Pairing: Raymun Fossoway x Baratheon! Female Reader
MASTERLIST (story synopsis also found here)
Warnings: friends to lovers, slowburn, GOT typical sexism, mild canon divergence, canon-compliant violence, description of violence/gore, canon-compliant death of minor characters, mild angst
word count: 13,600 ish
A/N: The Trial of Seven continues 🚨 if you’re still reading this, thank you. and welcome to anyone new🖤 This is probably the part I’m the most proud of. There will be at least 1 more part, but more than likely 2, before I take a slight gap to work on my lyonel spinoff fic, or dabble back into my Harwin series. BUT, that being said, I do have long term plot ideas for these two. Anywho, please enjoy, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend 💚💛🖤
🖤 If you prefer not to read long format fics on tumblr, this is also cross posted on AO3, the link is on the masterlist 🖤
The horn bellowed, and the very bones of the viewing stand shook as its echoes resounded throughout Ashford.
Mud flew into the air as the two teams of seven men a piece and their mounts charged forward. They collided with one another at an alarming and deadly speed.
The Trial of Seven had commenced.
Pure and utter chaos ensued from the very first charge, quenching the thirst of the most bloodthirsty amongst the gathered crowd, while scarring those with gentler constitutions.
Ser Humfrey Beesbury was dismounted by one of the members of the Kingsguard, having been a touch too slow to avoid taking the full brunt of a war lance. Ser Humfrey’s shield did little to mitigate the damage dealt by the harsh impact, and his body was flung violently off his horse and down to the ground. Though the distance across the field prevented you from being able to see the full extent of his injuries, what you could make out left you shaken. Ser Humfrey remained still and motionless in the mud as his mount completed the charge through the opposite end of the field, all while lacking its rider.
Somewhere behind you, Lady Deana Beesbury let out a horrified, bone-chilling scream. The sound was so unnivering, you shivered. As she wailed, others around her sprung into action, shouting to fetch the Beesbury’s maester, or anyone else who might possibly be able to aid the fallen knight.
But all of their cries were scarcely heard over the rest of the swarming crowd. The audience roared to life as the competitors clashed and the carnage began.
You were unable to speak, glued to your spot by pure fear as the violent horrors unfolded before your very eyes. Neither Lady Alynne nor her cousin joined in the audience’s glee. The former grasped at your hand, though whether it was for your comfort or her own, you could not say. You allowed the contact and gripped her hand in return, grateful for whatever little reassurance you were given.
Prince Aegon Targaryen went on the other side of you, having eyes for little others beyond his master and older brother.
Dunk had gotten a late start to the initial charge, and his horse had remained still while the others on either side of him took off. Only the Seven knew what could have been going through the hedge knight’s mind. Upon seeing this, Prince Aegon rose to his feet, shouting at his master, and perhaps his horse, to proceed with the charge.
After a moment, Dunk and Thunder sprung back to life, and raced forward. Dunk charged for Prince Aerion, but his momentum was interrupted when Prince Aerion speared him directly with his war lance. At impact, a large chunk of the wooden shaft broke off and lodged itself into Dunk’s side.
Nobility and common folk alike gasped.
Prince Aegon winced beside you, but he made no comment. He merely eased back down into his seat, though he was not at ease.
His elder brother’s horse charged to the opposite side of the tourney field, where its master yanked on the reins to make the turn. After discarding the broken lance, Prince Aerion withdrew a flail from his side.
You winced yourself as Dunk managed to pull free the broken lance that had been embedded within his gut. In a gesture that had to have been as much cathartic as it was practical, Dunk threw down his shield. It had been cracked in two by Prince Aerion’s initial strike.
By the time Dunk recovered, Prince Aerion and his horse had converged upon him once more. Dunk had no chance to see the impact coming, and when Prince Aerion struck him with the flail, Dunk fell, and he fell hard. He was knocked right off his horse and into the sloppy muck below.
Your eyes flitted about rapidly across the field, as you watched the men battle for their lives.
Ser Humfrey Hardying was beaten off his own horse by a second member of the Kingsguard. Lady Deana’s woeful cries intensified as her brother crumpled into a heap upon the ground. Ser Robyn Rhysling, who had dismounted Prince Daeron Targaryen in the initial charge, caught the attention of the Kingsugard then. Another, the same Kingsguard who had felled Ser Humfrey Beesbury, joined his white-cloaked brother in the pursuit, and the three engaged. Though the fight was two against one, Ser Robyn proved a capable fighter, and was able to fend off both men.
Raymun - Ser Raymun- seemed to be blind to all others except Steffon, just as Steffon kept his entire focus on him. The other men on the field seemed content with allowing the cousins to settle their grievances with one another, and few paid them more than a passing glance.
Immense relief flooded you when Raymun, and his beloved horse, survived the first charge, and then the second. Though they fought brutally, the Fossoway cousins initially appeared to be evenly matched. Or perhaps Raymun’s anger simply brought an edge to his blade that compensated for the additional years of training Steffon had had over him.
However, the joy you felt upon Raymun’s survival was short lived as your focus was snatched by another altercation happening across the field.
Your father had engaged the third member of the Kingsguard during the first charge. The two fought for some time, but eventually, your father was able to get the upper hand and dismount his opponent. Much like Ser Humfrey Beesbury and Ser Humfrey Hardying, the Kingsguard fell to the ground in a grotesque manner, and was unable to rise to his feet. Though your father had been successful in deposing his initial opponent, his attention, much like your own, was stolen by another fight a few paces away.
After a brief respite, Dunk managed to get back on his feet. He and Prince Aerion fought once more, sword against sword, though the Targaryen prince had an advantage of a shield that the hedge knight unfortunately lacked. The two exchanged devastating blows, and you knew that the damage being dealt between them could keep a master’s hands busy for days. When Dunk was able to slice a particularly nasty cut to the upper thigh of the prince, you heard Prince Maekar call out to his son from across the field.
The Anvil stormed forward, landing a particularly brutal blow to Prince Baelor’s helm, and knocking his older brother aside. The Hammer fell to the ground with a wet plop, though he did not stay idle for too long. As Prince Baelor cradled his head with one hand, he used the other to hoist himself up and off the ground.
Your father commanded his horse forward, determined to cut Prince Maekar off before he could get his hands on Ser Duncan. What your father had not seen, nor anticipated, was Prince Maekar picking up Ser Steffon’s discarded lance from the ground.
Prince Maekar’s arm was tried and true, and he thrust the lance up into the chest of your father’s horse. A hand clapped over your mouth, and the gasp that escaped you barely registered in your own ears. The horse reared backwards, gravely injured. You shot to your feet, helpless but burning alight in panic and rage.
The poor creature tried to veer, perhaps in an attempt to spare its rider, but it was fruitless. The horse fell backwards, pinning one of your father’s legs beneath its massive body, and effectively trapping him.
…
…
…
You had never been to war.
Nor had you ever seen battle with your own eyes.
And yet, frivolous though it was, you wondered if what you felt upon your return to Storm’s End was even remotely similar to a soldier returning home after suffering a disastrous defeat.
The sun shone brightly upon the wheelhouse as it came to a halt in the courtyard. It was a notably beautiful, but entirely uncommon day in the Stormlands, especially in light of the season. Late Summer was known for its storms, the most powerful of which raged on in the Stormlands. Rain should have been falling down upon the earth with vigor, and the sky should have been lit with lightning, not the gleaming sun. And yet, it was as pleasant a day in Storm’s End as it might have been in the capital from whence you had departed.
Another omen of ill tidings this day is to bring.
To say that your grandsire, Lord Baratheon, looked displeased as you stepped out of the wheelhouse and back onto the grounds of your ancestral home would have been a dramatic understatement.
Your father, Ser Lyonel Baratheon, stood beside the Lord of Storm’s End, fidgeting with excitement and bearing a smile whose brightness rivaled that of the sun.
Night and day.
You approached them slowly with great hesitancy.
“Sweet Girl!” your father proclaimed jubilantly, stepping forward first and planting a quick peck to your cheek. Then, he held you out at arms length, inspecting you for any signs of injury. “It’s so good to have you home at long last. I trust these past few months were not too treacherous? I know the smell of King’s Landing alone is practically intolerable. And how was your journey back? Did the weather give you much trouble?”
You did not know where to begin, nor which of the multitude of questions to answer first. You were too preoccupied with the sour look upon your grandsire’s face.
Your father did not take offense to your lack of response. “Forgive me, you must be weary from traveling. You should go inside and rest. I’ve asked the cooks to prepare your favorite meal for supper- we can speak all about these past few months then.”
Lord Baratheon chucked, though it was entirely devoid of humor. “Lyonel, have you forgotten yourself? The girl’s return is hardly a cause for celebration. I need not remind you how unwise it is to reward a child for their failings.”
The smile you attempted for your father’s sake alone faltered.
But your father ignored Lord Baratheon, and appeared entirely unbothered by the older man’s unkind remarks. “Your chambers have already been freshly tidied, of course,” he informed you, grinning once again. “Go on now, get yourself settled in.”
At his encouraging nod, you slipped past him to enter Storm’s End proper. But as you walked by Lord Baratheon, he had some parting words of his own. A demand, rather.
“Once you have freshened up, come and speak with me in my study.”
…
…
…
A few hours later, you entered your grandsire's study. Apprehension filled every fiber of your being.
The Lord of Storm’s End was seated behind his desk, occupied with some various scrolls of parchment. When he noticed your arrival, he silently beckoned you to sit in one of the spare chairs across from him. You heeded him without delay.
As you waited in the uncomfortable silence, you were reminded of a very similar scene. The circumstances were awfully reminiscent of just a few months prior, of a conversation the two of you had had following the funeral of your cousin Martyn.
Lord Baratheon remembered the conversation, too. “Well, well. We have found ourselves here once again.”
You swallowed inaudibly, trying to soothe your jittery nerves.
“A few months ago, I gave you a charge. Do you recall what that charge was?”
“Yes, Grandsire. You tasked me with going to King’s Landing, and to serve as a lady for Prince Maekar’s daughters.”
Both girls were young. In the end, the girls had needed more of a watchful eye than a true lady in waiting, but it was an honor to have been asked to serve the royal family at all, and in any capacity. You had treated your charge as the honor it was- until things had begun to go awry.
Lord Baratheon pressed, “And?”
This was where he deemed you to have failed. Not in the respectable duty that you had been charged with by Prince Maekar Targaryen, but in the ulterior motive that your grandsire had pressured you to achieve under its guise.
“You asked me to secure a marriage alliance with Prince Valarr.”
He hummed. “And were you successful in this endeavor?”
You both knew the answer well enough. Forcing you to have the conversation so plainly melt you feel childish. Foolish, even. And yet, you still felt compelled to answer him. “No, My Lord.”
“No.”
Lord Baratheon finally did you the courtesy of dropping his attention upon the parchment before him. He turned his full attention to you instead, and looked at you with critical, harsh eyes.
“I received news that Prince Valarr is now betrothed to Lady Kiera of Tyrosh. As we speak, the royal family prepares for their wedding. It will be no small affair, I am sure, being the wedding of the future king… All the while, you have returned home to Storm’s End, unbetrothed, and with even less suitors vying for your hand than when I sent you to King’s Landing.”
You bowed your head in shame, unable to bear the implication of his words. He might have spoken the truth, but that did not lessen the blow it struck.
“I tasked you with securing your own future, and with doing your part to improve House Baratheon’s standing with the Crown. But you have failed at both, and I shall never be able to properly convey to you the true depths of my disappointment.”
You wrung your hands, eager for an escape that would not be granted soon enough. “I swear to you, I tried to do as you bid me, My Lord. But in the end, there was nothing more I could have done. Prince Valarr could not see me as his future bride.”
“Do you think the Targaryens are the only ones who have ears in the Red Keep?” Lord Baratheon countered. “You cannot fool me, girl. I heard the whispers. They say the prince was absolutely besotted with you for months. Until one day, when he simply was not.”
You scarcely needed the reminder, it was too painful still. “I’ve met Prince Valarr’s betrothed, Grandsire. Lady Kiera is kind, and honorable. She’ll make a good queen for the realm.”
“Your questionable judgement aside, what good does the Tyroshi girl’s betrothal do for us? Tell me, how does House Baratheon benefit from a royal marriage, when no one of our blood is a part of it?”
A redundant question.
“What could you possibly have done to drive Prince Valarr away?” Lord Baratheon demanded, his anger steadily rising. “Did you offer him offense? Or act in another way unbecoming of a proper, noble lady? … Are you so intent on displeasing me for the mere sake of it, that you would willingly sabotage your chance to sit beside a king?”
You wanted little else but to divulge the information you had been harboring. Unfortunately, the consequences of Lord Baratheon becoming privy to such information far outweighed the benefits of it. Uncomfortable and shameful though it was, you had planned to bear the brunt of his extreme displeasure and disappointment, knowing that by doing so, potential bloodshed was prevented. It was a price you were willing to pay.
Lord Baratheon took your lack of a response as an answer to his posed question. He sighed deeply. “Between you and your father, I do not know who is more eager to drive me into an early grave.”
As you refused to tell him the truth, you offered him what little words you could. “I am sorry, Grandsire. I shall strive to be less of a disappointment to you.”
He was not swayed by your apology. He dismissed you with a wave of his hand. “This conversation has run its course. Off with you now, girl. Once more, I must make haste to repair the damage that you and your father have dealt our house. And, most regrettably, that will be no easy task.”
You rose, offered him a curt, respectful nod, and turned to leave.
As you walked out of his study, the Lord of Storm’s End made one last remark.
“If a prince cannot deem you suitable, why should some mere lordling desire your hand instead?”
…
…
…
On a hill overlooking Storm’s End and the sandy coast of Shipbreaker Bay, there was a meadow. Beneath the patches of wild flowers and grass, many a Baratheon- and even a few of House Durrandon- were laid to rest in the earth below.
It was in that meadow that you found yourself some time later. You knew it would not have been proper to wander the halls of Storm’s End aimlessly, not while tears ran down your face. So instead, you sought the privacy that only seemed to be had in the surrounding grounds.
A stone marker noted the place where your cousin Martyn had been buried. Just a stone’s throw away, his own father, your uncle, rested as well, beside his late wife.
While you could not tell the truth of your time in King’s Landing to your grandsire, or even your father, you believed that you might have confided in Martyn, had he still been alive to hear your tale. Perhaps that was a reason you had been drawn to the meadow.
Though you could not breathe what ailed you aloud, simply being near your kin did wonders to ground you. You let your tears flow freely, hoping the release would allow you a clear mind in a few hours time.
Suddenly, there was a shuffling about the grass from behind you. You jumped like a startled animal, and whirled around to face the intruder.
“Easy there,” your father exclaimed, offering up his hands in surrender. “My sincerest apologies. If I had known you’d be so skittish, I would have announced myself.”
You grasped at your chest, your heart still beating wildly from the scare. “What are you doing here, Father?”
“I’ve a similar reason to be here as you, I suspect,” he replied, taking another step forward and coming to stand at your side. “I like to visit my brother on occasion. It wasn’t his fault Mother and Father favored him more.”
For a few moments, neither of you said a word. The only noise throughout the meadow was the soft rustling breeze, and distant echoing of the gulls.
“I haven’t interrupted something, have I?”
You hastily wiped away the tears littering your cheeks. “No.”
Your father was tactful enough to not call you on your bluff. “The talk with Lord Baratheon went well, I presume?”
You half-smiled at the attempted jest. “He merely wished to convey the depths of his disappointment in me, is all. Rest assured, the message was heard, and well understood.”
He frowned at that. “I hope you do not take his words to heart.”
“And why should I not?” you countered. “He’s every right to be disappointed in me, as do you.”
“Dissappointed?” Your father let out a deep sigh, and grumbled. “The others fucking geld me… Come along now, Sweet Girl. Sit with me.”
You blinked at him. “… On the grass?”
“What, has a few months in the capital made you so prim and proper that the idea is simply preposterous?” he teased. “Yes, take a seat with me. On the grass.”
You rolled your eyes, and you did not miss the manner in which your father’s face lit up, as though relieved to see your usual demeanor briefly shine through the current morose. Following his lead, the pair of you walked a few paces away from where your dear kin rested, and turned to face Shipbreaker’s Bay. While your father plopped down onto the grass without a thought, you were a bit slower to mirror his actions, arranging your skirts with care as you went.
The sun shone quite brightly by then, and you were forced to squint as its rays beamed directly into your line of sight. Despite that, the view was far worth the small amount of discomfort. On the particularly unusually sunny day, Storm’s End could clearly be seen in all her glory, surrounded by the rocky waters of the bay.
Your father sighed in pure contentment as he took in the view for himself. “It never seems to lose its wonder, does it?”
You shook your head in agreement, thinking of the many nights in King’s Landing when you peered out a window, desperately longing for the same view that was before you now. “No, it does not.”
“While you were away,” your father began, relishing in his story telling as he so often did, “your grandsire invited Lady Mary Connington and some of her kin to Storm’s End. They stayed a while, as our guests. Did you know that?”
“No, I did not know.”
“The girl is barely your own age.” He frowned deeply, and shuddered. “Scarcely appropriate to take to wife. Although, Lord Baratheon did not seem to share my opinion.”
“And what became of it?” you wondered. “Is Lady Mary still here?”
“Seven Hells, no. I convinced her that Storm’s End is terribly haunted, and the poor girl believed me. By the time Lady Mary departed for Griffin’s Roost, she would not have married me for all the wealth in Westeros and Essos combined.”
You shook your head in mock disapproval, fighting a smile. “Grandsire must have been displeased.”
“Oh, he was absolutely furious. Do not mistake me, Lady Mary is a kind and lovely woman. But far too young. I’ve a feeling that the two of you might have gotten on well enough, though.”
“Perhaps I’ll have to take her on as one of my ladies,” you suggested, half-seriously.
“I doubt Lady Mary would be agreeable to your request, but I wish you luck all the same,” your father chuckled. After a beat, his expression softened, becoming more serious. “While the Conningtons were here, I could not help but think of you, and how you were. I hoped you were well, of course. And happy… But do you know what I wished for most of all?
“What?”
“I wished that you would not wed Prince Valarr,” he confessed, boldly and without an inkling of shame. “I knew that if you were to wed the prince, Storm’s End would no longer be your home. No, you’d be wed, and then you’d be off to Dragonstone- and eventually, you would return to King’s Landing.”
The confession left you at a loss for words. Your father spared you from struggling to calculate a response by continuing.
“I know, I know. Looking back, it was all terribly selfish of me. I should wish better for my daughter. I should wish for the best. But you are a Baratheon, Sweet Girl. Storm’s End is your home, and your place is here. Do you not feel it?”
In my very bones. “Of course I do… But what I feel does not matter.”
“It is all that matters,” your father disagreed passionately. “We are creatures of feeling, of instinct. Your grandsire has forgotten that. Either through time, or grief, I cannot say. But as for you and I, we must hold steadfast to our true selves.”
“Is this all to say that you are not disappointed in me?”
Your father let out another side. Unlike Lord Baratheon’s, it was less forced, and more contemplative.
“I regret to inform you that disappointment in this life is entirely too common. When I was a boy, I was disappointed when I realized that nothing I achieved would amount to the accomplishments of my brother, least of all in our parents’ eyes. After he passed, and my nephew after him, I was even more disappointed when I realized that, despite all my shortcomings, I was to be Lord of Storm’s End. Now, I am no stranger to disappointing others, nor am I a stranger to feeling disappointment myself. But you? … I have never, ever been disappointed in you.”
Tears began to well in your eyes once more. This time, they were of another nature than sorrow.
“Well,” you began after a few moments, choosing your words carefully as you went. “Even if you are not disappointed in me, I am afraid I have not failed to disappoint myself.”
“And why is that?”
It felt silly to speak the words aloud, but it was the truth. “I truly thought that I would be queen someday.”
Your father took a moment to weigh his response. “As much as I loathed the thought of you marrying the Young Prince, I will not deny that I believe you would have made a fair queen in time… Far better than that silly boy probably deserves, anyway.”
Your cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Father.”
He threw his hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright. If you do not wish to divulge the specifics, far be it from me to force you. This is not particularly a comfortable conversation for me, either.”
You rolled your eyes again, the gesture conveying that even though you did not wish to elaborate on your feelings, you did not bear a grudge against him either.
“It’s at times like this that I wish, more than ever, that your mother was still here. She’d offer you far better consolation than I, and all without managing to put her foot in her mouth.”
Whether or not it had been the intent, the particular phrasing drew a short laugh from you.
“And, though I am not her, nevertheless, I shall try my very best.” Your father smiled, though it was dampened by a lingering shadow of melancholy, tucked away behind his eyes. “Heartbreak, much like disappointment, is all natural as well. I was a young man when your mother died, but that was some time ago. Tell me, do I still seem lost in my grief? Unable to trudge on?”
“Well, you do seem rather lonely at times-“
He waved a hand, and you ceased your teasing. “My point still stands. I was a young man then, as you are but a young woman now. You will have your heart broken again, just as you will also break a few hearts yourself. Life is far too short to be greedy with love, and yet entirely too long to abide without it.”
The profoundness of his statement would not truly resonate with you until several years later. But at that moment, you made your best attempt to reason with it.
“And what if I never find it?” you asked, worry lacing your voice. “What if love is a luxury that I will never possess? … I may have failed to secure this betrothal, but Grandsire will not be deterred for long. He will find other suitors for me.”
“He will,” your father agreed, though not without some regret. “And when he puts these men in front of you, entertain them, if you feel that you must. But do not commit to wed any one of them, not unless it is truly your choice.”
You let out a single, joyless laugh. “Is that another reason why you drove Lady Mary away, because she was not your choice? … Will you ever marry again?”
“I’ve an heir already. I see no need for me to take another to wife.”
You shot him a wary look. “An ‘heir’ whom Lord Baratheon already believes to be insufficient.”
“Fuck what he thinks,” he denounced with vigor. “If my father was that concerned with the Baratheon line of succession, he would have married again himself, and had a few more children to strengthen his line. But in all these years, he hasn’t, and he won’t. Instead, he has decided to force us into marriages that neither of us want.”
Your attention fell to the grass beneath your hands. Stubbornness ran fiercely in Baratheon blood, and it was never demonstrated so clearly to you as in the opposing wills of your grandsire and father.
Your father called you by name then, and in addition to the seriousness of his tone, it recaptured your focus at once.
“We do not need to live by his will. We only need to outlive him. I have no need, nor want, of a son. And while I do not have any genuine intentions of remarrying, I will gladly pretend otherwise. I will entertain the idea so long as I need to, in order to grant you more time.”
“Time to do what, precisely?”
“You are my heir,” he avowed, with such deep sincerity, you did not dare question it. “And if you are to be Lady of Storm’s End one day, you will need to find a man worthy of standing beside you. A man strong enough to aid you in times of need, but gentle enough to not allow his pride to be wounded by your own strength. A companion.”
Your heart was still wounded from the events that had transpired in King’s Landing. But while you could scarcely give a serious thought to securing another betrothal, it made it no less inevitable.
Your father continued. “Now, I will not lie to you- men like that are far and few between. You may need to scour all Seven Kingdoms to find someone suitable… But I’ve never known you to shy away from a challenge.”
It would be a daunting task… But more than worthwhile.
“How about we make a pact?” your father suggested.
“A pact? … As in a blood oath?”
“What?” he furrowed his brows. “Seven Hells, no. What are we, Starks?”
You both let out a laugh.
“We will make a pact, a mutual agreement,” he clarified, with a mirthful twinkle still in his eyes. “We will each do our best to pretend to adhere to Lord Baratheon’s wishes regarding marriage alliances. But I vow to steal his focus, and to delay him as much as I can, so that you may have the time you need to find a man who is truly worthy of standing at your side.”
It sounded far too good to be true. Then again, your father had never given you reason to doubt him. “And what is it that I vow to?”
“You must promise me this- you must promise that you will not settle for just any man your Grandsire puts before you. You are to be the lady of a great house someday, so you must choose your husband wisely. You must use discernment. But if you have done so, and you are certain in your choice, I will not oppose any match you may suggest. And, I vow to do my best to convince Lord Baratheon to support the match as well.”
You thought over his words for a few moments. What he asked was simple enough, in essence. But only time and effort on your part would allow what he asked of you to be achieved. For better, or for worse, you had little other choice.
“Are we in agreement?” he asked.
“Yes, I agree.”
Your father beamed. “Perfect. Now that we have settled that matter, let us speak of no more.”
He shot to his feet, wiping grass off his bands in an unbothered manner. Then, he turned to offer you a hand, which you gladly accepted.
“I can practically smell the kitchens from here,” your father said as he helped you to your feet. “Shall we go and ready ourselves for dinner?”
You followed him through the meadow, beginning to make your way back. While you did not feel well, you certainly felt better than you had been when you had set out from Storm’s End just a little while ago.
After walking in a few moments of comfortable silence, it was broken by your father.
“I’ve one more favor to ask, Sweet Girl, if you’ll allow it.”
You chuckled. “Of course.”
“You’re still young,” he noted. “Do not rush into a marriage on anyone’s behalf, least of all your grandsire. And, should some years pass, and if you still have not found someone suitable, might I suggest simply picking the man whom you can tolerate the most? … If he gets too irksome, rest assured that I will always be happy to kick him in the arse on your behalf.”
…
…
…
Ser Humfrey Beesbury went down in the first charge.
For several, dreadfully long moments, Raymun had lost sight of him. When Raymun was finally able to put eyes on the heir to Honeyholt, his dread did not dissipate. Ser Humfrey remained where he had fallen, laying face down upon the dirt of the tourney field. Utterly still and unmoving.
He did not get back up.
Raymun’s ragged breathing resumed.
Perhaps Ser Humfrey was merely wounded… so much so that he was unable to continue to fight. However, Raymun did not have much time to agonize over the fate of his friend and recently self-appointed mentor, as Steffon gave him no rest.
Not that Raymun gave Steffon any reprieve either.
He’d managed to stay atop Crispin in the first charge, as did Steffon upon Wrath. In a rare stroke of good luck, the tourney lance did precisely as Prince Baelor claimed it would. The wooden pole burst into many pieces against Steffon’s apple-adorned chest plate, startling his older cousin so much that he dropped his heavy war lance.
After the impact, their steeds ran straight through to the other end of the field, where their riders directed them to whirl around and proceed with another charge.
The faintest glint of light from across the field told Raymun that Steffon had withdrawn his sword. The gravity of the situation was not lost on him. Raymun had sharpened that same sword many times, and he knew, perhaps better than anyone else, the damage it could deal.
Raymun dropped the broken remains of his tourney lance, and reached across his waist. As Crispin began to make the tourney, he withdrew the loaned Beesbury sword from the sheath at his side. Crispin reared in the excitement, but Raymun held on steadfast.
For the second time, the Fossoway cousins charged at one another.
As Raymun contemplated the weakest point of Steffon’s armor to target, he did not notice that Steffon meant to follow the example of Prince Aerion Targaryen. Just before their second collision, Steffon turned his wrist, tilting his sword in Raymun’s direction. However, he held the sword low, down by his waist.
Steffon meant to strike his horse, not the rider.
Raymun yanked the reins hard, managing to steer Crispin out of harm’s way just in time.
His mind reeled as he processed how close they had come, and just how narrowly they had avoided what could have been a lethal blow for the poor horse. If Raymun had any lingering doubts about whether Steffon meant to fight honorably, they were now assuaged.
As his Crispin galloped to the end of the tourney field from whence the first charge had commenced, Michael Morrigen lunged forward, offering Raymun another tourney lance. Raymun dismissed him wordlessly with a firm shake of his head.
Their quarrel was about honor. And though Steffon did not intend to fight with it, Raymun was in no rush to sully that which he had just been charged with. He would fight fairly, even though Steffon would not.
“Cease this folly, Raymun!”
Steffon’s voice bellowed all the way across the field. The sheer rage within him carried it over the clanging of weaponry, the braying of horses, and the grunting and cursing of men already consumed by altercations of their own.
Ser Humfrey Beesbury had still not engaged. But his words from earlier echoed in Raymun’s mind.
Men blind with anger can be careless, and they make many mistakes. Do not allow yourself to be one of them. Let Steffon choke on his own rage.
Precisely as Ser Humfrey had forewarned, Raymun watched as his older cousin slowly began to unravel. Years of training and careful instruction from various masters at arms was being undone by the anger that threatened to swallow Steffon whole.
A priceless advantage, rendered useless by the greedy indulgence of a temporary emotion.
Raymun felt that anger, too. And while the temptation to give in to it was all too palpable, Beesbury had not led him astray thus far.
Channel your anger, hone it into focus, Raymun reminded himself, repeating Ser Humfrey’s sage advice.
On other parts of the field, men continued to battle. While Steffon prepared for a third charge, Raymun dared to scan the field hurriedly, seeking another friend of his who he desperately hoped was faring better.
Dunk and Aerion had both dismounted, and were wrestling in the mud. In the blink of an eye, Aerion gained an advantage, pressing his full weight atop of Dunk, and forcing a dagger though his hand.
Without another thought, Rymun urged Crispin forward, taking off in their direction with great speed. As he passed, Raymun lowered his sword, and raked it across Prince Aerion’s side. The momentum propelled the Targaryen up and off of Dunk, granting his friend a brief respite.
It would have been a lie to say Raymun did not relish in the painful cry that escaped from Prince Aerion’s mouth. However, his joy was short-lived.
Though Raymun’s mind had temporarily strayed from Steffon, his cousin had not forgotten about him. By the time Raymun turned around to refocus, Steffon and Wrath were already waiting for him. Thankfully, Steffon spared Crispin this time- opting to swing his sword near perfect to the level of Raymun’s neck instead.
Raymun just barely managed to deflect the blow with his shield, though it cost him. A large chunk of wood went flying through the air, and a few splinters slipped through the visor of his helm.
He cursed under his breath, blinking rapidly as Crispin raced back to the opposite end of the field. Raymun’s breathing grew more labored, echoing in his helmet loudly as panic threatened to creep in.
When he turned Cripsin about, Raymun saw Steffon dismount. As his cousin sent Wrath on his way with a smack to the horse’s rear, he cried out to him once more.
“If you are your own man now, then you will fight me like one!”
Raymun’s rising panic immediately ceased, the stowed away anger looming over him again as Steffon’s goading settled in. It would have been easy, far too easy, to run Steffon down at that moment. But that was assuming Steffon would be unable to get in a strike and take down Raymun or his horse.
Additionally, Prince Baelor had told them to keep their mounts for as long as they could. It seemed foolish to squander that advantage… And yet, as the Hand of the King was engaged in combat with Prince Maekar across the field, Raymun noted that both men had since dismounted. It was not just them, either- most of the men remaining upon the field had since taken to foot.
Against the prince’s advice, Raymun followed Steffon’s suit, dismounting and sending Crispin on along. As Raymun watched his horse trot away, he briefly wondered if it would be the last time.
Michael Morrigen will take care of you, Pal.
With a battered shield in one hand, and his sword in the other, Raymun rose to his full height, straightening his shoulders and peering down the length of the field. Fighting assumed around them, with various men weaving in and out of his line of sight. But the Fossoway cousins only had eyes for one another, and it was this focus alone that kept Raymun from rushing over to Ser Humfrey Beesbury’s aid, and from taking a moment to dare to look over towards the viewing stand, to where he knew you were seated.
Raymun did not run. He preserved his energy. The moment had been years in the making- what were but a few more moments?
Down the field, Steffon surged forward, sprinting towards him with a speed Raymun had not seen from him since their youth.
As his cousin drew nearer to him, Raymun mentally and physically prepared himself to finally face the bully that had long since tormented him.
As his horse lay dying, Ser Lyonel Baratheon lay with it, inadvertently keeping the poor creature company as one of his legs was pinned beneath the better part of the horse’s body.
For a long while, far too long in your mind, though in actuality, it had only been but a few drawn out moments, your father was eerily still. Was he stunned? Most definitely. Was he injured? You hoped not, but it was also incredibly likely.
Ser Rogar and Ser Sebastion had also risen to their feet. You may have been their charge, but you knew it was their loyalty to your father that truly kept them on edge as the Trial pursued. The two men had fought beside your father for years before becoming a proper part of the household Baratheon guard. You had been so lost in your own worries, you had, admittedly, not given much thought to how it would feel for them to witness your father’s potential demise.
Finally, your father broke free of his daze, and began to wriggle himself free. It was only when he began to slowly rise back onto his feet was Alynne able to coax you back down to your seat. You heard shuffling behind you as the two men presumably followed your lead.
Which one of us shall jump over the barrier and take to the field first, I wonder?
The outlandish proposition almost forced a laugh from your lips, mad though that would have been.
Your father’s mighty helm was now short of a golden antler, having been damaged in the fall. You wondered what else- namely, what bones- had also been damaged. But your father gave no outright suggestion of injury. Alas, he needed but a moment to reenter the fray of battle with as much ferocity as was to be expected of the Laughing Storm.
After having received a blow from Prince Maekar’s mace, Prince Baelor had recovered by then too. Together, the pair successfully drove back Prince Maekar, who was positively adamant in his attempt to reach his son. Mace, battle-axe, and longsword clashed. But the Anvil was determined, and before long, he slowly began to weaken the resolve of the Hammer and the Laughing Storm.
Prince Aerion and Ser Dunk still fought fiercely, and were at one another’s throats. Literally, at every other moment or so. Awful, and, you feared, irreparable, wounds were being exchanged between them.
Ser Robyn Rhysling was still fending off two of the Kingsguard, though he was rapidly fatiguing. It was unclear just how much longer Ser Robyn would be able to defend against them.
Beyond them, Raymun and Steffon, both having dismounted, had begun to duel on foot. The fight between the cousins was particularly vicious. A genuine fear began to brew within you- would Steffon actually kill Raymun? … Would Raymun be forced to kill Steffon?
Though several members of the royal family were upon it, it was chaos that truly reigned on the field. One, two, perhaps three men had already paid the ultimate price. The men that remained were becoming unrecognizable, both physically and in spirit. Violence bred more violence as more and more blood was spilled.
How long? How long would the gods continue to feast and gorge themselves upon the ruthlessness before they were satisfied?
Steffon came for him without end, swinging fiercely. Though Raymun had initially hoped that his rising fury would dilute Steffon’s aim, it had yet to take effect.
Raymun managed to block the first few blows with his sword and chipped shield, though soon enough, Steffon’s strength and experience earned him an upper hand. Before he knew it, Raymun was rapidly losing ground.
Steffon kept on the offensive, forcing Raymun back one, two, three steps as he tried to stave off the blows being rained down upon him.
As Raymun took a fourth step backwards, he unknowingly put his weight on a patch of uneven ground that had been torn up by one of the horses. His ankle caught, twisting unnaturally, and forcing him to his knees with a pained yelp.
Steffon capitalized on the opportunity Raymun had laid bare before him. A punch Raymun had not seen coming struck him square across the face, knocking him down to the ground completely.
Disoriented, Raymun lay in the dirt, gasping for air. Steffon loomed above him menacingly. Perhaps he deliberated whether his next move would be swift and painless, or drawn out and agonizing.
The end was near. Either the end of the Trial- or his end. He could feel it hovering, breathing down his neck.
For all the confidence Raymun had felt, and despite knowing that taking Steffon’s place in the Trial was the honorable and just thing to do, Raymun suddenly felt entirely inconsequential. Small. Who was he, truly? Steffon bested him in age and years of trained experience. All Raymun had was a self-imposed sense of honor. And now, that honor would be the end of him.
I am going to die, Raymun realized, not in despair, but shock. Steffon is going to kill me.
Ser Humfrey was not coming to save him. Ser Lyonel had aided him once already that day. Twice was too much to hope for. And you- you. You had been so worried about Ser Lyonel, Raymun knew better than to have hoped to have crossed your mind.
But if he had, and if you deemed him worthy for but a moment of your attention, you would watch his cousin triumph over him. You would bear witness to Steffon delivering the final blow.
You deserved to be spared the ghastly sight. Raymun knew that, but he was running out of options. He was running out of time.
Steffon kicked him hard in the ribs, knocking the air from his lungs once again.
“You stupid, stupid fool,” his cousin spat down at him, his voice mildly muffled from his helm. “Imagine the grief your father will give mine, when they learn that I had no choice but to put you down like a mad dog.”
Raymun had not thought about that. What would his parents think, when his lifeless body was dragged back to Cider Hall? Would his father spurn his nephew, or even rebuke his own brother? His mother would most likely be consumed by her own grief- if she did not try to exact her revenge upon Steffon, first.
Steffon chided, “House Fossoway has no need for traitors amongst our kin, Raymun.”
He was falling prey to Steffon’s provocation, but Raymun ceased to care. “The only traitor to our kin is you, Steffon.”
Steffon kicked him again. Proper armor would have given Steffon more resistance than the leather. Raymun heard something within him crack, and a near-blinding pain flooded his senses.
”I’ll be bringing home a lordship to Cider Hall. If I spare you, what exactly will you have to offer them?”
The sword Beesbury had loaned him laid just out of his reach- he’d been a fool to drop it when his ankle had twisted. Fighting through the agony, Raymun crawled towards it, slow and steady. It was somewhat of a miracle that Steffon had stopped paying him mind, too lost in his own visions of grandeur to perceive Raymun as a viable threat.
“Then again, if you are not so eager to meet the Stranger, perhaps I should let you live,” Steffon suggested thoughtfully. “You could spend the rest of your craven life right on my heels, forever indebted to me. What say you to that, Raymun the Reluctant?”
Raymun’s fingers finally brushed against the pommel of the sword. As subtly as he could manage, he made the final stretch, capturing the hilt in a tight grip. “I’d rather die.”
“Truly? Have it your way, then.”
But Steffon was not quick enough to escape the blow, and Raymun’s swing hit true. Steffon reeled backwards, landing on his arse in a dazed stupor. It was his armor alone that protected him from what otherwise could have been a catastrophic slice clear up the length of his chest.
Raymun pressed his advantage, gritting his teeth as he sprung back up onto his feet.
Raymun was down on the ground, visibly in pain.
Steffon hovered above him, a predator closing in on its prey. You no longer doubted Steffon’s willingness to kill his cousin.
But he couldn’t. How could the gods grant victory to someone like Steffon, while allowing Raymun to die? Raymun, who had only ever tried to be a good, loyal squire to his cousin, even though Steffon was less than deserving of him. Raymun, who had already demonstrated several times that he had no qualms about helping someone in need, even when doing so meant he risked his own safety- risked his own life.
He was a rarity amongst the majority of all the men in Westeros. And the gods were going to let this extraordinary man die.
You hoped aid would arrive, but it never came. Both Ser Humfreys were down, Ser Robyn fended off against two Kingsguard, and Dunk, Prince Baelor, and your father were all occupied with fights of their own.
Steffon continued to taunt Raymun, who still had not risen. How long will he torment him? How long will he prolong the inevitable?
Your mind screamed at you to avert your eyes, to spare yourself the gruesome sight. But your heart… Your heart commanded you to focus, to keep your eyes on Raymun. He was owed that, at the very least.
Suddenly, Raymun caught Steffon off guard. He grabbed his dropped sword and slashed upwards towards his cousin. A loud clang echoed from Steffon’s breastplate, and he tumbled backwards.
Laughter threatened to spill from your lips as immense and sheer relief washed over you.
You shouted your encouragement across the field, hoping it would reach Raymun. You were not alone in this, either- dozens of others echoed your praise. It seemed that Raymun had quickly become a favorite of the audience.
You watched as Steffon shook his head, and rose to his feet with angry huffs. For the next few moments, you watched the cousins continue to exchange blows. It was only when you felt condiment that Raymun had regained his momentum that you dared to look away.
Prince Aerion and Ser Duncan were down in the mud once again. Prince Aerion was moving, albeit very slowly, in an attempt to stand. However, Dunk remained where he was, down on his knees.
It became apparent that despite his size, raw strength, and admirable showing at the beginning of the Trial, Dunk had begun to lose some steam. The countless years of training Prince Aerion would have received were proving to be superior to Ser Duncan’s meager apprenticeship under Ser Arlan of Pennytree.
Prince Aegon rose to his feet beside you and took a step forward, looking down onto the field. “Get up.”
Dunk spat out blood.
“Get up, Ser!” Prince Aegon commanded him.
It was not a royal order. Rather, it was merely a boy beseeching a man whom he had come to admire, someone he plainly cared a great deal about.
Somewhere in the periphery, though you could not tell whether it had come from one of the nobles around you, or from one of the common folk across the field, another man echoed Prince Aegon’s sentiment.
“Get up, Dunk!”
Prince Aerion lifted the visor of his helm, looking to his foe with disdain and desperation plain upon his face. “Yield!”
Dunk remained on his knees, seeing but not hearing.
“Yield!” Prince Aerion snarled again.
More blood dribbled from Dunk’s mouth. Then, as though gently pushed aside by the faintest of breezes, the hedge knight leaned over, and unceremoniously plopped into the mud.
Though his eyes were still open, Dunk went gravely still.
Murmurs surrounded you as the fate of Ser Duncan the Tall and the judgment of the Trial was suddenly uncertain.
As Prince Aegon continued to plead for his master to rise, you were tempted to comfort him. But what comfort did you truly have to offer the boy? You had barely believed in the necessity of the Trial to begin with. By then, you were entirely disillusioned by it.
The Trial of Seven had been presented as a noble affair. It’d been cloaked in religious righteousness, and it all but assured that the victorious party truly had the favor of the gods. But you had since seen the brutality of it with your own eyes, and you were of a different mind.
The Trial was little more than a facade, an excuse for men to embrace their inner barbarity. It was permission for them to commit violence without consequence, all under the guise of a higher purpose.
A farce.
And now, just as you had feared, men, good men, would perish, while wicked ones survived to live another day.
If the gods were real, they ought not to have allowed such a distasteful waste of life to happen in their name. Then again, perhaps they were merely apathetic, and were simply amused by the squabbling of mortals.
Prince Aerion had finally regained his footing, though not without struggle. He glanced over at the hedge knight briefly, and then turned to the crowd. Purple eyes wildly searched for Lord Ashford. Once the quarry had been found, he made his declaration.
“He’s dead!” he cried, voice hoarse with exhaustion and pain. “It’s over!”
Dunk had fallen.
Raymun tried to reach him, but Steffon had blocked his path. Beyond his cousin, just a few paces away, Prince Baelor and Ser Lyonel fought with Prince Maekar. All three men, while determined, had begun to show signs of fatigue.
While spite had briefly renewed his strength, the increasing amount of injuries Raymun sustained from Steffon’s endless battering had begun to take their toll. Raymun was able to favor his good leg as he continued to fend Steffon off, but there was no way to avoid the pain dancing across his ribs, as every move he made set it ablaze. His head pounded fiercely as he tried to focus on breathing evenly.
“Imagine the grief your father will give you,” Raymun drawled, echoing Steffon’s words from just a few minutes prior as he raised the sword and successfully blocked another incoming strike, “when he learns that his only son and heir got his arse handed to him in combat by his younger and much less experienced cousin?”
Steffon growled angrily, and it was at that moment Raymun realized that his words hit just as sharp as any slices, and as deep as the punches he’d been able to land thus far.
“Goad me all you’d like, Raymun,” Steffon snapped back, bitterness coating each and every word. “Far easier for a dead man to speak freely, than for a live one to mince his words.”
Despite himself, Raymun barked out a genuine laugh. “I won’t be dying today, Steffon.”
And for the first time since that morning, Raymun actually believed it.
Without warning, he lunged forward, and tackled Steffon down to the ground with all the momentum he had.
With each second that passed, and Ser Duncan the Tall did not rise to his feet, your heart sank further. When his eyes slipped shut, it became difficult to breath.
“Get up, Ser Duncan!”
Prince Aegon’s watery voice wavered between dismay and grief. It broke your heart to see the hedge knight killed, felled by a lesser man. That pain was only magnified when you were forced to witness the boy before you accept the truth, and begin to grieve his master.
It felt wrong. And it certainly felt unjust. But it felt like the end, and that much was indisputable.
Lord Ashford signaled for the horn.
“WAIT!”
Prince Aegon’s screech shattered through the crowd, which had been momentarily silenced as they watched the somber scene unfold with bated breath. But the young prince had seen something that everyone else had not.
Dunk’s eyes shot open, and he gasped for air.
Upon later reflection, you would have described what transpired next as nothing short of divine intervention. For it seemed that the gods themselves had finally chosen to intervene. They pulled at his strings, puppeteering Dunk to rise onto his knees. Once he had made it that far, Dunk used his sword for support as he slowly climbed back up to his feet.
Had it been under any other circumstance, you would have deemed the look of utter disbelief painted upon Prince Aerion’s face to have been absolutely hilarious.
But the fight was not yet over, the battle not yet won. Dunk may have struck some sort of bargain with the Stranger, but there was still a dragon to be felled.
“Up, up, up!” the crowd cheered him on, lowborn and highborn once again intertwined in a rare display of unity.
Prince Aerion looked distraught and exhausted. But among the exertion, there was something else, a tiny trace of something you had never before seen upon the prince’s face.
Fear.
Raymun had dropped his sword. Unlike the first time, he had set it aside willingly, of his own volition. He climbed atop of his cousin, trapping him beneath him with his weight.
Steffon thrashed about as Raymun reached for his neck, incorrectly assuming that Raymun meant to strangle him. After a few moments of struggle, Raymun managed to remove Steffon’s bronze helm. He chucked it as far away from them as he could.
Once Steffon’s helm no longer presented a barrier, Raymun took to raining blows upon him with bare hands. He punched, and punched, and punched, until his knuckles began to bleed.
It would not do to kill his cousin, no. You were right- Steffon needed to survive the day. And, if that meant Raymun had to forgo the sword, and was reduced to pummeling his cousin with his own bare hands, then so be it.
Punch. For Delena Mullendore, who had been shunned by Steffon, and left without his support.
Punch. For Ser Duncan the Tall, who Steffon had vowed to fight for, only to betray him in his hour of greatest need.
Punch. For Ser Humfrey Beesury, fate unknown, who might not have participated in the Trial of Seven at all, had Steffon not chosen to complete Prince Aerion’s team of seven.
Punch. For you… Well, Steffon wasn’t exactly Prince Aerion Targaryen, but Raymun reasoned that you could probably forgive him for the convenient substitute.
When it came to the punches he dealt on his own behalf, Raymun lost count.
Having finally noticed the cracked skin of his hands, Raymun halted his fist in midair. By then, his breathing had quickened, and he was practically heaving for air. Steffon, still pinned beneath him, coughed and gasped for air himself.
Perhaps it was foolish for Raymun to willingly remove his own helm. I’ve already indulged in a fair amount of foolery thus far, he rationalized. What is the harm in one more moment of it?
Raymun reached behind his neck, and removed the helm from his head. He breathed deeply, welcoming the fresh air that filled his lungs freely. His breathing was not so loud then, but the quiet did not last for long. It was soon replaced with the clashing and clanging of weaponry around them.
Once Raymun had taken a few moments to himself, he looked back down at Steffon. His cousin stared up at him with wide, shocked eyes, as though Raymun was absolutely mad.
Perhaps he was.
“Ready to end this?” Steffon questioned him, still panting for air. He had the audacity to sound mildly amused. “Stop gloating. Be a man. Put us both out of our misery, and kill me now.”
Steffon had always considered him to be a coward. It was not lost on Raymun how Steffon, in his defeat, was so quick to beg for his own end. All just to spare himself a few moments of embarrassment.
Raymun scowled down at him. Pathetic.
Steffon’s spinelessness had nearly diminished all the fight left within him, but Raymun knew that he could not rest just yet.
“I can’t kill you,” Raymun confessed. “I won’t kill you… But that doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy this, not while I still can.”
“Now what are you-“
Raymun slugged Steffon right across the face, the hardest punch he delivered thus far. Even his own hand admonished him for it.
With Steffon temporarily subdued, Raymun reached for his shield. It was chipped, and in serious need of repair. But when Raymun lifted it up into the sun, which had begun to break through the clouds, the green apple upon it shone, bright as a beacon.
Raymun brought the shield down with as much force as he could muster, aiming it directly into his cousin’s side.
Steffon howled in pain as his ribs cracked, and he tried to roll away, fleeing him.
In more ways than one, Raymun let him go.
The tide of the Trial of Seven had turned.
You did not particularly enjoy violence, and you certainly did not relish in it.
But watching Raymun land blow after blow upon Steffon, and choosing to spare his life, despite their complicated history, and especially after having had several opportunities to end it… It stirred something deep within you.
Defeating his cousin in combat, in addition to humiliating him, at a Trial of Seven that would doubtlessly be immortalized in the histories would not be enough to undo the damage that Steffon Fossoway had dealt to his cousin throughout their lives. But, by the Seven, it sure seemed to be a damned fine start.
From what you had come to learn about him, you already admired Raymun a great deal. If it were possible, the nobleness of his decision to spare Steffon only made you admire him more.
You were becoming terribly fond of him, you realized. The notion scared you less than it probably should have.
Raymun rose to his feet slowly, leaving Steffon to cradle in upon himself in the dirt. With his chest heaving as he attempted to regain his breath, your own was stolen from your lungs when he finally lifted his head, and his eyes met yours across the field.
There was an overwhelming sense to run- to run to him. But you did not have the time, nor the courage, to reflect on why that was.
Your father and Prince Baelor had once again managed to gain the upper hand on Prince Maekar, and were finally able to subdue him as Dunk finally incapacitated Prince Aerion.
Dragging his foe through the muddy battlefield littered with blood and gods knew what else, Ser Duncan the Tall trudged towards the viewing stand with determination and sheer force of will. Prince Aerion struggled as he was tugged along, but all his efforts were in vain.
Once the hedge knight locked eyes with Lord Ashford, he grabbed Prince Aerion by the collar, and hauled him to his feet.
“Tell him!” Dunk demanded with a rough growl. “Tell him!”
Tell him! Tell him! Tell him!
You leaned forward in great interest, as did many others around you.
Prince Aerion Brightflame’s face was bruised and bloodied, his eyes wide with fear and pain. It was a far cry from the sinister prince who had wreaked havoc on the puppeteers tent just the previous night, who had maimed a defenseless woman without a thought or care, who had commanded chaos with all the confidence of a bard commanding the strings of his lute.
When the accuser breathed out his next words, they were so softly spoken, you strained to hear them.
“I withdraw my accusation.”
Dunk released his hold, and Prince Aerion Targaryen fell into the mud.
The horns bellowed, but even they were drowned out by the nearly deafening cheers of nobility and small folk.
Prince Aegon shot up to his feet in a rush, sprinting away before you had the chance to stop him.
You looked back down onto the field, seeking Raymun out one more time.
He was injured, that much was certain. And while the extent of his injuries were unknown, he was up, and walking without aid, even though he limped. Raymun blinked blankly a few times, before he finally looked up at you.
He gave you a small smile.
The gesture alone was worth all of the turmoil you had endured- and more.
Reassured of his safety and feeling tremendously better off for it, you then turned your attention to your father, who had disengaged from Prince Maekar and was attempting to catch his breath. He let his sword fall to the mud, and as he took a step back, his knees buckled beneath him.
Concern cut through your relief like a knife, sharpening your focus as you stood. “Someone fetch Maester Kaegan!”
Unbeknownest to your father, you had previously given the maester clear instructions to make his way to the tourney field prior to the Trial of Seven. Though you hoped your father would not have need of him, you did not want to risk Maester Kaegan being so far, all the way back at the Baratheon camp. While your instinct had been proven correct, you were not pleased about it.
Though you had not addressed anyone in particular, it was the young woman at your side who heeded your command first.
“I’ll make great haste, My Lady,” Alynne promised, beckoning a few of House Cafferen’s guards to follow. The group departed, weaving through members of the nobility who had risen to their feet in applause.
You followed shortly behind them, with her cousin, Ser Rogar, and Ser Sebastion on your heels, making way for the tourney field.
As you were about to descend the steps of the viewing stand, you saw that Michael Morrigen had reached your father by then, and was attempting to steady him.
Raymun, Dunk, and Prince Baelor were nowhere to be seen.
With a nearly insurmountable amount of adrenaline coursing through him, Raymun did not notice the limp in his step until well after he and Steely Pate had aided Ser Duncan off of the tourney field and underneath one of the access tunnels along its outskirts.
For a lack of better words, Dunk looked worse for wear. He was covered in dirt, grime, and blood. His lips were bruised and bloodied, and his left eye was swollen entirely shut. Raymun doubted he looked much better himself. But- gods be damned- Dunk was alive! They both were!
And still… not all had been so fortunate as they. Even though they were shadowed under the archway in a feeble attempt at privacy from the many straying eyes of the crowd, Raymun could still hear Lady Deana Beesbury’s sorrowful cries in the distance. It did not require a remarkable intellect to surmise what was causing her despair.
There will be time for that, Raymun promised himself, helping Steely Pate lower Dunk onto a nearby bench. There would be time to process all that had happened in the past day. There would be time to pay his respects to Lady Deana, and to any other families who might have been impacted by the Trial.
Time to grieve.
The sword, once again sheathed and hanging from his hip, felt the heaviest it had ever felt since Ser Humfrey had loaned it to him. To think that not more than two hours had passed since he had been knighted by Ser Lyonel… it was practically unfathomable.
Ser Lyonel- he had been injured too, Raymun recalled. Just how grievous the Laughing Storm’s wounds had been, Raymun could not say. But as he had helped Dunk off the field, he caught a glimpse of his squire, Michael Morrigen, hurrying to his aid. You would join them, Raymun suspected. With any luck, Raymun hoped you were slowly making your way from the field, leaving all of the death and violence behind.
A wave of dizziness loomed in the peripheries of his mind, but Raymun gritted his teeth, and fought through the fuzziness and unease. He might not have been able to help Ser Humfrey Beesbury, but there was one friend he could still be of assistance to, and Raymun was determined to do just that.
“Taken quite the beating, haven’t you?” Steely Pate jested as he visually skimmed over the various fastenings of Ser Duncan’s armor.
Perhaps Dunk was in more dire of a state than Raymun initially believed him to be. If Steely Pate, of all people, was inclined to make light of the situation, that did not bode very well.
Steely Pate gave a disapproving hum. “I’ll have to cut that armor off of you, I’m afraid. Will you lend me a hand, Ser Raymun?”
Raymun nodded sharply. “Of course, just tell me what to do.”
“Raymun!” Dunk exclaimed with wide eyes and a mild start, as though he had just realized that Raymun was standing before him. “Raymun, the others- has anyone died?”
Steely Pate gave Raymun a look of caution. For the briefest of moments, Raymun contemplated sparing Ser Duncan, and to simply give him a vague response. His friend’s body was already broken and bruised. Why deal additional strikes to his mind and heart? … Then again, he would learn of Raymun’s deception eventually. Dunk was more than deserving of the truth, no matter how painful it was for Raymun to speak it aloud.
“Beesbury fell in the first charge… he did not rise again,” Raymun recounted, voice solemn, but steady. “Hardying was gravely wounded, but I do not know how he fares.”
For Lady Deana Beesbury’s sake, Raymun vehemently wished the Stranger would spare him.
Dunk looked distraught by the news, understandably so.
Hoping to lessen the blow, Raymun added hastily, “I managed to rack a few of Steffon’s ribs, though.” At least, I hope I did.
Dunk grunted in pain as Steely Pate continued to inspect his armor. “You did not kill him, then?”
“No.”
“Good… But Steffon won’t forgive you for standing against him, Raymun.”
No sooner would Raymun forgive Steffon for his betrayal, either. “I should hope not.”
“And what of Prince Daeron?” Dunk asked then. “Did he survive?”
“Yes, Ser,” Prince Aegon Targaryen answered. “He fell in the first charge, just as he promised you he would.”
Raymun had not noticed the young boy’s arrival in the tunnel. But there Prince Aegon was, lingering hesitantly a few paces away from them as he strived to get a better look at his master.
“His dream was wrong then,” Dunk declared drowsily, sounding more and more incoherent with each passing moment. Raymun did not know what Dunk spoke of, but he did not press for details. “There is no dead dragon, after all… Unless Prince Aerion died… Did he?”
“No, Ser,” Prince Aegon answered him. Raymun could sense the boy’s concern for his master rapidly growing. “You spared him. Remember?”
Steely Pate grabbed Raymun’s closest arm then, silently demanding his attention without raising the suspicion of Dunk or his young squire. Steely Pate directed Raymun’s line of sight to Dunk’s lower left side, where he had initially been struck in the first charge. The damage done by Prince Aerion’s lance was- regrettably- brutal. The rings of Dunk’s armor had been forced deep into his flesh by the impact.
Raymun staved off a grimace as Dunk continued to ramble on in a haze.
“One moment I feel drunk… and the next, like I’m dying.”
“The lance drove the rings of your chainmail into your skin,” Raymun informed him, tactfully omitting the apparent depth of the wound. He consciously wedged himself closer to Steely Pate, practically standing shoulder to shoulder, hoping to block the extent of Dunk’s injuries from the naturally curious eyes of Prince Aegon.
Dunk hissed and groaned in pain as Steely Pate examined his wound further.
“We’ll get him drunk,” Steely Pate proposed to Raymun. “And then we’ll pour boiling oil onto it. That’s how the maesters do it.”
And then dig out the rings from the depths of his flesh? Raymun could have shuddered at the very thought, had he not been so intent on keeping a strong composure for Dunk’s benefit.
Wine, not oil… Oil will kill him.”
The soft and yet indisputably calm voice still managed to give Raymun a small fright.
Prince Baelor Targaryen appeared at the end of the tunnel, still donning his helm and full armor. Like Dunk, Prince Baelor’s armor showed signs of damage by various dents and scratches, and a sheen coating of blood appeared on splotches across his face. The Hand of the King’s movements were slow, and a little sluggish, but he was up on both of his own feet, and all without the assistance of another.
Prince Baelor planted his sword firmly into the ground beside him. “I’ll send Maester Yormwell to have a look at him, when he’s done tending to my brother.”
As though he was a man possessed, Dunk lurched forward. It was all Steely Pate and Raymun could do but to follow him as he moved, aiding the hedge knight into a kneeling position before Prince Baelor Targaryen.
“Your Grace,” Ser Duncan beseeched him.
Despite the unspeakable and perhaps nearly endless list of injuries he had sustained, Dunk’s posture before the prince was as pristine as Raymun’s, when he had been knighted just a short while ago.
“I am your man… Please. Your man.”
Raymun could count the number of times he had personally seen Prince Baelor Targaryen on one hand. And yet, every time Raymun had seen the Hand of the King, Prince Baelor had always exuded a calm, if not somewhat politely detached, demeanor.
But at that moment, Prince Baelor appeared visibly moved by Ser Duncan’s pledge of loyalty.
“I need good men, Ser Duncan,” he agreed, laying a comforting hand upon Dunk’s shoulder. “The realm needs…”
Prince Baelor trailed off as he lost his balance, and he stumbled backwards a single step. Dunk swayed forward, although it was unclear if he too had lost his own balance, or simply meant to follow after the prince.
Raymun and Steely Pate rushed forward, grabbing Dunk by the shoulders, again helping him to reclaim his seat upon the bench. Dunk cried out in pain once more, and Prince Aegon flinched in sympathy for his tribulation.
“Ser Raymun,” Prince Baelor called to him. “My helm, if you would be so kind.”
“At once, Your Grace,” Raymun answered, leaving Dunk only once he was reassured that Steely Pate had settled him.
As he hobbled over to Prince Baelor, Raymun was able to take a better look at the armor- and the man beneath it- as he approached. Like he had assumed of Dunk, Prince Baelor was more battered than Raymun initially believed him to be. The closer he drew, Raymun began to realize, very quickly, that something was terribly amiss.
“The visor.. The visor’s cracked,” Prince Baelor informed him slowly, though Raymun had not asked.
Raymun promised him reassuringly, “I will take a look at it, Your Grace.”
It was not only the visor, but the helm itself that had been cracked in two. The Young Prince Valarr, who had presumably loaned the armor to his father for the Trial, would need to have extensive repairs done to the suit before it would be feasible for him to compete in another tourney. It was fortunate that Prince Valarr would have the means, and the craftsmen at hand, to make the repairs swiftly.
“My fingers,” Prince Baelor said then, lifting a still-gloved hand. He looked at his appendage peculiarly, as though he did not recognize it as belonging to his own body. “My fingers… they feel like wood.”
Once Raymun made it around to Prince Baelor’s back, he looked towards the nape of his neck, where he should have been able to unfasten the helm. However, the metal had been bent and crushed, molded together almost completely. It was unclear to Raymun where the helm ended, and where the backplate began.
He might have been a squire, and had assisted Steffon with his own armor many times, but he certainly was no armorer. “Goodman Pate- a hand?”
Once Steely Pate steadied Ser Duncan enough that he was able to sit upon the bench without assistance, he hurried over to Ramyun without further delay. Steely Pate saw the same sight before him as Raymun had, and he frowned.
“The helm is crushed down the back, Your Grace,” Steely Pate informed the prince. The craftsman’s eyes were unwavering from the armor before them, as though it was a puzzle. A challenge, even. But Steely Pate, while concentrating deeply, did not appear too worried, and Raymun was able to take heart from that, if only a little. “It’s smashed into the gorget.”
“My brother’s mace, most like,” Prince Baelor supplied. He leaned over, and his head tilted in Raymun’s direction, as though he was conspiring to share with him a secret. “He’s strong.”
“That he is, Your Grace,” Raymun agreed, returning the prince’s soft smile with one of his own. Thank the Seven that only Steffon had had eyes for him during the Trial. Had Raymun stumbled into Prince Maekar’s path, he might not have been standing there.
“This is very good steel, Your Grace, to have stopped such a blow,” Steely Pate both observed and praised. “If you had donned any other armor this morning, you might not have been so lucky.”
“Tell that to my son,” Prince Baelor chuckled dryly. “I shall owe him a new helm, I fear.”
Raymun placed a steadying hand on the prince’s shoulder to steady him as he swayed. “Under the circumstances, I daresay he will forgive you, My Prince.”
“Let us hope so, Ser Raymun.” Prince Baelor smiled once more. “But I suppose it is a relief to hear, to know that his armor is sturdy, should Valarr have taken the beating that I have this day.”
“A fair point indeed, Your Grace,” Steely Pate agreed heartily. “...Here it comes.”
Steely Pate grunted lightly with the effort as his hands strained under the tension of separating the crushed metals.
Prince Baelor flinched. “That feels…”
Steely Pate tugged upwards sharply, freeing Prince Baelor’s head from the crushed helm. For a moment, all was silent in the tunnel, and all four men- and young boy- were able to take a much desired breath of relief. But the silence was soon shattered by a wet sploshing that echoed off of the surrounding stone.
What Raymun saw then would haunt him, in waking and dreaming hours, from that day, until his last day.
Red gushes of blood and other matter Raymun could not have described, even if he had the knowledge to, rained from the back of Prince Baelor’s head. A large, gaping wound was where the back of his head ought to have been. The sight was awful, both physically, and for what it implied.
“Gods be good,” Steely Pate whispered in horror, evidently reaching the same conclusion as Raymun had.
Dunk sat up straighter, suddenly alert to the fact that all was not so well after all.
“No!” Prince Aegon gasped, sorrow etched deeply into every part of his small face.
Despite the mortified faces of those around him, Prince Baelor seemed relatively unphased by their collective shock. He blinked once, twice. Then, a queer looked flashed across his face, as though the prince was mildly inconvenienced by something. He reached behind his head, feeling what was there- and seemingly understanding what was not.
Prince Baelor withdrew his hand calmly, and looked down at the blood and guts that coated his gloved fingers with mild interest. He turned- as though to say something further to Steely Pate and Raymun- but no more words fell from his lips.
He swayed backwards, barreling towards the ground. Dunk scrambled forward, doubtlessly fighting excruciating pain to ensure that Prince Baelor did not land in the dirt. Steely Pate and Raymun jumped into action too, helping him bear the weight of the fallen prince.
Prince Aegon watched them all with wide, watery eyes.
Raymun glanced up at the boy, and in a sterner voice than he ought to have addressed a member of the royal family, gave him an order. “Go and fetch Maester Yormwell, My Prince… And your father, Prince Maekar.”
Prince Aegon hesitated, reluctant.
“Now, Aegon!”
Startled, the young boy jumped in his place. But he recovered his composure a moment later, and immediately fled the tunnel to do as he was bid.
It was senseless, fetching the maester. The Hand of the King was well beyond any mortal help, and Raymun knew it. But he also knew there was no benefit in forcing the young boy to witness any more of the matter than he already had.
Prince Baelor lay, eyes open but unblinking, in Ser Duncan’s arms, with Steely Pate and Ramyun’s steadfast support. In the distance, Raymun could hear Prince Aegon shouting and crying out for aid, as well as the clamoring of nearby members of the crowd who would be keen to know what was transpiring.
Though Dunk desperately pleaded for him to rise, Prince Baelor did not heed him. Steely Pate shook his head in shame, but he offered no words of comfort. The adrenaline began to ebb from Raymun’s body, leaving nothing but pain and emotional fallout in its wake.
The scene was so upsetting, Raymun was forced to tuck his chin into his chest as he stifled his own tears. For all his complicated feelings towards the Targaryens, he had never, ever, wished for this.
Fire, extinguished.
Blood, spilled.
Prince Baelor Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone, the Hand of the King, and Heir to the Iron Throne, was dead.
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“I’m yours to keep and I’m yours to lose. You know I’m not a bad girl, but I do bad things with you, so it goes” - So It Goes… by Taylor Swift
Feyd-Rautha x Pregnant!Atreides!Reader
summary: What will happen when orders are given and it pits the two people you love most against one another?
word count: 3.4k
warnings: Feyd being very ooc
a/n: I woke up this morning and cranked this out because I couldn’t get it out of my head
The Freman had attacked in unprecedented numbers. They bombed the city, the whole building rattling violently from the attacks. You had been in the throne room as they broke into the palace. The room filled with smoke as the revered Muad’dib made his way in front of the Emperor.
Your husband, na-Baron Feyd-Rautha, had kept you securely behind him the entire time. You clung to him like a shadow, holding the back of his tunic in one hand and your swollen stomach with the other. Muad’dib had made quick work of the disgusting Baron, which had left you feeling an overwhelming sense of relief.
You had prayed for the downfall of the Harkonnen’s since the moment they had murdered your entire family. They attacked with no warning and slaughtered everyone you had ever loved. You were the only survivor and the Baron took you to serve as a reminder of their great power. Certainly, you would have been dead in days if not for your husband’s possessive nature.
You had been promised to him since the day you were born as a show of peace between the families. When the Baron dragged you kicking and screaming back to Geidi Prime, Feyd had declared that you were his to do with as he pleased and no one would lay a hand on you. As humiliating as it was to be reduced to property by him, it was far better than whatever fate you would have had at the Baron’s hands.
Feyd-Rautha was a brutal man. He killed as he pleased and sent a wave of terror over every person he encountered. He had terrified you as well. He did not care for your feelings or desires. You were his wife now, and he could do as he pleased with you. One thing that you had not expected with Feyd was that despite his violent nature towards everyone else, it had never extended to you.
Perhaps it was the fact that he saw you as his to own, but it kept you safe and alive. You had not anticipated for love to bloom from your marriage to him, but you did love him in your own way. He would burn the world down for you and had killed anyone who had spoken ill of you. His brutal nature was alluring and you could not resist it.
He saw you as his property, but that changed once he started to see your own ambitions come to light. You wanted vengeance for your family and you silently plotted how best to take down the Baron. Feyd had thought you to be as meek as a mouse, but you were formidable indeed. You made quite the pair and the people of Geidi Prime adored their na-Baron and na-Baroness. What they didn’t know is that the two of you had been plotting how to take out the Baron for months to take control of the planet.
Seeing the Baron die had drove you to tears. People around you suspected it was because he was family or from the brutality of the kill as he bled out on the steps of the throne. You cried tears of relief for all that he had done to your family and to your husband.
You hardly even registered anything else that had happened in that throne room as you tried to pull yourself together. The Muad’dib then sent all of you to your rooms to be held as prisoners.
You only hoped he would spare you and your husband because of your condition. You were six months pregnant with a daughter and you couldn’t have been more nervous of what would come next.
You prayed the Emperor would die, along with the Reverend Mother that had plotted alongside him. She had hated your family since the day you and Paul were born. Your mother was only supposed to have a daughter and she had broke that promise. Paul had held all of the power the Bene Gesserit looked for in daughters. While you were still trained by your mother to use the voice, you never were anywhere close to what abilities Paul had.
Now, you hoped that evil woman would pay for all she had done.
“Wife.”
You looked over from your spot on the bed only to find Feyd moving towards you at a hurried pace. Your heart rate increased at his tense form, “Yes, husband?”
“They’re calling all prisoners. You will stay by my side, understand?” Feyd said as you stood from your place to meet him.
His hand reached out to hold the side of your face while the other was splayed over your bump. You nodded and placed your hand over his own, “Will you promise me something?”
“Anything darling,” He said, stroking his thumb over your cheek bone.
“Don’t get yourself killed. I need you to try to stay out of whatever conflict arises. We need you Feyd,” You said with a shaky voice.
Feyd pressed his lips hungrily to yours and you moaned against them. He pulled away, leaving you breathless as he spoke, “No man will kill me today.”
A loud banging came from outside your door and Feyd let out a growl of annoyance. He pulled away and took your hand in his own as he led you out of the room, your ladies fearfully following behind. You followed Feyd out of the room and were met with Freman soldiers, who all tensed at the sight of your husband. You clutched onto Feyd’s hand tighter as the guards led you behind the Emperor, Princess Irulan, and the Bene Gesserit.
The guards opened the large doors to the room and you all followed in. You stuck close to Feyd’s side as you took in all of the Freman soldiers that surrounded the room. You stood in the middle of the crowd as Feyd stood slightly in front of you for protection.
“There is a mass armada in orbit. You’re facing a full invasion Freman,” the Emperor spoke as he came to a stop with the General’s signal.
The Muad’dib stood in the middle of the room facing away from you. You narrowed your eyes on his figure as he looked familiar to you.
“How can you be so sure the great houses are here for me? They might be curious to hear my side of the story, don’t you think?” the Muad’dib spoke before turning around to face the Emperor.
It was him. He was alive despite all of the odds. Paul.
You stepped forward without thinking as your eyes welled with tears at the sight of your brother. Once Feyd realized who he was he followed after you as you made your way to the front. Feyd kept his hand securely around your middle as you moved through the crowd.
“I am Paul Atreides. Son of Leto Atreides. Duke of Arrakis,” he spoke, but your brain could hardly register the words being spoke as you tried to get to him.
“Gurney, send a warning to all the ships. If the great houses attack, our atomics will bomb all of the spice fields.”
Your eyes widened as they found Gurney Halleck following Paul’s command. You couldn’t stop your tears as another one of your family members was alive.
“Are you out of your mind?” the Emperor said in shock as you made your way to the front.
“Consider what you’re about to do Paul Atreides,” the Reverend Mother said.
“Silence!” Paul shouted with the voice and you heard her fall to the ground.
Before anything else could be said or done, you pushed past a few of the nobles at the front to get a good look at your brother. You squeezed Feyd’s hand as he stood close behind you, “Paul.”
Paul’s eyes snapped to you and you saw his whole body tense. The room was silent as he stepped towards you in shock, “Sister?”
You let out a choked sob as you dropped Feyd’s hand and rushed towards your brother. He pulled you into a tight hug and you clutched onto him like a life line. He pulled away and you took a good look at your brother. His eyes were blue now from the spice and he looked much older than he did when you saw him last.
“I can’t believe you’re alive. How did you-“ you started, but Paul cut you off.
“Mother and I escaped. In all of my visions I never saw you alive, how are you here?” He asked, but all you heard was the fact that your mother was alive.
Your eyes darted around the room, but your eyes settled on the one woman of power in the room. Your mother stood next to Gurney, her hand planted on her own swollen stomach as she watched the two of you interact. She was dressed like a Mother Reverend would be, and based off of her new appearance and the group surrounding her you suspected that was right.
You pulled away from Paul and tearfully let go of him as you hurried to your mother. Lady Jessica pulled you into a tight embrace and held you close to her body.
“Mother, I missed you,” you said into her shoulder as she rubbed your back in the comforting way she had when you were a child.
You pulled away and both of you looked at your swollen stomachs before meeting eyes again. She placed her hand on yours and let out a soft sigh, “You survived, just like I taught you.”
You nodded, without all of her preparation when you were younger you certainly would have died. You looked over to find Gurney giving you a proud look that was filled with more emotion than you’d ever seen from him. You reached forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek before quickly pulling back, “It’s good to see you again, old man.”
Gurney chuckled and opened his mouth to speak, but he was cut off by Paul. “My own sister lives as a testament to our family’s strength. She is Y/N Atreides!”
The Freman cheered, but you only tensed as you stepped away from Gurney and your mother. Your husband would not keep his mouth shut at that. You were his wife after all.
“She is no longer an Atreides. She is Y/N Harkonnen now,” your husband spoke as you saw Paul’s eyes turn to him, filled with anger.
You quickly crossed the room and stood in front of your husband to defend him from Paul. The two had always hated each other and now it was at an all time high.
Paul watched as Feyd’s hand wrapped around your pregnant stomach securely, and you leaned back into his hold. Paul took a shaky breath to try to control his rage as you grabbed Feyd’s hand atop your stomach, “If he hadn’t married me, I would have died at the Baron’s hands months ago. He is the only reason I am still alive.”
Paul bit his lip to contain his own anger and turned to the Emperor as the two began shouting at one another. You let out a shaky breath as you tried to collect yourself. Feyd’s hand rubbed a gentle circle on your stomach as your daughter kicked against it.
You looked back at him and he moved his hand to your face. He gently wiped your tears and you pressed a kiss to his palm. You turned your attention back to Paul as he declared he would marry Princess Irulan.
“But you have to answer for what you did to my father,” Paul growled out as he stared down the Emperor.
“Do you know why I did it? It was because he was a man who believed in rules of the heart. But the heart is not meant to rule. In other words, your father was a weak man,” he spoke and the room sat in a tense silence as your anger bubbled.
Your father was not weak for loving your family. He was a strong man whose love for your family lasted until his dying day.
“Stand or choose your champion,” Paul said, his strength unwavering.
“Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. I choose him as my champion,” the Emperor spoke.
Your heart seized at his words and you looked up to meet your husband’s eyes, but they were set on the Emperor. He stepped away from you to follow the command, but you reached out to snag his hand.
“Feyd, you cannot do this. He is my brother,” you begged as he kept his eyes forward.
“I do not turn down fights, darling,” he said walking towards the Emperor to get his blade.
Gurney handed Paul a blade and he quickly took a fighting stance on the opposite side of the room. Feyd took the blade and moved to ready himself. You went to go to Feyd, but the Freman soldiers blocked your path. You glared in anger at them, “This is ridiculous! Feyd, don’t do this.”
Feyd kept his eyes forward on Paul as the two took their positions. Paul met your eyes before he looked back at Feyd and held his blade up just like Duncan always had before a fight, “May thy knife chip and shatter.”
Feyd turned his head to find your horrified look before turning back to Paul. He smirked before he repeated the phrase, “May thy knife chip and shatter.”
Then the fight began. The two fought brutally against one another and you could have been sick at the sight. You called out for them to stop, but they continued their violent dance. You looked over at the Emperor to find him watching with a pleasant look on his face. You growled as you moved towards him, “This is madness! Call off the fight!”
The sounds of swords clashing rang in your ears as you stared the old man down. He gave you an annoyed look before turning back to the fight, “Quiet woman.”
Your anger spiked and you opened your mouth to speak, but your head snapped to the fight as you found Paul on top of Feyd with his blade in his shoulder. Your mouth opened in horror as Feyd pushed Paul off of him and ripped the dagger out.
You turned to the Emperor to try to convince him, but an arm wrapped around your throat. The Emperor tightened his arm on your throat as you thrashed against him, “If they want to keep you alive, they’ll finish the fight.”
You fought against his hold, but quickly stopped as he pressed a blade to your stomach. You froze in his hold as your mother called out, “Paul! Feyd-Rautha!”
Paul turned his head to see what was the interruption only to find the Emperor holding you tightly to him. Feyd turned and his whole body filled with rage. The two men stepped away from one another and you smirked, “Now you’ve done it.”
The Emperor hated the look the men’s eyes as they made their way towards him. He tightened his hold on your throat and you grimaced, “Done what?”
Feyd was the angriest you’d ever seen him and Paul wasn’t much different, “You’ve united them in a common cause.”
The two men came towards you and everyone backed away. The Emperor pressed the knife harder against your stomach and you gasped in pain.
Feyd was filled with the urge to commit unspeakable violence at the sight of the Emperor holding a blade to his pregnant wife. You met Feyd’s eyes and tried to calm yourself down.
“I was willing to spare your life, but now you’ve threatened my sister,” Paul said, holding his blade up to the Emperor.
“Release my wife and I will make your death quick,” Feyd growled out as he stepped closer.
“You will continue the fight if you want her to live. I command it!” the Emperor shouted and pressed his arm tighter against your throat.
You gasped for air and Paul was quick to use the voice, “Release her!”
The Emperor quickly dropped the blade and let you go. You stumbled away from him, but before anyone else could act you snatched the blade from the floor and drove it into his stomach.
The Emperor gasped out in pain and stumbled as you drove the knife deeper. You met his pained eyes and glared, “For House Atreides.”
You drove the knife up higher into his stomach one last time before you stepped away and he fell to the floor. His daughter dropped to his side as he took his final breath and you turned back to face Paul. You steeled your nerves and met his eyes before you kneeled before him, “Emperor Paul Atreides.”
You heard everyone in the room kneel and your husband dropped to your side. You kept your eyes on the floor, but you reached over to grab his hand. Feyd squeezed your hand in his own as he stayed at your side. Paul began giving directions and everyone rose to their feet.
Feyd pulled you to your feet and was quick to pull you close to him. His eyes raked over your body as he scanned for any sign of injury. He took your face in his hands and met your eyes. You could tell he was furious at what had occurred as he inspected you.
“Are you hurt?” he growled out as he noticed the redness on your neck.
You placed your hands over his and let out a shaky breath, “I’m okay. We’re both okay Feyd.”
He nodded and moved to place a hand on your stomach protectively. He shakily sighed before giving you a proud look, “You did well there, I wasn’t sure if you would be able to do it.”
You sighed, leaning into his touch, “I did it out of love for my family. That includes you and our daughter, my love.”
A proud smirk appeared on his face, “You should kill more often. You look alluring when you do.”
Shaking your head at your husband, you spoke, “I’ll leave the violence to you, husband. I have other ways of gaining your attention.”
Feyd smirked before pulling you into a deep kiss. You groaned in response as you pulled yourself as close as you could to him with your bump in the way. You both pulled away and he brushed some stray hair from your face.
“Feyd-Rautha.”
You both turned to face your brother, the new Emperor, as he stood in front of you with Gurney at his side. The room was full of commotion as people began to shout and head out.
“We’re taking the fight to the great houses. Can I trust that you will keep my sister safe while I am away?” Paul asked, doing his best to bridge the wedge between them.
You looked between them as Feyd contemplated his words. Feyd looked down at you and let out a sigh before looking back to Paul.
“I will gladly give my life to keep her and our daughter safe,” he declared as he returned your brother’s intense stare.
Paul reached his arm out and Feyd reached forward and clasped it. The two stood staring at each other before Feyd said, “Good luck Atreides.”
They dropped each other’s arms and Paul gave you a nod before he headed off to lead the charge. You let out a nervous sigh, but leaned into Feyd’s hold.
“You couldn’t call him Emperor?” You asked with a teasing lilt to your voice as you leaned against Feyd’s chest.
“Now what would be the fun in that?” he asked and you shook your head at him as he rubbed gentle circles on your waist.
“Will we be alright? The Imperium is going to be after all of us after today. Especially me, since it was my hand who killed the Emperor,” you asked and his hold tightened on you.
Feyd guided your chin up to meet his eyes. He looked like a man ready for battle with how intense he was looking at you, “You are my wife. If any one dares to try to lay a hand on you again or our daughter, they will wish they were dead when I get my hands on them.”
You let out a sigh as his violent words felt incredibly reassuring. You softly kissed him once more and smiled up at him, “Good. That was exactly what I hoped you would say.”
“This is a state of grace. This is the worthwhile fight. Love is a ruthless game, unless you play it good and right” - State Of Grace by Taylor Swift
Rick Grimes x Pregnant!Reader
Summary: The group is wary of Aaron, until he reveals information that shocks the group to their core.
Takes place in season five at the start of the Alexandria arc!
Word Count: 5k+
Warnings: Swearing, childbirth, fluff, and ooc Rick
a/n: This has been sitting in my drafts for literal years. It’s not great, but I don’t care!! I hope you enjoy! Also, sorry for the formatting I’m on my phone!
—————————————————————————
The group all stood on high alert as they stared Aaron down as he sat tied to the pole. He was an outsider and knew far too much about them for any of them to be comfortable.
Rick was at the edge. He would either fall off and lose himself or pull himself back. The group was doing their best to keep him stable, but after Terminus, the death of Beth, and his own wife being lost after the Prison he was close to being too far gone. The only reason he hadn’t yet was for Carl and Judith. If he hadn’t had them he would’ve been long gone by now.
Aaron was another threat to the group’s safety.
Rick stalked around him as the group watched on. He seemed like a predator about to go in for the kill. Rick had always been an intimidating guy, but after the loss of his wife and the months on the road he wasn’t sure he’d ever fully return to who he had been when she was alive.
When the Prison fell everyone got scattered. Rick had been in the yard, Carl with Daryl, Judith with the kids, and Y/N had been in the sick wing helping Maggie evacuate people. When everyone got separated she’d just disappeared. No one had seen her since that day and there was no indication she was alive. Rick had lost hope a long time ago. She was tough, but it was difficult enough for them to survive as a big group. There was no way she would have made it months on her own.
Aaron gulped as the group discussed what to do, “My job is to convince you to follow me back home.”
Everyone looked around skeptically at his words. Aaron sighed, he knew it would take a lot of convincing, “I know, if I were you, I wouldn’t go either until I knew exactly what I was getting into.”
Aaron looked around at the big group and took a breath to steady himself. He’d been following them for two weeks and still didn’t know half as much as he would’ve liked to about them. He knew Rick was the leader and had two kids. He knew a few others like Maggie, Sasha, and Glenn, but the rest of them were strangers for now. Yet, he knew they’d keep them alive.
Alexandria needed people who knew how to survive and navigate the world they lived in now. The only people in the community who knew how to was himself, Eric, Deanna, Enid, and Y/N. She was the perfect person to teach them, but she wasn’t much help outside the walls since she was pregnant.
“Sasha, can you hand Rick my pack? Front pocket, there's an envelope,” Aaron asked and Sasha complied as she brought it to him.
“There's no way I could convince you to come with me just by talking about our community. That's why I brought those. I apologize in advance for the picture quality,” Aaron said as Rick pulled them out and looked through them.
“No one gives a shit,” Daryl grumbled out and Aaron nodded quickly.
A few others crowded around Rick to look at the pictures when the baby began crying. The teenager tried his best to calm her, but she just wailed. Rick pinched his brow and sighed, “Carl, will you get Judith the binky in my pack.”
The boy quickly complied as he tried to soothe his sister. Aaron’s eyes widened and he felt his heart jump at his words. He quickly leaned forward, pulling against his binds, “Your son is Carl and your daughter is Judith?”
The group all shared confused looks as Aaron looked like he’d had a world ending revelation. Rick passed the pictures to Glenn as he moved closer to Aaron, “What’s it matter to you?”
He kneeled down in front of Aaron and glared down at him, “Why do you need to know?”
Aaron swallowed, trying to compose himself, before looking up at Rick, “Did you have a wife named Y/N?”
Rick physically recoiled at the question and everyone tensed. How would he know her? Carl stepped closer to them, Judith held firmly at his hip as she was quiet now, “How do you know my mom?”
Aaron looked sympathetically at Carl and Judith before looking back to Rick. He looked as if Aaron had flipped his whole world, “How do you know that name?”
“She’s alive. She’s been living in our community with my husband and I for the past few months. She’s talked about your family endlessly- I just didn’t put it together,” Aaron breathed out and he saw the whole group react to his words.
Rick stumbled back and stood deathly still as he paled. Carl moved forward, his eyes full of hope, “How can we trust you? Where’s my mom!”
Aaron nodded towards his bag, “There’s a picture of her in the inside zipper of my bag.”
Glenn quickly unzipped the pocket before pulling out the picture and passing it to Rick. Rick couldn’t believe his eyes as he stared at it. It was her. She was leaning her head on a man’s shoulder, who he assumed was Aaron’s husband, with a bright smile on her face.
She was alive and happy.
Rick let out a choked sob as Carl tore the picture from his hands and broke down as well as he clutched his sister to him. The whole group was visibly affected by his words as they all had bright looks on their faces. Rick pulled Carl into his side and pressed a kiss to his head, “She’s alive. We’re gonna have your mom back.”
Glenn cut Aaron free and he stood up and rubbed his wrists. Rick released Carl, but when he turned to Aaron to say something he noticed the odd look on his face. Rick moved closer to Aaron and felt his stomach drop, “What’s wrong?”
Aaron looked up at Rick and scratched his neck, “I don’t know how to say it.”
Rick pushed down his fear as he stepped closer to him, “Aaron what’s wrong with my wife?”
Aaron met Rick’s piercing eyes and breathed out, “She’s pregnant.”
Rick swore he’d died. There was no way that she’d lived, but now she was pregnant? She couldn’t be.
Rick grabbed Aaron’s shoulder as leverage as he almost fell over, “What?”
Aaron grabbed Rick’s arm, “My husband and I picked her up on the road five months ago and brought her back. We’ve been taking care of her. The baby is doing great and so is she. She helps our leader, Deanna, out as her advisor so she doesn’t have to leave the walls.”
Rick tried to take in deep breaths, but he could hardly comprehend that his wife was alive and now she was pregnant? Rick grabbed onto Aaron as he fell to his knees. He tried to breathe as everything became too much for him.
His wife was pregnant and she’d been alive this whole time. They were going to have another kid.
Aaron squeezed Rick’s arm and sighed, “Rick, she’s full term now and when I left she was having consistent Braxton Hicks.”
Rick almost fell over from how quickly he shot to his feet. Lori had those during both pregnancies and she’d given birth soon after. He needed to be there for her. Especially considering what had happened to Lori.
“What’s that mean?” Carl asked, quickly wiping any remnants of tears from his face.
“They’re false contractions, but they’re meant to prep your body for labor,” Maggie answered, coming up behind Carl and squeezing his shoulders supportively.
“Take me to her. Please,” Rick pleaded with Aaron and he was quick to nod.
“Yeah, okay, I’ll radio my husband to come get us in our RV. We can all fit, but it’ll be tight,” Aaron said, looking around for approval.
Everyone quickly moved to ready their gear and Aaron took that as his sign to radio Eric. He quickly moved towards his radio that had been tossed out of his bag and picked it up, “Eric, we need you to get us at the barn we scouted. They know Y/N. Her husband and kids are with them.”
“Oh my god. Okay, I’ll be there soon. Be safe,” Eric quickly responded.
Rick held Judith tightly to him as he moved over to Aaron and clapped his hand on his shoulder. Aaron quickly turned to him only to find his demeanor much more relaxed, more like the man Y/N had described. Rick let out a shaky breath and nodded, “Thank you.”
Aaron nodded and sighed, “She’s family to me too now. I’d do anything for her.”
Rick nodded as his nerves began to eat at him. The group packed up quickly and they all anxiously waited in the barn to leave. Twenty minutes passed before Eric pulled up and they all quickly filed in. He seemed stunned by the road hardened people that passed by him to get into the RV. The RV was big, but they had a large group now and they were all crammed in.
They all sat packed into the RV, each having their own quiet conversations for a while until Aaron’s radio went off. The whole group turned to look at him as he quickly fished it out.
“Hey, Aaron, you there?” A female voice said.
“Hey, Denise. What’s up?” Aaron responded.
“Just wanted to check in and give you an update. When are you heading back?” She asked.
Aaron looked around at the group and scratched the back of his neck, “Uh, actually now. I’m bringing back that group I scouted for Deanna. Tell her that we’ll be back in less than an hour and they’ll need to get check ups asap just in case.”
“I’ll let her know, but the doctors office is kinda busy today,” Denise said sounding hesitant.
“What? Did something happen?” Aaron quickly asked, sharing a nervous look with Eric.
“No! No, nothing bad, but we’re about to have a new baby around here soon. She wanted me to let you guys know,” Denise said, with a cheery tone to her voice.
The whole group froze as Aaron looked at Rick in slight horror. Rick kissed Judith’s head and squeezed Carl’s shoulder as he tried to be strong for them. The last time, Carl had to kill Lori after she needed a C-Section. Rick knew Carl wouldn’t survive losing his other mom the same way.
Aaron’s eyes softened as he noticed their family dynamic. He remembered what Y/N had told him about Carl’s mom and he could tell it was causing trauma to resurface for them.
“How is she? Everything going okay?” Aaron asked, nervous himself for his friend.
The radio was silent for a few moments until it crackled again and a new voice came over the radio, “She can speak for herself. I’m in active labor, not dead.”
The whole group shared a look of shock. It was her. Rick quickly moved to the front of the RV to stand next to Aaron, his blue eyes wide and unsure of what to do.
“And yes, I’m fine. I’m almost fully dilated, so not much to do but have terrible contractions till they come. Baby Grimes would like to make an appearance soon, so I’d appreciate if you hurried back. It’d be nice to have someone who I actually care about to hold my hand. You too Eric. How’d scouting that group go? They convinced yet?” She asked breathlessly as Rick and Aaron shared a look.
Baby Grimes. She hadn’t let go either. Rick had a child and wife waiting for him.
Aaron held the radio out to Rick and he looked at it nervously. What was he even supposed to say? Rick turned as Carl came up behind him and took Judith from his arms so he could hold her. Carl’s eyes were filled with a hope Rick hadn’t seen in years. Rick swallowed his fears and took the radio from Aaron’s hand.
“Darlin?” Rick said, his voice wobbling as he choked out the words.
The radio was silent for a moment before her shaky voice said, “Rick? Is that you?”
Rick fell to his knees at the sound of her voice. It was his wife. She was alive.
“Yeah, baby, it’s me. We’re okay. We’re all on our way,” He breathed out as a hand squeezed his shoulder and he looked behind him to see Daryl behind him.
A loud cry came over the radio and the whole group from the prison visibly reacted with relief of their own as they finally had a family member back.
“Oh my god, I swore I’d never hear your voice again. Is everyone there? Carl? Judith? Please, please, tell me they’re okay,” She sputtered out through sobs.
Carl snatched the radio from his dad’s hands and shakily said, “Mom, mom, it’s me. We’re okay. Judith and I are okay. We miss you.”
“Carl, baby, I-I-,” She started but broke down into tears and the radio went silent for a second.
The whole group went dead silent as the radio cut out, but quickly reacted as she cried out over the radio. Rick rushed to Carl’s side as he stared at the radio in horror.
The radio cut back in and Y/N’s groans could be heard in the background, “She’s okay! Just bad contractions. She’s gonna need to push soon, so hurry if you guys can. I’m sorry I’ve got to go to make sure everything goes okay, but Aaron knows where the delivery room is. Deanna knows and she’ll have Spencer open the gates as soon as you get there and let them through.”
The radio then shut off and Rick looked up at Aaron in abject horror. What if he missed his child’s birth? What if something happened to her? Aaron squeezed his shoulder and shook him a bit to bring him back, “We’ll be back soon. She’s gonna be okay. We have good doctors and medical supplies to make sure of it.”
Rick nodded, seeming like he was off in a different place. Aaron moved back to Eric’s side and helped direct him the quickest way to Alexandria. Rick sat against the door of the RV, his mind running over every worse case scenario.
Nothing ever went right for him.
Right now he could have his wife and a new son or daughter when he arrived to Alexandria. Or he could lose them both, and he was sure that he would never survive that loss again of someone he loved so desperately.
Eric pushed the RV as hard as he possibly could without blowing anything mechanical. A half hour passed before Aaron finally announced that they were there. They all rushed to their feet and looked out the window to find a fenced in town with guard towers at the gates.
The group had been in one place with high fences before, but this place looked untouched from the apocalypse. Aaron turned to the group as Eric slowed as they got closer, “When we get in the gates, you will all have to turn over your weapons. We don’t allow people to have them, unless they’re on patrol or cleared by our leader Deanna or Y/N. You will all be interviewed by Deanna and then get a check up by one of our Doctors.
Rick and Carl, you’ll come with me. The rest of you will wait until I come and get you or you’re showed to a house. This community is pretty sheltered, so please take it easy around them for now. Understood?”
They all shared nervous looks before nodding in agreement. The RV came to a stop and Aaron and Rick shared a look.
They needed to go.
Carl passed Judith off to Carol as Eric quickly turned the car off and opened the doors and Aaron, Rick, and Carl quickly moved out.
The group rushed towards the gate as it slid open for them. Rick and Carl hardly had time to admire the community before Aaron waved his hand at them, “Come on. Medical center is over here.”
They hurriedly followed after Aaron and Eric as they ran towards one of the closest buildings and people stared as they sprinted past. Rick couldn’t have given less of a shit as he just ran after them.
Aaron barreled towards a house and quickly threw the door open. Rick’s eyes widened at the sound of his wife crying out. Rick shoved past Aaron and rushed toward the room. The continuing cries became louder from the door at the end of the hallway.
Rick quickly grabbed the handle and threw the door open and there she was. His wife was laying up against a mountain of pillows with her legs propped up.
Dear god.
Her eyes pooled with tears at the sight of her husband alive and in front of her. She released the sheets from her clutched hands and reached out for Rick, “Rick- oh my god.”
Rick went to rush to her when a woman quickly moved in front of him, “Woah! Okay, I know you want to see her, but you’re gonna put her and the baby at risk if you don’t wash everything off of you.”
Rick hadn’t really considered that it’d been months since he’d showered properly. He looked at his hands and found they were covered with blood and walker remains. He hadn’t even thought about it.
“Denise he can- he can stand up by my head and he won’t touch the baby until he’s clean. Right Rick? I can’t do this without him,” She said squeezing her eyes shut and crying out in pain.
Rick nodded frantically, desperate to touch his wife himself after months apart.
Denise looked hesitant, but let out a frustrated sigh, “At least scrub your arms and hands with soap quickly and put on that surgical gown just in case.”
Rick didn’t say another word as he quickly rushed toward the other room where the woman pointed. He moved to the sink and scrubbed at his hands so hard they felt raw. The sink turned red as his hands were washed clean of all the remnants of the outside world. Carl quickly sprinted in, turned on the sink next to him, and did the same.
Once Rick felt like his hands and forearms were clean of blood and filth, he put the surgical gown on and rushed back into the room.
“You have to push! Come on deep breath and bear down,” Denise said as she stood between her legs.
She breathed heavily as she pushed for ten seconds, before she laid back and let out a groan of pain. Rick moved to her side and quickly took one of her hands in his own and pressed it to his lips. Rick tried to force back his tears and the emotions threatening to overcome him as he finally had his wife right in front of him.
She tiredly smiled up at him, her eyes shiny with unshed tears, “Hey Sheriff.”
Rick chuckled before he quickly captured her lips, “Hey darlin.”
Her smile was interrupted as she squeezed her eyes in pain and clutched onto his hand tightly.
“How’s she doin Doc?” Rick asked worriedly, Lori’s death at the front of his mind.
Denise tried to smile comfortingly and said, “She’s doing great, but you’ve got to keep pushing. Baby’s almost here.”
Rick looked down at his wife and squeezed her hand, “You can do it. I’m right here.”
“Me too,” Carl said as he rushed to her other side.
Her eyes brightened at the sight of her son at her side. She took Carl’s hand and nodded as she sat up, “Yeah, I’ve got you two now. I can do this.”
“Fuck yeah you can mom,” Carl said beaming at her.
Rick laughed at his words and she shook her head with a loving smile directed at him, “I missed you, but watch your language baby.”
Carl smirked and he and his dad shared a look as she got ready. Denise smiled at the family before clearing her throat, “Okay, after this next contraction you need to push again. Make it count you’re almost there.”
She nodded and shared a nervous look with Rick. Rick squeezed her hand and quickly kissed her forehead, “You can do this baby. We’re right here.”
She nodded before letting out a shaky breath and squeezing her eyes shut as Denise indicated for her to push. After the seconds of silence she cried out and fell back, but Rick quickly slid his arm around her waist to catch her, “You’re doing great darlin.”
She nodded against his shoulder as she mentally prepared herself to push again.
“I can see the head. One more good push and it’ll be done,” Denise said.
She nodded and she took another deep breath, “That better be a goddamn promise Denise.”
Denise smiled and shook her head, “If it’s not, I’ll give you my bottle of bourbon.”
She let out a shaky laugh and smiled at her, “You’ve got a deal.”
She looked at both of her boys and felt determination swell in her chest. She felt the contraction come on and she pushed with everything she had.
Rick brushed the hair out of her face as she cried out again. Then the room was filled with a sharp cry.
Rick felt his whole body tense as Denise beamed at them as she lifted the baby up, “It’s a girl. She’s beautiful.”
She immediately began to cry as Denise nodded at Rick, “Wanna cut the umbilical cord dad?”
Rick nodded and shared a look with Carl. Carl nodded and quickly moved his arm around his mom to support her sitting up as tears of joy streaked down his face. Rick took the scissors and cut the umbilical cord where she directed as she quickly cleaned his daughter.
Carl helped his mom get more comfortable on the pillows as they waited for Denise. Carl pressed a kiss to her cheek, “I love you mom.”
She smiled up at her oldest boy, “I love you too baby. I’m so glad you’re here. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Rick’s eyes were full of tears as he carefully looked over Denise’s shoulder as she checked over his daughter. He hadn’t really felt this way since Carl was born. He felt like he was teetering on an edge as he waited to see his youngest daughter.
Denise turned around and Rick moved to her side. Denise smiled softly as she carefully passed the small bundle to her outstretched arms, “She’s healthy and looks perfect. You did great Y/N.”
She let out a choked sob as she took her daughter into her arms, “Hey sweetheart.”
Rick finally let his tears fall as he looked down at his beautiful daughter. She leaned into Rick’s embrace and gently stroked her baby’s cheek, “You’re so so loved already.”
Carl sniffled as he leaned closer to his mom to get a better look at his youngest sister. She looked up at him and smiled brightly, “This is your big brother, Carl. He’s gonna be the best big brother ever and he’s always gonna be there for you .”
Carl nodded as she lifted her up closer to him so he could see her for a moment. Then she turned and her eyes met Rick’s that were filled with emotion. She moved her daughter now to Rick’s side so he could see his little girl.
“This is your daddy. He looks mean and grumpy, but he’s a softie I promise. He’ll always keep you safe,” She said with a gentle smile as he got to look at his daughter.
Rick brushed his finger over her small cheeks and choked out sob. He pressed a kiss to his wife’s head, “I love you more than anything. Thank you.”
She pulled away from him before she leaned up and kissed him. She pulled away breathlessly and smiled before moving her gaze to her daughter, “You can thank Hope for getting us here. I would have died a long time ago if I hadn’t been fighting for her.”
Rick raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Hope? That’s her name?”
She nodded resolutely and beamed, “Been calling her Hope since I found out I was pregnant. Hope Willow Grimes.”
Rick nodded and smiled down at his daughter, “Hope’s a great name for her.”
She nodded before turning to give her boys a tired look, “As much as I love you both, you reek of blood and sweat. Aaron can take you to one of the empty houses to get cleaned up. Then you can come back and hold her. Okay?”
Rick felt his whole being begging him to stay, but she was right. He pressed a kiss to her head and looked down at his daughter before stepping away, “Kay, but you send someone for us if you need anything.”
She nodded as Rick and Carl moved towards the door, “Got it Sheriff. Will you bring back Judith and the others?”
Rick nodded and smiled, “Promise. Trust me they’ll be begging to come see you as soon as we get there.”
“Well, tell ‘em I’ll give ‘em a pass for not getting a baby gift in time,” She joked as she rocked their daughter gently.
A knock came from the door and they all turned to find Aaron and Eric standing there. They both stepped into the room and Aaron smiled sheepishly, “Sorry, we didn’t wanna intrude, but I overheard you. I’ll take them to the house Deanna is setting them up in. She’s gonna set your group up in three houses. Some of the residents are moving your stuff into a separate house so you guys will be together.”
Y/N smiled and waved them into the room, “You’d never intrude. Come see her.”
Eric moved to her side and smiled down at the baby. Aaron held out his hand for Rick to shake, “Congratulations.”
Rick paused for a moment before pulling Aaron in for a tight hug. Aaron tensed for a moment before clapping Rick on the back. They pulled apart and Rick nodded in thanks, “This is all cause of you. Thank you.”
Aaron smiled at the sight of his husband and friend cooing over the baby, “Come on. I’ll take you guys to get cleaned up.”
The boys hesitantly followed after him and to the house. An hour passed and Y/N fed her daughter as she talked to Eric.
“When you mentioned your husband he wasn’t quite what I pictured,” Eric said as he rocked back in his chair.
She raised an eyebrow at him, “What’s so different?”
Eric rolled his eyes, “Y’know for being in an apocalypse where you don’t have many options you bagged one of the finest men I have ever seen.”
She burst out laughing as she grinned at him, “Oh, I know. Trust me I was fighting off women left and right when we lived at the prison. You better believe if I see Jessie anywhere near him or my kids I’ll throw her out like a farm cat.”
Eric snorted and beamed, “I believe it. I’d love to see you take her down. She’s had it coming for years.”
A soft knock came from the door and Y/N sat up and adjusted her little girl in her arms, “Come in.”
The door slowly opened and her husband came into view and her eyes lit up. Rick came in and walked over to her. Eric smiled at the pair and stood up, “I’m gonna go make sure you guys have everything set up.”
She smiled softly at him as he moved to the doorway, “Thank you.”
Eric nodded and shut the door behind him. Rick had changed into new clothes and cleaned up his beard now. He came and sat at her side on the bed, “You feelin okay darlin?”
She nodded and leaned against his shoulder, “About as good as you can be after pushing a baby out of you.”
Rick chuckled in response and she met his eyes. Rick cupped her face as her eyes lit up teasingly, “Lookin good Sherriff.”
Rick pulled her in and pressed a firm kiss against her lips. After a moment passed they pulled apart and she muttered, “I love you.”
Rick kissed her quickly again and moved back, “I love you too.”
“Wanna hold her?” She asked gently holding her out to Rick.
Rick swallowed nervously and held out his arms and she passed Hope into his arms. Rick let out a shaky laugh as he finally got to hold her. He shared a look of awe with Y/N as he gently rocked her.
She pressed a kiss to Rick’s jaw with a smile, “You’re a natural.”
Rick smiled, his eyes staying on his youngest, “Comes with practice.”
The pair were silent for awhile as they watched their daughter. Y/N let out a shaky breath and leaned her head on Rick’s shoulder, “Who isn’t here?”
The silence was palpable between them as she pressed a kiss to Rick’s shoulder, “I- I just need to know, please.”
Rick nodded, keeping his eyes on their youngest, “Beth. She escaped with Daryl, but she got kidnapped by a group in Atlanta. We almost got her back, but she got killed before we could leave.”
Y/N swallowed back her tears and pressed her head into his shoulder and squeezed his arm, “Y’know no one would ever blame you for that, right? You tried your best and that’s all you can do sometimes.”
Rick nodded silently before pressing a kiss to her head. Y/N reached out to brush her finger over Hope’s soft cheek. Rick leaned back and wrapped an arm around Y/N’s shoulders and held his daughter with the other, “Anything we need to know about here?”
Y/N sighed heavily, “They’re weak. These people never learned how to survive outside the walls, because they never had to. Deanna understands what the world is and usually lets me call the shots when it comes to anything outside the walls.”
“Any pushback?” Rick said as he gently rocked Hope.
Y/N scoffed at his words, “Yeah, just a bit.”
“Anyone I need to kill?” Rick joked dryly, his arm tightening around her.
“Not yet. Deanna’s son, Spencer, is a liability. He doesn’t appreciate that I completely changed their tactics for runs, even if it was getting people killed. Spencer and his friend Nicholas are pretty much all talk, but they’re not shy about opposing anything I say. Oh, and watch out for Jessie,” She said leaning further into Rick’s chest, annoyance filling her while thinking about the town home wrecker.
Rick narrowed his eyes at her change in demeanor. He gently lifted her chin so she would meet his gaze. Despite having just given birth to their child, she still felt a pang of insecurity claw at her heart. Rick held her chin gently in his hand as his intense blue eyes met hers, “I have killed people to protect you. I would kill anyone to keep this family safe. You are the only woman I will ever want. Tell me you know that.”
Y/N smiled somewhat bashfully at his words. Those words would have terrified her in the world before it fell, but now it was a declaration of the highest love. She nodded and pressed her lips to his. It was almost as if no time had ever passed as they fell back into a routine with one another.
She pulled away breathlessly and met Rick’s expectant gaze. She let out a breath, “I know.”
Rick nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Hope cooed and stretched her arms out with a yawn. A knock sounded out and Rick moved the the door, his youngest cradled securely in his arms. He opened the door and then Carl stepped in with Judith on his hip. Y/N burst into tears at the sight of her daughter. Judith reached out her arms as she saw her, “Momma.”
Carl came over and sat next to his mom and Y/N was quick to take her into her arms. She pressed a kiss to Judith’s head, “Oh, babygirl I missed you so much.”
Judith clutched onto her shirt and snuggled into her mom. Y/N rubbed Judith’s back with one hand and reached over and pulled Carl into a tight hug. Carl sighed and leaned into his mom’s embrace. She pressed a kiss to the side of Carl’s head, “Thank you for keeping him alive.”
She and Carl shared a look of understanding as they pulled away. Rick came over, looking like a true dad with Hope in one arm and his other hand tucked in his jean pocket. Y/N wiped her tears and sat Judith on her lap as Rick came and sat next to her. She looked around at her family and smiled, “I don’t believe in god, but thank whoever the hell is in charge up there that brought y’all back to me.”
Rick smiled and kissed the side of her head, “Damn right.”
Then a knock came from the door and Maggie popped her head in. Maggie rushed over to Y/N as the rest of the group followed in. Y/N swore she’d cried all of her tears, but each hug she gave to the members of the group brought on a new onslaught.
After each member of the group had been properly introduced to their daughter Rick stood off in the corner. He looked around the room, Hope settled safely in the crook of his arm. This was the happiest he’d seen the group in years.
Carl had yet to move from Y/N’ side, as Judith happily sat on his lap playing with her mom’s hand. Rick was certain he had never seen Y/N look so beautiful. She was beaming as she talked to Glenn and Maggie, despite the fact that she’d given birth hours earlier.
“She’s just like Lil Ass Kicker.”
Rick chuckled as Daryl came to his side. He looked down at his daughter lovingly and sighed, “This is what we fight for. Everythin we do is for everyone in this room.”
Daryl made a noise in agreement, “We keep going for shit like this.”
Rick met his wife’s eyes and she was quick to shoot him a wink, before she turned and pulled Carl closer to her into a hug. He sighed, his heart feeling full for the first time in months. Herschel had told him years ago that every day was a choice.
He would choose to keep his family in the room safe everyday for the rest of his life. No matter what it cost.
I am so so sorry this took me so long to post! I was on vacation, had some teacher certification things, and had my 22nd birthday all in the span of a month!
Thank you so much for the support on the last one. You guys enjoyed that one more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you <3
word count: 2.5k
Here's part two!
You stood behind the bleachers as you nervously waited. You checked your watch to see five minutes had passed since Miguel was supposed to meet you here.
God, you felt like this was a bad teen movie.
Miguel was supposed to be there at five to be there in time for Gabi’s first soccer game of the season, but he was a little late. Miguel was typically always on time, but today was different for whatever reason.
The last three months had gone better than you could have imagined. Parenting together in different universes was extremely difficult, but you two managed to make it work fairly smoothly.
Maybe not if you factored in whatever the hell was going on between you two. You and Miguel were great at parenting Gabi together. You always made sure to back one another in front of her, but you would discuss different methods and work things out behind closed doors. The other difference now was the invisible string that seemed to be pulling you to him.
He was everything you wanted. A great guy, intelligent, handsome, an amazing dad, and a great partner.
Miguel had pulled you in to do missions and work in the spider society on a frequent basis. You worked with his top teams and he was always keen to hear your opinions on what could be improved.
Peter B. had voiced many times that no other person was valued as highly as you were. You were allowed to speak your mind to him and call him out when you felt necessary. No one else was. Peter finally knew it was true when you argued on Miles’ behalf and fought with Miguel to see reason.
“He’s a kid! For fucks sake Miguel!” You shouted at Miguel as you two fought in his office.
Peter stood defensively in front of Miles, Mayday strapped to his chest. Miles was scared of Miguel and he shared a look with Gwen and Hobie that made it evident. The teens moved to form a protective bubble around Miles. Miguel was very intimidating and you only pushing him was making his frustration worse.
Miguel pressed his fingers to his temple as he tried to calm himself, “It’s a cannon event. It has to happen to all of us.”
You fumed as you stepped closer to him, “Just because I lost my dad doesn’t mean he has to. If he can save him then give him the chance.”
Miguel couldn’t look at Miles, because every time he did all he could see was his daughter’s friend. Gabi and Miles had become extremely close since Miles and Gabi were both new to the Spider Society. He was a kid, but he still had to go through everything just like the rest of them.
“It will tear a hole in the Multiverse!” Miguel yelled as he stared down at you.
You didn’t falter as you narrowed your eyes at him, “What if it was Gabi? Would you let our daughter die, because some fucked up algorithm told you she had to?”
Miguel stuttered as he tried to push down all of his feelings, “That’s different-“
“It’s not and you know it. Gabi survived and fell into my universe and now she floats between two universes and there’s never been a multiversal destruction,” You argued as you stepped chest to chest with him.
Miguel remained silent, his eyes downcast as he thought about having to let his daughter die. You grabbed his hand and squeezed it, “I wouldn’t let anything happen to her just because some stupid AI said it had to. I know you wouldn’t either Mig.”
Miguel met your eyes finally and you could see the internal battle behind his eyes. You pulled him into a tight hug, “If we can both have our daughter in our lives without any cosmic issues then he should be able to have his dad too. He’s different from any of us. You have to give him a chance.”
The room was tense as they watched the interaction with bated breath. Miguel let out a sigh as he pulled you tightly to him, “I would burn the whole multiverse before I ever let anything happen to her. I would destroy everything for both of you.”
Your cheeks heated up at the thought of you being that important to him, but you pushed it down, “Me too Miguel.”
You thought maybe his acceptance of you was due to your relationship as Gabi’s mom, but the teens had pointed out that it was something different. Gwen, Miles, Hobie, and Pavitr were convinced that he was in love with you.
It didn’t help that Gabi only egged them on because she agreed that Miguel was totally in love with you. She also pointed out that you were in love with him.
You always chalked it up to teenagers' fantasy of true love, but you knew you loved him deep down.
Miguel was a fixture in your life and you wanted to be his partner in every way that you could. You just didn’t believe that he could ever see you as anything else.
Then a portal opened in front of you and you moved back as Miguel moved through. He panted slightly as he quickly fixed his hair, “Sorry, sorry, there was a massive anomaly and those idiots couldn’t handle it.”
Miguel brushed the wrinkles out of his clothes as you tried your best not to stare. Dear god, he was hot. You were screwed. You weren’t sure how long you could keep this up without jumping his bones. God help you.
“Figured you wouldn’t be late for nothing. The game’s just starting,” You said with an understanding smile as you started toward the stands.
Miguel came to your side and quickly pulled the stadium seats you’d been holding from your hands. You looked up at him and smirked, “Always the gentleman, huh?”
Miguel chuckled as you two rounded the corner of the bleachers, “Just cause you can carry them doesn’t mean you should.”
You bumped your shoulder with his, “Man I’m glad I have you.”
Miguel smiled down at you as you led him toward the front of the bleachers, “Anyone or anything I should know about?”
You scoffed at the question, “Yeah, you’re gonna get hit on by some of the moms.”
Miguel looked down at you with an eyebrow raised and a look urging you to continue. You sighed as you said, “There are a few of the girl’s moms who are single and are probably gonna flirt with you the whole game.”
“Oh,” Miguel said, noticing the slightly negative tone of your voice.
Were you annoyed that they were hitting on him because he was Gabi’s dad or were you annoyed because you were interested in him? Miguel placed his hand on your lower back as you two started up the stairs, “Don’t worry Hermosa.”
You blushed at his words and ducked your head to keep your red cheeks from his view. You walked up the metal bleachers and found that one of the only open spots was in front of that group of moms. You tried not to get annoyed with just the sight of them as they caught a glimpse of Miguel. You waved your hand in greeting and smiled at them as Miguel unfolded your chairs and put them on the bench. You and Miguel both sat down and you finally got to look at the field only to find Gabi jumping up and down and waving at you two.
You looked over at Miguel to see the most proud look on his face as he watched his daughter. The game began and Gabi made quick work of gaining possession of the ball.
“Who’s this Y/N?” A sickeningly sweet voice asked from behind you.
You shared a quick look with Miguel before turning around and smiling at the group of women, “This is Gabi’s dad, Miguel.”
Miguel raised his hand in greeting and you swore you could see the women swooning. One of the women, Teri, beamed at him, “Oh! We always thought you were a single mom.”
Despite the fact that they were also single moms everything she said sounded condescending. Miguel noticed your change in mood and scooted his seat closer to yours. Miguel wrapped his arm around your shoulders and shot them his best charming smile, “I travel a lot for work, but I’ve finally moved home so I could be with my girls.”
You flushed at his words and did your best to maintain your composure. The women looked taken aback as another woman, Jen, said, “Oh, how disappointing.”
Miguel fought the idea of calling them out and instead decided to press a kiss to the side of your head, “I’m just glad to finally get to spoil my beautiful daughter and wife.”
You blushed darker than you thought possible. The women all looked annoyed at the two of you as Teri forced a smile, “Congratulations.”
You smiled, albeit pretty satisfactory, and leaned closer to Miguel and said quietly, “You didn’t have to do that.”
Miguel shrugged as he kept his eyes trained on Gabi playing, “Anything for you.”
You smiled at him and leaned against his shoulder, “Thanks.”
The two of you chatted back and forth throughout the game as you kept your focus on Gabi as she continued to score. You talked about everything: embarrassing Spider-Man stories, favorite movies, the best place to eat in Greenwich, etc. Before you knew it the game was down to the final minute and the score was tied.
Your heart pounded against your chest as you and Miguel leaned forward in your seats. Gabi moved aggressively down the field with the ball as the other players chased after her.
“Come on Gabi!” Miguel shouted as the crowd cheered as she got closer to the goal.
Two defenders came up to her, but she swiftly avoided them. Gabi then reared her foot back and sent the ball soaring. You grabbed onto Miguel’s hand as you waited anxiously. Then the ball sailed past the goalie and into the net. You and Miguel jumped to your feet and screamed as Gabi scored the final goal to win the game.
The stands lit up as everyone cheered for the team. You couldn’t stop smiling as Gabi was tackled by all of her teammates in a pile as they won the first game of the season.
Miguel’s arm around your shoulders pulled you into his side and you looked up at him. Then Miguel pressed his lips to your own.
Your whole body tensed as Miguel kissed you. Your mind screamed at you to respond and you did rather quickly as you grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him closer. Miguel’s lips moved against your own as he held you against him. You breathlessly pulled away as you looked up at him at a loss for words. Miguel looked shocked at his own actions and opened his mouth to say something.
“Mom! Dad!”
You both stepped apart as Gabi came sprinting up the stands towards you. Miguel recovered quickly and a bright smile lit up his face as she ran up to him. Gabi sprinted into his arms and Miguel pulled her into a tight hug. The smile on his face was one of the brightest you’d ever seen as he said, “I am so so proud of you mija.”
Gabi beamed up at him before she quickly jumped into your arms. You recovered from your shock as you pulled her into a tight hug. She squeezed you and you pressed a kiss to her forehead, “We are so proud of you.”
Gabi pulled away and grinned at the both of you. You and Miguel awkwardly stood next to each other not quite sure what to do.
“I know we had plans to hang out, but Keely invited me over to her house for a sleepover with a few other girls. Can I go?” Gabi asked, looking at Miguel with puppy eyes.
You looked to Miguel to see him cracking under her stare and you smiled at your daughter, “Yeah, don’t worry kiddo. Have fun and be safe.”
Gabi grinned as she leaned up and pressed a kiss to your cheek and then Miguel’s, “Thanks, Mom! Thanks, Dad!”
“If anything happens-“ Miguel started to say with a worried look.
“Use the watch and you’ll be right there, I know,” Gabi said, smiling at her dad teasingly before she waved and darted towards her friends.
You and Miguel looked at one another, neither quite knowing what to say. You took a calming breath before you grabbed his hand and softly smiled at him, “Come on.”
Miguel swallowed thickly and nodded before he grabbed the stadium chairs with his other hand. You led him out of the bleachers, your heart pounding against your chest. You made it behind the bleachers before you stopped and faced him, never letting go of his hand.
“I’m really sorry about earlier. I never meant-“ Miguel started but you cut him off.
“Never meant to what? Because, personally, I thought that was a great kiss,” You said, trying your best not to let your nerves show through.
Miguel’s eyes softened at your words and he set the chairs down. He took a step forward and gently placed his hand on your waist, “This okay?”
You wordlessly nodded as he moved chest to chest with you. You placed your hand on his chest, his own heart pounding under your hand. Your eyes met and then he pulled you closer and pressed his lips to your own.
You pushed yourself to your tiptoes and wrapped your arm around his neck to deepen the kiss. This blew everything you could have ever imagined out of the water. You both broke apart breathlessly and met each other's gaze. You settled back on your feet, but Miguel kept his arm firmly around your waist.
“Can I take you out for dinner?” He asked, pushing some hair behind your ear.
“Do you even have money for this universe? Is there a currency converter that I missed in HQ?” You asked with a teasing tone.
Miguel shook his head at you, but the elated look never left his eyes, “Come on, I’ve got a place in my world that’s to die for.”
His hand slipped from your waist as he punched a few things into his watch. You leaned against his shoulder, “You sure about this? This isn’t gonna cause an implosion of the multiverse?”
Miguel looked down at you with a fond smile before pressing his lips to your head, “Nothing could pull me from you.”
Your cheeks reddened as you averted your eyes, taking his hand, “Always knew you were a rule breaker.”
Miguel chuckled before he lifted your hand to his lips and pressed his lips to it, “Anything for you.”
Hi! I just wanted to say that I love you “Multiverse Parenting” fic with Miguel 🫶 especially the reader becoming a mom to Gabi and reader and Miguel getting closer to each other :D
this is the first thing I’ve wrote in months I can’t tell you how much this means to me. Thank you for reading and for taking the time to send this ♥️ if people are interested I might make another part :)
Summary: One day when you’re swinging around New York a little girl falls from a portal from the sky. She asks you to help her find her dad, but how are you supposed to do that when he’s the Spider-Man of a different universe?
Word Count: 6k
A/N: This was based off an idea a few weeks ago by @twentysomethingwereyote ! Thank you for the amazing idea!
Original request: “Gabriella gets teleported to Earth-1218 or one similar to it and it’s up to the reader to somehow access the multiverse to get her home.”
Part Two
It had been a fairly normal day until everything flipped on its head in Manhattan. You’d been Spider-Woman for three years now and everyday came with its challenges. Managing bills piling up and dealing with the bizarre villains that popped up.
That’s New York for you.
You’d been swinging around casually on your day off from work. You swung around the corner of the Empire State Building when suddenly you noticed a flash of bright colors in the middle of the sky. Your eyes widened, what the hell?
The sky was literally glitching out. Well, this was new.
Then a sharp scream rang out and all of your senses lit up. A little girl flew through the mess of glitching colors and straight toward the ground.
You dove off the side of the building without hesitation and shot towards her. You quickly grabbed her into your arms and held her tightly to you. You shot a web out quickly to the closest building and swung towards the roof. The girl clung to you tightly and sobbed. Your heart clenched at the sight, “Don’t worry, I’ve got you kid.”
You landed on top of the building and looked back at the sky to find the glitch that the girl had fallen out of was gone now. You set the little girl down as she continued to cry. She looked to be around ten and had brown hair pulled into a ponytail.
You bent down to her level and placed a comforting hand on her back and rubbed it to soothe her, “Hey, what’s your name?”
She sniffed and took a shuddering breath, “Gabriella.”
You realized the mask wasn’t helping you to calm her down since she literally just dropped from a hole in the sky. You took a moment to nervously ponder whether taking it off was worth it.
“Are-Are you like Spider-Man? My dad is Spider-Man in my ho-home,” She said, wiping her tears away.
You felt relief flood you as you resigned to take your mask off. You pulled it from your head and smiled at her, “Yeah, my name is Y/N. They call me Spider-Woman here.”
She nodded and you could tell the similarity between you and her dad helped her relax. You sighed at the realization that you had no clue how to get her home.
“What’s your dad’s name?” You asked her and she shuffled back and forth on her feet.
“Miguel O’Hara,” She said softly.
You’d definitely never heard that name before. You had no clue how to get to another dimension and it was going to take a lot of brain power to get this girl home.
You smiled gently at her and squeezed her shoulder. Her scared eyes looked up at you, “I know this is all scary and confusing. I’m sorry you ended up here, but just know that your dad is doing everything he can to get back to you.”
“My dad calls me ‘todo su mundo’ it means ‘his whole world’. I miss him a lot,” She said and her eyes filled with tears again.
“Gabriella, I’m going to do everything I can to get you back to your dad, okay?” You said, trying to comfort her as much as you could.
You held your hand up with your pinky out and you caught the smallest smile on her face as she nodded and looped her pinky around yours. You stood up and sighed, “I think you should stay with me until I can find a way to get you to your dad. I live with my Aunt May and let me tell you, she makes the best cookies ever.”
Gabriella smiled as she looked up at you, “Really?”
You beamed at her and ruffled her hair, “Oh totally. She’s the best cook in Queens. She’ll make whatever you want I swear.”
You pulled the mask over your head and picked her up on your hip. She wrapped her arms around your neck and tucked her head into it. You held her tightly to you and shot a web before jumping off and heading towards Queens.
You hoped to god Miguel O’Hara was out there looking for his daughter too.
Three years had passed since you’d had any experience of the multiverse. Gabriella was now fourteen and a sophomore in high school. She was an extremely bright girl and excelled in school and sports. She was the star soccer player and you and Aunt May always attended her games to cheer her on, well when you could with Spider-Woman business.
Your search for how to get Gabi back to her universe had never come up with any leads. She had literally just dropped from the sky, like goddamn Chicken Little. There was no Miguel O’Hara in your universe either for you to try to rely on.
You wanted her to get back to her dad as you could tell it still ate her alive not knowing what happened to him. But, she had also become like a daughter to you.
The superhero life didn’t leave much time for relationships. How many people on earth would ever be able to understand how much sacrifice and hardship it took to protect the city each day? But, that girl did.
She understood how much her dad, and now you, had to sacrifice to keep the city safe. She was a great kid and you were happy for her to be in your life.
You were in the midst of having a movie night with her. You lounged next to her on the couch as she leaned against your shoulder.
“So, they just decided to make dinosaurs ‘cause they could? Isn’t that a stupid idea?” She questioned and you laughed.
“That’s kinda the whole point. Humanity is bound to destroy itself if given the chance,” You said with a shrug.
“The dinosaurs are a genetic disaster. It’s wrong to bring them back,” She said with a smirk and you threw a hand over your heart dramatically.
“Woah! From a genetic disaster themselves that is rude,” You teased her as your watch lit up.
You had crafted a watch to track crimes and keep you updated on the going ons of the city. Much better than a walkie talkie. You pulled your arm out from behind her shoulders and checked the notification, “Santa mierda.”
Gabi pointed at you and grinned, “Aunt May would have your head for that mom.”
You stood up from the couch and swore to yourself as you rushed to change into your suit.
“What’s wrong? Mom?” Gabi questioned as you sped back into the room in your full suit.
“Goblins out. He’s supposed to still be stuck in a maximum security cell in the Raft. I’ve gotta go before he tears up Manhattan,” You said as you moved over to her and grabbed her shoulders gently.
You smiled at her and pressed a kiss to her forehead, “I love you mi ángel. I’ll be home when it’s done, but you need to stay here with May. It’s not gonna be safe in the city tonight.”
She nodded and pulled you into a tight hug. You sighed and rubbed her back to comfort her. You pulled away and smiled before pulling on your mask and rushing out the window.
You swung as fast as you could across the city. There’d been no reports of a break out from the Raft, so how the hell had he got free? You swung towards the Brooklyn Bridge as you saw bombs coming from the sight. You swore to yourself as you zipped towards the bridge and Green Goblin came into view.
What the hell? That was not the Green Goblin you knew.
He looked so weird. Almost like a devil or a guy in a strange Halloween costume. Either way that was not the guy locked up in the Raft.
“I don’t know who you are, but I already put one or your asses in the Raft,” You said as you swung towards him and landed a kick to his jaw.
He went flying and crashed into the wall behind him. He looked up and growled at you, “You’re not Peter Parker.”
You scoffed as you began to web him up, “No shit. Now can we hurry this up. I've got a movie night to get back to.”
You continued to fight this Goblin and you had him pinned down until you noticed a flash of bright lights above you. Your eyes widened as you noticed a portal opening up, just like the one that day.
“What the hell?” You said before Goblin shot a bomb at you and you flew backwards.
You smacked your head hard against the concrete and groaned, “It can never be easy.”
You pushed yourself up into a sitting position and watched three people come out of the portal. Your senses lit up and your head felt fuzzy until you realized that these people were Spider people as well. One woman rode in on a motorcycle, another came in with a guitar, and the last one was just an imposing man. They were quick to take down Goblin and contain him as you dusted yourself off and walked over. “So, are you guys Spider-Man too? I’m Y/N L/N.”
Goblin banged against his brightly colored cell as they turned to you. The woman smiled and folded her arms over her chest, “Yeah, I’m Jessica Drew. Spider-Woman too.”
She was very obviously pregnant and so much cooler than you. You grinned under the mask, “God it’s good to have another woman around. Y’Know basically all of my villains are guys. We gotta mix it up around here.”
She laughed at you and your eyes moved to the one with the guitar. He cocked his hip and chuckled, “Hobie Brown. Power to the people.”
You nodded and laughed, “I like it. Very anti-establishment of you.”
He nodded and folded his arms across his chest as your attention turned to the last one. He was a very tall and broad man in a futuristic blue suit. He stayed silent and you raised your brow, “What’s your name? Michael Myers?”
Jessica snorted and Hobie didn’t even bother to hide his laughter. The man grunted and folded his arms across his chest, “Miguel.”
Your heart dropped to your stomach. Miguel was a common enough name, but a Spider-Man named Miguel? You stepped closer to him, your heart pounding in your chest, “Last name?”
He obviously rolled his eyes even if you couldn’t see it with the mask, “What is this? An interrogation?”
You had hope that maybe he could be the dad your daughter had been searching for. You stepped closer and narrowed your eyes, “Last name.”
He stepped chest to chest with you and glared down, “O’Hara.”
You felt your heart stop and you stumbled back a few steps, “Holy fuck.”
You put your hands on your knees and closed your eyes as you tried to take calming breaths. This was your daughter's father. Gabi would have her dad again. You looked back up at him and rushed over and grabbed his arm, “Did you have a daughter?”
He physically recoiled at the question and stepped back, “What?”
No one had ever asked about his little girl. Few even knew that he had a daughter and now some random woman from a different universe was asking about her. Miguel glared down at you as his heart pounded against his chest.
You could practically see his defenses go up at your questioning, but you swallowed your fears and stepped towards him again, “Was your daughter named Gabriella? You called her ‘todo su mundo’.”
Miguel felt physically shaken by your words. His heart dropped to his stomach. There was no way. He’d seen her disappear from his arms. So, how did you know the nickname he had for his daughter?
Miguel rushed towards you and tightly grasped your arms,“How do you know that?”
You smiled under the mask and tears welled in your eyes at the knowledge that you had finally found her father. You grabbed his hands and squeezed them, “Because Gabi fell through a portal just like that three years ago. Your daughter is alive, Miguel.”
Miguel fell to his knees and began to cry. His daughter was alive and safe? He bent his head to the ground and clenched his fists as he tried to calm himself down.
You dropped to your knees next to him and placed a hand on his back and rubbed it, much like you’d always done for Gabi, “I’ve been taking care of her as my own for the last few years. You’d be so proud of the girl she’s grown up to be.”
Miguel sat up as he took deep breaths and he lifted his head to meet your eyes, “Thank you, for taking care of her.”
You smiled at his words. Gabi had been the best to ever happen to you. You sniffled as you did your best to hold your own tears back, “I’m grateful for her everyday.”
Miguel let out a shaky breath before he pushed himself to his feet. You quickly stood up and had to crane your neck to look up at him as he asked, “Can I see her?”
Your heart broke at the sight of him. This was a man who had clearly never stopped looking for his kid and he wanted her back. You looked around at the disaster around you and sighed before you met his eyes again, “I think it’s best to do this tomorrow. I need to talk to her and give her time to process this.”
Miguel looked ready to put up a fight at your words. You quickly grabbed his hands and gave them a reassuring squeeze, “I know you want to see her now, but she needs time and so do you. There’s no need to rush this.”
Miguel bit his lip to hold in his frustration at your words. He wanted everything to go great when he saw his daughter again and as upset as the thought made him- you knew her better now than he did. Miguel nodded and let go of your hands,“I understand.”
You smiled and let out a shaky breath, “I can take her to you tomorrow. Is there a way I can meet you?”
Miguel looked back and held his hand out. Jessica tossed a watch similar to your own and he caught it before offering it to you. You took the watch from him and slipped it onto your free wrist. He took your hand in his and pressed a button, “Hit this and scroll until you see Earth-928, that’s headquarters.”
You shook your head and laughed at his words, “Headquarters? This feels like S.H.I.E.L.D., like a super secret superhero club.”
Miguel shook his head at you, but secretly smiled to himself. If his daughter could have ended up with anyone, a witty Spider-Woman from another universe wasn’t the worst possibility.
“Open the portal and come there at eleven,” He said, quickly showing you how to do it yourself.
“It’s a date,” You said without thinking and your cheeks lit up.
Miguel watched you in amusement as you became clearly very embarrassed at your own words. You folded your arms across your chest defensively and cursed, “No! Not like that. Ah, mierda you know what I meant.”
Miguel laughed at you and felt a pull towards your demeanor. Like all of the other Spider-Men, aside from himself, you had a good sense of humor and for once it didn’t completely annoy him. Miguel softly smiled at you before he surprised even himself by pulling you into a tight hug.
Your cheeks lit up again because from everything you had picked up about him hugs were definitely not in his repertoire. His grumpy demeanor did not scream that he was a hug guy, so you were going to take this as a success. Miguel stepped back, remembering himself as he cleared his throat and looked down at you, “Thank you for taking care of my little girl.”
You smiled at him and nodded, “I love her as my own. I’ll talk to her tonight and get her ready, okay?”
Miguel nodded and you backed away as you checked to make sure Goblin was all taken care of. You smiled at the group and saluted them, “Thanks for taking care of that weirdo! Can’t have more Green Goblins running around.”
You looked at Miguel one last time before you shot a web and swung away. The whole trip home felt like a blur as you fretted about how she would respond. You were glad you had found her dad, but did this mean she’d never come back? Would she visit you still? Would Miguel be okay with you still being her mom? You were the only person she’d ever called mom.
You landed in an alley near your apartment and quickly changed out of the suit before heading home. You took the elevator up in your building and let out a sigh to calm yourself before you unlocked the door.
Gabi was sitting at the kitchen table working on a painting, but her head snapped to the door as she noticed you come in. You let out a sigh as you kicked your shoes off, “You didn’t have to wait up for me.”
She dropped her brush and rushed to your side and tackled you in a hug. You let out a sigh and smiled as you hugged her back, “Hey kiddo.”
She pulled away from you and you brushed her dark hair from her tired eyes, “Why’re you still up? It’s way past your bedtime.”
She rolled her eyes at your teasing, “Can’t I just be worried about my mom?”
You nodded and sighed, suddenly feeling the weight of having to tell her the news. You wrapped your arm around her shoulder and led her to the couch, “We need to talk hun.”
Gabi tensed at your words as you sat on the couch. You wrapped your arms around her shoulders as she asked, “Am I in trouble?”
You shook your head and squeezed her shoulder, “You know, I am grateful everyday that I get to be your mom and that you came into my life. I wouldn’t change anything for the world.”
Gabi leaned into your hold as her cheeks lit up and she smiled. You bit your lip to hold back the wave of emotion threatening to crash over you, “But I can’t imagine how hard it was for your dad to lose his daughter and for you to be away from him.”
Gabi quickly scrubbed at her eyes and nodded. You pulled away from her and put your hand on the side of her face as you tried to smile as comfortingly as possible, “Gabi, I found your dad.”
Her face paled and she grabbed onto you, “Mom- I don’t understand- what?”
You smiled comfortingly and you scooted closer to her, “I met your dad tonight. He came from your universe with a few other Spider-Men.”
She then broke down into tears and clutched onto you like a lifeline. You held her tightly to you as she sobbed. After a few minutes she looked up at you with puffy eyes, “Where is he? Why isn’t he here?”
You pushed her hair out of her eyes and squeezed her shoulder in support, “He wanted to angel, but I think you both needed time to process this. You’re getting your dad back and he’s getting his daughter.”
She nodded in understanding and you sent her a small smile, “Besides he was still in his suit and could probably use a shower before you had to give him tons of hugs. By the way, was he always a grump?”
Gabi laughed and nodded, “Yeah, he was always really grumpy with other people. But, it’s all a lie. He’s a softie.”
You smiled at her words, that made more sense rather than the stoic demeanor he put on. She looked at you hopefully, “When can I see him?”
“We’ll meet him in some Spider-Man HQ tomorrow at eleven. But if that’s too soon I can go and tell him you need time, just say the word,” You said as you tightened your hold around her shoulders.
“It’s not that. It’s just, when I go back to him will I still be able to see you? Of course I want to be with my dad, but you’re my mom too. I don’t wanna leave you,” she said as she tucked herself further into your side.
It was your biggest fear too. She was your kid now and you didn’t want to let her go either. You smiled wistfully and kissed her forehead, “Don’t worry about it tonight. We’ll figure everything out tomorrow, I swear.”
The next morning you and Gabi both nervously stood in the living room as it neared eleven. She fretted over herself as she fixed her hair again for the thousandth time. You smiled as you squeezed her shoulders and then pressed a kiss to the side of her head, “Don’t worry, he still loves you. You’re still todo su mundo, I promise love.”
She nodded and squeezed your hand on her shoulder, “Thanks, I love you mom.”
You took her hand into your own and smiled at her before pulling your mask over your face, “I love you too. Ready to go?”
She nodded and you held up your watch and pressed the button. You then scrolled to Earth-928 and hit the button to open a portal. A burst of colors appeared in front of you and you both looked at each other in awe. You squeezed her hand in yours before you both stepped into the portal.
You gripped your hand in yours as you tumbled through an inter dimensional tube. Then suddenly you both landed in a different universe. Your eyes quickly moved to Gabi and gave her a quick once over to make sure she was alright before turning your attention to the world around you.
Holy shit.
There were flying cars, buildings going into the clouds, and there were only spider people here. This place was filled to the brim with every kind of Spider Person you could possibly think of. Gabi had a look of wonder in her eyes as she looked around at the world in front of her.
“Y/N?”
You turned to see Jessica standing there with a bright smile on her face. Jessica walked up to you and you smiled in relief, “Jessica. It’s good to see at least someone here that I know.”
She nudged your shoulder and laughed, “You can call me Jess. I think we’ll be seeing enough of each other that we’ll be friends.”
You nodded with a smile before her attention turned to Gabi and her eyes softened. She met your eyes again and you could see the sympathy in her eyes for what you were feeling, from one mom to another.
“Come on, I’ll take you to his place. He’s waiting for you two,” She said and then began walking further into HQ.
You both followed behind her as she led you through a maze of hundreds of different Spider People. You could tell Gabi was in awe of the sights around her, but her nerves were eating her alive. You held her hand tightly in your own to keep her grounded as you finally began to move away from the crowds.
You reached what looked like a residential wing of sorts as Jess led you into the elevator and hit the button for the top floor. The ride to the top gave you a great view of this world, but you were nervous for Gabi to meet her dad. She was still a kid when he last saw her and now she was growing into an amazing young woman.
The elevator reached the top and you came face to face with the door to his apartment. Jess stayed in the elevator, but gave you both a comforting smile, “Good luck.”
You nodded in thanks before you both walked up to the door. You squeezed Gabi’s hand and she looked up at you, “I’ve got you. No matter what happens next.”
She nodded and you dropped her hand to let her do this on her own. You pulled your mask from your head and shoved it in your pocket as she raised her hand and knocked on the door. The door swung open and Miguel stood in front of you now with no suit and in casual clothes.
He looked so much like his daughter.
Gabi’s eyes watered as she reached out for him, “Dad? Is it really you?”
Miguel nodded, clearly choked up, “Gabi, my little girl, look at you.”
Gabi burst into tears and jumped into her dads awaiting arms. Miguel pulled her into his arms and held his daughter to him.
This made everything worth it. Gabi finally had her dad back. You’d done it.
They continued to hug for a while until Miguel let out a half laugh and sob as he looked at his daughter, “God, look at you. You’re a beautiful young woman now.”
Gabi smiled at her dad as she wiped away her tears, “And now you’re old and grumpy.”
Miguel laughed at his daughter and clearly this was the happiest he’d been in years. Miguel finally moved his eyes to you and you felt a little out of place being here. Gabi reached towards you and grabbed your hand and pulled you forward, “Dad, this is my mom, Y/N. She’s been there for me ever since I landed in her universe.”
You met Miguel’s eyes and you both seemed to stop.
Wow, he was really good looking.
The intimidating demeanor he had previously only added to your attraction. He had dark tousled hair and a jawline that looked like it was cut by the gods.
Miguel was taken aback by you. Out of all of the thousands of Spider People he’d recruited, none of them held a candle to you. You were beautiful. You were a kind person and a good one. Oh he was in for it.
“Hey Miguel. Nice to see you without the mask and everything,” You said, trying to keep your embarrassment to a minimum.
Miguel nodded and you swore his own cheeks looked a little pink, “Thanks again, for everything.”
Gabi looked between the two of you with a mischievous look written all over her face. You narrowed your eyes at her, oh god what was she up to. Miguel opened the door to his apartment and you followed Gabi in and she looked around in wonder at all the futuristic technology.
His apartment didn’t seem homey. It was huge, but it was lonely. It was missing his daughter.
You looked around as Gabi and Miguel sat down to talk when you noticed a picture of Miguel and a little girl. You walked over to the frame and picked it up. The picture was of Gabi as a little girl shoving an ice cream cone into Miguel’s face as he smiled lovingly at your daughter.
“Do you have any pictures of her as a baby?” You blurted out without thinking.
You turned to face them and Miguel had an eyebrow raised at you. You flushed, slightly embarrassed for just speaking without thinking as Miguel sat next to Gabi with his arm around her shoulders.
“I’ve always wondered what she looked like as a baby. Y’know since I’ve never seen her that young,” You said and Gabi rolled her eyes.
“Mom, you’re just gonna use those to embarrass me,” Gabi teased you with a smile.
You set the frame down and went over to her and pressed a kiss to her, “I’m pretty sure that’s in the job description.”
“Yeah, I’ve got them back here,” Miguel said as he stood and began walking down the hallway.
You quickly followed after him then he suddenly stopped in front of a closet. You stumbled into him and he grabbed your arm to stabilize you. You met his eyes and bit your lip and shyly stepped away, “Sorry.”
Miguel opened the closet and reached into the back and pulled out two large scrapbooks. He placed the old large scrapbooks in your hands and you smiled up at him, “Can’t say I would’ve chalked you up as the scrapbooker type. I’m very impressed.”
Miguel shut the door and leaned against it, “Well, I’m a single dad what can I say. There’s plenty you don’t know about me.”
“Well at least one of her parents has to be good at it. I can hardly do anything creative that isn’t tech related. Worst soccer mom ever,” You said as you pulled the books to your chest.
Miguel smiled at you.
What? It was a smile just for you, but kind of in a teasing way? He was way too hot to be doing things like this. You were starting to get mixed signals from him. First he was stoic and grumpy and now he was charming and making scrapbooks.
He was also your daughter's father. That made everything far more complicated.
“Thanks Miguel,” You said before you headed back to the living room and sat down next to Gabi.
She leaned into your shoulder and whispered, “He’s totally into you.”
Your eyes widened and you checked to make sure Miguel was still in the hallway. You pressed a finger to her mouth and shook your head, “Nope. Nada. Zip. Don’t even start on this.”
Miguel sat down on her other side and the two began talking as you tried to keep your heated cheeks from view. You opened the book in front of you and began to look through it. There were so many photos of her as a baby and you couldn’t help but to feel devastated at the possible loss of your daughter.
Why would Miguel let her stay with you? How was she supposed to manage traveling through different universes and maintain a normal teenage life?
You flipped through the pages, holding your bottom lip firmly between your teeth in fear of losing the best thing you’d ever had. You wanted her to have a relationship with her dad, but that didn’t mean you wanted her gone forever.
You gently set the books on the table after flipping past a picture of Gabi as a little girl with a replica of her dad’s mask pulled over her head. You stood from your spot on the couch and mustered up your best smile, but not meeting either of their eyes, “Sorry, I just need some air.”
“Mom? You okay?” Gabi asked with a worried voice.
You knew if you met her eyes you’d lose all of your self control and burst into tears. You nodded and headed towards the balcony door, “Yeah, I just need a minute.”
You opened the door, shot a web, and pulled yourself to the roof. You let out a shaky breath as you plopped onto the roof and looked out at the city. Pulling your knees to your chest, you rested your chin on your knees and looked out at Nueva York. This universe was beautiful.
The city always calmed you, but now it was a reminder of everything you could lose.
Some time had passed when you heard a thwip similar to your own and there was a thud on the roof behind you. You closed your eyes in anticipation of the bad news Miguel was about to bring you. He quietly sat next to you at the edge of the roof and hung his feet over the ledge.
“She’s worried about you,” Miguel said, looking over at your tense form.
You bit your lip and shook your head, “I’m okay.”
“Tell me about her,” He asked, looking out at the sun setting over the city.
You tried to keep your sniffles at bay as you spoke, “She’s incredibly smart and way too intuitive for her own good.”
Miguel chuckled at your words and you moved your eyes to him as he said, “She always got into trouble when she was little because she was like that.”
You smiled softly at his words and let your knees hang over the edge, “She gets in trouble in some of her classes because she outsmarts her teachers. Can’t be mad at that.”
Miguel watched as you began to open up and relax as you talked about Gabi. You were too good for anything he deserved, but maybe you were meant to be here with him. Maybe Gabi was meant to bring you together.
Maybe the rules of the multiverse were a little more lenient than he thought.
“She’s a super talented soccer player. She still young, but some college scouts have been watching her play and showed interest. She’s just a great kid. You raised an amazing daughter,” You said, looking at him with a smile.
He bumped your shoulder with his own as his lips slightly curled up, “You did too y’know.”
Your eyes slightly widened at his words and your voice caught in your throat, “I-I’m glad you can be together again. I really am.”
“But?” He asked, his dark eyes seeing through your walls.
Tears welled up, but you blinked quickly to get them to go away, “But I don’t want to lose her either. She’s my daughter now too.”
He stayed quiet as you began to ramble, “I know being outside of your universe can mess things up, but she’s been fine. She never glitched or had any issues in my universe. Don’t you think that’s a sign-“
“That she could be a part of both of our universes,” Miguel finished for you and you nodded.
Miguel swallowed down his own nerves and placed his hand on yours and gently squeezed it, “I just want her to be happy. I don’t think taking her away from her mom would do that.”
Your heart leapt at his words as you gripped his hand, “Seriously? You’d be okay with splitting time with me?”
Miguel chuckled and smiled at you, “I don’t think splitting is the right word. I’m thinking more along the lines of figuring this out together.”
Your cheeks lit up and you smiled at him, “I’d like that. We can finally be the PTA parents she alway deserved.”
You and Miguel shared a moment where you just looked at one another and things began to change. You were going to figure out this parenting thing together.
“Are you guys done being sappy up there! I’m getting bored down here,” Gabi shouted from Miguel’s apartment.
The two of you shared a look and laughed at your daughter. Miguel shook his head as he called out, “You’re in the clear.”
You heard metal clinging as Gabi climbed to the top of the fire escape and hopped onto the roof. She smiled at you and Miguel sitting next to each other as she walked over and plopped herself between you two. She grabbed both of your hands into her own and looked at you both, “We’re a team, right? The whole solo superhero thing is such a bad idea. We work better together.”
You both shared a look before laughing at her. You brushed some hair behind her ear, “We’re a team. But that still doesn’t mean you get to be the guy in the chair for either of us.”
Gabi rolled her eyes and looked to her dad, “You gonna defend me here?”
Miguel smiled at his daughter, “Listen to your mom mija.”
“And that's the thing about illicit affairs, and clandestine meetings and stolen stares. They show their truth one single time, but they lie, and they lie, and they lie a million little times” -Illicit Affairs by Taylor Swift
Pairing: Jean Kirstein x Titan shifter! Reader
description: Atop the wall Jeans s/o must decide to follow through with the warriors mission or give up her life to save her new family.
warnings: none
word count:2,675 words
“You good?” Jean asked, concern lacing his voice.
You nodded as Jean reached out to press a kiss on your forehead, and you exhaled deeply. The reveal of Ymir as the jaw titan had shaken you to your core. She had been the one to kill Marcel when you were children. The tension was killing you, and the idea of more titan shifters was becoming the Scouts forefront problem which put you and the boys in imminent danger.
“Yeah, just scared for what's to come.” You said and Jean pulled you into a comforting embrace.
“I know, with all these damn titan shifters popping up god only knows who else is under our nose. I’ll kill them for what they’ve done to us when we find them.” Jean said, his jaw tightening with anger and you could only gulp.
His anger was palpable and you couldn’t even blame him. You were angry with yourself, the government who’d sent you here with promises of a island of devils when all you found was family. You had never had a choice in any of this. You only wished you had punched Reiner in the face years ago when he convinced you all to stay and finish your mission.
You looked up at him and caressed his cheek, him slightly leaning into your touch, “I love you more than anything, you know that right?”
Jean chuckled and pulled you in for a quick kiss, “You’ve got me through thick and thin babe.”
You smiled, an unsettling feeling in your stomach when you noticed Reiner and Bertholdt talking seriously with Eren. You looked back up at Jean and flashed a reassuring smile, “I’ll be back in a few babe, ‘m just gonna make sure everything’s okay.”
Jean scoffed and ruffled your hair, “Yeah, go make sure that suicidal maniac isn’t stirring shit up.”
You smiled and turned and walked over to the three. You felt extremely unsettled as you noticed how terrified Bertholdt looked as you overheard Reiner say, “Eren, if you want the walls to remain standing, it's simple. Just come with us. Do you understand?”
“Understand? What the hell is there to understand?” Eren spat at Reiner, his eyes narrowed dangerously at him.
You stepped up to the three and met Bertholdts frightened gaze. Reiner kept his eyes on Eren, his frame towering over you, “Listen to me. I need you to do exactly as I say. Look, I know this is sudden, but we have to go.”
“Right now? Where would you take me?” Eren sputtered, looking to you for help but you were just as lost as he was.
“I can't tell you. Not yet. Just think of it as our hometown. Okay? So what's it gonna be? Not a bad deal, right? The chance to avert a major crisis?” Reiner stressed to him as you began to panic, why was he doing this now?
“You guys! Get a move on, we're heading out!” Hange shouted, catching all of you off guard.
Eren laughed nervously and clapped Reiners shoulder, “You're just tired. That's it, right? Help me out here, guys. Your nerves are shot. You don't know what you're saying.”
“Uh. Yeah. It's the battle fatigue talking!” Bertholdt said his own nerves beginning to close in on him.
“It's okay. You're okay. If you really were the Armored Titan, what's the endgame here? We wouldn't be having this conversation in the first place. What'd you expect me to do? Say yes? Let myself be kidnaped just 'cause you asked politely?” Eren said, nearly growling out the end as Reiner seemed to almost have cold water thrown over him.
Reiner began to shake as his eyes widened, “Right. Not thinking straight, am I? Barely know what I'm saying here. Must've gone off the deep end. C'mon, let's go.”
Eren turned to head back to the group when Reiner said, “Actually that’s the problem.”
All of you whipped around to face Reiner, and you were caught in fear, “I've been here too long for my own good. Three years of this madness, surrounded by idiots. We were kids. What'd we know about anything? Why did there have to be people like this?”
“Why? Why did I let myself devolve into such a half-assed piece of shit? It's too late now. Damned if I know what's right anymore! Who cares? It is what it is. No choice but to face what I've done.” Reiner took off his sling and you couldn’t believe what you were seeing, this was it.
This was what you had dreaded for the last three years, the world you had built was going to come crashing down.
You looked at Reiner and Bertholdt and then back to Jean. This was a life-changing decision. Betray your homeland and three of the only friends you had before Paradis or choose the new family you’d created. Reiners grip on your arm was tight enough to almost break your arm as he exposed you all to Eren, but a broken arm was the least of your concerns. Eren met your eyes as you fearfully looked at him, this is never what you had wanted, “Y/N, tell me he’s lying. You wouldn’t betray us.”
You looked back at Reiner and met his sturdy gaze, he was desperately trying to steel your nerves. You took a shaky breath, not daring to look at Eren, “Reiner I-I can’t. I can’t do this to them.”
“We don’t have a choice. We never did.” Bertholdt said sternly placing his hands on your shoulders trying to convince you and himself that this was the right choice.
“Hey, Reiner! What do you think you’re doing holding my girlfriend like that? If you’ve got a problem take it up with me.”
Your head snapped around to look at Jean who was glaring at Reiner and beginning to walk your way as you felt nothing but heartbreak looking at him.
“As a warrior. No road left but the one that leads to the end!” Reiner screamed as he held his wounded arm up and began to heal it as steam billowed from him, fully revealing yourselves.
“Right now? Reiner- I can’t!” You screamed as you heard the scouts heading your way.
He squeezed your arm one last time and gave you a stern look before finally letting you go, “Yes. Right here, right now! Forget about them! We settle this once and for all!”
Reiner moved toward Eren when you heard a whirr of ODM gear, “Eren! Get out of here!”
You dodged out of the way and tackled Eren to the ground as Mikasa cut Reiner and slashed Bertholdts throat. You pinned Eren as you yelled, “Stop it Eren!”
Reiner groaned as he pushed himself off the ground and shoved Mikasa off the wall, “Bertholdt! Y/N!”
“Eren! Run away!” Armin screamed as Reiner and Bertholdt began to transform, lightning coming from their bodies.
You looked up only to meet Jean's heartbroken and confused eyes as he and all of your friends sprinted toward you. Tears filled your eyes as you mouthed at him, “I love you.”
You cut your hand on your blade as you began to transform yourself, caging your arms around Eren. You jumped from the wall as you fully transformed, holding Eren tightly in your large titan hand. Eren thrashed and cried as you made it to the ground and looked up to see Bertholdt was holding the scouts off. Reiner was sliding down the wall, as you looked between Eren and up at your friends.
You had a mission to finish and that meant kidnapping Eren and taking him back to Marley. You would be praised a hero and finally make your family proud.
Your family had the expectation that one child of each generation would become a warrior candidate. You had only wanted your parents love and you refused to fail, you swore to be the best warrior you could be. That all changed after Marcel died and you were forced to live among the devils you had hated your whole life.
Meeting the 104th had changed your view on everything. They had been the most welcoming people you’d ever met in your entire life. They provided a safe haven and an escape from the torment of the life you’d left in Marley.
Jean, Sasha, Marco, and Connie had been your first friends and remained that way even after Marco was killed. You hadn’t known till much later that Reiner, Annie, and Bertholdt had been responsible for Marcos death. You had been with Sasha during the battle of Trost at the time. His death was devastating and caused a rift between you and the others. As much as you considered them family, they had hurt someone you’d loved and you weren’t sure if you could follow through with the plan any further.
You and Jean started dating not too long after and things just spiraled from there. You hadn’t meant to fall in love with the enemy, but with Jeans persistence it was inevitable. He was an ass but his charm and kindness towards you had you hooked around his finger. You had been warned by Annie not to get close with the enemy before she’d been uncovered as the female titan. Reiner encouraged it, too deep into his role to tell the difference between who he was now and who used to be.
Once Reiner hit the ground with a large thud you looked to Eren only to find him thrashing around in your hand. You couldn’t give Eren to him, you would be a traitor to Paradis, Liberio, and Marley-fuck it. You squeezed Eren slightly and he looked up at you fearfully. You carefully set him on a tree next to you as you said, “Eren, run away.”
Eren looked at you in complete shock as he looked between you and Reiner and realized your intentions. You faced Reiner and shot him the most apologetic look you could in your titan form.
“I’m sorry friend.” You said as you squared yourself to fight Reiner.
Reiner sighed, completely understanding why this had happened. He was having a difficult time betraying his friends, but he couldn’t disappoint his mother and lose her. He knew Y/N’s true family was on Paradis and the family that had forced you to be a warrior was never going to compare. He nodded his head toward you, trying to show you that he wasn’t angry with you.
He charged towards you and the fight began as you tried to protect Eren for as long as you could. The two fought with great intensity but the 104th could tell that they were pulling their punches.
Jeans hands were sweating profusely as he hung off the side of the wall. He was perched next to Connie and Sasha as he watched you fight Reiner. He felt betrayed and angry, he had put his trust in you and you’d crushed him. Then why were you fighting Reiner? You were supposed to be on the same side and you had put down Eren to fight and protect him it seemed.
“What do we do about her?” Sasha said pulling Jean from his thoughts.
“What? What do you mean?” Jean said looking away from the fight to look at Sasha and Connie.
“She's protecting Eren! We can’t kill her!” Sasha cried out as Jean clenched his jaw.
“She betrayed us!” Jean yelled out, almost trying to convince himself to hate her.
“She probably had to! You think it was all a lie?” Sasha yelled out, clearly trying to reason why her best friend would have done this.
Jean wasnt sure, could she still be a traitor and still have loved him? Was it real?
The fight continued and Jean could tell that you weren’t fully going at Reiner, he knew you could throw a mean punch and you weren’t right now. He heard a snap of ODM gear as Eren swooped onto the wall between Jean and Armin and Mikasa.
“Eren!” Mikasa yelled out in relief.
Eren nodded towards her as Hange shouted at him, “What the hell happened!”
Eren sighed, he wasn’t completely sure himself, “She let me go! She told me to run!”
The scouts were all stunned at the confirmation at what they’d been thinking.
“Why would she do that? She was clearly working with them.” Mikasa said, anger evident in her voice as she had helped betray them.
“She always talked about hating her family! Maybe people made her do this! Maybe that’s why she’s defending Eren- 'cause she doesn’t want to hurt us!” Christa said from higher up the wall, trying to have them see reason.
Then a loud roar cried out and they all focused back on the pair as your titan form stumbled in front of them as Reiner barreled towards the scouts. You growled as you caught Reiners large fist, which surely would have killed all of them. You looked back toward the scouts and said, “Get off the wall!”
They were stunned as they had never heard a titan speak before and then they heard a loud crash from above. Jean looked up to see the half body of the colossal crashing towards the ground. You kicked Reiner causing him to stumble and quickly held your body over the scouts so they could move. They all swung their gear to a further part of the wall away as the colossals jaw crashed straight onto your nape.
“Y/N!” Armin, Christa, and even Eren yelled out as you crashed to the ground and the colossal bit your nape to expose your human body.
Eren screamed as he jumped off the wall and transformed into his titan and began to fight Reiner. The colossal crashed next to your titan form and Jean knew it would take a little bit for Bertholdt to come out of his own titan and get you, which he knew he inevitably would. What would happen to you if Reiner and Bertholdt took you? Would you be killed?
Jean didn’t know and didn’t care to find out as he yelled out and jumped off the wall, firing his ODM gear into your steaming titan form. He stumbled as he landed on it and quickly rushed over to you to find you were missing an arm from Bertholdts bite. Your eyes were closed and Jean could tell you’d been injured from your fight with Reiner.
He took his blade and slashed the remaining muscles connecting you to your titan form, “I’m gonna get you outta here babe, believe me.”
He quickly pulled you into his arms and shot back towards the wall. He tightened his grip around your waist as you hardly held onto him. His comrades looked at him in shock as he growled out, “God knows what they would have done with her, at least we’ll have another titan.”
“Jean…” Connie said quietly as Jean tuned out Eren and Reiners's fight to look down at his girlfriend.
“I couldn’t let them have her. At least she’ll be with us.” Jean said as he held you tightly in his arms so you wouldn’t fall.
Armin, Connie, Sasha, and Christa all moved closer to him as Armin said, “They might try to grab her from you, just worry about holding her and we’ll do our best to defend you.”
“I-I’m sorry. I never had a choice.”
They all looked to you who had your eyes squeezed shut as tears rolled down your cheeks. Jean clenched his jaw, he knew when you were honest, and this was one of those moments. Jean pulled you closer as he switched you carefully to hold your bridal style so you could rest against him. He leaned his head against yours and quietly said, “I want to believe you. Make me believe you.”
You shook with sobs as the fight raged on in front of them and Jean held you securely to him.
When is the story supposed to start picking up because it's kinda boring right now
I’m sorry you feel that way. The next chapter is setting up the whole lead and that climax will be dealt with in the next two chapters. But if you don’t like the story you don’t have to read it nonnie. The layout of this story is how I’ve had it planned for the last few months. I’m trying to build up my character so that she is more believable and fits into the world. I’m sorry if I’m boring you with it
what the fuck lmao people actually have the audacity to write shit like this????
let me say this, Emilia and any fic writer on this hell site have decided to supply free entertainment to anyone willing to read. nobody is putting a gun to your head telling you to read it, no one is making you do a goddamn thing - you’re reading these stories, you’re reading Welcome To My World because you want to. And Em is nice enough to continue writing this beautiful story for all of us to read and enjoy and fall in love with. and you’re coming at her telling her it’s boring?????? I’m actually flabbergasted. that’s disgusting behaviour and you should be ashamed of yourself.
I want to reiterate this again, It is free entertainment. we are doing this because we want to share it with you. em is writing this beautiful piece of art because she wants to share it with you. so please, if you have nothing nice to say - don’t say it. and don’t read it if you’re going to be that much of a fucking asshole.
this is exactly the type of shit that makes people stop writing. don’t. be. this. person. E V E R.
god damn if there’s one thing people have on this fucking website it’s The Audacity
idk how long ago you posted “you’re what?” but it was so good! the crossover between spn and f&f is amazing. did you have a sequel or series in mind ?
thank you so much :) this is so kind of you! I wrote it I think 2 years ago(?) but no I sadly don’t have any series in mind but I’m glad you enjoyed it 💖💖
Hi! Your Loverboy imagine was the cutest thing I have ever read. Please tell me there will be a sequel or series on it. Love your blog btw. :)
Aw thank you so much for reading! I definitely would be up to doing more bc god knows I’m a sucker for the lovers reuniting trope haha but if anyone has any ideas for a sequel I’d definitely be down to write one :)
loverboy is so cute!! and i love the breakfast club reference! its one of my favorite 80s films and was so disappointed that there wasn't a reference to it in s3, especially since it came out a few months earlier in '85? anyway, so cuteee! ahh, so much talent haha! :)
awh! thank you so so much! I absolutely love the Breakfast Club and I was sad they didn’t make a reference to it but I loved the time they spent on Back To The Future! Thank you so much for the support 💖💖
a/N: this is the longest and pure fluff thing I have ever written so PLEASE request moreeee
masterlist
Y/N smiled at her younger sister, who sat with her feet propped up on the dash of their fathers Mazda RX-7, “So… are you excited?”
Suzie looked up at her big sister and rolled her eyes, “Obviously. I haven't seen Dusty since camp a month ago, I miss him with my whole heart.”
Y/N smiled at her sister, who was clearly lovesick as she thought about her boyfriend,“Ooo are you in love?”
Suzie’s cheeks flared red as she reached over and smacked her sisters shoulder, “Shut up!”
Y/N laughed as they pulled into the small town of Hawkins, Indiana. It was pure luck that Y/N was enrolled in Purdue for the fall semester. She was able to convince their parents she had to register for classes and wanted to see the campus before she moved in and it would be sisterly bonding. Apparently, Suzie had helped her boyfriend save his friends and the world by knowing some mathematical equation known as Planck's Constant, whatever that was. As thanks, he invited her to hang out with him and his friends for two weeks, or forever as her sister claimed he had said.
Her sister brought back her attention as she cleared her throat and looked up at her sister with a smug smirk. Y/N looked at her sister questioningly, quirking her eyebrow, “Oh god, what?”
“Dustin said he has a friend named Steve, who’s your age.” Suzie said, looking at her sister with a teasing look.
Y/N rolled her eyes, pretending to not understand her, “And your point is?”
Suzie scoffed as she dug through her bag and pulled out a brush so she could get ready to see Dustin again as the two got closer to their destination,
“My point is that you should try to get to know him and maybe you two could date. Dustin said he is basically the cool older brother for all of his friends and he seems nice from what Dusty says. Besides its not like you’d have anything to lose, we’re here for two weeks and if it doesn't work out then you can leave and forget about him.”
Y/n hummed in thought as she briefly looked at her younger sister, “Yeah? And what if I do end up hitting it off with this ‘Steve’?”
Suzie smirked as she put the brush away and went to clean her glasses, “Then you can make out with him all of the time and I can come see Dustin more.”
Y/N laughed as she reached over and messed up Suzie’s hair and the two sisters laughed as they playfully fought one another. Y/N continued through town till they got to the neighborhood and she quickly switched out the cassette and put another one in and she rolled down the windows. Suzie looked at her sister questioningly as she folded the map in her lap, “What’re you doing?”
Y/N smirked as she turned up the volume as they came down the street and she saw a group waiting in a driveway with a sign, “Just showing your boyfriend how cool you are.”
Suzie’s cheeks heated up as the bass rocked their car as Whitney Houston's ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ came on, “Y/N!”
Her older sister only turned the music up louder as she danced in her seat, “Clock strikes upon the hour and the sun begins to fade- sorry I can't hear you Suzie!”
Suzie was a blushing mess as her stomach was filled with butterflies at the idea of seeing Dustin and meeting all of his friends, but she knew her sister just wanted her to have fun. Suzie smiled at her sister as she sang along, “I've done alright up to now, it's the light of day that shows me how!”
Y/N beamed at her younger sister as they approached the house, “Sing it Suzie!”
Both girls looked at one another and sang, “And when the night falls, loneliness calls!”
Steve watched as Dustin nervously bounced on his heels as he held a sign in his hand that said ‘Welcome Suzie!’ written messily. All of the kids stood behind Dustin, all teasing him for his nerves but nonetheless they were all excited to meet the famed Suzie. Steve rolled his eyes as Lucas and Max sang, “Reach the stars, fly a fantasy! Dream a dream and what you see will be!”
Steve smacked the back of Lucas’ head and Lucas stopped and flipped him off as Steve walked up behind Dustin and placed his hands on his shoulders comfortingly, “Calm down kid. You’re starting to stress me out.”
Dustin looked back at Steve with an incredulous look, “Are you crazy? I haven’t seen her in a month and she’s probably going to hate me! Oh god, and her older sister is probably going to hate me for being such a nerd.”
Steve shook his shoulders and turned him so they faced one another, “Cool it! She’s going to love you man. Don't worry about her sister, if she's awful and evil I’ll turn on the charm so you kids can have a good time.”
Dustin let out a sigh and shot Steve a smile before they all turned as blaring music sounded from down the street. Steve let go of Dustin as Dustin moved to the end of the driveway and said, “Shit, shit, shit, shit! She’s here!”
The kids all smiled as Dustin once again panicked and Steve shook his head as he overheard Lucas say, “Y’know, she's almost here and I still feel like she’s fake.”
Steve furrowed his eyebrows as the blaring music turned out to be Whitney Houston's ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ as they drove closer to the Henderson’s house. The nice car quickly traveled down the street to the end of the kuldesak where Dustin's house was located and he noticed the two girls in the car both singing at the top of their lungs and he couldn’t help but smile.
Y/N smiled at her younger sister as they approached the house and they both sang, “Oh, I wanna dance with somebody! I wanna feel the heat with somebody! Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody. With somebody who loves me!”
They pulled in front of the house to see a group of kids and a guy her age standing there with a boy, who must’ve been Dustin, holding a sign saying ‘Welcome Suzie!’. Y/N turned the music down , quickly parking across the street and shutting off the car. She looked at her younger sister to see her looking extremely nervous. Y/N grabbed her sisters hand and squeezed it and Suzie looked up at her as she comfortingly smiled, “Hey, he’s going to love you.”
Suzie nodded, smiling and reaching over the console to hug her sister before she pulled away and got out of the car. Y/N opened her own door and swiftly got out and shut her door as Suzie came around next to her. She saw they boy holding the sign turn around and say something to his friends as they began to walk towards the house before he turned around and his face lit up and he dropped the sign, “Suzie!”
Suzie’s face lit up and she rushed towards him, “Dustin!”
Dustin ran towards her and pulled her into a tight hug as the teenagers giggled.
Steve’s eyes widened as they landed on the young girls older sister- holy shit. She was nothing like the dorky girl with braces and chunky glasses he had thought she’d be. She was gorgeous. She wasn't over the top, her style was classic, but god was she hot.
The two teens pulled apart and began talking about how much they missed each other and Y/N couldn’t help but smile at how cute they were. Dustin was quick to grab her sisters hand and pull her back towards his friends and hurriedly introduce her to them. Y/N followed behind them as she watched her sister nervously giggle as she was introduced to his friends. Y/N came up behind the pair as Dustin excitedly pointed at each of his friends. He pointed to the one in front of him with dark hair and a friendly smile, “This is Will.”
He pointed to the red headed girl and dark haired boy standing next to one another, who looked far cooler than her, “Max and Lucas.”
He then pointed to the skinny tall boy who had an arm wrapped around the girl with curious eyes and an excited look on her face, “Mike and El.”
Then he finally looked towards the oldest guy standing off to the side of them and his smile grew wider, “This is Steve, he’s basically our glorified babysitter.”
Her eyes moved to settle on the guy her age and she felt her cheeks heat up instantly, oh my god. His dark hair was perfect and god was he attractive. Y/N couldn’t contain her laughter at the annoyed look on the handsome guys face as he said, “I am not your babysitter.”
All of the kids shook their heads and rolled their eyes in disagreement. All eyes turned to her as Suzie turned and looked at her older sister with a bright smile and she let go of Dustin and pulled her sister forward, “This is my older sister Y/N.”
Y/N smiled at all of the teens and waved her hand, “It’s nice to meet you all.”
She then turned her attention to Dustin and held out her hand for him to shake as she grinned at him, “You must be Dustin. Suzie never shuts up about you. I'm excited to get to know you since I’ve only ever heard you singing ‘Never Ending Story’ at midnight when I was trying to watch a movie.”
Dustin and Suzie both blushed as all the kids laughed, clearly knowing what she was talking about, but Dustin shook her hand nonetheless. Dustin then guided Suzie into the house excitedly telling her all about the fun things the gang had planned as the kids all followed him inside. Y/N’s eyes met the handsome guys and he offered her a charming smile as he held out his hand, “Sorry for his lame introduction, I’m Steve. Steve Harrington.
She shook his hand and smirked, “I personally found it endearing, I mean how many high school graduates babysit a group of teenagers?”
Steve blushed and laughed as he ran a hand through his thick hair as she said, “I’m Y/N L/N, by the way.”
“No offense, but I’m honestly still kinda shocked your sister is real.” Steve said and Y/N nodded with a laugh.
“I know, I swore she was lying about having a boyfriend until I heard the two of them singing that damn song. It officially ruined my movie night because my sister was freaking out about how she saved the world by knowing a mathematical equation.”
Steve laughed as he had grown to hate the song as well. He cleared his throat as he pointed with his thumb towards where the kids had gone, “Do you want to join them inside?”
Y/N smirked as she noticed the look on Steve's face like he wanted her to not follow the kids, “Why? Do you have another idea of something to do?”
Steve shrugged, running his hand through his hair, “Maybe a trip to the diner in town would be more interesting then Dustin showing off his robot collection, my treat.”
She smirked, tucking her hair behind her ear as she locked eyes with Steve,” Lead the way Harrington.”
Steve brightly smiled as he pulled his keys from his pocket and quickly unlocked his car as he ran to open her door for her.
Dustin and Suzie watched from the living room window as they noticed the bright looks on each of their faces as Steve held the door open for her and closed it before he hurried to the drivers side. Then the kids looked at one another with sly looks, they were going to match make the shit out of those two.
-
Y/N laughed as she drove all of the kids to the video store and they quickly piled out. She rolled her eyes as she climbed out and shut her door as she could already hear the kids bickering. She walked into the store and quickly noticed that all of the kids said ‘hi Steve’. She smiled as she saw Steve distracted as he was crouched behind the counter but waved his hand to acknowledge the kids greetings. She walked up to the counter and a girl her age moved to her side and smirked at her, “How can I help you?”
Y/N noticed Steve was still digging around for something and she smiled at the girl, “I was looking for someone. He’s about your height, hair the size of mount Olympus, pretty cute, has terrible taste in music-“
Before she could finish Steve rushed to stand up and in the process he banged his hand against the wood under the counter. Y/N smacked a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter as Steve groaned in pain but his coworker blatantly laughed at his misfortune. Steve glared at Robin as he carefully moved from under the counter to look up at Y/N, his cheeks flushed red, “Hey Y/N, what-what’re you doing here?”
Y/N shot him a teasing look as she pointed at the kids scattered around the store, “Playing babysitter since you abandoned the kids to have an actual job.”
Steve rolled his eyes at her words and he said dryly, “Ha Ha you’re so funny.”
Y/N tossed her hair over her shoulder dramatically, “Suzie and Dustin both find me hilarious I’ll have you know.”
Before either of them could say another word, the young woman butted in, “Wait, Suzie? As in Never Ending Story Suzie?”
Y/N looked at Steve questioningly as she laughed, “God, how many people witnessed that? Suzie is my younger sister.”
The girls eyes widened as she looked at Steve, “Oh, so you’re the girl of his dreams Steve has been talking about.”
Steve slapped his hand over her mouth as his and Y/N’s cheeks both burned red. Y/N laughed as she saw Steve nervously fixing his hair pretending to be cool and she smiled at the girl, “I’m gonna go make sure they find a movie for tonight without killing one another. Are you coming tonight Steve?”
Steve hesitantly met her gaze as he nodded, leaning against the counter, “Me? Oh yeah, totally, I’ll be there.”
Y/N bit her lip to contain her laughter at his awkwardness, “Cool. It was nice to meet you-?”
The badass girl smirked as she reached out her hand for Y/N to shake, “Robin.”
Y/N shook her hand with a smile, “I’ll see you tonight Steve.”
She waved her hand with a smile before she walked towards where Suzie and Max were arguing with Dustin and Lucas about what movie they should watch. Robin grinned as Steve watched her walk away like a lovesick puppy. She laughed as she snapped in front of his face, “Hey, earth to loverboy.”
Steve snapped out of his trance and he looked up at Robin as she pulled out the whiteboard, uncapped the marker, and put a tally under ‘YOU RULE’. Steve's eyes widened as he faced her and said, “Wait- a point? Why am I getting a point?”
Robin looked at him incredulously before she smacked his arm, “Did the Russians knock all of your brain cells out of your head? You both clearly have a thing for one another.”
Steve looked over at Y/N who was now standing between the kids with an amused look as they bickered back and forth. He then looked back at Robin and said, “She does not have a thing for me. I’m me and shes-shes her. I don't have a chance with her.”
Robin smacked Steve again and he let out an ‘ow!’, “You’re so incomprehensibly stupid. She’s only gonna be here for another week. So if you don't make a move on her tonight, I will.”
Steve's eyes widened as he looked back at the girl he really liked and then to Robin who was giving him a humored look, shit.
-
Y/N groaned and threw her arms over her head as she sunk into the love seat as Dustin said, “We are not watching that movie!”
She heard her sister groan as she said, “Come on Dusty! All of us have seen that movie hundreds of times.”
“Suzie, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is one of the greatest movies of our generation.” Dustin argued, throwing his hands in the air.
“Are you guys stupid? The Karate Kid is clearly better.” Lucas said and Y/N groaned as that caused El and Max to argue with him that his choice was stupid.
At this rate Y/N was going to pick the movie herself or she was going to drive off a cliff. There was a knock at the door but Y/N didn’t get up to let them in as the kids fighting didn’t cease. She heard the door open but didn’t move until she heard someone kneel next to her and a familiar laugh, “Hey Sleeping Beauty.”
She opened her eyes and moved her eyes as she looked over to see Steve. Steve was smiling down at her as she let out a sigh, “Oh thank god. These kids are going to be the death of me.”
Steve grinned at her as the kids arguing didn’t cease, “Well, I certainly would hate for that to happen.”
Y/N shook her head as she moved to sit up on the couch, “Just pick a movie and get them to shut up.”
Steve grinned as he stood up from her side, “Got it princess.”
“Hey Dipshits! Shut up!” Steve shouted and all of them ceased their arguing.
Steve picked up their stack of VHS’ and looked through them before holding up one, “Suck it up kids, we’re watching Nightmare on Elm Street.”
All of the kids groaned in disagreement but Steve quickly shut them all down and told them to shut off the lights and get their snack. They all piled onto the couches and Y/N sat up to make room as Steve put the movie in and the room darkened. Steve sat down on the love seat next to her as the movie began to play. She could already see some of the kids cuddled up next to one another as they complained about horror movies and Max and El called them all babies. Y/N shook her head as the two oldest sat off to the side of the rest of them as they all huddled onto two couches. Y/N grabbed the blanket that was hanging over the back of the love seat and pulled it over herself and Steve who she looked at with a smile, “Sorry, I get really cold sometimes and horror movies kinda freak me out.”
Steve grinned as the theme music started to play and he saw her tense, “You? Scared? God that's totally ruining my badass image of you.”
She smacked Steve's arm as she tucked herself further into the blankets and muttered, “I hate you.”
Steve chuckled as he scooted closer to her and threw his arm over her shoulders, “Don’t worry, I promise I won’t let Freddy Krueger kill you.”
Y/N was thankful for the dark since her cheeks flared up but she went with it as she leaned against him and said, “I’m holding you to that Harrington.”
Steve felt his heart pound as he looked down at the gorgeous girl laying against his chest and couldn't believe it, holy shit.
As they got further into the movie as it got more terrifying Y/N noticed that all of the kids had fallen asleep on one another as it was pretty late. A thought popped into her head, did Robin really mean that he had a thing for her? Y/N really liked Steve and she had only known him for five days but it had felt like months. His relationship with the kids was adorable and she really admired him for giving them all a parental role to look up to. He was extremely attractive, awkward, funny, and kind most of all and god she really liked him.
Y/N looked up at Steve and gently hit his chest to get his attention and he looked down at her as she whispered, “It’s kinda cramped in here, wanna go outside?”
Steve nodded and they carefully stood up and quietly made their way out of the Henderson’s house and out the back yard. Steve shut the door quietly behind them as Y/N leaned against the railing of the porch, looking up at the sky. Steve moved to stand beside her and they sat in silence until Y/N finally mustered up the courage to say what was on her mind, “Steve?”
Steve hummed in response, his eyes still on the stars. God she wanted to back out but Suzie was right, per usual. If it didn’t work out she could ignore him for the next week and go hide out at her college campus and then go home.
She needed to grow a pair and face it.
“Did Robin mean what she said?”
Steve seemed to freeze as he looked over at her but her eyes didn’t stray from the sky as she said, “Her ‘girl of his dreams’ comment, did she mean that?”
Steve cleared his throat as she turned to look at him and he stuttered out, “I-I mean, yeah. That’s the truth, I really like you.”
Her cheeks flushed and she smiled as she looked back up at the stars, “You know, when my sister and I were on our way here she told me all about Dustin’s friend Steve and how I should try to hit it off with him.”
Steve smiled as she shook her head and said, “Suzie said if things didn’t work out I could just go home and never think about you again.”
Steve gulped nervously as he moved closer to her and asked, “What did she say if things did work out?”
Y/N grinned as she tucked her hair behind her ear, “Well she said if they worked out then we could make out all of the time and she’d have an excuse for her to come and see Dustin more.”
Both of them laughed and smiled at one another as Steve asked, “So, what’s the verdict? Did you and that guy work out?”
Y/N grinned her eyes flicking to his lips as she said, “I don’t know. I guess he’ll have to come closer if he wants to find out.”
Steve let out a deep breath as he stepped closer to her and looked down into her eyes. She looked nervous herself but all of that seemed to fade away as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his lips down to hers. Whatever the pair had expected this to feel like- it was so much better. Steve’s hands gently wound around her waist to pull her closer as she began to tug on the hair at the back of his neck. Both parted as they gasped for air before breaking out into grins.
“I’m starting to think my sister might’ve been right about that make out suggestion.” Y/N mumbled.
Steve chuckled as he said, “Remind me to thank her.”
Steve pressed his lips against hers again in a more gentle kiss than their rushed one before. They both snapped away at the sound of a camera flash as they noticed all of the kids in the doorway and Max with a Polaroid in her hands.
Y/N blushed as she buried her face in Steve’s chest as Steve pointed at the kids, “I better get that Max or I’ll snap your skateboard in half.”
Lucas groaned as he said, “God can’t they go get a room or something.”
“What does it mean ‘to get a room’?” El asked as Max left the Polaroid on a table by the door and all the kids groaned as they walked in the house and closed the door.
Steve had a small frown on his face as he asked, “What happens when you leave next week? I don’t know about you but I’d like this to keep going for a long time, cause I really like you Y/N.”
Y/N smiled as she said, “Did I mention where I was going to college?”
Steve’s eyebrows furrowed and he shrugged before Y/N gripped his collar, “I’m attending Purdue this fall, I’ll be an hour away so we can make out every weekend.”
Steve smirked as he tugged her closer and kissed her as she mumbled, “And for the record, I really like you too Steve.”
-
Dustin cried as he tightly hugged Suzie talking all about how he was going to radio her every single night till they were reunited. Y/N didn’t realize how sad she’d feel as she said her goodbyes to all of the kids. She felt like a surrogate parent and they had even started to teasingly call her and Steve their parents. She loved how they accepted her and her dorky younger sister into their group and made them never want to leave in two weeks.
She was was the most sad to say goodbye to Steve even though she would at least see him in the fall if they weren’t able to come back sooner. El and Max tightly hugged Y/N as she grinned and said, “I’m gonna miss you two. I promise I’ll bring all of my old makeup and cosmos the next time we come up here so you guys and Suzie can have your makeover sesh.”
The girls grinned as they backed off so they could say goodbye to Suzie. Y/N finally turned to Steve and smiled sadly as he leaned against his car with a brooding look, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She stepped forward and Steve wrapped his arms around her waist as he pulled her closer, “Doesn’t mean I won’t miss you.”
“I know, how ever will you control these Goonies till I return?” Y/N teased as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I think I can hold down the fort till you come back. It may burn down a little bit but it’ll be sustainable.” Steve teased before he pulled her in for a heated kiss.
She heard the kids groan as she smiled against Steve’s lips, “I’m guessing that’s our cue to end our PDA reign of terror.”
Steve nodded as He pressed his forehead to hers and cupped her cheeks, “If you need anything, seriously, don’t hesitate to call cause I’ll be on the first flight to Utah if you need me.”
Y/N rolled her eyes as she said, “I’ll be fine, my biggest problem is going to be how I want to cut my hair when I get back.”
Steve hummed as he played with her hair. Y/N cupped his cheek and his eyes met hers, “I’m gonna miss you y’know.”
Steve nodded and pulled her in for a heated kiss, “Me too.”
She pulled away from Steve and pulled out her keys as she said, “I guess this is goodbye.”
Steve pressed his lips to hers and mumbled, “Goodbye Sleeping Beauty.”
Y/N rolled her eyes as she finally backed away and winked, “Goodbye lover boy.”
Steve shook his head with a smile as Y/N turned and wrapped her arms around Suzie’s shoulders and they walked towards their car. Both of them got in and Y/N she started the car before she quickly put in a cassette tape.
Suzie looked at her sister questioningly as she messed with the music, “What’re you doing?”
Y/N smirked at her younger sister and she rolled down the windows as the song came close to the part she was waiting for, “As you walk on by will you call my name?”
Suzie rolled her eyes as she realized what her sister was trying to recreate. Y/N put the car into drive as she drove around the circle and they drove up to Dustin's house and slowly came to a stop. Y/N smiled brightly as she and Suzie waved their hands in goodbye and she winked at Steve, “So long criminal.”
Steve rolled his eyes as he placed his hands on Dustin's shoulders, “Farewell Princess.”
She grinned and the two sisters looked at one another, understanding it was time to go. Y/N drove down the street, away from the kuldesak and turned up the music. Steve felt his heart pang but couldn’t help but laugh as the music in their car grew louder and Steve recognized it as “Don't You Forget About Me”. Y/N then threw her hand in the air outside her window, as if to recreate The Breakfast Club and Steve grinned as he watched her fade into the distance.
There was no chance he was going to forget about her.
i just thought you should know that “letting go” fUCKED ME UP ITS NOT OKAY I CRIED
let me tell ya I was really havin the feels after watching his death and writing that DID NOT HELP SO IM SO SORRY. I promise I have the FLUFFIEST Steve x Reader on the way soon 💕
summary: when things feel like they may be going the readers way the world decides to take everything away from her
word count: 1,427
a/n: this was requested by @kaelyn-lobrutto24! I have a few requests for Steve x Readers and feel free to request more!!
Y/N screamed as she threw the firework at the monster. The loud roaring terrified her but they had to hold it till Joyce and Hopper killed it. Then she saw Billy standing over El and she froze. The kids had told her he was possessed by the mind flatter but he looked nothing like himself, nothing like the Billy she loved.
Y/N dropped the firework in her hand and ignored Lucas’ yelling as she bolted for the Elevator and sprinted down. Steve looked away from Robin as they threw another firework only to see his best friend running down the escalator stairs, she was going to get herself killed,
“Y/N!”
Steve was quick to divert its attention as he shouted and launched a firework at the monster. Y/N launched herself down the escalator stairs and her eyes settled on them only to see Billy crouched over a crying El as she tried to escape but her previous injury was making it extremely hard for her to escape.
That wasn’t her Billy.
He could be awful but he had changed for the better ever since they’d begun dating. He’d grown to have a soft spot for his sister Max, whom Y/N loved like she was her sister as well, and he eased up on the kids. He loved her and she knew that they made each other better, everyone knew it.
She ran towards the pair, running behind the columns to stay out of the monsters view. When she finally got close enough Billy was standing over El and holding her shoulders down. She let out a breath before she sprinted towards the two and El looked over at her as she did, relief flooding her face. Y/N grunted as she reached them and grabbed the back of Billy’s shoulders and hauled him off El. He let out a grunt as he fell on his back and blankly looked up at her before he pushed himself to his feet. El scooted back as Y/N put herself between the two and held her hands up as she tearfully looked at her boyfriend,
“Billy, this-this isn’t you.”
He cocked his head to the side as if trying to recognize her before he took a step towards her,
“This is what I am now.”
She shook her head, tears rolling down her cheeks,
“No, it’s not. You’re being controlled. You can stop this Billy.”
“Everything I’ve done has been to grow stronger.” He said, taking menacing steps towards her and making her back up.
“You don’t want to hurt any of us. You’d never hurt your sister or her friends. You’d never hurt me.” She said shakily as she felt herself trip over debris.
She stumbled and Billy rushed towards her before he kicked out her legs and she crashed to the ground. Her head smacked against the ground and her vision had black spots in it as she saw Billy now hovering over her as he said,
“Are you sure?”
She stuttered as she looked up at him, her mind swimming to try to find an idea to bring him back,
“Y-You promised that day at the park, remember? Billy you said you’d die before you let me get hurt.”
Billy seemed to take a second to blink and she swore that she was getting through to him,
“On Christmas after I-I got you that jacket and Max the cassette she wanted you said you wanted to make me apart of your f-family. That you’d love me till the day you died.“
Billy paused and she noticed the tears falling down his cheeks. She looked up at him as tears poured down her own cheeks and she gently cupped his face,
“Billy, please, I love you.”
Billy blinked a few times before he squinted his eyes at her and hesitantly said,
“Y/N?”
She nodded as she smiled tearfully,
“It’s me, Billy, you’re back.”
Billy let out a shaky breath before he gathered her in his arms and pulled her into his lap and pressed his lips to hers. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as they tightly held each other. Then a loud roar erupted and El screamed and the two broke apart as the looked in horror to see the monster looking at them. Billy looked at Y/N, taking in her form before meeting her eyes and saying,
“Get her out of here!”
He moved to stand and pulled her up with him as she said,“I’m not leaving you!”
Billy looked down at her and sighed before he pulled her into a bruising kiss. He ran his hands over her sides, as if trying to take in everything before he let go of her and gently pushed her back towards El,
“Get her and Max to safety!”
She quickly complied and carefully pulled El to her feet and wrapped an arm around her as she began to back away, but she saw Billy’s face.He was going to sacrifice himself.
Her eyes widened as she looked at Billy in horror,
“Billy... you cant!”
Billy’s eyes met hers and she noticed they were full of tears. Yet, she was certain she had never seen him so sure of his actions as he said,
“I love you.”
The monster let out a deafening roar and her heart broke as tears rolled down her face,
“I love you too.”
Then Billy turned as the Mind Flayers tentacle shot towards her and El and he caught in with his hands. She pulled El backwards to safety and another tentacle shot out and into Billy’s side,
“Billy!”
Billy screamed as more tentacles shot into his body. Her throat was raw from screaming as she saw the man she loved die before her eyes. El had her arms wrapped tightly around Y/N’s arm holding her as she herself let tears fall down her face. She knew Y/N had found the good in Billy and he was a much better person with her and now he was dead. Y/N heard Max scream out Billy’s name as the monster let out more deafening roars before it collapsed to the ground. Y/N unwrapped her arms from El as the tentacles retracted and unceremoniously dropped Billy to the ground.
“Billy!” She screamed as she moved away from El and stumbled on her feet as she ran to his body.
She tripped and collapsed to her knees at his side. Her hands shook violently as she moved them to cup his cheeks that were stained with tears. She let out a heart wrenching sob as she looked into his once beautiful eyes, but now they were dull. She leaned over his body and grabbed his hands in hers as she willed herself to wake up from this horrible dream.
Then a pair of arms wrapped around her waist.
“Y/N...”
Steve.
“He-Hes gone-“
“I know. I know.” Steve said softly as he gently pulled her away from Billy.
She shook her head as more tears poured from her eyes,
“I-I can’t leave him!”
“We won’t leave him here, I promise.” Steve said sadly as he watched his best friend breaking in his arms.
She shook as she closed her eyes for a moment before she leaned down and pressed her lips to his softly one last time,
“I love you. I love you Billy.”
Then Steve gently pulled her back into his arms as she sobbed. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shirt. Steve felt his own heart hurting for his best friend as he held her tightly, forcing himself to look away from Billy, who had lipstick smudged on his lips from their last kiss. He felt sick to his stomach but forced himself to calm down as he held his best friend.
Steve looked up as someone came next to him. Max was shaking as she bit her lip to control her sobs and Steve was quick to unwrap an arm and pull her down and into their embrace. Y/N pulled away slightly as Max fell to her knees and the two met eyes and Y/N saw her pain was just as bad as her own. She quickly pulled Max into her arms and Max clung to her as they mourned the loss of Billy. Steve wrapped his arms around the two as he hoped and prayed that Billy was in whatever afterlife there was, watching over the two girls he loved.
Heyyyy could you do a steve harrington x reader where the reader helps dustin and erica get him out of the russian base and the reader is trying to tend to his wounds in the bathroom but he's super loopy and accidentally confesses how he feels?
