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someverygaymoth · 4 months

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KD!AU

(lmao did I forget to mention the errormare? My b Dawgs that too. We have chaos polycules in this au.)

Euclades(NM) knew Steller(Error), when he was younger, still in his flock, still by an entirely different name and form. When things went horribly wrong for him, he ran from his flock, and Steller. A lover he'd taken some 400 years ago. They parted with only a letter, a letter Clay left for him in a fit of fear and confusion after becoming what he is now. He fled from his problems, and didn't allow anyone to follow him or help them. Needless to say, Euclades still thinks of him often, and having him show up on his doorstep, with a mate, no less, is not something he was prepared for.

Steller doesn't recognize him. He looks so different now, he can hardly blame him, but part of him aches. He can barely stay there long enough to greet both him and Atra(ink) before having to spend the rest of the day in his room, shocked to realize he can still take his old form. He didn't know that before Steller came around. But, it didn't take much for Steller to figure it out...

Literally the whole fic I wrote about that ages ago↓↓ (this is old AF I revamped it literally just for this post PLEASE forgive me if it vaguely sounds like garbage in some parts.)

(Important details: trade is the common language used for international trade in this world, dragons propose with giant intricate circles made with stones and rocks gathered sometimes over months, dragons have little balls of flame for souls called soulfire.)

(First person: Steller's point of view)

Clay isn't who he says he is. To Steller, it's all but a mystery to whom, if anyone, he's told the truth to. It started with a feeling when they first arrived here. Something felt off, familiar and suspicious. Then it became a hunch, then a conclusion that the king was hiding something. If his mate, his kid— Atra's kid were going to stay here, secrets weren't going to fly with him.

Many things clued him in on the King's secret, and when he uncovered something so personal as this is, Steller found it an incredibly difficult realization to have. He had to confer frequently with Atra, to fumble through what to do and what to think, how to feel. Not that Atra is any good at any of those things, but stars he does his best. And that's something. One thing Atra said stuck with him through all of this.

"If he loved you as you said he did? He left so abruptly to keep you safe, even if it was something you didn't need to be protected from."

Euphe was always the protected, never the protector. Of course he'd want to protect Steller from what he wasn't protected from. From whatever happened to his home, to his people. To him. Thinking about and processing all of this went slow, was absolutely heart wrenching, and snowballed slowly into more of an investigation into the truth rather than a hunch or a feeling.

The first hint had been his reaction to his presence here, Euclades didn't utter a word beyond a curt greeting in draconic, in response to Steller's trade. That could easily be mistaken for an old age monarch attached to his ways, but Euphe never learned trade either. Then, with nothing but those words, he disappeared for the rest of the day. Stellar had been intrigued, and looked for him, wanting to talk to him more. At least thank him for allowing himself and his mate to stay here, apologize for his lover's foolishness.

Though, he wasn't around. Steller asked his mates, though they told me he was in his room, probably working, and he seemed in a mood about something when they last saw him. In other words, he was best left alone. Though they remarked about Cain handling the political affairs this week, to give him a break, and promised they would check on him later, and relay his gratitude. It left him with an odd taste on his tongues, persay.

The next? Cain. Steller never met him when he was with Euphe. Euphe talked about him a lot. Tall, strong, bright and beautiful. Steller knew without a doubt, that Euphe loved him deeply, but Cain was a protector before all else, he would've kept the secret at first, but Euphe knew it would spill eventually... On purpose or not. His flock wasn't a fan of lone draconics. Nor was any other, really.

To have one of their monarchs, nevermind such a sacred being as Euphe fraternizing with a troublemaker like him, that would give the young monarch's flockmates more reason to hate him. Though, now Cain acted the same way Euphe had always talked about him. A beautiful golden social butterfly that was able to connect with damn near anyone. Though he lacked a certain naivety that Euphe described, Steller could guess that was a product of maturity. To find them together now, ruling their empire as mates, was no surprise.

Cain contributed to more than one hint, really. One other being, their origin. Born of the sacred Tree of Connection, twin protectors given to their flock by their deities. It's pretty difficult to miss that one. Euphe never completely explained what they both were to him, but he's not sure that Euphe completely understood that for himself at the time. Nonetheless, you don't get two stories like that one. He was almost completely sure of it then.

The fourth hint lie in the garden. Deep in the garden, in fact. Abandoned and alone. The Tree of Connection itself, and the last source of Empathy magic, a single golden apple, alone within its ancient branches. A story that's also pretty unmistakable for any other, it sat in a well, reflecting golden light onto the water beneath. It was so well kept. Too well kept to be anything but the real Tree of Connection. How the hell they got it here was beyond Steller's comprehension, but still.

Steller would suppose it's fair to count the Tree of Life as a part of that last hint as well. The massive tree in the middle of the castle's main buildings. An apple tree, just like the Tree of Connection. It wasn't hard to figure out that it was grown from the last dark apple of Empathy. Steller put that one together pretty quick after seeing the golden apple all alone on the tree. He had few doubts then.

The fifth clue, was each of Clay's mates. The stories of how they met. Clay's need to help them all... That unmistakable empathy for small, helpless things. That was all Euphe. It was just like him. Steller could see it in his expression as they talked about it, he seemed so nostalgic for the time, but so terribly empathetic, hurt by remembering their pain and helplessness. He still has that same desperation to protect, to provide. Like he has anything to prove after taking an entire Empire by right of combat and creating a safe haven for draconic people everywhere.

The sixth was the library. The moment Steller saw it he had no doubts left. So many books, in so many draconic languages, so many scrolls from so many different flocks. Euphe loved books. He may not know trade, but he knew almost every draconic language near to his own flock. He used to bring many books in whatever language he could find, to their little clearing in the woods and read to him all night long. Memories Steller carries with fondness.

The castle is full of secret rooms and dark passages, and the library is no exception. The library has so many secret rooms, full of old scrolls in ancient draconic languages. In one of these rooms there was nothing but scrolls about his flock... The flock and the prophecy that tortured Euphe until the day they all disappeared. So many of them had the burnt impression of claws on the corner of the page. Steller could imagine it so easily, Clay staring at it with such fear and anguish, wondering why they had done this to him, and allowing his emotions to run away with him.

Between Cain dropping information about their past, Clay's desperate little attempts to hide the obvious, and the clues practically written in the walls themselves... It wasn't long before Steller figured it out. Now, came the hard part. Actually talking to him about it.

Atra was there through it all, content to let Steller know his thoughts on everything. All he had to say when he decided he wanted to talk with Clay was, "do whatever you feel is right. If the dust settles and you want to be friends? That's okay. If you end up fucking on his desk, that's cool too! We can sort stuff out later." Stellar gave him a straight shot to the ribs for that, of course, because that was a very unhelpful fantasy to carry in this situation... But at least he knew whatever way things went, he had the support of his mate.

After hours of pacing and procrastination in my room, Steller somehow end up in front of his door... Holding that old letter like the most precious thing in the world. The purple ribbon that held it was old and worn now, he'd applied sap many times over the years to help the fraying. The edges used to be a vibrant shimmering silver, but now the thin metallic touch had worn and flaked in some spots. The letter itself was corroded and yellowed at the edges. Steller read it often in those first years that his lover was gone. In fact, he'd read it so many times now he's certain that he could recite it word per word, blindfolded.

Now he held it before the door of the one who gave it to him, unsure and fearful. Clay knew he was there, without a doubt. Born of the tree of Connection, he possessed focal magics even other monarchs did not. Empathetic magic, specifically. He'd always been able to feel the emotions of others, but what he understands now is that Clay's abilities have grown much over the years. Steller knocks on the door gently and it unlocks with a small click, opening just a little. He pushes it the rest of the way open, and when he does, Clay watches him with tired eyes.

After all his anxiety and worrying today, it would seem he is an expected guest.

"Steller, what do you requi-" he freezes-no, flinches- when he sees the letter in his hand. His eyelight swirls with an unmistakable twinge of vibrant violet for a moment. He blinks and it's gone, it almost felt imagined.

"Euclades. It's a lovely name."

He was silent, watching Steller wearily. He looks guilty, contemplative, maybe even afraid... The dredge of negativity that flows over his bones seems to drip more heavily around him, roiling like a pond disturbed by rain.

"But it isn't yours, at least... It wasn't always. Was it?"

"No. No it wasn't." The door shut quietly behind him. The sound makes Steller glance back, only for a moment. "Please... Please allow me this moment in private. I... Cannot imagine how you must feel. If I must endure your anguish, let me be the only one to bear it." He pleads.

Steller locks the door on his own, content to give Clay what he asks. He sighs out, "I knew it was you," in a breath. It's difficult for him to tell whether it's a sign of relief or something entirely different.

"You're clever, I knew I couldn't hide it."

"You made quite an effort," Steller counters quickly.

He whispers back, "I am sorry."

"Why?"

"I was afraid," Clay answers. He looks Steller in the eyes with some acrid, visceral emotion that lingers. A terror he keeps buried away in the embers of his soulfire. It's an expression so like one he'd once seen Euphe make, whenever he spoke of his flock... It makes Steller's soul twist with longing, nostalgia, love and care that still lingers after centuries apart.

"Why did you leave." He corrects, "why didn't you even say goodbye?" Steller steps forward slowly, pulling the worn, old ribbon from their letter, and places the curled page gently on Euclades' desk, right in front of him.

"I... was afraid," he answers again.

"Of what?" Steller paces a slow line past his desk and around towards the door, gripping his skull as though he couldn't comprehend any of this. Maybe after all these years, he still couldn't.

"Of myself, what I might do... What the corruption did... It... I hurt people. It made me want to hurt people. I didn't want to hurt you."

"And you thought I wouldn't stop you? You thought I'd ever let you become something you're not? You thought you could hurt me? I am a force to be reckoned with, I've burned villages and destroyed towns, I have faced those which were unbeatable in the presence of draconic armies! I can protect myself!" Steller spits.

"Not from this. You don't understand. The influence of the tree is strong, Steller, it is dangerous, and real. It isn't something you can protect from. It took me centuries to break through it's influence-"

"And I COULD HAVE HELPED YOU!" Steller cries, pausing his pacing near the door, "but no, no you left me alone, and scared, with no clue where you were and no chance of helping you- you fool! I would never be afraid of you!"

"Well maybe, you fucking should be." Clay hisses, standing up.

"Don't try to prove a point, dumbass. I know what you are. What you REALLY are. And you can't ever hide that. You are not, and will not ever be something I fear." Steller growls, wings flaring out behind him. Already a broad, tall monarch, it made for a threatening display.

Clay puffs up right back, purple dancing through his eyes and in his markings. Two eyes... That's... Different. Everything is different. He's so much bigger now, it's startling to hear everything in his voice ring with something from the past, all coming from a form so different. Euphe was beautiful, even without the extravagant marks of a strong monarch. Even now, he's so beautiful, in all the conventional ways he never thought himself when they were younger. It makes Steller ache, but he doesn't let up on his stance.

He's in power here, size and status be damned.

Euclades still can't hurt him.

Clay marches around his desk, a growl heady in his throat. "That's exactly why I stayed away. You're too trusting— too stupid to—" he makes a wounded sound, "if I wanted to hurt you, would you even stop me?" He asks, expression pained.

"If you wanted to hurt anyone I would have stopped you!" Stellar barks back, throwing his hands up in the air.

He marches forward, face twisted into a snarl as he slams a fist into the door hard enough to make the wood tremble. "WOULD YOU?! Would you hurt me to stop it? Would you?" Steller doesn't flinch. Instead, he slides hands up to Clay's face, rubbing the gleaming markings under his right eye.

It has all the effect he remembers. The expression on his face wanes and it's not so difficult to see the tears blossoming in his sockets now. His wings shudder and his eyelights shift to a deep plum, he might notice, given the way he blinks a little harder for a moment, but he seems to give up on whatever he was trying there fairly quickly. Steller lets out a long breath, still holding him gently.

"The entirety of this hypothetical little situation that you've made up in your head, depends on you being able to hurt me. Euclades. You may be a king now but I know you are not but a stubborn child in your embers. I am not afraid of you, I never have been, and I never will be. No matter how hard you try, you can't hurt me. I won't let you, and you would never. You never once won a sparring match against me in our days together, and a handsome set of horns and some height on me will certainly not change that. Euclades, Euphe, neither of them would hurt me, I know that. More than anything, I trust that," Steller whispers to him, watching as Clay closes his eyes.

He leans into the contact as his breathing goes shaky, and his shoulders tense up with quivering little sobs. His expression tenses for a moment before going lax again. When tears fall, they're a familiar purple, not seafoam. They leave smooth trails of ivory white bone visible in their wake, and only more of it is exposed with every moment.

He asks softly, "do you hate me?" and when he speaks it's not the same deep central nation draconic grumble. It's softer, a gentle voice with an eastern dialect. It's Euphe's voice, not his.

"I couldn't ever hate you, I don't," Steller promises, still holding him in his arms, even as the darkness fell away, dripping onto his hands and the floor. "Not Euphe, and certainly not Clay. I don't blame you... Even if you were a stupid jerk for leaving me like you did." He whispers. Clay smiles, and when he opens his eyes, blinking away tears, it's Euphe staring up at him. "I uh... didn't know you could... you know. I didn't know you were... Still... Like this, under all the..."

"I didn't either... Until you came back." He laughs, like it's all some cruel joke.

"You're beautiful. Still so beautiful..."

"You always said that." He's smaller than Steller is now, looking up as he gently wipes the tears from the other's cheeks.

"I'm not talking about Euphe, you're not some relic, Clay. I'm talking about you."

Euclades looks up at me like he's said something profound, something that he hadn't even considered.

"That's not- I'm not..."

"But you are... You're so beautiful. You're strong, and amazing. You always have been, you just didn't see it before. And your horns have grown so much too... I won't lie, it's... attractive." Steller admits, smiling wryly and glancing to the chair in the corner of the room. It's upholstered in a beautiful purple, velvety fabric, and it's clear that someone sits their frequently, likely to keep Clay company while he works.

"Oh..." Clay stares at him wide eyed, flushed a deep plum, a color that's rather ironically fitting of royalty.

"You're... I still..." Steller sighs before taking a deep breath in, "I loved Euphe, and I want to love you too, Euclades. I want to chart every difference, bed our coals and make a new fire together, every new feature and habit as our kindling."

Clay sighs when their skulls press together, a smile creeping onto his face when their horns clink, and it makes both their beads rattle on their horns. "I cherish you Steller... I always have."

"Too much for your own good, dork."

"Hah! Maybe..." Clay admits, sighing.

Steller smiles down at him with an unconditional fondness. Their faces are close, like this Steller can feel their breaths mingling together. The tease of a taste on his tongues, like sweet spices and the love Steller wants to give him. Clay takes a step closer and pauses, seeming contemplative.

"Is this okay?"

"More than okay," Steller murmurs back, sliding one of his hands into the other's.

With the confirmation, he presses a slow kiss to Steller's mouth, chaste and small. The taller leans in again, vying for a deeper kiss. Clay happily reciprocates, squeezing Steller's hand as his other gently squeezes his iliac crest. He pulls away just enough to breathe before searching for more. Steller encourages the closeness with a hand on his skull, pulling him closer with the gentlest insistence. Clay doesn't resist or hesitate, just presses closer, until Steller's back is firmly against the door, wings relaxed out to the side.

After a couple more rounds of kissing he pulls away, breathless. "Wow, spirits I missed that..." He says softly, almost trembling.

"Did you now?" Steller asks, grinning a little.

"Silence, I missed your silence... That's what I missed." He insists, although the soulfire glimmering through his thin shirt does him no favors in confirmation.

"Naturally, of course."

"I- oh stars, Atra, he- did he say this was okay?" He tries to pull away, seeming startled.

"Shh, he's fine... Jerk was literally rattling off about every way this could go and telling me I better at least kiss you," Steller scoffs.

"Oh... Hah! Dear stars... Yes, I can imagine he was as helpful on the mind as Vicki was..." He sighs, "I figured this was coming... I... Thought you would be more... Upset with me."

"Something like that... Ramblings of a horny bastard," Steller sighs, shaking his head. "I was upset, at first. I couldn't fathom why you'd abandon me. Not when we almost..."

Clay pets gently over his hand.

"We were almost mates, Clay... That and I... I know I didn't tell you but I... I'd been working on a circle for weeks before you left."

Clay's expression twists up again, and his surprise is almost something he can feel in the air. "Steller..." He sighs, tearful.

"Shit timing... Huh?"

"My love..." Clay cries, smiling at him. "I would've loved that more than anything."

"would've."

"I still would now."

Steller's soulfire burns cold for a moment, flickering in his ribs.

"We have some catching up to do... and we still need to talk with our mates, together. But I want you to know... really, it was time that wronged us. You, were perfect. Always," Clay says softly.

"You were perfect too..."

Clay smiles wider, and Steller can almost feel the joyful shift of his magic in the air around them.

"So... where should we start, on that catching up?"

Clay grins slyly, "you know, I have been thinking about that. I have some ideas."

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bisexualwannabewriter · 1 year

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“The Great War” - Part Eight, Aemond Targaryen x female reader

Summary : Before Aemond Targaryen was the man he is today, he used to be a young boy, innocent and hopeful enough to fall in love… But the years would not be kind. Not to him, his family, or the one and only love of his life.

In the previous chapter, Corlys Velaryon returned from the Stepstones, severely injured and on the brink of death. As the years have shaped the Lady y/n into someone different from the little girl who once had to leave the Red Keep in a hurry with her Lord father... it is time for her to return there, to fight for Lucerys’ right to inherit High Tide.

You can find the previous chapters and all the chapters to come here.

Chapter Summary : Lady y/n is well aware that returning to King’s Landing means she’ll likely run into her first love again, Aemond Targaryen. But as of now, she has a mission : she needs to find out as much as possible on the current political climate at court. After all, Daemon did warn her : she was on their side now, and there is no room for nostalgia...

Everything was so different.

The Lady y/n could barely find her way around the imposing castle of her youth. The Red Keep had indeed changed quite a lot : symbols of faith were found everywhere now, and made it hard to recognize anything. Lady y/n was certain the Queen Alicent was to thank for this. But if this felt odd for her, she wondered just how strange it would feel to the Princess Rhaenyra and her family.

King Viserys barely had the strength to climb the steps to the Iron Throne now : more often than not, it was his Hand, Ser Otto Hightower one could find sitting there. It was hard to believe this same man had once managed to ride Balerion, the largest of all Targaryen dragons since Aegon's conquest. The King actually ruled the Seven Kingdoms in his bedchambers now, surrounded by maesters and septons. Although 'ruled' was perhaps too generous of a word, as he left most of the important decisions in the care of his small council and his Queen.

Y/n found herself in the courtyard, drawn to the rumor of a fight. She was dressed in plain clothes, not to draw too much unnecessary attention to herself. She could've been anyone, and in many ways she was now. Just... anyone. Not a Princess' childhood companion. Not an important Lord's daughter. Not a Prince's lover. She only appeared to be some pretty maiden in dull colors, fading into the background of a courtyard, watching some knight.. (Wasn't it Ser Criston Cole ?) train with... No. It could not be.

Facing Princess Rhaenyra's former protector, was a tall, slender man, with long hair so fair, they were silver. The man moved so quickly and gracefuly, it was almost hard to follow his movements, which was even more impressive given his eyepatch. Everything around the enchanting creature y/n was observing seemed to disappear, until there was nothing left but him. There was no sound, no smell, no sense of reality in that moment. A volcano could very well have erupted and wiped everything out : she would still be standing there, watching him. King's Landing could've suffered the same fate as the old Valyria, and the Lady wouldn't have noticed anything but Aemond.

She couldn't help it, even after all those years, even after everything. She hadn't realised she had in fact stopped breathing altogether, like she couldn't properly function in his presence now.

The Lady closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Time had passed, and things had changed. Yes, coming back here was a shock, but she had to regain some form of control over herself. She was better than this now. Her past was locked away, in the deepest pits of her soul, and it had no power over her anymore; it couldn't hurt her. It wasn't love, not anymore : only its persisting ghost. When she opened her eyes again, she quickly walked inside of the Red Keep.

As she entered the castle, she could've sworn Aemond's remaining eye was on her.

(...)

It didn't take long for y/n to understand the odds weren't in their favor. Vaemond had already presented his case to the Queen and the Hand. Otto Hightower had always claimed to put the good of the realm above all things, but what he deemed 'good', didn't necessarily align with the interests of others. "The threat of war" was an argument the Hand apparently enjoyed using, but where did the real threat come from ? King Viserys had named Rhaenyra his heir, and had approved of Lucerys as Corlys Velaryon's heir. The whole realm witnessed it. So who was threatening anything ? More importantly, who was really threatened? The greatest fleet in all Westeros would belong to Lucerys, making him - and by extension his mother - more powerful than ever. It was understandable for Vaemond to seek that power for himself, but not only. Should he become the next Lord of the Tides, the Greens would have the advantage.

Ultimately, it was more than likely Ser Otto would lead the debate around the matter. He had to pretend it was his great hope Lord Corlys would survive his wounds, but the Lady y/n saw the ugly truth.

So far, she had also learned a bit more about Rhaenyra's siblings, and who they had grown up to be. Aegon was actually worst than what she had anticipated. He was a lazy and sulky young man, known to fondle any serving girl who had the mischance to find herself too close to him, and to drown himself in ale and strongwine whenever he had the chance. Rumors had it he had actually sired a couple of bastards already. Helaena had given him twins named Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, but the children were tiny and slow to grow. As for the Princess Helaena herself, her peculiar charms hadn't changed much. She was known for speaking in cryptic language at times, but she was much beloved by the people of King's Landing nonetheless.

As for Aemond... he was known for being a dangerous and proficient swordsman, under the guidance of Ser Criston Cole. And by the looks of it, he had even surpassed his tutor. He was known for his hot temper, and his unforgiving nature. Neither him nor Aegon were very popular at court... unlike their youngest brother Daeron, who had been send very early on to Oldtown to squire for ser Otto's older brother. Y/n had never seen much of him.

The Lady quickly found her way back to the Rogue Prince and the future Queen when they arrived a bit later, and dutifully told them everything she had learned, under their approbative gaze, like she had passed a particularly tricky test they weren't sure she'd pass...

Chapter Nine in the making...

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