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Sansa Stark Day One Quotes -  Sansa Standing Up To Her Abusers/People In Power

-          Sansa was confused. "I don't understand," she said. "Where is Jeyne's father? Why can't Ser Boros take her to him instead of Lord Petyr having to do it?" She had promised herself she would be a lady, gentle as the queen and as strong as her mother, the Lady Catelyn, but all of a sudden, she was scared again. For a second, she thought she might cry. "Where are you sending her? She hasn't done anything wrong, she's a good girl."  (Sansa AGOT IV)

-          "Your father is a traitor, dear," Lord Varys said.

Grand Maester Pycelle lifted his ancient head. "With my own ears, I heard Lord Eddard swear to our beloved King Robert that he would protect the young princes as if they were his own sons. And yet the moment the king was dead, he called the small council together to steal Prince Joffrey's rightful throne."

"No," Sansa blurted. "He wouldn't do that. He wouldn't!" (Sansa AGOT IV)

 -          The words made her breath come faster, yet still Sansa hesitated. "Perhaps . . . if I might see my father, talk to him about . . . "

                 "Treason?" Lord Varys hinted.

  "You disappoint me, Sansa," the queen said, with eyes gone hard as stones. "We've told you of your father's crimes. If you are truly as loyal as you say, why should you want to see him?"

"I . . . I only meant . . . " Sansa felt her eyes grow wet. "He's not . . . please, he hasn't been . . . hurt, or . . . or . . . " (Sansa AGOT IV)

 -          "I don't want to marry you," Sansa wailed. "You chopped off my father's head!"

-          "He was a traitor. I never promised to spare him, only that I'd be merciful, and I was. If he hadn't been your father, I would have had him torn or flayed, but I gave him a clean death."

Sansa stared at him, seeing him for the first time. He was wearing a padded crimson doublet patterned with lions and a cloth-of-gold cape with a high collar that framed his face. She wondered how she could ever have thought him handsome. His lips were as soft and red as the worms you found after a rain, and his eyes were vain and cruel. "I hate you," she whispered.  (Sansa VI AGOT)

-          "Did he instruct you to hit me if I refused to come?"  

"Are you refusing to come, my lady?" The look he gave her was without expression. He did not so much as glance at the bruise he had left her.   He did not hate her, Sansa realized; neither did he love her. He felt nothing for her at all. She was only a . . . a thing to him. "No," she said, rising. She wanted to rage, to hurt him as he'd hurt her, to warn him that when she was queen, she would have him exiled if he ever dared strike her again . . . but she remembered what the Hound had told her, so all she said was, "I shall do whatever His Grace commands." "As I do," he replied.

"Yes . . . but you are no true knight, Ser Meryn." - (Sansa VI AGOT)

-          "Silence, fool." Joffrey lifted his crossbow and pointed it at her face. "You Starks are as unnatural as those wolves of yours. I've not forgotten how your monster savaged me."

"That was Arya's wolf," she said. "Lady never hurt you, but you killed her anyway." – (Sansa ACOK III)

-          She hated the way he talked, always so harsh and angry. "Does it give you joy to scare people?"

"No, it gives me joy to kill people." His mouth twitched. "Wrinkle up your face all you like, but spare me this false piety. You were a high lord's get. Don't tell me Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell never killed a man."

"That was his duty. He never liked it."

"Is that what he told you?" Clegane laughed again. "Your father lied. Killing is the sweetest thing there is." He drew his longsword. "Here's your truth. Your precious father found that out on Baelor's steps. Lord of Winterfell, Hand of the King, Warden of the North, the mighty Eddard Stark, of a line eight thousand years old . . . but Ilyn Payne's blade went through his neck all the same, didn't it? Do you remember the dance he did when his head came off his shoulders?"

Sansa hugged herself, suddenly cold. "Why are you always so hateful? I was thanking you…”   (Sansa IV ACOK)

-          He snorted. "There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don't ever believe any different."

Sansa backed away from him. "You're awful."  (Sansa IV ACOK)

-          "They say my brother Robb always goes where the fighting is thickest," she said recklessly. "Though he's older than Your Grace, to be sure. A man grown."  (Sansa V ACOK)

-          “And what if I never want you?”  (Sansa III ASOS)

-          "Marillion?" she said, uncertain. "You are . . . kind to think of me, but . . . pray forgive me. I am very tired.”

"And very beautiful. All night I have been making songs for you in my head. A lay for your eyes, a ballad for your lips, a duet to your breasts. I will not sing them, though. They were poor things, unworthy of such beauty." He sat on her bed and put his hand on her leg. "Let me sing to you with my body instead."

She caught a whiff of his breath. "You're drunk."

"I never get drunk. Mead only makes me merry. I am on fire." His hand slipped up to her thigh. "And you as well.”

       "Unhand me. You forget yourself."  (Sansa VI ASOS)

-          Sansa tried to step back, but he pulled her into his arms and suddenly he was kissing her. Feebly, she tried to squirm, but only succeeded in pressing herself more tightly against him. His mouth was on hers, swallowing her words. He tasted of mint. For half a heartbeat she yielded to his kiss . . . before she turned her face away and wrenched free. "What are you doing?"

Petyr straightened his cloak. "Kissing a snow maid."

"You're supposed to kiss her." Sansa glanced up at Lysa's balcony, but it was empty now. "Your lady wife."  (Sansa VII ASOS)

-          "Will you play the coy deceiver with me?" her aunt said. "I was not speaking of Robert's doll. I saw you kissing him."

The High Hall seemed to grow a little colder. The walls and floor and columns might have turned to ice. "He kissed me."

Lysa's nostrils flared. "And why would he do that? He has a wife who loves him. A woman grown, not a little girl. He has no need for the likes of you. Confess, child. You threw yourself at him. That was the way of it."

Sansa took a step backward. "That's not true."

"Where are you going? Are you afraid? Such wanton behavior must be punished, but I will not be hard on you. We keep a whipping boy for Robert, as is the custom in the Free Cities. His health is too delicate for him to bear the rod himself. I shall find some common girl to take your whipping, but first you must own up to what you've done. I cannot abide a liar, Alayne."

"I was building a snow castle," Sansa said. "Lord Petyr was helping me, and then he kissed me. That's what you saw."

"Have you no honor?" her aunt said sharply. "Or do you take me for a fool? You do, don't you? You take me for a fool. Yes, I see that now. I am not a fool. You think you can have any man you want because you're young and beautiful. Don't think I haven't seen the looks you give Marillion. I know everything that happens in the Eyrie, little lady. And I have known your like before, too. But you are mistaken if you think big eyes and strumpet's smiles will win you Petyr. He is mine." She rose to her feet. "They all tried to take him from me. My lord father, my husband, your mother . . . Catelyn most of all. She liked to kiss my Petyr too, oh yes she did."

Sansa retreated another step. "My mother?"

"Yes, your mother, your precious mother, my own sweet sister Catelyn. Don't you think to play the innocent with me, you vile little liar. All those years in Riverrun, she played with Petyr as if he were her little toy. She teased him with smiles and soft words and wanton looks, and made his nights a torment."

  "No." My mother is dead, she wanted to shriek. She was your own sister, and she's dead. "She didn't. She wouldn't."  (Sansa VII ASOS)

top five HL fanfic!!!!

biiiiitch you all know how hard it is for me to choose only 5. but sigh FINE here’s my all-time favorite list that isn’t 5 sorry i can’t choose 😔:

• Here in the Afterglow (89k)

“If you hadn’t noticed, I don’t have many friends,” Louis whispers, the blossom of insecurity in his stomach unfurling and clawing its way into his throat.

Harry is silent for a long time, and then he speaks; a soft, slow uncurl that makes Louis’ stomach shake. “I’ll be your friend.” 1970’s AU. In a tiny town in Idaho, Louis’ life is changed forever by the arrival of a curious stranger.

• Coax the Cold (86k)

England, 1897.

English Professor Louis Tomlinson’s passion for the occult has been a source of mockery and derision for most of his life. When he hears whispers of a travelling freak show newly established in London claiming the existence of a monstrous sea hybrid, half-man, half-fish, Louis sees it as his ticket to credibility amongst his peers. The summer he spends undercover working on the show, however, gives him much more than that.

• Wild and Unruly (124k)

Harry is a cowboy sitting on the biggest oil reservoir in Wyoming, and Louis is the paralegal assigned to pressure him into selling his land.

• This Wicked Game (70k)

An AU in which The Bachelor is gay, Louis is a contestant, Harry is the bachelor, everyone drinks a lot of champagne, the entire world gets to watch them fall in love, and no one plays by the rules.

• Love is a Rebellious Bird (135k)

AU in which the boys still make music. Louis is the concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra, Harry is the New! and Exciting! interim conductor/ex-cello prodigy who "has made Mozart cool again" according to Esquire Magazine (Louis hates him immediately, which is definitely why he internet stalked him in his dark bedroom late at night that one time), and Niall is the best. Zayn and Liam are around too.

• Fixated On One Star (53k)

Louis is just a boy with the world on his shoulders, and Harry's just a boy from the wrong side of the galaxy. A little thing like love doesn't stand a chance against a thousand years of war, at least until the right two come along to break the mold.

Or: space Romeo and Juliet AU

• Finding Lou (60k)

Louis is the nomadic stranger who wanders into Harry’s bookstore. Harry is the skeptic who falls for him.

• California Sold

Notoriously closeted boyband member Harry Styles is famous on a global scale, meanwhile Louis, as his best friend, is back home in Manchester, living the typical life of a 24 year old. When Harry needs Louis with him in LA, a publicity stunt gone wrong changes their friendship forever.

A fake-relationship AU between two lifelong best friends.

• Empty Skies (134k)

For three years, Harry has been running from his past. Now, he is moving to London and pledges to fulfil his only dream -- making it big in the music industry. Not everyone has a place, though, and the competition is tough. As is his past catching up on him.

Louis is part of the biggest boy band of the world, and getting there had meant a lot of hard work, as well as sacrificing parts of his heart and soul. He's still happy. Maybe not as happy as he could be, but who is he to complain?

• And Then a Bit (159k)

“We’d like to give the fans what they want.” Magee states, placing his hand on the table in front of him and leaning forward. “We want to give them Larry Stylinson.”

Or, take a parallel universe where Louis and Harry were never together, mix in a two year hiatus and an impending comeback, pour in a dash of lost fans, two tablespoons of strong friendship and a Modest! employee with a good idea. Add a squeeze of pretending to be a couple, lots of kisses and a tattoo or two. Stir. Serve: the mother of all publicity stunts. (aka Harry and Louis fake a relationship for publicity. Eventually it becomes a lot less fake and a lot more real.)

• Dream Awake (31k)

The sun leaks through the tent wall behind him the way it leaks through eyelids, bathing the boy in an ethereal half-light as he croons. The crowd is mesmerized. Louis is mesmerized. This is the most important person in the world, he thinks wildly, and then can't figure out how to take it back.

On a hazy day in August, Louis sees Harry perform at a music festival as an unsigned act and convinces him to spend the rest of the weekend in his company. Harry gets signed; life changes. They never really wake up from the dream.

• Say You’ll Remember (93.5k)

au. louis and harry are best mates that are only half aware that they're also soulmates. alternatively, louis goes to university and harry travels the world, and they always manage to find their way back to each other.

takes place over nine years, in which they love and hurt, make mistakes and learn, and above all, grow.

• Outwit, Outplay, Outlast (61k)

Survivor All-Stars AU in which Harry and Louis are just in this game to win the million dollars, but they end up with something better.

Featuring Harry's yellow swim shorts, Louis in snapbacks, and OT5 shenanigans.

• Nothing Else But Us Right Here (35k)

Louis sighs and gives himself a mental pep talk as he smooths his jumper down over his hips. He can do this. He can resist the draw of Harry Styles, because he is a responsible, mature adult, and as much as he wants to tangle his fingers in that mess of hair and map those ridiculous tattoos with his tongue, he does not want to get his daughter’s favorite teacher fired.

• Wings to Break Your Fall (103k)

strip club AU. Harry’s work and family are keeping him busy. He really isn’t looking for a relationship, doesn’t want one. He just wants Louis. Problem is, Louis has other plans.

• Leave it to the Breeze (81k)

Louis couldn’t be prouder of his bake, but there’s something—there’s something. Something about Harry Styles and the earnest way he measures, pours, mixes, scrapes. Something about the tip of his tongue poking out of his mouth as he knocks the air out of his batter.

or a great british bake off au in which louis cares about winning and winning only, harry is made of sunshine and rainbow sprinkles, and niall sticks his nose into other people's business. also featuring liam as louis's best friend-slash-concerned mother, and zayn as a macaron connoisseur.

• You Come Beating Like Moth’s Wings (81k)

Harry smiles. He's only known Louis for about two hours, knows nothing about him past his first name, but he's nice and sarcastic and helpful and so, so pretty. And Harry's still got a few days left in Barcelona, and he thinks he wouldn't mind spending them with Louis.

Also known as, Harry takes the summer before uni to travel Europe and meets Louis in Barcelona, and they end up traveling together.

• Hold Me Closer (36.5k)

Louis Tomlinson is one of the most promising dancers of the English National Ballet, on track to become the youngest principal dancer in the company's history. That is, until forces conspire to significantly complicate his life, including: a surprise ballet, an unfairly attractive guest choreographer, and being pushed into a rivalry with his best mate. Featuring lots of wine, dancing, pining, and a happy ending.

• In Vogue (121k)

Fashion AU. Louis is the editor in chief of Vogue magazine, and Harry's running British GQ. Featuring Zayn as the crazy creative director and Louis' confidant, Liam as the sports writer that gets to sit front row at fashion week and DJ Neil as the only sane person in the whole story. (There are no skinny jeans in this fic)

• These Things Will Never Change for Us at All (1.5k)

The room falls silent as they stay wrapped up in each other. Harry can feel Louis’ soft breaths on his neck, and he almost thinks Louis’ fallen asleep until he says softly, “How did you know you were in love with me?”

Or, Harry and Louis look back on five years.

• A Runaway American Dream (15k)

AU. they take route 66 with only each other and their secrets.

• Things Have Gotten Closer to the Sun (49k)

it’s strange, making the choice to face his past—it almost feels like he’s heading for the sun straight on, like he’s screaming come on and burn me, i deserve it.

when a solar flare is announced to end the world in twelve days, harry reunites with the people that he used to know better than the back of his own hand.

• Here (in your arms) (60k)

the one where Louis is a successful real estate agent and Harry works at a retirement home. They’ve never had a real home. Up until now.

(Starring Liam Payne as a fitness trainer, Zayn as an artist, and Niall, who busks.)

• These Inconvenient Fireworks (190k)

Future AU in which nobody tries out for X Factor but the boys end up finding one other eventually anyway. Louis is a jaded bastard who owns a cat named Duchess and teaches drama to teenagers, Harry is an idealistic aspiring photographer/part-time footy coach, Zayn teaches English lit and wears leather jackets, Liam saves people from burning buildings, and Niall is Niall.

• In Dreams (23k)

AU. When Harry moves to a new city, his new flat come with a number of sweet, anonymous gifts and surprises that brighten his days. Could it be a friendly ghost? Another friendly presence in his new building is his tattooed neighbor, Louis, who seems determined to put a smile back on his face.

• My Heart is Breathing for this Moment in Time (160k)

When Louis first saw Harry at the 2010 X Factor Auditions, he thought he was watching a peculiarly special stranger. But Harry has known Louis ever since he was five years old. Because Louis has a rare genetic disorder that causes him to Time Travel to important moments in his past and in his future - and to Harry, always to Harry. When they’re put into a band together, it seems like everything Harry has been waiting and wishing for has finally come true. Except for the small fact that Louis doesn’t know that Harry is in love with him- that Harry’s always been in love with him. Fate, it would seem, is just getting started.

A story about growing up and growing together, and the impossible love that makes it all worthwhile.

• Paint the Sky with Stars (63k)

On 10 April 1912, Harry Styles boards the finest ship the world has ever seen. Still grieving the death of their mother, he and his sister are being sent to America to live with a callous uncle who cares more about his business connections than family. Harry prepares himself for a long, disappointing voyage alone in his stateroom. Louis Tomlinson has borrowed and saved, and finally has enough to purchase a Third Class ticket to America. With all of his belongings in a single ruck sack, he boards the Titanic filled with hope for a brighter future. Never one to sit still, he can’t resist exploring the massive ship, and soon goes sneaking into First Class in a stolen steward’s uniform. By a twist of fate, Louis finds himself in Harry’s stateroom, entranced by the most attractive man he’s ever laid eyes on. He keeps returning day after day, even if he doesn’t understand what it is about Harry that continues pulling him in. That’s all right; Louis has a week to figure it out, and Harry is plenty willing to help. Except they don’t have a week. They have four days. Because on 15 April, their entire world will be turned upside down.

Or, the historically accurate Titanic AU with a happy ending.

• Through Eerie Chaos (102k)

For as long as anyone can remember, Old Hillsbridge Manor has always been believed to be haunted. Everyone in the village agrees and keeps a respectful, fearful, distance. New in town after a bad breakup and an internship that led to disappointment rather than a permanent job, Harry Styles figures taking pictures of the decrepit building could be a great new creative project. Or at least a much-needed distraction while he searches for a job and crashes at his parents’ new house. No one warned him about the apparitions though; about the music, the laughter, the people who flicker and vanish when you call after them, the echoes of a past that should be long gone… Harry has never believed in spirits but even he can admit that there’s something weird going on. What starts as mere curiosity evolves into a full-blown investigation and soon enough, Harry finds himself making friends with an aristocrat from the 1920s and struggling with finding the best way to tell him that he’s dead.

The Ghost Hunter AU where Niall lives to prove ghosts are real, Zayn is a skeptical librarian and Harry gets caught up in a century-old mystery and catches feeling in the process.

Did It Hurt When You Fell from Heaven Pt. 2

Here’s part two to the Podrick Payne x reader fic I posted a while back. I will add a link to part one below. This ended up being somewhat long, but I hope you all enjoy it!

Pt. 1

Warnings: none, season one spoilers

Description: Both Podrick and Y/N are nervous yet excited for the date that they planned. Podrick tries everything he can to impress the reader, but just like his attempt to ask her on the date, things don’t go so well.

After making it back to her room, Y/N couldn’t help but smile. The encounter with Podrick played over and over again in her mind, and she looked forward to their date. The only problem was that she didn’t know what to wear. She had plenty of dresses sure, but which one would look the best. She stood in front of a mirror that was lined with gold, and had the signature Lannister lion at the top. Y/N was torn between an emerald dress that had a string of silver jewels around the neckline, or a sapphire dress that cut low in the back. As she continued to debate her dress choices, Sansa walked into the room.

“What’s the occasion,” Sansa said with a smile.

“I have a date tonight, but I’m having trouble deciding on which dress to wear,” Y/N said as she turned to face Sansa.

“I would go with the blue one. It accentuates your figure, and brings out the sparkle in your eyes. Come on, I’ll help you with your hair.”

Sansa walked over to the small vanity that stood on the other side of the room, and Y/N followed behind her. She sat down in the oak chair, and Sansa started to braid her hair. Y/N had grown close to Sansa, even though they had only known each other for a short while. She was there when Sansa’s father, Ned Stark, was beheaded by King Joffrey. Sansa deserved better than Joffrey, but she couldn’t do anything about it. If she had the chance though, Y/N would gladly take Sansa out of King’s Landing and back to Winterfell.

“So, who is this lucky man,” Sansa asked as she continued to braid Y/N’s hair.

“His name is Podrick Payne. Our first meeting was awkward, and yet I felt drawn to him,” Y/N replied.

“Ah, Tyrion’s new squire. He’s not really my type, but he’s perfect for you. I hope I’ll be invited to the wedding.”

The two girls burst into a fit of giggles at Sansa’s comment. Sansa finished her work, and Y/N turned around in the chair to face her. “I don’t think a wedding will happen for a long time, and it might not happen at all, but if it does you will be the first to know.”

Down the hall, Podrick was facing the same nervousness as Y/N. Tyrion picked out a dark leather tunic that matched his hair, and he was currently trying to calm his squire down.

“You are going to be fine, Pod. I can tell that Y/N likes you, so there is no way you can mess things up,” Tyrion said as he poured himself a glass of wine.

“If all else fails, you can just show her that magic cock of your’s,” Bronn stated. His comment earned a blush from Podrick and a glare from Tyrion.

“Here, Podrick. I have something for you,” Tyrion whispered as he walked over to a small chest that was resting on the floor. He lifted the lid and pulled out a small oval box. Tyrion then made his way back to Podrick and handed him the box. “I bought this in the market today. Give it to Y/N when you make it to the gardens.”

Podrick opened the box to reveal an onyx gem on a silver chain. Podrick had to admit that it was beautiful, but he didn’t want Tyrion spending money on something that he didn’t have to buy. Podrick slowly shook his head as he looked at Tyrion. “I can’t accept this, m’lord.”

“Of course you can! Think of it as an early wedding present. Now, you had better head down to the gardens. You don’t want to keep Y/N waiting.” Tyrion said as he shoved Podrick out the door and quickly closed it behind him.

Bronn chuckled as he reclined back in his chair. “You can be really pushy sometimes. I bet you that those two will kiss by the end of the date.”

It was Tyrion’s turn to laugh as he walked over to where Bronn was. “I couldn’t agree more.”

——————————————————————————

Y/N sat near a stone fountain in the middle of the gardens. The setting sun reflected off of her skin, and she enjoyed the warmth that it brought her. However, she wished that the warmth was coming from a certain squire instead of the sun. As if on queue, Podrick made his way around the corner.

Their eyes met, and Y/N smiled as she stood up and walked over to Podrick. He had a bundle of roses in his hand. “These are for you,” Podrick stuttered as he handed the flowers to Y/N. He was completely taken aback by her beauty.

“These are wonderful, Podrick. Thank you,” Y/N replied as she took the flowers from him. She let the scent of the roses fill her nose. Podrick offered his arm out to Y/N, and she took it. She could feel the toned muscles underneath his tunic, and a blush formed across her cheeks. They made their way to a small table on the west side of the garden. Red candles illuminated the area, and an array of food was set out for them.

As the two started to eat, an awkward silence fell between them. Podrick wanted to find something to talk about, but he was to distracted to come up with anything. Y/N felt the same way as he did. She couldn’t get over the way Podrick’s dark hair laid perfectly around his face, and she wanted to reach out and run her fingers through it.

Finally, Podrick broke the silence between them. “You look stunning, Y/N.”

The woman smiled at his words as she placed a grape into her mouth. “Thank you, and you look very handsome yourself.”

Podrick started to smile as well. From then on things went smoothly. Y/N talked about her hobbies, and Podrick told her about how he became Tyrion’s squire. By the end, they were laughing with each other as if they had been friends for years. Podrick felt that this was the right time to give Y/N the necklace. “I have something else for you,” Podrick said as he glanced down at the table.

“What is it? Not another pick up line I hope,” Y/N said as she took a sip of wine from her glass. Podrick pulled the box from his pocket, and handed it to her. Y/N took the box from him, and their hands lightly brushed against each other. As she opened the box, her jaw dropped in surprise.

“Podrick, this is beautiful. Will you help me put it on,” Y/N asked. Podrick nodded quickly, and took the necklace in his hands. He made his way behind Y/N, and as he put the necklace on her, his hands dragged along the back of her neck. It caused a shudder to go down Y/N’s spine, and she turned her head to smile at the young squire. However, Podrick became to caught up in the moment, and when he tried to make his way back to his seat, he spilled wine down the front of Y/N’s dress.

“Gods, I’m so sorry,” Podrick muttered as he scrambled to find something to clean up the mess. “I go through all this trouble to impress you, and I just ended up making a fool of myself again.”

Podrick handed Y/N his napkin, and she started to soak up the liquid that had stained her dress. Her blue dress was now a weird shade of purple, and as much as she loved this dress, she could always buy another one. After she finished cleaning up as much as she could, she looked up at Podrick. He was sitting back down, but his face was a mix of anger and embarrassment. Y/N hated to see him like this. She stood up and kneeled down in front of Podrick, and her hand made its way up to his cheek.

“It was just an accident, Pod. I can always buy another dress. You shouldn’t beat yourself up so much. As much as I love all of the impressive gestures, I love you for who you are. Awkward pick up lines and all. Don’t ever try to change that,” Y/N said. Podrick loved the way his nickname fell from her lips, and he met her gaze. He then stood up from his seat. Their eyes remained locked as Podrick leaned down. His lips met with her’s, and Y/N wrapped her arms around Podrick’s neck. The kiss was gentle yet passionate, and Podrick wished that the moment would never end. However, they eventually broke apart, and both of them had grins on their faces.

“Well, your kissing skills are definitely better than your pick up line,” Y/N said as she rested her hands on his broad chest.

“I’m glad to hear it, Y/N.”

Podrick escorted Y/N back to her room, and they shared a quick kiss before she entered her chambers. After closing the door, Y/N’s hand rested upon the necklace. She wanted the world to know that she belonged to Podrick, so she decided that she would never take the necklace off.

Podrick made his way back to his own chambers. He wa surprised to see Tyrion and Bronn waiting inside. Tyrion’s face lit up at the sight of him. “How did it go? Did you give her the necklace?”

“Yes, m’lord. Then, I spilled wine on her dress. I thought I was done for, but she forgave me. I’ve never met a woman like Y/N,” Podrick replied. He smiled to himself as he began to take his tunic off. Tyrion continued to ask questions. “Did you kiss her?”

“Of course he did,” Bronn chimed in, “You can see the lipstick staining his lips.”

Podrick quickly ran over to the mirror. Bronn was right, for his lips were a much darker shade of red then normal. He tried his best to wipe it off, but in the end he gave up. Tyrion began to laugh as he turned towards Bronn, “Seems like your bet was right, and judging by the look Podrick had on his face when he walked in here, I think he enjoyed it.”

Podrick only blushed in response as he finished taking off his tunic. Tyrion and Bronn started to leave, but before the door closed, Bronn stuck his head back in. “So, did you show her your magic cock?”

“N-No, we just kissed,” Podrick said as he looked down at the floor.

“Such a shame, I’m sure she was looking forward to seeing it.”

Bronn winked at Podrick before shutting the door. Podrick couldn’t help but wonder if what Bronn said had some truth to it. It was in that moment that he realized he had fallen for Y/N, and he would do anything to make her happy. He may even have to give Bronn’s idea a try down the road. Podrick fell asleep thinking of Y/N, and in the other room Y/N fell asleep thinking of him. It was a match made in heaven.

#3 One Flesh, One Heart, One Soul

Brienne has become exceedingly annoyed with him. 

It is a little like when they had first met, this antagonism. Except she had despised Jaime then, and he could not arouse any anger in her however he tried. She had remained calmly disdainful that entire journey despite his continued efforts to irritate her. 

Now she is vexed. Jaime has succeeded in breaking her composure, nearly without trying, and all he had to do was inform a tavern filled with people that they were married, and convince them to toast his bride and buy them drinks. Drinks that their companions were very appreciative of, mind you. Even Brienne had finished a flagon, her face turned a now-familiar scarlet. She was at first clearly torn between shouting at him and punching him in the face, and settled on glaring daggers and leaving the room without a word to anyone, and now she has ridden ahead to their next destination without him. 

Jaime is not nearly so satisfied with this accomplishment as he might have expected. It is a little unnerving actually. Brienne avoiding his gaze and not speaking to him was more troubling than he wanted to admit, but he has never seen her openly angry and it is inexplicably worse. He wasn’t completely sure that was possible. 

Even their companions have noticed. The Hound has been clearly amused by the entire situation, and Ser Hyle has been smugly enjoying the deterioration of their relations. Young Podrick had ridden beside Jaime most of the afternoon, and questioned him anxiously.

“Why do you antagonize my lady so, my lord?” Podrick has been unfailingly polite to him thus far, in a way that suggests he is intimidated by him, or more likely by his House. But just now he is worried and protective of his lady knight, as loyal as any squire. 

“I don’t know what you mean, Podrick.” He gives the boy only a sidelong glance. 

“It upsets her. Ser Lady Brienne. I’ve never seen her like this before.” Pod sits up a little straighter on his little horse and affects a hardened expression. “You should be nicer to her.”

Jaime snorts. The lad is about as threatening as a newborn puppy. “I’m very nice to her. Am I not praising her to everyone we meet?”

Pod screws up his face in frustration. “She doesn’t understand. You’re hurting her.”

He shrugs off these comments; surely the boy has it the wrong way around. He spurs his horse and rides ahead all the way to Ironoaks, and the rough terrain of the rising road successfully occupies his thoughts. 

The high road to the Vale is closed by the snows, but they have managed to hug the coast around Wickenden rather than travel through the Mountains of the Moon. It takes weeks longer, and still they have had to fight their way through rising snow. Hopefully their destination is close. Much of the Eyrie court has moved to the Gates of the Moon, and Brienne’s party has heard news of a tourney there to select new members for the Brotherhood of Winged Knights. It is in this direction they ride despite the worsening weather. From there they can cross to the rest of the Vale, if needed.

The village surrounding Ironoaks Castle is quiet and still. Jaime rides through much of it, looking for some central place where he might find Brienne. If she has not decided to ride somewhere else entirely to escape him. But no, she would not leave her squire, and Podrick Payne is hot on his heels even now.

He finds her at a posting in the village square with news of the tourney. She stands enfolded in her heavy travel cloak, her loose blonde hair blowing in the snow, and he dismounts to join her.

Jaime thinks little enough of the Vale Knights - they are confident in their superiority but were no match for his sword when he had two hands. But the conflagration of nobles and knights will surely be an ideal location to learn news of the region, and a safe place to hide from Crown forces. If the Stark girl is indeed in the Vale, she would surely be there. 

“I might have competed in this once,” he says by way of greeting as he comes to stand beside her. “Perhaps you might consider it, becoming a winged knight. There are not so many Starks left to serve.”

Brienne does not turn to him. She fairly growls at him, arms crossed beneath her cloak. “I thought you wanted to find your honor? If you are not so distracted by ridiculing me.”

A strange falling sensation fills his stomach. “Oh, so you’re speaking to me now? How nice.”

“Will you stop telling people I am your bride?”

“Why? It’s true.”

“It’s misleading.” She glares at the missive nailed to the wall as if it has attacked her personally. “I never agreed to be anyone’s wife. Must you make this more unpleasant?” 

“It’s not unpleasant for me,” he says cheerfully.

“Of course it isn’t.” Brienne lifts her chin and looks at him, and this time it is he who cannot quite meet her eye.  “You can amuse yourself as you like, you are not the one who will be considered spoiled afterwards. Your reputation will be pristine when the marriage is undone, but not mine. Even though I spoke no vow, and was not even awake for the ceremony.”

He feels a pang of guilt at that. “It was not my idea either, Brienne. It was a convenience. I know that it was not real, and you did not agree to it.” 

“For gods sake let’s keep it quiet then,” she hisses at him. “For the survival of my good name keep your japes to yourself.”

“For your good name, I’ll refrain from sullying it with mine,” he agrees with considerably less cheer. 

“Why did you allow it in the first place? I thought you were forbidden to marry, as a Kingsguard…?” Brienne is staring at him most earnestly, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 

“As it happens, King Tommen has declared me dead and replaced me in the Guard. He did not wait overlong to do it, either. So as dead men have no vows…” he shrugs, with a great deal more indifference than he is feeling. 

He hadn’t known that detail at the time, of course. It had most likely happened while they were on the Quiet Isle, and he had learned of it from rumors on the road. But she does not need to know that. Nor does she need to know how hurt he had been, to find himself so easily discarded.

“But what was the purpose? The Quiet Isle would have tended to me just the same. Why -- ?”

How to explain? She doesn’t remember it. She doesn’t remember him holding her belly together as they rode for the Isle. She doesn’t remember screaming in pain in the bed they put her in. How she had thrashed and writhed in it, when they let him look in. They would not let them go to her side, not even young Podrick, who clearly loved her like a mother. Not even him, when he had carried her in pleading for their help, and was still covered in her blood.

How can he explain to her that he tried to tell them no? That he had refused to wed an unconscious woman without her permission? That was when they had shown him, when he had seen her in that bed and wanted to carry her away immediately from that awful room. It stank of sickness, of infection, and she did not belong there. But of course it was coming from her, the sickness was in her and radiating off her in waves. Her skin was grey and damp with sweat and those wounds open to the air were black and dripping with pus. Her face gaped open at her cheek and he could see a flash of muscle tissue through the swelling, the cheek she had always kept covered before. These were old wounds, weeks’ worth of wounds, one on top of another, and worst of all the one to her belly that should have carved out her guts. They had stitched it shut, that one, but it showed no inclination to stay closed. She was shivering, moving in small, restless jerks. 

“Can you give her nothing for the pain?” he had demanded of them, but they said the amount they would have to give to touch these wounds, she was unlikely to wake from it. They said it and the monk and his fellow looked at Jaime expectantly, as though they have asked him a question. It takes him too long to realize what the question is. 

“If you’re asking,” he said testily, “whether I agree to a mercy killing, I do not. Brienne will live. You will save her life.”

They had looked at one another, grimacing. The monks had explained, one after another, that they could not save her. That her wounds were quite grievous, and quite infected, and the lady was mortally ill. They would be only delaying the inevitable. They thought, after a certain point when they had tired of arguing with him, that it would be selfish to continue.

“When I lost this” -- he had shouted at them, holding up what was left of his right arm -- “and I was burning with infection, wearing my own rotting hand on a chain around my neck and in such unimaginable pain I was pleading to gods I don’t even believe in to put an end to me, Brienne told me to live. She said I must live, and so I did. I would ask no less of her. I don’t care that she is a maid, she is no weaker than I am and has endured far more than most men. She will survive this if we let her. You will give her the chance to, and so help me I will make certain of it. I will burn this monastery down if you don’t.”

But she had writhed. The monks held her arms down firmly against the bed, to keep her from hurting herself or flinging herself off of it. Her entire body seized with pain, silently, an agony too harsh even to allow a cry to escape her lips. It bent her back so that she arched off the bed and her hands formed claws at her sides. 

When she relaxed into unconsciousness again, Jaime noticed his lungs screaming at him and remembered to breathe in. He took a harsh gulp of air and held it painfully, his vision blurred.

“Do you see?” The Elder Brother had said then. “Do you understand?”

He had nodded wordlessly. He believed them, that she was dying. Dying by inches and measured breaths, the Stranger’s hand on her shoulder. He never told anyone that, not then and not later, that he had given in. Out loud he had insisted she would live, that they must try. But in that moment, looking at her in the bed, he knew that she was dying and there was nothing he could do to save her. That was why he had agreed to marry her. He could do nothing for her terrible pain but he would not allow her to die alone and scared. He could at least do that.

But she did not die. She did not die, and now she stands before him and she is confused and he does not know what to tell her. She doesn’t remember and there are no words to describe it. It had been agony, that helpless moment looking at her in the bed, and he would have done anything in his power to help her, and so he married her. There is no way to explain that.

Jaime steps closer to Brienne. He has to look decidedly upwards to find her eyes, and has never gotten used to it. His eyeline falls more naturally to her strong jaw, her neck, which he had been so entranced by in the Inn. Her neck, with the fading burn beneath her chin where they had hung her. 

He could kiss her. She is unreasonably tall but he could bury his hand in her hair and turn her face down to his. Her mouth is not pretty but her lips are thick and pillowy and would be sweet to taste. He could do it.

“What about this?” he asks instead, suddenly. Jaime brushes his knuckles against it, the mark around her neck where the rope had been. “Why would you let the Brotherhood do this to you?”

Something strange flickers across her face. “I could hardly protest. There were too many.”

He insists. “You could have simply done as they wanted.”

Brienne shakes her head. “It would not have been right. You did not do the things they accused you of, and I would not execute an innocent man.”

Jaime should have been prepared for that answer but he isn’t. For some reason it hits him square in the chest, like a blow. 

“Of course,” he says, a little breathlessly. He lets his hand drop back to his side. “You would only do right.”

Of course. Of course that is why. Brienne is good, she is truly good and honorable and she would have done it for anyone. Brienne would do the right thing, and that is that. She is a true knight and he is a damned fool.

He pretends to read the bulletin of the tourney with great interest.

“It was a whim,” he says in answer to her earlier question, and shrugs. “The nuptuals. They said it would be undone, and it took no time at all. Only a few words and it was over.”

 “A whim.” She sniffs, and nods harshly. 

“They were quite set on having you married, their order. For a lot of unmarried monks they are quite obsessed with it.”

“I see,” she whispers.

***

When he makes the arrangements at the Inn this time, he arranges for the two rooms, but does not mention a wife. He says very little at all, and sets himself in the tavern well apart from the rest of their little party. 

Podrick Payne looks between the both of them, Brienne and Jaime, and stays with Brienne. 

The Hound, oddly enough, sits next to Jaime, though he offers little in the way of conversation. He makes a pleasant enough drinking companion, in that he signals regularly to the barmaid to replenish their supply, and does not ask any questions. 

Ser Hyle sits beside Brienne as she sullenly eats her supper, speaking to her eagerly, probably about their ridiculous situation. He had wanted to be the one to marry her, of course. He had offered it, on the Isle. But Hyle Hunt is a schemer from a minor house and he would wed Brienne for her inheritance and leave her on her deathbed, Jaime thinks. He would not have cared for her the way he had. 

I know that it was not real, he had told Brienne.

I truly believe that the ceremony was real and it was sacred, Elder Brother had said. 

There was not, in fact, much ceremony at all. He had simply sat beside her on her sickbed. The both of them in the same clothes they had worn before Lady Stoneheart, torn and bloodstained and filthy. They had bound Jaime’s left hand to her right and Elder brother said the words. One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever. Her hand was cold and limp in his but he threaded his fingers through hers and squeezed, hoping somehow she felt it as a comfort. If she was not silently screaming in objection to this farce of a wedding. 

He said the words; she could not say them back. I am hers and she is mine. From this day until the end of my days.

They had left him alone with her, with dreamwine and milk of the poppy to ease her passing, and he poured her a finger of the dreamwine, and when much of it dripped out of her mouth he poured her another, but no more. She did not move about so much after that. Then he had crawled into the bed beside her and slipped an arm around her, just above the stitches at her belly, and held onto her as best he could with his handless arm and her wounded from head to toe. 

She at least would not die alone, nor lie in an unmarked grave in a strange place. She would not go unremembered. He would make sure of that.

I don’t doubt you would have chosen better, but I will be a good husband to you in what way I can. I will take you to my home at Casterly Rock and make a place for you and a place for me. One day when I die they will lay our bones there together.   

But she did not die. She had survived through long nights and days of pain and fever, had survived the monks and their bandages and resetting of bones and scouring of infection, and slowly her wounds had closed and her fever broke and consciousness returned at last, against all odds and expectations.

She had survived and by the Seven, he had been so relieved. Every day since he has been relieved. For the first time perhaps ever his most fervent prayers have been answered. He has lost his mother and his father, become estranged from his brother, separated from the children he had fathered, lost his right hand and his vocation, found that the great love of his life had been an illusion and a lie, but when he had claimed Brienne for his own she had survived. 

So if she doesn’t want him for a husband, he surely cannot begrudge her that. He had not prayed for that, had he? He only asked her to live. 

He stays in the tavern longer than all the others. Brienne and Podrick and Ser Hyle finish their supper quickly and disappear. The Hound paces him admirably but eventually excuses himself to his bed, with a strangely sympathetic touch on the shoulder. 

He must look miserable indeed to earn pity from Sandor Clegane.

It takes a considerable amount of ale to do him any damage, watered-down as it is, but Jamie makes the effort. By the time he wanders upstairs he is weaving in his steps and sure that Brienne will be long asleep, and he is considerably surprised to find her sitting up, fully dressed and waiting for him. 

She sits on the foot of the bed, her hands twisting in her lap, and she looks tentative and uncertain. Jaime likes that least of all, this new timidity. It is Brienne being Good again. She treats him as a suitor she is letting down gently, and he thinks that if he is going to be rejected, he might at least have made a real overture first. He has not earned this. This is unfair.

“We must put an end to this marriage,” Brienne says slowly, meeting his eye at last. “I do not like what it has put between us.”

The words stick in his throat awkwardly, though he has thought them often enough. “If we returned to King’s Landing, the Faith could annul it at my request. But I did not think you would want to abandon our search for that.”

“I don’t see much choice.” She wipes the heel of her hand across her face, quickly.

Finally he snaps at her. "Is it so awful, being wed to me? How humiliating for you, married to the most dishonorable man in Westeros. You must be suffering intolerably.” 

Her mouth twists. “If you were not the loudest man in Westeros, it would not be so bad. If you did not insist on embarrassing me--” 

"I didn’t realize I was to be a shameful secret for you to keep. If it embarrasses you, I will not speak of it  But tell me, if you are so distressed, why didn’t you ask your Elder Brother to dissolve this farce?"

"I did," she replies sullenly.

Oh, he thinks. And then: Oh. Of course she did.

"I suppose he told you the same thing he told me then." His face is grown hot again, as if held to a fire, and he spits out the words as though they burn. "That it would be dissolved if left unconsummated at year's end. So there is your freedom if you can stand the wait."

"I can endure your japes if there will be an end to them." She hunches over strangely, her shoulders up nearly to her ears. 'i know that you would never touch me."

"Certainly not. I am a gentleman."

She looks up, suddenly fierce. "Sleep you in the other room then, so that there is no mistake. Our companions must support our claim that we do not share a bed."

"Fine," he says before he has quite thought about it, and storms out into hall, slamming the door behind him.

He stands frozen in the hall staring at the wall in front of him, until he hears footsteps behind him. Cautious footsteps. 

He listens closely to them, imagining their maker, how carefully she steps so that he will not hear. She will open the door at any moment, to be sure he is gone, and he should move quickly into the other room they have rented but he is frozen in place. For some reason or other, he wants her to see him there.

But she does not open the door. Instead he hears the lock clicking into place behind him, sealing him out.

Click.

At this he immediately breezes into the adjoining room, startling awake their companions with some story of being locked out of his room after visiting extensively with the bar patrons.

"I knew you'd fuck it up," Ser Hyle says derisively from his pallet on the floor, and Podrick evinces a small giggle, and Jaime curses them all to the darkest of the seven hells and claims a chair for his bed.

He sleeps fitfully against his fist, and he does not think of his wife asleep alone in the next room behind a locked door and it does not hurt at all, it doesn't, it doesn't.

Falling by Lovelyziam | G | 2138 “So what? I get shot at all the time. I don’t know if you know this, Zayn, but it’s kinda part of the job—” “—and,” Zayn interrupted, “you were shot at and you fell two fucking stories, Liam. Excuse me for being more than a little concerned. I don’t know if you know this, but that kind of fall kills people, Liam.” Liam just smirked up at him, the bastard. “Aww, c’mon, Zaynie. I’m not even hurt. I thought you knew me better than this. It’s gonna take more than a little fall to kill me.” And then the asshole winked at him, fucking winked while Zayn was sitting there consumed with worry, and now more than righteous anger. If he wanted to pretend like his fucking safety was a joke, then fine, Zayn wasn’t going to treat him delicately, either.

Screamin' At My Face, Baby, Don't Trip by runaway_train | G | 2498 He’s been waiting at their table in the restaurant for thirty minutes now, already deep into his second large glass of Shiraz, when he checks his phone. No new messages. He clicks onto WhatsApp to check when Louis was last online; 3.34 p.m today. That certainly doesn’t bode well. Louis was always late, yes, but he had promised, he had sworn to Harry that he wouldn’t be late tonight. But he was. By thirty one minutes and counting. Or The one when Harry's anniversary dinner plans don't go quite how he hoped they would.

Super Secret by Caliske_XP | G | 10326 When Louis Tomlinson's life gets saved by the local superhero and his celebrity crush, his world turns upside down.

under me, you by hazzafrazza | M | 12435 You Won’t Believe Who Was Spotted Leaving Harry Styles’ Primrose Hill Pad! If Harry was being completely honest, it probably wasn’t the best idea to be a world-renowned popstar and an infamous vigilante. (Especially when all the comic books said never reveal your secret identity to keep your loved ones safe – which was all well and good, until Louis.) Or: Harry wants a lot of things – fame, glory, Louis – but that last one is particularly hard to get when everyone thinks you’re dating your secret superhero alter-ego and suddenly you’ve become your own worst cockblock.

all the stars were crashing by sarcangel | E | 25845 “We should practice,” Louis says. He’s got a faraway look in his eye that doesn’t bode well for anyone, based on Zayn’s newly-formed knowledge of Louis. “Find a place, set up a schedule, all that.” “What?” Zayn says, not sure where the conversation is exactly headed anymore. “You know, in a movie - like, this would be our montage sequence,” Louis says, hands everywhere, gesturing wildly. “There’d be some song playing in the background while we spar and gain strength and -” (and lick sweat off of each other’s necks, Zayn thinks, and then you knock me to the floor and lay on me and) “Yeah, that’d be sick,” Zayn says, instead, not knowing if he’s more surprised that anything coherent comes out of his mouth or that he’s actually agreed to Louis’ awful plan.

STRANGE HAPPENINGS AT THE DAILY PLANET! by HelloAmHere | E | 31250 Companies like LexCorp think they run the world. Louis does not think that anybody in particular runs the world; the world is a mess that no one is above, not even Lex Luthor, CEO and scion and heir to the empire, billionaire and genius. He’s walked around Metropolis like some kind of superhuman since Louis can remember, since they were both kids growing up in the city. Nobody is superhuman. Everybody has a weakness. You just have to be persistent enough to find it. Louis cannot wait. // A Superman/or a Daily Planet, AU.

Something Just Like This by kiwikero | E | 31281 Newspaper intern Harry Styles can't believe his luck when he goes from fetching coffee for his boss to writing about London's own superheroes, One Direction. Even better, he gets to spend time with the unfairly handsome Freefall, also known as Louis Tomlinson. Louis, who is way out of Harry's league and far too busy for a proper relationship—so how on earth is Harry supposed to tell him they're expecting?

Just As Fast, Twice As Dangerous by lightswoodmagic | E | 45721 When he realised it was only him and Liam in the hallway, he felt safe enough to drop his shield. Oh. Lovely. Liam was emanating affection and fondness, his primary emotions filled with warmth and love. Zayn let himself bask in it, how it would feel to be loved by Liam. He knew Liam loved him, but he wasn’t in love with him; Zayn had felt that emotion too many times to count, and this just wasn’t it. He dug slightly deeper, could feel that Liam was excited and nervous, and when he hit a wall Liam had built himself, he dropped back. He wasn’t supposed to know everything. Or, Zayn's a normal student by day, and a superhero by night. When a mysterious man seems to target him at the same time a natural disaster strikes, Zayn has to figure out a way to save the day, protect his heart, and convince the boys he's not a vigilante all at the same time.

Tell Me Now, Tell Me Now by vanillabeanniall | G | 54662 “Ladybug!” Liam Payne was standing there with his phone out. Harry couldn’t help but smile at his best friend. Not that Liam knew it was him; to Liam, this was Ladybug, hero of Paris and untouchable icon. “I have a question that I think all the viewers here on the Ladyblog want to know: are you and Chat Noir dating?” Harry blinked. “No,” he said quickly, “we’re just- friends. We’re partners! Teammates!” “Of course, I should’ve known,” Liam responded, grinning behind the screen. “Ladybug’s heart belongs to Paris!” Not exactly true. But Harry was the only one who knew just who owned Ladybug’s heart: Louis Tomlinson. In which Harry is Ladybug, Louis is Chat Noir, together they’re the hailed ‘Heroes of Paris,’ and each is in love with the other’s alter-ego.

I’m All Yours - Podrick Payne

Pairing: Podrick Payne x reader

Requested: Yes

Prompts: None

Warnings/notes: Terribly written smut, it’s so cringey and will have you wanting to burn your laptops and/or phones. I’m sorry, I did my best but this was only the second time I wrote something like this.

Wordcount: 2148

Description: Part 2 to “Fine, I’ll Do It Myself”.

”Are you nervous?” You asked Podrick for a second time as you pushed him onto the bed. 

He didn’t answer, not trusting his own voice to speak with the way you were looking at him.

Putting a leg on each side of his thighs, straddling him, you leaned in to kiss his jaw. “I can see you shaking from here.”

Podrick laughed nervously as you started trailing your nails down his chest all while keeping eye contact. ”We are only inches apart from each other.”

“We are, aren’t we?” You asked him before you let your lips press against his in your second shared kiss, leaving him no time to answer. 

Noticing how still he was under your touch, you had to stop an amused laugh from leaving your lips, not wanting to discourage him even more and ruin your chances. 

So instead, you opted to guide him by taking his hands in yours and trailing them up your legs and to your waist, leaving them there. 

You felt him stiffen under you at this, but as you still weren’t quite pleased with the reaction, you slowly let yourself grind down, putting just enough pressure on his lower half to get him to let out a small sound and squeeze his fingers into your sides in surprise. 

You smirked as you kissed him harder, finally seeming to get somewhere as he started moving his lips to match yours. 

Pulling away from the kiss, you let your hands run through his hair as you looked into his hooded eyes, his face seeming to a bit more relaxed now. 

“Just tell me if you want me to stop.” You told him, giving him a chance to back out if he wanted to, however only getting a confused glance in return. 

It was ridiculous how innocent he was, not seeming to have the slightest of an idea of how he had been affecting you ever since you first met. 

You gave him a grin, before slowly starting to kiss down his body, starting at his lips. You moved to his jaw, continuing down his neck, his shoulder, his chest, and his stomach, finally reaching the edge of his breeches where a noticeable bulk could now be seen, the sight causing a tingle to run through your belly to your core. 

You went back up for a moment to rid him of his shirt, before returning to the hem of his pants. 

Podrick was breathing heavily and shaking slightly in nervousness, and when you looked up at him, you found him already looking at you, and while the innocent look still rested on his face, something else entirely had taken over his eyes, them now being a shade darker than usual as he watched you untie the string, purposely letting your fingers brush against the skin right above his most sensitive parts, causing him to flinch. 

You kept your eyes on his the entire time you undid the remaining of his clothes, and just managed to catch a glimpse of the look of pure bliss taking over his features when you took him in your mouth, before you closed your eyes to be able to concentrate. 

“Seven Save Me…” Podrick gritted through clenched teeth as his head fell backwards, hand automatically going to hold on to your hair. 

His heart stopped in his chest for a moment, not knowing if he was allowed to touch you like that or not, but when looking down and seeing the look you were giving him once opening your eyes, he let his head fall back once more. 

As he finally seemed to be stepping out of his shy bubble, hand tugging softly at your locks and starting to guide you, you felt your heart speed up. 

You sucked him off until you felt him starting to shake underneath you, curses falling off his lips along with your name during the whole time up to the point where he was about to reach his peak. 

However, before he could, you pulled away, causing him to let out an actual whine in disappointment of the loss of contact and pleasure. 

“Fuck.” You heard him curse, maybe for the first time in your life, as he ran a hand over his face and let his head fall back. 

Not wanting him to think you didn’t want him anymore, like you were sure he would, being as insecure as he was, you wasted no time in pulling off your pants, coming to straddle him just as he looked up at you again, pulling your shirt over your head right in front of his eyes. 

His eyes instantly fell to your chest, cheeks reddening, and you grabbed his hands to guide them like you had once before. 

One of them, you guided to your breast, using your own hand to make him squeeze down. 

His face fell into your shoulder at the feeling, as you traveled his other hand down your stomach to your womanhood, using one of his finger to test the fluids you had collected. 

“I’m all yours tonight.” You told him softly, letting your hands go to rest on his shoulders, leaving him a chance to do something himself. 

But as he stayed still, just breathing shakily into your shoulder, you moved to go back to guiding him through it, however, before you could, you felt his fingers start caressing your breast gently. 

Your breath hitched slightly as his fingers, one after one, starting trailing along the skin around your areola, and then, shocking you beyond relief, his other hand started moving as well. 

You yelped as one of his rough fingers ran over the sensitive bud suddenly, jumping slightly and holding onto him as you clenched yourself. 

Podrick looked up at you, hair hanging into his face. “Does that feel good?” He asked you, unsure, as he continued running his finger over the nerve. 

You couldn’t help but moan at the feeling, stars coming to cover your vision as your eyes rolled into your head and your head lolled backwards. 

Podrick took this as a sign to keep going, his other hand leaving your breast and trailing up and down your side softly as he leaned up to place his mouth on yours. 

And suddenly the innocent, shy boy you had been touching only moments before was gone as if he never existed, being replaced with a whole other version of him as he caught on to what you liked, surprising you more and more as he grew comfortable enough to finally take charge. 

Podrick let his finger glide down your core slowly, slipping in and out of your heat as he explored, putting two and two together to get a full picture of what to do. 

Finally coming back from your shock, you grabbed his face in your hands, kissing him heatedly. 

Moving one of your hands down between your bodies, you brought his hand away from your heat and grabbed a hold of his erection, wasting no time in lining him up to your entrance. 

Once sure he was positioned in a way that your tightness wouldn’t hurt him, you let yourself sink down slowly, moaning into his mouth at the feeling.

This new feeling was unlike anything Podrick had ever felt before, and had he not wanted to please you as much as he did, he probably would’ve been able to let go right that second. 

But he managed to hold himself back, hands coming to your hips as you slowly started moving. 

As you started picking up the pace, your breathing grew quicker and your kisses sloppier and more rushed, giving you both pleasure none the less. 

You rode him for a few minutes, both of you a mess of tangled limbs, rough hands and teeth-clashing kisses, until Podrick couldn’t hold himself back anymore. 

He shook under you as you kept going, breaking the kiss to let his head fall into your neck, moaning as he pressed his lips to the soft skin as he came with a jolt, filling you up. 

You felt him soften inside you, and he buried his face in your shoulder as he caught his breath, ashamed. 

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled, looking up at you with sad eyes, hair falling in front of his eyes. 

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” You told him, grabbing his face to kiss him. 

Lips moving in sync, his hands slowly came to rest at your waist, and before you knew it, he had flipped you over so that he was towering over you. 

He looked at you with a mixture of emotions, kissing your lips once more as he spoke. “Now it’s your turn.” And then, he started kissing down your body, having you a trashing mess for the rest of the hour as you came undone under him more than once. 

(EXTRA)

An hour later, Jaime and Tyrion sat in front of a fire, drinking and talking. 

“I’m happy. I’m happy that you’re happy.” Tyrion said after staring at his brother for a moment after being told about his exciting activities. “I’m happy that you’ll finally have to climb for it.”

Jaime laughed as Tyrion kept his teasing eyes on him. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to tell tall-person jokes? To climbing mountains.”

They clinked their mugs together. “To climbing mountains.”

“What’s she like down there?” Tyrion asked after taking a drink, eyes never leaving Jaime. 

“What?” Jaime looked at him, offended. “That’s not your concern.”

“I haven’t been with a woman for years.”

“You’re a dog.”

“I am the Imp, and I demand to know!”

“I knew you were fucking her.” The brothers’ bickering was suddenly interrupted as a new voice joined in on the conversation, Bronn stepping into the room. 

“A pair of tall blonde toffs.” He continued as he walked into the room, crossbow in hand. “Must be like looking in the mirror.”

“Ser Bronn of the Blackwater.” Tyrion greeted, looking at him, unimpressed. “Where’s your drink?”

The dwarf paused. “What are you doing this far North?”

“What are you doing with that?” Jaime asked, voice hard. 

Bronn looked down at the crossbow. “Ah, this? This is for you, For both of you.” He sat down. 

“You’re supposed to be South.” Tyrion told him as Bronn raised the crossbow. 

“You boys are a pair of gold-plated cunts. Do you know that?”

“That’s a bit rude.”

“Year after year, I’ve shoveled Lannister shit and what do I have to show?”

“You’re a knight, thanks to me.”

“Thanks to me. And that title’s worth as much as a blonde hair from your brother’s ballsack.”

As they went on back and forth, Bronn was starting to have enough, looking to Tyrion. “I’ve never hit a dwarf before.”

“I don’t believe you’d do that.” Tyrion responded, only to get punched in the nose. 

Jaime stood up, ready to attack and defend his brother, when the crossbow was suddenly knocked out of Bronn’s hand by a wine carafe, sending it tumbling to the floor and wine to splash to walls. 

“I’ll take that, thank you very much.” You stepped into the room, finally revealing yourself from having watched the scene unfold from the doorway. 

“(Y/N)?” Bronn asked, confusion written on his face. “The fuck are you doing here? Cersei told me you went to Dorne.”

“Why the fuck would I go to Dorne?” You snorted, picking up the crossbow as your brother moved to stand up from the floor. 

You inspected the piece of weaponry in your hands, shrugging and nodding. “Nice crossbow.” You thought out loud, and as Bronn went to answer, you knocked it into his face, the force throwing him back to the floor.

The sellsword mumbled something incoherent as he passed out. 

You looked down at him, disgusted. ”Sorry, don’t speak idiot.” Turning to the brothers, you gave them a glare. “I told you not to trust him.”

“(Y/N)! How long were you standing there?” Jaime exclaimed as they both watched you in shock, ignoring you. 

“Long enough to hear the words ‘Jaime’ and ‘ballsack’ in the same sentence. I’ll never get that picture out of my head.” 

“Speaking of heads.” Tyrion thought out loud, eyes trailing to the mess you called hair. “What have you been up to?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” You fired back, throwing the crossbow at Jaime before walking back to your chambers where Podrick was waiting, the trip to the kitchen for wine having taken a bit of an unexpected turn. 

It wasn’t until the day after, when Podrick showed up with a smile so wide they were surprised his face hadn’t split in two, Jaime asking him “What’s got you all smiley this morning?”, that they were finally able to piece it together, realizing Jaime’s private parts weren’t the only ones that had been on your mind last night. 

Tagged: @witch-of-letters @edarene @anephemeralwoe @well-aint-that-strange @starkbelova @aquariusfangirl

Monthly Reads | May 2019

Happy 28th! If you want to promote your fic or your artwork head on over to @kingsofeverything and send Lauren a message! She’s doing self recs - fics and art - today. Thank you to all of you amazing authors who brighten my world with your words ♥ Here are all the fics I read and loved this month:

Let Our Hearts Collide || crinkle-eyed-boo (KimmieRocks) || While You Were Sleeping AU - 90s - mistaken identity - fake/pretend relationship - coma - amnesia - pining - grief - 76k When Harry, a lonely transit worker, saves the life of the handsome commuter he's been secretly pining for, an innocent mistake results in Liam Payne's family believing that Harry is engaged to their son. In the Paynes, Harry finds the big family he's always longed for...and a love he never saw coming.

Can't Help Falling || Anonymous || open ending - 15k The one where Harry's a workaholic, until best mates Liam and Niall drag him away for a holiday to Ibiza.

24K Magic || Justalittlelouislove || famous/not famous - drug use - 32k A fic based on 24k Magic by Bruno Mars, in which Harry's a mess and famous, Louis is a mess and not, Liam and Zayn are probably hiding something, and Niall is a horrible flatmate.

For You I'd Bleed Myself Dry || amomentoflove || vampires - past abuse - slow burn - angst - depression - anxiety - 50k Harry is cold. His bones ache. Every movement draws a whimper from his cracked lips. The stone underneath him is practically like ice. He’s numb, but can clearly feel the sharp pains on his neck every timeHe visits him. Below the icy cold, the achy bones, and the pain on his neck, Harry Styles is pissed. There’s a fire burning in his mind and the anger for the man who keeps him imprisoned is the fuel. He despises him, the man who feeds from him and is a daily reminder that Harry’s suffering won’t end. The man who keeps Harry so weak that he can barely move most days. Harry’s waiting for the day when his owner will go too far and finally kill him. Death must be better than this cold hell he is in. It won’t happen, though. He has a way of keeping Harry’s heart beating. So for now, all Harry can do is wait for death to come. He’s been waiting for years.

Consequences || allwaswell16 || amnesia - exes to lovers - getting back together - injury recovery - angst - 74k Two years ago Harry let his powerful family come between him and the love of his life, something he deeply regrets. Louis has tried to move on from their devastating break up. Sometimes, he even thinks he has. It only takes one moment to freeze them back in time.

The Fire and the Fate || dimpled_halo || A Star Is Born AU - depression - alcohol abuse/alcoholism - addiction - drug abuse - famous/not famous - angst - hurt/comfort - break up - post-break up - getting back together - 56k An A Star is born au with a happy ending. Harry is a troubled musician about to reach the end of his rope when he finds Louis singing in a club one night. He’s instantly mesmerised by the man with blue eyes and breathtaking voice.

And That's The Tea || 2tiedships2 || a/b/o - soulmates - strangers to lovers - friends to lovers - 27k The one where Louis loses his soulmate before even getting the chance to meet them, and he is in no way prepared for the kind of distraction his new friend Harry proves to be.

I Must Confess (I Still Believe) || objectlesson || High School - Catholic School - Girl Direction - coming of age - self-discovery - self-doubt - self-acceptance - angst - pining - slow burn - internalized homophobia - 44k Harry is the new girl at an all girl Catholic Girl's School, and Louis is the unattainable, dashing senior who changes her forever.

Like A Siren In The Night || whoknows || a/b/o - light dom/sub - 24k “There is an infestation in my home,” Louis hisses, righting himself quickly and pushing his way past Harry, heading directly for the kitchen. He’s rather haphazardly dressed himself, a coat thrown on over a loose flannel shirt and black pants, slippers on his feet. Harry resists the urge to sigh, closing the door and trailing behind him slowly. “What kind of infestation?” For all he knows, Louis is going to claim that there’s a ghost infestation. Harry has no idea what the end game is here – all he knows is that Louis has found at least three complaints a week to bring up since he’s been living on Harry’s property, and he’s been living here for six months. It’s way too many fucking complaints, is what Harry is saying. Especially when most of them are ridiculous to start with.

Let Me (Be Your Girl) || dimpled_halo || Girl Direction - cheating - pwp - 6k Louis hires Harry to help her find out things about her husband. What she doesn't expect is to discover some things about herself in the process.

Come together || bottomlinsons || college/university - One Night Stands - miscommunication - angst - pining - 11k Harry and Louis slept together three weeks ago, and haven't talked. Their coming group project is gonna change that.

Tonight's not over (come over and stay) || louistomlinsons || famous/not famous - fluff - 17k Harry is a famous singer and louis is a student who just wants to write his novel

Born Ready For You || taggiecb || Sequel to That's What I'm Here For - children - adoption - family drama - 2k Harry and Louis' life gets turned upside down once again with an unexpected visitor.

Getting high in mine || bottomlinsons || meet-cute - drug use - 4k Getting home from a festival is miserable by any method, but a three-hour train ride is truly the bottom of the barrel. This time, though, with the help of the cute guy sitting on the floor, it might not be so bad.

The Daddiest Place on Earth || lovelarry10 || Social Media - Disney World & Disneyland - strangers to lovers - 23k Louis. Harry. Instagram. A whole lot of confusion and a whole lot of laughs...

I Won't Give Up So Come And Get Me || runaway_train || strangers to lovers - Blind Date - 15k The one where Louis meets Harry and it all just seems too good to be true...

Picking Up The Pieces || Halos_Boat || strangers to friends to lovers - angst - slow burn - emotional hurt/comfort - 72k Harry just signed his second set of divorce papers. He felt like his life was over, like he had nothing left. Then he meets Louis.

Ready, baby? || jaerie || pain kink - rope bondage - earrings - 1k Harry gets an earring. Louis is the one to do it. Or a pain kink drabble.

Impress Me || lightswoodmagic (sarah_writes) || Chefs - homelessness - fluff - 5k Harry's a new chef who can't cook to save himself, but when he meets Louis, he learns more than he thought possible

Drunk in Love (last thing I remember) || MrsStylinson || fluff - pining - banter - 22k The one where Louis wakes up, naked, in a stranger's bed and has no idea how he got there. Maybe it's foul play. Maybe it's just the kindness of a handsome stranger amused by his drunken antics.

Take The Bitter With The Sweet || rainbowslovehl (Larrymateforlife) || Coffe Shops - fluff - pining - 7k Liam recruits Louis to spy on the 'rival cafe', which Louis is less than enthusiastic about but it does lead him Harry, the pretty barista who works there.

Harry Poppins || jacaranda_bloom || strangers to lovers - kid fic - hurt/comfort - past character death - fluff - 32k When Louis’ best friends pass away he finds himself with an instant family. Maddie and Thomas are wonderful children but take an immediate dislike to every nanny that sets foot inside their house. After nanny number six is summarily dismissed Louis is at his wit’s end, that is until an unusual man arrives on their doorstep. Harry Styles is like nothing any of them have ever encountered before, and perhaps, exactly what they’ve been looking for all along.

You Bring Me Home || reminiscingintherain || Saving Mr Banks AU - fluff - 22k The one where Louis wants to turn Harry's book into a film, and Harry's very picky about what happens.

Big, Bright World || || pining - jealousy - slow burn - cheating - miscommunication - 35k It really was just a little crush in the beginning, nothing to be worried about. Louis had never really liked anyone he'd worked with in the past, but he was sure he could control himself. Little did he know that over time his 'little crush' would develop into a blazing inferno of Hell-fire proportions. Every day, Louis' feelings became more intense, more immediate, each little smile and gesture and silly flirtation mounting up into something palpable, with a life of its own. Louis felt it every moment they were together. The only problem? Harry was engaged to someone else and had been from the moment Louis started working at Visionary.

Barren Souls || Snowy38 || Dystopian - mpreg - angst - emotional hurt/comfort - 37k It's 2907 and things are different. Organic men and women are no longer fertile and only genetically modified humans are permitted to procreate. The sexes have equalled, men are able to give birth in these dire times and roles have been created to both sire children ('Stud') and carry them ('Provider'). Public displays of affection are a criminal offence and the procreators cannot get emotionally attached without severe consequences. Harry has hit 19, the legal age to bear children. He's looking forward to producing babies for his host family and he's just had his placement confirmed. All that's left now is to meet the Stud who'll impregnate him. It might tug at his heartstrings thinking about the beautiful babies he'll be carrying who he'll have to let go but he's trained for this. He's spent his whole life preparing. Being a Provider is a special job and Harry's one of the chosen.

In a sky full of stars, be my Northern lights || Anonymous || strangers to lovers - fluff - travel - 13k It's one of those nights there's nothing on the telly that Louis absently scrolls through Tinder. After swiping left on a bunch of profiles he comes face to face with a picture that stops him in his tracks. The picture is..almost sweet. It’s a boy with brown curly hair, wearing a very low cut yellow blouse, paired with a black jacket. He’s got a smile on his face and his tongue sticking out, but it’s not in any way lewd or suggestive. He just looks like he’s having a good time, and something about the innocence of it has him swiping right rather than left. He’s barely checked the other pictures on the boy's profile before Tinder confirms that he’s got a match. The shots are so different from the pictures Louis is used to on Tinder - half naked boys who are smoldering at the camera - that he can’t help but smile. It quickly turns into a frown when he opens up the message he’s just received. Harry: Hello! Harry: Thank you for swiping right Harry: I have a proposition for you

The Devil Wears Kevlar - Part 7

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

it’s crazy how i’ve been doing this for almost two months huh? the next week the chapter is a little short so to celebrate the real two month-aversary I was thinking about updating twice? let me know what you think but I’d just feel bad with the shorter chapter and hopefully I’ll have more time this summer so I won’t need chapters in the bank. but the suspense is a big draw for you guys, right? anyway content warning for violence again

She comes back to consciousness slowly, achingly. One thought after the other.

Ow.

Aspen’s mouth feels like foam.

The chair she's in is really uncomfortable.

Sound really echoes in this place.

Ow.

She's cold.

Ow.

Something is digging into her ankles.

Ow.

Ow.

Ow.

Aspen drags her head up and blinks her eyes open. Shapes and colours blur together for a long moment - she huffs out a breath and squints. Things sharpen.

The walls around her are concrete - it's all unfinished, wherever this is. It’s breezy. She can't see any door, and the only light is from some industrial floodlight pointed into a corner. There are dropcloths all over - in fact, there's one under the chair she's sitting in.

Well. Shit.

Now that she's looking around with her stiff neck - her ankles are chained to the legs of the chair she's in. Not delicately, either, the chain’s wound around each of her ankles a couple of times and tight. Her arms - she wiggles experimentally - they're chained too, to something behind her. At least, that's sure as hell what they feel like. She's no expert. She's never been kidnapped before.

Fuck. Aspen forces herself to take a deep breath, and then another, but it doesn't work. She's panicking. And you know what, fucking goddamn right, she doesn't know where she is or how she got here or what’s going on-

A door slams open behind her and she jumps. The chains click a little. It’s a metal foldout, the kind you’d find in a church basement. Any information feels essential, in this state - even turning her head, she can’t see who’s come in. The tears in her eyes make everything blurry again.

“Aspen? Oh, you’re awake, I’m - glad.” Liam comes into her field of vision.

Liam. It all rush through her mind again; the elevator, the garage. There’s a deep ache in her bicep that starts to throb as she remembers it all.

“Here, have some water.”

Aspen is parched, but as Liam holds out a water bottle she doesn’t lean forwards to try and drink. “What the fuck is this?” She says, trying to ignore the way her voice cracks. She looks around again, sees city lights out between the scaffolding. This must be a construction site. Fuck, she’s up so high.

That wasn’t what Liam was looking for, apparently, because he draws the water bottle back and looks wounded. He’s wearing a white t-shirt and sweatpants, and that alone his almost as eerie as this whole damn thing; she’s never seen him in anything but a suit before. There are dark stains on the pants that she’s praying are motor oil. “I just want to get you home, Aspen, I- this wasn’t supposed to happen. You’ll be fine as long as you listen to me, I promise.”

That’s what does it - Aspen makes her hands into fists behind her back, but it doesn’t help, the tears are already falling hot on her cheeks. She doesn’t want him to see her cry, goddamn it. She turns her head away, into her shoulder. She’s still wearing her cardigan. Thank god. She doesn’t know what she’d do if she was stuck in just a slip and her bruises in this- in this-

“Oh, no, I- please don’t cry. It’s- there, there.”

She feels Liam’s hand on her other shoulder and instinctively jerks away, as much as her bonds will let her. “Don’t touch me.” She hisses, even though it sounds pitiful. She can’t look at him, she’ll implode.

After a long moment, she feels him draw away and move around her. She hears his footsteps drag over the concrete. A door behind her closes. She is alone.

She weeps.

This was never supposed to happen. If she was at the mercy of some desperate person in an alley or one of the nightmare supervillains in this town it wouldn’t be so bad, but this is Liam. He let her borrow his stapler and now he’s got a sheet out so her blood won’t stain the floor. Aspen isn’t sensitive, but now she weeps, like she’s a fucking princess in a tower. Only now, she’s an office worker in a a half-constructed skyscraper and she’s going to die here.

She cries her throat raw.

Eventually, she gets her bearings back. She forces herself to take breaths so deep her lungs hurt until she calms down. Wipes her face as best she can on the shoulders of her cardigan. She’ll survive this. She’ll survive this. She has to.

She doesn’t know how long it is until she hears voices outside and she tenses up again, drawing her shoulders back and down like her shoulder blades are plates of armour. She doesn’t know how long she’s been left alone down here. She can’t make out what the people out there are saying, but the voices are low and angry until the door flies open and crashes against the wall, enough to make her gasp.

“-isn’t gonna be happy about this, you know he wanted-”

“Didn’t I say I’d take care of it? Back off, or I’ll tell him exactly how you tried to get in my way.” That’s Liam. The door slams behind her again and she sucks in a breath, in case what comes next hurts, but it’s Liam again, striding over to her. His body is drawn tight - his hands are in fists, too. “How are you doing? You ready to answer some questions for me?” He says, in a voice meant to be gentle. It almost works.

Aspen makes herself take another deep breath. She’s not gonna get out of here if she can’t keep from crying. “Is that why I’m here? Liam, I don’t know anything, I don’t know anything that justifies this, I don’t-”

“Don’t scare yourself, sweetheart, I’m sure we can take care of this.” Liam says, reaching for the same uncapped bottle of water he first offered her. “Here, you want some water now?”

Aspen almost nods. Her mouth tastes like the rest of her feels, and she’s lost a lot of water, but there could be something in that bottle meant to make her fall apart again. “You drink first.” She says.

Liam’s brow creases, and he looks at the water in his hand for a moment until - Liam isn’t easy to read, but she sees something come clear behind his eyes. He understands. He almost looks hurt that she thinks he’d do such a thing, which - dick. “If that’s what you want,” he says, and takes a long sip, wiping his mouth as if to accentuate how safe this is. “It’s fine. I swear.”

Aspen doesn’t need any more than that. “Please,” she says, but before she has to beg anymore Liam is kneeling beside her and tilting the water into her mouth gently. She still nearly chokes on it, but the water is sweet and glorious and she almost feels human by the time he draws back.

“Better?” He asks, and she tries not to be too eager when she nods. “Good. I’m glad. Think you can help me out now?”

That, she isn’t so sure about. “I don’t know what you think I know, Liam. I really don’t.” She says slowly. She doesn’t want to be stupid, she wants to survive this, but - fuck.

Liam’s still kneeling beside her. “Falcone just wants to know a little about Mr. Hood’s plans in the next few days, and you’re smart, I know you-”

“Wait, Don Falcone? Tell him to make a fucking appointment.” If she is chained up in this fucking construction site because one of her boss’ parters doesn’t want to wait to see Calum, Jesus Christ, she’s gonna throw a fit.

Liam looks like her response personally agonized him. “Aspen, please. I shouldn’t have - look, let’s start with something easy, what time does Hood usually get to work in the mornings?”

Aspen doesn't answer. Why would Don Falcone have her kidnapped and tied up to ask about his schedule? Why would he- what does he want with Calum that would make him do this? “Liam, what's going on?” She asks, after a long moment.

“I'm asking the questions, Aspen,” but Liam hesitates even in the cliché and it is not reassuring.

“Please.”

Liam puts the water down and stands up, running a hand through his hair. He turns away from her and looks over Gotham’s skyline, a silhouette against light pollution. To think, probably. All this silence feels worse than if he just told her outright he was going to kill her, which- he wouldn't. Liam wouldn’t.

Of course, Aspen had been pretty sure he wouldn't kidnap her, too.

“...I've already said more than you should know.” Liam mumbles. He's still not looking at her. “All you need to know is that even if it doesn't feel like it, I'm on your side. Okay? I know I've been terrible to you, I know I was a prick at work and all, but this is serious. It’s real. And I- I really don't want to have to hurt you.

“Aspen. God, that's the last thing I want.” Liam turns back to her with wide and desperate eyes, so much so that she almost believes him. “If you trust me, I promise you that I'll make sure you're safe. Just for once in your fucking life cooperate and we’ll both come out fine.”

This is probably meant to make her feel better, feel safe. It doesn't. What is Liam Payne - twice her size Liam, legs like tree trunks Liam, held her down with one hand Liam - what is he so afraid of? Aspen knows it's in her best interest not to find out.

But he's asking her about Calum.

She kissed Calum.

Aspen doesn't know how she would feel about giving up her boss’s schedule if they hadn't- she doesn't know. She’ll never know. All she's certain of is that right now, she's not telling Liam a fucking thing.

She just looks through him. Fixes her eyes on the wall behind him, on the pits she can see in the concrete. If he wanted her cooperation, he shouldn't have chained her up.

He made the wrong fucking choice.

The silence isn't completely lost on Liam, and Aspen can see him shuffle nervously. “...I know you’re mad at me. And once this is done you can be as furious as you like, you can scream at me, anything. Just right now, I need you to play along. Please.”

Liam sounds scared, but Aspen doesn't look at him.

“Hey, I know you must be uncomfortable, I know you must be sore. I can help get you home in twenty minutes if you tell me about Mr. Hood’s plans on Monday. I promise.

“Aspen, I've never broke a promise to you.”

The light in the corner buzzes faintly.

“Look at me.”

She doesn't.

“Hey. Hey. Look at me. I need you to tell me what you know or we’re both going to get- Aspen, this is serious. You know what Don Falcone can do.” He grabs her chin, twisting her head so she has to look at him. She doesn't meet his eyes. She can't. She's not going to. This is all she has control over and she's not going to lose it so soon. “Talk to me. Monday morning. What. Time?”

Liam is getting angry. She can feel it in his grip - he’s not hurting her yet, but his fingers positively thrum with anger like a note through piano wire.  Her stomach seizes up, but she keeps her eyes fixed over his left shoulder. He's not going to break her. He's not.

They stay like that, for a long time. Really, probably fifteen seconds, but for every one of those seconds Aspen is drawn tight, waiting for the inevitable blow. Watching his shoulders carefully for anything that could warn her. Forcing herself not to squeeze her eyes shut. This is an interrogation, he’s gonna hurt her eventually, and at least she knows it’s coming. She’s going to be brave for as long as she can.

He lets her go.

Aspen lets out a breath, shoulders sagging, and then he hits her.

It doesn't hurt, not at first. There was a flicker of movement above her, and then her head snaps to the side from Liam’s backhand. She doesn't move as feeling creeps back into her face, and with it pain, pain like sparks.

Liam clears his throat. “Please don't make me do that again.”

Aspen forces herself to turn to look at him.

He’s got his fists clenched, but not like weapons; he looks shaken, too. She doesn't sympathize.

It's not that she doubted he would hit her. He held her down on concrete and stuck a needle into the meat of her bicep, of course he’d slap her. It's just all so appallingly wrong.

“Fuck you.” She hisses, turning her eyes back on him.

Liam rubs his forehead and looks away. He seems exhausted, all of a sudden. Aspen’s so sorry if the emotional burden of slapping her around was too much. “At least you're talking.” He murmurs. She thinks she wasn't meant to hear it.

“Fuck you.” She says again, louder this time. “Don't try to pretend you're on my fucking side, don't act like you're trying to protect me when the whole reason I'm here is because you attacked me. I don't trust you and I'm not gonna tell you shit.”

Liam doesn't even look that hurt, which pisses Aspen off more. He just looks stressed out, like this is one of his sales things gone wrong and not her fucking life. “You will, though. One way or another. Don't you get it? Don Falcone is coming here in less than an hour and if you haven't told me about Calum’s plans there's gonna be people with him who can make you say anything. I know you think you're strong but they will break you in ten minutes if you don’t- don't make this difficult, please. If you want to keep both your, your pretty fuckin’ eyes in your head, you'll tell me what I want right now.”

Liam’s not lying. Aspen knows he's been lucky, that he's gone easy on her for a mobster.

She knows she can't be brave forever. They will hurt her and bleed her until they get what they want from her, and if she's lucky that will be all. Maybe Liam will save her, then, if there's anything left to be saved. Maybe he won't.

But she can be brave for now.

For now, she's not going to answer Liam’s questions. When he hurts her enough to wear her thin, she will lie. And if he realizes, if it comes to that, she'll bite her tongue until she can't anymore. Until they force it out of her. They'll make her talk, she knows that. It's just a question of when.

Not fucking now, that’s when.

“Great,” Liam sighs as he realizes she's clammed up again. “Do I need to hit you again? I will. If that's what it takes.” Aspen flinches as he raises his hand, but he drops it back down after a long second and takes a step back, running a hand through his hair again. “You ever seen someone get their teeth yanked out? ‘S not pretty. You should talk to me before it gets to that point.”

Aspen still doesn't relax, not until he kneels down beside her again. At least if he attacks her from there he won't have a height advantage. “I know you don't want to believe me, but I've been looking out for you this whole time.” He says.

Liar.

“You want to know why I tried to keep you from taking this job?” He continues quietly. “To avoid this. To keep you safe. I knew if things didn't go right, I would have to, um, talk to Hood's assistant. You're- well, you were my friend. I didn't want to see you hurt. I still don't. I tried to get his plans other ways, but- you got in the way.”

Liar, Aspen thinks at him, but her mind is whirring. She knows this is probably just a ruse to make her trust him, but it’s not going to work, even when… I mean, what else would make Liam so desperate to kick her out that he’d try to tell her boss she wasn’t interested after the job interview? He had liked her before all this mess started, she was sure of it, they’d been friends- there’s not much else that can poison their relationship but this kind of fear. Him trying to get the schedule, Don Falcone’s visit - it all made too much sense.

It’s a lot to take in; Aspen had been sure Liam hated her for weeks and now this, and the tenderness, and - like, he did hit her, and that’s damn near unforgivable, but he does just want to help, she thinks. He’s just gonna get her killed doing it.

“I know I don't deserve your trust.” Liam continues, still in his softest voice. “But I need you to give it to me. Just for now. Let me take care of this and I promise you you'll be safe. Aspen. Please. Let me do this for you.”

He doesn’t have to grab her chin this time to make her look at him. Maybe Liam knows it, maybe he’s done this before, but either way he’s saying exactly what she wants to hear.

Aspen might have courage, but she is terrified. Determined or not, she is still so very human and she doesn’t want to get hurt, she doesn’t want to die. She anticipated getting the information dragged out of her with pliers and pain, but in Liam’s big, worried eyes she’s thisclose to telling him every fucking thing.

“Calum Hood can’t possibly be paying you enough to stay quiet.” Continues Liam, like he’s egged on by her silence. “No fucking promotion is worth this.”

Aspen doesn’t want Liam to talk any more about what makes Calum worth this. She breaks her meager silence. “Why are you even after him? He’s like the best-protected guy in Gotham.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Aspen immediately worries about that.

Don Falcone is Calum’s family friend. There’s no reason for this, even by mafia standards. Kidnapping her in the parking garage - that wasn’t subtle. It’s a high-risk move by whoever’s pulling the strings. This can’t be some weird way of securing a business deal, or blackmail material - somehow she thinks there’s got to be better way to get incriminating information than tying up some poor secretary in here.

It’s got to be something bigger.

What the fuck does that leave? Why can’t Liam’s boss just make a fucking lunch appointment? What does he want with one of the richest CEOs in Gotham that he can’t get without-

Oh.

“Aspen? Hey. Look at me.” Aspen’s lungs feel tight as Liam reaches for her face again. She’d been staring into middle distance trying to figure this thing out - and it’s big, shit. She turns her head before Liam touches her, but when their eyes meet-

She sees him raise his hand again, turns her head before he can hit her, but he grabs her hair and hauls her head in close to his. She squirms in his grip, but his eyes are boring into hers and she knows he sees her eureka moment written all over her face.

They’re frozen in tableau for a long moment. Aspen can only hear her heartbeat in her ears and traffic on the streets below.

This is what Aspen knows.

Aspen knows she is trapped in a strange half-constructed room with the man who chained her there. She knows that he is trying to convince her to trust him. She knows that he is not on her side, whatever side that may be.

She doesn’t know if anyone has noticed she’s gone.

She doesn’t know if anyone is gonna find her. Or her body.

She knows that she kissed her boss and that now he is in danger and she knows she is very stupid for this but she’s going to try to hold out.

And now, she knows this; there is a killer in Gotham who is hunting the rich and powerful. She knows Don Falcone is strange and sinister, and she knows Liam is working for him. She knows they’ve been trying to trap her rich and powerful boss. She knows that it would be all too easy for the Don to “kidnap” himself, remove himself from suspicion. She knows the reports said he got beat up, but she also knows he kept a lunch appointment with Calum the day after, so how bad could it be?

She knows Don Falcone is the villain the police have been looking for and he’s going to be here in a few minutes to watch her bleed until he has the information he wants.

This is what Liam knows; Aspen knows too much.

Lost Dragon Ch.26

A/N- I know this got long but I just wanted to finish the episode in this chapter sorry! Hope you guys liked it though :)

Warning- Violence

Episode- 8x04

Pairing- Podrick Payne

—

“When the people find out what we’ve done for them, we saved them.” Missandei said. We were discussing what we needed to do next. After the battle here in winterfell everybody had lost half of their troops. Which meant that we didn’t have the advantage anymore.

“Cersei will make sure they don’t believe it. We will hit her hard, we will rip her out root and stem” Daenerys stated. I don’t really like this plan. The point is to get rid of her not her and the city she is trying to save and certainly not the innocent people that have no fight in this.

“The objective here is to remove Cersei without destroying Kingslanding.” Tyrion told her I nodded in agreement. She only glared at him.

“Thankfully she is losing allies by the day, Yara Greyjoy has retaken the Iron Islands in her Queens name. And Dorne will Follow Princess Visneya but there is a catch she has to marry the current prince of Dorne.” Varys said reading the scrolls. Everyone turned to look at me and I swallowed thickly. I felt my heart break and my breath get shaky. I couldn’t hide what I was feeling as hard as I tried. The people speaking seemed to have tuned out. I was lost in my thoughts. And the only the person I could think of was Podrick. Last night was amazing, we both told eachother that we loved one another. And now this happens.

I finally snapped myself from my thoughts and tried to hide the sadness behind my eyes as best as I could. I straightened myself out and tried my hardest to pay attention.

“Once the people see that Cersei is our only enemy her reign is over.” I heard Tyrion say.

“All right.” Daenerys agreed to whatever plan they had thought of. A realization then came to me.

“How will our armies fight them after what they have just fought. A lot of the people left to fight are still wounded and exhausted. And Rheagal is also injured. How long do you think he’ll last out there, if he’s hurt?” I finally said sharing what I had to say. Daenerys turned her head and glared at me for questioning the plan. I didn’t look down or look away I just simply continued looking at her.

“She’s right they’ll fight better if they have time to rest and recuperate.” Sansa said agreeing with me that caused Daenerys to tear her gaze from me to Sansa.

“How long do you suggest?” Daenerys asked her.

“Can’t say for certain not without talking to the officers.” Sansa responded.

Daenerys didn’t like what she had said nor did she pay attention to what she said.

-

“It is a duty you have to complete as a princess.” Daenerys told me while I paced back and forth. After the meeting Daenerys, Varys, Tyrion and me had stayed behind to discuss what the prince of Dorne had suggested.

“I will not marry someone I don’t love as much as do want to return back to Dorne.” I told her as I stopped in step and faced her.

“It’s something you have to do. I’ve done it and I grew to love him. Your mother and Rheagar did it as well. Not because we loved one another but because it was our duty. My frown grew deeper and my whole body went stiff as she mentioned my parents.

“And look how that turned out for the both of you.” I snapped at her. I had clearly struck a nerve. She swallowed thickly and her face grew cold. I didn’t regret what I told her though and I didn’t drop my head.

“You love him.” Tyrion said quietly and if it wasn’t quiet then we would have missed what he had said. I didn’t say anything return I just felt my eyes sting as tears threatened to fall.

“And he is just a squire.” Daenerys said coldly with a glare that was directed at me. “It is her duty she will marry the prince of Dorne if she wants to her or not we need them... Varys send a raven tell them that we accept their proposal they’ll get married after I take the Throne.” She stood up from her seat. Varys was hesitant as he looked between me and Daenerys watching as we both glared at one another.

“Then maybe I don’t want to be a princess.” She stopped in front of me.

“It is like you said we will do this together or do you not remember what you said to me when we met. We will take over with fire and blood. Together. You don’t have a choice I’m sorry..” She spat and their was a flicker of remorse in her eyes but it quickly vanished and she left the room with Varys at tail. I huffed and slammed my fist into the table. I sat down on a chair and my tears than began to flow.

“Just say you’ll do it. When the day comes you don’t have to marry the prince.” Tyrion said suprising me. I didn’t notice that he had stayed. “It’s your home you can take over they’ll follow you.” Tyrion said trying to comfort me. He moved over to my side.

“What if I just run away?”

“She needs you, she might not show it but she does just like you need her. She cares for you. You’re the only family she has left. Just like she’s yours.” He told me. He was wrong though she isn’t the only living family I have left not anymore. But he’s also not wrong about her. She may have Jon too but I don’t think that will last anymore. I questioned and thought what he had said to me.

“Fine.” I huffed. I got up and before I left I turned my head and looked at him. “Thank you.” I said with a warm smile but that smile didn’t reach my eyes.

-

I was throwing daggers at a target all of them landing in the center I was trying to calm myself down. I was still angry mainly at her. I reached to grab another dagger but my hands fell empty . I walked over to the target and took them all down. I grabbed them in my hand and threw them to the floor. I grabbed a dagger and tore the thing I was throwing my daggers at. I yelled feeling the anger. I slid down to the ground and rested my head on my hands and felt angry tears flow down.

“Are you alright?” I heard someone say. I didn’t have to look up to know who that person was. His thick northern accent wasn’t hard to miss. I felt as Jon sat by me. I didn’t say anything I couldn’t find any words to say anything. But I think he understood that. He didn’t say anything he simply sat there by me and comforted me.

-

It was time to tell Podrick. I didn’t know how I was going to say it but I needed to tell him. I also needed to say goodbye. He saw me approach and a smile grew on his face. I tried to return the smile but I couldn’t he noticed and his smile slowly disappeared and his face grew with concern. Ser Brienne was next to him when she saw me come she excused herself. She mostly likely knew why I looked so down.

“Is everything okay?” He asked me. I simply nodded as I bit the bottom of my lip.

“I’m leaving again.” I said. His faced turned from a concerned look to a sad one. “I also.... I- today while I was at the meeting The new Prince of Dorne he made a proposal.... in order for him to join our cause and ally with us. The proposal was that I needed to get married with him or else he wouldn’t ally with us.” I paused and I tried to read him. He looked hurt and that broke my heart. “ I wasn’t going to accept it but Daenerys accepted the proposal.” He looked even more hurt he looked broken hearted. I took a deep breath and took a step closer to him now inches apart from one another, I then cupped his cheek.

“But I won’t marry him I don’t want to.... I’ll do whatever I have to, To not get married to him..... House Martell has ruled for years and I’m as much as a Martell as I am a Targaryen. The people know me there they will follow me..... I will not get married to him... I love you and nobody will take me from you.” He gave me a quick my gentle and sweet kiss. “I’ll come back to you.”

“Don’t risk your life or your family for me.” He told me sounding hurt. I gave him a quick peck on his lips.

“I have to I will.” I said to him as we then hugged one another.

“I love you too.” He said softly.

-

We had finally arrived Dragonstone. I really didn’t want to be here but I was here. I was on the boat since Rheagal was wounded for me to ride on him and I also don’t really want to be next to Daenerys.

As I waited to go to shore I looked up and saw as Rheagal was doing much better. I couldn’t help my smile as I saw him flying. And suddenly my eyes went wide in horror as an arrow fly into him and I heard him roar. I ran to the edge of the boat to get a better view. And then another hit him in the wing causing him to go down. A third flew into his neck and this time he completely fell into the water. I was shocked and speechless. These arrows came out of nowhere. I looked over at Daenerys and Drogon and she looked angry she flew towards to where the arrows came from. My eyes followed where she was going and I saw Euron Greyjoy’s ships. Daenerys looked like she was flying towards them but when they shot arrows she quickly avoided them and turned around.

I started running back when I saw an arrow fly and hit the ship. More and more came flying in. It was hard to move now since the whole ship was getting destroyed. Another looked like it was flying directly to me so I ran and jumped off the boat.

-

Missandei was taken after Euron had attacked our ship. And Rheagal was killed. Daenerys was angrier then before she was in raged. She wanted to destroy the city now. I tried to tell her that It was a bad idea. Their was millions of innocent of people in the middle of this. Varys also warned her and even if we had managed to convince her somewhat she still wanted this unnecessary bloodshed.

I know that she was mad that they had taken Missandei but I can’t agree with killing thousands of innocents while we tried to get her back. Or to try to get the Throne.

I was looking for Tyrion to drink with him and try to at distract myself from everything go on. He’s always been a good drinking buddy. I couldn’t find him in his chambers. I tried to look for him in the meeting room but he wasn’t there either. I then finally decided to give up and was going to head back to my chambers to drink by myself but I heard voices in the Throne room. I closed the door slowly trying to not make a sound. I hid myself behind a wall and tried to listen to who was talking. As I payed attention I found out it was Varys and Tyrion. I continued to listen and thats when I heard it. They were talking about Jon and Daenerys . They knew who he really was.

“How did you guys find out?” I asked them as I stepped out from the shadows. They jumped a little as I startled them. They whipped their heads back to me.

“Princess.” They both said at the same time they both looked nervous. I walked to get closer to them.

“Who told you about Jon?” I asked again making myself clear. They looked at one another.

“It’s not important who told us...... what it is important is him and you. I’m worried about our queens state of mind and I’m sure you are too.” Varys said to me. He wasn’t wrong. He had peaked my curiosity. I didn’t say anything in return but I motioned him to continue. “With Jon and you being the two only living children to Rheagar Targaryen and the ones with the better claim to the throne.”

“Men always have the highest claim to throne before women do.” I inturrpeted him.

“You’re right but who do you think would make a better ruler? Two Targaryens who were raised here in Westeros and who have the love of their people or someone who doesn’t have that love from people or wasn’t raised here?” I grabbed a cup of wine and took a long drink.

“It’s treason and I don’t want the Iron Throne and I don’t think Jon wants it either.” I finally said.

“Its like I told Tyrion I will never betray the realm. I don’t want innocents to die just like you don’t either. I will act in their interest no matter the personal cost.” He said to both of us.

“So what happens to her?” Tyrion asked the same question I was about to ask. Varys didn’t answer but I knew what he meant when he stayed quiet.

I can’t betray her. I know that lately she hasn’t made the right choices. And we arent really in speaking terms this is treason we’re talking about. And we can’t blame her for some of her choices she has lost a lot. She just recently lost her most trusted friend during the battle and she lost two of her dragons that’s she loves as her children. And her best friend was captured by our enemy. So it’s hard to blame her for what she wants do but it’s also the innocent people at stake. This is all too much to think about.

-

Reasoning with Queen Cersei wasn’t going to be easy but we needed to in order to save the millions in the red keep. And to also save Missandei. I watched closely as Tyrion talked to his sister. I tried to see if she gave any reaction to what he was saying to her but it was diffcult to tell from down here. Greyworm, Daenerys and I stepped closer as we saw Cersei grab Missandei arm. It looked like she told her something but she said to her so we couldn’t hear what she told her.

We watched intently as Missandei stood quiet.

“Dracarys” she finally said. The realization of what was going to happen hit me. My eyes got watery. It seemed like time had slowed down. The mountain raised his sword and then he did it. A gasp escaped my lips and I felt as if my breath had caught in my throat. Greyworm couldn’t even look at the horrifying scene. Tears went down my cheeks. Once again The Moutain had killed someone else I cared for. Daenerys turned and started walking away, a angrier look then before was clearly seen on her face.

She turned to look at me with tear rolling down her cheek and a scowl on her face. “With Fire and Blood.”

.

.

.

.

Just a few days ago Liam Payne joined forces with Hugo, the younger brother of Hugo Boss, to host a party in Berlin. The purpose of the party? To present the capsule collection that the pair have been working on, which, after 24-hours of being able to shop exclusively on Instagram, you can now buy at hugoboss.com.

The collection has been co-designed by former One Direction crooner Payne and consists of a range of smart separates and streetwear-esque garments. Each has been given the seal of approval from Payne and, in one way or another, whether it be on the neck or on a pocket, the singer's chevron tattoo has been splashed across the pieces in the collection.

From tailored trousers with zip pockets (Payne always drops his phone and wanted to ensure these were included) to turtleneck T-shirts, the collection should be your summer go-to.

We spoke exclusively to Payne ahead of the launch to find out who his style icons are and what he likes most about the collection...

GQ: Since working with Hugo what have you learnt about your own personal style? Has anything changed?

Liam Payne: A little bit. I just think the more you do things and the more compliments you get, the more relaxed you get with your dressing. The way I dress now I actually dressed like once before, but then kind of went and tried a bunch of random shit that wasn't working so well for me at the time. When I began as a solo artist, I didn't really know what people wanted from me and I was just like, “I don't really know what the hell to do,” so I was kind of hiding behind a lot of the clothes that I was wearing. I think the one great think that worked with this collection is just my pure naïvety. We’ve made clothing sparked from me just dropping my phone and being like, “How the hell do I fix that?”

Tell us about the inclusion of the chevron tattoo...

It's actually my third tattoo but this arm used to just have chevrons. Often when I've been getting tattoos done I haven't been in the most sober frame of mind, let's say, so the ideas are quite sporadic. If you're in a tattoo shop you just end up getting one anyway and that's kind of what the band culture was like – except for Niall who just never did it – and then I woke up in the morning and my arm's hurting and I knew I'd gotten a tattoo and I was like, “Oh man, what am I going to do about this.” I’m spur of the moment with these things. (...)

How would you describe your own personal style now?

I think my colour palette has come down a little bit over time and I'm a lot more laid back. The people I look up to is someone like Jake Gyllenhaal. I think he dresses well and he's just a cool guy – same for Ryan Reynolds.

What does Hugo as a brand just in general mean to you?

In 2019 I think Hugo gives a more youthful view of the way that men dress, a little more playful with it, as opposed to Boss. You've seen so many great people come through the doors of Hugo Boss over the years, being the first one to do a Hugo advert is amazing. This is all stuff that I'd wear anyway and I would like to wear, so I was like, “This makes perfect sense to me.”

Do you have a style tip for other men?

Dress in things you feel the most comfortable in rather than trying too hard. Try and push your boundaries a bit and have a bit of fun, but I think you know in yourself when you wanna do it. Don't take it too far because I think that's where I went wrong for a number of years.

Do you have a grooming tip?

With grooming things I tend to get quite experimental. I'm completely into the idea of trying out a bunch of random stuff I'd never usually try, but usually I just kind of know what works for me.

Who is your style icon?

I was watching this video recently of Elvis and it actually led me to do something in terms of tailoring with Hugo that I might be throwing into the next collection. I just think Elvis did it well, he did some good things, he pushed a lot of different boundaries, he has his own lane that he kind of went down. No one has been able to wear it since because it's so him and that's just the coolest thing ever.

Is there an outfit over the years that you just completely regret wearing?

There's a lot of them, but at the time I was really happy about it, which I don't get now. Probably when I got onto the hype phase of fashion, Supreme etc. If you end up following that sort of thing you're always just following, aren't you, which is not the place everyone wants to be. I got to have a sit down with Kim Jones. He's such a wonderful man and I just had no clue. He said something to me that's kind of stuck with me the whole way through. He said designing is similar to making music: once you've had one hit it will all become really clear and much easier.

Smiling In The Dark

by CarrieJames

Harry Styles has rarely seen these silver lined clouds that everyone promises him. His white picket fences have never harboured the cold, and his smile has never quite been true. Life for Harry Styles has always been hard. He knows how to cope... or he does a good job... he thinks.

Aka: 18 year-old Harry is still ballancing a delicate mix of love and death and divorce. Most of which should never have been his burden in the first place, if only it wasn't for his buttwipe of a father who singlehandedly made it just that. Maybe 21-year-old Barrista Louis Tomlinson can anchor him into place, maybe Harry can find a little silver-lining-sunshine on his rainy days.

Words: 2571, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: One Direction (Band)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage

Categories: M/M

Characters: Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Perrie Edwards, The Tomlinson Family, Original Male Character(s), Original Female Character(s)

Relationships: Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson

Additional Tags: Abuse, Past Abuse, Underage - Freeform, Past Rape/Non-con, Barista Louis Tomlinson, Bakery and Coffee Shop, Angst, Fluff and Smut, author cant spell, but not between harry and louis because the author is weak for fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Manipulation, Louis is the king can I get a hell yes, Sad with a Happy Ending, my boys love love, Boys In Love, Neck Kissing, Tea

via AO3 works tagged 'Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson' https://ift.tt/2L4D0il

Lesser Beasts

Notes: Trident Scene rewritten from Cersei perspective

It took them three days to find the Stark brat.

If Cersei was not so infuriated over what that thing did to her son, she might have found Arya Stark’s behaviour a little amusing. Running off like that – was she not meant to be the daughter of the Hand, and sister to the future queen? Perhaps the girl’s wildness was simply evidence that Lord Eddard let his scrawny daughter do as she pleased.

Scrawny, indeed. Cersei feels her jaw slightly clench as her eyes fix upon the girl. Her long face is splotchy and her eyes are red. Her hair is a frightful tangle too - but Cersei saw enough of her at Winterfell to know that is not entirely unusual; although the Lady Catelyn had made an effort otherwise for their feasts. The girl is alone in the middle of the room, save for one of Stark’s men beside her; a grave expression on his face.

Suddenly, Eddard Stark bursts into the room and ignoring everyone - rushes to his daughter. “I’m sorry-sorry-sorry.” The words come out of Arya Stark in a rush.

Yes, you’ll be sorry. You and your father.

“Shh, sweetling. It’s all right.” Ned Stark breaks apart from their embrace, but one hand is still on his girl’s shoulder. “What is the meaning of this? Why was my daughter not brought to me at once?” He flared.

Cersei pounced. “How dare you speak to your king in that manner!”

Cersei has little love for Robert. Why would she – when she already has Jaime, her other half? It is Jaime who had given Cersei her three precious lion cubs- Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen. Jaime, who wants her and who whispers her name in the dark and who proved that he would be willing to go so far as to kill for her.

But just as she must put up with Robert for now until Joff’s crown was secure, Cersei needed him for this.

“Quiet, Cersei.” Robert snapped. Cersei wonders if he is so wroth because they have kept him from his drink. Her husband turned to his friend. “I’m sorry, Ned. I didn’t mean to frighten your daughter. We just need to get this business sorted.”

“And what business is that?” Stark demanded; his voice full of icy courtesy. Cersei squeezed Joffrey’s shoulder before stepping forward.

“You know, Stark. Your daughter’s beast nearly ripped my son's hand off. Could have left him a cripple for life, or worse. She attacked him.”

“That’s not true!” The girl exploded. “She only bit him a little. He was hurting Mycah.” A little. Cersei’s lip curled. She had got enough out of Joff to know that the wolf’s bite was not little. “Joff told us what happened. He said that you and your butcher’s boy attacked him with clubs before you set your wolf on him."

Cersei knows that it was Joffrey who struck first – nobody with sense would think that a scrawny girl with a stick would attack a prince with a sword. Joffrey has always been like that. But all lies often have a foundation of truth, and in the end, it was true that the direwolf had attacked her son. And no matter what Joff had done, he was a prince.

“That’s not true.” Arya looked like she was on the brink of tears. “Yes, it is!” Her son retorted. "They all attacked me, and she threw Lion's Tooth in the river!" Joffrey stared straight ahead as he spoke.

“Liar!” Arya screamed.

“Shut up!”

"Enough!” Robert roared. His voice cut through the children’s shouts. He looked towards Arya. “Now child, speak, and tell your king what happened. And you,” He cast a look at Joffrey who was glaring at Arya. “Will speak when she is finished. Until then, be quiet if you know what’s good for you.”

Arya took a deep breath, before diving into her story. When she got to the part where she threw Joff’s sword in the river, Lord Renly could no longer contain himself. Cersei could sense Robert’s temper rising – after all these years together and concealed bruises, she knew it well enough to know.

“Barristan, escort my brother outside.” “No need, Barristan. I can see myself out.” Renly turned and bowed to Joff. “Perhaps later you’ll tell me how a nine-year-old girl the size of a wet rat managed to disarm you with a broom handle and throw your sword in the river." His laughter remained in the room as he left, like a poisonous scent. Cersei hoped he would stumble in the dark and break his neck.

Her son’s face was pale but despite this, he spoke without his words shaking. That was good- it was important never to show weakness. When her son was finished, Robert rose from his seat with the air of the man who would rather be anywhere else in the seven kingdoms.

“Seven hells! What am I supposed to do with this? He tells me one thing; she tells me another!”

“They were not the only ones there.” Ned Stark replied. Cersei felt herself start as she realized that the eldest Stark girl had joined them. Ned gestured to his girl, who like Robert, looked like she wanted to be anywhere else.

“Sansa, come here.” Cersei felt her eyebrows raise. He was really getting sweet Sansa to speak? Did he not care about her shaming his betrothed? Cersei knew full well how men hated to be shamed. All men were alike, even when they were still cubs like her son. She herself understood how shame could burn within you.

She watched as the girl cast two frightened looks – first at her sister, then at Joffrey. “I d-don’t know. I didn’t see, it all happened so fast-“ She said tearfully.

“LIAR!” Before anyone can stop her, Sansa’s sister starts striking her with tiny, angry fists. “Arya, stop it!” Ned Stark shouted, while his man pulled his daughter off his eldest. Sansa’s face was ashen and she was shaking from her sister’s assault. “Are you hurt?” Ned Stark asked, but his words did not seem to reach her.

Still, the girl’s outburst gave Cersei what she wanted. “That girl is as wild as that filthy animal of hers," Cersei spoke. She turned to Robert. “I want her punished.”

“Seven hells, Cersei.” Robert rubbed his sweaty brow. “What would you have me do? Whip her? Children fight.”

My father had my grandfather’s mistress stripped naked and paraded through the streets because she dared wear my lady grandmother’s jewels. Cersei lifted her chin, defiant. “Joffrey will bear these scars for the rest of his life.”

She saw Robert’s contemptuous eyes on Joffrey. Later, she would think how Robert rarely looked at Joffrey with pride. “So, he will. Well, all men must have scars- just don’t tell others how you got yours. Ned, see that your girl is dealt with. I’ll see to my son myself.” Stark sighed with relief. “Gladly, Your Grace.”

Cersei was not done here. “And what of the direwolf? What of the beast that savaged your heir?” Robert frowned. “I’d forgotten the damn wolf.” Stark’s man, who had remained silent until then – spoke up. “We found no trace of the direwolf, Your Grace.” 

"No? So be it.” But Cersei was not so easily shaken. The lovely idea struck her like a whip.

“We have another wolf.” She could almost taste the triumph. It took them a moment to understand, but when they did Robert only shrugged. “Do as you will.”

“Robert, you cannot mean this.” Stark protested. Her husband had reached his limit. "Enough, Ned, I will hear no more. A direwolf is a savage beast. Sooner or later, it would have turned on your girl the same way the other did on my son. Get her a dog, she'll be happier for it."

“He doesn’t mean Lady, does he?” Sansa’s eyes were scared. She saw her father’s answer on his face, and you could almost see something crumble within her. Cersei felt something dangerously close to pity stir within her- but she had to do this.

She did not like Stark. She did not like that Robert had asked him to be his Hand. She did not like that his girl made her son look weak. And what better way to send a message than by killing the sigil of his house?

"No," she said. "No, not Lady, Lady didn't bite anybody, she's good . . . " "Lady wasn't there," Arya shouted angrily. "You leave her alone!"

Her son’s betrothed had lost control of herself now. "Stop them," Sansa pleaded, "don't let them do it, please, please, it wasn't Lady, it was Nymeria, Arya did it, you can't, it wasn't Lady, don't let them hurt Lady, I'll make her be good, I promise, I promise . . . " Ned Stark took his sobbing daughter into his arms. His eyes, begging, were on Robert. "Please, Robert. For the love you bear me. For the love you bore my sister. Please."

Cersei dug her fingernails at Lord Eddard’s mention of Lyanna Stark. Robert looked at his friend for a long moment, before turning to her. “Damn you, woman.”

He was so weak; Cersei couldn’t help but thinking. And I thought you loved Ned Stark well, husband. “Do it yourself, then.” The iciness had returned to Ned’s voice. “At least be man enough to do it yourself.”

Instead, Robert looked at the man who he had fostered and rebelled with, before storming from the room.

Cersei smiled. “Where is the direwolf?”

“Chained up outside, Your Grace.”

“Send for Ilyn Payne.” “

No.” Ned’s voice gave Cersei a start. "Jory, take the girls back to their rooms and bring me Ice."

Cersei’s eyes narrowed. “Is this some sort of trick?” “The wolf is of the North,” Stark responds. “She deserves better than a butcher.”

Stark keeps his word. Although it vexes her that she never got the pelt – Stark having gotten the sentimental notion to have the wolf taken North, Cersei savours the memory of Stark's face the rest of the way to Kingslanding.

They were lions, and sooner or later, lesser beasts like dire wolfs, would have to bow to them.

more underrated fics?? already read the ones suggested and they were great😭❤️

aye sure! you can also check out our hidden gems tag where i post underrated or unknown fics!

Comical Love by Mtvalexis

AU: Liam owns a comic book store and Geeky Zayn kind of falls in love with the ownerOr(Liam likes nerds named Zayn)

Year 2112 by natallijean

Welcome to the future, where Liam is a 21st century nerd, Louis is Louis, and Harry and Zayn are almost human.

I’ll never know the answer by bradfordswoody

Zayn doesn't think he's smart but Liam believes in him.

you're the missing piece i need by californiall

no one really knows why it happens but tattoos just randomly ink themselves onto peoples skin and sometimes they mean a little more than you think

You Made me Love You by asherly89

Liam goes to the same coffee shop every day because the most beautiful person he's ever seen, Zayn, works there. He finally works up the courage to talk to Zayn and finally one day asks him out, but Zayn says no...so Liam decides to woo him. It works, but Zayn's still hiding a part of his life from Liam. Zayn doesn't want to get hurt and Liam shows him he won't so finally Zayn tells him the big secret...he's a father, of a baby, a cute one at that. Liam of course falls in love with both Zayn and his son.

Cafe on The Corner by luckoftheirish (luckyirish418)

This story was inspired by the following AU prompt where Zayn works at a coffeehouse and Liam is an avid youtube poster. Zayn decorates Liam's cups and when Liam finally notices, romance ensues.

Farm Days by StoryAnonGuy33

"I said watch out, Liam I called your name like five times" He stated regaining his breath. Liam was confused, was it horse poop? Looking down, Liam saw a cluster of flowers growing out of the dirt."You need to watch where you're going" Zayn stated lightly as he went back to his work, leaving Liam a little dumbfounded."Great, he's good with animals and loves nature" Liam mused

Or where Liam spends another summer at his Aunt and Uncles farm. Hoping that Zayn, the new farmhand, would notice him in a different light.

Good Love is on the Way by liamsfreckles

Chewing on his lip, he opened up twitter and uploaded the photo of the letter:

@zaynmalik - help me find the lovely person who sent me this siiick birthday note! Thank you for the birthday love! xo

Within seconds of pressing tweet, the message had hundreds of RT’s and he giggled to himself. He was still so surprised people followed him - anywhere. He’d been a huge recording artist for years, but still felt very surprised with how many people supported and loved him.

Rhino stirred next to him, stretching his body out before resting his large head against Zayn’s knee. He leaned down to kiss the top of the dogs head, wrapping his arms around the not-so-little pup. ‘Think we’ll find our Cinderellie?’ He murmured into Rhino’s neck, before untangling himself. ‘C’mon pup, let’s get you walked…’

Forget Me Not by loveandbeloved

Liam and Zayn are best friends who act like a married couple but in actuality aren't even dating. One day, Zayn gets into an accident and wakes up in the hospital with amnesia, but when Liam tries to explain their life to him, Zayn assumes they are dating. Things escalate until Liam has to decide to tell Zayn the truth or pray that his memory never comes back.

Or: an amnesia fic that's way less angsty than most.

What Can Make Me Feel This Way? by milehighziam

If anyone had asked Zayn the morning Liam had proposed what he planned to do in the future, the answer would be simple. Get back into music, maybe continue his literature studies, see parts of the world he never had the pleasure to see.

But now, about 14 years later, Zayn could proudly say that this is his future.

Or, Zayn reminisces on his engagement to Liam, their wedding, and the births of their children.

hey there, sunshine by Anonymous

Zayn gets hit with a spell that causes the weather to change with his emotions.

(even when I messed it up) There You Are by rosegoldhl (Rosegoldhl)

“It’s so cold,” came a deep voice from his right.

Zayn snapped his head towards the source of the melodic sound, his heart wildly rabbiting in his chest. Liam Payne, firefighter. That’s all he knew about the boy with the kind brown eyes and pretty lips, who had moved to the apartment next to Zayn’s a few months back. He had dug that info from the mailbox downstairs– it was a low moment, he could admit that, but he didn’t do anything illegal, just slightly creepy.

“Maybe you ought to wear something then,” Zayn remarked, nodding towards Liam’s bare chest as he let out the smoke he had inhaled.

There you are, and I run. by SpookyFaces

There is something surreal, something head-spinning about a thought of ruling the world. Or, at least, an underground world of the city. And Liam has been fighting hard for years to get on top of every single asshole around him, to kneel everyone under his gaze. A few corpses, drug deals and robberies only helped him on his way.

But then, under the dull lights of street lamps, he stumbles upon something that changes his perspective of life. Somebody , with sad eyes and an urge to die, who manages to soften his stone-heart and crawl inside of it.

And maybe Liam realizes there is only one world he needs to rule. The one he found in honey-colored doe eyes. His own world.

obsessive and compulsive by hellothebrave

Liam is the only beautiful thing Zayn has gotten stuck on.

Unfathomable Distances by chasingxrabbits

A Skyrim AU where Liam is the reigning prince of Falkreath hold. Zayn is one of the palace guards. When Liam's best friend and Thane to the hold, Louis, contracts a mysterious illness, Liam is left with a choice. Does he leave Falkreath City in search for a cure, and who could (or would) ever accompany him on such a tumultuous journey?

Temptation by froot

Zayn likes pugs and Liam is whipped.

Long As There Are Stars Above You by alienharry

"There's a meteor shower tonight, actually. Thought this might be something you'd like."

Zayn watches Liam for a moment, takes in his soft grin and honest eyes. He's nothing short of breathtaking on a normal day, but when he does these small simple things, Zayn's head gets a bit fuzzy with it. "This isn't a date, you know"

"I'm aware,” Liam laughs.

"Just making sure."

If Zayn were ready to start dating again, he'd want this. He'd want nights alone on the roof and sharing takeout. He'd want the bookstore dates, silent films, watching meteor showers on the roof and teasing each other until they're both giggling. And he'd want it all with Liam.

This isn't a date, it can't be, but God does Zayn wish it was.

-

Zayn's just finished his undergrad and is ready to stop messing around with strangers and get more serious about his studies as he prepares for his dream job. No relationships, no sex. Which is harder than it sounds when Liam Payne comes into his life.

Gotham s5ep5 “ Pena Dura” Personal Review

“Your chance to be a part of this mission”    Warning spoilers below

HARVEY BULLOCK Wow they really put him in the spotlight. First JIM GORDON´s praise. “What you are is the best cop that I know.” If Nygma outsmarts them he wants him to take over. “I need your help, buddy.”. Then he actually listens to Bullock when he doesn´t want to be side lined. Although, I suspect that if it would have been physically possible for Jim Gordon to arrest Oswald Cobblepot he would have done it himself.  Then Harvey gets a moment with BRUCE WAYNE. Bruce is looking for Jim and Harvey is like “Sorry, kid, it's just me.” But in this episode Harvey matters and they have a moment before Bruce batdissapears on him before he can finish his sentence. “I see people losing their will to do good. People I love. What if we don't make it out of this?”  “Because the little things mater. Act by act, deed by deed, it means something. Even if no one notices or cares.” Harvey talks about paperwork (and wow did he basically address my question from last week, he indeed did, partly  .. ) but it´s paperwork that matters and keeps you sane. BRUCE WAYNE / JIM GORDON  & HOPE Haven just blew up but it seems Bruce is much more occupied with SELINA KYLE´s case. Granted there is more personal investment and that issue of him feeling guilty because Jeremiah targeted her about him but it´s an interesting notion to have Bruce to struggle with hope over a more personal matter. While Jim Gordon had his “hope struggle” moments last week over Haven and missing support from the Government. Seems that Eduardo Dorrance might bring a more personal twist to it.  ACCESSORY TO MURDER Selina Kyle & Bruce Wayne Bruce Wayne compares Selina killing Jeremiah to him killing Ra´s al Ghul but Alfred Pennyworth begs to differ: Selina and Bruce are not the same. On is murder and one is not: “Jeremiah made Selina a murderer. Just like Ra's made me a murderer.” “Ra's goaded you into stabbing him, Master Bruce. He used you as an instrument. You're no murderer.”  I´m not here to judge on that but I judge a tremendous neglect in the writing here: Does anyone remember REGINALD REGGIE PAYNE, the guy that arguably threatened Selina and Bruce, the guy where Bruce made a move to push him out of the window and Selina actually did it, claimed not to do regret it and that she would do it again. This would be such a great argument for Alfred´s point. Moreover Alfred has a personal reason to remember the death of someone he had a personal relationship with. One would think, he might bring that up. It´s not like he was ever holding back on things when it came down to discrediting Selina Kyle. Granted they had their nice moments but it seems his first unfavourable impression and judgement still holds.  Alfred Pennyworth is the first one that brings up the instrumentation of a person for murder. Which comes up with various terms again and again: Instrument/ murderous puppet/ being controlled remotely / tool / killing machine. With EDUARDO DORRANCE I think we lack a specific work but his just following orders credo makes him basically a tool for killing as well.  Edward Nygma  tries to figure out why he blew up Haven. He himself his first station then the electricity grants him a flashback that leads him to Oswald Cobblepot (“How could you? You have made me into some murderous puppet.” ) which gets him on his path to Hugo Strange.  Both SELINA KYLE & Edward Nygma have an element of control. Despite Bruce´s repeated claims that Ivy´s medicine changed Selina and she is not herself it´s unclear if or how much this is true. Also Bruce knows he didn´t want to kill Ra´s however with Selina we´ve not that much insight (with the possibility of the plant altering her) and only the modus operandi to judge.  EVERYONE KNOWS EACH OTHER SO WELL * Bruce Wayne & Selina Kyle. “You're no murderer.” “But Selina is.” “You're not the same. She did what she did with open eyes, and you got to learn to respect that, son.” “You're wrong about her, Alfred.”  It´s about the murder, but it is about so much more: “It wasn't your fault. You were just a scared kid.”  The savvy Gothamite knows: Ah Bruce is talking about himself, that´s what he feels guilty about. Selina Kyle promptly picks up the notion. “No. You were the scared kid. We are not the same, Bruce. I didn't do anything because I wasn't willing to risk my neck for someone else because I didn't care. That's who I was and that's who I am.” (Goes on to say she loves "Psycho" by Grim Streaker) I´d say still sounds like case of scared kid, and if it´s just on the basis that they were kids. * Someone do a good paralells meta for 4x12 when Bruce was the one drinking at the Sirens and Selina went in being like “That´s not you”.   * Oh there would just be a lot of quotes that deal with responsibilities and No1 but I´m lazy * Jim Gordon knows himself, that´s why he sent Harvey Bullock to go after Penguin.  * Then we have Jim Gordon acknowledging that Edward Nymga had him framed and more than on his toes. “We're going after Nygma. He's ten steps ahead. This thing goes sideways, you're gonna have to take over.” He should have known him better though or he would have noticed that suspicious arm reaching for the book.  * Edward Nygma  while struggling with what his body does still has a remarkably good grasp on who he is. For him it is clear:  “You're not a murderer, Ed. Except Kristen Kringle. And Officer Dougherty.” Well not that kind of murderer. Good except that issue where is list is like a couple names short. This is repeated when he appeals to  JIM GORDON  “You know me, Jim. The people that I have hurt, they hurt me first.” [I wonder if Ed appealing to the emotional side of things is meant to echo Jim´s “what happened to you” approach in 2x17 ] With BARBARA KEAN Edward´s focus is less on the motive and emotional part it´s about intellect and modus operandi: “Barbara! Am I dumb? In all the years of plotting and the betrayals between us, have you ever ever known me to do something as idiotically brutal as shoot a rocket into a building full of innocent people?”   All of them eventually have to believe that Edward was innocent because they know him.  * Jim Gordon & Eduardo Dorrance  So we finally get some more on Jim “a war hero” Gordon´s military background, which is great but idk I can´t quite make anything of what they gave us. “We hated each other in boot.” “Jim disapproved of my ops tempo.” “Yeah, 'cause you only had one speed: too fast.” “Took me a while to realize he wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty. Just being careful.” “Well, Jim's taught me a thing or two - about being careful.”  That HARVEY BULLOCK says that could provide some great meta if I wasn´t too lazy to properly look into the line of his old partner DIX in  DIX 1x06:   “He's a loose cannon. He thinks he's a white knight, jumping into the breach like some idiot in the movies” First it´s trust and old friendship with EDUDARDO and JIM: “I trust you know what you're doing.” “We do what we have to do, right?” But soon Jim and Eduardo are opposite forces: “After all this, you'd kill me for some bureaucrat?” “Mission comes first. You taught me that.”  This really makes me wonder what Jim did that Eduardo says this!!  Also SEASON 1 Backflash: “You know I hate this spook crap. I don't ask questions; I follow orders.” “Walker wants you to put a bullet in his brain.” “Call it proof of loyalty. It's what she needs from you before she can move forward with final relief plans.” “Jim, ours is not to reason why. And this is your chance to be a part of this mission. So please. You pull the trigger on him, or I pull the trigger on you.” * It mirrors the Jim and Harvey contrast with Harvey being the one talking about questions above his paycheck but after everything Harvey still follows Jim´s disruptive tendencies. It´s about personal responsibility, control, and in Jim and Eduardo´s case we could get some take on the "Nuremberg defense" issue.   * It mirrors the situation with Oswald Cobblepot. Once more an established order tells Jim Gordon to shoot a man, that´s not technically innocent but didn´t commit the crime in question. And once more Jim doesn´t kill but this time he doesn´t get to claim his loyalties lie with the established order.  [For a moment Jim contemplated just shooting Ed because look at what happened with Oswald, he just can´t have another relationship like that] * I wonder if we will get some flack for Jim´s decision to honour integrity over supplies? Just briefly, before it is revealed how it was actually and not only morally the right thing.  FRIENDSHIP Oswald  & Jim  Oswald Cobblepot still tries to count on Jim Gordon.  “Harvey, you're not thinking clearly. Maybe call your boss, see what he thinks.” But Jim isn´t there because he made a decision to not be there.  Oswald´s line of having had only two friends from which one he shot is sad. And I don´t know but after all the “friend” and “favour” stuff between them the “no friends” statement from Jim really hurt: “You know, they say you can judge a man by his friends.” “This from a man who has no friends.”  But at least their dynamic still works, once you get them together and disturbing forces out of the way they still run smooth for the sake of Gotham  “You're protecting a mass murderer. Don't look to me for sympathy.” “Fine. But not with that meathead around.”  Edward Nygma & Oswald Cobblpeot * “Ed, what have you done?” First of all the delivery of the line killed me! Which is not even an exaggeration. * “Of everything that you have put me through, this this is the most cruel.” This was almost as impressive and heart wrenching. * Also I´m just going to put the words down there. How, how did they sound so much like vows?! Oswald just touching his lips, putting his hands in front of them covering his mouth before he can muster so speak further. Oswald later walking right up to Edward pressing the gun into his heart. Could anyone deal with this?!  (Also what is so fundamentally wrong with me that this kind of totally is what I want, like that´s what I´d ask for in any friend or relationship, and on the one hand it´s like just a very basic just knowing and acknowledging each other but also this trust that should be as basic but just really isn´t and oh idk that was just a really special scene.) “What was I supposed to do? Let you die? After Butch, you were my only friend.”  “You shot Butch!” “Which is why I needed you! Edward Nygma, if I wanted you to suffer, I would never do it in some backhanded way.” “If you and I are ever at odds again, you will know, without a doubt, that I am your enemy. I promise you that as a friend.” And then Edward followed up with a “yes I do” and his own vows.  “I might have killed you, Oswald. And if that day comes I swear to you I will stare you in the eye as I stab you in the heart.” * Then a BETRAYAL? And then right away Oswald tells Edward to stay where he is because he´s going to be save while telling his men to get Nygma. Why did you have to break up that wonderful moment so quickly? Self preservation is a wonderful thing but not on the expense of those feelz. Quick, someone meta/fanfic this “betrayal” into something more palatable. Something like, Oswald only said that because he knew Edward would know to disappear at once, they just know each other ~that~ well, okay that´s better, a super thin argument but I´m fine.    * Oswald in this context saying “They want him, not me.” (*)  is so wrong because no honey, you are a double now a TWOFER, as Eduardo phrased it. With one raid they´d get Ed and Os. They are inseparable now.  * This is why they now both looked into the barrel of Jim´s gun while Jim gets told to kill them for loyalty reasons. * This is also why they both had the exact same approach to Jim Gordon this time. Jim Gordon is NOT GOOD CHANCES: Edward: “Once words gets out that you're responsible for Haven, you'll have a target on your back.” “I'll take my chances.” Oswald: “Even if I were to let you go, sooner or later, the Army's gonna come for you. Things are changing in Gotham.” “I'll take my chances.”  * “But first, did you name your dog after me?” How didn´t we get a reaction to EDWARD NYGMA´s question. I get it the whole mass murderer question but I´d like an answer to that one too, especially since they threw in that other JoJo dog business. Honestly I was not living that electrocution scene. (And it´s not only about the fact that Sofia and her dentist made him look much prettier.) but the  “You anthropomorphizing nincompoop. Dogs can't smile.”  sold me on it. It was worth it. Also Edward pretending he doesn´t want to be shocked again when this is going to be his escape and getting them to ignite the fuel was a good one “Please. Shoot me, stab me, anything but another jolt.” * Another marvellous line from Barbara Kean: “I am going to cut your face into a jigsaw puzzle and watch you try and put it back together again.”   * HUGO STRANGE is back and promptly sends a corpse sliding and then wipes hands. Icky. So those lined up hanging body bags had me distracted so I didn´t pay enough attention on the one that Edward Nygma would jump out of. However I think this made me suspicious enough to not trust the “I will write it down. That way, if I'm ever confronted, I can honestly say that I never told you.” Like usually I´d agree, that´s a good plan, makes sense but ha not this time. Love that they kind of paralleled this with Edward reaching for the book in front of Jim and Eduardo. Is that even a proper parallel?  * EDWARD NYGMA tries to control the script  “Let's skip the part where you deny making me into a killing machine.” He wants to get to the point. When Strange starts with a nebulous “I may have tinkered a little with your grey matter.” Edward is like: “Would you just …”  and Strange complies with an answer: “I put a chip in your brain.” “It allows you to be able to be controlled remotely.”  * I am wondering if Hugo Strange really didn´t know about the alter ego situation? It could be right? Either his situation was the reason why the chip worked (which negates my other question below) or maybe this will be the thing that makes Edward overcome his issue? Maybe the other side will surface again and they both got a common enemy: The chip and they unify over that task. THEORY?  * Also the fandom has been all about all the Eds and Nygmas and used various name variations and now the show comments on this and it´s not helpful at all? “You did something to access the Ed Nygma side of my personality.” “But you're Ed Nygma.” “I'm also the Riddler!” Is he thinking of himself as (an occasionally riddling) Edward right now?  * “I developed a tool.”  “A tool? How dare you?”   Haha, he sounded SO offended. * Quick question, why did remote controlled Edward go through the corpse tunnel, was his perception working while he was switched off and did he see Jim escape through it?  PLACES AND THINGS * Can we talk about how pretty the first place of that RPG selling guy ( Gerry Grekov) was. So pretty! Guy got peacock feathers in it.  * What was that movie he was watching? * The floor is Lava! The Edward Jim scene was gorgeous.  * As we established Jim knows Edward he just doesn´t know him well enough to pay attention to that arm that grew longer and longer to reach the right book. Like seriously Jim how could you miss this, even I was on my toes dying to know what he would do. And he boobytrapped the library. Marvellous! The chess riddle with the movements and the books. Marvellous! More please. The shots were really pretty too.  * Apart from Edward´s arm growing longer and longer we got his long legged self running over the cushions. Marvellous!

JEREMIAH VALESKA “Verisimilitude trumps precaution, you see.” “That bullet is making you sentimental.” * So the present is some resurrection. How did they reverse all the decay. Is it the same bodies. Magic, Science.  Also am I paranoid or might there be some connection to Hugo Strange´s “The last body you procured for me was gangrenous. Completely unsuitable.” line. Unsuitable doesn´t mean unusable. * Jeremiah knew Mr. Wayne, didn´t he. I´m too lazy to look things up but there was a connection. Is he also doing this for himself. Family reunion cause he never had a (good) one?  * Sorry but EDUARDO DORRANCE is boring, get on the program Gotham doesn´t do boring. Clearly Eduardo Flamingo was the superior Eduardo. * “I'm gonna wring this nerd's neck.” Careful Eduardo, this other nerd is just in the progress of saving your life.  * “You left the Army for this city?” You know, I keep saying that people would probably better be off just getting the hell out of there but the reaction to this line showed me I´m as stupid. I mean not that it´s something new all the bathtubs alone had sold me. And army, army instead of riddles like that and freedom to wear leather, pink hair, how´s that even considered competition. * THERESA WALKER why did she need Edward Nygma? If they had a public trial, execution then yes but Eduardo didn´t seem to be concerned about getting him alive, they could have just sent in some random guy? They got all those military people in now I´m sure they could have done less before and it´s probably less effort than commissioning a human drone? * “We need shock and awe.” “Shock and awe is my default.” I wonder if this was foreshadowing because after all the Haven thing could fall under that strategy. They only sent in military after this devastating and shocking destruction. OSWALD COBBLEPOT BEING HIMSELF AGAIN? “Edward, I believe the time has come for a change of scenery.” What is Oswald Cobblepot up to?! What did he store down there, what are his plans? He didn´t seem to be too worried about the military. He must have some kind of plan? Also the “Please. An invasion is tanks, infantry. These are scouts.” line gives me hope that he is prepared.  (*) On the other hand him thinking the military would not go after him too, only Edward, while he was “on top of” the list seems to point into a different direction.  Also someone any (head)canons on Oswald Cobblepot and knowledge about military, has he been ever connected to military terms? He´s been in Jim Gordon´s soldier vision/dream thingie, I don´t know why this line stuck so much with me, but the dismissive patronizing smug deliver was marvellous.

Chapter 24 – Misaligned Stars

Hancock led Payne in the direction of a large double decker platform strewn with benches and lounge chairs.

“Wiseman doesn’t like being the tough guy, does he?” Payne asked as she trudged up the wide metal stairs, her ribs complaining with each step.

“No, he doesn’t. He gave that Turner kid a lot more chances that I would have. Turning one of your own out is hard, even when that person deserves it. Especially if you know they have nowhere else to go.”

“Wiseman thinks he signed Turner’s death warrant.” Payne sighed. “But in reality, the moron signed his own all by himself. He shouldn’t lose any sleep over it.” Payne sat down on a wooden bench and looked down the dark valley below, lit only by weak moonlight. Hancock sat down lightly next to her.

“You don’t seem that shook up about the whole thing.” He opened his coat, withdrew the blood pack and handed it to her.

“Nah. I’ve had to deal with walking trash like that since I was a kid.” She looked at him with a glimmer in her eye. “You’ll love this… my mom owned an independent club off the strip. She taught me early on how to shut down people like that.”

“And you said she taught you how to perform.”

“That she did. Gotta keep those butts in the seats, though I think she was trying to get me into more of the traditional dance stuff. I think I let her down a bit when I showed an interest in burlesque.” Payne winced as she gingerly felt around her face. She tried to maneuver and hold the shards of her cheek in line while she drank. It would help the whole thing knit together quickly.

Hancock unconsciously winced watching her hold her face together as she sucked down the blood pack. Payne let go of her cheek as she dropped the empty bag on the ground at her feet. Hancock scooted closer to her as he reached in his pocket.

“Wanna let me help you with that? Daisy is going to be pissed to see such a nice piece ruined so soon.” He motion to the large rip in Payne’s turtleneck. It had grown, streaks of unraveling fabric splaying down her chest. He held up a spool of bright red thread.

“Sure.” It wasn’t hard to notice all the work it took to keep his signature 500 year old look together. She arched her neck back as he examined the edges of the torn fabric. “But maybe I should have warned her that I tend to be really hard on stuff. Maybe save the good stuff for those who don’t see so much action.”

He effortlessly threaded the needle. “Shirt on or off?”

“Nice try. On. It’s not that big of a hole and I don’t feel like freezing my tits off, thanks.”

Hancock shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself.” Most humans didn’t want a ghoul to get that close to them, even if they were friendly. Payne didn’t seem to be like other humans… but then again she isn’t really human, is she? Hancock reminded himself. He unwrapped a mentat carefully stowed inside the spool; delicate work required a sharp mind and eyes, more so at night.

He slipped a hand inside the front of her shirt as Payne sat close and unmoving. As Hancock worked, the hand-shaped bruise across her throat started to disappear. Nimbly, he picked up and carefully secured each exposed loop. He could feel her cool chest press with each breath against the back of his fingers. He stared at the fabric intently while Payne look up and out across the valley.

Payne closed her eyes. “Are your hands always this warm?”

“You bet. Temperature regulation is a bitch when you hardly have any body fat or sweat glands left. We over heat pretty easily. You should feel the rest of me.” His easy smile stretched wide across his face as he noticed her cheeks redden.

In an attempt to avoid catching his eye, Payne looked over at the large table sporting an oversized umbrella next to them. Sitting just inches out of reach was an unopened bottle of something undoubtedly alcoholic but unrecognizable. She reached out her arm, fingers straining to try to grab it.

“Hey! You want me to do this right? Sit still!” Hancock complained as she inched closer to the table, pulling away from him and messing up the tension of the section he was working on.

“Just… give me… got it!” She pulled the bottle into her lap, scooching back to her place. Again she tried to sit still, but occasionally moved to take a sip of some homemade swill. It burned with a dry acidic bite.

“Don’t you think you have had enough tonight?”

Payne could feel his breath warming her skin as he talked. His head was only a few inches from the fabric, nearly forcing him to sitting on her lap.

She swallowed another mouthful. “I’d like to see you cut me off!” Drinking the blood pack had not only boosted her healing process, but the side effect of greatly diminished the buzz she had been carefully cultivating all evening. Sometimes you just want to be numb. She though. This was one of those nights.

Hancock shrugged and continued working. Soon all the evidence of what happened earlier in the night disappeared, leaving only a small red scar up the front of her black shirt. Even most of the physical damage had visibly healed, leaving dull aches under flawless skin.

Hancock sat back and admired his work. Payne extended him the bottle in thanks after he stowed the thread and needle away for safekeeping. They sat in silence for a while, looking up into the sparkling sky.

“If there is somewhere else you want to be, I’ll be fine up here by myself.” Payne reclined against the back of the bench, the old wood creaking. “I’m sure there is some more fun to be had around here… something more exciting than staring at the sky.”

“What would you say if I would rather be up here with you?”

“I’d say you need your head examined.” Payne shook her head. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“I don’t know about that. You seem to have gotten the most action of anyone here tonight.” The jab was softened by his easy smile.

“Low blow.” Payne warned halfheartedly.

“Consider for a moment, I want to be up here with you.” Payne gave him a sideways glance. “What? It’s a nice view.”

Her heart sank with the realization of where this was going. Oh god, not tonight… “You’re not talking about the stars, are you.” Payne didn’t ask the question.

“And what if I’m not?” Hancock cocked his head to the side. “What would you say to that?” Payne swallowed a large mouthful of swill and avoided eye contact. “I know this mug isn’t much to look at…”

“That’s not it. It’s just a bad idea.” Payne’s face started to burn. Dread was starting to churn the rotgut in her stomach.

“I know running with ghouls is a bit different than swinging with ‘em for a lot of smoothskins, I understand. If you think I’d hold anything over your head involving your employment, you don’t…”

Payne interrupted him. “No, that’s not it. I don’t want to hurt you.” Frustration started to bubble up under the dread, her hands unconsciously balling into fists. Payne’s mind spun trying to think of something she could say to assuage his advances. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she needed him to understand. She couldn’t do this, it had nothing to do with him.

“Ain’t nothing going to fall off that hasn’t already, sister.” He watched her profile, acutely aware that she trying hard to avoid his face. “But I can take a hint. I…”

He isn’t going to let this go, is he?

Payne took his head in her hands and kissed him deeply. On instinct, Hancock pulled away in surprise but Payne’s powerful hands held him firmly. Payne, her eyes closed, felt him relax after the shock passed and ease himself into her embrace.  Need, lust and hunger kindled inside her, awakening after years of constraint, each feeding off the other and growing stronger. Letting herself feel again, her pulse raced. The flood was overwhelming her senses. She felt the rush of his delicious smell and taste all around her, intoxicating her. He happily returned every caress of her lips, drinking her in.

Lost in the surge, Payne almost missed the pull of the thirst awakening. As it reeled up inside her, a jolt of fear make her pull away.

Hancock, confused by her deliberate distance after such a fiery encounter. As he opened his eye to ask why she had stopped, he found himself staring at two inky black eyes staring back at him. Payne’s mouth sat agape, the moonlight glinting off her extended canines.

“I can’t.” she managed weakly. She gently brushed her thumb against Hancock’s cheek.

“It’s a bad idea…” he breathlessly repeated her earlier refrain. He watched as the watery storm slowly dissolved and Payne’s breath slowed.

She pulled away, collecting herself. Once again she sat, eyes averted, staring at the night. “I don’t want to hurt you. I’ve done that once. Never again.”

“What… happened?”

Payne wasn’t surprised to hear the question, but the sincerity in his voice caught her off guard. She grabbed the half empty bottle and stood. Hancock could sense how difficult it was for her to walk forward to the edge of the platform, leaning on the railing for support. He cautiously joined her, feeling like he might spook her into silence.

Silently, Payne looked out over the valley, but her mind raced miles away. “Can I bum a smoke?”

Hancock nodded as he pulled one from his pocket and lit it. The sight of her with a cigarette unnerved him. He supposed it was because he had never seen her smoke before. She glowing tip lit her face with a warm glow as she took a drag.

“I told you before that I left Vegas when things were shaping up for a war I wanted nothing to do with. I wandered aimlessly for years, with no real goal other than to survive. One night, while in a corner of some shantytown bar, I overheard a conversation of a couple of caravan workers.” She took a long drink from the bottle to fortify her nerves. “They were trading stories of strange vaults and settlements they had heard about in their travels. Places built on oilrigs or old ships. Vaults full of violent plant people… crazy things like that.” She flicked some ash.

“Well, maybe not so crazy.” Payne thought of Nate and his frozen family. “But then one started a yarn about a town on the east coast. Rumor had it that they paid for protected with literal blood. It look me months to find more information, but I eventually found out the town was in DC. Arefu.

“That’s why you were in DC.”

Payne nodded. “The place was only a few homes built on an overpass. Sure enough, a couple of guns up on top provided protection. After a few pretty blunt questions on my part, a guards walked be down underground and into the old Metro system.” She paused to feel the burn of the cigarette as it filled her lungs, the pain in some way soothing. “And there they were. The Family. That’s what they called themselves. There was about a dozen of them, self-proclaimed vampires. That’s what their leader, Vance, fashioned them into being. Sure, they kept out of the sun and drank blood, but in truth, most of them were little more than cannibals trying to stem their more murderous urges. Radiation or genetic accidents gave some of them some vampire-like traits, but none of them were like me. Not really.” She took another drink. “But they welcomed me with open arms.”

Payne paused, her mind catching on their faces, frozen in snap shots. “I lived under Vance’s rules for nearly a year. He was darkly charismatic, trying so hard to keep the Family together and safe with his quasi-mystic mumbo jumbo.” She smirked to herself. “I didn’t believe the bullshit, but it was a place where I didn’t have to hide what I was. That was nice.”

Payne lightly pressed her fist against her lips before she swallowed more alcohol, trying to organize her thoughts. “The anniversary of their agreement with Arefu they threw a huge celebration. We prepped for like a week. Everyone had a great time partying for hours. It was an open secret that Vance and his wife were pretty open with their relationship. She had been dropping hints that they fancied having some fun, so being seven sheets to the wind obliged and followed them back to their room.” Payne lowered her eyes. Her words caught in her throat.

“You don’t have to…” Hancock tried to soothe the storm passing over her face.

A motion with her had stopped him. Payne took a deep breath. “The next thing I remember is someone pounding on the door. They were… I…” She closed her eyes against the memories. “They were torn to pieces. I freaked. I grabbed what I could and ran as soon as they broke down the door. I ran naked through the wasteland as fast as I could. In broad daylight. I ran until my bones broke and I started coughing up blood… and then I keep running. I could have ran for days, I have no idea. I ran until I had nothing left. Somehow I drug myself under some sheet metal and just…” She pinched the last dregs of the cigarette in her lips and inhaled, the burning stinging her lungs. The pain reinforcing the memories of her shameful flight. “Eventually I started to wander again, eventually ending up in civilization a few years later.”

“Goodneighbor.”

“Yeah. That’s how I ended up on your doorstep, as it were. I’ve always had a weakness for flashy neon signs. And stupid hats.” She sheepishly grinned before tossing the butt over the railing.

Hancock huffed. “And here I thought it was my magnetic personality.” He paused. “Wait a minute. You don’t mind ghoul, you bat for both teams and you haven’t gotten laid in 200 some years? Damn it! It’s almost worth the whole threat of disembowelment just to get you in the sack!” Against her better judgement, Payne couldn’t suppress her snicker.

With a bit more seriousness Hancock added “Thanks for not eviscerating me, though.”

They stood in silence, the cool night breeze gently lifting the edges of Payne’s black hair. Payne studied the half empty bottle. With a sudden determination, she chugged the rest of the swill and pitched the bottle into the night. After hearing the satisfying crash of glass shattering below, she turned back to Hancock. It was the first time she had looked him the eyes since their kiss.

“Guess we should call it a night if you want to head back to Goodneighbor tomorrow... if you’ll still have me.”

“That shit isn’t easy to talk about. To lay it all out like that, ya feel me?” Hancock stuck out the crook of his arm. “We make one hell of a freak show.”

Payne took his arm. As they walked down the creaky metal stairs, it hit her that maybe guzzling the rotgut may not have been the best idea. She found herself getting drifting from side to side as the alcohol surged through her system. It was making her sloppy, Hancock ended up guiding her back to the main building so she didn’t trip and fall.

All of the beds seemed to be taken as Hancock looked through the door.

“Wait here for a minute. I’ll make sure the path is clear.” He slipped inside, leaving Payne outside. He did want to risk her knocking something over and waking everyone up in her current condition.

Payne waited impatiently, her arms swinging idly by her sides. Out of the corner of her eye, something yellow caught her attention. There was a pile of discarded yellow toy horse heads and legs, along with a partial pot of yellow paint. A slippery wicked idea slithered into Payne’s mind. She grabbed the pile and headed into the shadows.

A few minutes later Hancock returned but didn’t find Payne where he had left her. Following the sound of snickering and moaning metal, he found Payne on a ladder, yellow paint smeared across her face and hands.

“Payne, arts and crafts hour is over. Get down from there!”

“I’m not done yet!” She leaned back, revealing her handiwork. A trio of yellow pony heads were wired haphazardly to Nate’s power armor, yellow pain dripped down the steel exterior. “If Nate is going to the Glowing Sea, he is going to need something a little extra!” Payne pointed to some of her ‘improvements’ jubilantly. She had somehow managed to work extra gears and pistons into the joints.

“Jesus, Payne. He’s going to kill you.” Hancock moved in to try and get her down. “How the fuck did you do all that? I was only gone for ten minutes!”

“I’m not done!” she kicked him away, nearly losing her balance and toppling from the ladder. Hancock shook his head as he laughed. “You could at least give me a hand! Paint that knee thingy over there!”

Hancock, against his better judgement, grabbed the paintbrush from her and brushed a few strokes.

“Ha! Now you can’t tell Nate… or you’ll get in trouble too!”

Hancock looked at his hand, now sticky with bright yellow paint. “Even drunk you are dangerous!”

“Don’t you know it!”

After a few more tweaks, Payne placed a placard reading ‘Happy Trails, Partner!’ around the neck of the power armor, declaring her master piece finished. Only then did she let Hancock lead her to her cot for the night.