling. His hand went up your skirt, finding your thighs.

“Spread your legs my dear…let me help you…I will make you ready…” he whispered.

He bunched up your skirt, so you felt it gather around your hips. His hands opened your legs so that you felt his knee right against your bare folds.

The smooth leather of his pants hit against your most private area- wet and sensitive. You felt it…brush against him, the material of his pants. You let out a gasp. So sensitive- stimulated. But you wanted more.

“Do you like this feeling?” he asked.

You nodded. He guided your hips. It moved back, and then forth- making friction and a chill ran against you. You let out a small gasp.

“H-Hal! That…that feels…feels so good…”

He moved your hips to grind against his thigh.

“There….now darling…ride it like a horse-there,” he said.

He guided your hips to grind against his leg. You placed your hands over his broad, strong shoulders. It was pulling you close. The tension- it was making you gasp. Sounds coming out of you that you never thought you could make-touching him. Even with his codpiece on, you could tell something was stirring inside him too. He gave you another kiss as you rode his leg. Then his hands went over to your blouse. He touched your breasts, giving them a gentle squeeze.

“Are you alright, my lady?” he asked with a smug smile.

You let out a moan as an answer. He grabbed you. He kissed you more as if he was drunk and you were ale. Still clothed entirely and already a mess for each other. His voice low, he said into your ear.

"When I join with you, I'm going to make you cry out louder with pleasure than any whore here ever did. And they will know who gives this to you- your lord. And when I'm inside you, there will be more blessings between your legs than any church could give me…”

He kissed you again. His hand moved up to cup your breasts. He moved them around, feeling them. He moved, a finger playing with the string tie that held it together- your shift beneath he began to unlace the strings of your bodice. You paused, the cool air of your chest as it was lowering for him.

“I didn’t say you could stop…keep going. I’m going to undress you slowly- I want to enjoy every inch of you revealed to me…” he ordered.

You kept grinding.

Your blouse was loose, showing your shoulders. He pressed a kiss onto them that made you sigh out another little groan.

His hands greedily remove your garments. He took off your belt,. The little fingerless gloves joined it’s pile. Then finally his hands went to the collar of your dress and shift, already loose. He pulled your dress over your head. Then, in only your shift, he tugged it down until it pooled over your hips. Your bare breasts and stomach before him. You felt his eyes see you, all of you. You chilled from the cold. But he only smiled. He wrapped both arms around your waist and cupped your cheek. He looked down-seeing your breasts rising with your excited breaths. He licked his lips at Your stomach and Your hips.

“Beautiful…just beautiful…how lucky I am to enjoy you for all of my life now,” he said.

Then he kissed you at the nape between your neck amd shoulder. You sighed into it.

"H-Hal..." you voiced out.

You held onto him.

“What are you thinking, my love?” he asked.

“That…this duty feels…feels nice…That I…I’m going to be your wife and…I should…perform my duty to you…” you voiced out.

He put his hands on your hips and stopped your grinding. Then he took and you half threw you on the bed. He went over to you getting on top of you. You felt his fingers then reach one digit to your folds. You let out a small cry.

"You should know of passion, not duty, in our bed. You should know the ecstasy I can give you every night from now on. would you like that?” he asked.

"Y-Yes...my lord, yes Hal.."

You gasped feeling it. He removed his fingers, slick with your juices. He began to undo his jacket- your wetness grazing the leather and making a small stain. Then removed his black shirt. He went up to you.

He took your hand. He traced the wrist gently with his finger. Then he kissed it.

"There is my little sweetling...such a good little wife she will be…doing everything for her husband…and she will be rewarded…”

You got him, your nails digging into his warm back. He slid a finger back into you. He got it out, then back in. You clutched onto him- feeling him against the lips between your legs as he swirled around. You ground against it, finding even more pleasure.

"Oh...oh Lord....Hal…your fingers are so…so-!”

"Do you like that, my sweet lady, do you enjoy being ruined this way?"

"Yes...yes...more, Hal- I want more!"

“Sweet little bird…so eager, so willing. Willing to please- to let me corrupt her. What would those nuns think of you now, hm? What would they know of what we have here, now? I will enjoy having you- and I will have you every night. How does that sound for Duty, hm?”

He kissed and slid a tongue over yours. He slid another finger, pumping in and out. Your legs had to widen to accommodate him. You made so many noises.

You felt so hot, you felt his weight, shifting on top of you. To kiss you. To adore you. His snaking body grinding against you-he kissed you like you were food. His need. His ache. His hair fell softly through him. He cupped your cheeks and kept kissing you again.He groaned as he kissed

He let go with a smirk on his face. You felt something bubbling inside you- going up.

"I should have…should have taken you on the table...before all of them to watch-"

“Better late than never,” you breathed out, both of you melting into small laughter.

But right before it climbed too high up, he removed his fingers, slick with you. You took his body in. His beautiful, lean body. How soft yet strong he was. So many muscles in just his arm alone. His chest- how beautiful it was. How…broad he was, too. And not just his chest that felt large.

He removed his codpiece and slid off his pants easily. Your eyes went down to that cock-hard and eager and huge. Twitching. You had to swallow a moan from it-how was it going to fit in you? He then slid you down the bed-and he remained standing.

“Yes- look at me, darling. It might hurt a little, sweet wife. I will be slow,” you voiced.

But you were so eager-so desperate-you had to be with him. How warm he felt now- skin against skin. He kissed you once more time, his hips teasing what was to come. Yet he was still remaining standing.

"Here...are you ready, my dear?”

“Yes, yes I am! My lord, please! Please take me!”

You felt his cock teasing against your entrance. He began to graze his hands up and down your thigh. touching up and down them. He looked at your pussy and smiled. Then, positioning your legs already to be between his head. He began to trust in you by sinking in. Inch by agonizing inch, he slowly vanished in.

You let out a cry-a whimper. You had never been filled like this.

“ Oh my god-Hal!”

He groaned, easing him last bit of his cock inside you. The slight pain then began to melt.

“Do you want me to stop?”

The pain was gone-fizzled to pleasure. You were…getting used to him.

“No…no…please…please keep going. Please-”

He backed and then thrust.

“Oh! Oh- yes-yes, Hal-please.”

The began- thrusting slowly inside you. Still standing and you laying down. His hips rocked back. Creating such friction, such heat, like none you have felt. He was groaning hard. Each thrust was better than the last one.

All you could say was a prayer. Simply repeating “please-yes-oh, oh my god-please, Hal, please-yes, there, Hal-”

You were used to it, then he increased the pace. He hissed out your name. He held you still so you had to take all of him- not that you would complain. You felt your voice rising. All you saw was him, felt was him. He was nailing you-he was keeping you right into the end of the bed as he stood. So deep and full were his penetrations. Then his hand slid.

“Ah- yes-Here..my little rose has a rosebud inside her-” he said.

He found your nub, and then began to strum it with his thrusts. Even more pleasure whirled in you- it felt even better.

"Oh! Oh-gods! Hal! Yes! Yes-please-Yes! There!”

"Yes-cry my name, tell all of Boars-nrgh-all of Boar's Head-nrsh-who your lord is..."

Flesh slapped against flesh as he increased his pace. You weren’t sure now- you slide back and forth, whimpering with pleasure.

“You-are-mine-now-nrgh-Gods and-Fuck-yes your lord-yes-gives you-gods-yes,this-fuck-your lord always-always satisfies you-”

His pace increased. He was grunting, moaning. You now understood why the noises came from those rooms-you were making them yourself. He pounded and pounded you into the bed.

“Hal…Hal-something-something in me-it’s…it’s going up…” you whimpered.

He kept strumming you.

“You’re close-close my dear-it’s going to overwhelm you- yes- it’s-it’s me too- give into it-give into it- cry ou t- let it happen-yes-fuck-yes-yes-yes, now, my dear- come now- come now!”

Then finally, you felt it-pleasure bursting, overwhelming you. It hit you so suddenly, so hard, you let out a shout that echoed. You cried out-

“Yes-Hal-Hal!”

With a groan and a thrust, brought on by your own brink, he came. You felt him pump inside you. It was probably lucky to have the wedding in two months- if a child came from this, none but you would know.

He paused, collapsing down onto you. Only to hold you, nestling you close.

“Hal…I…I have no words…” you whispered.

“You cannot ask to break this betrothal…not after what we’ve shared…” he breathed. He then went up to see your face. “Please, Y/N…I…I…”

“I love you too, Hal,” you replied.

He smiled, kissing you. A deep breath of relief through him. He positioned himself there on the bed, holding you for only a bit.

“We…we will have to get home soon…we…we will get in trouble…” you said.

“What sweet trouble it was….but I will see you home safe…” he replied.

He redressed you and you helped redressed him. When it seemed the tavern was asleep without witnesses about the main room, he held your hand and led you back to his horse outside. Eagerly you both galloped, but you laughed as the wind tickled you. You found riding so close to him comfortable now and leaned back against him. An embrace as each landing of the steed’s hooves brought you closer. Then you were brought back home.

He was there at the entrance, knowing the servants would escort you to separate rooms, separate beds. He took your hand and then kissed it. A goodnight promise.

“Sleep well, my lady, he wished.

“Shall I see you tomorrow?” you asked.

“Every day,” he replied with a smile that matched yours.

#prince hal #prince hal x reader #prince hal fanfiction #prince hal imagine #prince hal x you #henry v imagine #tom hiddleston #hollow crown henry v #the hollow crown #hiddlesedit #william shakespeare #angst with a happy ending #prince hal smut #hiddlesverse #the hollow crown henry iv #henry iv #henry iv part 1 #tom hiddleston characters

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milaisreading · 4 months

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Imagine in 2p Hetalia x reader, someone hurts and insults Y/N both physically and emotionally but the 2p's are behind them and just saw the whole thing.💀☠️🔪

Warnings: Mentions of murder and I used she/her for the reader.

Hmmm, let me think for a second...

2p!Italy 🇮🇹

2p!Italy, who didn't hear exactly what was said, but saw Yn getting upset.

2p!Italy: What happened? :3

Yn: I just got told that the dress looks hideous on me. I liked the dress- LUCIANO DON'T POINT THE KNIFE AT HIS HEART

2p!Italy: The jugular vein it is then! What did you just say to her?! Repeat that?!

2p!Germany 🇩🇪

Dude, who was talking shit to Yn after he saw 2p!Germany: Who... who is that?

Yn turns around while holding her tears in: Oh... that's Lutz, he doesn't bite

2p!Germany: Yes, I do. Now, care to repeat what you just said?

2p!Japan 🇯🇵

The man doesn't even finish his 1st sentence before 2p!Japan takes out his katana

Yn: Where did you get that?!

2p!Japan: Don't worry your cute brain about it. Now, let me take revenge on the man who insulted your honor

2p!America🇺🇲

2p!America heard everything while he was stalking watching over Yn, and he held himself back from swinging his bat at the person... for now. 2 days later tho...

Yn: Allen, why is your bat red again? Did Matt prank you again and painted it?

2p!America: Sure! :D

2p!France 🇫🇷

This man would straight up start insulting the person while mixing English and French. Yn would have to hold him back from checking the person who insulted her.

2p!England 🇬🇧

Person: And not to mention that dumb hairstyle!-

Yn, at the verge of crying as the person pulled on her hair a little.

2p!England while stabbing the person in the back: Looks like I will be able to make more cupcakes soon :3

Yn, looking in surprise at the dead man and then up at 2p England: Isn't this an overkill, Oliver?

2p!England: That is not a real thing, poppet!

2p!Russia 🇷🇺

Bold of you to assume he let's Yn get near anyone, let alone a stranger. But, on the off chance she runs into the wrong person and they start insulting her and threatening her physicall well-being... Then Viktor will pull the person into an alleyway and kill them. Then he will pick up Yn and carry her back home.

2p!Russia: This is why you stay home.

2p!China 🇨🇳

2p!China, pretending to clean his ears: I must be hearing this wrong... her? An eyesore? And not belonging here? I must inform you that this is the most beautiful girl in the world! And I will not let some street rat looking asshole insult her! Do you know what she means to me?!

Basically, he starts pestering the man for two hours about what Yn means to him... later on Wang kills him, tho.

2p!Canada 🇨🇦

This man will just pull Yn away and let Kuma deal with the man...

#hetalia world series #hetalia #2p hetalia #hetalia scenarios #2p italy #2p germany #2p japan #2p america #2p england #2p france #2p russia #2p china #2p canada

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peacereturnedtothevalley · 6 months

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while I’m thinking about gig at various ages I’m revisiting the one mention of him in palisade so far (from Palisade 05):

AUSTIN: But at least one of you will be doing the meet and greet as you meet—in fact, again, I will tease the beginning—I will tease who you are getting on board, because what’s happening here is the Twilight Mirage is not arriving, and the Qui’Err Coalition is not arriving as a new unit on the board. They are integrating with all of the six established factions of the cause. And so, you know, the people who are from like, the DIY Gig Kephart School of Engineering are going to Sinder Karst to join up with Grey Pool and help out—or sorry, Grey Pond. Grey Pool is probably a place in England, right? Grey Pond—

[SYLVI CHUCKLES]

KEITH: Please, Gig declines, gracefully declines the honor of having the school be named after him.

AUSTIN: This is definitely named well after Gig is dead. You don’t get to decline it.

KEITH: Okay. Sure.

AUSTIN: Classic Gig maneuver. [CHUCKLES] It’s probably not like—it’s probably not a literal school, right? The Kephart School is probably a, like—

KEITH: A philosophical oeuvre?

AUSTIN: Yeah, exactly. Like, I think of myself as being part of the Kephart School of Engineering of practical—you know?

KEITH: Right.

SYLVI: Oh my god.

AUSTIN: Uh-huh.

KEITH: That’s when you’re a regular engineer, but with a vlog camera. [LAUGHS]

AUSTIN: [CHUCKLES] Yeah. I mean, maybe that’s what it is, is like, it’s partly about like—I always want to record the stuff I’m working on, because there’s always stuff to learn from whatever the process was, you know?

KEITH: Yeah, yeah.

#friends at the table #palisade #twilight mirage #I love gig thinking of gig he’s so cool and kind and big

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astrangergivingthestrangewelcome · 2 years

Text

It Should Have Been Jonathan: Why Swapping Jonathan and Mina's Roles for the Blood Ceremony Makes Dracula a Better Story Both Thematically and Plotwise

Bram Stoker did not write it this way, so swapping Jonathan in is not a headcanon, but rather an adaptational choice that adaptations like Murray Mysteries or fic writers (like me!) choose to make over and over again. Here's why you should engage with this premise.

(No spoilers for those caught up to October 3rd of Dracula Daily)

(non-graphic mention of rape, sexual assault, etc)

The Story As It Is: The Good Points

Jonathan um. Goes Through it this novel. If you hadn't noticed. Mina takes care of him a lot, and after the blood ceremony, Jonathan gets to take care of her. This is very sweet, and I do enjoy that both Mina and Jonathan take turns rather than Jonathan always needing help.

It's not like it's unrealistic. Dracula would totally retaliate against the men fighting against him by targeting Mina. He super would see this as very apt revenge, and he's definitely that brand of sexist that sees women as a prize.

This plot point goes out of its way to frame the actions of the men in excluding Mina as utterly disastrous, which is cool.

Mina as the Victim: What is it Accomplishing + How Did She Get There

Mina spends most of the novel taking care of the people Dracula's victimized. She is a force to be reckoned with, but as Stoker wrote her she is a very good sort of English woman, pious, obedient to the men, respectable, etc. etc. Although she and Lucy have very different characters, when Dracula targets them they serve the same role as good English women who are coming under attack by Dracula, an evil Eastern European man. In Lucy's case he literally kills her and in her place is a hot sexually impure corruption of the original person. Victorian nightmare fuel. In addition, there are all kinds of sexual non-con rape vibes to what he does to both Lucy and Mina. Hot forceful foreign men are invading England and targeting good women. That's the whole fear that Dracula represents.

This manifestation of xenophobia doesn't hold up at all. For me, it's always been the worst element of the novel. I don't find it compelling.

Something else you might have picked up from this update: martyr talk martyr talk martyr talk. While (trust me) Mina is still smart and still given a lot of agency by Stoker to break her own curse, after the blood ceremony, she suffers Very Piously. Like a hair's breadth away from publishing a video entitled "How To Suffer A Tormentor From Hell in A God Honoring Way" on her Youtube Channel.

I personally don't find this interesting. I don't think it holds up. I don't want to see Mina suffer like a Perfect Little Christian. I want to see her kick ass and take names.

In conclusion: the driving forces behind Mina's attack and trauma are at best uninspired and outdated, and there is a very nasty undercurrent of xenophobia and sexism there as well.

I don't love it. I'm either bored or actively turned off by what Stoker is trying to say.

Jonathan as the Victim: What Could It Accomplish?

Dracula choosing to attack Jonathan again would shift the narrative so that it becomes a story about an abuser who will Not Let Go. An abuser who follows across a continent. An abuser who waits until you've just started to recover from the first round of trauma and started to feel safe again to start an onslaught even more vicious and concerted than the last.

I think Stoker laid the groundwork for this twist to be more terrifying and compelling than for Mina to be targeted 2/3rds of the way through. Obviously Dracula is an abuser no matter what, but it so much more terrifying to me to think of him playing a long-term game of cat and mouse over like 6 months with one man, than it is to see him target Mina over the span of three days.

This is also in character for Dracula. I agree with the common interpretation that Dracula continued to target Lucy even when it got ridiculously difficult and dangerous to continue because he can't stand to lose a test of dominance.

If we carry that over to Jonathan there is absolutely no way that Dracula would be ok with learning Jonathan escaped and is recovering. He would Hate that. He would absolutely want to target Jonathan again.

So you remember "I too can love" "tonight is mine" the gaps in the journal? All that abuse that is hinted at and never explored? The same sort of sexual assault motifs that are so present in Lucy and Mina's attacks? The implication that Jonathan was fed on by Dracula? All these hints that Stoker doesn't do anything with or develop further? Well Making Jonathan the one who undergoes the blood ceremony gives us a very natural chance to discuss them again.

In conclusion: Jonathan's history with the Count makes him being the victim (again) a more compelling story. We've watched the Count slowly escalate aggression with him over the course of a novel, and this final attempt to literally claim Jonathan's soul and make him a thrall is the natural conclusion of that. To me those are some compelling stakes

Jonathan being Targeting Makes for Less Plotholes (and less Infuriatingly Sexist Plotpoints)

Not that Mina being excluded is unrealistic or unworthy of engaging with in the original novel but I find it to be such a drag

And actually to a certain point it is unrealistic to me because I think the decision to completely cut her off and stop talking to her about anything comes completely out of left field. Everyone was acting like she'd work with them in some capacity right up until Van Helsing says differently. I find that jarring.

Switching the target to Jonathan eliminates that plotpoint entirely, which I think is cool. Maybe Stoker never would have written Mina as one of the boys, but it's not the 19th century anymore and we can write Mina however we want. I think having a Mina that sticks up for herself and refuses to be excluded is neat.

But on what grounds would they choose to exclude Jonathan? Well I actually think that some obvious solutions present themselves.

Murray Mysteries goes the "Jonathan you have PTSD you shouldn't retraumatize yourself route" which works for them, since it's a 21st century retelling

But I actually think it could potentially make sense for Van Helsing to want to exclude Jonathan, and to need to be secretive about it.

So you know how in the canon Dracula gives Mina his blood partially because his intention was to make himself a spy? The plan was to use an unwitting Mina to his advantage but the polycule bursting in killed that idea.

Well if I were Van Helsing, I would immediately suspect that the Count had fucked with Jonathan at the castle. I mean it would make so much sense wouldn't it? Jonathan was there for two months, he could be compromised in so many different ways.

If Van Helsing had these suspicions, then it would be the natural next step to try and exclude Jonathan from the business as completely and utterly as possible under whatever flimsy excuses he can make up (and this man has been making up flimsy excuses for the whole novel so it's in character).

This adaptational change would lead into Jonathan getting attacked again very smoothly, except in this version, Van Helsing's reasoning has more grounds to it than just Sexism, so he would be not only a smarter character, but also one I'd want to punch less.

I think that makes for a stronger plot

Also it seems very natural to me that Jonathan wouldn't realize he'd been attacked again by Dracula. More natural than Mina not realizing. This man has been having PTSD nightmares and flashbacks about Count Dracula attacking him for the entire summer and early fall. Canonically his trauma made it difficult for him to separate dreams from reality in the past. He would just assume they were particularly nasty dreams.

This would also apply to Mina not noticing Jonathan was being fed on as well. She's used to him not looking well and having bad nights. It would not immediately be apparent to her that this was different that the usual.

In conclusion: Jonathan being the one who is attacked opens the door to other obvious plot changes that create a better story structurally.

Okay You've Convinced Me, I Want to Explore This

Listen to Murray Mysteries! Listen to Murray Mysteries if I haven't convinced you, it's really good and it's the only adaptation I know of that actually adapts the Polycule in a good way.

Read my series! I don't mean to self-promote but if you couldn't tell I feel incredibly strongly about this premise and I don't see people tapping into the potential so I've had to do it myself. Strange Wonders is a series of short stories that explore the plot of Dracula if this change had happened. The goal was to create something that mimicked Bram Stoker's tone and style as much as possible, while being the story I liked better in my head. The first in the series, Uncommon Horrors and Unnatural Hurts is Dracula Daily friendly, and the next in the series The Resilience of the Dawn will be Dracula Daily friendly by October 4th. I'm still updating as well although the story is technically complete and has a climax.

here some would stand between you and death by princ3ssf33t is a great little one-shot fic I've found that deals with the role reversal and features some stellar Jonmina

There is a Pleasure in the Pathless Woods by calliopes_pen is another epic reimagining where both the Harkers are targeted by Dracula

Your fic/art/content here!! Endless potential.

TL;DR

Having Jonathan undergo the blood ceremony instead of Mina makes for richer horror, stronger character arcs, less teethgrinding sexism, and less plotholes. The Dracula fandom should be exploring it more.

#dracula #dracula daily #meta #dracula meta #jonathan harker #mina harker #rape tw #rape cw

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jenneferofjengaberg · 1 month

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I recently finished Mary & George, a limited series that portrays a fictionalized version of the story of Mary Villiers and her son George, aka The Duke of Buckingham, who rose to power in the early 17th century court of King James VI (Scotland) and I (England).

It's very good, probably one of the better historical pieces I've seen this year. Julianne Moore (Mary Villiers) and Nicholas Galitzine (George Villiers) are excellent in their roles, and it's full of a great supporting cast as well, with particular honorable mentions going to Tony Curran as King James, Laurie Davidson as Somerset, Niamh Algar as Sandie, Nicola Walker as Lady Hatton, and Mark O'Halloran as Francis Bacon.

The story basically goes like this. Mary Villiers, the widow of a minor member of the aristocracy, molded her handsome son George into becoming a lover of King James, who was well known to prefer the company of beautiful young men. (Or as the show puts it, in probably the funniest line I've ever heard, James was, "So cock-struck it's like a curse.")

The trailers for the show seemed to lean heavily on the raunch and comedy aspects, and there certainly are plenty of steamy sex scenes and irreverent laughs to be had, but there's a more serious story here as well, with themes of corrupting power taking precedence over the lighthearted.

Mary Villiers is obsessed with gaining power and favor, and more than willing to pimp out her gorgeous son to do it. And yet Julianne Moore adeptly shows Mary's side of the story, with the complicating factors of being a woman in the 17th century and therefore lacking in any traditional access to the avenues of power and wealth. "Women grow by men", as Shakespeare's Nurse famously puts it, in a play written around the time that Mary was giving birth to her son.

Moore and the script infuse the character with wit and sarcasm, even when she's being her most evil self. And yet Mary is an unreliable narrator at best. There's a scene in the final episode, where she questions George's by now outrageous behavior, and seems to sincerely claim, "You are not who I raised". But her every action thus far makes that an obvious and galling lie, and the fact that she believes this lie renders the character's level of self-awareness as practically non-existent. To the end, she seems to accept no guilt or responsibility at all for either the predictable corruption and downfall of her son or the brutal consequences suffered by her girlfriend and co-conspirator, Sandie (Niamh Algar). But Moore's performance of this unconscious amorality is both fascinating and liberating to watch.

Galitzine is also exceptional at presenting the journey of George Villiers from a vulnerable young man into quite a monstrous egomaniac. In the beginning, George seems to act mostly out of a desire to keep his mother satisfied and even, at times, a sincere affection for the King. But as time goes on, and he must scheme and plot to maintain his place as the King's favorite, he transforms into an arrogant, selfishly ambitious, and recklessly dangerous member of the royal court. It's a complicated portrayal of a character that's a little slutty, a lot scheming, but still occasionally sincere, and sometimes even struck by conscience. His best moments, such as his patience and care for his neurodivergent brother, make the audience mourn the loss of the uncorrupted young man he was, and not the petty tyrant he turns into. Galitzine also looks screen scorchingly beautiful in every scene, which doesn't at all detract from his more nuanced performances.

My one quibble with the piece is the script's characterization of King James. Actor Tony Curran is very charming as the romantic, mercurial, and "cock-struck" King, but that may be a fault rather than a feature of this depiction. James gets off rather easy, compared to everyone else. After all, he's the one who turned his personal relationships into a patronage system that basically boiled down to a sex-for-power scheme. People like Somerset, Mary Villiers and Buckingham may have exploited that system, but they didn't author it. And, although this is obviously imposing a wildly modern set of sensibilities on a historical show/events, one wonders if a man who made a habit of sleeping with much younger men who had far less power than he, should be made out to be quite so much the victim as he is in this series. Particularly the way they changed the historical circumstances of his death to fit the narrative of the pitiable gay king who just wanted to be loved but was continually let down or betrayed by his lovers.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the performance overall. And his relationship with George also seemed touchingly sincere, but I also think they could have examined his role in corrupting those around him, both Somerset and Buckingham, more fully, rather than winking at it and mostly letting him off the hook.

Grade: A-

#mary & george #mary and george #nicholas galitzine #julianne moore #tony curran #review #spoilers #mary & george spoilers

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psi-scribe · 3 months

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Ok so after talking with the breeder about some scheduling, I’ve decided to go out there and see the kennel myself and introduce myself to Percival then before taking him home. Right now the breeder is away at a Ravenwing sporting event which is why it’s taking a while to bring the Scout home, which is no problem! I’m looking forward to seeing the kennel and this should help the little guy feel more at ease about his adoption and feel safer on the drive back, which was something I was worrying about, so this really does work out better. So while I sit around waiting, I figured I’d share some information about the Dark Angel breed! They are so interesting and diverse, comes with being such an old breed.

So let’s start with the Legion Breed! The original “Dark Angel” breed is one with a long history, founded by one “Lion El’Jonson” a Welsh gentleman, and he is Welsh, a lot of sources say he’s British, but this is incorrect, he was just educated in England and lived there for a long time but that’s a different topic. He bred the Dark Angels to be hardy, highly intelligent and cover several different kinds of roles. The original breed, which is still around to this day due to diligent and careful breeding, is known for their gleaming black coats in contrast to the “Caliban Green” that the modern Chapter Breed sports (Caliban being chosen in honor of the El’Jonson old castle). Though patterns like “checkerboard” are acceptable according to the pedigree guidelines for both.

Now I mentioned that the breed served in several different ways, and this was managed by organizing the breed into six “wings”, which are classified now as “variations”, or sub-breeds. This is something that was carried on with the Chapter/Successor breeds. This is partly to reflect the original Legion Breed and partly because Dark Angels genetically are so diverse and that effects their behavior, thus requiring different training. You can breed two Ravenwings together but not all the marinelings will turn out to be ravenwings. This genetic diversity has helped to keep the breed so strong for so long.

So, let’s talk about those “Wings”!

Most people who have poked around Dark Angel breed information sites, forums and such are likely familiar with two of them: The Deathwing and Ravenwing. Both are stunning in their own ways, fully grown Deathwing have pale coats dubbed “bone” and grow to be much taller than others of their breeds and variations. These bois were originally used for herding/guarding, especially during wartimes where they excelled (there’s actually a sad story related to that but maybe I’ll share that later). Chapter and Successor breed Ravenwing sometimes get confused for the old Legion Breed because of their black coats. The immediate difference is that ravenwing (regardless of breed) are always leaner and way more active, this is so not a variation for those living in cities, seriously.

There are or were 4 other wings belonging to the old Legion Breed but for various reasons, none of them are still around in great number. These are the: Firewing, Stormwing, Ironwing and Dreadwing.

Firewing were used back when the Legion Breed was really active in early wars, think when knights in armor and horseback were used. The best way to describe the accounts of their behavior is to imagine a highly disciplined Night Lord or Ravenguard but they were also dangerous because they could snap at any moment without warning (unless you’re familiar with the variation). But that’s what they were bred for, assassinations and such. From what pictures I’ve seen around and written descriptions, they commonly had red markings but there’s not much more beyond that.

Stormwing is more frustrating because I have not been able to find good pictures of the variation? No descriptions about what they commonly looked like or what they were bred for either. What I was able to find was that there were never a lot of them in the first place, something about the training and traits needed to be classified as one. The variation was bred for something specific during the “knightly” period but after castle sieges stopped really being a big part of battles, I guess there was no reason to keep the variation going sadly.

Ironwing! These are the heaviest and biggest of the variations, Legion Dark Angel Dreadnoughts were all classified as Ironwings when they were around in mass. You know how big dogs have deep barks? It’s the same with these guys, all their vocalizations are all deep and you feel it in your bones apparently. These guys often wore addition armor as well.

And then finally, there’s the Dreadwing. The first of the variations to be banned and breeding straight up forbidden. They were incredibly dangerous and not many people met the strict minimum required to even apprentice to handle them?? Lion El’Jonson was not messing around when he set up the guidelines for these ones. A lot of the records I managed to find (and read for that matter, old English is hard to read) were uh…gruesome. War-time variations sadly all have that in common.

Though on another interesting note! While the Legion Breed is still around and closely monitored for good breeding, there appears to be records of several “Fallen” Dark Angels around. Fallen is the term for the Legion Dark Angels that choose to abandon their owners for one reason or another/are abandoned and end up going feral. Sometimes they join up in squads but never more than that. A lot of veterans in the Dark Angel husbandry field have tried to trap and rehabilitate these Fallen, sometimes they’re successful too. Those Fallen are then dubbed “Risen” to mark that they were formerly feral and that means their requirements and needs are different. The kennel club I mentioned in another post has set up a program to help with finding and helping any Fallen they get calls about. They’re not all bad marines, they just need a second chance.

So, yeah, that my very rambling history(?) post about the Dark Angel breed!

#scribe's scribbles #space marine husbandry #This is a blast to write and also so messy #The Welsh bit is a reference to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in case anyone is wondering

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xoxobluelock · 1 year

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Shidou & Zlatan Ibrahimovic Similarities

I was looking into Shidou's Big Bang Drive and fell down the Zlatan Ibrahimovic rabbit hole. Turns out, Shidou and his favorite player share a number of similarities, including incredible bicycle kicks, play styles, backgrounds in Taekwondo, and ...abrasive personalities.

First, the Big Bang Drive.

Ibrahimovic is the first video result when you search "bicycle kick" for a reason. In a 2012 Sweden vs England friendly, Ibrahimovic pulled off what is widely considered a legendary bicycle kick goal—some have argued one of the best goals of all time—30 yards out. With the vid / gif and the manga panels below, I think you’ll see some similarities between Shidou’s Big Bang Drive here in Chapter 130 and Ibrahimovic's goal.

Below is a play-by-play, followed by background on Ibrahimovic and similarities he and Shidou share:

(I am not claiming the Big Bang Drive was based on Ibrahimovic's goal. I just think it's interesting. Also, you can find the "Egoist Bible" player interview in which Shidou states Ibrahimovic is his favorite player here, courtesy of 705point8 on Twitter.)

The goal starts with Sweden (Ibrahimovic's team) stealing the ball from England and passing long—like Sae did—to where only Ibrahimovic and two members of the opposing team are. Like how Shidou is going up against Reo and Aryu after moving on "reflex" toward the goal, knowing Sae would work his magic and get him the ball.

The goalie had come out from the goal, and heads the bounced pass away (like Gagamaru), but it isn't enough to get past Ibrahimovic. Or Shidou.

Shidou pulls off an overhead bicycle kick goal bonkers enough to have even Sae show some surprise on his face. Look how far away Shidou is! Is it 30 yards like Ibrahimovic's? Can't say for sure, but it looks damn close. Man, I can't wait to see this match animated!

Sae's face 😂

I'm no football expert—I’m running on Ted Lasso, Blue Lock, and a dream here—but is it possible that Shidou's Big Bang Drive might be an homage to Shidou's favorite player and his famous thirty-yarder? I think so. Or it's entirely coincidental, you decide.

...

Background + Similarities

Here's the man in question, recently and younger.

(Content warning: Ibrahimovic, like Shidou, is sometimes crude and violent, and has sexualized aspects of the game. The explanation below is far milder than what you’ve already read in the manga, just want to mention it.)

(Unless otherwise noted, everything below came from Ibrahimovic's Wikipedia page.)

If you read Ibrahimovic's Wikipedia page, you can see why Shidou is a fan:

One of the best strikers of all time? Three whole decades of playing football, a twenty year international career, still playing into his forties (though not always as striker now)? (We know how football is life for Shidou!) Brash and outspoken? Known for acrobatic goals? Making yellow and red cards fly like paper planes? Makes sense to me.

Notably, Ibrahimovic's been carded for the following:

Cursing—meh, pretty tame.

Literally slapping, elbowing, kicking, punching, and headbutting people—sometimes even his own teammates! Okay, now we’re on to something.

Grabbing his junk to taunt jeerers. Sexualizing things for no damn reason, just like Shidou! 😅 Ibrahimovic’s done this at least twice, I believe. And fairly recently, 2016 and 2019.

...

Perhaps the most interesting connection is Taekwondo. I had assumed Shidou had some degree of experience in Taekwondo after seeing his crazy form / flexibility in Chapter 88 and googling “axe kick." But what do you know? Ibrahimovic attended Taekwondo classes as a child and received an honorary black belt. Several articles either imply (The Athletic) or state (The Sun; Goal) that Ibrahimovic's black belt is not just an honor bestowed for highlighting Taewkondo, but also a real distinction he earned at only 17.

I'm saying: both Ibrahimovic and Shidou have some Taekwondo experience, starting in their youth.

(Ch. 102)

Ibrahimovic says: #Taekboll

See him in action on his Insta:

...

Reading further on his Wikipedia, Ibrahimovic definitely has the Blue Lock ego down. Here are some fun lil quotes:

“‘You bought a Ferrari, but you drive it like a Fiat.’ — Ibrahimović disparages Guardiola on how he was used at Barcelona.”

“He announced his arrival in idiosyncratic style by taking out a signed full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times that simply said, ‘Dear Los Angeles, you're welcome.’” (A WHOLE DAMN PAGE IN THE LAT—I can’t 😂)

“Post match, Ibrahimović stated he was ‘happy for Toronto because they'll be remembered as my 500th victim.’” (Such a dick, I love it.)

“‘Swedish style? No. Yugoslavian style? Of course not. It has to be Zlatan-style.’ — Downplaying the influence of his background, Ibrahimović describes his unique playing style.” (Okay, King JJ.)

“One thing is for sure, a World Cup without me is nothing to watch." (I dunno, bro, I enjoyed the last one.... 😂)

Here’s one that highlights another connection to Shidou / freedom in football: “I was sacrificed and no longer had the freedom on the pitch I need to succeed.” He literally said this about playing with LIONEL MESSI. But, ya know, fair point. Shidou and Rin had so much fun sharing the spotlight (and the ball). (Important to note that Ibra has also expressed admiration and respect for Messi.)

“…Ibrahimović announced he was to leave the LA Galaxy through his Twitter account, telling Galaxy fans ‘[Y]ou wanted Zlatan, I gave you Zlatan. You are welcome. The story continues...Now go back to watch baseball.’” (Baseball! The shade! 😂)

The actual tweet with what, I'm assuming, is a fan-edit he 'borrowed':

Not from Wiki: As recently as a 2021 interview, Ibrahimovic stated, "Deep down, I think I'm the best player in the world."

...

Alright, this got more involved than I intended. Going to wrap it up with some brief notes on play style and some fun facts.

Straight from Ibrahimovic's Wikipedia page: “Known for his strong mentality and leadership, as well as his extroverted and highly competitive personality, despite his success, he has been criticised in the media for his arrogance, aggression and rebellious character, as well as his lack of discipline on the pitch, in particular in his early career, which has led him to involved in confrontations with other players, some of his managers and even reporters.” Can definitely see why Shidou might feel some kinship with Ibrahimovic!

Wiki also notes ESPN described Ibrahimovic as "good in the air, quick, tall, strong and agile, he plays well with his back to goal and boasts some of the best finishing, vision, passing and ball control around.” Mr. Demon Wings / "Flying Killing Machine" Shidou is definitely good in the air (Ch 131). Ibrahimovic has Shidou by five inches in height, but Shidou is over six feet and is shown to be acrobatic. Shidou also has incredible game vision. Look at Mr. "My Weapon is 'Extreme Spatial Awareness!!" go (Ch 130)! And he plays well with his back to goal. "As long as I'm inside the penalty area, even with my back to it... I can find the goalmouth without even seeing it!!"

...

Lastly, Ibrahimovic is active and popular on social media—apparently the most followed Swede on Insta with over 55 million followers. He often signs posts with a 🦁. He doesn’t drink alcohol. He had a rough childhood. He's married and has two kids. Ibrahimovic also has a habit of referring to himself in the third person.

Phew. Okay. I got shit to do. You can tell where I got tired. I might revisit this later, especially if I come across anything else relevant to Shidou / Blue Lock. But since you made it this far, I'm begging you to read this article in The Athletic. It is so damn funny and interesting and weird, complete with talkshow appearances and everything—and it really highlights things like his sense of humor and ability to laugh at himself (on his own terms, at least). And makes you wonder just how much of his ego is a facade.

There’s obviously a lot more about Ibrahimovic and his decades long career. Like how he played in Sweden’s U-18 Team, multiple leagues, and World Cups; has scored a “perfect hat-trick,” etc., etc.. But I tried to give a brief overview of what seemed most relevant to Blue Lock and my favorite character.

Hope you found it interesting / helpful, too! Might get around to posting some of the notes I've taken on Shidou and Sae for a fic now that I'm finally free from Tumblr purgatory and can actually be seen in the tags.

Update: As of June 4, 2023, Ibra has officially retired. At age 41, after over 30 years in the sport. AC Milan sent him off in style, and he trended at #1 worldwide on Twitter for hours after the announcement. He's still very active on his socials and seems to be enjoying retirement, playing pickle ball and attending Coldplay concerts!

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she-wolf09231982 · 4 months

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Chapter 2- The Talk

Summary: You find out your first mission is to Carentan with Easy Company. This will be your first jump with the boys, but there's some who are opposed to your tagging along to which Liebgott defends your honor.

Author's Notes: Mature audience, Joe LiebgottxFemMedic, Pre D-Day, She/Her Pronouns, Y/F/N, Y/L/N, Cursing/Swearing, Derogatory Slurs, Womanizing Comments, Aggression, Angst, Mentions of Sex, Confrontation, Military Terminology, 1940’s slang, Inappropriate Nicknames, Band of Brothers References, A League of Their Own Crossover Characters & Movie References, Mentions of Weaponry, Yiddish/German/Dutch language with English translation, Smoking, Crying, Banter, Pining, FLUFF (Joe defends reader's honor) Story takes place mid-late Episode 1- Currahee

*These stories may not fall entirely in accordance with the TV series timeline. I do not know the real soldiers the actors portray in this series, so please understand I show no disrespect. Some or most of the historical events and character interactions in my fanfics are fabricated purely for the sake of the enjoyment of fiction*

If you haven't read Chapter 1 & 3:

~~~~~~~

England

May 1944

Easy Company along with allied British forces locked down the town of Aldbourne. You and the only other two females (two aid station nurses) were finally allotted with a temporary hardened facility (instead of a tent) to yourselves just on the edge of the village.

You shared this space with Doris Murphy, and Mae Mordabito. They each sat on their own tufted lounge chair in their night gowns, gossiping about some of the officers they found attractive.

“Ok, so pick one: Spiers, Winters, or Nixon?” Mae purred in a breathy voice while smoking a cigarette.

“Ooo that’s a tough one, Mae.” Doris cooed with her heavy Statton Island accent.

Doris paused to think about it.

“Come on, Doris, it ain’t that hard.” Mae teased.

“Oh yeah? Who’d you pick then, Mae?” Doris prodded.

“Spiers for sure.” Mae replied almost immediately with honey in her voice.

“Ooooooo!” Doris squealed as they both giggled uncontrollably.

Their laughter was interrupted by you entering through the door in your linen robe and your hair wrapped in a towel carrying a shower caddie.

“Well, hello there, Y/N.” Doris welcomed teasingly.

“Doris.” You greet back with a faint smile.

“So, how’s Joe?” Mae asked sweetly with a shimmy.

You directed her a look of annoyance and a grin. You remained quiet, removing your hair from the towel.

“He walked you to the shower, didn’t he??” Doris squawked with shock.

Mae tittered biting her red manicured fingernail, waiting for you to admit it.

You ‘psh-ed’ through your teeth trying to suppress a laugh.

“Yeah, Doris, Liebgott walked with me to the shower.” You confirmed.

You never call him Joe in front of them or the other guys.

“And?” Mae pushed after you fell silent again.

You turned away slowly from your vanity to face them. They waited with excitement and impatience all over their faces, each on the edge of their seats.

“And he walked me back here.” You finished with a mischievous smirk.

They both groaned.

“He’s been walking you around every night for almost seven months now, honey, what’s the hold up??” Mae asked.

“He walks with me because it was a direct order, Mae. Winters doesn’t want me walking alone when it’s dark because there are hundreds of ravenous sexually deprived wolves out here waiting for the opportunity to get a Little Red Riding Hood all to themselves.” You explained plainly.

“I wear red under my uniform all the time.” Mae admitted with a wink after taking a long drag from her cigarette.

Mae being the more promiscuous kind, didn’t see a problem with hundreds of horny men in the general vicinity.

“Mae!!” Doris said clutching her chest with a gasp.

You laughed together as you continued to dry your wet hair.

“But seriously, though, that man’s got it bad for you, hun.” Mae continued.

“Yeah, real bad.” Doris emphasized.

You roll your eyes.

“I don’t think so, girls.” You argued.

“Oh yeah? You ever catch how he looks at you?” Doris challenged.

“Or how close he gets to you so he could smell your perfume?” Mae added.

“He does nothing of the sort.” You dismissed.

Doris and Mae looked at eachother.

“Ok, deny it all you want, Gams, Joe Liebgott is sweet...on...you!” Mae said booping you gently on the nose after each of the last three words of her sentence.

You huff then shook your head.

“Sure, Mae.” You say hoping it’ll end the conversation.

The three of you get into your respectable beds after Doris dimmed the lamp.

Silence and darkness filled the room and you almost drifted off to sleep until...

“AWOOOOOOOOOO!”

The three of you gasp, sitting straight up frozen from fear.

You started to hear snickering outside. Specifically, men laughing. You spring out of your bed and throw open the door catching Liebgott, Luz, Perconte, and Malarkey running up the road towards their end of town.

“LUZ! CONTE! LARKEY! LIEB!!” GODDAM LEATHERHEADS!!” You yelled out after them, genuinely furious and somewhat embarrassed.

The four soldiers stopped and turned to wave mockingly back at you, then all howled again.

You heard Mae and Doris giggle behind you.

You stood arms crossed staring back at the guys stunned by their immaturity.

You and Liebgott locked eyes. His playful smirk appearing across his face. You pursed your lips and furrowed your eyebrows shaking your head at him. He brought his fingertips to his lips blowing you a kiss, and winking as he turned on his heel with Malarkey pulling on his sleeve.

“They must’ve been listening to us.” Doris pointed out.

“If I’d have known that I would’ve had a thing or two to say about Luz.” Mae declared with a sultry smile.

You released an irritated breath, shook your head while slamming the rickety door.

“Idiots.” You whispered to yourself.

~~~~~~~

You left the town’s only serviceable cafe with a thermos of coffee and made your way towards the makeshift medical unit to start your day. You see Easy Company gathering in the field nearest to your workstation preparing for convoy exercises. Liebgott and Perconte ran over to chat with you.

“Hey! Sleep good last night, Gams?” Joe snickered.

You roll your eyes at him.

“Hey, why does Mae call you ‘Gams’ anyway?” Perconte asked genuinely clueless.

You and Joe looked at him perplexed.

“Really, Frank? Gams? Because Y/N’s got legs for days, you dunce.” Joe explained.

Perconte just nodded releasing an ‘ahhhh’ after it all came together in his head.

“And how would you know I have long gams, Lieb?” You interrogated crossing your arms.

Joe looked at you alarmed at first but recovered quickly.

“I can tell just by lookin’ at’chya.” He declared flirtatiously.

“Frank! Joe! Get over here!”

Lipton called Perconte and Liebgott back from across the field.

“See ya later, doll, gotta go.” Joe said quickly before rushing off.

You watch them run off until Mae’s voice breaks your focus.

“See? Told ya.” Mae gloated.

You looked at her and began to protest but she winked at you and waved you off before you could get a word in.

You growled lowly to yourself in frustration and proceeded to med storage to start inventory with Doc.

~~~~~~~

June 1944

You and Doc were instructed to attend a briefing with Easy Company. You sat in the rear with Doc while Captain Lewis Nixon spoke from a platform, referencing a map on easel.

"Sainte-Marie-du-Monte. Causeway number one. Causeway number two. The ultimate field problem. The estuary of the Douve River divides two beaches, code name Utah, here and Omaha, here. Seaborne Infantry will hit these beaches in force at a date and time to be specified."

Nixon proceeded after stepping down from the stage.

"H-Hour, D-Day. Airborne's objective, gentlemen, is to take the town of Carentan or Carentan, thus linking Utah and Omaha into a single continuous beachhead."

Lieutenant Meehan addressed all the companies from the platform, briefing the operation order of when and where to engage the focus targets which was a German garrison just beyond the Atlantic Wall where the troops were to drop 5 hours before the 4th Infantry lands on Utah.

“-Easy Company will destroy that garrison. Each trooper will learn this operation by heart and know {their} and every other outfit's mission to the detail." Meehan scanned the crowd making sure he still had everyone's attention before continuing.

"We’ll be having the best members of the wound care unit accompanying us as our designated field medics. Corporals Roe and Y/L/N. This will be L/N’s first jump with us, so keep an eye out for her, gents.” Meehan added with a fatherly expectant gaze across the crowd before him."

"You’re all released for the day. Police your gear, make sure you have what you need and ready to load up by 0700. Get outta here.” Nixon dismissed.

The men all rose from their seats and began filing out of the briefing area.

“Well, that was cheerful.” Luz voiced out loud to Perconte.

“What really grinds my gears is we got princess to babysit.” Guarnere bleated.

“Jeezuz Christ, Guarnere, give it a rest, will ya?” Luz barked.

“You know what your problem is? Your pride is still dented. She put you in your place in front of everyone with some politically correct facts about your bloodline. You just wanna give her shit every chance you get.” Corporal David Webster interjected.

“You can shut your mouth, Web.” Guarnere sneered.

“Hey, Guarnere, shut the fuck up.” Liebgott snapped.

“Hey, Joe, why don’t you shut the hell up. I wasn’t talkin’ to ya! Just because you wanna bed her don’t mean I gotta be nice to her.” Guarnere spit back.

Liebgott grabbed Guarnere by the shoulder, swinging him around, grappling him by the front of his uniform.

“You watch what you say about her.” Liebgott hissed at him.

Guarnere shoved Liebgott off him.

“Get your hands off me. And tell your girl that if she sees me in the field bleeding out, to keep her Mick-Deigo hands off me too. I’d rather die. Fuck the bote’of’ ya’s.” (The both of you) Guarnere snarled back, spitting at Joe’s feet before walking away.

Liebgott stared him down, chest heaving, until he disappeared around the corner.

“Let it go, Joe.” Bull said patting his shoulder a couple of times.

Liebgott glanced to the side barely catching you scurrying away towards your barracks.

“Pretty sure she heard all that.” Bull added.

“Yeah...I’ll go talk to her.” Liebgott said almost as a growl.

~~~~~~~

You sat in a rocking chair that one of the locals left behind in your sleeping quarters. Wrapped in one of the olive drab wool blankets that was standard issue for soldiers. You rocked back and forth gently, lost in the flame of your oil lamp until you heard a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” You call out.

“It’s Joe, Y/N.” Liebgott replied.

“It’s not even time for chow yet.” You responded as you checked your watch.

“I came here to talk, Y/N.” Liebgott clarified.

You exhaled loudly as you walked to the door and opened it. You found Joe leaning with his forearm against the trim of the doorway. Your heart danced a little as he looked at you through hooded lids.

Your breath hitched before you composed yourself.

“Talk about what?” You queried.

Joe slowly straightened up rocking back on his heels as he slipped his hands into his front pockets.

“About what happened back there.” He specified as he gestured with his head behind him.

“What’s to talk about? It don’t bother me.” You asserted in the most convincing voice you could muster.

Liebgott chuckled as he looked down at his boots then looked back at you.

“You ain’t foolin’ nobody, sweetheart.” He stated.

You looked off to the side avoiding eye contact with him.

“Can... I... come in?” He dared to ask.

You look at him appalled, grabbing the front of your robe.

“Excuse me?” You asked as you narrowed your eyes at him.

He laughed almost nervously.

“Look, I just thought it would be better to talk in private. Don’t worry, I won’t try anything fresh, ok? I swear.” He promised placing a hand over his heart.

The wheels in your head were working overtime. It must have shown on your face because Liebgott felt the need to be more reassuring.

“Nobody will see me come in or out. There’s nobody around right now anyway.” He pointed out stepping aside presenting the view behind him. You look beyond him and scan the area. He was absolutely right. It was a ghost town because it was getting dark. You look at him suspiciously.

“Fine.” You say curtly.

You step aside and let him pass through.

You secured the door behind you. He put his hands back in his pockets and started surveying the room.

“This is actually kinda nice.” He admitted with a nod.

“It serves its purpose.” You reply simply.

Liebgott sat on one of the tufted lounge chairs across from your vanity where you sat facing him. He rested each elbow onto each of his knees with his fingers interlock between, preparing himself to speak. You sat across from him, sitting with perfect posture and legs crossed and hands folded on your lap still avoiding eye contact.

“Jesus, will you relax?” Joe finally urged. “You look like I’m about to yell at you or something.” He added.

“I’m just waiting for you to talk. You said we should talk, not me.” You reminded.

He sat up and huffed while rolling his eyes.

“Ok fine. Du bist azoy ekshn (You are so stubborn.)” Joe said under his breath in Yiddish.

“Ruf mikh nisht ekshnus. (Do not call me stubborn).” You shot back.

Liebgott looked at you baffled. He wasn’t sure if he actually heard what he heard.

“You...you speak Yiddish?” He managed to ask.

“Und Deutsch (And German).” You added.

He just stared at you, eyes wide and utterly at loss for words.

“En Nederlands. (And Dutch).” You continued.

The corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile.

“That’s...that’s really something. You’re one up on me with Dutch.” He accredited.

“Well, that’s one of the other reasons I was assigned to Easy Company.” You revealed.

“Makes sense.” He summed up.

You took a deep breath to reset your patience.

“So, before you called me stubborn, you had something you wanted to discuss?” You prompted.

“Um, yeah. About what Guarnere said. I know you heard.” He expressed.

“Ok. So?” You reply briskly.

“So, I know it probably upset you. Bull even noticed. I wanted to make sure what he said didn’t bring you down too much.” Joe explained.

You walked back to your rocking chair, tucked your knees up to your chest as you rewrapped yourself in the wool blanket. You buried your face in your ‘cocoon.’ Joe got up and squatted next to you, placing one hand on your exposed foot from under the blanket, the other on the armrest of the chair to steady it from rocking.

“Y/N?” He said softly, his head tilted so he could look into your eyes if you happened to look up.

You cautiously lifted your head from hiding, only to meet his concerned gaze. Tears had welled up in your eyes, but not from hurt pride or sadness. These were tears of anger and confusion.

“I just don’t understand...” You began. Your voice was hoarse and scratchy from choking down your tears, and it hurt your throat to speak anymore. Joe waited silently, just letting you vent. The hand he had on your foot gently squeezed and released in an attempt to sooth your frustration.

“Just because I’m a woman? Because I’m from Chicago? Or that I’m Italian and Irish?” Your words stumble out, as the tears start to flow staining wet streaks down your cheeks.

Joe was steadfast and quiet, hanging on your every angered word.

“I feel like nobody takes me seriously, Joe.” You finally make eye contact with him as you sniffle. “A woman can’t be their own entity in a man’s world without being someone’s ‘girl.’ Like I can’t possibly do anything on my own because I’m a female and in the Army working alongside men.” You concluded your rant by resting your chin on your knee, staring out into the room lost in your own thoughts.

Joe shifted closer to you.

“You know that’s not true, right?” He whispered to you, almost in your ear.

“What isn’t?” You asked.

“That nobody takes you seriously. The guys, well, they like ya. Except Guarnere, of course, but nobody listens to him.” You both chuckle together.

You dried some of the tears with your blanket.

“Anyway, what I’m trying to get at here, is that we respect you for what you do for us and glad to have you on our side. Woman or man, you’ve shown us you won’t take anyone’s shit and that we can depend on you to have our backs out there. And I’ll always have yours.” He reassured you.

You looked at him surprised after catching that last part.

“I mean, we’ll always have your back.” He tried correcting himself as he leaned back to put a little space between the two of you since he was close enough to your face he could’ve practically kissed you. For a split second, you almost thought he was going to.

You decided to let his little unprecedented confession slide so you wouldn’t embarrass him or yourself.

“Thanks, Joe.” you said fondly with a weak smile.

“Anytime, Gams.” He said teasingly.

You exchange a smile.

The door suddenly swung open as Mae and Doris crashed through the threshold. They froze when they saw you and Liebgott next to eachother in the corner of the room. An impish grin spread across Mae’s face as her eyes flitted back and forth between you and him.

“Hey, Joe, whaddya know?” Mae asked in her playful kittenish tone.

Doris shamelessly laughed, enjoying the torture you were enduring.

Joe stood up progressively, then faced her.

“Hey, ‘All the way Mae’ whaddya say?” He puffed his chest out triumphantly, quite proud of his comeback.

You hiccupped from shock, covering your mouth to suppress your laugh. You stood up placing a hand on Liebgott’s shoulder gently pushing him towards the door.

“Thanks for the pep talk, Liebgott. I’ll see you later.” He looked over his shoulder at you.

“I’ll be back at 1830.” He told you before striding to the door. Mae and Doris were coyishly smiling as he passed them. When the door closed behind him the floodgates opened.

“Y/N!!” Doris shrieked.

“Spill the beans, honey! How was he??” Mae asked implying you had sex with Liebgott.

You could tell the anticipation was killing them. You looked back and forth between both of them, almost considering going along with the ruse that you had slept with Joe, but decided against it because Doris and Mae would tell everyone they knew about it.

“You two are ridiculous.” You finally said.

“Awww, so no details??” Doris asked disappointed.

“Doris, don’t you get it? It means she didn’t screw him.” Mae explained rolling her eyes walking away annoyed and disinterested.

You laughed to yourself, then decided to freshen up your puffy face before Joe got back.

~~~~~~~

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itsagrimm · 9 months

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Super scientific rating of European public transport by vibes:

Switzerland - extremely sexy. Always on time and good looking as well as a fluent and helpful polyglot to the lost traveller in need.

Portugal - casual and not always on time but definitely a solid way to travel. Bit of a challenge if not fluent in Portuguese (but that’s on me not you my dear).

England - tsk. Tsk. Tsk. As a seasoned train traveller I must say that the vibes are off. Ever other train line is a different private train company, making the trips extremely expensive compared to other countries.

France - really wants you to go to Paris no matter where you are in the country.

Austria - does not want to be like Switzerland, feels pretty close to it yet has it’s own thing. Bonus points for the service run cheap tickets via Sparschine and night trains.

Germany - would like to be like Switzerland but just ain’t it. It’s the solid friend to turn to and most often it goes well. But this buddy here is reliably unreliable to a often bearable but slightly annoying extent.

Russia - been a while since I was able to collect super scientific samples but honorable mention for ALWAYS running trains no matter the circumstances and in regards to Moscow scarily efficient way.

Malta - not a train system (sad) but beloved Malta has a well planned bus service which is even more fun to take than going by car due to elderly people chatting and doing DIY sightseeing on the go.

Czechia - my beloved Czechia. Always on time, kind of stress-free and casual yet there when needed. A shame how you get overlooked.

#train travel #train #next time I might do a rating for tap water by vibes #grimmwriting #travelling is going great #public transportation #public transport ultra

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elysefz · 24 days

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HSHQTASK059: FAREWELL !

when did you join ? what made you join ? what do you remember from the plotlines that were current at the time ? where were you in life when you joined and where are you now ?

i was in college! april 2018. but i was looking for something new to join. i liked the political aspect of the rp, it was still a pairs rp with the alliance system that seemed fun. i was in the middle of my political science major so i liked the idea of using what i was learning. also the main was very pretty. a lot of it was new to me, that's when we were all using icons and i didn't know what the heck small text was.

which characters have you written over the years ?

oh no, let's see: elyse, aslan, michael, daisuke, roxanna, stella, rebeka (i think was her name??) (stella part 1 kinda), ester (remember the pons?), domas (daisuke part 1 lbr), there was a daniel bruhl fc early on rip to him, ming fa (jianguo part 1), jianguo (my sweet boy, i did you dirty), queen of nambia i don't remember your name but you were fun, duchess of brittany i think?

what is your favourite plotline that you've been part of ?

andorra! also layslan my beloved.

what about other people's plotlines ?

the russian plots were always super sexy and the zulus were so good. also england. just all of it.

who is your favourite character from the ones you've played ? why ? what made you love them ? what made them so fun to write ?

elyse, my little nightmare. she grew up with me it feels like. i was studying nationalism and populism in my undergrad degree and i wanted to play with those styles of politics. she's so screwed up but i love her. her insecurity and the way that makes her clings to her choices, even when they are clearly bad. i think we all do that sometimes, we fear something and the create the situation that we fear. honorable mention to my baby michael and my favorite villain domas/daisuke who would just plan fun.

if you could relive a plotline, which would it be ?

i wish i could live in farnauld forever. novel version when?

is there a plotline that you'd edit now if you could ?

probably my early ones, like early prussia. i learned so much in this half decade about writing, storytelling, and working in a group. i am entirely grateful to all of you for teaching me with kindness and love.

what's a plotline you wish you would have been able to finish before closing or just write more of ?

i'm not going to lie, i've had kalyse on my mind recently. but we had a whole thing with michael planned out and northern ireland which would have been fun. and we had some stuff planned for daisuke too that would have been interesting. also, if we had done it, you would have screamed at the mexico/cuba plot

what is your favourite ooc memory ?

all of them but hshqmas is always a delight. also all the april fools admin announcements which got me every year and now this *weeps*

where can others find you if they want to get in touch ?

i'm on discord as ladyjane and my rph is @abbydoesrph. maybe i'll up a 1x1 someday. idk hmu.

what else would you like to say ?

i'm not going to say everything i want to say because i'm in my feelings. i feel like i grew up in hshq; as a person and as a writer. i've joined and left a lot of groups in this time but i always come back here. come home. i want to say thank you. and thank you for your patience and communication and still loving me when i know i screwed up. i can only hope i've left you with as many good feelings as you all have left me with. and thank you in particular to the admins for your care, attention, and dedication to the group. honestly, you're outstanding. i wish i had bosses who would asked for and provided feedback as well you three. all of my love, and i mean all of it, to hshq. xoxo.

#hshqtask059 #i'm sure i forgot something but anyway ily

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keplercryptids · 2 years

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Queer Books for Spooky Season!

i have read and enjoyed all of these, and have organized them in such a way that makes sense to me and hopefully peaks your interest! most are straight-up horror, but some just have horror / spooky themes.

[please note, not all these books have overtly queer characters / relationships, but are included because they have queer authors and/or queer characters, plots or themes. don’t want people to go into any of these books expecting romance.]

Spooky & Sapphic

The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir. everyone on tumblr knows about this series. it’s a science-fantasy, it’s got lesbian necromancers in space, it’s got mysteries and intrigue, and i would describe it as a “fun” read but please know my idea of fun includes body horror, grief and spooky vibes.

The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling. the vibes of this one are off the charts. story is told from the perspective of a lone caver on a foreign planet, as she communicates with her dive suit’s handler. it’s tense and suspenseful, lots of survival-fiction vibes, and it’s exactly how i want characters to flirt: via coms only, as one fights for their life.

Yellow Jessamine by Caitlin Starling. this one’s a weird little gothic novella about a shipping magnate who’s confined to her creepy estate as a mysterious plague runs rampant through the city.

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca. this novella is told via early-2000s chat logs and emails between two women as they develop one of the most unnerving relationships i’ve ever read. gross things happen! this one’s polarizing! but i loved it so much. absolutely unhinged vibes.

Parasites, but Goth

Leech by Hiron Ennes. most of this book is told from the POV of a parasitic hivemind called the Institute, which uses host bodies to act as physicians for the rest of society in a post-apocalyptic, gothic setting. and it gets weirder from there. it’s an honestly quite beautiful exploration of bodily autonomy, identity, and trauma.

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher. this is a retelling of the fall of the house of usher, and includes a spooky manor, fungal parasites, possessed wildlife, and the exact kind of unsettling atmosphere that i love in a horror book.

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon. this story follows a teen mother who’s escaped from a cult and is now undergoing a fungal metamorphosis in the forest. big thriller/survival vibes and some truly excellent commentary about oppression, trauma and societal secrets.

Could Vampirism be Gayer? (yes, actually)

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson. "dracula’s polycule” is what sold me on this book, and while yes, it’s got polyamorous vampires, the heart of the story is about the dynamics of an abusive relationship, with a strong thread of hope throughout.

The Route of Ice and Salt by José Luis Zárate, transl. by David Bowles. i’m not usually one to categorize a book as Important (TM) but this novella definitely is that. it was originally published in the 90s by a mexican author, and it’s a reimagining of dracula’s voyage to england from the POV of the captain, a closeted gay man full of queer yearning. this book is beautiful and painful and challenging and yes, important. it’s also horny as hell so like, you’ve been warned lol. only recently has it been made available in english, too!

Science as Horror

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey. a short novel about a woman who’s recently separated from her husband, who in turn started a relationship with a clone of her. loved the character exploration in this, and it’s definitely got mystery/thriller vibes if you’re into that.

You’ve Lost a Lot of Blood by Eric LaRocca. this is a vibe-heavy, kind of trippy novella which features a story-within-a-story. don’t want to give away too much of the plot here because it’s a wild ride.

and finally, here’s some honorable mentions, at the end here because i didn’t love them. but you might!

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey (haunted house personified, exploration of dysfunctional family)

The Seep by Chana Porter (post-apocalyptic quest)

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant (killer mermaids)

Nothing but Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw (creepy mansion, corpse bride)

#whew! happy reading yall #booktalk

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saint-starflicker · 6 months

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5 Dark Academia Movies That I Don't Find Too Many Other People Posting Very Frequently About

Note my definition of Dark Academia: dark because somebody dies (at a stretch, the darkness can be oppression or abuse from which no one necessarily dies but it still gets pretty dark—or if someone attempts suicide or murder then I count it as dark); academia because they go to uniform school or prepster university (the academia part can be an intense study, discussion, or research of a subject even though they are not at a campus.)

1. The Moth Diaries 2011

The book was better, more detailed, but the movie is still pretty good. The campus is peak neoclassical splendor, the uniforms are on-point aesthetic, and the darkness is gruesomely bloody and also it's on fire. The book is set during the school year of 1970 to 1971, but the movie is set in 2010 thereabouts.

2. "O" 2001

A modern retelling of Othello by William Shakespeare set at a prestigious boarding school. Adapting classical literature in a high school was trendy at the time, trying to capture the magic of Clueless 1995, and in my opinion "O" was the most glammed-up production with the most dark academia atmosphere out of all of them.

3. Educating Rita 1983

A working-class British young woman takes a social enrichment outreach education opportunity to study literature, in hopes that a study in the humanities will give her a better sense of self. Her tutor is a "failed" poet who struggles with substance addiction. Unbeknownst to them, both their lives are at the crux of change. In their consistently non-romantic conversations together, they unpack class discrimination in academia and society, as well as argue about the meaningfulness versus empty pretensions of studying humanities.

Nobody dies, well all right somebody almost dies for pretentious academic reasons...but the conversations leave a lot between the lines.

4. Private Romeo 2011

A modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare set at an all-boys military school. Sure, it's not the Oxbridge-Camford or "Hollywood New England" collegiate aesthetic...but it is very gay, a feature that I hope lends the movie some compensatory merit in this context. Juliet's a boy. Romeo is still a boy. Nurse is a boy. Juliet's mom is a man. Paris is an abstract concept. They are studying Romeo and Juliet at the military school English class at the same time that they are living and speaking the lines in Romeo and Juliet, so it gets surreal and I recommend getting more into the emotion of it than get caught up in what the lines they're saying are supposed to mean.

This should be chaotic academia or frenzy academia, but there's homophobic hazing and bullying so I think that's pretty dark.

5. Bare: a Pop Opera ???? There was supposed to be a movie but I deduce that it's stalled in development purgatory. I have not liked a movie adaptation of a stage musical since Chicago 2002, so I guess I don't really like movie adaptations of stage musicals—but I definitely want my current hyperfixation to be more accessible than a Spotify album oh hey while waiting for this adaptation to happen you can listen to the Spotify album. It's an operetta, so it's sung-through and you won't miss out on any story dialogue unlike with other musicals. Here's my argument for B:APO being Dark Academia.

DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE #5 SPOT ON MY LIST DOES NOT EXIST...WHAT DARK ACADEMIA MOVIES DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE IN THIS SPOT IN THE MEANTIME?

I CAPSLOCK IN ANGUISH THAT THE B:APO MOVIE DOES NOT EXIST YET AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL.

YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE CONSOLATION.

Honorable Mentions:

The History Boys 2006 had one subplot I was bothered by at first and then grew to despise which is really too bad because this movie had racial diversity, directly addressed misogyny in academia, and had canon gays in a love triangle — but it is dark and it doesn't really seem to know that it's dark.

The Children's Hour 1961 "dark academia is mlm while cottagecore is wlw" WRONG watching this movie to consider evidence of dark academia wlw is part of your yuri duty! remember our history!

Never Let Me Go 2010 I can't describe objectively because I read the book at a time in my life that I was having a time at that time. The movie is a faithful adaptation. I re-read it recently and I think it's more Dark Academia than I gave it credit for, but if you're not into Contemplative Dystopia then I completely understand it not being your thing.

Like Minds 2006 — Huh, so 2006 was a busy year for this genre that did not yet exist at the time. Witness the folie à deux of 21st century teenaged Templar Knight kinnies who are also homoerotic serial killers. (Waves to the people that introduced me to this movie, who—contrary to the header of this post—actually do post about it.)

Rope 1948 does have some activity that I've caught recently enough, but I thought maybe it wouldn't be considered Dark Academia right away because it doesn't take place at a school. It takes place at a dinner party where ex-schoolfriends talk to their philosophy professor who they remain well-acquainted with after graduation, an interrogation of putting this professor's morally heinous philosophy into practice. Also there is a corpse at this dinner party. There's your academics and your darkness, so there's your dark academia.

#(yes BAPO fandom i am using the colon in b:apo for the benefit of the uninitiated)#If We Were Villains #<- tagged due to ALL THE SHAKESPEARES IN THIS LIST #dark academia #The Moth Diaries #O 2011 #Educating Rita 1983 #Private Romeo 2011 #Bare: a Pop Opera #The History Boys 2006 #The Children's Hour 1961 #Never Let Me Go 2010 #Like Minds 2006 #Rope 1948

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be-with-me-so-happily · 2 years

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Summary: Y/N (stylist!yn) applies to be a styling intern for the One Direction crew during the Where We Are tour. As she gets better at her job and closer to the band and crew (especially Harry Styles), some of her dreams seem to be coming true, but so are some of her fears.

~~~~~

CHAPTER 37

IT'LL NEVER CHANGE ME AND YOU

A/N: I don't even know where to begin. This was my first fanfic ever, and I have loved writing every single part of it! And I am just so, so, so honored that many of you have enjoyed reading it. It means the world to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 💗

A big shout-out to all of the beautiful people who listened to my ramblings, let me bounce ideas off of them, and were just all around supportive! I'd list you all but there are just so many. However, I absolutely have to mention my bestie @watermelonsugacry for being here for me since Day 1! 💗

So here it is. The final official chapter of EWTNC! Enjoy, lovies!

💗 Bee xx

~~~~~

>> Warnings: 18+ ONLY: explicit language, fingering, unprotected penetration (birth control), minimal choking, start of 1D hiatus

~~~~~

Dec 13th, 2015 - X Factor Finale

The past weeks have been quite a ride. You and Harry spent a few days in England with both of your families, and then it was off for (what you feel has been) the busiest time for the guys.

It's been endless interviews, such as Jonathon Ross, Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel, The Chatty Man, etc. And a multitude of performances, such as the Royal Variety Live and X-Factor Australia, to name a few. Plus, the AMAs, and the BBC Awards, to top it all off.

You got to meet the infamous Gwen Garcia when she interviewed the boys again, and you recently got to witness Harry get a tattoo on The Late Late Show with James Cordon.

But today… today feels like the wildest one of all. Today is their last performance as One Direction.

You climb onto the bed just as your second alarm goes off and prop yourself up on your elbow, staring at your beautiful boyfriend.

Harry really is so beautiful, and amazing, and you can't believe the journey you've been on since the day you accepted that internship. You would have never guessed this is how it would go.

You smile, and stroke his cheek, placing a gentle kiss on it.

"H… wake up…"

"No." He replies.

"Babe, I've got something for you." You scoot closer and kiss the top of his shoulder.

"What is it?"

"It's a surprise."

"I like the bed too much, can we just stay here?"

"Perfect, this surprise does not involve leaving the bed…" you state, a hint of seduction in your voice.

His eyes shoot open and he immediately turns onto his side. You bite your lip as his gaze slowly travels down your body, taking in the sight of the black lingerie set you snuck on a few moments earlier.

"Fucking hell." He whispers.

"Good morning." You smirk.

"Yes it is." He grins. "What's all this for?"

You prop yourself up more and start to kiss his chest. "Well, I've got this sexy outfit… and a sexy boyfriend…"

"Are you trying to distract me from what today is?"

"Maybe." You reply, sliding your leg over his hips to straddle him, and moving your lips to his neck. "Is it working?"

He places his hands on your thighs, rubbing them up and down. "Maybe."

You slowly begin to grind on him, extracting an intense hiss from his lips.

"It's starting to work." He smirks.

You feel him already hard underneath you, so you move a bit harder and kiss along his jawline. His hands move over your hips and around to your ass, sliding them underneath your panties. You bring your lips to his, not bothering to wait before you slide your tongue inside. He pulls back slightly and exhales deeply.

"Definitely working." He whispers.

You pull your hips up and move one hand down into his briefs to grab his cock, stroking up and down at a leisurely pace.

"Oh my god. Lemme…" He whispers. "Lemme take these off."

He tugs on his briefs, so you swing your leg back off, and help to slide them down his legs. His cock springs out and you can't help biting your bottom lip.

"As sexy as that outfit is… it needs to go." He demands, and you giggle. "Please."

You quickly remove the bra and panties, and straddle him again. You give his cock a few more pumps and line it up with your entrance, looking at him for confirmation before sliding down onto him.

Your head tips back and mouth drops, still always taken back by how thick he feels inside of you. You start to roll your hips and he holds your waist, running one hand up and stopping just under your left breast.

"This looks amazing on you, baby." He begins to gently run his fingers over your new tattoo.

Your glance falls down to watch, as he scans every inch of the thin ink on your ribcage. His gaze travels up to your face, and he smiles when he meets your eyes.

Your body leans down onto him, resting your elbows next to his ears, so your fingers can get tangled in his curls.

You rest your forehead on his, starting to slowly glide up and down on his cock. A breathy moan begins to escape your lips with the motion, and a deep, subtle grunt begins to escape his.

Both of his hands move to your hips, as you slide back down his cock, and he hisses as he pulls you against him even further.

"You feel so good on me." He whispers.

You kiss his neck, then sit back up on him, placing your hands behind you onto his thighs.

"Oh god." He groans out. "S-so… so good."

He grabs your hips tighter and bucks up into you with his own, both moving at a steady pace to keep in rhythm with each other.

"Fuck. I need it faster baby." He moans. "Can I?"

"Yes."

Right then, he begins to thrust up with force, your bodies slamming together as he pulls you down onto him and gets even deeper.

"Oh my god." Your mouth drops open and your eyes squeeze shut.

"Yeah… that's it, that's… that's good." He moans out. "Right there, right?"

"Yes. Fuck. Yes." You reply, leaning forward again and grabbing the headboard behind him, tilting your head back as you feel him completely within you, each one of his movements providing the perfect amount of pleasure.

He slowly runs his right palm up against your skin, stroking your butterfly tattoo with his thumb, and cupping your left breast.

You let out a subtle exhale, which causes him to thrust up harder into you, and moan out.

"I'm… Harry… I'm close…" You begin to pant.

"Me… fuck…" He moans out loudly. "Me too."

He begins to thrust harder and deeper, reaching the very back with ease, and every sense inside you is heightened as he thrusts in, and pulls out.

His grunts become deep, and labored with his breathing.

"Fuck, Y/N… it feels so… fucking… good."

"Yeah… it… oh god…"

"Shit. I can't wait, baby… fuck!" He grabs your hips to hold you down, as his movements become sloppy. "Y/N…"

"Close!"

"God, baby, I… Fuck. Fuck!" He moans out, slamming into you once more, and again. "Oh! Fuck!"

With one last, deep thrust up, he spills into you and you feel the rush of his release filling you up. He continues to move in and out, maintaining his fast pace as he works through his orgasm and brings you to your own.

"Harry! I'm gonna…"

"Go on, baby."

"Oh god. Oh my god!"

He grabs your chin and points it down to him as your mouth drops open. You keep your eyes fixated on him as your walls squeeze tight and body releases onto his cock.

"Fuck." You giggle, falling down onto him, with your face burrowing in his neck. Your chests are rising and falling together as you both come down.

"I could do that forever." He chuckles, and you push yourself up slightly to see a mischievous smirk on his face.

You kiss his jaw, the corner of his mouth, then the center of his lips. He pulls you back, running one hand through your hair and tucking some strands behind your ear.

"I want more." He exclaims, biting his lower lip and running his hands up and down your waist.

"Really?"

"M'never gonna get enough of you… "

You giggle.

"But can I get some more right now?

"Okay."

He sits himself up, grabbing around your waist, and flipping you over onto your back. His lips immediately meet that spot on your neck that is just for him, and makes his way to your earlobe.

"You're so good to me." He whispers.

No words escape your lips, just a sweet moan, as he reaches his fingers down and circles your clit.

"Safe?"

"Yes, H. Please." You plead.

Without hesitation, he slides his fingers into you and slowly pulls them back out. With the sensitivity from your orgasm still lingering, you let out a louder moan as you grab his shoulders, causing him to pump his fingers faster.

"Oh my god." You breathe out. "Feels… so good."

He pumps in and out, still kissing your neck, then in and out again.

"M'already hard again." He smirks. "Are you ready?"

You nod.

He pulls his fingers out, grabbing his cock and rubbing his tip against your wet entrance before gently pushing in.

He moans loudly and your hands reach up for his hair.

He rests one hand by your ear, as the other grabs your hip, and he pushes himself in faster. You feel every inch of him inside of you, every single part of his cock gliding against your walls. Every moment of pressure when his tip hits all the way inside of you.

You can see the sweat glistening around his forehead, and his necklaces dangling in front of you, as some curls come loose from his bun. You can see the muscles of his chest quickly rise and fall with each motion, and his gaze fixated on the spot where he's entering you.

You can't get enough of him either, and decide to ask for something new.

"H-... Harry…" you whisper.

"Yeah."

"Can… oh god… mmm… can we try something?"

"Yeah."

You slide one hand down his shoulder, and his arm, until you grab the hand that was holding your hip. He shifts his weight as you slide it up your body. His breathing is quickening even more as it moves against your skin and stops at the base of your neck.

"Just… just a little… hold it just a little?" You breathe out, moving it slightly over your neck.

"Oh fuck." He moans out. "Are… are you sure?"

You nod. "Yes. I'm sure. Please."

You close your eyes as you let go and throw your hands above your head.

"Safe, baby?"

"Mhmm."

He holds his hand gently in place and quickly moves his other, grabbing onto yours above your head, making sure a majority of his weight is focused on that arm.

"Oh god, yes." You moan.

"Fuck, Y/N." He starts thrusting in harder, and deeper, hitting the back of you with each motion.

"Oh my god."

"Yes, baby! Feel good?"

"Yes. Yes."

He grunts deeper as he removes his hands from yours and grabs onto the headboard, giving him more leverage to thrust with even more ferocity.

"Yes. Oh my god. Yes."

"Fuck… so fucking good!"

"Harry… oh my-..."

"Baby, so… fucking good."

"I'm… go-... I'm gonna…"

"Cum baby… cum..."

"Oh… fuck, Harry."

You grab onto his wrist and buck up your hips, as every inch of you is filled with a sensational pleasure.

"Yes! Oh my-... yes!"

Your walls squeeze him tightly as your orgasm hits, and he moans out deeply.

"M'so close." He grunts. "So… fucking… fuck!"

He thrusts in deep for the last time as he squeezes his eyes shut and his mouth drops open. You feel every drop of his release fill you up as he breathes his way through it.

As you both start to come down, he opens his eyes and meets yours, displaying a wide grin across his face, and removes his hand from your throat.

"Did you like it?"

"A lot!" You admit, biting your lower lip.

"I love you so fucking much." He states, leaning down for a kiss. Your hands grab his face as your lips move with his, and you moan against his mouth before pulling away.

"I love you too."

"Round three?" He chuckles.

"No fucking way." You reply, shaking your head. "You've gotta be able to perform tonight."

"Oh, I'll perform-"

"That's not what I meant." You roll your eyes.

He bites his lower lip and gives you one more kiss. He pushes himself up and slowly pulls out of you. He rolls to the side and lays on his back next to you.

"Don't wanna go out there if I can get this all day."

"Yes you do." You turn onto your side, propping yourself up on your elbow and running your other hand through his hair. "You want to go out there."

"Yes." He sighs. "I do."

~~~~~

"Alright, Rockstar. What's the big news?" You ask, sitting on the couch in his dressing room, slightly trying to avoid seeing anyone else and being completely enveloped in sobbing.

"Well, I, umm…" He clears his throat and sits down next to you, taking your hand in his. "I've been talking to Harry Lambert…"

"A legend. Yes."

"Right." He chuckles. "And, umm, well, he sort of wants to be my stylist for future stuff."

You stare blankly into his eyes, not really knowing what this means for you. You have decided to take a break from working, have some time off vacationing and just being with Harry, and figure out what it is that you really want to do next.

"Okay…"

"Well, I… umm… I told him about my amazing and talented girlfriend…"

"Oh?" Your heart starts to race, still unsure what this means.

"And that you're a stylist…"

"Harry! For fucks sake! Get to the point!"

"He wants to work with you. Or, umm, you work with him. While he… works with me, I guess."

"I'm sorry." Your mouth drops open and you feel like your brain may have just glitched. "What the hell did you just say?"

"Harry Lambert wants you to work for him as part of my styling team." He grins, squeezing your hand as you continue to just stare.

"I…"

"Would you want to do that?" He asks, suddenly furrowing his brow.

"I…"

"I mean, I know there's the whole 'don't mix business with pleasure' or whatever, but we've already broken that rule, a long time ago!" His serious expression fades and he lets out a laugh.

"But…" You clear your throat. "Is he giving me the job because I'm your girlfriend?"

Harry sits up straight and his serious expression returns. "No, Y/N. I told him you helped me pick out my suit for tonight. I told him about all the times you've tried to get me to dress outside the box. He really does want to work with you."

"Are you being serious? You're not joking? This is real?"

"F'course! I wouldn't lie about this!"

"Holy shit!" You lunge over to him, wrapping your arms around him and nuzzling your face into his neck. "Harry, I… this is… thank you!"

He kisses your temple and grabs your shoulders, pulling you back and looking you right in the eyes.

"You deserve this." He states, and your eyes respond by forming a few tears.

[Better get used to it because it definitely won't be the last time it happens today]

Your hands cup his cheeks as your gaze drops to his lips, and you slowly lean in closer for a tender kiss. One of his hands moves to the back of your head, raking his fingers through your hair for a moment before resting his palm on it and pulling you in deeper.

"Shit. Don't hate me." You hear, causing Harry to immediately pull back, and frown, as he refuses to look anywhere but your eyes.

"I can't even believe how many times this has happened…" Harry mumbles. "Yes, Niall?"

"S'just that I wanted to tell ya… the boys wanna have, uh, a last huddle before we go on stage."

"Now?" Harry asks, raising an eyebrow in Niall's direction.

"No, I'd say, maybe forty minutes?"

"Okay, so… I have time to hang out with my girlfriend before I get ready?"

"Guess so." Niall agrees.

"Alright, I'm just letting you know, m'here with Y/N right now, and I'll be there in forty minutes, so you don't need to come back…"

You smack Harry's arm. "Harry don't be a dick."

He turns back to you and peppers a few kisses you on the cheek, causing you to giggle.

"Right. Sorry Nialler." He winks towards his friend.

"M'so happy you two are together. Thanks to me f'course. I can't wait for you two to get hitched and make those babies!" He laughs. "You won't stop me then, m'gonna be around for that f'sure!"

"Oh my god, Nialler. Is that all life can be after One Direction? Marriage and babies?" You laugh loudly, shaking your head.

"You know I want to, right?" Harry states, looking over to you with a genuinely serious expression, as your head snaps over towards his.

"Oh shit! Is it happening right now?" Niall asks excitedly.

Harry growls, but displays a smirk on his face. "No, Niall. But respectfully, get out!"

"Alright… m'gonna go…" Niall utters, quickly turning around and jogging out the door.

"Sunshine, m'not gonna promise when it'll happen, but I can promise that I plan on marrying you someday." He grins. "The near future is so uncertain right now, like, just with my career and stuff, and I want to get a handle on those things, but… I want you in my future."

"Holy shit." You mumble, attempting to swallow the lump in your throat. "And… you really want… babies…?"

"Are you joking? Mini Y/Ns running around? Absolutely!" He smiles, showing off that amazingly distracting dimple. "I want it all with you. I mean it when I say that I love you, always."

"I love-..." You try to respond, but are overtaken by your racing heart and labored breathing, and words seem to be disappearing before they can leave your lips.

"Unless… unless you don't want to…" his head drops low and he winces, seemingly preparing for an answer that he doesn't want to hear.

[You've seen that face before, and you plan on never seeing that face again]

"What?" You lift his chin to meet your eyes. "Harry, I do! I want it all. With you!"

He immediately grabs your face and places the most passionate kiss on your lips. He pulls back, only enough to rest his forehead on yours, as he lets out a relieved breath and smiles.

"M'gonna marry you, Y/N. You're the love of my life, and I want you in it forever."

"And I will be."

"I love you, Sunshine. Always."

I love you too, Rockstar." You smile, staring into the seemingly sparkling eyes. "Never a question."

~~~~~

Gathered around in a huddle, you watch as the each guy says a few words to the other three, and you smile as you lean against the wall.

You feel a nudge on your shoulder and look to see Natalie leaning next to you.

"Life's gonna be dull after this." She states, a subtle shakiness to her voice. "I'm gonna miss it."

You take a large gulp as you try to keep yourself together. Not that you're afraid to show the emotion, but you don't want to miss these last moments with them. The last moments of calm before they take the stage. The last moments of encouragement to each other to do their best. The last moments of sharing a bond with each other that only those four could understand.

[These thoughts are really not helping you to keep it together]

"As crazy as this was, and as crazy as they are… I'm definitely gonna miss it." She adds.

"Nat…" You clear your throat. "Thanks for getting me here."

Her head shoots over to yours, with a confused look on her face. "You got us here, honey, this whole thing was your idea."

"What?"

"You asked Heather about internships, you encouraged me to apply with you. You got scared for a minute, yeah, and I just encouraged you further…" She grabs your hand. "But this was all because of you! You wanted to take the leap, not me."

"Huh." You furrow your brow and your eyes drop to the floor, as you process what you were just told.

"You were always bolder than what you gave yourself credit for. And look where it got us… where it got you." You look up as she points over to the guys, and the surrounding area backstage.

Harry's eyes flicker over to you and he smiles, quickly turning them back to the group after a moment.

Your heart flutters. Not just because of Harry, but because of all of them. Because of the whole experience. And because you got to share it with her.

"Thank you for always being by my side, Nat." You utter, squeezing her hand back as you turn to see her glassy eyes.

"Thanks for always having that spot open for me." She replies, and tiny tears fall from each of your cheeks.

You purse your lips and let out a deep breath as you both turn back to the boys.

They pat each other on the back and Louis suddenly points to the both of you.

"Oi, ladies, get over 'ere!"

"No, this is your thing." You state.

"No… this is our thing. It includes you now." Liam replies.

You and Natalie push off the wall and walk over to the group. Louis holds his arm out to you, and you squeeze in between him and Niall, standing across from Harry.

He gives you a wink, and puts his arm around Natalie as she scoots up next to him and Liam.

You see him bend down closer to her, mouthing 'I knew you didn't hate me', and making her roll her eyes. She looks up to him and whispers back 'it was only for a moment'.

[Okay… okay… no tears yet, Y/N…]

"Well… I'd just like to say…" Niall stutters, clearing his throat.

"Bloody hell, Niall, it doesn't have to be a speech!" Louis exclaims. "We love you, ladies. We've got along with our crew b'fore, but you two are family now. And that won't change."

[Not… yet… hold… on…]

"You've been amazing since day one." Liam adds.

"And we love you." Niall clears his throat again, and turns to you. "So much."

"Fuck you all, I hate crying." Natalie whispers with a chuckle and squeezes the guys next to her. "Love you too."

"Haz?" Niall asks, causing everyone to look his way.

"I… shit… Well I…" He looks at you with a closed lip smile, turns to Natalie with the same expression, and then drops his gaze to the floor. "Shit. I can't. I love you both."

"Especially Y/N…" Louis jokes, making kissing noises and everyone else joins in.

"You're all idiots." Harry chuckles.

"Alright. Well, that's that then." Niall states quickly.

"What the fuck? What about me?" You reply.

"Oh no. M'not letting you say anything."

"What? Why?"

"I can't be sobbing on stage, Superstar!"

"Too fucking bad!" You exclaim. "And I'm giving a fucking speech, Tommo!"

He lets out a sigh and squeezes you into him. "Fine."

[Damn it. What can you even say that sums this whole thing up?]

You grab onto Louis' and Niall's waists, your eyes meeting each of theirs for a few moments before you finally manage to form some words.

"I am so proud of you guys." You clear your throat as the first hint of tears, completely disobeying you, start to form at the corners of your eyes. "I am so grateful that I got to witness even a small sliver of this journey you've been on. Thank you for letting me, us, be a part of it."

Your gaze drops to the ground and you cough to clear the lump in your throat.

"This has been the best time of my life." You add.

"Damn." Natalie chuckles. "That was good."

The six of you squeeze in for a big group hug, sniffles coming from you and all your friends.

You pull away, straighten up, and scan the faces of your favorite boy band.

"Now go out there and make Simon fucking weep or something!" You laugh, quickly joined by the rest of them.

Louis turns to you and shrugs his arms, reaching out for a hug.

"You're the best, Y/N, seriously. Bonded for life, yeah?" He grins.

"Yeah! Who else am I gonna prank people with, Tommo?" You chuckle, tightening your hug as he kisses your cheek and pulls away.

"Partners in crime, love. You 'n me!" He winks, and walks over to Natalie.

Liam comes up next and wraps one arm around your shoulders. "Alright, darling, I'm not saying goodbye, because that's ridiculous. We'll have lunch and stuff when we're in the same place."

"I'm holding you to that."

"I'll buy the first one." He smiles, letting go and moving away.

Niall, hands in his pockets, shuffles over to you. "I can't do this with ya."

"Niall…"

"Don't do it. Don't you start crying on me!" He points his finger as he moves closer.

"We're gonna see each other all the time! Right?" You sniffle, reaching out for a hug.

"Oh, loads! You're one of m'best friends. Plus I like getting Harry all riled up. S'fun." He giggles. "But I guess m'gonna have to learn to dress m'self!" He states, letting out the huge, famous 'Niall laugh'.

You shake your head and kiss his cheek, before pulling away. He takes a deep breath, and you can see the tears starting to gather in his eyes.

You help straighten out his sleek, dark suit and maroon tie. "There… made you beautiful." You state, giving him a wink.

He turns around and makes his way to get set up with his earpieces.

Harry slinks his way over to stand right in front of you.

"You know, I am grateful that you got to be a part of this too." He places a soft kiss on your forehead before resting his own against it. "But it definitely wasn't a small part, Sunshine."

He holds your face in his hands, sending heat through your cheeks, as he gazes at your lips. You bite your bottom one, and he quickly leans in to kiss them.

You reach your hands over and grab his biceps, causing him to smile against your mouth.

You pull away and stare into his beautiful, comforting green eyes, and your butterflies come alive. You doubt they will ever leave at this point.

[There's a reason you got that tattoo]

"This is gonna be a bit weird isn't it?" You ask.

"A bit, yeah. But…" he places another tender kiss on your lips. "I have you…" and another kiss. "So I actually don't care what else happens. I love you."

One more kiss is placed and a sound tech is calling him over to get prepped to go on stage.

"Always." He grabs your hand and walks you with his as he grabs his earpiece.

"Never a question."

You look up at him, admiring everything about him and finally allowing yourself to embrace every emotion this moment is providing for you both.

"You lot know we'll see each other after the show though, yeah?" Louis laughs, seeing everyone nod through their tears.

"You look beautiful by the way." He states, stroking the arm of your black and white puff sleeve blazer.

"So do you! Rockstar vibes for sure!" You wink, taking another look at his floral red Gucci suit. "Now get to work, Mr. Styles!"

They engage in their pre-performance chant, one last time, and you see each one take a deep breath before walking out together.

You quickly make your way around backstage and out into the audience, finding your seat in the front row next to Natalie, slightly to the side of where Harry will be.

You fidget with your necklace as you sit through the announcer's introduction of a video that has been specially made for One Direction.

Multitudes of people appear on the screen, each individually congratulating them on an amazing five years together, expressing their love for them, and making jokes to -at least for you- lighten and distract from the sad mood of the moment.

You glance over at the guys, whose arms are wrapped around each other's waists, and you grab Natalie's hand.

"I'm not gonna make it through this." You chuckle.

"I'm already not." She replies, and you turn towards her to see her already tear soaked cheeks.

"For fucks sake, Nat. If you're already gone then there's no chance for me!"

As the video wraps up, the guys turn back around. You giggle as you see Niall joke that he needs a drink after watching it.

[You'll need one or three after this]

You bring your hands to your chest, over your heart. It is thudding so strongly. It truly sinks in that you are about to watch their last performance together. You let a sharp inhale in as the rhythmic clapping on the backup track starts and everyone immediately joins in.

Harry starts off the song.

(History)

You gotta help me

I'm losing my mind

Keep getting the feeling,

you wanna leave this all behind

Thought we were going strong

I thought we were holding on

Aren't we?

You know this song isn't about you, but you start to think about your own journey with these guys.

No, they don't teach ya

This is school

Now my heart's breaking

and I don't know what to do

Thought we were going strong

I thought we were holding on

Aren't we?

You left this once. You left them once. And it was actually the hardest thing to do.

You and me got a whole lot of history

We can be the greatest team

That the world has ever seen

You and me got a whole lot of history

So don't let it go

We can make some more

We can live forever

You are so glad you came back. It ended up being the best decision you've ever made. You love them. You love them all.

All of the rumors

All of the fights

But we always find a way

to make it out alive

Thought we were going strong

Thought we were holding on

Aren't we?

As they enter into the chorus again, tears are trickling down your cheeks. Streaming down your face, actually. Harry looks over to you and then starts singing with Niall. Watching, admittedly, your two favorite guys, you completely lose it. You can barely finish singing the rest of the chorus, your voice being held back by the lump in your throat.

Mini bars, expensive cars,

hotel rooms, and new tattoos

And the good champagne,

and private planes,

They don't mean anything

'Cause the truth is out, I realize

that without you here life is just a lie

This is not the end

We can make it, you know it, you know

They aren't just famous singers to you, they are your friends, and your family.

[Those four have changed your life forever]

You and me got a whole lot of history

We could be the greatest team

that the world has ever seen

You and me got a whole lot of history

So don't let it go

We can make some more

We can live forever

[You'll always have them]

You and me got a whole lot of history

We could be the greatest team

that the world has ever seen

You and me got a whole lot of history

So don't let it go

We can make some more

We can live forever

[Harry has changed your life forever]

So don't let me go

We can live forever

[And you'll always have him]

Baby don't you know

We can live forever

[Forever]

~~~~~

Fast Forward

July 13th, 2017 - Dunkirk Premiere

"Y/N, lady, hold still."

"Yeah. Kind of a little nervous here, Lou."

"It's just a movie premiere…" Natalie chuckles.

"Then you do it!"

"Oh I would, except my man isn't the one starring in a World War 2 movie." She smirks.

There's a knock at the door, and Natalie walks over to answer it.

"Hello, ladies. Am I allowed to see her?" That sultry British accent asks.

"That's for weddings, you dope. You're allowed to see your lady before a movie premiere." She chuckles and she lets him in.

"I've done neither, Nat. How would I know?" He rolls his eyes as he makes his way behind you, twirling you around from the mirror to look you up and down. He scans every inch of your fully beaded red fitted gown.

"God, you're gorgeous!" He exclaims. "Can we have a minute alone, ladies?"

Natalie and Lou look at each other and scowl as they make their way to the door.

"Don't fucking mess up any of my work, Styles, or I will come for you!"

They close the door behind them and he pulls you in by your waist.

"You really do make that dress work, Y/N." He utters, placing the most gentle kiss on your lips.

"And you are really working that suit, Mr. Styles! I'm glad Lambert picked those shoes." You reply, looking from his dark blue-green Gucci suit, white shirt, and down to his red embroidered boots.

"We look perfect together." Another gentle kiss placed on your lips.

"Well hopefully it'll distract from the intense sweat that'll be dripping down my face and arms." You state, fidgeting with your necklace as you timidly look up to him.

"Are you nervous?" He asks, his brow furrowing with concern.

"Yes! I've never done this before!" You shake your head. "Harry, there's a lot of cameras and I'm not anyone important. Not enough to walk the carpet for a movie premiere! You don't need to bring me along with you, I can just go inside with your mom."

"I'll never push you to do it if you're not comfortable." He holds up your chin. "But I asked you to do it because you are important. To me. And I always love when you're by my side."

Both his hands drop down to both of yours, and he gives your left one a kiss.

"Plus, we'll have some nice professional photos of us as a couple." He smirks.

"We'll have plenty of those." You smile and shake your head.

"So do you want to go with me?"

"Yes. I want to go with you."

"Great! 'Cause I can't not take you out looking like that!" He moves his hands to your body, sliding them down to your ass. "Fucking gorgeous."

"Lou was serious. She will kill you…"

"We better leave now then."

~~~~~

"Are you ready, Sunshine?"

"Yes."

"Thank you for being here with me." He grins, showing off that beautiful, and persuasive dimple.

"Anytime, Rockstar." You wink, taking a deep breath as the driver opens the car door for Harry. He steps out of the car, walking around the back and giving a two-fingered wave to the cameras and fans, buttoning up his jacket.

He makes his way to your door, and grabs your hand as it opens. As soon as your feet touch the ground, flashes and screams erupt, and you almost fall back in surprise.

Harry instantly interlaces his fingers with yours as you are both led around to the start of the walkway.

A coordinator walks up and leans closer to Harry to speak over the noise.

"Mr. Styles, we'll have you walk up ahead to take some solo photos and sign some autographs, and once you make it to the prop plane up ahead, Miss Y/L/N may join you for more of photos and some interviews. It's your choice which of those she can stand with you for."

"Are you serious?" He furrows his brow. "All of them."

You look up to see him smile and he squeezes your hand once more before letting go and walking ahead.

You stay back with his manager, Jeff, and a security guard as you watch with admiration at how Harry handles the overwhelming demands from paparazzi and adoration from fans.

[He's good at everything he does]

As you slowly move down the carpet behind him, you see a few young girls at the front of the barricade waving in your direction. You are concerned you are too close to another actor so you look around quickly to find where you should be standing instead, but don't see anyone except the other two of Harry's entourage.

You turn back to them and realize they are waving at you. Your heart stops for a moment. This time you don't feel worried, like you did a couple of years ago. This time you just feel honored.

There wasn't an official announcement, that just felt weird, but you have been photographed together a lot since the hiatus - holding hands, getting a quick kiss on the forehead or cheek, etc. And Harry has never been concerned about it like he was before. He likes being able to take you out, and be seen with you.

You give those girls a quick wave, and a subtle smile appears on your face as they jump up and down in response.

[You didn't realize it could feel so nice to be acknowledged by his fans]

As soon as Harry comes close to the prop plane, he turns around and walks back a few steps to grab your hand.

"This feels much better, thank you." He chuckles, leading you in front of the plane, as a background for more paparazzi.

His arm wraps around your waist, and he effortlessly moves his gaze around for everyone to get their chance at a photo.

"You still alright?" He asks, squeezing your waist.

"Definitely." You quickly reply, feeling a flutter in your heart, as you feel so safe in his arms.

After a minute or two more, he holds your hand again as you move onto the area for interviews.

You attempt to let go and stand off to the side, but he holds on tighter and gently pulls you in close.

"Stay with me, please" He whispers. "I don't wanna let go of this moment."

A pink hue rushes to your cheeks and your butterflies return, as you simply nod your head.

He walks over to the first interviewer, who politely acknowledges you before the camera turns on, then proceeds to ask questions about Harry's role in the movie.

The next few are the same, with some commenting on Harry's fame being a factor in the movie's success. His fingers are interlaced with yours the entire time, with his thumb occasionally rubbing along your skin, as he answers more questions.

"Hi. How are you?" He greets the next interviewers as one gets straight into her questions.

"How does it feel to have a movie premiere like this that you're such a key part of?" She asks.

You turn to Harry as he begins to answer, but his words are not what you are able to focus on. Your eyes gaze over his face. His shorter but still curly locks, his gorgeous eyes, his amazing smile, and his seductively deep dimples. You admire the passion you see as he speaks about the film he has been a part of. His focus is in the movie and never on himself. You're in awe of who he is and how he handled himself with all of this. And you get to be the one by his side.

[You're glad you came, you don't want to be anywhere else]

You're snapped out of your thoughts when you hear the next question.

"What about the 1D guys? Have they been very supportive? Have they sent you gifts? Best wishes?" The other interviewer asks.

You quickly hide a smile under your free hand, knowing that Niall threatened to show up today and help you get ready. 'To return the favor of always making him beautiful', were his words.

"They have been very supportive actually. Yeah, umm, I was talking to them today, kind of saying that they were excited to see the film and everything, so yeah. It's been a lot of fun."

"And what about this lovely lady beside you?" She asks, motioning in your direction.

"Y/N is my biggest fan!" He turns to you and grins, squeezing your hand yet again. "She's actually the one who encouraged me to do the movie, so I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her."

"We love that. We love that." She looks down at your hands linked together and smiles, looking back up to the both of you. "And I know that you two don't go out of your way to show off your relationship to the world, but…"

You gulp, not knowing what to except the next part of the question to be.

"But I can see something that is very telling." She points down. "Can I… would I be able to take a look?"

You both bring your hands up a bit, still gripping tightly to each other, and she gasps.

"That certainly is a beautiful engagement ring!" She exclaims.

"Thank you." You reply, dropping your hands and noticing Harry looking over to you, adoringly.

"So you are getting married!"

"Yes." You say in unison.

"When is the wedding?"

Harry runs his thumb over the band of your ring as he pulls his lips inward.

"Umm… it'll be soon. Relatively soon." He shrugs. "We're not really sharing the details 'bout it."

"Like I said, you two don't go out of your way to share your relationship with the public." She nods.

"Yeah, we're not trying to totally hide our relationship. We just like our moments together to be ours, and focused on each other. That's all." He glances over to you and then back to her. "Umm, but she's one of the most important people to me, f'course, y'know, I gave her the ring…"

He gives you a quick kiss on your temple, and lets out a quiet, smiling sigh.

"She's always been my biggest fan, biggest supporter… besides my mum…" He smirks. "So I just wanted her here with me for this. Umm, yeah. She's also part of the team that styled me for this so I'm really thankful she's here tonight."

The ladies swoon over his answer, and he squeezes your hand once again. After one last question about the filming process, the interview ends and the two of you move to the front of the theater, standing for a couple more photos.

He gives you a kiss on the cheek, and you both make your way into the theater. He pulls you to the side and gazes longingly into your eyes, beaming with a grin, which causes your breath to hitch.

"I'm proud to have you here with me." He smiles.

"I'm proud to be here with you, H, and I never wanna be anywhere else."

He shuts his eyes with a wide, tight-lipped smile, and takes in a big breath. He grabs your face, bringing you in for a quick kiss, pulling back just enough to look back into your eyes.

"I love you, Sunshine. Always."

"I love you too, Rockstar. Never a question."

"And… it'll never change…"

"Yeah…"

"Me and you."

"Oh my god."

~~~~~

the end.

~~~~~

Series Masterlist || Chapter 36

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