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hello-nichya-here · 6 months

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Is Daemon in love with Rhaenyra or just using her? Why did he not go all the way with her in episode 4? Was it just guilt over using her or was there something more?

He IS in love and he IS using her. She's a way to get closer to the throne, and Daemon doesn't mind exploiting that, plus he wants to be Aegon the Conqueror and to him that includes marrying "in the tradition of their house" aka an incestuos marriage, and naturally the first choice for someone that arrogant is the princess/future queen.

But their genuine bond cannot just be ignored. Daemon is clearly attracted to her, and he tends to be less of a dick to her than he is to everyone else (still awful by the standards of any reasonable person, but it counts, and luckly for him Rhaenyra can be a bit unhinged too).

He gives her a necklace made of the steal of his sword as symbol of their shared heritage, comforts her during her mother's funeral, stops trying to act all threatening when she calls his bluff in episode 2, shows her the harsh truth that plenty of people STILL see Aegon II as the true heir despite Viserys choosing her (can also count as him trying to undermine her confidence, so it's both "tough love" AND "you're worthless, feel bad and sleep with me") and he listens to her about her fears regarding marriage/sex/pregnancy and full on encourages her to just do whatever the fuck she pleases (though this one also counts as him using her since he did to try to force Viserys to accept them gettting married, aka Daemon getting to at least be king consort).

He accepts to be part of a (fake) murder plot so she'll be rid of her husband and then marry her so her claim to the throne will be more solid (again, counts as both selflessness and selfishness), they are VERY physically affectionate during their marriage, he is clearly super happy when she's pregnant with yet another child of his (and in a deleted scene he mourns said child after the miscarriage/stillbirth), baits Vaemond Velaryon into calling her a whore in front of Viserys so he has an excuse to cut his head off in front of everyone and thus assuring Rhaenyra's son will get Driftmark despite being a bastard, and he is being very gentle when letting her know of Lucerys's death - that last one is important as it happens in episode 10, aka the one in which he treats her worse than ever.

For fuck's sake, they're CONSTANTLY speaking high valyrian to each other as that is the show's very deliberate way of setting their conversations with each other apart from the ones they have with everyone else.

Even when he was happily married with Laena, a wife he CHOSE because they had genuine chemistry and affection for each other, he was still thinking of Rhaenyra constantly, being aware of everything that was going on in her life even from afar.

As for him not going all the way with Rhaenyra in episode 4, I believe that happened for two reasons:

1 - Daemon wasn't as fully in control of that situation as he thought he'd be. He WANTED to have sex with her, sure, but he is an arrogant, volatile guy, and Rhaenyra, despite being a virgin, was not at all acting shy, scared or even hesitant. She wasn't letting him fully take charge, turning around to face him, toy with him after he had just pressed her against the wall, her back turned to him.

Denying her suddenly, without explanation, and just leaving her there by herself, was a way to take back control - especially since this whole thing was also about making Rhaenyra get caught with him, and that had already happened, so he already "got what he wanted from her" but she didn't get the same from him. He IS still a potential candidate for the throne, so disgracing the princess AND disregarding her once her reputation is in the dirt, but his isn't because rules are different for men, is a way to prove, either to her or to himself, that he holds more power in their relationship and always will.

2 - Guilt. Daemon KNOWS what he is doing is not right. He knows Rhaenyra is very young, he knows he's manipulating her, he knows he is using and exposing her, and he knows that's an awful thing to do to his own dear niece, the daughter of the king and brother he does sincerely love (in his own way). That's why he isn't gloating like a villain after his evil plan was a success, but is instead looking all miserable and drinking all night - he is WILLING to be an utter bastard to get what he wants, but that doesn't mean it doesn't take a toll on him.

Not going all the way with Rhaenyra gives her the chance to have a "proper" first time, with her husband (be it Daemon himself or not) instead of in a brothel, in front of a bunch of people, with a married man. It lets her still keep ver "virtue" even if nobody else will believe she's still a virgin.

It's also why he leaves once she's married. Now that his one path to become king no longer exists, he isn't caught up between what he wants and what's right, as leaving Rhaenyra the fuck alone is the only option - and Daemon himself confirms in episode 7 that he did genuinely believe his niece would be better off without him, even though she clearly disagrees (and they both have VERY good reasons to feel the way they do).

So yeah, Daemon is one hell of a complicated character, and even when he is being awful, that doesn't mean he isn't also showing some humanity - and vice versa.

#asks #daemon targaryen #daemyra #daenyra

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elionwriter · 3 years

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MY FAV STAR WARS COUPLE DYNAMICS:

(for the sake of this post let's all just pretend no one dies, ok?)

Anakin - Padme: their relationship started with pure drama and really bad, corny pick up lines and it just goes on that way. Even when they are happily exiled on Naboo with their children and everyone knows about them, whenever they talk about their love or tell the story to Luke and Leia it's always with the tones of a 'larger than life situation'. Obviously Anakin is the drama queen who really pushes it (and is still salty he had to give up his title as Jedi Master) but Padme fell for him when he did the whole whiny speech about sand and married him, she secretly supports this s***t! 😝

Han - Leia: bickering is their love language. Screaming to impose supremacy is their flirting. The thing is, they never bicker for serious stuff, because they actually agree on what matters and get along as a couple, it's the principle of things! Sometimes a friend of Ben overhears them and goes 😱 "I'm really sorry for intruding on this, pal. Will your parents be alright?" And Ben with the calmest expression will answer "They literally do this all the time". It's the silence that's worriesome. When Leia is just too tired to keep fighting after hours of doing so with politicians, when Han doesn't bother to stay to face the argument and just hops on the Falcon again, THAT'S when they realise they are falling out. So they push duty and lust for adventure aside to go back spending quality time together and patching things up. Sure enough, the bickering starts again and Ben is like "😌 aaah everything is fine again".

Din - Luke: they are the picture perfect couple. They literally never argue, at best they poke eachother when one of the two does something the other doesn't entirely agree on. They have each other's back in any instance, support every choice and are there for backup when others want a fight or have something to say either on Din's leadership or Luke's approach to the Jedi code and teachings. It took them forever to actually get together because they acted like shy teenagers on their first crush and Leia, Han and Cara had to practically push them into each other's arms, but once they got there they were solid a couple as a rock. Others look at them and think they are either disgustingly mushy or still in a 'honeymoon face', because NO ONE has such a stress-free marriage. Din and Luke truly don't get what the fuss and all the drama's about. So even though they end up practically parenting the space version of the kids from 'Cheaper by the dozen' they act like parental figures to their friends as well. Life as Manda'lor and the Reviver of the Jedi order can be hell, but together they are just balanced like that and can face everything! They even create a new co-op fighting style for Jedi/Mandalorians that becomes the terror and amazement of the Galaxy for centuries to come!😌😏💪

Kannan - Hera: very similar to Dinluke except they do at times have some small moments of tension because Hera is a fighter to the core and Kannan can't help but wonder if the battle will ever truly end. But his queen's passion and resolve is so bright and steeled that he can't help but fall in love a little more every time and follow, knowing it's the right thing to do. They have an example to set for their son, after all. Kannan will absolutely love Jacen and will introduce Ezra to his son (once Sabine and Ashoka bring him back) as his older brother. Much like when he trained Ezra or faced Sabine, Kannan will sometimes doubt himself and wonder if he's acting like a good parent to Jacen. Hera will smile and reassure him, describing to him the bright and happy smile on their son's face or how Jecen's nose scrunches and his long, greenish ears wiggle in delight whenever Kannan plays with him or cuddles him. As Hera says so, Kannan holds her and feels like he can actually see it too.

Sabine - Ezra: After Ezra is brought back to his family from wherever or whatever happened to him after facing Thrawn, both of them will just indulge in sudden hugs or touches to make sure the other is actually there. Of course, they first think of their bond as a solid friendship and camaraderie, because that's what it was when they left off. The extra touching is just the response to being apart for so long and being worried for each other. But then Sabine notices that Ezra actually looks really good with long hair and the scruffy beard he grew out. She catches herself thinking of how warm and safe if feels in his arms and mentally kicks herself because she's a Mandalorian, all she should need is a loaded blaster to feel safe. Ezra, on the other hand, starts playing with Sabine's hair when complimenting her new dye and suddenly finds himself cupping her face like it's the most natural thing in the world. Long story short, they fall for eachother hard and become the prototype of the couple "my boyfriend/girlfriend is my best friend". When they are comfortable with their new status, Ezra goes back flirting dorkishly with her like he did all those years back when they first met and Sabine will tease him by shooting his advances down.

Ashoka - Bo Katan: joke's on Bo-katan for cringing back in the day at her sister's relationship with a Jedi. She thought destiny or the force or whatever was really messing with her when she realized that her rival and pupil, Din Djarin, the new leader of Mandalorians was also falling helplessly in love with a Jedi (Obi-Wan's student nonetheless). When she hears Sabine Wren and her Jedi boy also got together she stops questioning it. The thing is that she herself has been inexplicably, undeniably charmed and hooked to a Jedi for years now. The very same Jedi she had teased didn't have enough booty, what felt like a lifetime prior. But she's Bo-Katan, she can be in angry denial about anything. Ashoka, on the other hand, has seen and has been conditioned too much on what attachment does to a Jedi, even if she doesn't consider herself one anymore. So, even if the chemistry between them and the long lingering stares are real, their love is always kept a quiet, unspoken thing. Whenever they call eachother "my old friend" they know they actually mean more, but leave it at that. Everyone around them can't help wondering 'are they a thing or...?!' but they never feed the theories and gossip. They know what they are and mean for each other when they are alone in the same room, talking about the past or what must be done in the future and Ashoka's mere presence is enough to cool down the ever-present burning rage inside of Bo. Meanwhile, the other can't help but admire how single minded and devoted to her people and culture the Mandalorian princess is, how she never gave up on them, despite everything. They smile softly at each other, then one of them breaks the spell by leaving. They go back to their own business and life untill destiny or the force or whatever brings them back into eachother's orbit.

Revan - Carth: normally they act very much like Leia and Han with the bickering and teasing bit but then Revan has one of her memories returning or is haunted by how she basically condemned her lifelong best friend Malak to a terrible death and Carth instantly does a 180° shift becoming the most caring, comforting and tender partner. She'll hide into his chest until the crisis in over. Sometimes it can go on for days and Revan is oh, so grateful of how patient and good Carth is to her. Then, at times, Carth is the one burying his head in her chest and she's the one doing the tender, hair strokes. Carth needs a lot of reassuring and might get upset and fret over even what appears to be a trivial thing. He's trying to heal and get better but the long, long years of solitude, hurt and paranoia are hard to iron down. Expecially when Carth seems to have an instinct that puts a Jedi to shame, foreseeing a crisis neither she nor Bastila had picked up. But he is making an effort to improve and she's proud of him, even as he tries very clumsily to patch things up with his son Dustil. She doesn't really step in that matter more than she has to, since Dustil is clearly not happy nor comfortable with the idea of them being together yet. Carth will sometimes open his heart to her and say something deeply meaningful on how he wants her to stay ( when she looks particularly haunted and about to leave without a work of warning) and be happy but does so with such awkward word choices that Revan just cannot refrain from laughing at his face and making puns. It's at this point that the back and forth teasing resumes. There is no denying they are still deeply wounded individuals and they are at their best when their friends are there to lighten the mood and show love to the both of them. Because they could easily go down the path of drama like Anakin and Padme but they choose the Ebon Hawk crew shenanigans instead.

Obi Wan - Satine: their love is stored in the memory of that glorious time they spent together in their youth. A moment in which no responsibility or sense of honor could keep them from giving in to that feeling of want and need for each other. It's a love that never truly went away, never left space for anyone else, but it never fully grew and bloomed either. So years down the line, that's what it is for Obi-Wan, a pleasant memory. He would never change how things went afterwards, but he wouldn't give up those memories and feelings for anything in the world. Satine feels the same, mostly. There are nights that she falls asleep wondering what could have been if only she had talked up at the decisive moment and dreams of a life spent together with Obi-Wan. But when she wakes up, she sobers up and goes back to her things. It's when she looks at her Korkie smile and notices how resembling to his secret father he is that she is truly at peace. She managed to keep a peace of Obi-Wan in her life.

Cal - Merrin: I have no idea for this one, but just stop and consider the possible 'nightsisters babies' though! Wouldn't they be the cutest things ever?! 😀

Sorry Cara Dune, you just haven't met the woman of your life yet. 😔

Also, I kinda like Zeb and Callus too but I don't really ship them enough to add them here, you know? Anyway I'm sure they make a lovely couple.

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hereticcryptid · 3 years

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Read this before hating on me for liking Severus Snape.

Read the whole thing.

Droped a branch on Petunia

Acidental magic, mate. No one can be blamed for that.

Hated the marauders

The marauders were tormenting him on a daily basis. No wonder why.

Tryed to get the marauders expelled

They were tormenting him, one of them had attemped to kill him and sexually assaulted him. No wonder why, in a decent school they would be expelled if not arrested after the werewolf incident.

Came up with sectumsempra

Legit defense. Marauders used illegal harmful hexes on him. And they had attemped to kill him. It's just me, but I would carry around a knife too if someone tryed to kill me. And if he really wanted to harm, he wouldn't bother to make a counter-curse.

Hanged out with future death eaters

You mean his housemates? The people he was living with? He would be even more an outcast if he didn't. Than he would be left with no friends after the mudblood incident. Not to say that, being pro-muggle and a halfblood, he would very likely get killed on his sleep.

Called Lily a mudblood

Yes. In a traumatising and humiliating moment, while being sexually assaulted. And she had to keep herself from smiling. I would call her a bitch, at least.

Believed in blood purity

Haha nope. No, he didn't. "Don't say that word!"

Interested in dark arts

So, if I like seing blood in movies, I am a psycopath? If I like manipulation tecnics, am I a evil master manipulator? If I like war tecnics, will I start WW3? Dark arts are hella interesting. I would study them too.

Joined the DEs

Out of despair and hopelessness. He had lost his only conection to the light, he had all the reasons to resent muggles and they were the only people who valued & respected him. Besides, he was a bullied poor halfblood outcast, the perfect victim of cults. And he defected after a few years, spending the rest of his life trying to bring them down.

Told the profecy

Man was a death eater working for a mind reading madman. Want did you want him to do?

Bullied the students

Maybe he was a little mean. He was the best teacher tho. Never endanged anyone's life, until year 7 where the choice was go to the forest or get tortured. Not like Miss McGonnagal who sent them to the dark forest (and locked Neville in the corridor while there was an allegate mass murderer in the school), or like Mr. Lupin who was a danger himself & covered the said mass murederer.

Attemped to get Lupin fired and outed him

First, he didn't out him. The ministry already knew, the anti-werewolf law already existed, if he had quit without being outed, he would most likely not get a job anyway. Lupin wasn't fired, he quit. Second, no wonder why he wanted him fired! He was already in a triggering place, and then Dumbledore decided to hire the person that almost killed him! Besides, as a werewolf, Lupin was endangering the students. And he covered for Sirius, an allegate mass murderer, for the sake of an old friendship. And you guys should be thankfull that he made Lupin quit, if you don't remember, DADA was cursed. If Lupin didn't quit, probably something worse would happen.

Threw a jar at Harry

Man had lost his temper. Harry had just witnessed the most embarassing thing that happened in his life. Besides, if he wanted the jar to hit Harry, it would've. And not even Harry was mad about this, so, who are we to be?

And now... let's dive into the fanon ocean! Yay...

(Until now this was by chronological order, but with fanon that's hard so it won't be)

Was evil from the beggining

No. At the beggining, he was just a poor abused inocent kid, who was made "evil" by the bullying and lack of support system.

Was toxic

Welp, sorry to ruin your fun, but if there was anyone toxic in that friendship, it was Lily. Dismissing the bullying, not listening to him, ignoring her duties as a perfect to stop that kind of stuff, blaming him for what Mulciber did to Mary, marrying his childhood bullie (and man who harrassed her constantly!). What did Sev do? Hanged out with his housemates? Lily only brought him pain.

Wouldn't give a shit if Voldy targeted the Longbottoms

Can't fight this one. It is true. But you really don't want to play the if game with me.

Told Voldy to spare Lily, but not Harry nor James

You really act like if he told Voldy to kill Harry and James. He didn't. He simply asked Voldy to spare the person he cared about. He would be asked many questions that don't have an answer at all if he asked him to spare James, and straight up killed if he asked for Harry. And I personally wouldn't give a shit about my bullie and his son. Would you?

Would be happy if J&H were dead

This one is the stupidiest. Are you for real? Lily's death made him (further) depressed and suicidal. But dead family and alive Lily? Wouldn't be able to even look at her. Dunno about you, but I would kill myself if I got the love of my life's family killed.

Was obsessed

*annoyed grunt* We've debunked this so many times... 1. If he was obsessed, the obsession would've died with Lily. You don't give your life away for obsession. 2. He was a potions prodigy. He could easely feed Lily amortentia or take felix felicis. But he didn't. 3. He left her alone after the fallout. Just that says everything. 4. So you are not allowed to grieve? To be depressed after someone you loved died?

The classic would r@p3 Harry if he was a ginger female

Haha... I'm scared of you. Genually scared of you. First, having a p3d0phily teory about kids books says more about you than about the target of the teory. Second, what would you do if a miniature of the person you loved and helped killing appeared in front of you? He wouldn't be able to teach with her in the room. Too triggering.

Was a n@zi

Death eaters are not n@zis. They are a terrorist group/cult. But n@zis? They are kids throwing a tantum when compared to them. Never left England, would welcome "jewishes" (muggleborns) or "half jewishes" (halfbloods) if they were particulary gifted or/and shared they beliefs. Oh! And that stupid myth that Hitl3r is half jewish! Does this sound like the nazis? I don't think so.

It wasn't bullying

Yes it was. 4/1. It is bullying. Rich atractive kids against poor ugly kid. It is bullying. No suport system vs no need of suport system. It IS bullying. Sirius didn't deny it. They said James had to change. It is bullying.

James changed

He didn't. He kept hexing Severus on Lily's back. Dieing for your family doesn't mean you're good. Being on the right side doesn't mean you're good.

Did I miss anything, fellow homosnapiens? If I did, tell me so I can add.

#anti snaters #severus snape #snape defense #i support snape #snape discourse #meta #snape meta #snape fandoom #snovers #homosnapiens #snape love #snapedoom #i love snape

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know-the-way · 3 years

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I absolutely need to know your thoughts on the Edward/Zelda/Faustus triangle 👀👀

Sorry this took a minute, but here’s my take from Faustus’ perspective.

Faustus is an only child and grows up with an aggressive dad who thinks appearances matter more than anything else. You do your family proud and succeed or you’re worth nothing.

So Faustus enters the academy on the warpath. “Can’t disappoint dad. Don’t wanna be a failure. I’m gonna make every time I got backhanded in the face actually mean something it if it’s the last thing I do.”

A few years in and Faustus basically runs the joint, so he sets his sights on higher ambitions - rising in the ranks of the church. He’s still a student, though, and he’s got time to strategize. And in walks Edward, a bright young warlock so attuned with the Dark Lord and his power that it practically radiates off of him. What an asset he could be… and surely the young lad needs a guiding presence as he navigates the treacherous waters of the academy?

Oh, happy surprise! Faustus finds himself startled at how easily they get along and how amused he is by Edward’s eagerness to learn. He’s not sure he’s ever been able to discuss things so freely, and with an intellectual equal at that - he’s not sure he’s ever enjoyed someone’s company like this before. Sure, Edward’s impassioned speeches about “making a difference” and “changing things for the better” are a bit eye-rollingly idealistic, but he’ll grow of that. He’ll help him to.

There’s little Faustus teaches him that Edward doesn’t master and Edward is so interested in learning more, learning from him. It makes him feel so… important… needed… valued. Is this what having a brother is?

Lucky that Faustus had no true siblings as they would have been inevitably pitted against each other, a fight to the death for power in their family name. Whereas the Spellmans seem to find balance between competition and compassion. Odd of them, truly, but he can’t deny that when he visits their home, it feels… good. Seeing how Edward’s sisters fawn over him with sparkles in their eyes that are equal parts admiration and gratitude. And how Edward speaks so fondly of them in return. Yes, he… he thinks he rather likes the idea of family. Plotting and scheming is only made sweeter when you have others to do it with, isn’t it?

He remembers having a fair few conversations with the eldest Spellman daughter over the years. He found himself surprised that she often knew even more than Edward on most of the more advanced magic. She was clever and cunning, that girl, and watching how her mind worked was truly fascinating, as was much everything else about her.

He can’t quite pinpoint when the switch occurred, and over the years he’ll wonder if he just always felt this way, but he knows something changed not long after her dark baptism. Witnessing the induction of a new witch in the coven was always a transcendent experience, but the way Zelda’s eyes turned ablaze and her muscles shook as the power bestowed by the Dark Lord settled into her… it was simply breathtaking. He’d never see another look so alive. She was special, he could feel it, and being close to her stirred something inside him he’d never quite be able to name, but he knew it just felt… right. He was better with her by his side, unstoppable even. Their legacy was going to be legendary.

But what feels off is how suddenly Edward withdraws now. His friend and partner has become increasingly irritable and he can’t for the life of him figure out why. Faustus disagrees with some of his more outlandish ideals, of course, but they’ve not ever properly quarreled their entire relationship. He mentions it to Zelda during a midnight rendezvous in the gardens and curiously, she tells him Edward is treating her the same.

And oh… oh, lol. He gets it. So Edward is jealous, then? Lmao, what a silly silly goose that boy is. He’s afraid Faustus is going to abandon him. Oh, it’s precious, really. Especially when Faustus has just picked out the finest oak box for the turtle dove hearts he plans to give his sister. They’ll be family forever now. Brothers for real! And when Faustus becomes high priest, Edward will be his right-hand man, he’ll be sure of it. In this together, just like always! I mean, he’s on top always because #DaddyIssues, but he’ll let them share in his glory, of course he will. He’s a very generous young man. Yes, this will fix everything, he’ll just go tell Edward the good news now.

Um… okay. So that didn’t go as planned. Despite being attached to his teat the past several years, Faustus suddenly does not meet Edward’s apparently very high standards? Because he wants to marry Zelda? He said she doesn’t want to marry Faustus and she never will? (Not what she said last night, but sure okay.) And he’s threatened a hex on him if he continues to try and see her? He’s not welcome at the Spellman home anymore? Uhhhh? Okay? The fuck????

Sure enough, when he tries to speak to Zelda the next day, his mouth clamps shut so hard that it draws blood. When he tries to write her, the paper turns to ash. She begins to look at him indifferently, resentfully. He can’t stand it. And Edward… old friend, you couldn’t care less, could you?

Impressive, truly, when he gives it a good think. Edward siphoned off Faustus’ knowledge and reputation for years, saw how blindingly brilliant the glory was waiting for them, and decided to take it for his own. It’s Faustus’ own fault really, he let the virtues of the False God lead him astray. Kindness and generosity, friendship and loyalty… sacrilege. He should have been saturated in the Dark Lord’s tenants of deceit and pride, like Edward. A true son of Satan. His absolute dick of a father had been right all along - even those closest to you will eat you alive. Shame he didn’t listen - his future children will know better. May he never let his faith waiver again.

Many years later, when he enters his office as high priest for the first time, it’s mere days after Edward’s death and remnants of his old friend are everywhere. He’ll never fully get over the pivot Edward made on him in their youth, but they had regained a civil camaraderie as time went by. Edward appointed him as head of the Parrish council - sought his input on plans of grandeur. (Faustus disagreed with him at nearly every turn, his aspirations for the church becoming more and more outrageous over time, but hey.) And after returning from studying abroad for several years, Faustus found he could speak to Zelda again. He could even touch her, hold her. It was never fully the same, too many years of walls being built and questions unanswered (“why did you leave?” “why didn’t you fight for me?” “did it ever mean anything?”), but having her at arms length - being able to bury his face in her hair and slide his lips down her neck - was better than not having her at all. However, if ever his mind wandered back to matrimony, a jolt in his spine would remind him of his place. He watched as Zelda was maneuvered by her brother for decades… a perfect pawn for his agenda that she rarely even believed in herself. It was infuriating. Edward didn’t keep Zelda from him for her sake, he kept her because she was a vital asset to him. Clever little twat, he was.

Even still. In the quiet of the office they had once both coveted, Faustus can hear the echoes of he and Edward’s youth - their laughter, their triumphs, their discoveries - and a swell of emotion rises within him. With an unsteady hand pressed to the flat of Edward’s desk - his desk - he pointedly clears his throat and whispers, “Rest well, brother.”

(And then “but also trolololol I will be destroying your entire legacy now m8, get fucked ya nonce *blows raspberry*”)

TL;DR 10/10 Faustus would smash, and he has a complicated sort of affection for you, but ultimately he’s just not that into you, Ed.

(Also, he and Edward drunkenly made out a few times at parties, but ya know… the important emotional shit is above.)

#faustus blackwood #edward spellman #zelda spellman #spellwood #headcanon

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fanfic-of-fables-of-kitkat · 3 years

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Naruto OC ship week

Prompt: Hair

@narutoocshipweek

Synopsis: Temari, Kankuro and Gaara were adopted by the well reknowned couple Hatsue (OC) & Sasori, a few decades when the siblings had long been adults, they reunite and reminisce their childhood

[This prompt will become a future chapter to my existing fanfic at FF.net ]

"You know what, our parents are jerks." Kankuro grimaced and then downed his cup. With a tap, he set it down and his younger brother moved to pour more for him.

Temari, the eldest of the Sand Siblings, giggled in her drunkenness, letting out hiccups afterwards, her eyes half-lidded as the alcohol kicks in. "No kidding."

Gaara couldn't help but snort at that, an action he wouldn't be caught doing in a sober state.

"I mean first, there's our birth mother who couldn't keep herself alive." Kankuro complained. "Don't worry, Gaara, I'll say this again and again: you didn't have to anything to do with her death. Mother protested against Father from making you a jinchuriki and strained herself, risking you to be prematurely born."

The red head sipped generously from his cup. "Then there's our birth Father, who tried to have me killed multiple times for the sake of testing my control over Shukaku."

"Which was real shitty of him." Temari concluded. "He was a stellar father... in another life, probably. Kami, he was terrible."

"He was indifferent to me." Kankuro huffed, downing his shot in one go.

"I could never get a single praise out of him, no matter how well i perform my jutsu." The eldest of the three complained, wiping her face with her hand.

"He tried to have me killed. Multiple times."

The three looked at each other and barked a laugh.

"Oh gosh, are we competing on who among us siblings he treated the worst? Gaara wins that contest hands down." Temari grabs the bottle of sake to herself and orders a new one for her brothers.

"Hey, you should slow down, if you drink too much, we'll get your husband and we'll be cutting our reunion short." Kankuro nagged, squinting his eyes at her.

"I can hold my liquor, Kankuro, besides I know my limits, after this one I'll try to sober up before Shikamaru arrives." Temari assures her brothers, and then takes a swig out of the bottle. She looked... solemn now. "Sorry, I couldn't be here for their burial."

Kankuro gave her a sad smile and Gaara nods at her. Burials here at Suna, when a person dies, the body is buried at the same day because of the heat. The hot weather makes a dead body permeate a strong foul odor so funerals are held almost immediately.

"Hatsue-kaa-san was a damn jerk too." Temari says this without bite, her eyes dulled as she remembers memories of their adoptive mother.

"Yep, mom was a jerk." The middle child agrees, snorting in his drink.

"Agreed." The red head nods, not only to affirm his elder siblings' statements but because the room starts to sway.

"She was so disgustingly kind."

"She was. She had no business on what happens to us and yet she goes ahead and adopts us. Strangers. We would have been orphans if it weren't for her."

"In a way, we already were. Mother died early. Father was negligent."

"She let me use her paints, her paint brushes and... she would paint on my face too.", Kankuro reminisced, a nostalgic smile graced his lips. "She used to tell me I was handsome-

"it's either I'm biased to say you're handsome because you're my son or you're really handsome", the three simultaneously quoted.

"Such a jerk, blowing up my confidence like that."

"Yeah, I remember her combing my hair, hated my hair because-" She looks at her brothers alternately then her eyes went back to her bottle. "Kankuro looked like he got his genes from Hatsue-kaa-san, Gaara looked like he got his from Sasori while I look like neither of them. I look like Uncle Yashamaru. that bastard."

"Everyone here in Suna, knows what's the deal with us. It doesn't matter."

Temari shrugged nonchantly "When we would all travel for Sasori's spy network... It was nice to pretend that we were their real children."

"Yeah."

"... The people would give us scandalous looks, doing the math, it would seem they conceived Temari at 16, Kankuro at 17 and I at 18."

The blonde and the raven head guffawed hysterically, remembering the instances conservative people coming up to their mom and passing down unwanted advices. Sasori would hide a smile and Hatsue-kaa-san would turn as red as her husband's hair.

"Hatsue-kaa-san would tell me she loved my hair. She said every time she brushes my hair it's like she's spinning threads of gold."

Kankuro made a vomiting sound. "She was such a... sap."

"... i miss- ... She would hug me the longest."

"She taught me how to care for myself... and I loved it every time she would do her skincare with me." The memories brought the distinct smell of rose scented lotions and citrus moisturizers.

"She would hover around whenever I would get ready to paint my face." Kankuro chuckled fondly.

"You were their favorite." Temari says, a hint of envy was there and there was also acceptance with the way she shrugged her shoulders.

"Me? No way-" The puppeteer tried to deny it; he didn't believe it anyway since there was this saying about middle children often are ignored.

"You are. Hatsue-kaa-san loved that you were interested in painting and Sasori .. bonded with you through puppet making." The red head gave Kankuro a slow nod.

"You don't need to feel bad, our birth mother, Karura's favorite would be Gaara and Rasa's favorite was me, being the first born and all... before he got into the council."

"You were Uncle Komushi's favorite too, Temari, not just father's."

She laughed at that. "Oh, I miss that old man. I think I only became his favorite because of the fact that I was the eldest. He used to say I was what Sasori owed him."

"And Chiyo-baa-san favored Gaara the most."

They had grins on their faces and it slipped quietly to sad smiles. Memories flooded them, brought them happiness and warmth more than they could ever hold, thus it was no wonder if their eyes were a little misty. They blame it on the alcohol.

"I should've spend more time with them." Kankuro opens up, sake really did have a way in making an honest man out of him.

"I should've brough Shikadai more for a visit." Temari regrets

"I should've called him otou-san, at least once."

The three shared a look and couldn't help but be immersed in their shared regrets.

"We should've."

"But Sasori was an asshole."

"Agreed. He made it hard to call him so."

"His guard was up."

"He was stern."

"He threatened to kill me." Gaara paused, and then added. "Understandable since at that time, I recently attempted to kill his wife."

The older siblings froze and stared at the youngest.

"That happened?"

"You never told us."

The red head shrugged.

"But... he was a father to us. In his way. He would find wind technique scrolls for me to learn. When we were younger, I remember him tying my hair up, although Hatsue-kaa-san made him do it but still..." Sasori had a stoic expression the whole time but the slow, barely there tugs as he gently brushes her hair, belies that he cared despite his seeming indifference. Temari remembers catching an almost imperceptible smile he gives her when he was done, and patted her head.

"He told me, after developing my Red Secret Technique... that it was impressive. It was stupid, I admired him and respected him, idolized him even. He was an example to follow as a Puppet shinobi. It was stupid that I-.. I wanted to hear him say he was proud of me." The middle child confessed, whispered his words, one of his vulnerabilities. "But he was such an asshole, he made us look up to him as father figure but we always felt like we weren't allowed to call him that."

"Shukaku was always loud in my head but Sasori- After defeating me, Shukaku was... cautious of him. He'd grumble alot in my head. But he quiets down when I'm near... Sasori made me feel like... everyone was safe because he was there to stop me. That's why I always asked you to go with me and sleep in their room."

"I think we interrupted them a whole lot." Temari snorted.

The three siblings burst a laugh. They remember Sasori opening the door, breathless and Hatsue-kaa-san disheveled, her pajamas looking suspiciously crumpled. Their laughter faded after a few minutes and they sat there for awhile, wondering about their parents. They didn't doubt that their parents loved them but... they wondered if their parents knew they reciprocated.

"I used to think Sasori tolerated us, you know?" Temari waved the bottle, her head was resting on the table. "That us being his kids was only an extension of his love to Hatsue-kaa-san."

"Not gonna lie but I think that's how it was for him in the beginning. Just a bunch of brats he tolerated for mom." Kankuro says, shaking his head a little. "He was a damn good father, though."

"Except... he just didn't make it known that we were allowed to call him that." Gaara stares blankly into his cup.

"Everyone said we could, if we wanted. But I wanted him to say it."

"We were stubborn. And so was he."

"Yet we follow after them. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"Because we love them more."

"More than our birthparents."

"That's why..."

"Our parents.." Temari hiccuped, cheeks red.

"They're..." Kankuro was swaying his head, as if he was hearing a lullaby.

" All..." Gaara rubbed his eyes, trying to keep the drowsiness at bay.

"..jerks!" The siblings all said simultaneously, clinking bottles and glasses.

#sasorixoc #temari #kankuro #gaara #fanfic #naruto fanfiction

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airashisakura · 3 years

Text

Pregnancy Diaries

Chapter 3 - Mood Swings

Chapter 1, Chapter 2

Rating: General audience

Relationships: Uchiha Sasuke & Haruno Sakura

Summary : Sasuke is annoyed over something. Is Sakura annoying him with her hormonal induced mood swings?

FFN AO3

"Do you know, Sasuke-kun?"

Sakura's chattering stirred Sasuke out of his stupor. Sasuke mumbled in response, rubbing his eyes to shake off weariness. Traveling with a pregnant wife wasn't easy, even for a shinobi. He had been awake for three nights, taking guards all by himself. Sakura sometimes offered to take guard (if she could stay awake) so Sasuke could sleep a little, but he always refused. He knew it had been hard for Sakura to travel in such a condition. Although Sasuke tried to avoid the outdoors at night, due to some inevitable situations they occasionally had to stay under open skies.

Sakura was busy brewing soup for morning breakfast. She stirred the ladle, taking in the soup's aroma. Feeling something was incomplete, she broke the stalk of mushrooms and added them along with some seasoning in the pot of boiling soup. Camping outdoors had its own perks, but with the arrival of a new member, Sakura embraced this 'imperfect' domestic lifestyle.

Before that, their traveling kit had been oversimplified. A couple of bed-rolls, basic food supplements, ample amounts of food pills (till Sakura could make more), and a set of their ninja dresses. But as soon as Sakura got pregnant, they had to seal some extra contents in the scroll. Sets of utensils, more ingredients for cooking, blankets, normal civilian dresses for Sakura, some emergency medicines and herbs and whatnot! Sasuke was shocked (even more than when Sakura had announced her pregnancy) when Sakura asked him to carry these extra contents. But he couldn’t help it, could he?

"A baby cannot produce its own antibodies at this stage and so antibodies from mother’s immune system rush through the placenta to protect it from various infections." Sakura grinned widely. This had been her favourite thing now - to bombard Sasuke with medical facts about pregnancy, anytime and anywhere.

Sasuke smirked at Sakura, who still stirred the soup while she giggled and boasted about all the things she had already started doing as a mother when she was only halfway through her pregnancy. Carrying a baby in the middle of wilderness was not easy, but Sakura was excited and with every passing day, she readied herself more for this new transition.

Sasuke's gaze fell towards Sakura’s belly, which had grown quite noticeably from the last few months, until Sakura no longer tied the pouch around her waist. He was still perplexed — as to how he should feel. The little member who nestled within Sakura’s womb brought joy that he wasn’t the last Uchiha anymore. The thought of him cradling his own child in his arm brought warmth in his heart, but he was still unclear about his role as a father.

Sasuke only had a few memories of his father. He wasn’t just an honorable man — he had been a great father too. He always wore a tough facade, always concerned about the clan and his duties, but deep down he was a caring and loving father. Although Sasuke had been disappointed when his father boasted about his elder brother, his mother had helped him understand that his father deeply cared for both his sons equally. Images of his father training him the fire techniques flooded his mind, and he had felt a surge of emotions intertwined with pride when he had gotten compliments from his father. Maybe he needed to do the same as a father, he thought.

While he was still repenting for his past actions, he wished he had been a little insightful about his future back then, about his child’s future. Sasuke sighed deeply, trying to shake off these thoughts too. What had been done in the past couldn’t be changed, but his future was in his hand — that was one of many things he had learned during his journey. There were many things that he needed to find out, but first and foremost was the duty he would have to do when his child would be born. This dragged him down in the depth of his own bottomless doubts - was he really capable of taking care of his unborn child and its mother?

Meanwhile, Sakura rubbed their salmon with salt so she could start grilling them. Earlier, their diet had been very simple. There had been few delicacies when they had been wandering for long in woods and wanted a change of taste from her food pills. Now she had to eat more for the sake of the growing child inside her and to please her heightened taste buds. Sakura was content with the change in her life, unaware of Sasuke's struggles. Not when Sasuke had to deal with her aggressive mood swings, but the internal ones which he rarely confronted her even.

The fire was going to die and Sakura wanted to get up hurriedly, but her baby bump made it impossible. The one thing she didn't like about pregnancy was it really slowed her down. She sighed, her frustration drawing Sasuke's attention. Sasuke got up from his place, collected the wood, and sat in front of fire to reignite it.

"Thank you, Anata," Sakura cooed.

Sasuke nodded in agreement, feeling a little better. Although he knew Sakura was self-sufficient and she was ten steps ahead of him in planning for the baby, he thought one of his responsibilities was to make sure that she was taking care of herself.

Sasuke cleared his throat and asked, "You sure about taking the right amount of nutrients in your meal?"

Sakura hummed in agreement as she skewered the fish in the stick and replied, "Don't worry about it. I can take care of myself," and she smiled, assuring him.

It was something Sasuke should feel good after hearing, but deep down her words rubbed salt in his wounds.

"Hn," Sasuke responded, withdrawing himself from Sakura and mulling over the issue.

Sasuke's subtle frown didn't go unnoticed by Sakura. She realised something was bothering Sasuke, and maybe she knew what it was. Sasuke was difficult to read sometimes, and she needed to wait for a perfect opportunity to talk about it.

They set out again after eating their meal. Sasuke informed Sakura that if they picked up a little speed, they might reach a nearby town before the evening. He hated how his body yearned for a rented futon after just three days of continuous watch. Moreover, he had noticed Sakura's swollen feet, though she hadn't voiced her discomfort. He needed to get Sakura a nice and warm bed tonight, that's what he thought as he started moving.

As her pregnancy progressed, Sakura’s mood swings had become erratic. Sometimes she would be irritated by how her body slowed her down, and sometimes she would stroll around the forest, even getting off route to admire the beauty of nature. Hormones, she would complain to Sasuke. Sasuke had memorised one of the names. Relaxin, it was, which according to Sakura, made her energetic in her second trimester. Sasuke was silently thankful that apart from a gloomy Sakura, he had chances to witness an over-excited Sakura, but seeing Sakura balance herself on a log was too much now.

"Sakura, we are getting late. Come on, now. Get down." Sasuke requested, his hand tightly holding Sakura's and eyes never leaving her.

"This is so fun," Sakura chimed, taking more careless steps.

Sasuke's heartbeat gradually increased with every step Sakura took now. Internally, he scrunched, swearing to drag Sakura if she hadn't been pregnant. This woman was annoying him again and he couldn't help but to entertain her, could he? No matter how much he hated his present anxious state, Sakura's happiness somehow applied an ointment.

Sakura confidently strode on the log, looking around. Her smile was short-lived when her step missed, and before she could regain her balance, she slipped. Sasuke's shinobi instincts and alertness caught her before she hit the ground.

Sakura took deep breaths, contemplating the situation, eyes widened in horror.

For the first time in the day, a crooked smile made its way through Sasuke's face as he slyly said, "Serves you right."

Sakura didn’t like Sasuke's comment and retorted, "Shannaro, my heart almost stopped beating."

Sasuke couldn't hold his laughter anymore. Well, he couldn't deny that his wife could seriously mess up sometimes so badly.

Sakura wanted to show him that she could take care of herself. She didn't like how Sasuke had been checking on her all the time and questioning her about everything. She was about to get out of his hold, when she remembered it was time — time to talk to Sasuke. She realized she had been trying to be fiercely independent, and trying not to bother Sasuke, but it had been negatively affecting him — depriving him to enjoy his fatherhood. She let herself sink deeper in his embrace.

"Be careful next time," Sasuke instructed her, tugging her closer. He looked towards the sun, which was about to kiss the horizon. They were getting late to reach their destination, and Sasuke definitely didn't like it.

"Yes," Sakura whispered. "But we know you are always there to protect us." She hugged him tighter, trying not to crush her bump.

A rare small satisfying smile replaced a transient shocked expression. Sasuke realised what he was doing — Yes, he was protecting them. Sasuke felt a different kind of peace he hadn't experienced before.

"Ne, Sasuke-kun? Can you use your Susano'o? My legs are aching a little."

"Aah," Sasuke responded. "I’ll see if we can visit a hot spring."

“Sounds good,” Sakura giggled, letting herself get spoiled temporarily.

Sasuke's Mangekyou swirled to life as a purple aura encased them. Sakura sighed as she leaned towards Sasuke, letting him support her.

Chapter - 4

#sasusaku #ss fic #ss fiction #SasuSaku fiction #blank period #sasusaku travels #Pregnant Sakura #Pregnancy Diaries #sakura haruno #sasuke uchiha #filling the gaps #bit of domestic SasuSaku #yes Sakura annoyed Sasuke a little xD

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ladycatofwinterfell · 3 years

Note

I interpreted that Catelyn scene as if Jon didn't exist, her family would not have faced tragedy. Yes, she was blaming herself for not loving Jon but she was also indirectly blaming Jon for even existing. I also hated the part where she said her love with Ned was better than a passionate love affair in the words. As if being married off with a bridal price, passed from father to husband like an object is better than genuinely falling in love. I never liked Catelyn and it's not because she has strong opinions or because she started the war or whatever bs people hate her for I just think she's kinda...in her own head?? She lacks perspective tbh like she can't put herself in other people's shoes. Like when she tells Renly and Stannis: just get over it your brothers, I cringed because they obviously do not care about their relationship and only care about being king. They were raised differently than you Cat! I get that she's a victim of the patriarchy and she is coping so I really try to give her the benefit of the doubt but idk maybe I'm not mature enough for that. When characters like Brienne and Sansa exist, it makes Catelyn look bad (that scene in the books when Cat asks Edmure why are all the peasants here is yikes!). That being said, the fact that she has flaws makes her compelling. Also don't get me wrong, I do not think she is an awful person and I DO NOT blame her for ignoring Jon, that's all on Ned. Sometimes I think I dislike her because I kinda see myself in her. I have tried so hard to like her because her haters suck but I just can't.

It’s completely fine, anon, you don’t have to like Cat. As long as you don’t act like an ass about it you can dislike any character you want, I don’t judge you. Sometimes one simply doesn’t vibe with certain characters for different reasons. I don’t necessarily agree with you but I like that you explain your reasons instead of just going “catelyn sucks because she’s mean” as I have seen a lot people do. Also, I genuinely really like this ask as it made me think a lot, so thank you, anon.

The rest will be under the cut because I got carried away with my answer and it got a lot longer than I had initially planned

And now, before I start explaining my view on this, I want to say that I’m no expert at analyzing media or anything else. I’m a fan of the asoiaf books, and I have watched got, that’s it. These are just my views on Cat and the parts that were mentioned in this ask. If anyone disagrees or would like to come with a different perspective, feel free to do so, seeing different views on a topic is good for everyone.

I’m going to assume you mean the motherless child scene, and from that I didn’t get the feeling that she blamed Jon as she not once mentioned him negatively in that scene. He was just a poor innocent child. She repeatedly said that she herself was a terrible person though, which conveys the message that she blamed no one but herself for how the situation turned out and found herself responsible for it. In other scenes we see her acting cold towards Jon, but in this particular scene she doesn’t seem to be angry at him at all, she’s only angry with herself. This in turn makes it seem like she actually is to blame and that she should have loved him, which is wrong. She had no responsibility to take care of her husband’s illegitimate love child. Though in show canon I thought of it as her trying to find a reason for why everything that did happen happened, because she had a hard time making sense of it. She looked back at things she had done that could have been considered wrongdoings and wondered if maybe she could have prevented the deaths of her husband and (as far as she knew) children.

You also mentioned the stone by stone scene. I rewatched it now, and I can sort of see what you mean as she can be interpreted as a bit judgmental in that scene. However, her intention wasn’t to tell Robb about how her love was a supreme love, it was to try to get him to understand that an arranged marriage could turn out good. He had to marry a Frey because that was arranged for him and bad things could happen to him and his cause if he didn’t, so she tried to make him believe in that a marriage to a Frey girl he didn’t know could be a good marriage. This by explaining that her arranged marriage was good. Fine, she didn’t immediately fall in love with her husband, but she slowly came to love him over the years and that could be the cause in Robb’s marriage as well.

What we also need to remember in regards to that scene is that that’s the way marriage works in Westeros. If you’re highborn you don’t marry for love, you have a marriage arranged for you for the sake of forming an alliance between two families. That’s not better than genuinely falling in love, but that’s the way it works. In this case it’s even more important since Frey is so prickly and might pull the rug from under Robb’s feet if he feels insulted. And Cat wants her son to see that, wants him to understand that it is dangerous to break a that important alliance. She tries to get him on a safer path than the one he’s going down. But she also wants him to know that he can be happy in an arranged marriage. She tells him about her and Ned to explain that it is possible for him to learn to love his bride, so that he might reconsider his choice.

Now to a quick one. I agree, Cat didn’t start the war. She took Tyrion hostage because based on the info she had he had tried to murder her son. Tywin “war criminal” Lannister started the war by sending men to pillage and destroy the Riverlands

On the next one I’m actually inclined to agree. Catelyn is a bit in her own head. On top of that she’s very stubborn, which makes it more apparent. She tends not to see things from other perspectives than her own, that is definitely one of her flaws. It doesn’t make her a bad person, but it is a flaw, and I can see why some people would have a hard time with that particular flaw. Though she’s not always in her own head, several times we are shown that she has a nose for politics and is actually quite good at understanding other people and their wants. She has perspective on several situations, and can change her mind if things changes or doesn’t turn out as planned.

When it comes to the conflict between Renly and Stannis I really get her frustration. Yes, she had trouble understanding their conflict and found it ridiculous as she was raised and lived by the words “Family, Duty, Honor” and the mindset that family always comes first no matter what. But at that point I think most people would share her thoughts, as she was in a situation where she had started to become desperate. She wanted them to stop fighting each other and understand that they needed to fight together against the Lannisters, who were everyone’s common enemy. This with good reason, they killed her husband and as far as she knew still had both her daughters. Of course she wanted them to stop their feud and unite for the cause of defeating the Lannisters.

I’m going to agree on the next one as well. Cat lives in a patriarchal, classist society and buys into that because that’s all she knows, no one can deny that she has a classist and patriarchal mindset. That’s what she was raised by, that was what she was taught. Cat is in many senses the perfect lady by Westerosi standards. But despite believing in the patriarchal society she’s also at times thoroughly frustrated by it, as we see when she starts losing her influence as an advisor after Ned dies. It’s an interesting internal conflict, and as you said, she’s coping. You mentioned Brienne and Sansa as examples of characters that make Cat look bad in this sense. I don’t agree with that, I think these three characters cope with the patriarchal society in different ways although Brienne has a much more sympathetic way to do so in the eyes of modern readers. Cat definitely isn’t innocent of having spread those views, as she tries to make sure her children live by them, but she’s also not the devil here.

But yes, although she doesn’t call them peasants, that scene doesn’t look great. I won’t deny that either, because it’s true. All the highborn characters, yes even your fave no matter who that is, are classist. And that’s not me trying to defend Cat, that’s just the truth.

As for your ending, yes, her flaws makes her a very compelling character. It’s what makes her interesting, perfect characters are painstakingly boring. She’s not an awful person, and she’s not to blame for the situation with Jon. That one’s definitely on Ned.

You’re also right in that her haters very often suck.

Thanks for your ask, this was very interesting and I hope to see you in my inbox again in the future!

#catelyn stark #catelyn tully #this makes me really curious about if you follow me despite that my blog is 95% cat or if you don’t follow me #and just wanted to pop in to send me this #either way id like to thank you for not being rude to me for our differences as I have noticed rudeness is common in this fandom #and for that I got to have very interesting conversations with several of my mutuals about this #I also love the ‘her haters suck’#not even people who dislike cat likes her antis

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figurctives · 3 years

Text

henri was fifteen when she realized theodore was her future.

or more like, when she realized she didn’t have another option. the first time she had a crush on a boy it happened fast. she’d met him at her summer hagwon. he was smart and kind and always saved for henri next to him. it took weeks for her to gather up the courage to ask him out; she wanted him to be her date for a charity event her mother was hosting. it would be her first time doing so, going with a boy. but it wouldn’t be the boy from her hagwon. her mother denied her of that immediately, like it wasn’t even worth considering. oh, no, henrietta. you’ll go with theodore instead, how about that?

the idea had seemed outlandish at first. theodore, the boy who teased her and laughed when she cried and got her in trouble. she wanted nothing to do with him, only dealt with his shenanigans because he was always around. looking back, she wants to ask her mother, don’t you think we were too young? but she hadn’t thought that back then, she hadn’t even realized yet. not until the first time turned into the second time and the third turned into the fifth. instead she’d asked her mother, why theo? there’s a boy at my hagwon i really like, why do i have to go with theo?

her mother had brushed her fringe from her face and said, because you and theodore look so lovely together. i’m sure you’ll make him very happy. there had been no more room for arguing after that. it was settled. for almost every formal event or gala or dinner henri attended for the next five years of her life, theo was her date and vice versa. he never even asked her to be his girlfriend, but somewhere along the way they fell together. started holding hands even when they didn’t have to, going places that were more than just the events they were expected to show up to. movies, dinner, each other’s houses and dorm rooms.

it was easy to go along with. when theo kissed her for the first time in spring four years ago, on the sidewalk in seoul under the cherry blossoms, when their classmates teased them and said, you guys are such a cute couple, and theo didn’t deny it. just laid his arm across henri’s shoulders and smirked. henri had blinked, realization dawning over her and said, thank you, because it was easy to go along with. until it wasn’t.

until theo’s kindness and his interest ran full circle. until henri stopped knowing how to make him laugh or smile or pay attention to her. until she realized she would only be allotted into his life based on convenience and appearances. you’re so naive, henrietta, he’d say. because he gave it up first. the idea of them together, actually together. the hope that their future would be more than cold business arrangements and familial expectations, he never held on to that very tightly. not the way that henri did, for so long.

but finally, she was starting to let go of it, too.

––––

“one week suspension,” theo sneers, tossing his phone across the room. it crashes into the wall and makes henri jump. “that’s all this incompetent staff is capable of.”

“hold still,” henri says, fingers under his chin, tilting his face towards her with one hand and a damp cloth in the other. she stands between his legs in his room, at the edge of his bed, cleaning the dried blood from his bandaged nose. he’s been at it since that afternoon two days ago, face red even after the blood was cleaned from his skin. he’s done, he’d said as the nurses flitted around him in the infirmary. he’s finished.

he looks a little ridiculous now, his swollen skin a watercolor canvas of bruises, his nose stint ugly and silver.

"they’re a bunch of greedy cowards,” he goes on. “as if leonard park’s hush money is enough to allow his vermin son to continue tarnishing st. agathe’s. he should be expelled. his younger siblings, too, they’re all nothing but bad news.”

silence settles as henri removes the bloodied gauze from theo’s nose, his anger simmering. she does her best to hide her relief. only a suspension, and not the permanent removal theo is fighting so hard for. the thought had scared her at first, that sinclair might be sent away and not allowed to return. would these feelings still exist inside of her if that were the case? would the sound of his name stop making her heart stutter if he was no longer around? would her life go back to normal, then?

she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about it, hasn’t been able to stop trying to figure out how it all fell apart before they were even able to learn how they fit together. i’m probably the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to you. her fingers pause where they’re wrapping a strip of gauze around itself, as the words play over in her head. as she thinks of how sinclair’s shaking hand had felt in hers as she bandaged his bruised knuckles and he told her his secrets.

“he’s really not that bad,” she says, quietly, as she pushes the clean gauze gently back into theo’s nose. he hisses, pulls away to look at her, offended.

“you’re defending him?”

“no,” she assures. her hand finds the back of his neck and she pulls him close again to remove the blood and bandages from the other side. “but i think it’s important to take into consideration that calvin is his best friend, and they aren’t on good terms. if calvin is really... if he and sinclair never get the chance to work things out, it would be really devastating for him.”

henri can’t get that out of her head, either. that look in sinclair’s eyes. that desperate need for answers, the fear that theo’s words might be true. but then she thinks about the way theo’s face had sounded under his fist, and she pushes it all aside. when theo grimaces up at her and says, you’re too naive, henrietta, she can’t help but to agree.

––––

the week of sinclair’s absence is relatively uneventful, with the school year finally approaching its end and finals just around the corner. with both calvin and sinclair gone, campus has grown quiet.

this time last year, there had been a list of secret parties going around, all leading up to their final day, making the last weeks before summer exciting rather than stressful. but now, it feels inappropriate. the same way st. agathe’s had gone dark in the weeks following valentina’s demise, they’re all paying their premature respects to calvin. there’s been no sign of him. no ransom letter like the police thought, no clues as to where he could have gone. nothing. people were starting to lose hope.

but for all the parties that aren’t happening, henri still finds herself invited to one. halfway through the week, an unexpected face stops henri at the library’s front desk. as she hands over her book to be checked out, a body leans against the counter beside her.

“hey,” luna says, friendly smile a little awkward. “listen, my birthday is coming up, and i know this is kind of out of the blue, but i’m celebrating this weekend, and i wanted to invite you.”

“oh,” henri says, blinking away her confusion. she can count on a single hand the conversations she’s had with luna, and she’d still have fingers left over. she has no idea why luna would want to invite her to her birthday celebrations. “i don’t, um... i don’t think-”

“i know it’s sudden,” luna interjects. she chews at her lower lip in contemplation for a beat, before she sighs, shoulders sagging. “but here’s the thing: simon is always making fun of me for not having any friends, so when i said i wanted to celebrate, it was kind of too embarrassing to admit that he was right, so i told him to plan something and that i’d bring people, but i don’t have a lot people i can ask, so. will you come?” she clasps her fingers together. “for the sake of my pride, please?”

there is a glaring list of pros and cons that immediately presents themselves to henri, but with luna standing right here, staring henri down and holding up the line, she knows that that list doesn’t matter: she can’t say no. her lips press into a tight smile, and she nods. “sure. i’d, uh... i’d love to.”

really, she’d rather do anything but. because the first con on her list is enough to wash away any of the pros. sinclair is without a doubt, one hundred percent, going to be there. and as luna tells her the time and place, disappearing before henri can change her mind, a sense of dread begins to bundle in her gut.

but she finds herself outside of the riot house at the end of the week, anyways, knocking on the front door as the sun begins to settle low in the sky. she very pointedly does not think about the last time she’d been in this position, snow sparkling beneath the sun instead of a green, carefully manicured lawn. when the door swings open, her heart catches in her throat. she doesn’t know why she came here.

simon stands on the other side of the threshold, a ridiculous party hat on his head, the elastic strap pressing into the skin beneath his chin.

“you came!” he rejoices, ushering her inside. “i didn’t believe luna when she said people actually accepted her invitations. you can be honest, she paid you to come, didn’t she?”

“hey!” luna scolds, as henri and simon emerge from the entryway into the kitchen. to henri’s absolute surprise, leaning against the island in the middle of the room, is professor kwon. he smiles at her, and nods his head in greeting. luna continues to defend herself, like none of this is even the least bit odd. “i didn’t bribe anyone. everyone i invited said they would come, and they did.”

“so, this is it? this is your party?” simon asks, like he can’t help but be disappointed. “two people?”

“of course not,” luna says, emphasizing the final t. “i invited archie as well.”

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bonjour-rainycity · 4 years

Text

Beginnings

Request from @jessicanjpa : Want to write Alice and Jasper on the day they finally go to the Cullens?

Thank you so much for the request! I loved getting to imagine this.

Pairings: Jasper/Alice

Rating: K

Disclaimer: I’m not making any money from this nor do I own anything recognizable.

Word count: 2136

Warnings: None

Jasper grips his companion’s hand tightly and holds two suitcases in the other, reeling from anxiety. For her part, Alice radiates so much excitement that she’s nearly vibrating, yanking on Jasper’s arm in an effort to get him to speed up.

“Jasper, come on,” She begs, not sparing him a glance. “It’s nearly time!”

Jasper groans, pulling her to a stop. She regards him with confusion then, wondering why he’s delaying what is surely to her a momentous occasion.

“Alice, I do not think this is a good idea.”

He notices her spark of frustration, and immediately feels guilty. She’s been looking forward to this for decades, and he’s once again trying to pull her away from it. Though lacking Jasper’s ability, Alice notices his mood. She lays a gentle hand on his cheek, and he leans into the touch. It’s been so wonderful to be with her. For the longest time, the touch of another vampire meant death, but with Alice, it communicates safety and love.

“I know the idea of intentionally crossing into someone else’s territory is frightening. But I’ve gone through every scenario and I’m confident it’s going to be okay.”

Jasper squeezes his eyes shut, then opens them. He’s asked this before, and has been shot down many times. But it can’t hurt to ask again, maybe even beg, one last time. There’s always a chance she’ll agree.

But by her soft smile, she knows what he’s going to ask, and her answer hasn’t changed. Still, he makes the request, hoping against all hopes that she’ll see his side. “Please just stay here, and let me come get you when I know it’s safe.”

“It is safe, Jasper. I’ve seen them almost as long as I’ve seen you.”

When she sees that he plans to protest, she quickly pulls him down to the ground to sit with her. She prefers having conversations like this, when the height difference is minimized enough for her to look him in the eyes. “Only about ten percent of the original visions end in a fight. These new vampires are incredibly docile, compared to the ones you’ve encountered. And of that ten percent, the risk of fighting goes away almost completely if we arrive when the two main protectors of the coven aren’t home. That’s today, Jasper. We’ve picked the right time.”

She can see her logic having a slight calming effect on him, so she continues. While she knows there’s no way he’ll ever be completely comfortable with this choice, he’ll go through with it, if only for her sake. But she can also see, in the distant corner of her mind, all the contingencies Jasper’s working through. Plans that, if the meeting goes badly, have a good chance of getting he and Alice out alive. And while it does sadden her immensely that he feels the need to occupy his thoughts with such things, it makes her appreciate him all the more. When he says he’ll never allow harm to come to her, he means it.

“I’ve seen years into the future, my love. It all turns out okay. The seven of us become a family.”

Her longing for this is so apparent in the way she caresses the word with her voice that there’s no way for him to refuse. He can’t deny her one of the deepest desires of her heart without even giving it a try.

So with an exhale and a tired nod, Jasper stands, agreeing to accompany his love into the territory of these strange, unknown vampires.

Strange vampires, indeed. Because of their diet, the Cullen’s eyes would be gold, and Alice had insisted hers and Jaspers match. She believed the color of their eyes would further help put the Cullen’s at ease and make their first meeting all the more smooth. And while Jasper found animal blood to be woefully unsatisfying, he was ready to try anything that would make them safer during this unprecedented encounter.

Of course, there’s another side to that coin, one Jasper had debated extensively.

On one hand, attempting a diet of animal blood would communicate to the Cullen’s his and Alice’s willingness to truly integrate into their family. It would also show their intent for peace. It really could make the meeting go better. Should the meeting go south, however…well, Jasper would have preferred to be at peak strength. He can feel the animal blood in his system, and knows it depletes some of his vampiric capacity. And while it’s only a fraction, if it comes to a fight, that fraction could mean all the difference.

But Alice had foreseen his choice to cheat and begged him not to, insisting that gold eyes would make for a better meeting. And while Jasper wasn’t sure he entirely agreed, he weighed the options and surmised that, as long as the Cullen’s had been drinking animal blood too, all would be fine. The fact that they had survived purely off animals for decades while he had only begun recently works in his favor.

And, there’s the simple fact that he is confident in his ability to neutralize three untalented vampires before they could even think to move.

That truth acts as his anchor.

Because while Alice has the luxury of being excited and wistful, Jasper does not. He carries the burden of the what-ifs and always planning how to win that next fight. Which is fine, he’ll gladly bear that for the two of him, but it hangs over his head, tainting the exhilaration Alice feels so freely.

The pair crosses a nondescript tree line and the scent of five unknown vampires hits them square in the face. Instinctively, Jasper reaches for his love and holds her close, senses scanning the surrounding area for threats. Once again, Alice smiles softly and strokes his cheek.

“We won’t encounter them for another fifteen miles. This is just the edge of their territory.”

Still on edge, Jasper continues his run with Alice, speeding up just enough to run in front of her. He can feel her teasing annoyance and uses that light emotion to try and calm himself. He cannot show up to the house projecting tension. He needs to be in control of himself enough to keep everyone calm and docile.

When they’re nearly there, Alice brings them to a walk, foreseeing their slower pace having a slight positive impact on their interaction. Jasper holds Alice’s hand firmly, using his leverage to keep her partially hidden behind his frame. She allows it, but beams in excitement because the moment is finally here! She and Jasper are here, on the Cullen’s lawn, walking up to meet them.

On the front porch stand Carlisle, Esme, and Rosalie, just as Alice had seen it.

Jasper samples the emotional climate. For the most part, Alice is right. The emotions coming from Carlisle and Esme are open, hesitant, and curious, but not hostile. Rosalie is another story. She clenches her jaw tightly, feeling fury that nearly makes Jasper flinch. The anger is so strong, he almost misses her fear, but it becomes quite apparent. She’s scared, it makes her feel vulnerable, and that makes her mad. He understands it more than he would like to, and focuses his attention on calming her down.

“Hi,” Alice declares, her voice squeaky with excitement.

Carlisle responds with a smile of his own, though it’s not nearly as brilliant as Alice’s. “Hello, welcome to our home. My name is Carlisle Cullen. This is my wife, Esme, and our daughter, Rosalie. Our two sons, Edward and Emmett, will be home shortly.”

Jasper doesn’t miss the warning in the undertone of Carlisle’s words. Our protectors aren’t here now, but they could be back at any moment. It sets a tension in Jasper’s shoulders that he quickly tries to ease.

“I know,” Alice beams, pulling slightly against Jasper’s grip. It’s obvious that she wants to run into their arms. But for Jasper’s sake, she restrains herself. “I’m Alice, and this is my mate, Jasper. We’ve been so excited to meet you.”

Carlisle’s brow furrows. “Have you heard of us?”

“In a way,” Alice smiles with a far-off look, likely skimming through all her happy visions of our future with the Cullen’s. “I know this might be difficult to believe, but I can see the future. It’s what allowed me to find Jasper and what brought us to you now. The seven of us are going to be a family.”

Carlisle and Esme grin knowingly, and for some reason take Alice’s words without requiring further proof. Interesting, Jasper muses. He believed Alice because he could feel her honesty, but the Cullen’s have no such ability, at least, not that he’s aware of. What would make them accept this outlandish truth so easily?

Carlisle extends a hand towards the front door. “Would you like to come inside? I see you have bags.”

Alice giggles, making a move to accept his invitation. “I didn’t see you turning us away, so I thought it would be silly to make a trip back for our things. Where can we put them?”

Looking a little stunned but feeling only amusement and the beginnings of fondness, Esme reaches for the bags in Jasper’s hand. “I’ll put them in the spare room.”

Alice’s eyes glaze over, and Jasper quickly hands Esme the bags so he can tend to his vulnerable mate. When she’s having a vision, Jasper has to be extra diligent since some of Alice’s own senses are dulled. It’s a duty he takes very seriously. When she exits the vision, Alice smiles mischievously. “Is that the room with the West facing window? I see us settling in there.”

“Uh—no.” Esme looks bewildered. “That’s Edward’s room. The spare room faces east, I believe.”

Alice pushes into the house confidently, making her way towards the stairs as if she’s been here a thousand times before. “Don’t worry. Edward won’t mind.”

Jasper has no choice but to follow closely. He doesn’t like the angry one—Rosalie—being behind him, so he does his best to angle his body to keep an eye on Alice as well as the three new vampires.

To distract from a situation that is quickly becoming awkward, Carlisle brings the focus back to the newcomers rather than the fact that they’re currently moving into an occupied bedroom. “I see that your eyes are like ours. How long have you refrained from consuming human blood?”

Alice is too involved in rearranging furniture, so Jasper takes the question. “Alice has practiced sporadically for about thirty years. I started two years ago, but we’ve both only been consistently successful in the past few months.”

Carlisle nods, leaning against the doorframe. Nothing in his posture communicates a threat or the fear of attack. Jasper cannot comprehend being so relaxed. “Still, it’s admirable. Our lifestyle is not an easy one. We will be happy to help you both continue to grow in your self-control.”

Alice shoots Carlisle a grateful smile over her shoulder as she and Esme debate color schemes. Rosalie stands behind Carlisle in the hallway, grumbling. Like Jasper, she still doesn’t trust the strangers.

Alice’s eyes glaze over once more, and her excitement returns tenfold. “Emmett and Edward will be home soon! They caught our scents at the territory line and are racing home to make sure we’re not attacking the family.”

Not liking the lack of reaction to Alice’s terrifying words, Jasper sends a wave of urgency through the room. This spurs Esme to meet the men and prep them for what’s to come. Jasper hurries to Alice’s side and waits. His years of fighting come back to him, and he mentally maps out strategies that he desperately hopes won’t be necessary. Once Emmett and Edward arrive, Alice and Jasper’s odds of escaping decrease dramatically.

This is the test Jasper has been dreading.

Esme and the two new ones come to a halt in the bedroom.

Emmett’s eyes find Jasper—and his scars—immediately, and he wastes no time in jumping in front of Esme and Rosalie, teetering on the edge of a crouch. He’s ready for a fight. Jasper barely contains his growl and forces himself to send calming waves forward rather than the intimidation and fear he wishes to project. This is supposed to be a peaceful meeting, he reminds himself. Emmett’s emotions demure, but his posture does not relax. Like Jasper, he’s prepared, should the need arise for him to defend his family.

Disregarding Emmett and Jasper’s reactions, Alice catapults herself forward and throws herself into Edward’s arms, gripping him tightly in a hug.

Edward and Jasper let out similar strangled noises. But once Edward sees what’s in the small woman’s head, he breaks into a grin, laughing freely.

“Welcome to the family.”

Be sure to check out my masterlist :)

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clean-bands-dirty-stories · 4 years

Text

Unhelpful ~ S.E.

A/n: Tried not to get too triggering with this for my own sake, so I hope it still delivered the characters

Request: “...Could you do a book on Samuel Emerson, Where her mother hate Samuel, and doesn't want her to see him but Y/N meets him when he does his Shakespearean plays, and he walks with him until her mother sees him with Y/N and there is a really big argument with her mum, and Samuel's dad joins in and then it doesn't help at all.” by @disneyqueenpixar63 (for some reason it won’t let me tag you, so I’ll just message it to you when I’m done)

Word Count: 1700+

MASTERLIST

Love was hard enough without life and difficult parents getting involved. It was hard enough when you had to struggle for food and to keep your place in your home, let alone trying to fit some sort of romance in the spare moments there were between the panic and sleepless nights worrying and handling the pressure of a dad that was more a burden than anything.

It was hard enough to live with a mother who could never approve of your even if you were perfect, let alone trying to get her to approve of a boy as well. It showed when Y/n brought her boyfriend Samuel home. He'd needed a moment away from home and Y/n had been confident her place would have been better. Her mother had quickly dashed that idea by running Sam out and spending hours and hours after he was gone screaming at Y/n for anything she could think of. It didn't matter that Y/n and Sam weren't having sex, or that they'd been sitting int he living room and in plain sight and just talking and obviously not up to anything questionable at all. Y/n had made the decision to give her heart to Samuel Emerson, so her mother disapproved and she was having absolutely none of it.

That, of course, didn't stop them from seeing each other. They'd avoided Sam's dad knowing about Y/n thus far and were keeping it that way. They wanted their parents part of their relationship as little as possible - especially after Y/n's mom's reaction.

So they were apart at nights, unless they snuck out to meet in secret, which was rare and only in dire circumstances when one absolutely had enough and needed the other. Most of the time they met when Sam was performing. It was where they had first met, so it felt fittingly poetic to do so again and again when they were supposed to be banned from doing it at all. Y/n was in a similar situation that Sam was in, except her mother wasn't addicted to alcohol but men. Thankfully the men came with money, but not enough to keep them fed, so Y/n spent time doing small jobs like mowing lawns and babysitting and dog walking. It was a celebration when she'd turned 15 and had been able to get a job at the car wash. All these things helped her to stay out of her house as much as possible and earn money to pay for food and even save some. Her mom handled the rent at the very least.

After Y/n got off her shift, Sam was wrapping up his performances as the sun began to set and the traffic died down and it was therefore useless to perform. There was no crowd. So, he waited for Y/n and then they'd walk home together. Or, as far home as they could get without being seen. Sam had gotten used to taking an alternate path as not to pass by Y/n's house. They'd at first found it amusing that he had walked past her house on his way home every single day without even knowing the other existed, but now it was just annoying and inconvenient and another thing on a long list of things that had been ruined for them by their parents.

Today, Y/n was having a rough day. She was more relieved than usual to end her day, but only because it meant seeing Sam again. That short walk was most of their interaction, though if Sam could pull off taking a break from performing when it was Y/n's break they would often take lunch together as well. Recently they hadn't been able to pull that off and they'd had to rush home a lot because Y/n's mom was needy and Sam's dad was irritable. Tonight though, they took their time.

They defied their parents the best way they could: despite everything, they allowed themselves to be happy. They walked and they held hands and they enjoyed the cool night air and they just talked and nothing could stop them.

Perhaps that was why Sam missed his turn. Maybe that's why he got too far, walking too long with his girlfriend without realizing where he was and just letting his feet take him down the path both his mind and heart wanted to take. The path that he had taken for years, memorizing as a second nature. The path that would give him more time with Y/n, which is what he wanted more than anything.

The walk ended abruptly when Y/n's mother saw the pair walking up to the hose, smiling and holding hands. She wasn't just impossible to get approval from - she was also bitter. She was the kind of woman who saw other people being happy where she was miserable and refused to tolerate it. Usually she just had to walk away. Today, she could lash out.

"Y/n." The world of light shattered for Y/n when she heard her mother's voice. Any good feeling she had withered and weeds of terror grew in their place.

Slowly the young girl looked over to the woman who had birthed her, and Sam watched with a terrible feeling in his chest as Y/n's face drained of color and her hand clung to his like if she let go, she would be pulled into oblivion still kicking. He wanted to make that smile come back to her face but... he knew first hand that lashing out at a nasty parent only got worse results. So he stayed quiet and vowed to make it up to her tomorrow. Perhaps he'd go a bit longer and perform her favorite poem so she could hear it.

That was tomorrow though. Tonight was already bad, and it had only just begun.

"Mom." She swallowed, blinking as she tried to orient herself. "Hello."

The woman's eyes narrowed. "Hello?" There was a threat to her voice that made Sam seize. The teenagers clung to each other, unsure how to undo this disaster. "I told you, Y/n. I TOLD YOU-" She began to approach them, shoving a finger in Y/n's chest so hard that Y/n had to take a step back, wincing from pain. The girl's free hand rose to rub the spot. "What did I tell you?"

Y/n looked at Sam for answers and then saw the boy breaking down. She saw the fear that had been taught to him by situations just like this with a much more dangerous man involved. She saw his fear and helplessness and she felt herself switch from cowering to protective. She stepped forward, drawing the attention to her and away from Sam. "You told me not to see Sam. Why? You never told me why."

"Because he's a boy," Her mother spit. It obviously wasn't the real reason, but as Y/n's mother had been trained to hate men after a life of being only abused by them, it wasn't far from one of the truths she believed at least.

"Sam is different," Y/n insisted. When her mother went to talk, she spoke louder. "He's different! And I know I'm young and it probably won't last because nothing ever does with our stupid species, but he's a good boy and he likes me and I like him and I think I've denied myself of things I want long enough. He makes me happy, and why would I stop that? Just because in the future we might break up?"

The older woman considered that. "I'm just trying to protect you."

"Protect me from what?" Y/n demanded. "Failure?"

"Precisely," the woman responded firmly.

Y/n rolled her eyes. That was not the correct response. Her mother got visibly agitated, but Y/n wasn't done yet. "Well it's not a guaranteed failure, and if you stop me from that then you also stop me from possible success. I'm allowed to make my own mistakes."

The woman scoffed. "Oh, so now you know everything? PLEASE forgive me for trying to guide and love and protect you." Her eyes drifted to Sam and then light with an emotion that Y/n didn't like. "Look at how much he's changed you already. Look at you acting all big and tough and putting on a show for a little boy who can't even defend you. Look at him cower! He's pathetic!"

Their voices had elevated enough that lights had begun turning on. In the distant Y/n heard Sam whimper and it was just enough to draw her attention to what was behind her mother's shoulder.

A man who was unmistakably Mr. Emerson. And from the sway in his path as he walked, he was intoxicated. Y/n made herself bigger as best she could, shielding both adults from the boy who had migrated behind her at this point.

"You talking about my son?" His voice was low and gruff and already aggressive.

"Dad-" Sam began, but he was cut off by Y/n's mother.

"What if I am?" She sneered. "I can't believe this boy you raised is such a coward. Aren't you ashamed of yourself for raising such a wimp? What kind of man raises such a child, who can't even stand up for a girl he's stupid enough to stay with even though I've told her not to be around him. He's okay with the action but not the consequences. He'll never be a man like that."

Sam's dad did not seem pleased by that. "You want to blame me for how he turned out?" He scoffed. "Parents can only do so much. Not my fault if he can't speak up. Though with the likes of you, you're not worth his time and effort."

Very soon, it escalated. Soon it became too much and Y/n turned to Sam and pulled him after her, running off into the darkness.

Tonight they'd be together. On the streets perhaps, but neither could go back to those houses where more arguments would ensue. If they came back tomorrow instead, they wouldn't have to deal with the anger. Their parents would have calmed and after the argument, Y/n's mom might have even moved on and lost interest and let Y/n make her mistakes or whatever. Things would be different tomorrow. Different than tonight.

It was worth sleeping on the streets for one night, so they did. Wrapped in each other's arms, it was far less than it would have been int heir houses, or alone. They could be okay with this. After all, it wasn't anything new. Just another day, another problem. One of many they would handle together.

#samuel emerson #thomas brodie sangster #thomas sangster #my left hand man #phantom halo #samuel emerson imagine #samuel emerson x reader #thomas sangster x reader #thomas sangster imagine #thomas brodie sangster imagine #thomas brodie sangster x reader #my left hand man imagine #phantom halo imagine #phantom halo x reader #my left hand man x reader

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mrsgreenworld · 3 years

Text

Son Yaz Season 2, Episode 22

"Adaletin Bu Mu Dünya" ("Is This the World of Justice?") aka Barren Land

So a new season came in like a wrecking ball. I've missed watching something that gets this level of emotional response from me. That's the beauty of this show - it played on my emotional strings from the very start. It is a different type of show now, however. In season 1 Son Yaz was pretty much a show about family, with all the mafia stuff being just a background noise. It may have seemed that it was Akgün's story and his found family. And in a way it was. But it was never just Akgün's story. It's the story of the Kara family as much as it was Akgün's. This estranged family comes together when this hurt and abandoned kid lands in their lives. The gift of family and love was something that Akgün not only got but also gave in return. That's why in season 1 intro we saw the blurry image of the Kara family, all four of them, and Akgün who was standing a bit to the side, like an outsider. And he was, at the beginning. Throughout the season we saw him close this distance, both literally and figuratively.

If we look at season 2 intro, it is something else entirely. The intro music theme is still the same but it's a reworked version, it sounds lower and more intense. The blurry image of this new intro is of Selim and Akgün, just the two of them, standing next to each other, at the dusk of the day. And I feel that's what this season is going to be about - the story of these two men and either their redemption or their further downfall.

But there is another pillar the story lies upon - Yağmur. These three are going to be the focus of this review. Let's get down to it.

Yağmur

I've decided to discuss Yağmur first because she's the first one we see three years later. I also believe that she's the one who had the strongest connection with Canan. Sure Canan was loved just as much by Altay, she was and always will be the love of Selim's life. But there's usually one person among our loved ones who we share a very special connection with. And I believe that for Canan that person was Yağmur and vice versa. That's why Yağmur is the one keeping Canan's memory alive. She dresses similarly, she keeps the key to the restaurant (that's named after Canan) under a flower pot which looks remarkably similar to the one in Çeşme. I even suspect it's the same pot. Yağmur has flowers in the restaurant that she takes care of first thing in the morning. In season 1 there were scenes of Canan watering the flowers.

It might look as if Yağmur has everything under control. She seems put together, almost like her old self. But it is the calm before the storm. It only lasts as long as she doesn't stop. Yağmur said it herself: if she stops, she'll start thinking about what happened, she'll have to face it and just the possibility is making her lose her mind. But this madness won't just go away, it's brewing just beneath the surface and it showed its face in the scene where Yağmur finally saw Akgün. She was absolutely unhinged. It's like after having been in denial for three years she was catapulted into anger within the first seconds of seeing him. That's the sort of maddening rage that stems from denying yourself a chance to grieve and truly experience loss. Yağmur's drawn-out denial is going to take its toll. She's clearly suffering from PTSD and from a glimpse of her in episode 23 fragman it's clear that it's starting to affect her physically.

I don't know what the writers have in store for Yağmur but right now it seems to me that she will have to go through all of the stages of grief and in the end find acceptance and peace.

Selim

And next we see Selim who lives alone in a secluded house in Rize. He walked away from his children and his old life. He left behind his vocation. He's no longer a prosecutor. I find it interesting that Selim repeated it several times throughout the episode: "I'm not a prosecutor". We saw in season 1 how much Selim's job meant to him, how something that he had initially pursued just to be closer to Canan had become his calling and a part of him. And now with Canan gone it's like that part of Selim is gone too. Or maybe he just killed that part of himself when he took his revenge on Halil Sadi. And the way it happened is the reason why Selim decided to stay away from his children. It was gruesome and savage and Selim understood clearly how that would taint a person. That's why he tried to convince Akgün to leave him alone to take care of it and that's exactly why he kept his distance from Yağmur and Altay so as not to taint them with his darkness. Selim owns his darkness and his sins. Selim Kara is not a good man. And he knows it. Now that I think about it, he was never a good person. Back in season 1 we saw what a shitty husband and father he was. Yes, they tried to redeem him and give him a second chance. He took this chance and, I think, he really tried to be the kind of a man who deserved his family. But the bitter truth is that he never deserved Canan or his children. And I think that Selim is painfully aware of this. That's why I'm not angry with him for leaving Yağmur and Altay. I don't love or even like him but I understand him. I'm also not angry that he involved Akgün into that nightmare. Selim gave Akgün an out, in the end it was Akgün's choice to stay. I'm definitely not gonna blame Selim for the choices Akgün made.

I've already mentioned that this season can turn into either a redemption story or even further downfall for both Selim and Akgün. But I feel that no matter which way Selim chooses to go - up or down - we won't see a happy ending waiting for him. It's clear now what's waiting for him. I believe that if we don't see Selim pulling that trigger again, it will be someone else's bullet that sends him to Canan.

Akgün

Or my sweet, sweet boy... He is a boy no more 😢

Killing his own brother, going to prison, giving up the love of his life, living on the run for three years - all of that took its toll and changed Akgün irrevocably. But most of all it was that horrid night and the choice he made that turned his hopeful and blossoming future into a barren land.

He's always been hot-headed, doing-first-thinking-never. Always ready to sacrifice himself for the ones he loves. And the way he loves is fierce and maybe even a bit suffocating. And all of that hasn't changed. But now Akgün seems torn between being resigned and suicidal. He's resigned when it comes to Yağmur and the future he wanted to have with her. He's suicidal when it comes to saving his father and helping Selim.

I know that it's been pointed out in the show a number of times that Selim and Akgün are very much alike. And it may seem that what they did to Halil Sadi brought them closer together and made them even more similar. While that night definitely tied them together in a very special way that only the two of them will ever be able to comprehend, I also saw how in fact different Selim and Akgün are. And the ultimate difference lies here: Akgün is a good person. I just hope that he'll get a chance to become a good husband and a good father. The kind of a husband and father Selim never was and I don't think could ever be.

A few honourable mentions

🖤 Eray is the sweetest, most precious cupcake on this planet and he makes my heart burst with love and gratitude. He was so loving and affectionate with Akgün. From the way he hugged him and he called him "Canım benim" to the way he sent Akgün updates on Yağmur and how he comforted Akgün after the disastrous reunion.

🖤 I already said while I was live blogging that I really like the siblings role reversal they've got going on. Give me all the bitter moody teenage Altay who also has a picture of himself and Akgün from Canan and Selim's wedding.

🖤 Soner and Naz are cute and all but they're also incredibly dumb. Especially Soner who comes from a mafia family and has to marry a girl from another mafia clan. Her father is a mafia boss who's giving away his only daughter. And to make things even worse Soner had to drop the ILY at the dinner. For fucks sake... Where's your only brain cell? On the run with Akgün?🤦

And... That's pretty much it. I have to stop before it gets completely out of hand. Until next episode. I'm sure we're in for a wild ride.

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scarletfokx · 4 years

Text

Regarding episode 58- Beware, there shall be spoilers!

Okay, so, Peacock and Runyu have a convo where Jinmi overhears them talking and figures out that Runyu knew that Xufeng wasn't her parents murderer before she killed him. Then after peacock leaves and Runyu wants to get some shuteye before the wedding he is confronted by Jinmi who shouts at him in angst.

It was a powerful scene. And extremely...unjustified.

I personally believe that in her mind Jinmi still wanted to escape the blame of everything bad that happened because it all revolved around her, and she obviously didn't want to marry Runyu, hell, she didn't even PRETEND to care about him. She didn't even show friendly affection. The thing is...is what she said fair or true?

I want to point out that it would have been cruel of him to tell her that peacock was the real murderer after she already killed Xufeng, and even if he wanted to tell her he couldn't because she put herself in a coma. He couldn't exact her revenge because even though he denys it and we know he is jealous of Xufeng, he still loved his brother deeply and the damn peacock was the only thing keeping Xufeng alive. I couldn't find the episode before the wedding/murder, so I'm not entirely certain that Runyu DIDN'T know who was behind Jinmi's parents murder, but I doubt he would have let her go through the injustice he had to, that's against everything he stands for and let's face it, he DID fix the heavenly realm and the six realms as best he could after the corrupt ruling of his parents.

I'm posting this because I really need to know what you guys think. I barely sleep at night now and this injustice infuriates me in bed for hours!

Jinmi didn't give him the opportunity to defend himself properly. She even scared him and riled him up with the fear of losing her. He just took her words like whips.

How did he use every inch of her? He didn't marry her, he didn't sleep with her...and as for her accusations of him never loving her and only loving himself...he never loved himself until he met her. He loved her because she taught him to love himself. It was sincere and honest and it never changed. (Love triangle my ass, they never gave Runyu a fighting chance! Xufeng always got seen and acknowledged for his actions but Runyu never did.)

He also genuinely never wanted the throne. He just wanted to give her the best life could offer, in a world fit for someone as pure and innocent as her to live in. He fixed it up and took on all the dirty work and responsibility...

When she accused him of approaching her in the beginning because she was close to Xufeng and using her to spy on him...LIES. I literally (in my obsession for justice) searched all the scenes and annalised them closely up till episode 16 for this, and no, he didn't ever spy on Xufeng intentionally, and he was genuinely interested in her because he liked her, NO OTHER REASON!

And he is smart, but even he didn't suspect that she was related to Water Immortal the day of the empress's birthday. Sure it surprised him, but the hail stone isn't far off from all the other wierd and unexplainable things she did. He didn't he know about his mother yet, or the conspiracy. He eavesdropped on them all after HE helped save her from the empress (no thanks might I add), to learn the truth about her. He didn't plan to use it against her or anything!

As for pretending to not have seen her father...guys and girls, if it got you brownie points when you were behind in the live competition, wouldn't you do the same? It WAS underhanded, but it wasnt a bad thing really. In a way it was cute and showed us how he wanted to impress his in laws, goddamn, he has been teased about the nonexistent fiance for ages and now he finally has her, AND it's the one and only girl that he likes!

Anyone else think that Xufeng SHOULD have stepped down because it was the right thing to do? It WAS the right thing to do. He was willing to leave her when he thought they were related, yet he still left his father with her to show her that his feeling didn't even change! So why should Runyu's have? It doesn't mean he knew anything! And for his brothers sake, his brother who never asked for anything but gave as much as he could to his brother who already had everything, he WOULDN'T step down. WTF?!

Yes there was something between Jinmi and Xufeng already which was ofc, 99% only Xufeng's affection anyway, but this was his brothers promised bride for gods sake! Is it wrong for Runyu to pursue her? It was wrong for Xufeng to pursue her in the mortal realm! And was Runyu wrong for restoring the elixir? No. He did it for selfish reasons, but also for her own health as he always does. Love, even true love, is NEVER entirely selfless. This gave him equal footing to Xufeng to try and win her love.

And for the record, she is the o e who said she liked Runyu, even though he did understand it as the 'friend' way, as he also proved by playing 20 Questions. He never pressured her into staying in the arranged marriage, even when he knew she was trying to get out of it. He really just wanted her to be happy.

Runyu didn't need her fathers help to fight Xufeng, he needed his help to overthrow his parents and to stop the tyranny. Her father was already wanting to exact justice for Jinmi's mother, so they had similar interests. Didn't Runyu's mother deserve justice? I get how she abused her son, and to me it will forever be unforgivable, however by that point she was already driven into insanity.

The beast of dreams part was also a low blow. It's one of the few things that actually belong to him and he gave it to her in a sincere gesture way before anything terrible happened. Sure maybe he could have been using it to watch over her, but hello, he was protecting her!

I have no doubt that he believed that Jinmi would go against Xufeng for him, but I doubt he expected THAT outcome. The way she screams that she only loved Xufeng...his heart...you can just see it shattering!

And hello again, he IS the most innocent, kindest person around there who doesn't even expect praise for anything he does! Xufeng shows off while Runyu hides away. I doubt he ever wanted the entire world to adore and respect him :'D I mean...does she know him at all?!

Can you really tell me he wasn't sincere when he professed his love to her? <\3 Can you imagine the hurt he felt seeing her and Xufeng having sex in the dream? By then they all knew she was Runyu's fiance, and even worse, Jinmi couldn't love or show romantic love so Xufeng ALSO manipulated her into feeling and doing what he wanted. There are no two-ways, that is a damned fact. Runyu knew he had no place staking a claim or getting revenge for something that still wasn't his yet so HE DIDN'T! Even when she spied on Xufeng in the demon realm and kept getting into trouble, he kept saving her again and again, more times than Xufeng, and yet he asked for nothing. She he hurt him by saying she 'owe's him' OUCH! He gave her half his life!

(Somebody You Loved is totally his song btw!)

I feel that Runyu is like a heartbroken husband who knows his wife is having an affair with his own brother but because he loves them both he just continues being good and hoping with all his heart that she will open her eyes and realise that he is the right person for her, not Xufeng. I can imagine a man laying alone in bed and being grateful that his wife still came home to sleep. That's how much its synchronizes.

He then bore his heart open for her to see and told her the things that mattered to him and she told him he didn't deserve to be loved...O.M.G. Okay, so, I won't lie...I'm a crier. I cry easy. But this had me bawling like an infant because both sides were just so...I'M STILL DYING INSIDE! He wasn't even lying about giving up being the emperor! He really meant it. <\3

How desperate he was made it so much worse. He made some wrong choices in life, who hasn't? She killed an innocent man for a crime he didn't commit, and yet...

Runyu believed that she would understand and learn to live him in time. She could have. He knew the self hate was killing her inside so he even told her to hate him. <\3 All he wanted was to love and protect her. And then she dropped his heart scale like it was nothing. NOTHING. O.M.G!<\3

And when he said 'In the future, if we get married you might not be treated fairly. Would you mind?' He meant that she would be treated the way he was which was horribly! She didn't mind then, so where did that faith go?

His memories at the end scene...just so sad. I think I got an eyelash in my eye. He brokenly picked up his scale. Despite how she hurt him he won't regret it because he did it all for her.

After she died and the flowers all disappeared, including the one in his hand...it was heartbreaking. That's all he had left of her. At the end when he sits on the throne alone and in the dark,(except for his aid and the beast of dreams), he doesn't even resent her a tiny bit, but he has everything except the one he tried to get it all for. That's just...they really did him wrong.

My problem is that (and I started a fanfic that I'm too muddleheaded to continue atm) I can't get over this injustice. I'm one of those people who really just can't take it. In all of two weeks I watched Novoland S1and2, Ashes of Love, and The Eternal Live S1and2, and through all that, this scene sticks out worst of all of the injustices. Not even Tingjun's cruel fate.

Am I the only one who see's Runyu like this? Tell me what you think, I need someone to sooth my poor mind!

#ashes of love #runyu #run yu #xu feng #jin mi #cdrama #fan theories #fan theory #theories #theory #chinese drama

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pxnk-velvet · 4 years

Text

The Dancing Warrior: Water, Chapter 8

(Sokka x OC Reader)

“I don’t even know where to begin!” Aunt Wu exclaimed, cradling Navani’s hand in hers.

Navani just sat on her knees with wide eyes, speechless. Not out of shock, well, maybe a little, but mostly from the fact that she just simply didn’t know what to say.

Aunt Wu continued, “My, my dear. You have much significance in your life. You are going to do great things!”

Navani opened her mouth to speak, but shied away quickly after.

Aunt Wu smiled, “I can tell you have a lot on your mind. Tell me, dear.”

“Ok...” Navani sighed, “I just have so many questions and I don’t even know if I’ll get the answers and-“

“Take a deep breath and relax. Open your mind to receiving the information I am about to tell you.” Aunt Wu instructed, taking hold of Navani’s wrists.

Navani did as told, allowing her muscles to relax, “Ok.”

“Like I mentioned before, you are on to do great things in life. Now and later in your life. You were destined for this. As well as your abilities. I can tell that when you were born, you were chosen. The planets were aligned just right and the universe allowed for the unity of two elements within you. The connection between your parents with contradicting bending types is what allowed you to obtain control over water and fire. You are one of the few dual benders known to man. The last fire and water bender known had died over 15,000 years ago. So you, my dear, are the first in quite a long time and indeed, special.”

She was officially shocked now, “How did you know? I didn’t mention anything about my bending.”

Aunt Wu chuckled, “I can tell because of your palms. Each type of bending has different feelings or textures on a palm. And you, my dear, are a perfect mix of water and fire. That’s how I know your parents has a deep connection within themselves. Because you are equally powerful bender water or fire. Even though fire is your more dominant form, you hold a lot of potential with your water bending. Not only is your bending exceptionally developed, you fight and dancing skills are like no other. Often times when doing so, the lines between the two blur. This is why you are known as The Dancing Warrior across all of the land. Many people, myself included, have seen you perform.”

Navani’s mood deflated at the small detail, maybe she was just making this all up if she already knew of her. But....she knew about her dual bending when nobody but herself, her friends, and her mother knew. She decided on letting it slide, shaking the though from her mind.

“Now, my dear, let’s move onto your future.”

Navani perked up and there was no denying that she wasn’t just the slightest bit excited for this part.

“I see in your future that you will have great impact on future generations. Inventing and teaching a whole new style of combat that will last a life time.” Aunt Wu gushed, running her fingers ove Navani’s palm like she had done before.

“You will marry a strong young man. At the moment he still has yet to mature into manhood. However his time with you will teach him many things, like how to love without fear of lose. How to be mature, yet still have a fun glow to himself. And you are very lucky, my dear, because you’ve already met him!”

Navani gasped, “I have! What’s his name?”

Aunt Wu gave a hearty chuckle, “That you’ll have to figure out for yourself, dear. Let’s continue, shall we? How about we discuss your children.”

Navani’s eyebrows raised as she nodded, surprised at the sudden switch of subject.

“You and your future husband will want a lot of children.”

Navani recoiled, “Eh. I’m not the biggest fan of children. They’re so much work.”

Aunt Wu chuckled yet again, “That change come your marriage, dear....However, for some reason, I only see two in your future. To put it frankly, you’re going to have a hard time trying. You will try time and time again but in the end you’ll only have a son and a daughter. They will both be strong individuals. They will be the ones to continue your legacy and family, enlarging it greatly.”

“Really?” Navani wondered, “So that means I’m going to have a lot of grandchildren?”

“Exactly, my dear! 5 grandsons and 2 granddaughters to be specific. They are going to have a strong bond.”

Navani smiled at the thought, “At least they have each other. Could you maybe tell me more about this guy I’m going to marry?” She pushed with a guilty smile.

===

“Welp, now you got to see that fortune telling is just a big stupid hoax!” Sokka exclaimed as the group left Aunt Wu’s place, “Right, Navani?”

“Huh?” She was so caught up in her head that she hadn’t been paying attention, walking aimlessly by Sokka’s side.

“You’re just saying that because you’re gonna make yourself unhappy your whole life.” Katara threw back at him with a smirk.

“That woman is crazy.” Sokka yelled out, “My life will be calm and happy and joyful!”

He angrily kicked a rock, only to have it ricochet off of a sign and hit him in the head.

“Oh, Sokka!” Navani rushed over to help him off the ground.

“That doesn’t prove anything!”

“It doesn’t have to mean anything! Aunt Wu told me the future is always changing with every little decision you make.” Navani explained, grabbing Sokka by the arm and hauling him up, onto his feet.

“Well, I liked my predictions.” Katara said happily, “Certain things are gonna turn out very well.”

Aang smiled, “They sure are.”

Katara turned to him with an interested look on her face, “Why? What did she tell you?”

Navani giggled as Aang responded, “Some....stuff. You’ll find out.”

“Navani,” Katara called, “What did Aunt Wu say for you?”

“Oh, well...uh,” She shied away, kicking the ground with the toe of her shoe, “She told me why I can bend two elements. And that I’m going to marry a handsome, strong guy and we’re going to have a big family together with lots of grandkids.”

“Don’t you mean regular kids?” Sokka questioned from her side. Katara quick to hit her brother’s arm for asking such a personal question.

“Apparently, in the future it’s going to be a struggle for me to have children....” The girl explained, heat rising to her cheeks as she rubbed the back of her neck, embarrassed.

At this point the group had continued walking through the small village.

Katara came quick to the rescue, “Well, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Everyone is different. But you are going to have kids right?”

Navani nodded, keeping her head down, “Yeah, she said I’d have a son and daughter. I guess I’m ok with it because I don’t really like kids. But Aunt Wu said that would change once I got married.”

“Well,” Sokka turned to her, “I’m sure whoever marries you will be one lucky guy.” Only loud enough for Navani to here.

She gave a quick thanks, the blush on her cheeks before now a blazing pink.

“What did she say about your bending?” Aang asked excitedly with a little skip in his walk.

Navani perked up at this, “She said I was the first fire and water bender in over 15,000 years! And that the reason I can bend two elements in the first place is because the universe chose me! Can you believe it?”

“Wow! I wish I was specially picked by the universe.” Aang said jokingly, raising his arms to the sky.

“Aang!” The three others exclaimed with their jaws on the floor.

“What?”

Sokka shouted, “You’re the Avatar for spirits sake! What could be more special then that!”

===

After the small population of the village had gathered in the square for Aunt Wu’s prediction, which was a disaster to say the least, Navani had found herself strolling through the streets. Walking quietly as her thoughts rattled around in her head. She was thinking about everything but nothing at the same time. It was hard to focus on one thing when it had all been thrown in her face like that. She was trying her best to comprehend as much as possible. Eventually she gave up, deciding she needed to just push those thoughts aside and focus on something else. As of the moment, her stomach was speaking to her. Loudly.

Soon she found herself at a little fruit stand, looking at the colorful assortment. Deciding on some mango slices.

She picked up the little parcel, turning to the young man running the stand, “How much for the mango slices?”

The man, or boy for that matter, looked about her age and very handsome. He flashed her a warm smile and said, “It’s on the house. Some delicious mango for a beautiful lady.” He bowed lightly with a look in his eye.

She smiled brightly, cocking her head, “Why, thank you. Have a nice day.” She spoke over her shoulder as she turned to walk off. Her stomach grumbled wildly and she knew she couldn’t wait any longer, so she continued on.

She unraveled the parcel, turning the corner of a build. Only to come face first with a blue Water Tribe tunic. She fell flat on her butt, making sure her mango slices did not fall from her clutch.

“Jeez, Navani. What’s with you always running into me?” Sokka teased, taking hold of the girl and helping her into her feet.

She scoffed and nudged his shoulder playfully, falling into step with him as they walked side by side down the stree. “Me?! Maybe you should be more aware of your surroundings next time,” She retorted, taking a bite of her snack.

He laughed, “Well I’m not the one stuffing mango in my face.” She scrunched her nose, finishing off her slice and offering one to him.

He took it from her, his fingers gliding against her ever so slightly, popping it into his mouth. She continued, “I’m hungry, alright? You can’t blame a girl for a bodily function.”

They both gave hearty laughed, as they continued on with their little stroll, sharing mango slices. After a short while, Navani had taken notice to how close they were walking together. So close that every so often their knuckles would brush against each other, causing an eruption of butterflies in her stomach. Eventually they slowed as they passed a beautiful fountain. She had been admiring the water and the way it glistened in the sun when she felt his gaze on her. She turn and looked up at him, meeting his eyes. With a heart melting smile, she took his hand in hers. Giggling at the bright blush on his cheeks.

He looked down at their hands then back up at her, “You have really soft hands.”

All anyone within earshot could hear was the two teenagers laughing, simply enjoying a nice time.

[][][]

Taglist!

(Always open, just let me know if you want to be added! ❤️)

@harmlessoffering

@eat-a-brick714

@none-of-ur-frackin-business

@smolbitch2006

@the-natureofme

@kaylove12

#avatar the last airbender #aang the last airbender #sokka #sokka x oc #sokka imagine #sokka x reader #atla sokka #sokka of the southern water tribe #katara #aang #toph #zuko #iroh #navani #original character #series

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ohshcscenerios · 4 years

Note

Use the prompt, "Take off your mask when you're talking to me!" Because Haruhi has a silver tongue when it comes to arguing with Kyoya. She knows just how to hit him. MAKE THEM DUKE IT OUT! I want yelling! Slamming hands on tables! Grabbing wrists as someone tries to walk away!

I’m sorry this prompt is so long! I simply couldn’t stop once the idea came to me. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Warning: this does contain a lemon.

Half past midnight; when the cool blanket of night trapped Japan beneath its spell, charming all who live below to burrow into their beds. The moon’s lullaby quietly lulled the aristocrats and commoners alike into a deep sleep… all except two.

Kyoya Ootori focused his tired eyes on his laptop, reading the same paragraph for the third time. The words seemed to mesh together, blur into a single line, until he refocused his vision once more. His attempts to finish reading over his father’s contract proved futile. He would have to submit to his body’s desires and retire to bed soon, though the very thought made him angry.

It was his personal goal to edit through his father’s contracts before they were sent to the Ootori Group’s newest employees. Considering how important their positions were – and the contract’s time sensitivity – he silently cursed himself for not having the mental strength to endure an all-nighter.

Back when he attended college his youthful endurance pushed him through many all-nighters; a few cups of coffee here, a cassette of classical music there, and he could power through the late hours of night. Some nights he would even have –.

No. He didn’t want to think about that right now. Sleep’s erotic teases made him feel vulnerable; he didn’t want to add more weight to his troubled mind.

He begrudgingly closed his laptop, regretting the soft click as it fell into hibernation, and adjusted his sleeves which rolled past his wrists when he wasn’t looking. With a heavy exasperated sigh he prepared to leave his office and his unfinished work for one of mankind’s many weaknesses. However, before he could stand from his desk a slender silhouette leaned against the door’s archway.

“Kyoya, why aren’t you in bed yet?” Haruhi asked, obviously miffed. A quick glance over her frame told him she was once again waiting for him in their bed; as she has done many nights. Her knee-length purple nightgown hugged her slim body with its silk threading. It was the same nightgown she had worn on their wedding night.

“You’ve caught me as I was about to leave.” Kyoya said, proving his point by standing from his chair and pushing it in behind him. He walked around his desk and leaned against the tabletop, curiously eyeing her; silently waiting for her to reveal her true intentions for finding him.

Haruhi pushed herself off the archway and sauntered closer, stopping a few feet away and resting her weight on her right hip while folding her arms across her – much more developed – chest.

“I worry about you Kyoya. You shouldn’t push yourself so much. Your father’s deadline is next Thursday. That leaves you plenty of time to finish reviewing the contracts.”

Kyoya wanted to roll his eyes but refrained, for his own sake. Provoking Haruhi to anger wouldn’t benefit him, especially now. He didn’t know if he had to internal energy to argue with her. If only she could hold off her scolding until he was more awake to properly rebut his case.

“My father’s deadlines are pointless; you of all people should know that by now. His appetite for perfection demands more from me. Finishing the contracts by the deadline would be considered a failure on my part.”

Haruhi’s eyes found the floor as she nodded, acknowledging his truth. She couldn’t deny his father was a ruthless man; never satisfied with simple success. His expectations for the Ootori Group – his sons – went beyond what is humane and fair; treating his own family like hired help when he focused his sights on the newest prize. Haruhi had once been a prize; a trophy he pulled from the grips of poverty. He once fought tooth and nail, even offering her future on a silver platter, all so she would accept Kyoya’s hand in marriage. Yes, Haruhi had been a prize.

Once.

“Well, please come to bed.” Haruhi said, keeping her gaze on the tan carpet.

“Like I said, I was about to.” Kyoya sighed, pushing himself off the desk. He contemplated on offering his hand but something stopped him, forcing his arm to remain by his side. He was about to pass Haruhi when her soft voice paused his steps.

“Kyoya…” Something was woven around the way she said his name; a plea, a question, or perhaps both.

He didn’t answer but turned his body to give her his attention, looking down to meet her chocolate eyes. He arched an eyebrow, waiting for her to speak her mind. The sooner they could end their conversation the sooner he could rest.

“Why are you avoiding me?”

Her bluntness provoked an eye twitch, but nothing more. Her brusque question would have sounded cruel but the truth was, it opened a door to something they both had been avoiding for too long. Kyoya silently cursed her poor timing. If only he could have an hour of rest before dissecting their marriage.

“Can we finish this in the morning, perhaps? I apologize but I really need to sleep.” Kyoya curtly turned on his heel and took a few more steps toward the door – toward their feathered bed.

“I won’t be here in the morning.” She said, matter-of-factly.

Kyoya again stopped but didn’t turn around. “Excuse me?”

Haruhi sighed, her growing frustration seeping into her loud breaths, “By the time I leave for the law firm you’ll still be asleep. I won’t drag you out of bed to finish this conversation so I want to talk now.”

Kyoya clenched his teeth, angrily mourning his lost hours of much needed sleep. He felt the urge to also clench his hand but managed to collect himself. Kyoya Ootori wasn’t a violent man but he dangerously caged his anger behind a mask; one he’s perfected since he was in high school. Over the years he learned to contain his emotions behind this flimsy mask, constantly adjusting his calm composure as to appear strong and in control. If only he knew how fragile and torn his mask had become over the years. There was only so much he could hide behind a fake smile and he daily tested its limits.

He returned to Haruhi’s side and pulled out a leather office chair, gesturing for her to sit. She accepted his offer without so much a smile and he joined her in an adjacent leather chair, pulling it over so they could sit face to face.

“Why do you think I am avoiding you?” He asked, trying to suppress his annoyance.

“Because you are, plain and simple.” She said.

“No, not plain and simple. Tell me why you think I am avoiding you.” He pressed, losing patience.

“You stay up late, you sleep in late, and by the time I come home from work you’re still in your office. Most days you request for your dinner to be brought up. We rarely eat anything together anymore. So based on all that, I think I have good reason to believe you’re avoiding me.” She watched him carefully, hoping to catch a flash of regret – or any emotion really – to cross his serious eyes and stern lips, but he left her disappointed.

“Have you considered that I’m simply busy?” He questioned, tossing back her accusation.

Haruhi rolled her eyes, “Of course I’ve considered that. That’s how I’ve been able to excuse your behavior.”

“Who do you need to excuse my behavior to?” He asked; miffed by the thought that their personal staff might be gossiping behind his back. He didn’t want to think his own mansion was turning against him but it wouldn’t be the first time he had to confront those he trusted.

“To myself.” Was her quick reply.

“I am busy. The current evidence is on my laptop right now. Care to take a look? I’ll gladly show you how much work I’m drowning in.” He pointed to the closed laptop on his desk behind him, daring her to truly see a glimpse of his personal hell.

“Our relationship is drowning too but you don’t seem to care as much.” Haruhi snipped, glaring into his eyes – searching. Kyoya felt her trying to peer past his mask and made sure to adjust it.

Since the beginning of their marriage he made sure she understood who he was – an Ootori first, then a husband. At the time she agreed, not realizing the weight of her consequences, but overtime she began to struggle with accepting his terms. She was, after all, a human. She wasn’t a pet. She wasn’t a doll.

No, she was a prize.

“Why did you agree to marry me?” Her voice was soft and timid, losing the strength she conjured up before entering his office. She finally felt the weight of her consequences and the pain welled inside her chest, suffocating her fragile heart. In the beginning she could dull the ache by feeding herself petty excuses. He had a company to run. He had to meet his father’s expectations. He had to inherit the Ootori Group. She digested her own lies until they lost their power. The pain grew, worsened, and tested her fortitude until it demanded her full attention. She couldn’t run from the inevitable.

“I suppose I can ask you the same thing.” He said, leaning back into the chair’s padded plush. In truth, he’s wanted to ask her that for a while now. He knew she was suffocating. He knew she was merely surviving. It baffled him that she remained married to him, that she would wear his last name as a badge when it choked her happiness at the same time. When their engagement was arranged they were close friends – dare he say best friends – and the marriage seemed promising. Since a child he knew his marriage would benefit the Ootori Group rather than himself so he counted himself lucky – blessed even – that he was already fond of his bride. Perhaps, even in love. But that was then. He would never regret marrying Haruhi, only that he let her suffer for so long.

“Kyoya, why are we still married?”

That was the question of the hour, the question that has burned in the back of his mind for so long now. Why were they still married? What was it that kept them from signing their names on a few documents, guaranteeing their freedom – their happiness?

In truth, he didn’t know.

“Are you asking for a divorce?” His mask slipped, forcing his eyes to find anything except hers. He couldn’t find it within himself to look into bright chocolate eyes as he spoke the words.

He heard her shift in her seat, “Surprisingly, no. I do not want a divorce. I know it would cause you a lot of trouble in the public eye if you were to separate from your wife.”

“Separate from you.” Kyoya deemed it important to correct. He wouldn’t allow her to refer to herself in third person. They weren’t discussing legal affairs in her office downtown. This was their life – their marriage – and he wanted her to respect it. Haruhi Ootori was his wife. He would have to separate from her.

“Yes… well…” She recollected her thoughts, finding an ounce of strength hidden in her need to push through, and continued, “I want to fix this. I want to fix us, but I don’t know how. I don’t know where to begin.”

Kyoya kept his focus just beyond Haruhi, effectively missing her intense gaze and the raw emotions emitting from her glistening eyes and tried to fix his mask.

However, it wouldn’t budge. As it appeared, a crack slithered across his façade. His mask… was breaking.

Haruhi noticed him purposefully avoiding her pointed stare and couldn’t control the anger boiling in her stomach. The heat rose to her throat, billowing like fanned smoke, until it needed release. Without warning she balled her hand into a fist and slammed it against his desk, successfully stealing his full attention. His startled reaction acted as a bonus.

“Please don’t do that.” He reprimanded, unable to control the slight quiver in his voice.

“Then look at me!” Haruhi yelled. Her blushed cheeks and furrowed eyebrows clearly illustrated her loss of control. Her anger was plainly written on her face and laced in every word. Kyoya, in his silence, had unintentionally provoked her to the edge.

Unbeknownst to Haruhi, her outburst deepened the crack in his mask. It was slowly beginning to slip out of place and it terrified him. He thought he felt vulnerable when he was merely tired but had been so wrong. So terribly wrong.

“What do you want from me Haruhi? I’ve given you all that I can give you. I’ve given you a mansion with servants. I’ve given you an office for your law firm. I’ve given you my last name, the name that forces Japan to bow in respect. What else do you want?” He was speaking louder, fiercer, as he slowly came undone. Kyoya tried to give Haruhi everything she could ever want; the opportunities to achieve her dreams, his social standings to help her become a respected woman among Japan’s elite, and hell, even all the fancy tuna she could stomach. Whatever her heart desired he was sure to fulfill; whether she asked for them directly or merely whispered in her sleep. He made sure she was well taken care of. It wasn’t his fault that his life was far more demanding than most. It wasn’t his fault that their marriage was far more different than most.

It wasn’t his fault.

“You know how I am, Kyoya. I couldn’t care less about money or social status. I’m not a materialistic person. I don’t crave jewelry or dresses or even power -.”

“Then what do you want?” Kyoya interrupted, feeling his patience shred away like scraps of paper blowing in the wind. He didn’t care if he was acting rude. He didn’t want to beat around the bush. His need for sleep took a backseat in his mind as a new need took dominance; the need to save his marriage.

Kyoya sat upright and leaned over his knees, resting his forearms along his thighs, “Haruhi, what do you want?”

“I want you!” She nearly screamed.

Kyoya blinked once… twice… then a third time for good measure, letting her words seep into his mind.

“You already have me. I married you. I’m your husband.” He said, hoping to quench her anger.

“No,” she shook her head, “I don’t have all of you, only bits and pieces. I only have half you; half a husband.”

Kyoya didn’t realize his body was moving ahead of his mind and found his hand reaching for Haruhi, stretching across their distance until he found her small clenched fist digging into her thigh. Her white knuckles contrasted her soft porcelain skin like puzzle pieces to the wrong puzzle. When his fingertips touched her she instinctively pulled back and ignored the hurt in his eyes.

“Haruhi…” He mustered out. He wasn’t sure what else to say but her name. Her beautiful name was the only word on his tongue. The only sound he wanted to hear.

“We’ve been married for three years and you still haven’t relinquished yourself to me. I’ve given you my everything; my heart, my trust, even my virginity. I’ve submitted to you as your wife but you cannot do the same as my husband. You hide your thoughts and emotions behind some sort of mask. Do you not trust me? Do you not want me to know you? Do you not love me?” She spoke the last sentence with a hushed voice, almost ashamed to admit she doubted his affections for her. Yet, what was that the true motivation to him marrying her? Could she know for certain their marriage wasn’t purely business? Had he, at one point, loved her?

“Did you love me?” The question poured out of her mouth before she could catch it, regrettably exposing her darkest insecurity. She squinted her eyes shut, fighting back the pressure growing in her nose and the inevitable cascade of tears that would follow.

“Did you ever love me?” She asked again, her voice quivering uncontrollably, “When you married me was it only for my merit or did you once love me?”

Warm salty tears squeezed past her closed eyelids and trailed her blushed cheeks; one by one representing her fears which she couldn’t express in words.

Kyoya acted fast, abandoning his chair and falling to his knees before her. He firmly grabbed her hands and pulled them to him, forcing her to lean closer. Her eyes were drowning in her tears but she opened them nonetheless, looking at the man she had grown to love more than herself – the man she let break her heart over and over and over again.

“Haruhi, please don’t cry.” He pleaded, unable to watch her writhe in pain. Her tears threatened to provoke his own but he quickly stifled that reaction. His mask may be slipping but he would not cry no matter how much pressure it would relieve him.

“Answer the damn question Kyoya!” She managed to say as her chest heaved with her wracking sobs. “Do you love me?”

Something snapped inside him; an audible pop sounded in his ears as the last of his restraint pooled around his knees. His mask lost traction; its veining cracks destroying the ego he spent a lifetime constructing. He always imagined his mask to be impenetrable porcelain but once it fell he realized that all this time it was nothing more than fragile glass – and it shattered on the floor all the same.

Without thinking – without weighing out the consequences of his actions – he pushed her into the plush of her chair and grabbed a handful of hair, tilting her head back. Before she could protest he claimed her lips. He angrily crashed his lips against her soft skin and nipped at her bottom lip, biting at the supple flesh until a nearly inaudible moan escaped her throat. But he heard it and it encouraged him to give into his instinctual desires. For once, he silenced his mind and allowed his body to speak.

He bared his teeth and nipped at her top lip, provoking her to gasp. He took this opportunity to slip his tongue past her lips and found hers already awake and curious. They lost track of time as their tongues caressed each other; exploring the other’s wet warmth between heated kisses. The passion he felt could compare to their wedding night, when they were still innocent. Back then they didn’t know what awaited them, only that they wouldn’t be alone for they had each other. Their wedding vows were still fresh in their minds as they prepared for a lifetime together. Now, as Kyoya greedily captured her lips and Haruhi tightly entwined her fingers into his raven hair, those very vows resurfaced to the forefront his mind.

To have and to hold.

Kyoya left her swollen lips and trailed his hungry kisses down the column of her neck, tilting her head to the side for more exposure. Haruhi's hand slipped from his hair and landed on his chest, cautiously fingering the buttons on his shirt. Kyoya's free hand came to her aid and tried to unbutton his shirt alongside her but it proved to be more difficult than expected. Growing frustrated with his offending clothing he pulled back from their kiss long enough to tear his shirt open, ripping the metal buttons from their thread. With his smooth chest exposed Haruhi made haste in exploring his toned torso, feeling every subtle muscle beneath her palms. The feeling of her curious hands roaming his skin was stimulating, erotic even, and it forced his lips to find hers again.

For better or for worse.

Haruhi pushed his shirt down his shoulders and he flung the sleeves from his arms, throwing the shirt somewhere behind him – he didn't care where.

"Kyoya…" Haruhi pleaded as he nibbled on her jawline, lost for breath because of his bold endeavors, "Answer my question."

His fingers traveled up her thigh until he found the evidence of her need, teasing her entrance with his fingertips. She sharply took in a breath at feeling him acting so boldly. He slipped one finger in, relishing in the feeling of her tight walls clenching instinctually at the foreign object, and added another finger after a few pumps with one digit. Her moans grew more desperate and soon her hips were grinding against him to match his pacing, urging him further.

Kyoya growled as he lifted Haruhi from the chair and carried her to his desk, seating her at the edge of its polished oak. His hands scrunched her nightgown past her thighs, revealing her glistening arousal.

For richer or for poor.

He quickly worked on his trousers until they pooled around his ankles, leaving his tented briefs the only barrier between them. After another haste swipe of hands his hardened member was uncaged.

Kyoya gripped Haruhi's bottom and positioned her off the table's edge; kissing her neck while his hands spread her thighs apart. This was the woman he had shared his bed with for the past three years. They had shared their meals, their accomplishments, their victories, and their lives. He proudly wore her on his arm while she proudly wore his last name. What happened between their wedding night and now? How could they have grown so far apart that the only thing they shared was oxygen?

In sickness and in health.

Kyoya rubbed his tip between her thighs, coating himself in her overflowing juices. Her body ached to receive him but he had to satisfy her conflicted spirit first.

"Yes." He said, looking her directly in the eye with as much sincerity and honesty he could express through his dark irises. "I love you Haruhi. I've always loved you."

In one swift motion he became one with his wife, sheathing himself into her carnal warmth until her body swallowed him whole. He gave her a moment to adjust to him before moving; slow and sensual.

"I loved you before we were married. I was more than relieved to know my father chose you as my bride. I was happy." Kyoya confessed, rocking their bodies as one.

"Are…" Haruhi tried to speak between high pitched moans, "Are you still happy?"

To love and cherish.

Kyoya thrusted deep into her, earning him a harsh gasp, and quickened his pace inside her; his hands anchoring her body to the desk. His thoughts were beginning to vanish as he neared his peak and by how her walls twitched around him, he felt her peak also approaching. He was intent on driving her over the edge, whether she took him with her or not.

He slid his hands beneath her bottom and lifted her off the desk, inadvertently pushing himself deeper into her, and carried her to the nearest wall where he aligned her back and plundered her without restraint. Haruhi could only grip his shoulder and forearm as she was helplessly pinned between his heated body and the cold wall.

He watched her eyes slam shut and her lips quiver in anticipation for what was about to come.

Till death do us part.

The pressure building in his core demanded for release and with a few more quick thrusts he spilled himself into her, coating her clenching walls with his seed. Haruhi's hold tightened around his arms as she succumbed to her own peak, biting her lip to trap her obnoxious moans.

Kyoya carefully brought them to the floor, still holding her close to his chest. Once settled on the carpet he leaned his back against the wall and cradled her body in his lap, resting her head in the crook of his neck. For a while they didn't say anything, only caught their breaths while he mindlessly fondled her hair and she pressed soft kisses into his skin. Her hot breath against his neck was very tempting, teasing him for another round, but for now he had matters to settle.

"I am happy… with you." Kyoya confessed. "I am not happy with my father or with the new employees I need to review but I am happy with you."

"You don't act like you are." Haruhi argued. "That doesn't explain why you've been avoiding me."

"I cannot explain that either, at least in a way that would allow you to understand." Kyoya was too ashamed to admit he couldn't face his wife without feeling guilty; guilty for trapping her into a stressful marriage. He couldn't admit that though his heart yearned to invite her behind his mask his ego wouldn't risk it. He couldn't look Haruhi in the eye and admit that part of him was willing to live out their marriage alone.

But that part was long gone now; lying amidst the pieces of his shattered mask. Haruhi not only managed to look behind the mask but miraculously freed him of his own prison. All this time he thought he was protecting himself from a selfish world when he was the true selfish one. Selfish for not letting his wife see the bits and pieces that made Kyoya Ootori, Kyoya Ootori.

"I'm sorry… for hiding myself from you. You're right to be angry with me." Kyoya kissed the top of her head.

"Please, don't hide yourself from me anymore." Haruhi said, less of a plea but more as a command. She wanted to see their marriage succeed despite the rumors, despite their friend's concerned comments, and despite their own weaknesses. When she married him she accepted his ring as an eternal symbol for their commitment and devotion to each other. After three years she found that her vows never changed. Her commitment remained steadfast, written across her heart where she first etched them. She was too embarrassed to admit that she held some of the blame; for forgetting to look inward to find her strength.

"I don't think I could now, even if I wanted to." Was his humbled response before he lifted her chin to taste her lips again.

Haruhi savored her husband's kisses on which he gave willingly. She had been promised to Kyoya three years ago - as a prize - but tonight created a new definition to the offending word. His father may have seen her as easy plucking in the beginning, with a simple wave of an empty check to make her mouth water, but she knew that to not be true. She was Haruhi Ootori, a prize outweighing all of the gold and silver Kyoya could stash in his vaults. She wasn't a lucky commoner who married into money. She was a lucky woman who married her best friend - her lover.

Kyoya gently lied her on her back, unrolling their bodies across the carpet, and climbed on top of her. Peering down, he met her bright chocolate eyes and craved to dive in as deep as he could. They could finish their conversation in the morning but for now he wanted to enjoy the delicious Haruhi Ootori – his first love, his wife of three years, and now the only person to ever break through his defenses.

#ouran high school host club #ouran scenarios #ouran blog #ouran fanfic #ohshc oneshot #kyoya ootori #haruhi fujioka #kyoharu #kyoya and haruhi

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lisinfleur · 5 years

Text

Incomer

The Request:

"Ivar Ragnarsson!"

Ivar sighed in his throne. You were once again disturbing his mind with that inconceivable idea of marrying his beautiful daughter to that boy...

That thin and weak boy that invaded his life years ago, playing with his precious daughter as if he would grow enough to become the raider he pretended to be in their imagination.

Your daughter and he used to play together all the time and Einar, who was the son of a local farmer, was a good boy in your sight. He never tried anything improper, always playing like a good boy, respectful, a good worker, well educated... The fact was that the stupid boy had grown into adult life and became a man, for Ivar's disgust: it would have been easier if Hella had taken him as Ivar thought would happen. And now, you were there, for the hundredth time in that year, remembering him your daughter and that thin thing were starting to get involved... That he should prepare to discuss her marriage to that annoying remembrance of Sigurd's bardic traces walking through his Hall after his precious daughter's skirts. He was even good with the oud! The oud!

Sigurd was a damn plague in his life and Ivar could bet he was laughing at his face from Valhalla, celebrating with toasts his curses becoming true under the skin of that infamous boy his daughter was so in love with.

"He's weak," he insisted, sighing bored when you started again the whole speech.

He knew what would come, but even then, there you were, speaking, and speaking...

"...And strength is not everything! Nor is stamped in his face, Ivar. If it was like this, then my father should have denied your pledge for my hand," you said, catching his attention and an angry glare in his eyes.

You wouldn't dare to compare that thin little boyish thing to him, right?

"You were a cripple weak rag of a boy in his sight, but he gave you a chance to prove yourself and you did it! You owe Einar a chance as well!"

You would.

And it infuriated him - of course! What would infuriate Ivar the Boneless more than messing with his ego?

"I'm nothing like that boy and I owe him nothing!" he said with his powerful voice, looking at you with sharp blues. "Well, he wants to marry my daughter? So, if you want so badly to compare the two of us, tell him to do what I did! Tell him to conquer kingdoms and kill kings, to gather an army and have lands under his control! Tell him to become a commander, a successful raider, and a king! And then, I'll gladly offer my daughter's hand in marriage and maybe an alliance!"

You crossed your arms. He knew he was going too far, but Ivar never knows when to stop...

"As long as he's standing under my boots on our society, then he'll have no chances to have my beautiful Freya bearing his children!"

"You rather sell our daughter to a foreigner king for an alliance, I suppose... Right, King Ivar?"

He drew back. It was a slap on his face, and you knew it. You did it on purpose, just to see that frown in his forehead.

The subject was over. None of you wanted to speak about that anymore. You turned yourself to leave and his voice echoed, calling your attention.

"I'll be leaving on a short trip at the end of this moon..."

"Don't you dare to suggest taking the boy with you, Ivar," you said, immediately looking back.

"I won't get him killed on purpose! For the gods' sake, woman, what do you think I am?" he answered, offended by the obvious concern in your sentence.

But you stood on your position, looking straight inside his eyes.

"A father, Ivar," you answered, slapping his face without your hands one second time. "One disposed to do anything for what he thinks is his daughter's safety. Einar stays. Our daughter loves him too much for me to allow your concerns to hurt this innocent relationship. I rather see them as friends forever than hold my daughter's cry if her heart goes with him."

Wise words... For his disgust once again.

Damn him for marrying a woman able to outsmart his plans and, sometimes, see forward in his steps. He had no intention to harm the boy, but you were right: his raids weren't for a farmer and if Einar didn't come back, his precious Freya would suffer twice: for the future love never built and for the friendship lost.

"Fine. We'll solve this when I come back," he stated.

Something you could accept. With a heated head, nor Ivar or you would think straight and it was the future of your daughter in your hands. Freya's happiness was more important than anything.

"Baldur will come with me. Such as Tyr," Ivar declared about the raid and you sighed.

Your children were growing so fast... Last night you were waking up for Tyr's nightmares, and now there he was, a young man, walking around with Hvitserk, drinking with Baldur, looking the skirts around.

Going to raids with his father and brother...

"I'll make the sacrifices to provide you a safe trip and safe return, husband," you said, looking at him.

Sometimes words weren't necessary.

"I'll take good care of them, my love. Not that I really have to once Baldur fights like a beast and Tyr honors his name, but I'll take good care of them, don't worry."

It didn't really matter for you and Ivar knew that. They could fight like his best men and be greater than his father, and yet, Baldur and Tyr would always be your little boys.

Boys you thought you would never see one more time when those men invaded your home. Ivar's self-confidence was a mistake and sometimes, a few times, it would really cause a disaster.

This time he thought his fame and name would be enough to keep small invaders away from his lands. He thought they wouldn't dare to threaten his kingdom, nor his wife, nor his daughter...

"Mother!"

Your heart crushed in a thousand pieces when you had your daughter brutally ripped from your embrace. Those men touching her, holding you, trying to lift your skirt, speaking offensively about how your husband would hunt them if he ever knew who fucked his wife and daughter to death the way they were planning.

"Or else I could put a child on her belly and leave the crippled king a boy with my face," one of them boasted touching your lower belly right before you spat on his face.

"I would rip my own womb before bearing your child, you bastard!" you cursed and he slapped your face, throwing your body on the ground, starting to rip your dress.

His curses and words, telling you how he would give you the taste of a whole man before you could prove his sword, were cut in the middle when someone crossed his chest with a sword. You felt the blood spatting on your back and the weight of the dead body, but your instinct screamed louder and you stole that dead man's sword, getting up to help whoever was the man fighting to get your daughter free.

You were no shieldmaiden. But you were a mother and somehow Frigga imbued your heart with her strength and you sunk that blade on the shoulder of one of the bastards while your savior was trespassing the third one.

Quickly, he ran to lock and block the door and so, as your daughter was falling on your embrace, crying like a child, your eyes could recognize your savior coming closer, fully worried about his beloved princess in your hands.

"Einar..." you mumbled as Freya threw herself into the boy's hug.

You watched in relief as he held your child in his arms, hiding her completely into his embrace, mumbling sweet words into your daughter's scared ears.

There was so much love between them... How could Ivar deny he was the perfect husband to your sweet daughter?

As Einar's hands consoled your crying daughter, slowly lulling her into his embrace, you straightened your dress, trying to keep yourself covered and see if there were wounds beyond the scratch bleeding on your face. The sounds of battle could be heard outside and somehow, they became stronger in your Hall.

You couldn't determine if someone had arrived to kill the invaders or if the raiders had backup now, but the cries of battle were closer and higher, and so, Einar showed his bravery once again.

"No... Einar, please no!" your child cried as the boy delivered her into your embrace.

She wasn't calm anymore. Instead, she was terrified of seeing him holding that sword.

"Please!" she begged, but Einar just touched Freya's face with a gentle caress.

"Don't worry, my princess. I'll be fine. And if I fall here, then I wasn't worthy of your heart, my love. What man can desire a woman he cannot protect?"

Wise words. A wise man... You held your daughter and touched her face.

"The gods know how much you love each other, my child. Don't worry... If we fall into this place, I ensure you'll find him again," you said, having nothing but some more tears from your crying daughter as Einar straightened himself, holding the sword like a true warrior, waiting for the small barricade of the door to fall.

It didn't take too long until the sounds reached your room and Freya yelled when a strong impact broke the door open. But despite prepared for a huge fight, Einar's shoulders relaxed when Whitehair came into the room followed closely by the king and his men.

"Father!" your girl cried and Ivar came closer, embracing you and her as Baldur and Tyr were looking around searching for any other invader at the room.

"My child... My love... Are you wounded?" Ivar asked.

His heart was hammering his chest like a midsummer drum.

"We're safe... Thanks to Einar," you said, causing the eyes to turn towards the boy that was still holding his sword, tiredly.

Baldur sheathed his own blade as Tyr came closer, to touch his forehead to yours. The older brother and Ivar were focused on the boy who was now panting a little less, relieved the king was back.

Before they could say anything, Freya released herself from Ivar's arms, throwing her own arms around Einar's waist, hiding her crying face in his chest, causing the young warrior to release his sword in order to hold her against him.

"Did you protect my daughter and wife, boy?" Ivar asked, not sounding so hostile towards the boy now.

"Not as good as my king would have done, but I tried my best to keep them safe, King Ivar," he answered, respectfully.

But you didn't lose your chance.

"He's being modest... The boy saved my life and our honor," you spoke, soothing your husband's glare towards Einar. "He came into this room with bravery and faced three enemies in order to get us free from their hands and blades. Two of them he killed by himself. One with my help. And to keep Freya's safety and mine, he was disposed to keep on fighting whoever would come through this door, husband." you testified.

Einar lowered his head, touching his nose in your daughter's hair, trying to keep her calm as she was slowly stopping the loud sobs.

"Then, you learned what I taught you," Baldur said, kinda proud, surprising both of you when he turned himself towards his father. "Einar has been training with me and Tyr for some lessons with the sword, father," he said.

"He said he wants to prove you he's a good man... For Freya's hand," Tyr completed, kinda exposing the boy, causing Einar to look at your husband insecure and scared.

"It's not that I believe I'm worthy, I just..." he started trying to justify himself, but Ivar raised his hand causing him to shut and you to prepare your arguments to defend the boy.

But this time, there weren't bad words.

"I would never question the value of a man that offered his chest to protect my most precious treasures. You know you could have died into this room, don't you, boy?" Ivar asked.

To what Einar looked into his eyes, seeming to create the courage to face your husband for the first time.

"My king doesn't fear the death for Valhalla awaits him in the end. Why should I fear if I want to be like him?"

Words that sounded like a huge surprise, causing Ivar's barriers to crumble.

"What did you just say, boy?"

"That I know I'm a farmer, with poor origins and thin blood. And I know I have a long way to prove my value under your eyes, King Ivar. But such as you fought the whole world and proved yourself despite all your obstacles, I want to make me worthy of Freya's love and your trust. I love your daughter, King Ivar. I have been loving her my whole life and I would die for her without a single question if it was necessary to keep her safe."

Baldur smiled, Tyr giggled and you slapped your younger son's shoulder for the sounds, reprehending him like a boy for laughing of another's feelings.

But Ivar looked right into Einar's eyes. Freya was still hidden into his embrace that somehow Einar was managing to sustain longer than you could imagine he would in front of your husband.

"You have strong words. And a fierce heart. You said you want to be like me, so I'll teach you what is missing in your speech, boy."

For a second, you thought once again that Ivar would destroy Einar with his words, but your fears did not become true one more time. Instead, Ivar touched the boy's shoulder with a tight grip.

"Know that you would die for her makes me proud. See that you will fight to live for her makes me relieved. Die for your wife if this is your fate, boy, but love her enough to fight to live for her until your last breath. Did you understand me, son?"

Son...

You and your sons smiled at the sound of that word.

Your husband was accepting Einar as his son-in-law and you knew that in that discrete change on the way Ivar was calling him.

"Yes, my king..." Einar answered, with his eyes shining.

And Ivar sighed. It was easy to see the loyalty and strength into that boy's eyes.

Maybe the gods had permitted that invasion to give the boy the chance you said he should have. And Einar had proven himself to him, despite the fact that Ivar would never admit it with all the words in his mouth. The best he could do was to stop trying to scare the boy to the bones away from his daughter.

But for now, it was time to negotiate details...

"We have to fix this Hall and get rid of the bodies. It will take a while... Tell your father to prepare his guest room... The king's family will dinner at your farm tonight," Ivar spat, draining Einar's color completely before Ivar started walking out of the room.

This time you couldn't avoid smiling as Baldur patted your soon-to-be son-in-law and Tyr giggled jumping the bodies, just like Hvitserk used to do, to follow his father out of the door.

"Tell your mother to make that chicken, brother!” He said before crossing the door starting to speak with Baldur. “Boy, Einar's mother's chicken is the best I ever ate!"

And there was your Tyr, thinking on food despite the fact that the hall around him was made into pieces… You should talk to Ivar about the huge amount of time Tyr was passing with his uncle... But for that moment, you walked towards Einar, caressing your daughter's hair in his embrace.

"Don't worry, child," you said, touching his face. "He likes you... Such as I do. Take care of my princess. I'm sure she's in the best hands," you said, before seeing Freya smiling between her tears towards you.

Maybe the gods had messed things up for a reason. Maybe all the suffering had a purpose. The fact was that Einar would have his place in your husband's Hall and you were satisfied to see your daughter's eyes glowing with love once again.

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#history vikings #imagine vikings #ivar #ivar the boneless #ivar imagine #ivar x reader #ivar ragnarsson #ivar lothbrok #ivar's heathen army #sister wives #5CW #5CW Event #5CWIvar2 #shot #later works

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