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drak3n · 3 months

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THE BEST FRIEND

ꨄ. SYNOPSIS: perhaps you shouldn’t have waited so long.

ꨄ. CONTENT WARNINGS: unrequited love, mostly angst, hurt & some sort of comfort? best friends trope, one mention of murder at the beginning, a little bit of baji x reader

bold italic quotes = letter excerpts

PROLOGUE. | SERIES MASTERLIST.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ♡•°`.

“it’s impossible for anyone not to love you. has anyone ever told you that?”

there were times in which even a district like shibuya — always vibrant and full of life — was eerily quiet and void of people.

people you’d want to be around with, at least. people who made you feel safe roaming the streets at this hour. right now, you didn’t feel all too comfortable walking past streets with alleyways looking awfully sketchy.

every tiny sound made you walk faster than before, it be a cat scratching at a trashcan, a breeze howling against buildings, or leaves crunching under your shoes. you just wanted to get this over with and head back home into your trusted four walls.

you grunted as your ran face-first into someone you hadn’t seen, which you wanted to blame your terrible night vision for.

the figure didn’t move and you tried to stay calm. you uttered an apology and tried to rush past them, careful not to draw too much attention.

maybe they were just minding their own business. they didn’t have to be a murderer or anything.

“you shouldn’t be out here by yourself at this time,” the person suddenly called out. you halted. “someone got murdered right over there two days ago.”

the shiver that ran down your spine at the husky words was inevitable, your eyes darting over to where he pointed to show you the place was just a couple feet away from where you were standing. it didn’t help that the boy said it with so little emotion.

“thanks for telling me… i just really need to drop by at the nearest local duty pharmacy,” you responded. under the halfway functioning street light, you recognized a very tall boy, perhaps around your age, so 15 or 16 years of age.

the dragon tattoo on the side of his head drew your attention. it didn’t necessarily elicit bad thoughts, it just looked very unique.

“i’ll accompany you.” his offer took you by surprise; it wasn’t like you had been used to others being nice to you before. when he continued walking towards your destination, you quickly joined him, barely able to catch up with his long strides.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ♡•°`.

“how could a person be a best friend, mentor, older brother and father all at the same time? you made the impossible possible.”

hanging out with the boys was exhausting, to say the least. there wasn’t anyone you particularly disliked, but they could be a lot. you didn’t really mind that they were all part of a gang, all that mattered to you was that none of them had ever made a move to hurt you or others.

“i’m saying, that’s not how you solve that question!”

rolling your eyes at the first division commander discussing with you, you threw your arms in the air. you were currently all lounging off in the warehouse, with you having joined them after they had finished a meeting.

draken always insisted on you never, ever joining a meeting of the tokyo manji gang. he would never want you to get involved with their business.

“baji, are you seriously telling me i’m in the wrong?” you shoved your purple flip phone out of the pocket of your school uniform skirt, unlocking it to click onto the calculator function. “you must be stupid if you think that three times 24 is 72–”

the whole warehouse went quiet after that. blood rushed to your face, your entire head and ears feeling steaming hot as the brunette started laughing at you. the others were too immersed in their own thoughts to listen.

“who’s the stupid one now?” bending down to your height, baji flashed you his cocky smirk, revealing sharp canines. your eyes stung with tears of humiliation.

before he could tease you a little more, because you were so easy to tease, a hand shoved the boy with long hair back to create a distance between you and him. it was him.

“baji, that’s enough.” draken’s firm voice made said boy shrug and back off. “it’s just a dumb mathematical equation.”

when you sniffled and crossed your arms in front of your chest, turning away deliberately to hide your embarrassed self from the others, a palm settled on the top of your head.

looking up, you saw draken grinning down at you ever so gently.

“don’t worry about it, everyone makes mistakes.”

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ♡•°`.

“i failed to tell you. i thought my actions would be enough to prove what i felt. perhaps you knew all along, but decided not to talk about it. you were always thoughtful and considerate. but i wasn’t special.”

it was a gloomy day for you today. you were excited to see draken, putting in a lot of effort while getting ready and wearing one of your best outfits, just to see that he hadn’t joined the otherd at the usual group hangout today.

“wasn’t it emma’s birthday today?” mitsuya recalled. mikey wasn’t there either. unbeknownst to you, baji’s eyes wandered to look at how you’d react.

as someone who wore her heart on her sleeve, you were terrible at masking how you felt. he didn’t miss the way your face fell.

draken and emma were always close to each other. of course they were, as her brother and draken have been inseparable since middle school. you couldn’t compare to her. you’d just met him not even two years ago.

you were slowly realizing that despite him doing a lot for you and always being there for you, you perhaps didn’t mean as much to him as emma did.

after all, draken was nice to everyone.

“someone’s grumpy,” baji commented slyly, and this time, you didn’t have it in you to bicker with him. this time, there was no draken to tell him to stop either.

the two missing blondes joined you hours later, with mikey nudging his taller vice’s side teasingly while talking about how sly kenny was for having found that plushie emma had wanted for the longest time.

it made your mood even more sour than it already was, and you pondered about an excuse to leave, wanting nothing more than to curl up in bed and forget about it.

forget about your stupid feelings for someone whose heart was already taken, and who saw you as nothing more than a friend.

“hey (f/n), that’s a pretty outfit,” mikey commented, “you going somewhere?” draken glanced down at you curiously while you forced a tight-lipped smile on your face. you inwardly thanked the leader of toman for saving you like this.

“yeah. i’ll see you guys.”

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ♡•°`.

“would things have been different if i’d just confessed to you while i still had the time? it would have been selfish. she was the first to know and love you, after all.”

ken and mikey had dropped out of high school at 17. they had big plans of opening a workshop for cars and motorcycles. by the time you graduated high school, they already had their small, cozy shop. toman was no more, and everything was well.

objectively speaking, it was. but subjectively? you weren’t too sure about that.

by the time you entered the italian restaurant, the table that caught your eyes was already pretty crowded. it wasn’t a surprise anymore, you were always late, after all.

too late. those two words echoed in your head as you looked at emma and draken sitting next to each other, her blushing feverishly when he removed something from her hair.

that could have been you.

“let’s go.” hearing baji’s voice behind you surprised you, and even more did it to feel his hand on your back, guiding you towards the table. as much as he was a jerk, you didn’t believe he did it out of ill intent to humiliate you.

the hours went by, and you had all eaten to your hearts’ content, now exchanging light jokes and future aspirations to one another. emma mentioned wanting to be a housewife, and the ken getting married to her made you want to throw up everything you’d eaten today.

“how about you?” mitsuya asked you, who had talked the least tonight. “any plans for college?” you smiled awkwardly when you felt draken’s eyes on you.

he had always wanted you to go all the way with your education, having supported you whenever he could. you were more than thankful for that.

“i actually got an admission for law in osaka.” the blonde sitting right across from you smiled so brightly, and you were sure it would have made you melt if emma didn’t have her head on his shoulder.

it was almost childish how you had tried to interpret every single of draken’s actions as a possible chance for something to develop between you two. your chances were long gone.

you had never stood one to begin with.

“i knew you could do it! you were always a smart girl.”

his compliment made you feel worse than it should have.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ♡•°`.

“you told me to go and pursue my dreams. i knew that if you had told me to stay, i would have. how idiotic of me, right? i ended up leaving and letting you slip from my grasp without you ever having been in it.”

after moving away for college, you hardly visited tokyo anymore. and to be quite honest, you preferred that. it was good to stay away from the source of what had drained you for so long.

draken hadn’t taken advantage of your feelings for him, no. he was the last person on earth who’d be willing to do that. but that didn’t mean it hurt any less to be trapped in a web of unrequited love.

you were in your fourth year of law school when an invitation laid in your mailbox. you just knew from the second you looked at the envelope without even opening it. it was exactly what you’d anticipated it to be.

a marriage invitation, for you to join ken ryuguji and emma sano for the most important day of their lives. you stood in front of the mailbox, staring at the piece of pretty paper for at least twenty minutes, as if it was ever going to change.

he was going to get married. not to you.

all of your dreams of walking down the aisle in a pretty, white dress, approaching him with his sweet smile, crushed to bits and pieces.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ♡•°`.

“i have never wished you anything else but happiness, and i still do. she makes you happy, and that’s all i could have ever asked for. i saw it in your eyes that day. you never looked at me like that.”

the wedding reception was nothing short of beautiful. catered to everyone’s tastes, it left nothing to the imagination.

the wedding of your dreams had always looked like this.

it was bittersweet how another woman was going to live that dream to the fullest, with the man of your dreams, at that.

thankfully, you weren’t left alone with your thoughts while you waited for the couple to come to the rented hall after they would get lawfully wedded. mitsuya and his sisters kept you company, making sure to recommend you everything they had tried at the enormous buffet.

“pretty sure they’re coming now,” mitsuya informed you as he stared at his wristwatch. you gulped and looked into your glass of soda.

oh what you wouldn’t have given to be in her shoes, taking on his last name… waking up next to him every single day, having his children.

you felt absolutely and utterly horrible. like all those years you’d spent away from this had caught up to you, leaving you to drown in your unrequited feelings.

before you could excuse yourself to the bathroom and ruin your perfectly done makeup by indulging in a five-minute breakdown, you were stopped by a hand finding your shoulder. it felt as if life was sucker-punching you in the gut once again.

“hey, baji.” your voice was low, and you didn’t notice mitsuya leading his sisters away from the table. his formerly wild, brown hair was much shorter now, tied up in a ponytail, and he wore a dark gray tuxedo.

when he opened his mouth, you shook your head. “i can’t take any teasing today. i mean it.”

your words weren’t even harsh, you just sounded exhausted. his grin disappeared, soon replaced by a frown. “i’m aware,” baji stated, “i couldn’t have attended if i was you.”

with a raised brow, you stared at him to explain what he meant. “i’ve known since back then.” you looked down, pursing your lips to stop them from trembling and giving it all away. you were asking to change the topic until the two would enter through the door and make your mood plummet entirely.

baji knew you better than you could have guessed. so this time, instead of poking fun at you, he actually tried to make you feel better

“by the way, i’m moving to osaka for med school for the next semester. i finally got in.”

it still stung when you saw draken and emma entering the hall hand-in-hand. you couldn’t compare that sting to any other kind of physical pain you’d endured in your life, it felt worse than broken limbs or a cut that needed to be stitched.

but he was happy, the way you never saw him be. he had never smiled as purely as he did when he danced with his wife, kissing the back of her hand that now adorned a ring to bind them to each other forever.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ♡•°`.

“i’m sending this letter even after it all. even though i know i’m too late. don’t get me wrong, i have deliberately not added your new address. you will never get this letter. this is just for myself, to liberate what i’d held onto for multiple years.”

you picked up the call after one shrill ring, holding your phone against your ear while your eyes were plastered on the tv. it was your episode today, dealing with your letter.

the show was muted so you could hear exactly what you’d hear on the phone. with a deep breath, you spoke first. “hello?”

“good evening, miss! we are very excited to be hosting you on today’s show for TO ALL THE MEN YOU’VE LOVED BEFORE!” on the screen, you saw the main host move her mouth with a smile plastered on her perfect face.

you sat down on your couch, taking another deep breath. “thank you for having me,” you responded, “i can already guess what you are going to ask me.”

you heard sweet laughter from the two hosts while you were busy picking at a dried scab on your thumb. this was making you more nervous than you’d wished it to.

“if that’s the case, then we would love to hear your thoughts,” spoke the co-host, “our audience is very excited to learn about your motives and what exactly has made you not put an address for the letter to be shipped to!”

the camera angle was switched to show multiple rows of people of all ages sitting and awaiting your response. it made your throat go dry.

“i have made this decision because,” you looked away from the screen, “they have found someone else. and they are very happy.”

the hosts showed faces of surprise. for a second, you wondered why you’d even done this to begin with. but it felt too relieving to speak about this for a bunch of strangers to listen. it felt too relieving to hang up now when you were so close to just letting things go.

“which was why i just wanted to send this letter to… get rid of it. to be able to live on and stop holding onto those feelings that are never going to be reciprocated.” you had no idea if the words you were saying made any sense to them, but to you, they did. they made perfect sense to you, and they described exactly how you felt.

“that is very mature, and we admire you for having collected the courage to take this step.” the host clapped her hands, obviously looking moved. “love isn’t all about having happy endings together, right? sometimes, it means to let go. for their, and for our own happiness.”

hanging up not long after, you sank back in your couch and chuckled to yourself. this wasn’t so bad. in fact, you haven’t felt as good as you did right now in a while.

when the door to your apartment unlocked, you watched a mop of brown hair appear in your peripheral. the smile on your face only went brighter.

“i’m home. did i miss it?”

“just did. let’s rewatch it together, kei.”

“i wouldn’t have it any other way, because it was thanks to you that i found my own happiness, too.”

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ♡•°`.

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thesithdiaries · 2 years

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From the Vale (Harwin Strong imagine)

Pairing: Harwin Strong x female Targaryen!reader

Requested: Yes

Warnings: spoilers for the show i guess, the bronze bitch lives and she's thriving, daemon is totally a girl dad and we love that

In the beginning, Daemon despised the idea of being married to Rhea Royce. He despised her and the Vale. However, they had to perform their duties as a couple and therefore, had to be together to conceive an heir. They were both against it, the thought of sharing a bed seemed so absurd and repulsive, yet it had to be done… a couple of times.

Thankfully, it was successful. Lady Rhea Royce was with child shortly after. Prince Daemon proved to be a good father, trying to be involved as much as he was allowed to. Rhea was surprised, she initially thought he would leave the Vale once it was official but he proved her wrong.

Daemon flew to King’s Landing with Caraxes to get an egg for the child, because it was tradition to place one in the cradle. Rhea was adamant at first, about possibly having another dragon in the Vale but after she knew the child was a Targaryen and it was their right to have one.

After a long pregnancy, Rhea gave birth to a girl. She only cared for a healthy child, so it did not matter if it was a boy or a girl. Daemon, to everyone's surprise, also did not care. He was in the room as Rhea delivered, he felt grateful that she let him be part of it since they had not discussed it before.

Something changed in Daemon’s heart when he first carried his daughter. He vowed to protect her from anyone and anything that would harm her. Y/N was the light of his life.

Seventeen years later

“My prince, Lady Rhea, and Princess Y/N have returned from their hunt,” a servant informed him.

Daemon smiled, getting up to go greet them outside. He and Lady Rhea put aside their differences years ago, for the sake of their daughter, and it went surprisingly well. However, there is not any sort of sexual attraction between them, just deep care and affection.

When Daemon stepped out, he could see the yard had many deer and rabbit carcasses. Rhea looked clean and polished while Y/N did not. She always had fun during the hunts, not caring if she rolled in dirt or blood.

“Darling, what did you do?” Daemon laughed.

“Oh,” Y/N messily wiped some dirt from her face laughing. “One of the deers had me chase it.”

“She fell down a hill,” Rhea whispered to him.

“Mother!” Y/N gasped, feigning anger. “You promised not to tell.”

“Come on, love. You must change before we go with Carexes and Aelyx would let you near them in this condition.” Daemon softly pushed her towards the castle.

“But I must prepare the deer-” she tried to argue but he laughed, still urging her to go inside.

After being bathed and scrubbed by the maids, Y/N was ready to continue her day but her father was waiting for her outside the chambers. “Darling, you have a moment?”

“Of course, what is it?”

“I received a raven from the king, he is asking for us to go stay in King’s Landing. I have not answered yet, but I wanted to ask you first.” Daemon always made her feel included in his decisions, communication was very important between them.

“Yes!” She exclaimed happily, earning an eyebrow raised from her father. “I mean, yes, of course, we can go. I would love to see Rhaenyra.”

Daemon gave her a knowing look. “Alright. I will write back to my brother. I expect you to be on your best behavior.”

Y/N scoffed playfully, “I think mother is the one that should be saying that, not you.”

“I do have some authority around here,” he reminded her.

She kissed his cheek and said, “no, you have none.” Daemon threw his arm over her shoulder for a hug, laughing at what she said. It was true though, Rhea and Y/N never listened to him.

Daemon and Y/N arrived in King’s Landing a few days later, deciding to go travel with their dragons instead of going on horseback.

Rhea decided to stay behind, stating that she did not want to be around the king’s wife, which was understandable. They did have a significant confrontation a year ago and although there were no repercussions for her, Rhea did not want to do it again. The words “bronze bitch” were brought up but not for her, they were for Y/N. She did not care in the slightest but Rhea and Daemon were furious.

Rhaenyra and Y/N embraced as soon as they saw each other. Alicent felt a ping of sadness, since Y/N was her friend as well, but all that changed when she had to marry the king. After saying their hellos, Viserys went to speak to Daemon privately, leaving the girls by themselves. Alicent knew she would not be included, therefore she left without saying a word.

“Father told me you had to get married,” Y/N said, linking arms with Rhaenyra while they walked along the castle. “Is it true?”

The princess sighed, “unfortunately yes, it is.”

Y/N pitied her cousin, she cannot even imagine the type of predicament she has been in since being named heir. “Is there someone you fancy? You know, to at least make it bearable.”

“No, not a single suitor interests me,” Rhaenyra confessed.

“There are many handsome men in the Vale,” Y/N nudged her playfully. “Perhaps someone could catch your eye there.”

Rhaenyra laughed, nudging her cousin back. “I doubt it. Besides, father has been talking about Laenor.”

“Laenor?” Y/N stopped and gave her sister a grimace. “I do not think Laenor would approve of this union.”

“I know, but I suppose we both have to do this, it is our duty after all.”

“We could just go on our dragons, fly away to the Free Cities and eat only cake,” Y/N suggested.

“Your father would throw a fit if he heard you,” Rhaenyra told her with a smile.

They spent the entire afternoon talking, eventually resting in the Godswood. Viserys and Daemon were looking for them but decided to leave them be when they eventually found them.

Coming to King’s Landing usually meant Y/N had to act like a princess, to “please the people at court”, as her cousin says. She usually wears her riding leathers when she is back home, but now all she had were beautiful dresses her uncle had gotten for her.

Y/N got the idea to go hunting in the Kingswood. Rhaenyra, her father, and her uncle were stuck in a small council meeting, so she was all alone during the day. She wrote a letter to Daemon, instructing a Kingsguard to give it to him when he was available.

I went to the Kingswood to hunt. I will be safe. Do not come looking for me because you will scare away all the boars like the last time.

Love, Y/N

She did not have any appropriate clothing for the hunt. Y/N opted to wear a more simple dress so she would not ruin the one she had previously. It was still very pretty and it was “court-approved”.

Y/N walked through the stable getting everything she needed when she hit what felt like a wall. It was a man. He held her before she could hit the ground. “Oh, I apologize.”

“It is my fault, princess,” the man replied. Y/N looked at him, completely blown away by how handsome he was. “I was not paying attention.”

She cleared her throat, subtly looking around to check if there were other people. “You know who I am, but I do not know you.”

The man smiled, “Ser Harwin Strong.”

Y/N’s face was flushed, suddenly remembering his nickname. “You are the man they call Breakbones.”

“Men talk about me in the Vale?” Harwin asked, both surprised and amused.

“Some of the knights are still recovering from fighting you,” Y/N told him. “It appears the nickname suits you.”

They laughed for a moment. “If I may ask, where are you heading?”

Y/N bit the inside of her cheek. Why was she nervous? “Hunting.”

Harwin shot her a genuinely surprised look. “Hunting? By yourself?” She nodded, mounting her horse. “Princess, it is not safe for you to be alone in the woods.”

“I can take care of myself, Ser Harwin.”

The man stammered, holding onto the horse’s reins before they could run off. “Princess, I insist. Let me accompany you, by the very least.”

“It is alright, Ser. I am very sure you have other things to tend to.” Y/N softly removed his hands from the reins and sped off.

Harwin stood there, bewildered. He had heard about the princess before, the knights he had met from the Vale always spoke so highly of her. According to them, she was kind and fair, always searching for a way to help others. What he did not know was that she was that reckless.

It was almost dusk. Harwin sat close to the gate, waiting. He could not get any of his duties done, the nervousness he felt was asphyxiating him.

When Y/N walked in, Harwin felt that his soul returned to his body. There she was, dragging three boars as if it was nothing. She was covered in dirt and blood, her dress was ripped. Despite how worried he was, Harwin felt a sense of pride when he saw her in that state. She looked beautiful.

“Princess,” he called for her, his voice waiving a bit.

“Ser Harwin!” She greeted him back. “I thought you would be in your bedchamber by now.”

“I… I could not go inside while you were out alone in the woods,” Harwin confessed, and Y/N raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Look at me, I am in one piece. The boars were not so lucky,” she chuckled but Harwin did not find the amusement. “It is alright, Ser. I have gone hunting by myself numerous times. I know what to do.”

Harwin did not know what to say. She did seem alright, although the blood on her made him think otherwise. The princess was staring at him with a reassuring smile.

“I have to go get scrubbed down by the maids but perhaps we can speak later?” Y/N suggested.

“Of course, princess,” Harwin grinned.

Y/N entered her chambers, getting startled by her Daemon, who was waiting for her. “I thought you were going to sleep in the woods,” he told her, waving her note.

“Sorry, father. Lost track of time,” she admitted, itching her temple awkwardly.

“Is that all of it or were you just distracted by the knight that was speaking with you?”

They stared at each other silently. Y/N's face flushed instantly while Daemon smirked. Was it that obvious?

“I see things, Y/N. I know everything,” Daemon reminded her.

“Now that you mentioned it,” Y/N felt nervous, what if he said no? “I was going to meet with him later, to talk. He seems like a nice man.”

Daemon wanted to make fun of her but decided not to, at least for that night. “A nice man to marry?”

Y/N’s eyes widened. “Father!”

“What?” He asked, feigning innocence. “Harwin Strong could be a nice match. Besides, you are prettier than the sheep.”

“Oh, gods,” she covered her face with her hands, feeling embarrassed. “I will let you know if it comes to that.”

“I will know regardless, you are very obvious-”

“Father, stop!” Y/N pleaded, making Daemon laugh.

Taglist:

@my-dark-prince / @Daemonloversblog / @littlemoonash / @mypatrochilles / @beefbaby25 / @sweetybuzz2 / @Fin-never / @asexualaromosafezone / @nerdy4itall / @yelchinweasleylothbrok / @Juless_world / @thatgaytevinter / @kaitieskidmore1 / @chevelledahuman / @rozendiors / @claudiajacobs / @savagemickey03 / @multifandom-loser / @direluvr / @dandycandy75 / @bitchyglitterfox / @rumandtearsflowerisevil / @dkathl / @holysmokesblog / @derzauberermitlilabademantel / @daydreamin1220 / @redpool / @bxdbxtxh15 / @vinceelsner / @watersofmars / @popsycles / @holysmokesblog / @madelineannmolder / @poisxnedmind / @lilithArtAndStuff / @mostclevermiss // @madelineannmolder / @omgsuperstarg / @edum123 / @asiababy1903 / @valentiinita02 / @ali-r3n / @bluebear142077 / @newtsniffles / @ayamenimthiriel / @theBoredCat / @aries-hco / @thekayarlene / @druigbarnes01 / @poisxnedmind / @secretsthathauntus / @hc-geralt-23 / @krokietino / @instabull / @laenordeservedbetter / @dany-is-my-queen / @canyonyodeler / @kloy344 / @goofymickeyr / @lovelyy-moonlight

#hotd imagine #hotd fanfic #harwin strong imagine #harwin strong x reader #a little bit of #daemon targaryen x reader #and #rhaenyra targaryen x reader

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sitp-recs · 4 months

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Teddy Lupin Appreciation Reclist

I hope everyone’s already read my gorgeous gift Wield Me by @tackytigerfic because that fic finally inspired me to finish and post this rec list! I’ve been a big Teddy fan since his name came up in the books; thanks to @lqtraintracks I was lucky to get introduced to and fall in love with Harry/Teddy many years ago. Sometimes it’s hard to read them together with other ships because just like Peter Parker, Teddy holds a very special place in my heart and I just want him to be happy and loved 🥹 so to celebrate my long-standing love for this character - which was boosted a hundred times by Tacky’s gift, I thought I’d share my favorite Teddys - both in romantic and platonic relationships - in fic. btw if anyone wants to start a Teddy centric fest let me know!

🏍️ Coming Up for Air by @lqtraintracks (Hardy, M, 2k)

I could have died of it, your tenderness toward me. Instead I decided to live.

🍑 Five Years Since Bimbleswats by tryslora (Tedrarry, E, 4k)

It’s been five years since Bimbleswats, and Draco thinks that is definitely something worth celebrating.

💦 Waiting Under Vain by supergrover24 (Hardy, E, 5k)

Teddy wants to know how sex really should be. Harry can't resist, no matter how much he tries.

🥩 The Lies We Live With by @bixgirl1 (Jeddy, E, 5k)

It doesn’t really count… is almost always followed by a lie, James learns, growing up.

🎨 Surface Texture by @the-starryknight (Hardy, E, 5k)

I've drawn a hundred portraits, but none quite like Harry's. In the early hours of the morning, I lay him bare in charcoal and paper.

👠 When It Alteration Finds by @lqtraintracks (Hardy, E, 7k)

Teddy thinks this is the way to finally get what he wants. But there is more than one way to Harry's heart.

🧁 Holding Out for A Hero by @writcraft (Hardy, E, 7k)

Even as he says no, Harry’s hands push into Teddy’s hair. Even as he protests, his lips connect with Teddy’s. Before Teddy can offer any reassurance his heart’s thumping wildly in his chest and Harry Potter’s kissing him as if there’s no tomorrow.

🐉 On the Same Side by rillalicious (Teddy/Charlie, M, 7.5k)

Teddy is heading to Romania to protest a proposed anti-dragon law. He finds an interesting ally there.

🧅 Shut Up and Kiss Me by @unmistakablyoatmeal (Hardy, E, 8k)

There's a reason Harry walks an extra ten blocks to go to the shops and it has nothing to do with onions. AU.

🪞 Portrait of a Young Girl by @thusspoketrish (Drarry, M, 8.6k)

Recently married, Harry and Draco are tasked with raising a four-year old Teddy, whose emerging gender identity brings up an array of questions, fears, and revelations for them when they realise that Teddy might be transgender.

⚔️ Wield Me by @tackytigerfic (Drarry + hints at Tedrarry, E, 10k)

Draco Malfoy, blacksmith, is renowned through the magical world for his skill and exquisite creations. He could quite easily spend the rest of his days making pretty trinkets for the fae court, and being handsomely rewarded for the privilege. But why take the easy route when instead he could get involved in a dangerous mission with Unspeakable Harry Potter (who also happens to be Draco's... well, he's something, isn't he?). A little story about learning to strike while the iron is hot.

🦆 Hallo Spaceboy by @shiftylinguini (Jeddy, T, 10k)

Or: James kissed Teddy last night. This may or may not be the end of the world.

🧹 Overexposed by @nv-md (Tedrarry, E, 10k)

Teddy never expected to become a model for Nimbus, and he definitely didn't expect any of the adverts to catch Harry and Draco's attention. But now that it's happened, Teddy can't deny he gets a thrill every time he catches Harry and Draco staring, and he's going to do everything he can to keep their eyes on him.

🎸 like the lost lyrics of a song suddenly remembered by @lqtraintracks (Teddy/Bill + Jeddy, E, 11k)

Teddy Lupin, aging rockstar, is making a comeback after his life and career were nearly ruined by an illegal potions habit. Everyone's out to support him tonight. Including the man he's always tried so hard not to love -- as well as the man he's always turned to instead.

⛺️ Good Intent by @maesterchill (Jeddy + past Hardy, E, 12k)

It all starts on the camping trip when James gets his dick out in the tent.

🎾 Game, Set, Match by @writcraft (Hardy, E, 13k)

Teddy is smitten, Harry is lonely and tennis seems like a great way to avoid dealing with this thing between them.

🤝 Team Players by @shiftylinguini (Jeddy + James/Oliver, E, 15k)

Everyone has that one celebrity they’d move heaven and earth to get between their legs, and James Potter is no exception. He just never anticipated that number one on his Freebie List would end up in the same room as him, let alone would make the first move. But lucky for James, Teddy is a team player―well, he probably is, especially with what James is suggesting.

🍨 The Strongest Affinity by eidheann (Drarry, T, 17k)

Trouble finding a wand for Scorpius leads Harry and Draco to something they never imagined.

🦋 Meet Me at Midnight by @the-starryknight (Drarry, T, 57k)

Harry was beginning to wonder if he’d ever make anything again when Malfoy stormed through the door of Harry’s furniture shop. Now Harry’s got an impossible Ministry commission to finish, and even less energy than ever to deal with his elusive muse. That is, until he stumbles upon the surreal and beautiful world of a mysterious fae creature…

🌳 By the Grace by lettered (Drarry, T, 140k)

Harry is an Auror instructor. Malfoy wants to be an Auror.

#teddy lupin my beloved #hp rare pairs

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beautifulloverwitch · 1 year

Text

By Fire, Sea and Blood

The untold tale of an approaching collapse

chapter four: The princess and the queen.

Previous ///// next

Summary: The princess and the queen continue what the king perceives to be their childish quarrel. The both of them fighting to mend it in their own self-serving way.

_________________

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x Daenerys Velaryon (Strong! oc)

wc: 11k

Warnings: none

Taglist: @grungegrrrl

Masterlist

2 years later…

Books were splayed about the polished table, none disposed of, simply opened to the pages that were not filled with unnecessary blabber. Two towers of books left alone to grow, for the girl had no interest in their contents. She held opened a large book in her hands, a history book but she had long forgotten what it as about, for her focus was on the smaller book that hid within it.

Her favourite poetry book, she deemed it a gift she had granted herself since the day she had laid her hands on it. Across from her was an old woman of faith, Septa Olera, who was adamant that if the princess Daenerys would not be with her mother during her labours, she would spend her time learning the histories of the ancient houses of Westeros. Her mother was gladdened to hear of Olena’s adamance to keep watch of her, someone to keep her daughter occupied, someone who was familiar enough with with the sweet words her daughter would use, words that helped her escape. Daenerys was the one who had called the handmaidens to her aid as her labours began a night ago, all she was met with as she was pushed out of the room afterwards was the forceful lie of her mother crying out to her, I will be alright.

Olera merrily sowed away at her embroidery as she questioned “house Baratheon?”

“Ours is the fury” she told, her interest everywhere but this session.

“Good, now how did they come to be?” Olera questioned, arching her brow as she was met with nothing but silence “princess Daenerys?”

Daenerys sighed, resting the books against her chest “their house is as old as Aegon’s conquest-“

“King Aegon”

“King Aegon’s conquest, for Orys Baratheon was tasked for bringing the once king of storms end to kneel and he didn’t, hence the battle of the Last storm happened, and the storm king lost in combat with Orys,” she quickly explained, she scoffed and muttered under her breath “and stubborn to the end he was.”

“What happened after?”

As if time could not go any slower, Daenerys thought resting her chin on the books corner as she recalled “his daughter, princess Argella, declared herself the storm queen and her court out of fear for the dragons descending upon storms end, marched her to Orys Baratheon chained and as naked as her name day- Ow!” the septa swatted her knee “You asked for what happened after! Now let me finish,” she told, ignoring the stern look of the septa “She was sent to Orys and he, ever chivalrous, gave her his cloak to protect her honour and dignity, he was later granted the land and mantle of the lord paramount of storms end, and for his wife Argella, he honoured her fallen house and adopted their banner and words.”

“Ours is the fury,” Olera spoke again, pleased by the girl’s iteration “very good Princess, the courts will be pleased to know that their future queen cares for the history of her people- what is that?” she finally noticed what was on the open pages of the few books on the table. Maps of the east, marks and notes written in both neat and messy handwriting, illustrations of marvellous ships and haunting dangers of the sea “Princess Daenerys! Such things are not matters for a princess to involve herself in.”

Her bashfulness at the septa’s praise was quick to go away, she slyly sliding the poetry book between the ruffles of her skirts “Septa Olera… how can I possibly learn the histories of other houses and not mine own? Hm?” a question with its answer embedded within it, Daenerys closed the few books, gazing longingly at a few pages before shutting them. Olera worriedly looked at the girl, who slowly adopted the ways of a house that was many would agree was not hers.

Daenerys would not admit her knowledge of that, but she had grown too close with the doting Laenor to deny how much of a father he had become in her eyes. She could feel their stares whenever she stood beside him, how they prod and poke at their bond, and as much as it pained her, she would turn a blind eye to it every time.

The doors to her chambers came open, and Ser Harwin entered “Princess, I’ve come to escort you to your mother’s chambers.”

Olera sent him a wary look “Ser Harwin, Princess Rhaenyra requested that during her labours, I keep watch of Princess Daenerys.”

Harwin narrowed his eyes at her as he felt the contempt in the woman’s eyes as she looked at him “she has, she’s gone to present the babe before the King and Queen, and I was instructed to escort the princess and her brothers to their mothers’ chambers.”

Olera disgust of the man delayed her response which Daenerys was so happily willing to give on her behalf “Thank you for todays ever long lesson, I am so gracious for it!” she claimed before rushing out the door. An amused Harwin following her.

Daenerys’s fingers danced around her pierced ear as she rushed to her mother’s room. They were freshly pierced, and she had to learn to become aware of avoiding tugging at the aching flesh. A difficult task it was, for it had been a habit she would find herself constantly falling back on in the two years that had passed.

When she had disappeared into the red keep, she was found a day and a night after the incident, ear a worrying red. The devastated Rhaenyra had expected Daenerys to scream, to shout in anguish for what had been done to her, but she was frighteningly silent.

By the time Rhaenyra had decided to sit her down to question her of how she was, her once bobbed head of hair now touched her shoulders, and an avoidant Daenerys merely said, “my hair has grown plenty, mother, there is no reason for me to dwell on it if it’s only a matter of time before I regain what I had lost.”

Harwins worried gaze fell from her ear and to the purple book clenched in her other hand “Might I ask what new book has caught your interest princess?”

There was a stutter in her step as she realised the question, lifting the book up she told “It’s a book of my favourite poetries, it’s called, My mind, My heart, and my strength.”

“I am surprised to see how you’ve already delved within such romantic literatures,” Harwin teased.

She frowned as she shook her head “No I haven’t, well I have but not as much as this one, it speaks of a silent battle.”

“Does it?” his brows furrowed with interest “Might I hear one of these poems?” He asked, the widening of his eyes had not gone unnoticed by the girl, he had forgotten himself, bowing his head as he added “Princess.”

She glanced at him knowingly for a moment before a soft smile grew upon her lips “of course,” she immediately opened the book to her favourite page, its edges were slightly ruffled from the times she had spilt water on it while reading under the covers of her bed. She slowed down as she read out the poem.

“The will of my mind guides my strength but what worth is my mind against the ache of my heart,

my heart is without eyes to see where my strength flies,

My heart is without ears to hear what my strength spawns,

But my heart feels, my heart is marred with weeping wounds,

My conscious mind looks on defeat at my impetuous heart’s strength”.

As she glanced up at Harwin they stood outside Rhaenyra’s chambers, Harwin seemed away in his mind before she had asked “Did you like it?”

He blinked away his stupor before saying “it… prompts thought.”

“That’s why it’s my favourite,” she told before walking into the room.

Luke looked up in wonder at his brother who lumbered above him, arms dangling about, teeth bared as his rounded babyish face attempted to contort to that of a monster “and out came a big! Scary! Dragon!” he roared. The sound of the door interrupted their laughter.

“Dany!” Lucerys called out from where he and Jace were sat “Jace was just telling some scary dragon stories!”

Jace frowned, before ominously saying “who said they were stories?”

Luke’s face contorted in fear, looking to his sister as she sat beside him “surely there aren’t any dragons that are that scary, right Dany?”

A grin tugged at the corners of her lips as she sat beside the two of them “I can assure you brother, there aren’t,” she smirked when she saw his short-lived relief “there are dragons that are much scarier.”

Luke gasped in worry “there are?” Brown eyes wide with curious fear.

She nodded her head before sitting on her knees “most of them are false, just stories to stir fear in children and keep them from wandering off,” she spoke sending a playful glance to Jace, he frowned at her subtle insult of his story, but could not deny his intrigue of hearing hers “but there is one, that’s supposedly still alive today, older and bigger than the black dread!”

“Princess…” Ser Harwin cautioned; the young girls amassed vocabulary often tended to make her description far more detailed than necessary. Often leading to Luke having to sleep with his mother for fear of the stories his sister would tell.

“You needn’t worry, Ser Harwin” she muttered to him, rolling her eyes at his caution.

“Where is it? What does it look like!?” Jacaerys questioned vehemently, curious of this dragon that matched the grandeur of the black dread.

She turned to look at them, a restrained smirk on her lips “it is said that he resided on Dragonstone before the Targaryen’s had even left for it… small folk there warn their children to never EVER wander too far or else they will see him,” she paused to enjoy the impatient anticipation on their faces “of course a few refused to heed the warnings of their parents whom cared so dear for them, so they went to search for the beast.”

“Are they alive!?” an anxious Luke questioned.

She frowned in thought before stating “some of them,” this prompted a loud gasp from the frightened Luke as he huddled, towards the tense Jacaerys “but only because they couldn’t believe what their eyes had seen!” she corrected “they said the dragon was as black as coal and eyes were as green as-”

“The queens dresses?” Jacaerys quipped, the three children giggling together.

“Children…” Harwin warned between restrained chuckles.

Daenerys waved at her brothers to quiet down “hush! Let me finish!” she urged “as I was saying… the dragon’s eyes were as green… as the queens dresses. Of course, no one could ever tame the dragon because it was wild, any Targaryen that tried never returned from the dragons cave,” sending an ominous stare to her chilled brothers “Eventually everyone had to give up on the beast, and he was stripped from his dinner, so he had to find a new source of feed,” voice growing low as she leaned towards them “so he had decided to feast…” she whispered before pulling and wrestling Lucerys into her arms “On smaller dragons!” she roared into the squealing Lucerys’s cheek.

“Away from my brother, beast!” Jacaerys cried out between his laughter, attempting to pry Lucerys from her.

Their laughter was cut short by the sound of the chamber door coming open, Rhaenyra and Laenor entering the room, and in Laenors arms a new face. Harwin arose from his seat, face softening with relief.

Jacaerys exclaimed in joy “mother!” he and Lucerys rushed to the dragon egg cradle on the table.

Daenerys moved beside her mother, worriedly inspecting her clearly exhausted mother “where have you been?” she asked, stepping back when Ser Harwin offered his arm to Rhaenyra, helping her sit.

“The queen had requested to see Joffrey,” she breathed out, Daenerys frowned in surprise, how could the queen request her mother’s presence right after her labours? She should have been resting. Rhaenyra sent a bashful look towards the attentive Harwin. As she sat down, she fell back against the chair with a discomforted grunt, startling the still worried Daenerys who wiped away the hairs stuck to her mother’s damp face “I’m alright, Dany.”

Lucerys called out “mother! Look!” he turned to look at the open cradle, grinning proudly at the egg “we chose an egg for the baby!” He announced before glancing up at the crooning babe wrapped in red and gold.

Rhaenyra sighed in delight “ah… that looks like the perfect one.”

“Dany and I let Luke choose,” Jacaerys spoke holding up the lid.

Luke smiled up at his two elder siblings “thanks again.”

“Your turn was to come eventually,” Daenerys told patting his cheek.

Harwin gave an unnecessary explanation for his presence in the room, even though he was always welcomed by the family “It is not every day a dragon egg leaves the dragon pit princess,” he rested his hands upon the hilt of his sword, a tender look in his eyes as he spoke to the tired Rhaenyra “I thought it best to escort the children to and from.”

“Laenor and I thank you commander,” her eyes resting on her four children, a smile on her lips as she saw the Daenerys swat away Lucerys’s hand from the hot egg.

“Another boy, I heard,” Harwin spoke as he longingly looked at the swaddled babe in Laenors arms.

Rhaenyra shared a knowing look of repressed joy with Harwin, who grew at ease in her presence.

Laenor was beaming as he rocked the boy in his arms, a content smile on his lips as he spoke “what a fine Knight you are going to make, ay?”

Harwins head hung low as he asked, “Might I?” Glancing to Rhaenyra.

She nodded in approval before telling Laenor “Ser Harwin wishes to be introduced to Joffrey.”

Laenor was surprised at first, but he had eventually recalled the heavy secret that lingered in the air between the three “of course,” he spoke before tentatively gently handing him over to the excited Harwin.

“Joffrey, is it?” he asked, cradling the boy in his arms, receiving a short hum from Laenor.

Lucerys peered up at the babe, he whined when he saw the babes face obscured with cloth “Father, May I hold Joffrey?” he asked, reaching up for him.

“No, back to the dragon pit for you two,” Laenor told ushering the two boys out of the room.

“Why does Dany get to stay?” he asked, sending a glare to his sister.

She scoffed “I’d rather not bore myself with watching,” she lied through her smile. She frowned when she was pulled away from Ser Harwin by her father.

“You have a voyage to prepare for,” Laenor reminded. Pulling her along “get back to your chamber and finish reading!”

She groaned as she was ushered out of the room “But I have five more years to read them!”

The two chuckled as she left the chambers, Rhaenyra’s laughter waned as her worries for the girl overcame her current delight. Fingers fiddling with the golden bands around them.

Harwin noticed her faltered joy, glancing down to the sleeping babe he rocked in his arms “falling asleep in front of the commander of the city watch,” his comment catching the attention of the dazed Rhaenyra “Terrible lack of respect.”

Scoffing she shook her head “a certain insolence runs in the family I’m afraid,” she innocently told.

Jacaerys and Lucerys were walked down the hall by their father, chatting about the new babe as he guided them to the awaiting carriage.

“Nephews!” A voice called out.

Laenor turned and as quickly as his eyes fell upon the approaching Aegon, his face contorted in contempt for the boy, pulling the boys closer to him.

“Ah Ser Laenor!” Aegon’s arms out as wide as his smirk “what a great day it must be for you, another boy!”

Laenor ever courteous, thanked him through clenched teeth “indeed, my prince.”

Aegon hummed at the news “good… good, hopefully someday he may grow to become as strong of a knight as his father,” the offhand remark not escaping the angered Laenors ears “I came to search for the boys, we are to go to the Dragon pit together.”

Jacaerys warily looked at the prince, his contempt for him after his assault on his sister had not diminished over the past two years. He has yet to forget the face of his sister as one of the handmaidens cut away locks of her hair, fixing the mess that Aegon had cruelly left behind.

“If you wish I will kindly take them out of your hands and join my escort to the dragon pit,” Aegon demanded more so than offered. He saw how the two boys looked up to their father silently pleading for him not to leave “It is the kings decree that all of us spend time together, is it not? Jace? Luke?” he glanced between the two.

Jacaerys looked up at the defeated Laenor “boys, be good, the sooner you’re done, the sooner you’ll get to spend time with your brother.” he told patting the two one the back before reluctantly leaving. The boys stared on in confusion as he continued the opposite direction to his chambers.

“Alright then, best us not be late today!” Aegon declared enveloping the two at either side of him as he attempted to walk them along with him. Jacaerys pushed himself away, closely mimicked by Lucerys, Aegon frowned at their action before sighing “you can’t still be mad about that! It’s been two years!”

“And yet my sister is reminded of your cruel doings with every look in the mirror,” Jacaerys told, a cross look on his face.

Aegon rolled his eyes “I don’t know if this knowledge has blown past you, but hair grows back, she needn’t continue her show of unnecessary woe,” he sighed “now please do not make me lose track of what I wish to propose to the both of you,” he wrapped his arms around the shoulders of the two boys, strolling with them down the hall “I wish to do right by what I had done to your sister, these two years…” ever reflective he had sounded “I’ve been haunted by how humiliated your sister looked after what I’d done to her, hence, I think it’s only fair you do the same to my brother.”

Luke frowned “how is that fair?” he questioned aloud, he had long been hopeful to cut off the boy’s hair and offer it to his sister.

“Well, because I have humiliated your sister, it is only fair you get to humiliate my brother,” he nonchalantly explained, a proud look on his face as he told “As a matter of fact, I’ve gone through the trouble of planning how the both of you are going to do it,” he pushed on further as he noticed their hesitance at taking the offer, guiding them outside the main gates of the castle “come on boys, let me feel your anguish and further realise the wrong I’ve committed.”

“Aegon, are we going or not?” Aemond questioned from the bottom of the stairs.

“We’ll be right with you brother!” he yelled out before huddling with the two younger boys, presenting his malicious plan to them.

Aemond narrowed his eyes in suspicion of the three, he was reluctant on joining the three at the dragon pit, but his Aegon was cruel in using his brothers want to be included to convince the lonesome boy to come along. He would be abandoning his reading time with Daenerys, but he knew she would be understanding once he told her.

Aemond spent the next hour green with envy as he watched them all with their dragons, Aegon flaunting the object that Aemond had long desired. He could not help but send short glances towards the ramp that descended to where the dragons resided. Viserys had once come here with his children and grandchildren and made the light-hearted comment that angered the young boy ‘should you be bold enough my boy, you may yet be fortunate to claim a dragon of your own.’ He would find himself sneaking into the dragon whenever he had a moment to spare away from his duties.

The golden Sunfyre croaked as he nudged his head against Aegon, who gave awkward light pats to the affectionate dragon. The dragons golden shine was stifled by the gloomy pit. He roared when he felt a tug on his chains, shaking his head around the chafing collar “Lykiri, Sunfyre!” Aegon commanded. Catching the attention of the irked dragon “go.”

The dragon keepers guided the dragon back to the pit, his croaks turned to squeakier ones, prompting Jacaerys to eagerly step forward. He was terribly proud of how much his dragon had grown, in size and fury. By three years the dragon had earned himself the title of ‘Vermax the ill-tempered’. Vermax ascended from the pit ahead of the dragon keepers that kept a tight grip of his chains.

“Hold!” the dragon keeper shouted, receiving a shrill croak of defiance “hold!” he shouted again, the dragon reluctantly complying.

The dragon keeper gestured to the chain wielders “let him come”.

They hesitantly released the chains, allowing the dragon to saunter towards his rider. Aegon yawned at the uneventful demonstration, his brother keeping a sullen look on his face, patience wearing thin with every claimed dragon that left the pit.

“Call Vermax to heel Prince Jacaerys,” the younger dragon keeper said in the common tongue.

“Dohearas!” he commanded, the dragon halting in his tracks, lifting his head upon hearing the voice of his rider. Vermax startled Jacaerys when he let out a shrill shriek and continued further “halt!” He shouted.

Vermax stopped in his tracks, shaking his head in annoyance before settling on the ground.

The elder dragon keeper praised the boy “well done.”

The echoing sound of a sheep’s neigh alerted the eager Vermax, hunching over to pounce on his meal for the day. The sheep unaware that it was facing its death as it credulously looked at the dragon stalking towards him.

“Vermax!” Jacaerys’s shout, ignored, so he yelled again “VERMAX!” he frowned when the dragon continued to ignore him.

The elder dragon keeper spoke to him in Valyrian, Jace’s lips down turning in embarrassment for not being able to understand. He was gracious for the younger dragon keeper’s translation.

“You must hold mastery over your dragon, my prince” he told, awaiting his elders next words “just as Prince Aegon has over Sunfyre.”

Aemond was attentive to the dragon keeper’s words, curious to learn more of the complex bond between dragon and rider.

“Once they are fully bound to you, they will not take instruction from any other,” he told, glancing to the roaring dragon.

Jacaerys grinned as he heard Vermax’s hungry roars, asking the elder dragon keeper “Can I say it?” he earned a nod from the man, turning to look at the princes behind him with excitement.

Aemond sighed and whispered to his brother “Must I endure this any longer, you’ve kept me here the entire time and all I have done is spectate.”

Aegon patted his brother’s shoulder “patience Aemond,” he told his brother before nudging him “Look!”

“Dracarys Vermax!”

Aemonds sullen look faded away as his eyes glimmered, marvelling at the dragons’ flames.

Aegon rested his arm around his brother, a note of genuine kindness as he said “Aemond, we have a surprise for you.”

He frowned as he noticed the excited look on Luke’s face, looking straight at him as he asked, “What is it?”

Luke was far too young to know how to hide the note of mischief in his voice as he said “something very special” before running off towards the pit.

Aegon guided his brother to where Luke had run off to “you’re the only one of us without a dragon, well, there’s one other…” He gestured for Jace to calm down as he felt his warning glare “but we have felt horrible for how badly we’ve treated you, so out of the goodness of our hearts, brother, we’ve found one… for you.”

Aemond was suspicious of it all, but played along none the less “a dragon, how?” hands clenched together behind him.

They stopped at the top of the ramp, the sound of echoing croaks omitting from the inky pit “the gods provide…” Aegon said, standing aside in anticipation of seeing Aemonds reaction.

The croaks grew louder and clearer, but soon Aemond realised these were not the croaks of a dragon, they were the shrieks of a pig. His hands fell to his side, crushed by how his gullibility led him straight into another trap. Fists clenched tightly as he resisted the urge to shove Luke and that pig back into the pit.

The three shouted in unison “behold! The pink dread!” giggling and snickering as they relished in Aemonds disheartened reaction.

Aemonds lips twisted in contempt, glaring at the pig decorated with wings, horns, and a tail. The knife they had driven in only dug deeper as his brother leaned down to his ear and taunted “be sure to mount her carefully, the first flight is always rough!” he oinked.

Jace and Luke mimicked his actions, oinking along with him. Before leaving Aemond to further appreciate their thoughtful gift.

Aemond glanced back to their cruellest insult of all, he would have rather received a slight rather than this offence.

It was as though the inky pit was a force that pulled in anything it could, the howling wind called for Aemond to again quench his desires and descend into the pits grasp. He had been here enough times to know to move along the walls. He went down a path he had not visited before, following the sounds of the rumbling breaths of a sleeping dragon. Peering around the corner, he was met with its dark silhouette.

The dragon sensed the unfamiliar presence within its cave, awakening from its slumber. Its deep blue eyes narrowing as it saw its intruder, slowly coming out from where he had resided. Light bounced around the cave as it opened its jaw and flames dancing around the corner of its mouth. It was a magnificent pale blue, silver markings adorning its body, and Aemond soon realised the dragon was none other than the she-dragon Dreamfyre, and she was not pleased by his presence.

Her flames bellowed from her mouth and against the caves ceiling, inching towards Aemond whom awakened from his stupor and fell back in fear, scurrying off before he found himself bonded to a dragon in an unpleasant manner.

Helaenas hands gently cupped the slithering bug that moved along them. Her mother seated a foot away from her as she attempted to bond with her curiosity of a daughter. She had not wished to be there; she had only humoured her mother to end this interaction swiftly. She had much appreciated the presence of someone who had not spent a decade ignoring her.

“It has 120 legs on either side,” her soft voice told as she observed closely “that’s 240.”

Alicent rested her cheek against her hand as she tried to indulge in her daughter’s odd interest “yes, it is.”

Helaena’s eyes fluttered for a moment, as she cryptically spoke a truth “it has eyes, though... I don’t believe it can see.”

Alicent questioned “and why is that so, do you think?”

She glanced to her mother, unknowingly nudging the bug towards her “it’s beyond our understanding.”

Alicent hummed at the coincidence, studying her daughter for a moment before reaching out to caress her rigid arm "I suppose so, somethings just are."

A sensation foreign to her, Helaena frowned at her touch.

Alicent turned to look at her chamber doors, gasping in worry as she saw her son, Aemond, marched in by a guard. Covered in ash and dust, hair unkempt.

“Aemond! What have you done?” she questioned as she rushed towards him.

Helaena frowned in worry “he did it again.”

Alicent huffed “after how many times you’ve been warned must I have you confined to your chambers?!” she chastised.

“They made me do it!” he defended, a vague excuse.

“As if you needed encouragement!” she interjected, attempting to meet her sons avoidant gaze “your obsession with those beasts goes beyond understanding!”

He swatted away the hand that rested on his shoulder as he shouted, “They gave me a pig!”

His mother grimaced in confusion “A what?”

“They brought me down to the dragon pit, they said they had a dragon for me,” His mouth twisting as he was enveloped in the shame of that moment “but it was a pig.”

Helaena had returned her attention to the critter in her hands “the last ring has no legs at all.”

Alicent sighed, squeezing her son’s shoulders as she reassured “you will have a dragon one day.”

Her pale blue eyes fluttered once again as she spoke “he will have to close an eye.”

She cupped his cheek with her hand and reaffirmed “I know it.”

His jaw clenched and he averted his eyes from his mother’s tender face, voice heartbreakingly desolate “they all laughed.”

Alicent paced within the kings chambers, while the king found joy in busying himself with the growing display.

“They made wings for it apparently, and a tail,” she spoke, retelling her sons account.

Viserys blamed “The lad shouldn’t have been so credulous.”

Alicent looked on in him with bewilderment “he’s a child”.

He chuckled “he thought they’d happened upon some wild unnamed dragon and lured it to the dragon pit?”

She shook her head “your grandsons are a menace.”

He defended “they are more children than he is.”

She reiterated “they’re savages, though it is not surprising.”

He sighed, dropping the figurine in his hand “are you sure it wasn’t our Aegon who put them up to it?” he asked as he reminded “torment is not uncommon of him.”

She exhaled in defeat, looking out the window as she spoke aloud “it’s a wonder to me their eggs ever hatched."

It was a relief to her that Daenery’s egg had never hatched, but her lack of a dragon was easily ignored because of her unique trait. Once the princes were born, she had hoped that their eggs would not hatch, for the truth to finally be realised, but to her dismay they all had.

Viserys’s gaze lifted from the display, credulously asking “and why is that?”

“You know why,” not a stutter in her words.

He chucked as he repeated “I’m afraid I don’t –.”

“Don’t!” she brashly interrupted, breathing away her anger at his ignorance “Viserys…”

He dreaded where this would go but he knew better than to continue evading her insinuation in the presence of someone’s unwanted ears “we shall continue this afternoon, Eddard.”

Alicent awaited the man to leave the room before dropping her clasped hands to her sides as she marched around the display and towards the king, his back hunched as he refused to meet her gaze as she began speaking the familiar words she would repeat to him with every child Rhaenyra would birth “I have raised this matter before, and you forbade me to speak of it, so I held my tongue,” she reminded.

“To have one child like that is a mistake,” Viserys eyes peered up at her in warning, a warning she willingly ignored “To have four is an insult, to the throne, to you, to house Velaryon and the match you battled so hard to make for her, not to mention decency itself!”

Viserys sighed, and vaguely addressed the issue with another story “I had a black mare once, black like a raven.”

Alicent frowned in disbelief as she arose to her full posture, reluctantly allowing him to continue “one day she escapes her pasture and the neighbouring stallion sire a foal on her, the stallion was as silver as the moon on a winter’s night, and the foal. When it was born, chestnut,” he scoffed in disbelief, ignoring the displeased look on his wife’s face as he always has “Just the most unremarkable brown horse you ever saw,” he stated the gist of this unnecessary story “nature is a thing of mysterious works.”

She pursed her lips before asking, using his own vagueness against him “how do you know?” she dared “the silver stallion? How do you know it was him?” she was only met with a look of caution, but she continued to dig “did you witness the act itself?”

He slammed the stone piece in his hand upon the table, bowing his head to gather himself before reminding “the consequences… of an allegation like the one you toy at, would be dire,” he grunted as he stood up and neared his jaded wife, tenderly rubbing the length of her arm, a tenderness that did not match the threat laced within his warning “do not speak of this again,” he placed a chaste kiss to her cheek, bowing his head tiredly before leaving her.

She stormed out of the room and was closely followed by her sworn shield, Ser Criston Cole.

“Have I lost my sanity, Ser Criston?” she asked, the anger she had bottled up during her conversation with the king, gushing out as she spoke to one of the few people who echoed her concerns “do my senses lead me astray? Or is everyone else asleep, dreaming the same woolly dream?”

“Sometimes seems so your grace” he replied, to which one of her questions his answer was for, who knows.

She halted her tirade as a passer-by stood aside for her to pass. Away from unwanted ears before she continued “She flaunts the privilege of her inheritance without shame, she expects everyone in the red keep to deny the truth our eyes can all plainly see, and the king, her father.”

“He knows.”

“of course, he knows!” she looked from the other side of the courtyard to the king’s chamber doors “or did once, but has convinced himself otherwise, He’ll do naught but make excuses for her.” her angered gaze lingering at his door, that resided opposite hers.

The patient Criston followed her gaze and venomously spoke “The princess Rhaenyra is brazen and relentless, a spider who stings and sucks her prey dry,” the guard was far too comfortable with the queen as they bonded over their shared disdain for Rhaenyra, daring to proclaim the princess “A spoiled cunt,” with the queen at his side.

She halted in her tracks and sent him a pointed stare “that was beneath me your grace, I apologise.”

She glanced to his feet before looking back up at him, speaking the words that garnered his great admiration of her “I need to believe, that honour and decency will prevail,” Criston nodding to her words “we need to hew to that, and to each other.”

She entered the rooms of her son, silent enough to not alert her depraved son’s action as he stood nude at the window. She stared in dismay for a moment before alerting him “who’s idea, was it?”

“Oh fuck!” he shouted as he threw himself onto his bed, wrapping himself in his covers.

Alicent questioned “the pig? Was it your plot?”

He chuckled “no… it was Jace and,” recovering from his high, he attempted to gather himself as he attempted to remember the other ones name “it was the two of them, they wanted to make me pay for what I had done to their sister-.“

She interrupted, hating the mention of her son’s cruel actions “Aemond is your brother.”

“Well, he’s a twat.”

“We are family,” she reminded before sternly advising him “you may cuff him about as you wish at home but in the world, we must defend our own.”

He frowned, confused by how irked his mother was by the harmless action “it was funny.”

“Do you think Rhaenyra’s sons will be your playthings forever?” she asked, Aegon was incapable of answering for he did not understand this line of questioning “as things stand, Rhaenyra will ascend the throne and Daenerys Targaryen will be her heir, the girl you’ve made an enemy of, already.”

He glanced around, still not knowing where this was leading “So?”

She groaned, palming her face before she exclaimed “you are nearly a man grown, how can you be so short sighted?” she sat down in front of him, further attempting to hammer into her son the graveness of the situation “if Rhaenyra ascends, your very life could be forfeit,” she paused hoping to see the realisation dawn upon her son “Aemond and Daerons as well, she could move to cut off any challenge to her and her children’s succession.”

He pondered her words for a moment, before giving her the answer he had expected her to want, the simple solution “then I won’t challenge-.”

She grasped his face tightly in her hand, silencing him as she roared in his face, for the first time, frightening the young boy as he flinched away “YOU ARE THE CHALLENGE! You are the challenge, Aegon! Simply by living and breathing!” The stifled breaths of Aegon echoed in the room as he trembled in his mother’s grasp, face a mask of fear. She reminded him as she shook his face in her hand “you are the kings firstborn son, and what they know, what everyone in the realm knows, in their blood and in their bones,” she poked at his chest, Aegon looking down at her hand perturbed and anxious of angering her again as he held his tongue “Is that one day you, will be our king.”

Alicents eyes peered deeply into her son’s fear-stricken eyes. Her eyes fluttered as her anger fell away as she realised the foreign look with her son’s eyes, a shuddered breath leaving her lips as she tucked his hair behind his ears and shakily told him “Get dressed.”

They such a distant word.

Daenerys tongue peered out from the corner of her mouth as she noted down the destinations her father told her they would visit during their voyage. He told her to learn of them, to study the dangers of each territory. Her father warned her that blindly venturing into the unknown would only guide her into the stranger’s arms.

She had compiled everything she believed she could possibly need into a journal, a folded and worn map of the known world, her compass sat open in front of her, no reason at all, for she only took joy in the trinket and was eager to use it at sea. Her father had told her that they would sail to Pentos, Braavos, Volantis and Qarth. Cities of trade and colourful culture and places her grandsire Corlys had visited on his great voyages.

The sound of her door clicking open had not alarmed her for there was only one person that had yet to learn the curtesy of knocking, too impatient to wait for her to answer it “What brings you here so early?” she curiously asked.

Aemond chuckled and shut the door behind him “We finished early.”

She hummed in surprise, remarking in feigned disinterest “I suppose the lot of you must be getting better.”

He leaned against the wall beside her table, in a seemingly cheery mood “you doubt it?” he questioned, a crooked grin on his lips.

She looked up from her pages, “Of course not,” she eyed him as she grew suspicious of the jovial air that surrounded him. She would often find him with a common look of despair on his face, one that she had always been capable of washing away, and today was a day she had expected him to be terribly downhearted by.

He frowned at the unsure answer before hopefully suggesting “I believe you would sound surer of your answer, if you would return to your archery training with us,” Daenerys sighed as she heard his suggestion, returning to her notes as he continued “its grown lonesome Dany, and Aegon swore to the king he would never harm you again.”

She rolled her eyes as she asked, “the same Aegon that humiliated you by presenting you a pig for a dragon?”

“That was your brothers’ doing.”

She shook her head before she defended “they don’t have enough malice to conjure up such a scheme alone.”

He sighed, glancing around her chambers before asking “why must one action by my wastrel brother, change everything, I miss things being as they once were.”

“I do not believe this change to be a result of your brothers’ actions Aemond,” she regrettably lied, it was because of Aegon, her mother had rearranged her schedule to avoid any unnecessary encounter with him. This rearrangement had sadly cost her for she barely found any time left to spend with Aemond. “My mother said that I must begin to prepare for my duties, this rearrangement was unfortunately necessary.”

He glanced down to the papers before her, lifting one of them up and playfully arching his brow at it “what could a map of Volantis possibly have to do with your queenly duties?”

She snatched it back “I’ve already finished my studies for today, so I’ve decided to prepare for my father’s voyage.”

His smile had faltered but before Daenerys could notice he had cleared his throat “we could instead go down to the training grounds together,” he suggested, earning himself an exhausted look from Daenerys "it should be empty now.”

“I’ve already done my archery for the day,” She frowned, rubbing her raw fingers together “now, why would the training ground be empty?”

“Have you not heard?”

“Heard what?”

He grimaced in confusion, he had expected word to have reached her “Ser Harwin attacked Ser Criston, his assault on our instructor cut our session short.”

Her eyes widened in worry, she had known Ser Harwin to be a man of great restraint, she feared her assumption of what prompted his attack “do you have a clue as to why he would do such a thing?” she warily asked, fiddling with her quill.

He heaved in a deep breath “he defended your mothers honour-.”

“From what?” she abruptly interjected, eager to know.

“Ser Criston merely compared Ser Harwins… attentiveness to your brothers, to that of a…” his mouth felt dry as he muttered “a father and a son.”

Daenerys’s hands clenched around her quill, anger should not have taken grasp of her, it was merely an insinuation--- A pubic one at that. His impulse to defend her mother has now only served to encourage the lashing flames of vile accusations that nip at Rhaenyra’s feet, flames that Daenerys has begun to feel. “knights thrive off of honour, the mere insinuation of breaking it would send one for a spiral,” she dismissed, closing her books, gathering her papers into a pile and placing her journal safely in a drawer “besides, ser Harwin and Ser Criston were never fond of one another.”

Aemond held his tongue on the matter, averting his gaze from her hair and meeting her eyes as soon as she turned to look at him “I suppose so,” he agreed. He reached for her hand “come on, enough discussing silly rumours and stupid knights, care to join me in the gardens?”

She beamed up at him “Look at you, all happy,” she laced her arm around his own “although I must admit to not expecting you to be so joyous after what happened at the dragon pit,” she allowed him to guide her through the corridors.

He sighed “Mother told me that she would speak to father about it,” his lips pursed tightly, hopeful for his father to swiftly reprimand Aegon and the boys, for the king was not slow in his punishment upon Aegon for his assault on Daenerys.

Her brows knitted together in worry “I’m sure the king will be just, although I doubt Aegon will ever learn.”

He pondered for a moment “I think he has, this time.”

Her brows shot up in surprise “How so?”

He chuckled “he came to me and asked my forgiveness,” he laughed as he saw the bewilderment on her face, patting her hand that rested in his arm “I know!”

She tried to make logic of it, Aegon would never willingly bring himself down from the pedestal he’s made for himself to apologise to the younglings of the Red Keep “By chance, was the queen present when he came to you?”

“She was,” Aemond confirmed “but this time it was different, he was unnaturally genuine,” he grimaced as he recalled his brothers face, or what he could of it, Aegon’s head hung so low with shame that he barely saw any of it.

“Hm,” she commented before nudging him with her shoulder “maybe he’s finally recalled that you’re his brother.”

“Has he?” he jokingly questioned.

Shrugging she plainly stated, “it only taken him 10 years.”

“Princess Daenerys?”

Their laughter was cut short at they stepped away from one another, turning to look behind them “Yes?” she answered.

The handmaiden informed her “your mother requests your presence with your brothers in her chambers.”

Daenerys frowned in concern “Is everything alright?” she questioned as she stepped towards the handmaiden, missing the sneer on Aemonds face for she was again to be pulled away by her mother.

“Everything is alright, princess, she only wishes for you all to be in her chambers once she finishes with her small council meeting.”

“Alright, thank you Meera,” she said, nodding and turning back towards Aemond to bid him goodbye.

“Must our time be cut so short again?” he spoke as he stood beside her “can’t she wait?”

She chuckled “my mother has just given birth Aemond, she needs me-.”

“Can’t your father keep watch of them? You aren’t their mother,” he told, hoping she ignore her mother’s command.

She winced as she stated “you are right I’m not, I’m their eldest sister,” she pursed her lips as she recalled “and father is barely within the red keep, he left the moment he escorted Jace and Luke to the dragon pit,” she playfully frowned when she noticed his face return to its commonly despaired one “hey… don’t look like that, I don’t enjoy being a villain,” she squished his face only to have her hand swatted away “I’m sorry Aemond.”

His foot kicked against the ground as his fingers dug into his arms as they clasped behind his back “It’s alright, you’ve a duty to the realm and your family,” he assured, a tight smile on his face “Maybe, if time allows it, we could read together in the gardens? Like we always have?”

She relaxed with relief “I’d very much like that,” she answered with a soft smile on her lips, resting her hand on his still rigid arm “thank you for understanding Aemond, I shall see you then,” she gave his cheek a quick kiss before rushing off to her mother’s chambers.

Aemond watched with elation as she disappeared into the next corridor, face red with bashfulness. Nearly forgetting how dejected he felt by her setting him aside once again.

Rhaenyra was sat on her chair, frustration lingering in the air surrounding her as her hand attempted to knead away the discomfort within her swelling breasts. Unfortunately, nothing could possibly soothe away the alarm that chewed away at her, everything seemingly slipping into chaos as she lost grasp of it all. Harwins actions at the yard only gave fuel to the concerns that the queen pestered the king with, for he had witnessed the assault himself.

The sound of her husband’s drunken laughter irked her as her head turned ever slightly to the door. The doors burst open and Laenor stumbled in, leaning against his favoured knight with cup in hand.

He chuckled as he staggered in his place “my dear wife!”

The knight beside him gulped as he attempted to poise himself before the heir “princess.”

Rhaenyra’s eyes ran along her husband’s figure in disapproval of his condition, he frowned and followed her gaze, realising his dishevelled state he explained “I fell down.”

She shook her head and turned to look ahead of herself, unamused by his foolishness “where have you been?”

“Out with Qarl, Didn’t I mention it?” he answered, resting his arm open the shoulders of the rigid Qarl. Laenor frowned in worry “are you in much pain?” he leaned towards Qarl as he explained his wife’s plight with a satire, of which none found entertaining “the milk… swells the breast-.” The poor Qarl went pale, it was as though he could feel his head fall from his shoulders as he felt the glare of the angered heir.

“Would you mind, Ser Qarl? I would like to speak with my husband.”

“Of course, princes,” he rushed out, closely followed by the handmaiden.

Laenor stumbled his way around the furniture and stood before Rhaenyra, who looked at him through the lashes of her eyes “War is afoot again in the stepstones, Rhaenyra,” he spoke, as though Rhaenyra cared for his great interest in that unending war “the triarchy takes new life, in its alliance with Dorne, They’re waylaying ships and cargo,” he fell into his chair over the arm rest “Qarls been fighting there he showed me- he showed me a sack of sapphires as big as walnuts he took from a pirate he slew!” he fell back against the chair with a sigh of relief, not caring for whatever response Rhaenyra had to give as he told his stories “after all this time this is just what I need, a little adventure, a good battle to enliven my blood again.”

Rhaenyra’s face was still with bafflement at his carelessness, her other hand clenching against the armrest. She pushed herself further into the back of her chair as he leaned forward “he says there is a Tyroshi general there, a giant they say, who dies his beard purple. And wears women’s frocks,” he laughed, eyes falling shut as he imagined the glory of battle again “a few months maybe,” he spoke softly “to be back at sea.”

Rhaenyra shook her head as she watched him sail away into his mind “Are you mad?” Laenors grin faltered as he was torn away from his daydream “do you know what’s happened… while you’ve been guzzling all the ale in Flea bottom? Gods know what besides?” she reminded him of their decade long predicament “dark rumours haunt us Laenor, they nip at our heels,” she breathed in as she glanced around “questions… about our children’s parentage, Vile disgusting insinuations.”

Laenor glanced away from her as he knew the obvious answer to that question, still baffled by why they needed to act as though they were lies “insinuations… are they?” he jested, lifting his cup to his lips.

“How can you?” Her eyes fluttered in disbelief before she stated, “they’re our children!” she arose from her slumped position, unbothered by the ache that tore through her “yours and mine! And their true father will not abandon them now to go carousing through the narrow sea, waggling his sword, and winking at his sailors.”

“I am a knight… and a warrior,” he defended rising from where he rested to meet her passion, offended by her jabs “And I have played my part here, faithfully… for ten years,” he reminded her, voice laced with caution for her not to disregard his devotion “I am owed some-!”

“you are owed nothing!” she denied “for 10 years you have indulged yourself at court, bought the finest horses, drunk the rarest of wines, fucked the finest of boys, this was our agreement,” she reminded, there was not debt to be paid between the two, but for Rhaenyra she barely made use of their exchange, for the sake of her children “I have not begrudged you, but you do not desert your post when the storm lashes,” she searched his distant eyes for something but was met with one thing a man who felt no obligation.

“The wise sailor flees the storm as it gathers,” the venom in his words stung her deeply as she looked on with him in despair.

She scoffed, and plainly told, not bothering to look at his face as it fell with shock “very well then, I command you,” her words slow as she relished in each note “as your princess and your heir to the throne, you are commanded to remain in kings landing and at my side.”

His eyes bounced around her face, hoping her to falter from her decision, but she would not. She warned him of enforcing her powers upon him once, and she was not fond of second chances.

She arose from her seat, buttoning up her dress after adjusting the rag over her chest “to think you so quick to abandon them, to abandon Dany,” crossing her arms over her chest “imbuing a passion within her, one that she takes pride in sharing with you, only for you to consider deserting her,” He refused to meet her stern look as he glanced down shamefully at the swishing wine in his cup. She sighed, shaking her head in disbelief before storming out of the room.

Rhaenyra sat slump against her chair as her fingers pushed about her marble sphere, a day far too eventful that she was sat amongst the small council. Whom of which had not ceased their discussion of the unending quarrels between brackens and Blackwoods.

“Why was this issue not brought before Lord Grover?” Alicent critically questioned “has he grown so feeble he cannot settle a quarrel over rocks?”

The master of laws answered her “I’ve heard tale, that Lord Grovers son, now rules Riverrun in all but name.”

Alicent nodded along before concluding the issue “Well, he is also a Tully, and this remains a Tully problem,” she spoke, looking to the king. He did not wish to continue the matter so he simply agreed with her conclusion of it.

“I we may move on my lords-.”

Rhaenyra interrupted Tyland Lannister “and yet, the Brackens and the Blackwoods will use any excuse to spill each other’s blood,” she glanced up to meet the disapproving stare of the queen, who had not appreciated the princess’s pursuit of the matter “So, this dispute bares looking into,” she looked to the Hand as she informed “there will be country folk who will know where the lines have been drawn for generations.”

“That is easy enough.”

Alicent scoffed, muttering before reaching for her cup “of course.”

Lyonel glanced between the two with discomfort “Ser Tyland.”

The tension seemed to stifle the members of the table, Tyland clearing his throat before he spoke “We should discuss the latest development in the stepstones my lords.”

The king sighed, irked by how long that region has haunted them “Will we ever be shut of that blasted place?"

The lord Beesbury spoke “If you ask me, the Blackwood’s have the upper hand,” slow as ever he was.

The grandmaester Orwyle told him “We’ve moved on to the Stepstones, Lord Beesbury.”

Tyland leaned towards him as he spoke aloud “And the Triarchy’s new alliance with Dorne!” he sat back into his chair before saying “there’s been word that they’ve grown bold, and the triarchy has turned their ambition to both west and east of their territories.”

His action prompted a stifled chuckle from an amused Rhaenyra.

“I was hoping our negotiations with Sunspeare, may have persuaded them to see reason,” he coughed into his cloth before continuing “to trust a Martell is to be disappointed.”

“and where I wonder is prince Daemon?” the master of laws questioned, before sarcastically correcting himself “Or I suppose I should call him King as he styled himself, when he won a battle there,” sneering as he concluded “once.”

Alicent told him “That was a decade ago and he has since left that region undefended-.”

“We have left it undefended,” she interrupted once more, with no reprimand from her father or the vexed queen “there should’ve been fortifications built, watch towers, a fleet of ships, a garrison of soldiers sent to hold our ground!”

“We cannot afford it,” the queen stated, advising the bold princess “Our coffers are great, but not infinite, we must consider the cost to our subjects,” she explained, worriedly looking to the tired king.

“I must agree,” Lyman supported.

“the cost of war is greater!” the princess reminded the council loudly, before looking to the jaded queen “but we have been lax and the old monster now lifts its head.”

The room fell quiet as all that could be heard was the grinding sound of the princesses black marble against its stone holder. The queen reached for her green sphere, ignoring the princess’s concluding comment “let us be finished.”

The council arose from their chair, and Rhaenyra tensed with fret as she contemplated her next words “Wait!” she told the now standing council “I wish to speak.”

The king looked to his daughter warily before commanding “be seated.”

The queen remained standing, opposing the standing princess across from her. emboldened by how the princess could not find the will to meet her gaze as she spoke steadily “I have, felt the… strife, between our families of late, my queen,” she acknowledged “and for any offence given by mine, I apologize, but we are one house, and long before that, we were friends,” her voice so tender as she spoke those last three words, bowing her head ever lightly as she looked at the sullen queen. Rhaenyra looked to the marble table, jaw clenched tightly as she found naught a shred of fondness on the queens face as she reminisced their days of friendship. Sweet words did not seem to ease the thick air between them so she simply stated her matter plainly “Either my daughter Daenerys or My son Jacaerys will inherit the Iron Throne after me, who exactly shall be decided in six years, I propose we betroth them both to your son Aemond and Daughter Helaena.”

The queen was unmoved by the proposal, as a matter of fact she found herself greatly offended by it. The king on the other hand could not hide the crooked grin that found its way upon his face, delighted by the proposal made by his daughter.

“Ally ourselves, once and for all,” she glanced to her father, relieved to see his delight “let them rule together.”

He weakly banged his fist against the table “A most judicious proposition!”

The queen glanced down to the princess’s chest before scoffing and shaking her head. The princess pushed further, attempting to reach an agreement with the queen, to settle their decade long quarrel “Additionally, my daughter has insisted that if Syrax were to bring forth another clutch of eggs, your son Aemond shall have his choice of them,” she chuckled as she recalled how adamant her daughter was “A symbol of our good will.”

The queen glanced about the room “Rhaenyra.”

The princess confused followed the avoidant glances of the queen. Falling back to her chair “Seven Hells…” she spoke, covering the growing wet patches on her swollen breasts.

The king expressed his gratitude to his mortified daughter “A dragon’s egg is a handsome gift.”

The queen hummed in agreement before expressing her own gratitude in a far more formal manner “The king and I thank you for your offer and we will consider it duly,” she made her way behind the king “you must rest now, husband.”

Viserys looked to her with confusion, why should such a matter take time? Alicent should have agreed immediately to the generous offer presented by his outreaching daughter.

As they left the room and left Rhaenyra in her humiliation, Alicent spoke, unashamedly expressing her appreciation of her offer “How sweetly the fox speaks when it’s been cornered by the hounds.”

“She is sincere.”

“She is desperate,” she corrected “she feels the earth withering away beneath her feet, and now she expects us to ignore her transgressions and for me to marry my only daughter to one of her plain featured sons whom have been a menace to the son she intends to take as well.”

He was baffled by her caution “the proposal is a good one my queen, we’re a family, let us put aside these childish quarrels, join hands and be stronger for it.”

His neglect of this quarrel’s importance infuriated the jade queen “you may do as you wish husband, when I am cold in my grave,” she told before marching up to his chambers.

“Alicent… Alicent!”

Rhaenyra rocked Joffrey in her arms, her chambers empty from anyone other than her children and her sworn shield. Sadly, his misconduct had cost him his treasured station.

Daenerys was sat down on her chair, fingers attached to her ear as her lips were tightly pursed, eyes covered with a sheen of tears as she looked at Harwin with disappointment.

He was knelt before Lucerys, who did not understand why he had to leave, he had done nothing wrong, Harwin was a good man. He had a pout on his lips as he nodded along to Harwins words.

Jace was stood beside Harwin, hand tightly grasping the arm rest of the chair beside him, staring at Ser Harwin intently as he repeated what had occurred at the yard over and over. The words beating against the walls of his skull, pleading for him to finally see it.

“Your interest in the princelings training is quite unusual commander, most men would only have that kind of devotion toward a cousin, or a brother or a son.”

“Be good to your mother lads,” Harwin told, resisting the urge to pull the pouting Lucerys into a tight embrace “I’ll visit when I can,” Grunting as he arose “But that may be some time.”

“You shouldn’t have struck him,” Daenerys spoke aloud.

“Dany…” Rhaenyra solemnly spoke.

“Had you not struck him, you would not have been made to leave,” she continued, pinching at her reddened ear tighter as she grew angrier by the outcome of his actions.

“Your right I shouldn’t have,” Harwin admitted, kneeling to meet her avoidant gaze “I shall learn to hone my restraint for you Princess.”

“Dany,” she told, locking her lilac eyes with his dark ones “You’ve known me long enough to call me Dany.”

He hummed in a delight tainted by sorrow “Of course,” he gently took her hand away from her ear “Dany,” Her lip quivered slightly as they twisted about in anguish “May I ask you to prepare me a poem?" a smile growing on his lips as he saw her begin to beam through the clouds of her sorrow “for when next we meet.”

She smiled sheepishly, sniffling “I shall.”

He hummed thankfully before giving her a light tap upon her knee and rising to bid farewell to the wary Jacaerys. Lucerys rushed to his sister, wrapping his arms around her, and nuzzling his face into her shoulder.

Jacaerys ran to his mother, leaving Harwin saddened by his avoidance.

Rhaenyra welcomed him to her side “Jace,” she muttered in comfort as she laced her fingers in his dark hair. Stepping away from him as Harwin approached the two.

The boys head hung low, trying to distance himself from Harwin, wanting to deny their connectedness further but he found it impossible. Harwin cupped the boys chin gently in his hand “I shall return, I promise,” caressing his chin, and sighing in triumph at the boy’s eager nod.

Harwin stepped before the princess, longing to embrace her, but retained his restraint as she presented Joffrey to him. He placed a tender kiss upon his forehead and spoke words that tugged at Rhaenyra’s heart as she shook her head in denial “I will be a stranger when we meet again.”

It’s not fair.

Jacaerys glanced down to the hand that rested upon his mother’s arm, Harwin had unknowingly reached for her and she had not denied his touch.

Reluctantly, as his eyes remained trained on her own, he bowed his head “Princess…”

No longer did his eyes meet with the family in the room, as he collected his belongings and rushed out. The further he was from that room, the greater the ache in his heart had become. But he refused, he refused to mend it, to hear its cries for him to return, to that room, to his children, to his love. His mind commanded him to leave, to mount his horse and never return, for their sake and the sake of his house, his mind heeded him to make use of his strength, to stifle his hearts cries.

Jacaerys watched as his father marched away, realisation beginning to settle upon his mind as he stood by and watched. His mother joined his side and attempted to comfort him through her own sorrow “we will exchange letters by raven, won’t that be fun?”

“Is Harwin Strong my father?”

The abruptness of that question startled her, her eyes skimming the halls for any unwanted attention. Jacaerys turned to face her, angered by his discovery “Am I a bastard?”

Rhaenyra shook her head, glancing behind her to see that his words had not reached the chatting Daenerys and Lucerys, she cupped his cheek in her hand and told him “You are a Targaryen, that’s all that matters,” she placed a chase kiss on his head before sending him back into the room.

She glanced between where her once sworn shield departed, and where her children were. She smiled with ache as she watched them play together, attempting to forget the solemn goodbye they had just endured. With the weight on her shoulders growing ever heavier, she realised her attempts of mending the bonds that have long withered away were needless, she found herself alone in this pursuit of a resolution. For too long has she wasted her time here, so she considered the option she had long pushed away. What could she do but escape the shore before the storm gathers? She made her way into the room sitting down to watch with contentment as her children played with their toys. Chuckling at every roar Jacaerys could muster, every story Daenerys could conjure up, and every giggle from the bubbling Lucerys.

For a moment, she’d forgotten the storm. The storm that had passed over a land across the narrow sea, striking with fire and leaving in its wake nothing but ash and bone.

#House of the dragon #aemond targaryen #aemond the kinslayer #hotd #aemond fanfiction #aemond x oc #alicent hightower #rhaenyra targaryen #Viserys targaryen #helaena targaryen #aegon targaryen #jacaerys velaryon #lucerys velaryon #harwin strong #laenor velaryon #dragons #a song of ice and fire #aemond targaryen x reader #want for nothing

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siriannatan · 8 months

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Solutions to Insomnia - Scott fWhip

My quest to drag S1 fWhip through terrible situations with a comfort Scott on the since continues, it would seem…

fWhip could not sleep at all. Not an unusual occurrence. He became known for skipping sleep. Staying up later than healthy. Yawning and falling asleep in weird places. It became so normal even his closest allies, family stopped worrying. Just a fWhip thing, he'll be fine.

The only person who seemed to hate it was... fWhip himself.

He stared at the ceiling. Unable to sleep. Vaguely aware it was nearly midnight... So much for going to bed early. He stared at the ceiling and thought back to the worst moments of his accursed insomnia. When and why he chopped his hair off and is still refusing to let anyone fix the mess it is. Not like anyone expects him to be put together in any way. Not like his allies cared if he was doing okay. They would just leave him sleeping in their meeting room and not even tell his advisors where he was. Sending all of Grimlands into a panic.

But that was two weeks ago. Things were fine even if Gem was still unhappy with the whole Rivendell alliance and fWhip's arranged marriage to the younger prince. But that was fWhip's business. And Sausage and Pearl voted yes. And it wasn't like he was anything special himself. No half-dragon. No wizard. No Pearl.

Just plain, normal fWhip with only his brain and a bad knee. Totally useless without his crossbow and explosives. Not like he could have any good ideas that did not involve explosives.

He sighed, turning to his side for what felt like the millionth time that night. Why can't he just sleep normally? Why did he have that unplanned nap earlier, after running one last time over this year's plan to get the heating in town for the upcoming winter.

fWhip was about to go and find something to read or do until he passed out when there was a knock on his balcony door. He was not expecting any guests tonight. None of his allies would come to him with any issues. With a yawn and heavy, exhausted steps fWhip walked up to the window. Not bothering with the lone robe tossed over a chair.

To his shock, on his balcony was none other than his fiance Scott of Rivendell. Looking at it all like he didn't just fly all the way from Rivendell. Which he had to have done to get to Grimlands before any note made it. If one was sent at all which it should. "Oh... Hello... I apologize if I woke you up..." the elf chuckled as always oozing confidence.

"I wasn't sleeping anyway..." fWhip shrugged totally not sure what to do with Scott. "I won't have angry elven military knocking on my door looking for you tomorrow?" he asked to start with. Just to be sure and let Scott inside. It was slowly getting chilly in Grimlands.

"No, no, I told my parents I want to visit you... Since we're supposed to get married and stuff..." Scott clarified, looking about the dark room. "I kind of underestimated how long it'd take to get here, I was not counting on making it for dinner but still not this late..." he chuckled nervously. Looking briefly at fWhip's messy bed.

fWhip hummed and nodded along. Forcing his brain to try and think if any guest rooms are ready at all and ready enough to house his future husband. Unfortunately, he rarely had guests. "Unfortunately I didn't have any guests lately so I'm afraid my guest rooms aren't quite suitable..." he sighed, messing his already messy hair even further. He couldn't even offer to give Scott his own bed in it's current state.

Scott just chuckled. "I don't mind sharing if you don't. We are supposed to get married, eventually," he hummed, shooting fWhip a smirk that could only be described as flirty. "We don't have to tell my brother, he'd flip over something as simple as just sleeping in the same bed," he added, still looking over in a very flirty manner.

"I'm afraid I'd make for a terrible bed mate." fWhip chuckled regretfully.

"Why so?" Scott asked with a raised eyebrow. His short coat was already off and hung over a chair.

fWhip chewed the words in his mouth for a second. "Insomnia. I have trouble falling asleep and sleeping," he said, deciding Scott should know ahead of time.

The elf just giggled. A very nice sound to fWhip's exhausted brain. "Have you tried sharing a bed with anyone? It could help, let your brain relax, knowing you're not alone?" he offered, with another of his many layers being removed.

At this point, fWhip was ready to try anything to finally sleep well so he just shrugged and agreed. He could deal with consequences if anyone found them too early. And offered to loan Scott something to sleep in. The elf 'forgot' to pack anything. fWhip guessed he just wanted to leave the palace in Rivendell. Luckily at least some of fWhip's sleep clothes fit the elf. Why must Scott be so tall?

Once they were in bed, Scott wasted no time cuddling up to fWhip. He was cold but not unpleasantly. More like comfortably chilly. fWhip could quickly feel himself drifting away as Scott chattered about helping him fix his hair as he played with it. He just hummed along as he slowly fell asleep in Scott's arms. Probably his best sleep in a long time...

If he didn't have THE dream. A red sheep looking at him with big, black eyes. Unblinking. With nothing but an endless shallow sea of blood and red fog rolling about. Dark grey sky with no clouds or sun. Blood Sheep, words came to his mind on their own. Technically the main god of Grimlands...

fWhip could not move or do anything other than hold the Sheep's stare. It felt like an eternity and like just a few seconds at once when She let out an echoing 'baaa'. And the vision was over. And fWhip woke up.

He was still in his bedroom. Still in Scott's arms. The sun has long risen. And fWhip felt rested like he never did. Weirdly thirsty...

#my stuff #my stories #empires smp #fanfiction #empiresshipping #empires fwhip #empires scott #scfwhip

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keryth-fr · 9 months

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Lore Overhaul - Humanoid Forms

One of the very first issues I encountered when starting to write my clan lore around 6 years ago, the drastic difference between breed sizes was one of my first big blocks. At the time, I thought I had found a rather elegant solution - just give everyone smaller humanoid forms they can magically transform into.

While the idea has shown its flaws over time, I'm still somewhat attached to the idea (and the humanoid designs I've commissioned). Since this impacts every area of my lore, I figured it'd be a good place to start as I revamp my setup! The write up became a little long (close to 1,000 words), so it's been placed under the cut.

Though none truly know from where the practice originated, it is considered a common courtesy for dragons to change their size and shape when in public areas. This is especially true for those who are larger, such as Imperials. It is thought that this came around, at least in part, due to unfortunate injuries caused by the larger breeds interacting with those who are much larger - this includes both other dragons, beastclans, and other animals.

While is it technically acceptable to simply change one’s size to match what has more or less become what areas are built to accommodate, many choose to take on a humanoid form, as smaller, more nimble fingers can be of use in many ways. These forms are similar in appearance to those of the beastclans, but tend to have elements that read, as a whole, still draconic in nature to observers.

It is largely up to personal preference on if one chooses to keep most of the features of their natural forms. In these cases, the dragon’s smaller form will be nearly identical to that of their natural one, with the largest exception of more dextrous fingers in places of claws, and a bipedal stance. This is most commonly accepted among hatchlings and young adults, as not all will have the skill in magic yet to be able to finely tune their appearance to remove many of the features that tend to stick between forms.

In most polite societies that involve dragons, it’s excepted that one removes as many scales, horns, wings, tails, fur, and other such features when they are capable of it. This is seen as both evidence of immense care towards one’s appearance, but also a way to signify that an individual has put the time and energy into refining their magical skills and honing their control.

While they rarely face outright discrimination, it's not uncommon to see individuals that choose to keep more of their draconic traits as lazy or in some ways uncultured. However, at the same time, there are many that prefer to keep their tough scales or their horns and wings at all times.

In addition, when one spends a large amount of time around members of the beastclans, it is not unheard of for them to begin incorporating that clan's traits into the humanoid form. This may result in a practiced dragon being able to take on a form near indistinguishable from a Maren, Serthis, or any of the other clans. There may still be some remnants of the dragon's natural form that give them away, but for those that grew up in beastclan communities, those may be hidden completely.

While it's generally expected to remain within one's humanoid form in public spaces, there is leeway given when one is outside, as there is generally much larger amounts of space for a fully grown dragon outdoors. One's home, whether this be a house, den, or any other structure, may be built big enough to accommodate both the dragon's natural form and humanoid form, though one typically needs to choose or or the other due to the fact that there is typically a rather large size difference between them. This may not apply to some breeds, such as the recently rediscovered Veilspun, as they are already similar in size to what is generally considered socially acceptable.

In addition, one may use their larger, natural form for some forms of work or travel. Should one be crossing the continent of Sornieth, it's much easier to do so with a large pair of wings or a longer stride than when one is significantly smaller. Similarly, if someone is needing to move vast amounts of material, especially across a distance, there are dragon-size carts, bags, and other methods of carrying things that are made available for those who choose to use them.

Similarly, many dragons choose to remain in their natural forms should they ever need to engage in combat. As most who craft their humanoid forms for use in polite society trade their tough scales, sharp fangs, and curved claws for soft skin and delicate fingers, it is simply more effective to do so.

In time of conflict, the transformation into a smaller, weaker form can be used as a sign of trust and faith to those one is attempting to ally themself with.

Items such as clothing can be enchanted to change size with the wearer to some extent, but it frequently is not strong enough to allow for major shifts in size and shape. While it's not considered polite to go in the nude while in a humanoid form, bare scales are hardly scandalous.

There is some debate among scholars as to the exact origins of the specific traits commonly used within humanoid forms stem from. They make an appearance within many of the beastclans, but never do they occur all at once in any currently known life form other than dragons utilizing shape changing magic. And then, they only appear due to social expectations and convention. However, due to a lack of evidence, this is once debate that is likely to never be settled unless something absolutely earth shattering is excavated or otherwise uncovered. Of course, there are those who dedicate their lives in the pursuit of definitive answers to this question, just as there is for every other mystery out there.

#warrens archives #<- new lore tag #flight rising

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intheseautumnhands · 29 days

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I still plan to do meme responses but I had a long couple days and my brain is fried. so instead, some general updates since I was last around:

I have two new cats! Their names are Pixie and Piper, they're actually Pooka's younger siblings by almost exactly a year, so they're now seven months old and have been with us since about three weeks. Pixie is all black and basically identical to Pooka and Piper is black and white. we have been jokingly calling them the charmed ones and P3, they adore each other and us, and I love them so much I cry about it sometimes.

i have done physical therapy for my neck and am doing decompression for the scoliosis/back pain and none of it's really helped. my gp is trying to help me push a breast reduction through insurance now but I probabl have to lose weight so we'll see.

I've been running weird circles through video games, both browser and not, as usual. I played all of Miles Morales, a lot of Hades, two days ago finished a first run of Death and Taxes which I LOVE, recently went back to Marvel Puzzle Quest, and am now deeply back into Flight Rising cause pretty dragons. I want to start a hatchery but keep hesitating in case I wander away again. XD if anyone's on there, I'm inkexplosions, feel free to add me.

"Have you been writing? Doing fandom?" No but kinda yes. No new fandoms (I have consumed very little new media in the last year to be honest) and not much fic progress. But I got back into DWRP and have been mostly doing rebooted ocs, including a year-long psl and its AU branches for one (well, kinda two) of my favorites. I feel awkward talking too much about it cause it involves someone else's oc too, but it's been one of my favorite collab experiences.

I have been watching a lot of random oxbox lately though, including the Battle Royale and some one-shots, and it may be time to do an Oxventure rewatch/watch onward? I'm tempted to write episode tags as I go, too. we'll see.

BOOP.

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four-loose-screws · 1 year

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FE7 Novelization Translation - Chapter 9 Section 1

If you would like to start from the beginning, read a missed part, etc., click here!

FE Game Script Translations - FE Novel Translations - Original FE Support Conversations

If you are interested in donating to support my work, please check out my Ko-fi here. Thank you!

———————————

Chapter 9: Dragon's Gate (Section 1)

Everything about the shrine was gigantic.

The pillars supporting the ceiling, the hallways leading deeper inside, the altar built within… The entire building was too big for human use, all constructed for a living being much larger.

Everything within was so big that anyone would come to this conclusion about it.

And in the very center, one structure was enshrined that stood out above everything else.

To describe it simply, it was a giant gate…

It was too large for humans to use, but the more pressing issue than that was, why was a gate inside of a shrine? Only the man currently standing in front of it knew the reason why.

“You’ve done it now, Marquess Pherae, letting the sister and the brother go…” A voice that sounded as if it was rumbling up from beneath the earth echoed throughout the shrine.

He wore a black robe, and a black cloth similar to a turban was wrapped around his head, that for an unknown reason covered his left eye. His one visible eye looked like that of an amphibian’s, and stared down coldly at the man in front of him.

“...I will not allow you to do as you wish!” After being imprisoned for so long, Elbert’s body had weakened.

He’d been put in handcuffs and lost his freedom to use both hands, and his neatly trimmed mustache was now disheveled and mixed in with bits of stubble. But in his eyes that looked back at the black robed man, once could see his unwavering conviction.

Contrasting the proud Elbert was a second, panicking figure.

It was none other than Marquess Darin of Laus.

“Wh-What are we going to do…? Lord Nergal! Now that the sister and brother have escaped, we can’t hold the ceremony, can we?”

“How many times must I say it before you understand, Lord Darin!! This man is just using you!! Why don’t you understand that helping him summon dragons to this world is an act that will lead to the downfall of mankind?!”

The beings that once fought with humanity over the dominance of Elibe…

They had strength that humans could not possibly compare to. If they appeared once again on Elibe, humanity would have no means by which to resist. The Eight Legends were long gone.

But Darin returned Elbert’s words with a mocking laugh. “Pfft… Ha ha ha… The downfall… of mankind?! Long ago, dragons may have been a threat to humanity. But so long as we have Lord Nergal, we have nothing to fear! Lord Nergal can control the dragons! Ha ha… Ha ha ha ha…!”

“Lord Darin… have you already lost your mind?” In Darin’s current state, Elbert felt more pity for Darin than he did hatred.

His eyes could no longer maintain focus, drool dribbled from the corner of his mouth, and he laughed dreaming of an illusion that would never come true.

No matter how one looked at him, he was clearly insane. Nergal had bloated and fed his ego, and now, he was nothing more than a man to be pitied.

“...For our plan to start a war that will involve all of Lycia, and gather a great amount of force all at once… it seems that you fell short of being the sort of man we needed. No matter, it is not as if we do not have other prospects."

“Curse you…!"

At Nergal's words, Elbert lost himself to his anger and lunged at him. Both of his hands were bound by handcuffs, and he could not make any broad movements. Yet still, he could not simply allow Nergal to cause a war that would ravage across his beloved Lycia, and at the very least tried to wave around his handcuffs like a weapon to attack him, even if only once.

But Nergal raised his right hand, and was able to blow Elbert’s body backwards with just one magic spell.

“Gah!” Elibert slammed against a pillar and he fell powerless to the ground.

“...Silence! You are of use to me yet.”

“Ephidel! Limstella!” Nergal called out two names as he stared coldly at Elbert, now unable to move due to the shock his body had just taken.

In response, two figures appeared from behind Nergal.

One was the man who had taken Helman’s life and tempted Darin into becoming what he was now… Ephidel.

And the other, just like Ephidel, had black, wavy hair; pale, sickly-looking white skin; and golden eyes. Their faces were so similar that one might mistake them for twins, both with bewitching beauty that could draw in anyone around them. Limstella's features, though, appeared more feminine, with an air that made them seem devoid of feeling, and a demeanor that would remind one of a lifeless doll.

Nergal turned around and began to speak to these two beings who had responded to his command.

"...My beloved morphs, my works of art… I shall now bestow upon you your new assignments. First, Limstella. You will go to Bern, and pass along a message to Sonia. …Have her make arrangements to meet with the king. Understood?"

“As you wish.” Limstella accepted the order and vanished without a sound, just as they had when they entered.

Nergal watched them leave, nodded in satisfaction, and turned towards Ephidel. "Ephidel, you will take this man… Marquess Laus, with you. Exterminate the mice that have landed on this island."

"Yes, master." Ephidel said, then immediately went to Darin's side, grabbed his arm, and teleported them away.

Once they had both disappeared, Nergal walked over to Elbert. "Marquess Pherae. It seems that your persistence is a unique trait of your bloodline."

"Wh… What!?" Elbert raised an eyebrow, not understanding what Nergal meant.

"...The name of the mouse interfering with my attack on Lycia is Eliwood. I told you he would come all the way to this island, did I not?"

"Eliwood?! My son is here?! Stop! I don't care what happens to me. Do not lay a hand on my son!!"

"Keh keh keh, you let the siblings get away. …And now, the sister is also with Eliwood… Fate has a way of making everything come together in the end!"

"No… That can't be…!!" His actions had all been for naught, and were even about to put his own son in danger. Elbert was speechless.

Nergal saw the look on his face and emitted a low cackle, then said, "...Eliwood will die in this forest. Then, as soon as we retrieve the girl, I shall start the ceremony. You possess a strong body and spirit that does not break even after a long period of torture… You are the most perfect of sacrifices, Marquess Pherae… Keh keh keh!"

After laughing for another moment longer, Nergal teleported away.

Elbert, now alone, could only pray to the gods. "Eliwood… Do not come here… Take the girl and run! …Gods, please…!!"

'...How have things gotten this horrifying…?' Leila's face was pale after listening in on Nergal's conversations in secret.

She could have never imagined that Nergal's intentions were to summon the dragons that had disappeared long ago.

As a child, she'd heard of the Scouring in bedtime stories. The dragons that fought in that war were both far stronger and more violent than humans. If those beings once again came to their continent, their peaceful world would no doubt shatter in an instant, and become a sea of fire.

'I need to tell Hector and the others right away… If I get to them now, I might still make it in time…'

Leila ran through the Dragon's Gate, taking care not to create any footsteps. She needed to tell everyone the truth as quickly as she could so they could form a strategy.

But suddenly, she saw a figure appear from a teleportation circle, blocking the path in front of her.

"Leila. …Where are you going?"

"Lord Ephidel… Um… I'm on guard duty…" She responded immediately, though he was not one who would be fooled by such a lie.

Instead, Ephidel ignored her excuse and said, "You were listening to us, weren't you? …Even after I just praised you."

When Ephidel took a step towards her, Leila instinctively pulled back.

Leila stared straight at him as she quietly analyzed her surroundings, looking to see if there wasn't some way for her to slip past him.

‘This man’s magic… is far from the ordinary. Still, if I catch him off guard…’ Leila pulled out the dagger hidden under her cape.

But Ephidel seemed to see right through her, as he called out a name. "Jaffar!"

The moment the name came out of Ephidel's mouth, Leila sensed a horrifying bloodlust come from behind her.

She felt as if her entire body was underwater as she turned around and instinctively unsheathed her sword.

The sound of metal colliding echoed through the air.

The man summoned by Ephidel repelled her attack with the blade he held in both hands, which glistened with a cold light.

Though his skin was brown and not sickly pale, the clothing he wore was the same pure black as the other members of the Black Fang.

His eyes were like glass beads, and his face was devoid of expression. The only emotion that radiated from him was pure bloodlust.

Leila felt as if she was face-to-face with an angel of death.

Jaffar moved, and said at that same moment in a low, monotonous voice, "...The punishment for betrayal is death."

Leila tried to stop him with her sword, but he repelled her attack, and ran past her from the side with lightning-fast speed.

The attack he inflicted as they crossed paths sliced open her neck.

"Ah… …Ma… tthew…" In her final moment, Leila whispered the name of the last person she saw in her head, then stopped breathing.

Ephidel watched Jaffar's magnificent display of skill, and said in satisfaction, "...I'd expect nothing less from you, Jaffar. None stand a chance against you." Then, he gave his new order. "Throw this woman's corpse within the forest. As an… example to the others."

☆

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isamijoo · 2 years

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Only Lovers Are Left.

Written for @drarrymicrofic prompt, "pale". This is a direct sequel to an old ficlet of mine: "Kiss of Fire", set in the universe I first introduced in a microfic "If You Were Waiting".

Features Immortal!Drarry. Draco is a snow deity while Harry is the Master of Death. This entry alludes to some backstory - that I've always been too lazy to write - that involves immortality and reincarnations. ~700 words. I'd rate this T for making out & very implied sexy times. No plot!

Thank you to @crazybutgood for beta-ing this. Enjoy! --

It was Draco's first time in Harry's Underworld chamber.

After that disastrous incident by the River Styx, Draco was filled with anxious energy. He felt bad that Harry had to fix his mess. He was embarrassed that Harry had witnessed him unleashing his powers by accident, and that the reason Draco had lost control of his powers was simply that Harry had kissed him.

Draco was used to living in chilliness, but now, as Harry showed him around his room, Draco felt warmth dancing upon his cheeks. He wore thick robes lent to him by one of the other snow deities. The robes were too large for him, the hems dragging across the floor as he followed Harry, their hands tightly clasped together.

Along the walls of Harry’s room were torches lit by green flames. Draco found that the colour suited Harry, whose green eyes had captivated Draco ever since they first met.

Or first… reunited?

Draco remembered the first time he woke inside the Snow God’s majestic castle. He recognised himself as human, and had initially assumed he was one until a large dragon with shiny aqua scales told him he was not. At least, not anymore.

“You passed many years ago,” the Snow God had explained. “Someone made a deal with me to reincarnate you as one of my deities, but your reincarnation took too long. None of your memories carried over.”

“This someone. Do they remember me?” Draco had asked.

“The Underworld has a way of chipping away at one’s old memories,” replied the dragon. “Unfortunately, while waiting for you, the Master of Death has dwelled down there for too long.”

Draco snuck a glance at Harry, taking in his messy yet charming black hair, muscled shoulders and strong jaw. Draco had doubted the Snow God’s story at first; it sounded too much like a folk tale humans shared as bedtime stories.

But when he first met Harry up in the human realm, Harry had taken one good look at him and said, “I feel like I’ve waited all my life for you, but I can’t remember why.”

Draco couldn’t remember, either, but they quickly decided they didn’t need their human memories to enjoy each other’s company, or to be lovers. It was more liberating that way, like starting afresh.

"You don't look as pale as usual," said Harry, pulling Draco from his thoughts as they climbed into Harry’s large bed. "Maybe being around Hellfire has thawed some of the ice in you."

"I doubt it's the Hellfire," said Draco, lightly biting his lower lip. He knew everything he was feeling was because of Harry, but he wasn't brazen enough to blatantly say it.

Harry smiled at him and leaned toward Draco for a kiss. It was too quick, and when he pulled back, Draco pouted at him, which made Harry grin. His next movements were less slow, capturing Draco’s lips with a little more urgency and need as he gently pushed Draco back to lie against the pillows. Draco’s hands climbed up Harry’s back and gripped the fabric of Harry’s chiton.

Eventually, their kisses got more heated. Harry’s lips were damp and red, and his eyes were hungry when they looked at Draco. Draco suspected he looked just the same.

"Is this all right?" asked Harry, running his fingers down Draco’s chest, along the fold of his robes.

It had gotten too hot for Draco. "Yes."

Harry propped himself on an elbow and dropped a kiss onto Draco’s cheek. "If you feel uncomfortable, or if you want to stop…"

"I know." Draco resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He knew Harry was being sweet by checking with him first, but Draco couldn't wait to get back to the kissing and then hopefully move forward faster. He didn’t know what to say in this situation, so he held Harry’s head and pulled him in for another kiss.

Long ago, they had fallen in love and led a life neither could remember, but as they touched each other, everything felt both familiar and exciting, like new.

And since they were now immortal, their love was eternal. Everlasting.

#isamijoo #immortal drarry #drarry microfic #drarry fanfiction #drarry fanfic #draco x harry #drarry #drarry fic #draco/harry #harry x draco #snow deity draco #master of death harry

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enigma-imagines · 2 years

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Okay, so…this is gonna be a very very very lore based-rewrite redesign because I think there’s a lot that can be done with the Bride of Rich Nights, especially since she didn’t get much of an actual role in the comics besides…being murdered for her position. Alongside that, we never actually got an actual replacement for her? Which…is the clan just run by officials?

I’m going to try and spiff things up a bit here, so let’s get to it!

Bride of Rich Nights 💎

The Bride of Rich Nights, the former Matriarch of the Yagyu clan, the self-exiled hermit of the Dragon kingdom’s mountains, simply known as Diamona the bat.

Originally, Diamona inherited her title from the former Bride of Rich Nights, her older sister and mentor Echo, after she stepped down, feeling herself unfit for the position. She was able to manage the clan with little complications, even keeping most of her relations with other clans quite well despite the peace treaty between them being…less than enforced. Things were a bit tense between them. However, The Clan Wars that happened so long ago would soon be reignited by a horrible mistake…

You see, Diamona had very little complications, but she still had issues and problems. Specifically, her greed and paranoia. The Yagyu were known assassins and thieves, raised to favor gold and riches over all else. Wealth was everything and anything to the clan. However, none favored riches more than Diamona.

Her closest guards one day came to her with news. Little did she know though that this very information would flip her world around on its crowned head. The news? The Bride of Constant Vigil was planning something against her, something that involved her riches. Still much younger than the other Brides and far less wise at the time, she considered her options. But the most pleasing one came to her quickly.

Thus, she sent her apprentice, Mithral, to get rid of Vigil’s most precious thing. Her son. The apprentice, however, could not stomach this, for the Bride’s son was still a child and Mithral herself on the edge of adulthood. So, instead, she tricked him into venturing out, knocked him unconscious, and flew him far away enough that he would not be able to return easily. To a place called…Downunda, she would tell her bride later, reasoning that she followed her orders.

This was not what the Bride wanted though. She wanted Vigil to suffer for plotting against her and her clan! However, news reached quickly and, as it turns out, this still was impactful. Vigil became furious but blamed Reach instead of Diamona. As it turns out, Reach blamed Storm for theft of one of her written down visions, which Storm denied but blamed Vigil for it. As it turns out, Diamona’s command caused the treaty to break and war to begin once more with Diamona right in the center of it. The three attempted to get her on their side, each with riches of some kind.

Fo once in her life, she denied them every single time. She could not be bought. The riches she once desired and obsessed over now brought her pain and discomfort to look upon. What had she done? She didn’t mean for war, she didn’t mean to cause any of this. Diamona stewed away for days, alone until her apprentice finally broke that self-confinement. Mithral asked what she was going to do.

So she did the only thing she could do. Diamona told Mithral she would step-down, leave her people to pick someone more befitting. She wasn’t fit to rule and that was blatantly clear to her now. Her behavior had been horrible and inexcusable, clouded by her paranoia and greed.

However, she gave Mithral one more command as her bride. Find Vigil’s son, find the missing prophecy, and bring them both back to fix the mistake she can’t. She doesn’t deserve their forgiveness, not now and probably not ever. Mithral agreed and helped her leave without a trace, heading off herself after aiding her Bride one last time.

Present day, she resides deep within the caverns of the mountain areas, guiding any lost residents from the shadows who wander too deep. She lives alone, self-exiled until she can believe she deserves any chance at redemption. Her guilt eats at her, though Diamona is a bit surprised by how satisfied she is without all of her once precious treasures.

However, what she never realized was that her sudden vanishing made the other Brides believe that the same person who made Vigil’s son vanish made The Bride of Rich Nights vanish as well. This only made the fighting worse. Mithral is still searching as well, doing her absolute best to fulfill her Bride’s final order. Perhaps though…she may just stumble upon her goal soon enough. With help from the freedom fighters…or perhaps from a certain detective agency? That’s a story for another time though, isn’t it?

#wow this was longer than I thought it would be #the bride of rich nights #the bride of constant vigil #the bride of endless reach #the bride of conquering storm #rich nights #archie redesign #redesign #rewrite #art #enigma #sonic comics #archie sonic #sonic

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talldarkandroguesome · 11 months

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12th of Second Seed, Fredas

That son of a fetching alit!

He really does think I am some simple servant to be fetched after!

Today, I was out on my continued search for answers of my own. Khamira I have not seen since we first parted days ago and I find it unlikely I will run into her unless she has a need of me personally.

As I am wandering the city, a woman in leather armor and a scar across her face, pulling the reigns of a tall brown horse, approaches me and asks if I am the merchant they call Fayrl.

I was suspicious, but answered that there were some who would call me by that name.

She brightened and said she was glad to have found me, she had an important letter to give to me and was happy to have found me in such good spirits.

I can only imagine she is not good at reading the facial expressions of mer to have come to such a conclusion, or else my neutral expression was giving a false impression of hospitality.

I inquired about this message and who it might be from.

She immediately corrected herself to say that, it was less of a letter and was actually a summons from the great Imperial advisor Abnur Tharn. She listed out, very excitedly, his many accomplishments, none of which I felt particularly well disposed towards given how he has treated me of late.

But I listened as she told me I was being summoned to a small town called Riverhold in the north to deal with a situation involving a rage of dragons and the Khajiiti Defense Force.

I thanked her for the summons and asked if she knew how far away this town was. She happily told me it was a short two days travel by horse.

Two fetching days. That smug pile of guarshite. I regretted the House ever making me get on my knees and give myself to him. Entitled prick.

But what could I do? Nettle was overjoyed to hear that we were summoned and that it would mean that we could contain the dragons before they were to reach the Pact lands.

It is the first time I have questioned Nettle’s intelligence, but unfortunately he had word from the House that this is what they wanted of me. To keep the dragons from moving northward or eastward. If they destroyed lands of the other alliances before they could be stopped, that was fine by them, so long as they were stopped before heading towards our people. And if negotiations with the dragons directly was an option, they did not seem to mind that either.

Fools, the lot of them.

Now I must figure out what to do about Sildras’ nameday! Perhaps I can sneak off in the night and get home just to be with him, even for an hour, so he knows I have not abandoned him.

Fetching Tharn. He owes me big for all of this.

#ESO #TES #RP #Dunmer #Elder Scrolls Online #The Elder Scrolls

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hollyand-writes · 2 years

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Hope this doesn’t come off as overstepping but I saw that blocklist in the tags when it was posted and it immediately gave me bad vibes that someone would even post something like that. I only recently started being active in the DA fandom after 5+ years because of all the needless drama and bullying so… just wanted to send this and some support, also your carver/merrill posts are really cute.

Hey there! Ahhhhhh, you're not overstepping at all – thanks so much for sending me this very kind message and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply to it! ❤️ And yeah, I gotta admit – out of all the fandom Discord servers I’ve joined, none of them have a channel called #blocklist full of names to warn server members about, or even a list written out like that.

And that’s even before you get onto the fact that most of the names on those lists (the ones I know of, anyway) have not done or said the things they’ve been accused of. In fact, many of those on that blocklist under “The Mess” subheading (and some of us on that list, like me, are POC ourselves) who have been accused of “targeting POC with harassment for calling out racism in the Dragon Age fandom” were targeted ourselves with harassment (AND racism!) by the perpetrators of a callout post that called out a bunch of popular fandom creators for being “racist”.... and when questioned further about what these creators did that was so racist, the answer was.... those creators wrote and drew popular sexual Cullen content???

Some of the sexual Cullen content was so mild I’m not even sure I’d call it sexual Cullen content. More like romantic Cullen content. Romantic content with the whitest straight man in the Dragon Age franchise (no shade to anyone who romanced him, even if he’s very much not my thing). One person was called out as racist for.... drawing her Cullen-mancing Lavellan with a low-cut blouse, which the callouters said was “hypersexualising WOC” even though she was barely showing any cleavage. Another person who was called out was a pale-skinned WOC who drew a Cullen-mancing Lavellan based on herself, and was called racist for making her Lavellan pale-skinned like herself?!?!? Their crime wasn’t that they were racist – their crime was that they were popular and well-liked Cullen creators... and the people behind the callout (also Cullen creators) wanted to drive them out of the fandom because of it.

They collectively had a meltdown when screenshots were leaked from their private Discord server showing them admitting to sending us anon hate, planning how to lie about it to us (and each other!) and attempting to “strategise” (LOL) when their callout was blowing up in their faces. Many of the original perpetrators are still around, but under new Tumblr URLs so that they can hide their former shitty identities (but of course, they’ve not really changed as people).

And that was what the fandom wank known as “The Mess” was all about, back in August 2020. @weird-in-thedas and @visceralcoma have the receipts, and debunked the entire callout with evidence of these people’s lies, spite and jealousy. At the time, The Mess blew up so big that people outside the Dragon Age fandom came to gawp at it – it got discussed a lot on the fail-fandomanon comm and even made it onto Reddit 😅 but even then, I didn’t think we’d still be talking about it in 2022. But here we are! 🤷🏾‍♀️

So, yeah. You were right to get bad vibes from such a list. Some of the people on that Discord blocklist were on the original callout post, some of the people (like me) were somehow dragged into the fray (receiving abuse and even racist remarks from the callout perpetrators simply for saying “hey I know these people, I’d like to know how they’ve supposedly been racist”), and some of the people on the blocklist were never even involved in “The Mess”. Not to mention that one person accused on that blocklist of shipping incest definitely doesn’t, and another was last on Tumblr three years ago (and hasn’t been in DA fandom for nearly 10 years anyway).

There’s definitely a lot of needless drama and bullying in this fandom, as well as callout posts made on false pretences, and has been for the 8 years I’ve been in it – but I’m glad you’re now active in it after 5+ years: I promise you there’s lots of good and decent people in the fandom; they’re often quieter and harder to find than the more wanky and/or drama-mongering ones. But they’re there, I promise. ❤️

On a happier topic – thank you SO MUCH for your support and especially for your kind words about my Carver/Merrill content! 😁 I love them – they’re my favourite Dragon Age ship (my OTP, actually, LOL) and I am forever sad that Bioware planned to get them together if you didn’t romance Merrill, and then denied us by cancelling the third Dragon Age 2 DLC where they’d have got together 😭 which is why I write all the fanfic and commission all the fanart, LOL. I honestly could rant for ever about why I love them and think they’re perfect for each other, but I think this post is long enough 😂 so perhaps that’s one for another post.

But anyway. Thank you so much for your lovely ask, and thank you for reading my long-arse reply LOL – and I hope you have a great day! ❤️

#curvyelf #replies #tagging this as #the mess #and #elffymess #for that was my tag at the time #dreamfall #also #dreamfail #fandom critical

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dimdiamond · 3 years

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Bagginshield fic list

Yeah, I decided to make one too because there are enough to cause me headaches and I'd like to have them somewhere organized. Please look at the tags before reading them!

Fix-it fics

Desperate magic by BeautifulFiction: Bilbo is left to tend Thorin as he hovers on the brink of death after the Battle of the Five Armies. Is love enough to save Erebor's king, or is this the last farewell?

Lay your troubles down by Avelera: An extended version of "the acorn scene." Bilbo sees his chance to snap Thorin out of his madness, and takes it.

The Riven Crown by BeautifulFiction: The aftermath of war is no laughing matter. Those who died must be honoured, those who are wounded must be healed, and those who remain need food and clothing, peace and sanctuary. With Thorin's life hanging in the balance, it is up to Bilbo and the rest of the Company to rule the rag-tag remnants of Erebor in his place. Then there is the matter of the gold... Can Bilbo save both king and kingdom, or is Erebor destined to fall deeper into ruin?

The Color of Possibility by lindoreda: When Bilbo puts himself between Thorin and Azog's blade, his mithril shirt protecting them both, it isn't long before some dwarves whisper that 'Oakenshield' might not be the best epithet for their king anymore. But for Bilbo, barred from Thorin's sight since the battle, this new epithet only adds to the sting. Spending his days caring for the recovering princes, Bilbo wonders how much more of this he can take, not suspecting his place at the center of a silent divide in the company.

Homesick by Margo_Kim: Five years after they've reclaimed Erebor, Thorin is sick of home, Bilbo is just sick, and neither is handling the situation ideally.

The Road Delivered Us Home by keelywolfe: In the years since Bilbo left Erebor, he has lost his respectability, gained a nephew, and gotten on with life at Bag End. He'd left aside adventure for the comforts and peace of his little Hobbit hole, and for the love of a child who needed him. Though perhaps, adventures can yet find him.

Notices in the Paper by YamBits: Bilbo returns to the Shire after his adventure, newly married, and newly homeless, after his two year absence allowed the Sackville-Bagginses to obtain Bag End. Bilbo and Thorin go to the Tooks for help, and find newly orphaned Frodo Baggins, also looking for a home.

A Royal Guardianship by ladyoakenshields: When Bilbo and Thorin return to the Shire for a sabbatical during Yuletide, they find a reason to retire the throne in Erebor sooner than expected.

The Shire's gems by awkwarng3: Thorin, Bilbo, and Frodo move to the Shire after raising Frodo in Erebor, and Frodo makes a friend.

Time travel fix-it fics

An expected journey by MarieJacquelyn: For years Bilbo has written about his adventures and told stories about his dealings with dwarves and dragons. To most it seemed like fanciful nonsense but to Bilbo it was all very real. A weight followed him home from his travels, one called regret. Now in his final moments Bilbo has a choice to make – go quietly into death’s embrace or go back again and face all the fear and pain for the chance to make things right? Of course, change is a fickle thing and not everything can be done again as Bilbo is about to find out. In the end, it may not only be salvation that he’s fighting for.

Bilbo Baggins, warrior of the Valar by Pallalalo: Bilbo raised his eyebrows. “And you’ve come to the Shire to look for this someone? My, Gandalf, I wonder if you know Hobbits at all. They would tell you that adventures are nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. That they would make you late for dinner.” Bilbo recalled his own words perfectly. It had been something he and Gandalf had looked back on with bittersweet laughter. This Gandalf however noticed his exact words. “Would they now? And what about you, mhm? What would you tell me about adventures?” #The Valar send Bilbo back in time, to the day where Gandalf asks him to join in an adventure. After living a lifetime of regret and suffering, he vows to change things for the better. For Thorin. For Frodo. But will he succeed?

I'll die to care for you by thehufflepuffhobbit: His gaze landed on Mahal's eyes once more. "You did your best, Thorin." It was tempting to look away; he wanted to deny that with everything he had. It certainly didn't feel as though falling into Gold Sickness and then dying was doing his best. Mahal smirked, as though he knew Thorin's desire to contradict him, and pinched his cheek before walking over to a table. "Aye, I didn't think you would believe me. I'm not lying, it certainly could have gone better. More according to my plan, but I know you really did try." "Your plan?" He didn't know if he should ask, really. Knowing that his Maker had set a course for him, he didn't want to think about the ways he had done everything wrong. There were too many examples of mistakes in his long life, too many opportunities that he had missed that had probably been planned for him from the beginning. Or:Mahal feels like Thorin fucked up his legacy and gives him a do over.

Darker times ahead by Reach4theSky: Bilbo is sailing to the Undying Lands but wary of letting go of the guilt that has been with him for many decade. His most sincerest wish is to go back and change what was done. Before reaching the lands of peace and healing, he dies aboard the ship and finds that his wish is being granted, not because he is the one to wish it but because this is the dwarves last chance to escape a fate of eternal waiting. He finds that not only is he going to be sent back to his younger body, but so is the entire Company of Thorin Oakenshield. Time is a fickle thing and not all the members have their memories returned to them at the same time. The journey on becomes interesting as the dwarves slowly remember and fight for themselves and their kin, yet new hurdles are thrown at them when they realize that more people remember than expected...

Of an arcane binding by Salvia_G: An inexplicable magic ties Bilbo Baggins, hobbit of the Shire, to Thorin, dwarven prince of Erebor.

Legends by DomesticGoddess: The fellowship has set out on its noble quest to destroy the ring and put an end to the threat that is Sauron! Just set out really, barely left the gates of Imladris, but things are going smoothly enough so far. That is until the two most unlikely party crashers fall upon their little fellowship. Uncle Bilbo and the Legendary Thorin Oakenshield?! Frodo just wants to know what's going on but the two of them won't stop hollering at each other long enough for anyone to get a word in edgewise. Suddenly, their little group is joined by Frodo's two biggest heroes and he discovers there was a lot more to Uncle Bilbo's stories than he realized.

Beside myself by bliboboggins: "What are you doing? Just who do you think you are?" Startled, Bilbo turned around slowly. And there, in a familiar patchwork dressing gown, brandishing a fire poker wildly about, was... Bilbo.

Erebor never fell au fics

The hearth doesn't make the home by Moonrose91: For things Bilbo could not change, he was condemned to a life of isolation, with the belief that none could love him. And then a Dwarf came to Hobbiton.

Clarity of vision by Mithen: In a Middle-Earth where Erebor never fell, a shadow remains in the heart of the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo Baggins finds himself drawn reluctantly into a quest that will lead him across the continent--from Bree to Lake Evendim to the icy North and beyond--with a party of five dwarves searching for an artifact that will cure the ailing King Thrór.

Ghivashel by mdseiran: The last thing Bilbo expects when he stays up late one night is company. The strange dwarf and his companion crash into his life and prove unexpected saviours. But the dwarf seems to think he will be joining them on their travels, and Bilbo has no such intentions.

The Song of My Heart by DomesticGoddess: After a failed attempt of trying to carve out a new home in the Blue Mountains for his people, Thorin finds himself beseeching the Hobbit Thain and his council for a place for his people in their bountiful land. An agreement is struck and plans in the works for integrating his people into their land. The only condition being an arranged marriage between himself and one of their family heads. A small price to pay to see his people safe and well fed. Unfortunately, he’s to marry the most disagreeable hobbit in all the Shire who also seems to hold a personal grudge against him. If only he could figure out why his new betrothed hates him so much.

Oak and Mistletoe by HildyJ: After a life dominated by a strange form of sickness, Thorin is sent to the Shire to seek a cure only Bilbo Baggins can offer.

Karkûn shukula - A Cinderella AU by harrypanther: When the Prince of the Shire visits the Kingdom of Erebor, there is great excitement. There are hopes he will choose to marry one of the Royal Family, cementing an alliance that would secure food supplies for the dwarven Kingdom and gain new allies. All eligible dwarves are expected to attend a series of Balls. Unknown to the guests, there is a third royal child, manoeuvred out by his ambitious stepmother, for whom this may be his last chance of restoring his fortunes and escaping his fate…

Alone this Yuletide by Emsiecat: 'Alone this Yuletide? Irritated with prying and nosey family members? I am an out of work blacksmith currently trying to make my way by any means necessary that does not involve my resorting to thievery (prisons are most uncomfortable, I've unfortunate first hand experience). However, if you would like me to be your strictly platonic companion for any social function, but have me pretend that we are in a serious courtship, so as to torment your family and ward off unwanted suitors then I am more than obliging...' After becoming increasingly irritated by overtures of romance from various Shire residents following the death of his mother four years ago, Bilbo is more than ready to resort to desperate measures. That is, up to and including pretending to be in a serious relationship with a certain surly blacksmith currently inhabiting the Bindbale Woods. It's a good idea after all; all they have to do is pretend to be in love over the Yuletide period and Bilbo's family and suitors will surely leave him alone after that. It's perfect! And nothing can possibly go wrong, right? Certainly nothing as preposterous as falling for one another for real...

Modern au fics

Nothing gold can stay by perkynurples: Bilbo Baggins led a rather peaceful life, thank you very much, until an old acquaintance decided to turn it upside down, and he found himself agreeing to take a job that’s… let’s say not exactly up his alley, and might eventually cost him a little more than his treasured cozy lifestyle. Who would have thought tutoring a slightly menacing monarch’s more than slightly overbearing nephew could prove to be such an adventure?

Love-In-Idleness by perkynurples: Taking Bilbo Baggins, a successful movie actor who is only just getting used to the perks and intricacies of becoming A Face People Want To See, and putting him together with Thorin Oakenshield, with his very traditional (read: slightly backwards) ideas about what constitutes Real Art and Real Talent, might very well be viewed as just some clothead’s idea of a joke. But there are jokes, and then there are carefully calculated risks the size of controversial reproductions of classic Shakespearean plays - for Bilbo, it is the chance of a lifetime to prove himself to all those who have ever deemed him too one-dimensional to even attempt stage, while Thorin has the opportunity to get out of the rut that’s been hindering his career for so long now, and shine in a role worthy of his talent once again. That is if the two learn how to share the same space for more than ten minutes without wanting to tear each other’s hair out. The course of true love never did run smooth, after all…

Candid by northerntrash: Thorin wasn't entirely sure why there was a six-foot candid photograph of him hanging in this exhibition, but he was going to wring the neck of whoever had put it there. In which Bilbo is a photographer, Thorin an accidental model, and Gandalf just likes to make trouble for everyone.

How the west was won and where it got us by stickman: Bilbo is a harried 1st year British literature Ph.D. (early 20th century fiction) who happens to have an interest in spatial narrative structures, a lack of time-management skills, and a tiny apartment with a lot of books and very little furniture. He’s stressed, always, and doesn't quite know where he belongs. He tells himself that really, this is, in fact, what he wants to be doing. But sometimes, as much as he loves books, he gets an urge to do something with his hands. Thorin is a disgruntled M.Arch. 1 in his last year who can’t be arsed to shave and frightens his students, and, frankly, his profs, but his work is top-notch so no one can really say much. They can, however, bully him into running a hands-on design workshop on Saturday mornings, which is complete crap, because he’s used to drinking his Friday nights into oblivion so showing up at Milstein at 7:45 the next morning and trying to teach in a room of wall-to-wall windows as the sun rises is not at the top of his list. Besides, no one ever shows up. Except one morning, someone does. [graduate school AU]

Butterfly effect by eyra: Yoga wasn’t for him. Yoga was for interesting people. Luminous people; people who took gap years and spoke a foreign language. People who ate lentils and burned incense and had fantastic, colourful friends with fantastic, colourful lives full of travel and silent retreats and those baggy trousers with elephants on them. Yoga was decidedly not for people like Bilbo, who wore cardigans and ate beans on toast and whose linguistic capabilities stretched only as far as a rusty Spanish A-Level. Just your regular story of boy meets yoga instructor.

Remover of the obstacles by MistakenMagic: "Dis often chided her older brother for being a misanthropist. She did it so often it had become a term of endearment. It was true that Thorin struggled with people; he struggled to form and maintain relationships. Dr. Grey had diagnosed him with this and Thorin hadn’t the heart to tell him this wasn’t a symptom of his PTSD, it was a symptom of his personality. He exercised a sense of apathy with almost everyone he met… But Bilbo was different. Thorin actually found himself wanting to know more about him."

Color outside the lines by andquitefrankly: Kindergarten has just gotten significantly better. Just ask Thorin, who's got the biggest crush on the new kid in class, Bilbo Baggins. With the help of his friends, Thorin knows that he can take back the swings from the 1st graders, show up the K-1 class in the school pageant, and win the heart of one curly haired boy. Yup. Kindergarten is going to be a year to remember.

Bran' New Suit by pibroch (littleblackdog): Andrew's description had been sufficient to recognize him— a riot of honey brown curls, short in stature, a well-favoured face with expressive features— but it hadn't quite been enough to prepare Tom for the sharp, almost painful tug in his gut at the sight of the man. They had never met before, to the best of Tom's recollection, but there was something eerily and inexplicably familiar about him all the same.

Different species au fics

I've grown a hedge around my heart by pibroch (littleblackdog): "Thorin was the essence of so many Buckland oddities, distilled into one misfortunate young hobbit, much to his infinite embarrassment. Built like a stork, his father had said once, in an example of Thrain Brandybuck’s usual tactless humour. All beak and legs." Thorin Brandybuck, just recently come of age, still lives in his family’s smial in Buckland, with his parents and two younger siblings. Thorin is an odd duck amongst his relations and neighbours-- unsociable, grumpy, shy, and awkward. And beyond that, he looks rather strange even for a Bucklander, strongly favouring the thick, dark haired build of his Stoorish blood. It defies all sense and reason why Bilbo Baggins, an exemplar of all the respectable traits Thorin lacked, would ever desire a friendship with him. Bilbo, as Thorin discovers, is not always as sensible as he appears.

In which the dwarves are satyrs for reasons by HiddenKitty What the title says basically.

Bride of the demon king by DomesticGoddess: Thorin is King of the demons, a beast-like race feared by humans. Ever since the demons and humans formed a truce years ago, the humans have sent a young human every year as a tribute to the King of demons. Thorin is tired of having to deal with the tribute that has long since lost its meaning. The only tribute he'd be interested in is the boy he met fifteen years ago on the border of the demon and human realms. Despite his fantasies, Thorin knows the chances of ever seeing the boy again are slim to none, until they're not.

Lost He Wandered Under Leaves by serenbach: Thorin son of Thrain is a struggling blacksmith descended from a fallen line of kings. In an attempt to provide for his family over the winter, he reluctantly accepts an impossible sounding task - to hunt down an enchanted deer that lives in the Old Forest that borders the Shire, and make armour and weapons from its hide and antlers. He never expected to succeed. And he certainly never expected what he found to change his life so completely.

A Dryad's Tale by Bilbo Baggins by Moongazer12: Bilbo is a dryad (think little sibling to ents). Long ago a curse was placed upon him from destroying one of the rings of power. Whenever he touches someone with his bare skin he will make them insane. But despite this, he and Gandalf have gone on many adventures to help protect Middle Earth (What was the point to destroying the ring if something else destroyed it instead?) Gandalf has called on him once again to help on a quest, Bilbo just hopes that they read his amendments to the contract.

The quest but with a twist au fics

King, come at the red morning by Tawabids: Bilbo has heard fairytales of the lost prince of the dwarves, Thorin son of Thrain, who disappeared the day Smaug attacked the Lonely Mountain. But he does not believe in fairytales until he comes across the dwarf sleeping in the depths of Erebor, and kisses him back to life. Now Thorin - a hundred and fifty years out of his time - has to confront a world in which his city is empty, his people scattered, his baby brother Frerin is king, two nephews he's never met are missing in action, and a war is brewing right on his doorstep. And as if that wasn't complicated enough he's trapped in the body of an old man and falling stupidly in love with a gossipy, grudging little hobbit.

When the sun rises by Harry1981: Bilbo Baggins of Bag End was not a very respectable Hobbit. No respectable Hobbit had a sword and crossbow hanging in their home, nor did they have Dwarves as family. But Bilbo Baggins did, and all of Shire knew of his husband, blacksmith Thorin Oakenshield. When Bilbo comes home to find his Husband earlier than expected, he learns of a quest to reclaim Erebor. It is a death mission. Bilbo knows that Dwarves are stubborn creatures, and none more than Thorin himself. But nobody said that Bilbo himself was any less stubborn. So he will follow his dearest husband across all of Middle Earth, through plains and mountains and forests, all while hiding the true nature of their relationship (Dwarven politics never helped anyone), brushing off some old wounds (and getting new ones) and finding out new things about the dwarf Bilbo calls husband (and his extended family). Nobody ever said love was easy, after all.

Small, but fierce by DomesticGoddess: As a result of a magical mishap during the trip to the lonely mountain, Bilbo is reverted to a wee little hobbitling. Only in body, of course. His adult mind is still very aware of the indignity of it all (seriously! He doesn't need to be coddled, carried, and fed like a child). It turns out, dwarves love children and there is nothing cuter than Hobbit children. Bilbo soon realizes that he can get away with just about anything in his babyish form and starts taking full advantage of it. Even the grumpy brooding king can't deny the angelic little creature anything he desires (and Bilbo's going to milk that for all it's worth).

Your song like a home in my heart by Nennvial: In Middle Earth, all creatures have a soulmate. Not all have some, but if they do, it is a bond nothing can break, not even death. The more famous story of such a bound was the story of Bren and Luthien, who even defied detath. The way someone can find out that the other is one’s soulmate is through song: when they meet and hear the voice of the other, a song sings in their heart, which feels like home and makes them complete. They may refuse it if they wish to do so, but they hence risk a life of bitter looniness. Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins are soulmates, but they must admit it to themselves throughout their journey to Erebor.

To Dungeons Deep (And Caverns Old) by KingUndertheMountain: Bilbo Baggins was not your average hobbit. Of course, he had the wonderfully groomed and well-taken-care-of hairy feet like every other one of his race, yes, but he was not like other hobbits. He was cursed. Or, as the witch who gave him the enchantment put it, was “gifted”. She had given him the “gift” of obedience – whenever there was a direct command given to him, for example “cook a large meal” or “take a walk”, he could not disobey. Not without a lot of pain and eventual submission.

Chocolate candy one-shots

The world is sleeping (my world is you) by katheneverwrites (mandolinearts): I asked Persephone, “How could you grow to love him? He took you from flowers to a kingdom where not a single living thing can grow.” Persephone smiled, “My darling, every flower on your earth withers. What Hades gave me was a crown made for the immortal flowers in my bones.” - Nikita Gill ---“What do you mean, my friend?” There is a line of thought that surfaces in Gandalf’s mind, but he drowns it before it can take root. Surely not. But Bilbo’s chuckle sets him on edge. The small, gentle god of harvest, nature, and flowers sits up straighter, and in his crown of flowers there is a wire of strong metal, his cloak is suddenly not colorful anymore but the deepest black and he is terrifying, horrific, powerful - “I married Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the World.”

Of seasons by northerntrash: As far as he could tell, he had been kidnapped, which in itself made this week more than a little unusual. In which Bilbo steals away the Lord of Death, and Thorin can't quite bring himself to stay angry about it.

Warm up by paranoid_fridge: On one of their walks, Bilbo tumbles into a stream. They make it back to Bag End and Bilbo demands Thorin warm him up.

Royal Blue And Crimson Red by Mistofstars: Here's what happened before and after Bilbo accidentally eavesdrops on Gandalf and Elrond at night in Rivendell, as they discuss Thorin's quest and his family's history. Oh, and Thorin and Bilbo share a room, of course ;)

I was young when I left home by Margo_Kim: There was a pity clapper somewhere in the third row. Thorin finished his fourth song to polite applause from the people who noticed that the song was finished, but within the smattering of claps was someone beating his hands together like he was trying to rhythmically kill a fly. There was usually one of those, the kind who notices that no one else is paying attention and so is determined to compensate for that regardless of how they feel about the actual music. Thorin ignored him. It was easy to do so—he'd always hated looking at the audience when the singing was done.

A matter of buttons by StupidFatPenguin: “Your shirt,” says Thorin, quite out of the blue, and Bilbo looks down his front to see if there is a spot of tea or jam or anything equally embarrassing spilled on it. He is relieved to find nothing of the sort and looks up at the dwarf with an eyebrow raised in question. Thorin sits mute, his still-smoking pipe forgotten in his hand. He looks on for long moments still, seems almost lost to a thought before he shifts and lifts his gaze to meet Bilbo’s inquiring face. “It is familiar to me. Did you not wear this on the eve we met?” In which Bilbo and Thorin re-enact the evening they met.

The ladder by Milliethekitty27: Inspired from a post made by wheeloffortune-design on tumblr. Tired of his lonely kitchen in Yavanna's Garden, Bilbo Baggins wonders if the dwarven love of being underground is true in death. If so, maybe his dwarves are living (ha ha) under the very land Bilbo is weeding. With that thought, Bilbo goes and asks Hamfast for a shovel.

Love hobbit by HybridOwl: Bilbo Baggins considers himself a bit of a cock up, all things considered. He never made it out of his small highway adjacent town, can't seem to stop chain-smoking, and overall has more to talk about with the plants in his shop than 90% of all the rest of Middle Earth. So when he's reading the morning paper and a love note that can't be for anyone but him pops up, he's pretty sure - almost positive, really - that he's being made fun of. "TO the chain-smoking little stud who collects two metros from Gamgee's Goods every morning, will you be my love hobbit? - Bearded Biker." (heavily inspired by tumblr posts)

Fusion with other fandoms au fics

The Second Time by authoressjean; Sebastian Moran can't pull the trigger on John Watson to save his own hide, and what the hell is it with the doctor, anyway? Then Gandalf shows up, meddlesome wizard, and reminds him none too gently of his past life: as Thorin Oakenshield, leader of a company that had once included a small hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. One that looked decidedly like John Watson. And this would be the perfect chance to make things right with Bilbo the way he really hadn't been able to before he died, and that's when Gandalf tells him John doesn't remember being Bilbo, and to leave him alone. Right. Like that's going to happen.

And sow a star divided in us by MistakenMagic: Short summary: Gays in space! Longer summary: After his first successful solo mission, Jedi Knight Bilbo Baggins, trained by High Council member and full-time nuisance, Master Gandalf, returns to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. During an excursion to the sparring arena, he meets a group of Dwarven Jedi from Ered Luin, a mountainous planet located in the Outer Rim. Young padawans, Fili and Kili, are full of curiosity at this strange, barefoot Jedi, but Master Thorin, who appears to have the personality of a rancor and mental shields like blast doors, is less than impressed.

Comics you should definitely check

Every work by rutobuka, seriously they're criminally cute and they're not still favored by everyone without reason.

Retelling the Hobbit by Mellow_Comics: Bilbo has never been good at telling the "true" story of what happened on his journey to the Lonely Mountain. Now he's trying to turn the tale of his quest into a lighthearted children's book-- a bedtime story for his young nephew Frodo. But what really happened on his journey? And how did it actually affect him? This is a comic adaptation/retelling of the Hobbit! It's framed as a bedtime story that Bilbo is telling a younger Frodo.

For now these are some of my personal favourites! However, I'm sure my list will grow since my reading list has some gems still waiting for me to read, so be certain that there will be a part 2 of this list!

#bagginshield #fic list #bagginshield fic #they're a LOT #they're all great #thank you fic writers #thank you artists

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freddie-weaselbee · 3 years

Text

Real//F.W.

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Language, mentions of sex, I think that’s it ?

Summary: One small favor. A trade. That was all it was. Mutually beneficial! Until things between Fred and Y/N and their new relationship get a little more complicated and cause too many prying eyes.

Prompts: Fake Dating with dialogue prompts “we could have prevented this!” and “did you know you talk in your sleep?”

Word Count: 4.7k

A/N: Day 3 of @theweasleyslut‘s 2k writing challenge

“I’ve made my list of rules which you will abide by and under no circumstances will be broken. Number 1: this ruse does not leave the shop. I don’t want random people on the street questioning me because you couldn’t keep your huge mouth shut. Number 2: I will allow you to kiss me on the cheek and forehead as often as you like, within reason of course, and you can give me a peck on the lips 3 times in total. I will keep track. And Number 3: Don’t take up the entire bed any more or I will be forced to push you onto the floor. Sound good?”

“Bloody hell, you are crazy aren’t you?”

“Just a little bit.”

Fred was starting to regret his previous decision of making this arrangement with you, but a jingle of his shop bell and glance at who was walking in quickly made those feelings disappear.

“Deal,” he said, eyes not leaving the woman who had just entered. “But we start right now and I want one of those kisses.”

You looked up at your friend, confused at his sudden nerves before you followed his line of sight and understood immediately. You sighed and ruffled your hair a bit, looking for a mirror to fix your makeup. “I’m on it, give me a few minutes.”

Fred nodded, still watching his target walk slowly through the aisles of his store. As she turned a corner you ducked into the back office, waiting for a good time to reemerge.

“Freddie!” A high pitched voice pierced through the ear, equal parts flirtatious and absolutely unbearable. Fred glanced up, pretending not to have noticed the girl before. Putting on a fake smile, he set down the product he was pretending to tinker with and placed his hands on the counter table.

“Brooklyn, hi! How are you?” he asked, hoping his fake politeness would pass as genuine.

“Ugh I am so good. So SO good actually,” she said, twisting a finger through her hair. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen you! I’m so glad you received my letter, I was hoping we could catch up, maybe over dinner sometime? I’ve had so many fine young men ask me out over the last few months, but none of them seemed to compare to you, my little Freddie Bear.”

He winced at the nickname, it bringing an onslaught of unwanted memories that he had desperately tried to forget. Brooklyn bit her lip and placed a hand on top of Fred’s, leaning in to accentuate her breasts and make sure Fred got a good whiff of her new perfume.

Very calmly, Fred placed his other hand on top of hers, now sandwiched in between his strong grip. “Brooklyn,” he said, faking sympathy, “you’re a lovely girl, and I’m sure any guy would be lucky to have you, but--”

“Hey, love!”

A voice interrupted Fred’s rejection, making a very surprised Brooklyn become absolutely enraged as she witnessed you come up and place a chaste kiss on Fred’s lips, smiling into him. Fred pulled his hands from Brooklyn’s grip and placed it instead on your hip, pulling you into him and placing another peck on your forehead. You both stared lovingly into each other’s eyes before a harsh cough stole your attention.

“And who is this?” Brooklyn asked, arms crossed angrily. She was glaring daggers at you, not even trying to fake sweetness for Fred’s sake.

Keeping his hand on your waist, Fred turned back to the girl who seemed as though she was about to explode. “That’s what I was trying to tell you Brooklyn,” he said, trying to keep his smile as pitiful as he could without it drawing suspicion. “This is Y/N, we’ve been seeing each other for a while now.”

You nuzzled into Fred’s chest for half a second before reaching a hand out to Brooklyn. “It’s so nice to meet you! Brooklyn, was it? I don’t think Fred’s ever mentioned you before, are you one of his childhood friends. Cousin, maybe?”

That had done it and you and Fred both knew it. He subtly fist bumped you under the counter as you watched the girl’s face become redder than Fred’s hair.

She opened her mouth before taking a huge breath and stepping back. “No, actually,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’m his ex-girlfriend. I left him to move on to much better things. Speaking of which--” she flipped her hair and smoothed out her skirt, straightening her posture to try to keep what little dignity she had left, “--I actually have a date. With a dragon trainer no less, and a very renowned one.”

“Oh really?” Fred asked. “That’s amazing. My brother, Charlie, is a dragon trainer as well, and he’s very well known in the community. May I ask the name of the lucky young man? Maybe Charlie knows him.”

Caught very off guard, Brooklyn rolled her eyes and turned to face the door. “That’s none of your business. I better be going, before we’re late to dinner at a very nice place, somewhere the likes of you most likely couldn’t afford.”

You felt Fred stiffen next to you and you squeezed his hand gently. “Have a nice time! It was lovely to meet you Bridget.”

“It’s Brooklyn,” she seethed.

“Oh right, silly me,” you said, shaking your head. “Bye!”

As Brooklyn sauntered out of the store, you turned to Fred and whispered seductively, just loud enough for the exiting girl to hear. “How about we have a nice night in tonight? I got something the other day that I’d love for you to see. Maybe after seeing it you’ll make me scream even louder than last night.” Fred’s face began to grow red and he had to discreetly adjust his pants, hoping you didn’t notice exactly what your words were doing to him.

Brooklyn slammed the door and practically ran down the cobbled streets, only screaming when she thought she was far enough away to not be heard. You and Fred both waited a few seconds before cheering and hugging each other, him patting you on the back for a great performance.

“Y/N! That was incredible! I knew I could count on you.”

“Yeah yeah,” you said, “I’m amazing, I know.” You smiled up at him completing the high five he was waiting on. “When you told me you needed help with a crazy ex I didn’t know you meant like actually crazy. She’s insane! How did you put up with her for so long?”

Fred shrugged, jumping up onto the counter. “She was hot and I was horny. Not much else to it.”

You rolled your eyes, jumping up to join him. A few days ago you wouldn’t have been nearly comfortable enough to lounge out on the shop’s counters like you were now, but that was before you were a permanent resident of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. Before you and Fred had made the deal.

“You want me to do what?”

“Please, Y/N, it would only be for a little while until this all dies down, I swear!”

You groaned and rubbed your temple, wondering how in the world a friendly visit to your friend’s shop would turn into something with much more commitment.

“You’re telling me that you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend? Why on earth would you need that?”

You were pacing around the shop, trying to avoid customers as to not involve them in this very personal conversation. Fred followed you, pleading for you to help him like the great friend you were.

“I told you,” he said, “after The Daily Prophet did that expo on the shop and made me and George out to be rich sexy businessmen, and I mean where’s the lie, all of my crazy exes have been sending me letters and trying to get back with me. I can’t stand it, there’s so many!”

“Yeah, you were never one for long-term relationships, were you?”

Fred hmphed but quickly picked up with his pleading once again. “You don’t understand, Y/N, it’s absolutely unbearable. It’s common knowledge that George and Angie have been going steady for years now, so he’s got pretty much no one after him. But me? I can’t handle it.”

He dramatically threw himself on one of the empty product tables, causing a couple kids to glance in your direction before quickly becoming distracted by one of the exploding jokes across the shop.

“Oh, woe is me, I have too many beautiful women throwing themselves at me, whatever am I to do?” you mocked, earning a nasty glare from your friend.

“I wouldn’t ask this of you if it wasn’t of upmost importance,” he said, straightening his tie and assuming a more business-like manner. “Those girls are crazy. Hot, yes, but crazy. And all you have to do is pretend to be dating me for a few weeks, a month at best! What do you say?”

“And what do I get out of this?” you asked. Usually, you’d never say no to helping a friend, especially Fred, but pretending to date him and having him practically use you to make other girls mad? You didn’t like the idea in the slightest. Well, maybe seeing the mad girls would be a bonus. You never cared much for most of the girls Fred went out with.

Fred’s face turned into an upward grin as he rolled his sleeves up and leaned forward. “I was hoping you’d say that. I hear that you’re looking for a place to stay, is that right?”

You nodded hesitantly, having an idea of where he was going.

“Well,” he said, pacing back and forth, “to keep up this charade we’ll need to convince everyone, including George and Angelina. You see, Angie’s friends with Alicia, one of the girls who’s been constantly OWLing me, and if she knew this was fake then she’d blow our cover for sure. Which means…”

You gulped.

“You’d have the pleasure of sharing the loft with me. You’d get a room, shared with me, and a nice living space all rent-free, and all you have to do is act all lovey-dovey and occasionally snog me. That sounds like an offer you can’t refuse.”

Unfortunately, he was right. You were tight on money at the moment and really had no other options. It was a deal you had to make if you wanted to stay afloat, no matter how much annoyance and embarrassment it would cost you.

Sighing, you let your shoulders slump, a sign of defeat. “You do know how to negotiate, don’t you?”

“Well I am a businessman.” Fred stuck out his hand, and with a slow, drawn out motion, you shook it.

It was the 4th night of living with the Weasley twins, or maybe 5th? The nights all seemed to blend together as you’d been having more fun than you had since Hogwarts. George and Angelina didn’t seem surprised at all when you and Fred told them your made up story about how you and Fred started seeing each other. In fact, they both said they always knew it would happen. You and Fred shared a laugh about that in bed that night, before he decided to take up all of the space on the small piece of furniture, prompting you to write your third rule.

Overall, it had been a great experience. Couples game night, movie marathons, gossip sessions with Angelina about you and Fred’s sex life (which you didn’t have to fabricate too much, you already knew too much from the incredible amounts of detail he used to provide about his dates with other girls). It was like being thrown back into a dorm room, and your old teenage self was starting to shine through again.

You stared at yourself in Fred’s bathroom mirror, very proud of how you handled Brooklyn earlier that day. She was one of the few girlfriends of Fred’s you never got to meet, probably because they only dated for a short period of time before she left him for the first rich snob to bat an eye at her. Out of everyone you could think of that he dated, she was by far the worst, which meant the next few days would probably be more difficult. It was easy making that bitch angry with smoke coming from her ears, but you didn’t know how good you’d feel about lying to someone a lot nicer than she was.

After brushing your teeth and donning your pajamas, your Hogwarts house colors of course, you crawled into bed and joined Fred, who was reading one of the novels you had recommended to him. “You like it so far?” you asked.

Fred took off his reading glasses and nodded, setting a bookmark in the book before placing it on his nightstand. “Surprisingly, yes. I didn’t think it would be my thing, but so far it’s actually really good.”

“Told ya,” you said as you laid down beside him. You and Fred were comfortable enough to share a bed with few problems except for his stupid long legs. You’d been friends for years and had grown way too comfortable with each other, so squeezing together each night wasn’t too out of the ordinary.

As you snuggled into the covers, Fred following suit, you mentally went over the schedule for the week.

“How many girls are there again?”

Fred paused for a moment, trying to remember what he had sent to each girl. “A few I was able to ward off via letter, the more sane ones, but there are still two more girls who insisted they pay me a visit. Addison’s coming tomorrow and Alicia the day after that.”

You nodded, although you ducted Fred could see it from his position. “Got it. Addison’s sweet, I liked her.”

Fred scoffed, wrapping an arm around your waist as he had started doing while you two slept. It was nothing more than platonic, Fred was just a touchy person. You told yourself he would do this with any semi-attractive girl laying in his bed.

“Yeah, sweet girl all right, until you come home to your entire apartment torn apart cuz she thought you were cheating on her because apparently you ‘took an extra 12 minutes of lunch break and it seemed awfully suspicious.’”

Your body reverberated with a small giggle, remembering how Fred had to crash with you at your old place while he was trying to replace all the furniture she had literally torn up. “That’s right, she’s almost as crazy as I am.”

“Almost.”

You wouldn’t have a hard time lying to Addison, you decided. It was actually kind of fun when you did it with Brooklyn. You could get really creative with this one.

You released a deep breath and closed your eyes, nestling back into Fred as he spooned you, claiming it was the only way he wouldn’t sprawl out and kick you in your sleep, which you knew was a lie. He’d find a way to kick you somehow. The git always did.

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

“That was surprisingly better than expected!”

You nodded gleefully, handing Fred a scone and coffee that you had picked up from a nearby bakery. Scaring off Addison had been even more fun than Brooklyn, you and Fred really getting into character and being as lovey dovey as possible. She seemed to take it well, but you wouldn’t be surprised if she triggered the security system tonight trying to break in and destroy the shop.

“And if I’m being honest it was actually kind of fun,” you told him, settling in behind the counter.

You raised your muffin to your mouth to take a bite but Fred’s huge mouth snagged a taste before you could, bending down and taking a chunk out before you could have any. “That’s disgusting,” but you had no disgust lingering in your tone.

“I agree,” he said through mouthfuls of muffin. “It was an excellent way to spend the morning. Bloody hell she would not leave!”

“At least she was nice about it.”

Fred reluctantly agreed before making another move to your muffin, one that this time you anticipated and you swatted his nose with a nearby newspaper. “You have your own, you greedy pig.”

He yanked the paper from your hand, using it as a napkin before the front page caught his eye. He quickly crumpled up the paper and tossed it into a nearby waste bin, something you wouldn’t have been suspicious of had he not done it so nervously.

“Fred, what’s in the paper today?”

He shifted to put himself in between you and the wastebin, his tall figure looming over you. “Not important, just more junk that no one cares about.”

You didn’t believe him for a second. “Frederick Weasley you move this instant.” You tried pushing him out of the way but it was like moving an annoying ginger stone wall. Trying another approach, you darted to the left before doubling back and running right, but before you made it two steps he picked you up and threw you over his shoulder. “Fred!”

You wiggled with all your might and finally made it out of his grasp, snatching the paper and unfolding it to read the headline.

Diagon Alley Playboy Finally Settling Down? Or Is Y/N L/N Just Another of Fred Weasley’s One Night Stands?

The color drained from your face and you slowly lowered the paper, reading the front page again and again. Attached was a blurry picture of you and Fred from the day before with you tucked into the side. The buggers at The Daily Prophet must’ve caught it through the store window.

“I’m sorry,” Fred said softly, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder. “I tried to keep things quiet, but I guess the press always finds a way in.”

You rubbed your temple slowly, trying to ignore the dread in your stomach. After seeing Harry Potter be brutally torn apart by the press for years, the last thing you wanted was rumors about you going around.

"We could have prevented this!” you exclaimed, slamming the paper onto the desk. “This is complete bullshit. We’re not even dating! I swear I’m going to march straight to their office and--”

“Don’t bother,” Fred said, completely exasperated by the constant coverage of his family. “It does absolutely nothing, trust me. As a close relative to a professional Quidditch player, The Chosen One himself, and his two best friends who literally saved the world, we’ve learned that nothing will keep them away. Especially since they pinned me as the player of the Weasley family.”

“But you’re not!” you said, getting angrier by the second. “So your relationships don’t last long, so what? You’re not some womanizing piece of shit that the papers say you are!”

Chuckling, Fred replied. “I know that, and you know that. But the rest of the world wants drama, so if they want to think I have a new girl in my bed every night I’ll let them.” He shrugged. “You get used to it after a while.”

“Well you shouldn’t have to,” you grumbled. “You’re one of the best people I know, and the world should know it too.”

Catching you off guard, you felt a pair of arms wrap around your torso and a head lay on your shoulder. “It’s ok, love, just one more day and then you can stay out of the papers forever, I promise.”

Sighing, you turned to face him and let a small smile shine through. “Thanks. But I still think it’s absolute rubbish what they’re doing to your character.”

“Me too, but at least you know what a charming and caring gentleman I am and that’s all that matters to me.”

“Aww,” you coed, “you love me don’t you?”

“Shh, don’t let the press hear! It’ll ruin the image they worked so hard to create.”

You hit your head against Fred’s chest. “Only one more day of this. One more to go.”

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

“Do you know you talk in your sleep?”

“What?” You were so busy trying to find something to wear that you had barely heard what Fred said.

“Last night, when you fell asleep. You said something funny.” He was sitting on the bed, adjusting his work tie and pulling on his socks and shoes. He looked...confused. Like he was trying to solve a complicated problem and he just couldn’t git the pieces together.

“Oh?” you said, growing nervous. Had you dreamt last night? You were racking your brain, hoping you hadn’t said something embarrassing.

You definitely had a dream, and Fred was there. You were at the shop...and Alicia came in! And…

“You were saying ‘Alicia, no, Fred’s mine not yours, I love Fred,” and umm, other stuff like that.” His face was heating up by the second, as was yours.

“Really?” you said through awkward laughs. “Must’ve been preparing for today, huh?”

Fred said nothing, instead choosing to focus on retying his shoes.

“Well,” you said, finally picking out your outfit, “I’m going to change, I’ll meet you down there later, ok?”

He nodded, still confused, and you rushed to use his bathroom before things could get more awkward.

You decided to take a nice, long shower to cool down, hoping that you could somehow wash away the embarrassment. So maybe you had a slight crush on Fred. Who could blame you? You’d been spending the last week cuddled up with him and spending so much time at the shop, not to mention acting like a couple in front of everyone. Who wouldn’t develop feelings?

But for some weird reason you had a feeling that this wasn’t a recent crush, rather something that’s been lurking right beneath the surface for a while. You groaned, hitting your head against the shower wall. This was not the time for this. You had a job to do, and Alicia would be here in 30 minutes so you had to hurry up.

Scampering down the steps 15 minutes later after using a drying spell and getting dressed, you stopped in your tracks when you saw what was happening across the shop. Alicia was here early.

From the looks of it, she had already made herself comfortable, leaning in to talk to Fred, who wasn’t doing anything to discourage the behavior. Instead, he was leaning in as well, laughing at a joke she just made.

Fury burned inside you as you watched the scene unfold. You knew from the beginning that Alicia would be the hardest ex to deal with. Not only had she been Fred’s longest and most intimate relationship to date, but she was also a really nice person, meaning you had no reason to hate her. But at this moment you did.

Alicia leaned closer, her nose almost touching Fred. What should you do? Did he want your help getting rid of her? Was he still harboring feelings and actually looking to reconnect? You saw him slowly lean in toward her, which you took as a sign to continue with your plan.

You were almost running when you reached Fred, who turned and seemed happy to see you. “Just in time,” he said the Alicia, “Alicia, you remember--”

You cut him off with a kiss, the third kiss you’d promised him. Except this one wasn’t one of the pecks you described on your terms and conditions. You pulled Fred down into one of if not the most passionate kiss you’d ever had, wrapping your arms around his neck and drawing him closer to you.

Almost immediately he pulled off of you, looking more bewildered than you had ever seen him. “I…”

“Well that was quite the spectacle.”

You looked over to where Alicia was standing, smirking at the two of you. Contrary to what you had expected, she actually seemed rather calm and actually amused at what she had just seen.

“S-sorry,” you said. Fred tried to say something but he was too dumbstruck to even get a word out. He just stood there, eyes wide and mouth twitching.

“Is this a bad time?” she asked. “I’m supposed to be meeting my fiancé for breakfast later so I can just come back another time if that works for you.”

“Your...fiancé?”

“Yeah!” Alicia beamed as she showed you her left hand, her ring finger adorned with the most beautiful engagement ring you’d ever seen. “Actually, the reason I’m here is because I just asked Fred if he wanted to be in the wedding as a groomsman. Or bridesmaid. Whatever works for him. Thankfully the big oaf said yes before you laid that on him, or else I think I’d be waiting a lot longer for an answer.”

Fred was still as frozen as ever, making you and Alicia chuckle. “Hey, it’s been forever since we’ve caught up, how about you and Fred go on a double date with me and Lee sometime?”

It took you a second to understand why Lee would be there, until it dawned on you. “You’re marrying Lee Jordan?!”

She couldn’t hold back her laughter at this, loving to see your reaction. “That I am! You’re obviously invited, I’m sending invitations out soon. I’ll hope to see you there, and don’t be afraid to reach out, alright?”

“Y-yeah, will do,” you said. Alicia looked up at Fred and then to you and winked, before waving goodbye and leaving the shop.

You refused to make eye contact with Fred, too embarrassed to even begin to talk to him. Maybe you’d just take 5 and take a walk down the street? That would help distract your brain from whatever just happened.

“Real?”

You turned around to the source of the voice, a now more interactive Fred. “What?”

“Real,” he repeated. He shook his head a few times, blinking rapidly. “Sorry, I just mean, that kiss was umm, it was real.”

Your breath hitched in your throat. The fact that you had kissed Fred, and an actual kiss at that, was finally hitting you. “Yeah, it was real, I guess.”

He took a step closer, his face assuming the puzzled look from the bedroom earlier. “Was...was what you said real too? From the dream, I mean?”

Now it was you who was frozen, feet stuck to the ground with no way out. What should you say? Confess your feelings and hope for the best? Or deny everything and try to work your way around this mess? You didn’t have time to think nor ration. Just act.

“Yeah. It was real.”

Fred nodded, pursing his lips and shifting his weight from foot to foot. “Cool.” He hesitated. “Would it be super crazy out of the blue if I asked you to maybe go out with me sometime. For real?”

A smile rose to your face, hoping that this wasn’t a joke. Slowly, almost shyly, you nodded. “Yeah, it would be a little crazy. But I’d say yes.”

Fred smiled too, a big toothy grin that only made you smile wider, before pulling you into a side hug. “Good, because you’re a little crazy too, so we’ll match on our date.”

“You’re a big dork,” you said, returning the hug. “What will the paper say when they see you with the same girl? They’ll probably explode!”

“I hope so,” he replied as he gave you a loving squeeze. “What I’m worried about is how we’re supposed to explain to George and Angelina that we’ve been faking this whole time and it’s only now getting real.”

“Eh, that’s a problem for another time. Right now, we’ve got some more pressing matters.” You gestured to the front window where a reporter was holding a huge camera, trying to snap a good picture of the two of you.

“I’ll handle it, grab me the dungbombs.”

“Yes, sir!”

You ran to assist Fred, head rushing with thoughts of first dates and future ones down the road. Of attending Lee and Alicia’s wedding together and getting completely wasted with each other. Of sleeping together each night, holding each other in an embrace that was now true and deep and caring. In a relationship that was now real.

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