Hi! Thanks for discovering my little writing nook where I live with my 40+ character crushes and trying to live my best life. My name is Elle; Iâm 25, a passionate writer, and Iâm doing something with planes in my work time. Iâm a lover of many fandoms (and many characters) and a huge mythology nerd. Escapism and hyper-fixations are my cup of tea, and thatâs why I practically live in this app.
Ęá´Qá´á´ęąá´ęą
I accept requests for the following fandoms/persons:
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Top Gun: Maverick (limited to Jake âHangmanâ Seresin and Bradley âRoosterâ Bradshaw for now; Javy âCoyoteâ Machado is a possible candidate for the future)
Harry Styles Social Media Au's + One Shots
Sebastian Stan Social Media Au's + One Shots
Chris Evans Social Media Au's + One Shots
Tom Holland Social Media Auâs + One Shots
Henry Cavill Social Media Auâs + One Shots
House of the Dragon | Game of Thrones (limited to a variety of characters which I will disclose later on, but Daemon Targaryen is one of them!)
Fourth Wing
ACOTAR
I'm writing for the following MCU characters:
Bucky Barnes
Steve Rogers
Doctor Strange
Tony Stark
Peter Parker
Shang-Chi
But you can always ask me for other characters, and I will decide spontaneously. The span of fandoms and characters I write for will/can increase (or decrease) over time due to my tendencies of hyper fixation.
Please keep in mind that I'm a full-time employee, working in three shifts and having to leave for business trips, and sometimes requests take longer than other times. If I don't reject your request, I will write it, but please don't bother me with constant dms to ask about the progressâthis will immediately result in me rejecting your request! This is a hobby, while my actual job is my full-time job. Just treat writers (and people in general) with kindness and be patient :)
É´á´á´ ɪɢá´á´ÉŞá´É´
Masterlist Posts
ęąá´É´á´ á´á´ á´Ęá´á´á´á´ęą [thank you to the wonderful people who are so creative to write prompts]
The afternoon market buzzed with the familiar rhythm of Republic City. Vendors called out prices over one another, children darted through the crowds with sticky fruit in their hands, and somewhere nearby a musician played a cheerful tune on a tsungi horn.
You wandered between the stalls at an easy pace, a woven basket hooked over your arm. Sokka had insisted the two of you needed more fresh vegetables after discovering heâd somehow eaten an entire weekâs worth of smoked fish in two days. He had looked genuinely confused when Katara pointed it out.
âI thought we had more.â
âYou did,â sheâd replied flatly.
âI donât understand where it all went.â
âYou,â Toph had answered from the couch without missing a beat.
So here you were, replacing the rapidly disappearing food supply while your husband was meeting with Aang at Air Temple Island.
You smiled to yourself as you examined a display of peppers.
âYouâve got excellent taste.â
The unfamiliar voice pulled you from your thoughts.
A man stood beside you, perhaps a few years older than yourself. Well-dressed, confident, and wearing the sort of smile that had probably worked far too often.
âIâve seen you around the market,â he continued. âThought Iâd finally introduce myself.â
You offered him a polite but forced smile. âThatâs kind of you, but Iâm married.â
His smile faltered only for a moment. âMarried?â
You nodded. âI am.â
When he looked unconvinced, you lifted the necklace resting against your chest.
The carved blue stone caught the afternoon sunlight.
It wasnât expensive.
It wasnât polished jade or glittering gold.
It was smooth river stone, lovingly carved by hands that had spent years throwing boomerangs, building inventions, and somehow managing to survive impossible odds. Tiny etched flames circled its edges, and the leather cord had been replaced twice over the years after Sokka had stubbornly refused to let anyone remake the pendant itself.
âMy husband made this for me,â you said softly, unable to stop the smile that appeared whenever you looked at it. âItâs my betrothal necklace.â
The manâs eyebrows lifted. ââŚThatâs it?â
You blinked, your smile vanished as annoyance formed on your face. âIâm sorry?â
He gestured dismissively toward the pendant. âIsnât that some dumb old thing the Water Tribe does?â
Silence settled between you and very slowly, you lowered the necklace back against your chest.
Then you turned to face him completely.
Your expression remained calm.
Your eyes did not.
âMy husbandâs heritage,â you said evenly, âis not dumb.â
A tiny flame bloomed across your fingertips.
It wasnât large but it danced with controlled precision, glowing orange against your skin before curling around your knuckles like a living warning.
The temperature around you rose just enough for the man to notice.
His confidence evaporated. âI....I didnât meanââ
âYou insulted the traditions of the Southern Water Tribe.â
The flame twirled lazily between your fingers. âYou insulted the necklace my husband carved with his own hands.â
The fire brightened.
âAnd you insulted my marriage.â
He took an involuntary step backward. âI⌠actually just remembered I have somewhere to be.â
âIâm sure you do.â
He nodded far too quickly. âVery important.â
âIâm certain.â
Then, with all the dignity of someone fleeing for his life, he turned and hurried into the crowd, disappearing between the market stalls so quickly he nearly collided with a cabbage merchant.
âMy cabbages!â the unfortunate vendor shouted after him.
The little flame vanished from your fingertips as though it had never existed.
You let out a slow breath and adjusted your basket.
âWell.â
You looked down at the pendant resting against your heart.
âI think you handled that nicely.â
âHandled what nicely?â
You turned to find Sokka approaching with Aang beside him.
Your husbandâs blue eyes immediately swept over your face before narrowing slightly. âWhy did that guy look like heâd just seen Koh the Face Stealer?â
You blinked innocently. âHe was rude.â
ââŚHow rude?â
âHe called our betrothal necklaces dumb.â
Sokka stopped walking. ââŚHe what?â
You held up the pendant. âHe asked if this was âsome dumb old thing the Water Tribe does.ââ
For a heartbeat, Sokka simply stared.His expression softened as he looked at the necklace.
Years ago, heâd stayed awake half the night carving it. It wasnât perfect, one side had been slightly uneven, and heâd nearly thrown it into the ocean after convincing himself it looked terrible.
You had cried when heâd placed it around your neck anyway.
He still remembered every second of it.
Aang quietly took one very careful step backward clearing out his throat. âOh,â the Avatar murmured. âHeâs mad.â
âI am not mad,â Sokka said calmly as his eye twitched. âIâm⌠deeply offended.â
Another twitch.
âI spent three days carving that thing.â
âYou spent three days because you kept cutting your fingers,â you reminded him gently.
âI was committed to craftsmanship.â
âYou were committed to refusing Kataraâs help.â
âAlso true.â
He reached over, his thumb brushing lovingly across the pendant where it rested against your collarbone.
âI made this.â
âI know.â
âI picked the stone myself.â
âYou did.â
âI even sanded the edges.â
âI remember.â
His shoulders relaxed as he smiled at you. âThanks for defending it.â
You looked at him as though the answer should have been obvious. âOf course I defended it.â
Your fingers intertwined with his. âIt isnât just a necklace.â
Sokka squeezed your hand.
âIt tells everyone I married the smartest man I know.â
He grinned as he puffed out his chest. âWow.âThen his grin turned mischievous. âIâm definitely telling Katara you said that.â
âOf courae are.â You sighed dropping your shoulders.
âAnd Iâm bringing it up every single time she calls me an idiot.â
Aang laughed. âSheâs still going to call you an idiot.â
âProbably.â
Sokka shrugged without the slightest embarrassment before slipping an arm around your shoulders.
âBut now sheâll be calling an idiot whose incredibly beautiful wife defended Southern Water Tribe traditions.â
He paused thoughtfully.
ââŚActually, that sounds pretty impressive.â
You laughed, leaning into him as the two of you continued through the market together.
The small carved necklace rested against your heart, simple enough that many people would overlook it.
But to you, it was worth more than any jewel in the world. It carried the love of the man who had carved it by hand, the traditions of the people who had raised him, and the promise the two of you had made to build a life together.
The story somehow made its way back to Air Temple Island before sunset.
None of you were entirely sure how.
One minute everyone had been enjoying dinner together, and the next Sokka had casually mentioned, âSo apparently some genius in the market today called Southern Water Tribe betrothal necklaces âdumb.ââ
The table had gone quiet.
Katara slowly lowered her bowl. ââŚSomeone said what?â
âHe ran away,â you assured her. âNothing happened.â
Sokka proudly gestured toward you with his spoon. âMy wife defended my honor.â
âI defended your culture.â
âMy honor was included....it was a package deal.â
Toph snorted into her meal.
Across the table, Aang let out the relieved sigh of someone who had spent the entire walk home expecting far worse. âWell⌠Iâm glad nobody got hurt.â
Toph tilted her head toward you, an unimpressed expression hidden behind her cloudy eyes. âYou still should have set the guy on fire.â
The room fell silent.
Aang nearly dropped his chopsticks. âToph!â he exclaimed. âMurder is bad.â
Toph frowned. âI never statedâŚâ She lifted one finger for emphasis. ââŚshe had to murder him.â She shrugged as though the distinction was perfectly reasonable. âJust a little fire.â
She pinched her fingers together.
âYou know.â A tiny smirk spread across her face. âEnough to make him reconsider his life choices.â
Katara pressed a hand against her forehead like a very tired mother. "TophâŚ"
âWhat?â
âYou canât solve every problem by threatening people.â
âIt can solve most of them.â
âNo.â
âFine.â Toph crossed her arms. âThreatening them or throwing rocks.â
Aang groaned. âThat isnât better.â
âIt is from my perspective.â
Sokka rested his chin in his hand, looking thoughtfully at Toph. ââŚHow little fire are we talking?â
You turned your head slowly. âSokka.â
âWhat?â he asked innocently. âIâm just asking for clarification.â
Toph grinned. âLike singed eyebrows.â
Aangâs eyes widened. âToph!â
âWhat? Hair grows back....hopefully.â
Sokka rubbed his chin. âHmmâŚâ
You nudged him with your elbow. âDonât encourage her.â
âIâm not.â He paused. ââŚIâm evaluating.â
Katara gave her brother a look that could have frozen the ocean. âSokka.â
"What?"
âYou are not helping.â
âI havenât even agreed with her yet.â
âYou were considering eyebrow singeing!â
âTheyâre very expressive!â
âTheyâre attached to his face!â
âSo?â
Aang buried his face in his hands. âI miss when our biggest problems were giant koi fish.â
âThose were also trying to kill us,â Sokka reminded him.
âThey were simpler!â
Toph leaned back with a satisfied grin. âI still think she showed remarkable restraint.â
You laughed softly. âI wasnât going to burn him.â
Toph clicked her tongue. âMissed opportunity...you've changed sparky.â
âI was trying to be the bigger person.â
âYou can be the bigger person and make someoneâs shoes catch fire.â
Sokkaâs eyes lit up.âOh!â
Katara pointed at him.âNo.â
âWhat?â
âI know that look.â
âWhat look?â
âThe âToph has given me a terrible idea that I somehow think is brilliantâ look.â
âI do not have that look.â
âYou absolutely have that look.â
He opened his mouth to argue before sheepishly closing it again. ââŚMaybe a little.â
You reached over, taking his hand beneath the table. âI think intimidating him was enough.â
Sokka looked down at your intertwined fingers before smiling. âYeah.â His thumb brushed over your knuckles. âIt was.â
He looked around the table, unable to hide the pride in his voice. âStill⌠my wife defending Southern Water Tribe traditions?â His grin grew impossibly wider.
âIâm never getting tired of saying that.â
Toph rolled her eyes dramatically. âYou two are disgustingly cute.â
Katara smiled into her tea. âI was thinking the exact same thing.â
Aang nodded. "I think itâs sweet."
Toph let out an exaggerated groan. âGreat. Now thereâs three of them.â
Aang gasped. "Love is beautiful!"
Sokka only laughed, slipping an arm around your shoulders. âYou know,â he said with mock seriousness, âI think my favorite part is that he ran away from this.â
He gently lifted the carved stone pendant resting against your chest. âNot because itâs expensive.â
âIt isnât,â you agreed.
âNot because itâs flashy.â
âIt definitely isnât.â
âBut because it meant enough to you to defend.â
You looked up at him, your expression softening. âIt means enough because of who made it.â
For once, Sokka was completely speechless.
Toph folded her arms. ââŚOkay, now thatâs disgustingly cute.â Even she couldnât quite keep the smile off her face.
â TV Shows Directory â Books Directory â A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
â House of the Dragon
GOT Masterlist | @thenoblehouseofdayne
Game Of Thrones Masterlist | @blog-of-a-multitude-of-fandoms
Game of Thrones - Recommendations | @taereaderwriter
GoT/HotD Masterlist | @entitled-fangirl
Masterlist | @jetblack4real
Masterlist | @fallatyourfeet
Rec list | @maryleclerc
asoiaf masterlist!! | @finchytv
đ Robb Stark
NOTICE ME | @finchytv
youâre his mothers ward who wonât give him the time of day and he hates it.
GIVE ME MY WIFE BACK | @/finchytv
robbs family are obsessed with his wife to the point he canât get a moment alone with her
OF ROSES AND WOLVES | @eviesaurusrex
After agreeing upon a marriage proposal, both Stark and Tyrell agree upon a meeting so Robb and his future wife can be properly introduced to one another.
"Lady Stark" | @/eviesaurusrex
The Lion and the Wolf | @iydiamartinx
In the cold of Winterfell, a southern princess learns that duty is not always a cageâand that sometimes, the heartâs desires align with the good of the realm.
Frey Girl | @axelsagewrites
When the war is done Robb can finally enjoy alone time with his queen
Dream, part 2 | @/axelsagewrites
Robb questions reader on the dream they had not relaising it had been about him.
Arranged | @/axelsagewrites
Goodnight Dear Husband | @/axelsagewrites
Snowfall | @little-spicy
an alliance of house Baratheon and house Stark was going to set place in Winterfell. Y/N Baratheon and Robb Stark were to be wed and be man and wife.
Entangled Fates | @luvinescent
The Targaryen name has brought nothing but misery to Y/Nâ her half-blood placing a curse upon her. Sheâs observed the toll her presence takes on the people she loves; no longer wanting to form a close tie with anyone. Nevertheless, her heart steered its own course. And it steered towards a certain man.
Mismatched Hearts, part 2 | @/luvinescentÂ
Y/N and Robb have been friends since childhood; the two harboring feelings for one another without the othersâ knowledge. When Robbâs mother makes the choice to meddle in his love life by constructing an engagement between the twoâRobb is left with guilt at the belief that he has trapped her in an unwanted marriage with him because of his status. Neither one choosing to confess their feelings or address the situation; they do more harm than good towards their friendship and future marriage.
Give Them A Chance | @chloe-skywalker
Robb and Y/n donât know that their fathers plan to betroth them. But Ned has a reason for not telling. Will his reason work?
For You  | @/chloe-skywalker
Y/nâs uncle has been captured in the war between her blood family and her family by law. The one person that really cared about her growing up. Will her husband kill the one person closest to his wife?
everyone adores you (at least i do) | @raven-dor
in which robb stark and his new bride get aquainted
A change of sigil. | @entitled-fangirl
After wedding Robb Stark and becoming the Lady of Winterfell, the reader learns about the kingâs death and the treason of Ned.
Duty Masterlist | @asongofmarvelanddc
Y/N Myrrton is set to marry the King in the North, Robb Stark. Unfortunately, theyâre both in love with other people.
The Northern Heart, part 2 | @novaursa
Your father, King Robert, gives your hand to Eddard's oldest son. A decision that might change the future of the North.
dry hands | @talesof-old
make his queen smile | @daenysx
king robb and you have a night filled with your slow tears for him and his comfort.
And My King | @justauthoring
being a secret Lannister and wife would include | @witchthewriter
Betrayal | @fearlessmercenaryimagines-blog
Be With Me | @intoxicated-chan
When Robb over hears of your potential marriage, he cannot stand the idea of loosing you to some random lord.
đ Jaime Lannister
Vows, part 2, part 3, part 4 | @reader-imagines-blog
Corruption of Innocence, Part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5 | @/justauthoring
The Capital was cruel. The people there even more so. If this arrangement truly was meant to follow through, Jaime knew you would be corrupted by Kings Landing. But staring at you now, with bright doe eyes and a soft smile on your lips as you engaged in a conversation with your brother, hushed so as not to be disrespectful, Jaime knew he would put all his focus and strength into making sure that never happened.
Our Cages | @/justauthoring
âThatâs the difference between us. Iâve been in my cage for ten minutes. Youâre been in your cage your entire life.â
Youâll Never Know | @/justauthoring
Fate sometimes just brings people together, time and time again.
Night | @hirethia
The Golden Oath | @/novaursa
The lion falls in love with the daughter of the Mad King, which starts a domino effect that eventually collapses the realm onto itself.
Remnants | @/novaursa
At Harrenhal, Jaime Lannister reunites with his lost love.
Golden | @kitkatkitzune
Children always like to mimic their parents.
iâm not made by design, part 2, part 3 | @ichorai
wolves and lions tend not to be friends, much less lovers.Â
river of gold | @heavensfiction
the game of thrones wasn't just a fight between kings and aspiring lords. all of westeros was pulled into this sanguinary conquest in some way, and you came to learn sooner than later that you were no exception. and with a jest from the seven, all your paths led to jaime lannister, but surely you wouldn't associate yourself with a known oathbreaker...
đ Gendry Waters
For A Moment | @justauthoring
Rough and Tough | @/justauthoring
Reunited | @thecometseries
Escapees | @wonwoosthetic
All That Rowing | @archieimagines
Imagine constantly making jokes about Gendry rowing to Kings Landing until he gets so angry he explodes and backs you against a wall.
What Happens on the Road | @beautifultypewriter
Reader finds themselves on the road with Arya, Gendry, and Hot Pie. When Gendry gets injured, heâs only a little reluctant to let Reader help him.
Iâll Teach You | @/beautifultypewriter
Itâs time for the first feast of Stormâs End since Gendry has become the Lord. All the preparations are running smoothly, except for one; Gendry doesnât know how to dance. Luckily for him, Reader does.
Lady Baratheon | @/beautifultypewriter
When the reader had to say goodbye to Gendry after aiding her father with his escape, she never imagined that she would see him again. Fate is funny though as it brought them back together, then threatened to rip them apart again with the Great War, and then gave them another chance. Thereâs no way to tell how much time they have left in this world, but Gendry knows one thing; heâs not going to waste another moment without the reader.
Dating Gendry Waters Would Include | @tessimagines
The calm before the storm, part 2 | @fluorescentbalaclava
After taking the lead of your house, you have to face your first battle.
A Change of Fate | @megsironthrone
Caught in the Act | @/megsironthrone
OBSIDIAN | @konigslittleliebling
Perfect World | @plus-size-reader
Having to keep your relationship with Gendry a secret because youâre highborn and he isnât.
Heâs Only Here for the Cake | @crowkingwrites
Gendry Waters is a regular at your bakery. Every day he orders the same thing. Bertha, a family friend, thinks that Gendry isnât just here for the sweets.
đ Sandor Clegane
The Caged Bird and The Leashed Dog | @catsteeth
You are the daughter of Jon Arryn, you and your father travel to Kingâs Landing with the intention of arranging a marriage for you. You catch a glimpse of The Hound during your first night in Kings Landing and it creates a mutual fascination even if he wonât admit it.
Listen to me | @myfictionaldreams
Sandor Clegane x Reader Insert Fics | @pinkykats-place
She Hates Yellow | @darkdevasofdestruction
Sandor Clegane masterlist | @thebookbutterfly
đ Jon Snow
Trueborn - Masterlist | @fallatyourfeet
(YN) is the only trueborn daughter of King Robert and Cersei. Growing up she spent a lot of time at Winterfell, falling for a particular curly dark-haired boy. When responsibilities and circumstance separate them they think its forever, but little did they know after a string of tragic events their lives would once again come together for a reason which they are still to understand.
Unbroken | @/fallatyourfeet
Shortly after the Battle of the Bastards, Sansa discovers some unexpected news regarding YN. Jon is thrilled to hear youâre alive, but unfortunately, the news is bitter sweet.
your words mean something to jon snow | @dipperscavern
You Are Not Happy? | @/justauthoring
The Bastard of Winterfell | @onceuponaoneshotfanfic
Jon Snow is nervous to meet his future wife- and even more nervous to prove himself in front of her.
I Told You Iâd See You Again | @tismfanatic
When you left with Sansa to Kings Landing, you and Jon made a promise full of whispered confessions and kisses that youâd see eachother again. Now, after four years of physical and psychological trauma, you and Sansa were brought to the wall where you reunited with a lost love.
Bastards of the North I | @motherofdogs1010
Born as the bastard to the mysterious Lord Bloodwright, Y/N Snow finds herself as the bride to be to House Stark's own bastard, Jon Snow as a means to strengthen the North's power. Unfortunately for these Snows, they soon find that being bastards are not the only awful thing that can happen when Y/N catches the eye of the Baratheon heir to the Iron Throne, Joffery.
Northbound | @cherryofthenorth
As the daughter of a Northern Lady, you spent a lot of time in Winterfell growing up. Fate rips you out of the North, but 13 years later you receive a raven. The King is looking to marry, and he has had you on his mind for a while.
To Have and To Hold | @maybestrid33
Jon returns from battle, bloodied and victorious. But all you care about is the fact that he came home to you.
The North Remembers, Part 2, Part 3 | @delicrieux
My Lady | @daniellewritesfr
You arrive in Winterfell lending aid to House Stark but seeing Jon brings back lost feelings you both share.
The Dreadful Need in the Devotee Masterlist | @feyhunter78
During your Uncle Robert's Royal Procession, you find yourself enraptured with Ned Starks' bastard son. While Jon has never dreamed so vividly until your arrival, a thread seems to exist between you and him, pulling you together.
jon snow fic recs | @skzyeri
đ Jorah Mormont
Show Me Love | @springdandelixn
Jorah ends up failing his quest to search for the princess and take her back to the feast in the Red Keep.
Imagine | @/cas-kingdom
"You're not contagious, are you?" "Do you feel better?"
đ Robb Stark / Jon Snow
of storm and snow - masterlist | @jetblack4real
robert baratheonâs only true heir, a dark-haired girl like your father in many ways including your inability to fall out of love with bright-eyed starks.
hi hi finally sending some reqs in for ur celly!! can I get âyou look like you want to kiss me.â âthatâs how I always look then.â with ryland grace!! itâs so him
before the sun sets.
ryland grace x gn!reader
summary: 0.5k
âWow. Iâve never seen you so pliant,â he laughs, and your tongue pokes out to blow a half-hearted raspberry at him. You lean into his hold regardless, letting him take on the brunt of your, now, dead weight. Your eyes are about to flutter shut when he blows a gentle stream of cold air against your cheeks. For a moment, youâre startled. Jumping a bit between his hands. But, then, it seems to settle you further into the gooey trance heâs managed to meld you into in just a few moments.
or the one where you come home from a long day to see your boyfriend making dinner.
masterlist
You walk through the door like youâd been through a hurricane. Hunched over, hair messy, bag and emotional support water bottle clutched up to your chest before theyâre dropped off on the kitchen bar with your shoes. Your feet ache like youâd been standing on them for eight hours straight because, well, you had. You reach up to scratch your temple andâŚ
Yep, thatâs a migraine coming on.Â
The sound of the fridge closing startles you so bad youâre sure you wouldâve jumped a foot in the air if you werenât so beat.
âHi, sweetheart,â Ryland says in passing, moving back towards the stove with the milk heâd grabbed. The only thing he gets in reply as you pad off after him is a grunt. And your head falling into the center of his shoulderblades.
âRough day?â he asks. You nod and grunt again, too tired to even wrap your arms around him the way you normally would. When he laughs, you pick your head up with a scrunched face. Ooh, is he making mac and cheese? Your stomach grumbles despite your miffed demeanor. âGo lay down for a little bit and then you can eat and shower. Thisâll be ready in like ten minutes.â
âWanna stay here,â you mumble into his sweater. Your cheek nuzzles a bit against it, like a cat searching for heat. ââS that okay?â
âOf course thatâs okay,â Ryland says before setting down the wooden spoon and turning to face you. Youâre only the slightest bit annoyed that you have to move to accommodate him, but youâre instantly relieved with the gift of getting to see his face. Your lips purse in request of a kiss, one he immediately obliges. Both of his hands begin to run up and down your sides.Â
âWow. Iâve never seen you so pliant,â he laughs, and your tongue pokes out to blow a half-hearted raspberry at him. You lean into his hold regardless, letting him take on the brunt of your, now, dead weight. Your eyes are about to flutter shut when he blows a gentle stream of cold air against your cheeks. For a moment, youâre startled. Jumping a bit between his hands. But, then, it seems to settle you further into the gooey trance heâs managed to meld you into in just a few moments.Â
You blink at him slowly, enjoying the way he looks in the low light of the setting sun through the window.
âWhat?â he asks, nose scrunching.
âYou look like you wanna kiss me,â you say contentedly.Â
âWell, then thatâs how I always look,â he replies like he didnât even have to think about it. Like wanting to kiss you was his first instinct, his second nature. He dips his head to the side to kiss your temple before muttering, âCâmon. Iâll get your food ready and then we can go take that shower.â
âI love you,â you sigh before finally freeing him to finish making dinner.Â
âI love you, too,â he says with that dopey grin youâve grown so accustomed to.Â
⢠Aemond is very strict. You often have to remind him that he doesnât know more than the maesters.
⢠He isnât particularly verbal with affection. Instead, he shows it through his actions. Your chair is always waiting, your bath is already prepared.
⢠He hates the idea of anyone touching your stomach except him. Not even your mother or Helaena.
⢠He takes it upon himself to personally oversee all of your meals.
⢠He doesnât tell you, but he worries constantly about childbirth. Knowing your family history, he knows many women never survive it. He rarely sleeps well during the final weeks.
AEGON TARGARYEN
⢠Has absolutely no idea how pregnancy works or what to expect, but does his best to make you feel happy/comfortable. He uses humor to hide how scared he is.
⢠After a few goblets of wine heâll snuggle up to you and rest his palm on your stomach and occasionally even talk to the baby.
⢠The first and only time in his life he is hesitant about being intimate with you. Heâs worried heâll hurt you and also feels a bit strange about it.
⢠The baby moving/kicking weirds him out but also fascinates/amazes him.
⢠No one actually notices, but as your labors approach, he drinks less.
JACAERYS VELARYON
⢠He is over the moon. He is so proud and wants to tell everyone straight away.
⢠Starts imagining what kind of parent heâll be and quietly worries he wonât measure up to the examples he admired
⢠Over time his anxiety creeps in. He watches your every move and is immediately concerned. Asking, âare you alright? Does it hurt? Should I send for the maester?â Youâre fine⌠but minutes later, heâs asking again.
⢠If itâs a girl? Forget it. He is absolutely ecstatic. Two perfect princesses. He wakes you up each morning with âhow are my favorite ladies doing?â
⢠Deep down he worries that the child will suffer the same way he did as a child. Made to feel less than, their worthiness questioned.
CREGAN STARK
⢠Heâs always wanted a large family, a bunch of his own little pups. The second he finds out youâre pregnant he is filled with pride.
⢠He has a massive breeding kink, so heâs even more handsy with you once youâre carrying his child, his praise during sex is on another level.
⢠He builds the babyâs cradle himself. And carves little wooden wolves, horses, and bears during the evenings. He brushes it off as âjust something to pass the time.â
⢠if you mention craving something once, itâs yours. Whether itâs delivered to your chambers or waiting for you at dinner.
⢠Heâs by your side the entire labor, whether the masters want it or not.
DAEMON TARGARYEN
⢠Loves taking you flying early in the pregnancy, but becomes increasingly reluctant as your belly grows.
⢠Becomes more attentive than usual, offering to rub your shoulders/back/feet.
⢠Heâs unexpectedly patient with your changing moods. If youâre angry, he lets you be angry. If youâre afraid, he doesnât dismiss it.
⢠Sings/Speaks in High Valaryian every night until you fall asleep, hoping the baby hears his voice.
⢠He is terrified of losing you, though heâd rather die than admit it aloud. He breaks down in relief once both you and the baby are safe.
anyway hoping that the generative AI bubble pops so disastrously that the tech industry becomes allergic to anything involving it for the next 1,000 years
divider by: @cafekitsune & @rmstitanics & @uzmacchiato & @pepsipoet
word count: 7.4k
synopsis: He was fire, you were thorns. Forced into an unwanted marriage, Daemon Targaryen slowly comes to realize that being bound to you might not be the curse he once thoughtâbut the perfect match he never expected.
a/n: I may have gotten a little carried away with this one. There are a few potentially triggering momentsânothing overly graphic, but Iâve listed the warnings below just in case. Please read with care.
warnings: Attempted SA (not by Daemon), mutilation, infertility accusations, political manipulation, and Otto being a power-hungry ass.
The wedding feast was suffocating. The air thick with roses, gold, and polite falsities. You sat beside Daemon Targaryenâyour new husbandâwhile the King raised a goblet and smiled through his teeth. Everyone knew what this was, another political match meant to tame Daemonâs reputation and bind your allied family tighter to the Crown.
Daemon hadnât looked at you once. Not when you exchanged vows. Not when Viserys gave a speech about you two. Not even when you boldly reached for his cup, having already drained your own.
When he finally did, it was with that same infuriating sneer you were already learning to hate.
âSo this is my reward for everything Iâve done,â he muttered under his breath, voice low enough for only you to hear. âA fragile Tyrell rose.â
You smiled without warmth, your tone as sharp as Darksister that was resting at Daemonâs hip. âAnd Iâm to believe I should be grateful to be shackled to a dragon of my own?â
His eyes flicked toward you and narrowed, his tone as cold as yours despite the faint trace of amusement threading through his disdain. âIâm not your dragon, wife,â he drawled, voice soft but edged with warning for you not to get your expectations up. Not that you had any. You knew exactly where you stood with your new husbandâunwanted. âYou may find youâve married something you cannot handle.â
You hummed, entirely unbothered. âOnly time will tell,â you said evenly, meeting his violet gaze without flinching. âWhich one of us canât handle the other.â
Daemon made no effort to hide his dislike in the weeks that followed. He avoided dinners, ignored the courtiers who dared offer their congratulations, and left your marriage bed untouched and cold. He refused even to consummate the unionâmuch to your quiet relief.
You, in turn, perfected the art of pretending not to care.
You did not rise to his baiting remarks or sharp-edged insults. You ignored the whispers that slithered through the halls, the rumours that spread like wildfire about the cold marriage between the Rogue Prince and his southern bride.Â
Instead, you smiled sweetly, your wit sharp enough to charm but never offend the members of court around you. Where Daemon made enemies, you made allies. You had learned quickly how to survive the venom of court: with polite smiles, measured words, and alliances that grew quietly in the shadows. People underestimated you because you were young, southern, and soft-spoken. That suited you perfectly.
Daemon, however, did not take kindly to being ignored despite his own actionsâespecially by his wife.
He found you one afternoon in the gardens, sunlight filtering through the lemon trees, deep in conversation with a few of the courtâs lords. His sharp stare cut across the courtyard like a blade, but you met it with nothing more than a polite nod before returning to your discussion, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
Only that dismissal didnât suit him and decided to interrupt and remind that fat lord just who you belonged too.
âLord Redwyne,â he drawled as he approached, hands clasped loosely behind his back, tone deceptively casual. âI wasnât aware my wife required your company quite so often.â
The poor lord paled instantly, words tumbling from his lips as he stammered a hurried apology before bowing and making a hasty retreat. You waited until the echo of his boots faded before finally turning to Daemon.
âWas that truly necessary?â you asked, annoyance lacing your voice as you regarded your husband with open disdain.
Daemonâs mouth curved into a smirk, his violet eyes glinting with something between mockery and challenge. âI find men at court need reminding of their boundaries.â
You tilted your head, meeting his gaze without a trace of fear. âAnd yet here you are,â you said evenly, âforgetting yours.â
You turned to leave, skirts whispering against the stone, but his hand shot outâfingers curling tightly around your wrist. His grip was firm and possessive, eyes dark with anger at your audacity.
âI am your husband,â he hissed, his grip tightening around your wrist. âThere are no boundaries placed upon me. I could choose to take you here and now, and no one would dare stop me. Do well to remember who exactly you belong to.â
You turned slowly, your eyes narrowing, lips curling into a sharp, cold sneer. âAnd youâd do well to remember,â you said, voice low and venomous as you wrenched your wrist free of his hold, âthat dragons arenât the only danger in this world. Poison can be equally as effective as fire.â
You didnât wait for his reply. The echo of your steps trailed behind you as you stormed down the hall, leaving Daemon standing there, the tension in his jaw slowly easing before a faint grin tugged at his mouth.
You were still his unwanted wife, but the longer he watched, the more Daemon realized your indifference fascinated him. There was something intoxicating about the way you carried yourself. He had thought you soft, too weak to stand by his side as his wife, yet beneath that deceptively innocent exterior laid an unyielding spine and a quiet, hidden fire he found himself wanting to provokeâto see how brightly it might burn.
You had adapted to court life far faster than heâd anticipated, and the fact that you offered him nothingâno submission, no craving for his approvalâonly deepened his fascination. He had expected you to run back to Highgarden, to crumble beneath the weight of court politics, or perhaps to come crawling to him for protection once the vipers began to circle. Instead, you had stood your ground. You may not have carried the blood of the dragon, but your thorns proved sharp enough to rival oneâs bite.
And as the days passed, he watched you closer, beginning to notice a shift in courtâthe way certain lords now looked at you with measured respect, the way your words began to carry more weight when you spoke. You were earning favour, allies, influenceâwithout his name, without his help.
Daemon would never say it aloud, but the truth lingered all the same: the woman he had dismissed was quickly becoming the only person in the Red Keep he could not ignore.
It was deep into the night when he found you.
He hadnât meant toârestless and half-drunk, heâd been wandering the castleâs corridors in search of quiet when a sound stopped him. A scuffle. A muffled cry.
His hand went to the hilt of his sword before his mind even caught up with his body. He turned the cornerâsteel half-drawnâand what he saw turned his blood to fire.
A knight, one of the Reachâs lesser sons, had you pinned against the cold stone wall. One hand clamped over your mouth, the other tearing at the thin fabric of your nightgown. You shoved him back hard enough to make him stumble, but he caught you again, slamming your shoulder into the wall with a brutal thud. You fought like a cornered animalâkicking, clawing, the sound of your muffled scream cutting through the stillness of the Keep.
Daemon didnât think. He moved.
In two long strides, he was on the knight, seizing him by the collar and hurling him against the wall so hard the manâs head cracked against the stone. The clang of metal filled the hall as the knightâs sword hit the floor, followed by a strangled gasp of pain.
âGet your fucking hands off her,â Daemon snarled, every word vibrating with barely contained fury.
The knight barely had time to register who stood before him before Daemonâs fist collided with his face, the impact sending him sprawling across the stone floor. The sickening crack of bone echoed down the corridor, followed by a sharp cry of pain.
âPleaseââ the knight gasped, blood spilling from his mouth as he tried to crawl away.
Daemon said nothing. His expression was carved from ice, his fury so cold it burned. He drove his boot into the manâs ribs onceâhardâthen again, each strike landing with the force of restrained rage. But restraint only lasted so long.
âTell me,â Daemon hissed, his voice low and venomous, âwhy I should stopâwhen you saw fit to ignore my lady wife as she begged you to let her go?â
He seized the knight by the collar, yanking him upright with a violent jerk. The manâs head lolled, blood dribbling from his nose and mouth as he blubbered incoherentlyâpleas for mercy, apologies, excuses.
Daemonâs lip curled. âPathetic.â
The words were little more than a growl before his fist crashed into the manâs face again. The wet, sickening sound of impact echoed down the corridor, followed by another and another, until the knightâs desperate cries dissolved into gurgled whimpers. Bone crunched beneath Daemonâs knuckles; blood splattered his sleeve.
The knightâs feeble attempts to shield himself only stoked Daemonâs fury further. He struck until the man finally collapsedâcrumpled and half-conscious, his face a ruined mess of blood, swelling, and shattered bone.
Daemonâs breathing came harsh and ragged. He straightened slowly, wiping a streak of the manâs blood from his knuckles with a calm that contrasted his earlier fury. He should have called for the guardsâthose useless bastards who had clearly been asleep at their postsâbut he had no intention of delegating this.
No, this was personal.
He would make a spectacle of this wretch. He would ensure that every knight, lord, and servant in the Red Keep knew what became of any man foolish enough to lay a hand on what belonged to him.
Because as unwanted as you had been, you were still his wife. And compared to his late bronze bitch, you were far more tolerableâinfuriatingly so.
He was already moving, intent on dragging the vermin to the dungeons, when a flicker of movement stopped him.
You stepped forward.
Your nightgown was torn, the fabric clutched tightly to your chest to preserve what little modesty you had left. Blood stained your lip, your hair hung loose and tangled, and your eyesâseven hells, your eyesâburned with a cold, unflinching fire.
Before Daemon could speak, your hand darted for the dagger at his belt. His fingers twitched in surprise, but you were fasterâripping it free in one fluid motion. He opened his mouth, perhaps to stop you, perhaps to warn you, but the words never left his tongue.
You dropped to your knees beside the fallen knight.
Daemon watched, frozen, as the trembling in your hand steadied with terrifying purpose. And in that heartbeat, he realized he had gravely underestimated you. The danger you carried wasnât in your silver tongue or your deceptively soft appearance. It was in the fire he so often enjoyed provokingâthe one that now burned, fierce and unrestrained, revealing a brutality that mirrored his own.
The blade came down. Once. Twice. The sound was wet and final.
The scream that followed ripped through the Keep, sharp and ragged, echoing off the stone. Blood spattered across your cheek, soaking into your torn nightgown as the severed hand hit the flagstones with a dull, wet thud.
You didnât look away, your eyes burning with something perilously close to satisfaction. You only took a single deep breath, your grip on the slick dagger tightening for a brief moment before you finally straightened up.
âHe wonât be touching anyone again,â you said, your voice calmâeerily so. Then, as if the act had been no more than pruning a hedge in the garden, you turned the dagger in your hand and offered it back to Daemon, blood still dripping from the blade. âYou can do the rest.â
Daemon stared at youâreally staredâas if seeing you for the first time. The sharp edge of his anger faltered, giving way to something dangerously close to admiration. Then, slowly, a low laugh rumbled in his chest. It wasnât mocking or cruel, but low and genuineâborn of disbelief more than mirth.
âSeven hells,â he murmured, a crooked grin curving his lips. âPerhaps the gods arenât so cruel after all. Youâre full of surprises, little flower.â
You met his gaze without flinching, the flickering torchlight catching on the blood still splattered across your cheek.Â
âYou married a Tyrell,â you said evenly, ânot a delicate flower.â
His grin widened, sharp and feral. âNo,â he said, almost admiringly. âIt seems I married a thorn.â
He reached out, his thumb brushing a streak of blood from your cheek. The touch lingeredâlonger than it should have, longer than either of you cared to admit. His eyes, glinting in the dim torchlight, softened into something dark and dangerous. âPerhaps,â he murmured, voice low, âI shouldâve agreed to this marriage sooner.â
You rolled your eyes, unimpressed by the sudden warmth in his tone. âSave your charm for someone who cares, husband,â you said coolly, stepping past him.
The hem of your ruined nightgown dragged across the stones, leaving thin streaks of crimson in your wake. You didnât look backânot even when another low chuckle rumbled from his chest.
Daemon watched you go, the sound of your fading footsteps echoing through the corridor. You didnât rush away, nor offer him a single glance.
For a man like him, so accustomed to obedience, fear, or devotion, that quiet defiance was nothing short of intoxicating.
By the time you disappeared around the corner, Daemonâs grin had widened, but it was darker and less amused. He glanced down at the severed hand still lying in a growing pool of blood, then toward the path youâd taken.
âDefinitely a thorn,â he muttered to himself, before raising his dagger to do as you ordered and finish what you started.
By the time the task was done and the wretch was dragged to the dungeons, you were long gone. When Daemon finally reached your shared martial chambers, he found the door barred from within. There was a faint flicker of candlelight beneath the door, telling him there was a high chance you were still awake.
He stood there for a moment, silent, debating whether to knock. His hand hovered near the handle, but he didnât move. Instead, a faint smirk tugged at his mouth as he let his hand fall away.
âTomorrow, then,â he murmured under his breath, turning on his heel.
As he walked down the dim corridor, the sound of his boots echoing against the stone, Daemon found something unfamiliar curling in his chest as he once again thought of you.
For the first time in years, he was smiling at the thought of someone daring to tell him no.
The story spread quicklyâfaster than wildfire and twice as hot.
By morning, the entire court knew that a knight had been maimed and stripped of his title, Daemon Targaryen had been involved, and the new Lady Targaryen was not to be trifled with. Servants whispered in corridors, eyes wide with both fear and fascination. Lords traded embellished versions over their morning wine, each claiming to know the true tale. And by the time the sun reached its peak, it had reached the ears of the Small Council.
Viserys wasted no time. Before the morning was out, the two of you were summoned before the Iron Throne.
Daemon stood tall at your side, hands clasped behind his back, his smirk unmistakably smug as though the entire affair amused him. You, however, remained composed, despite the split lip and the faint bruise still shadowing your jaw.
Viserys pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling heavily. His patience, always thin when it came to his brother, was clearly stretched to its limits. âSeven hells, Daemon,â he muttered, his tone sharp with exasperation. âCan you not go a single month without bloodshed in the Keep?â
Daemonâs smirk only deepened. âIt wasnât entirely my doing this time,â he drawled lazily, almost playful. âMy wife saw to most of it.â
The council chamber fell into utter silence. as a dozen pairs of eyes turned toward you. Their expressions ranged from disbelief to thinly veiled horror, as though theyâd just realized the soft-spoken lady from the Reach was no lady at all.
You did not flinch beneath their scrutiny. When you spoke, your tone was calm yet cold. âThe knight was drunk and violent, Your Grace,â you said evenly. âMy husband stopped him before he could do worse. I merely⌠ensured it would never happen again.â
Otto Hightower regarded you as though youâd sprouted fangs. âYou ensured it?â he repeated, his voice slow and dripping with disdain. âBy cutting off his hands? The man was brutalized.â
âHand,â you corrected smoothly. âI took only one. My husband saw to the other in his own form of retribution.â You tilted your head slightly, meeting Ottoâs stare without wavering. âWould you prefer Iâd waited for the court to deliberate while he still had the use of it? It is the law, is it notâto lose them for such crimes?â
For a moment, silence hung over the council chamber. Then Daemon broke it as he chuckled under his breath, low and amused.
Ottoâs eyes narrowed, his irritation bleeding into every measured word. âThe law, Lady Tyrellââ
âTargaryen,â Daemon interrupted, his tone deceptively mild.Â
The single word landed like a slap. Otto blinked, surprise flickering across his features before his expression smoothed back into something resembling civility. He inclined his head slightly, though the muscle in his jaw twitched. âThe law, Lady Targaryen,â he corrected, voice clipped and cold, âis not yours to carry out. You have overstepped your station. The Kingâs justice does not come from the hands of womenâor from vigilantes acting on impulse.â
Your expression didnât falter, though the tension in the room thickened. âThen perhaps,â you said evenly, âthe Kingâs justice should arrive before a woman needs to defend herself.â
A few councillors shifted in their seats, exchanging uneasy glances. Ottoâs expression darkened, his composure fraying at the edges. âYou forget yourself, my lady,â he snapped. âSuch defiance is unbecoming ofââ
âCareful, Otto,â Daemon drawled, his voice cutting cleanly through the chamber. âYou seem to be forgetting yourself.â
The Hand froze mid-sentence. The smirk that usually curved Daemonâs lips had vanished, replaced by something colder and dark. His words simmered with threat. He took a slow step forward, the click of his boots echoing against the stone floor.
âMy wife,â Daemon declared, looking to the members of the council, âwas attacked in her own hall. And the man who dared touch her breathes still. Iâd say weâve already shown the court more mercy than it deserves.â
Ottoâs jaw tightened. âMercy?â he repeated with a scoff. âYou call mutilation mercy?â
Daemonâs gaze turned sharp as a blade. âThat, Otto,â he said evenly, âis leniency. Were it my full measure of justice, youâd be discussing a corpse, not a cripple.â
Viserys sighed, rubbing at his temple as though warding off an oncoming headache. âDaemonââ
But Daemon wasnât finished. He moved closer to Otto, enough that the old manâs hand twitched to grab the edge of the table.Â
âYou should choose your next words carefully, my lord Hand,â Daemon said softly, the quiet in his tone somehow more dangerous than a shout. âBecause the only reason this matter reached your ears at all is that I allowed it to. Had I wished otherwise, that knight wouldâve vanished before sunrise â and not a soul would be the wiser.â
Ottoâs mouth tightened, his knuckles whitening around the edge of the table. âYou threaten the Hand of the King in open council?â
Daemonâs grin returned â thin, wolfish, and entirely without warmth. âNo,â he said. âIâm reminding you where your authority ends.â His gaze flicked toward you, lingering for a heartbeat before returning to Otto. âWhether you like it or not, she is a princess. Her word carries the same weight as mine â as any Targaryenâs. Youâd do well to remember that the next time you choose to address her so brazenly. Next time,â his voice dropped, dangerous and deliberate, âI may not be so⌠lenient.â
âEnough,â Viserys interjected sharply, his patience at last fraying. He sank back against the Iron Throne with a weary exhale. âGods save me, the two of you are well-matched. The knightâs punishment will stand as delivered. Now â let us not waste more of the realmâs time on this nonsense.â
Otto looked like he wanted to protest, but one glance at Daemonâs expression silenced him. The princeâs violet eyes burned with quiet warning, and the faintest ghost of a smile played on his lips as he turned back toward you, brushing his fingers briefly against yours
You didnât return the gesture, though your lips curved just slightly as you met his gaze.
For the first time since your marriage, Daemonâs smirk wasnât cruel. It was proud. And worse still, it was genuine.
After the council incident, something between you and Daemon shifted. It wasnât a sudden change, nor one you could easily define. It was noticeable enough that conversations faltered when you entered a room together. Even Otto Hightower, ever the picture of composure, could not disguise the way his mouth tightened and his expression soured the moment his gaze landed on either of you.
You had become something of a spectacle: the Rogue Prince and the Southern Rose, a union that should have burned under the weight of its own volatilityâbut hadnât.
Daemon, of course, took delight in every ounce of scandal your union was inspiring.
At council meetings, he no longer sat opposite you but beside you, close enough that the warmth of his arm brushed against your sleeve when he leaned in. He had made it his personal amusement to whisper comments low enough for only you to hear â wicked little asides designed to test your composure.
âI think,â he murmured one morning, as Otto began another of his long, tedious speeches, âif the old vulture glares any harder, his eyes might fall out.â
You fought the smile tugging at your lips, forcing your expression into something neutral. âTry not to provoke him,â you whispered back. âHeâs still the Hand.â
Daemon tilted his head, eyes gleaming with that familiar, dangerous humour. âHeâs a hand Iâd gladly cut off,â he murmured. âCare to help me, wife? You did quite well the last time.â
You sighed, though the faint curl of your lips betrayed you. In truth, you disliked Otto Hightower just as deeply as Daemon did. The man was a vulture â always circling the throne, always overreaching, always pretending his ambition was piety.
âYou enjoy making enemies far too much,â you muttered, the words slipping out before you could stop them.
Daemonâs smirk only deepened, that infuriating glint in his eyes suggesting he found your disapproval endlessly entertaining.
He began to appear everywhere.
At dinners, his chair was suddenly beside yours, his presence commanding attention no matter how much you tried to ignore it. In the gardens, youâd feel his gaze long before you turned to find him watching, his expression unreadable. Even during court sessions, he lingered near you, standing just close enough to make it impossible for anyone to forget whose wife you were.
He hovered close enough to unsettle you, close enough that the courtiers began to whisper behind gloved hands. After all, it wasnât so long ago that Daemon Targaryen had made no secret of his disdain for this marriage, for you. Yet now, wherever you went, he followed â a shadow that refused to fade, a dragon circling what he had once dismissed as unworthy prey.
And in all his watching, Daemon came to a realization.
The lords who had once made their disdain for him plain were now markedly more tolerantâsome even deferential. Conversations that used to die the moment he entered no longer did. The same mouths that had once whispered against him now spoke with murmurs of cautious respect.
It hadnât been his doing. It had been yours.
For all your ice, for all the cruelty heâd shown you, you had never once turned against him. In your own quiet way, you had stood beside him. Those endless interactions he had dismissed as meaningless pleasantries, the soft smiles and chatters heâd mistaken for you wasting your time on simpering lords in what he had thought had been in indulgence, hadnât been acts of vanity or spite.
You had been securing him power. Turning enemies into allies. Shifting the courtâs favour not through fear, but through quiet influence â a kind of power heâd never learned to wield.
And you had done it all without asking for credit, without expecting his gratitude.
It unsettled himâhow easily youâd done what he, with all his fire and fury, never could. For perhaps the first time in his life, Daemon Targaryen found himself forced to admit that he had gravely underestimated the woman the gods had chained him to.
âYouâve made quite the name for yourself,â Daemon drawled one evening as he joined you on the balcony overlooking Blackwater Bay. The setting sun bled across the sky, painting the water in molten gold and fire, while the wind carried the faint scent of salt and smoke through the air.
âHalf the court is terrified of you now,â he continued, his tone lazy, though his eyes gleamed with amusement.
âAre they now?â you mused, lifting your goblet and taking a slow sip of wine. âPerhaps itâs you they fear, husband.â
Daemon snorted, resting one shoulder against the carved stone rail. âOf course they fear me,â he said easily, almost amused. âBut you, my lady wifeââ his gaze swept over you, lingering in that way that felt like admiration, ââ youâve built a reputation entirely your own. And a powerful one at that.â
You arched a brow, setting your goblet down with a soft clink. âYou almost sound impressed.â
A low hum rumbled in his throat, the corner of his mouth curving into that familiar, crooked smile that had begun to lose some of its cruelty. âPerhaps I am,â he admitted, leaning in as his tongue swept briefly across his lips.
You turned to face him fully, the sea breeze catching a loose strand of your hair and brushing it against your cheek. âThen you should be careful,â you said lightly, though the warning in your voice was unmistakable. âIt seems Iâve earned a reputation for maiming men who touch without asking.â
His answering grin was wicked, his eyes glinting with that familiar mix of arrogance and amusement. âDonât worry, wife,â he murmured, his voice low, smooth, and far too sure of itself. âWhen I touch you, itâll be because you begged me to.â
You didnât blush at his implication. You simply rolled your eyes, âNeed I remind you that you hate me?â
âIâm reconsidering that fact,â he said without hesitation, the corners of his mouth twitching.
âDonât bother,â you replied coolly, your tone sharp enough to cut. âYouâre not forgiven.â
âForgiveness,â he said, leaning just close enough for your breath to catch, âwas never what I wanted.â
You didnât move away. The space between you felt taut, charged, alive. His nearness carried heat â the faint scent of smoke and steel that always clung to him â but you refused to yield an inch.
âThen what is it you do want, my prince?â you asked, your voice measured, daring him to answer truthfully.
âHusband,â he corrected softly, taking another slow step forward. âIâm your husband, and you are my wife.â His gaze dropped briefly to your lips before lifting back to meet your eyes. âAnd what I wantâŚâ He paused, the ghost of a smile curling his mouth. ââŚis you.â
You studied him for a long moment, the torchlight flickering across the sharp planes of his face â the proud line of his jaw, the dangerous glint in his violet eyes. He wasnât jesting. There was something different in him now, something that unsettled you far more than his cruelty ever had.
Finally, you exhaled and shook your head, turning away. âGoodnight, Daemon.â
He didnât try to stop you. He only watched as you passed him, his gaze following the graceful sweep of your figure as the faint scent of roses lingered in the air, as you made your way down the corridor.
âSleep well, wife,â he called after you, his voice carrying that maddening blend of amusement and promise. âYouâll dream of me before long.â
You didnât look back, though your lips curved faintly as you rounded the corner. âNot likely,â you murmured under your breath â but even as you said it, you knew it for a lie.
If the gods had cursed you with Daemon Targaryen, they had done so knowingly. For all his temper, his wickedness, and his arrogance, the man was beautiful. And worse still â he knew it.
Despite the growing ease between you and Daemon, there were still some in the court who looked upon the change with thinly veiled displeasure. Power unsettled men like Otto Hightower â especially when it didnât belong to them.
Daemon had been gone for days, called to Dragonstone on some errand for Viserys, and though you would never admit it aloud, the castle felt quieter in his absence. You told yourself it was a welcome reprieve â fewer stares, fewer annoying grins, fewer games â but there were moments when you caught yourself missing the sound of his voice, the heat of his presence. You buried the thought quickly.
When the summons came, you were told it was a matter of court business â routine, nothing more. But the moment you stepped into the council chamber, you knew better.
Viserys sat slumped at the head of the table, his crown slightly askew, weariness written in every line of his face. Beside him stood Otto Hightower, hands folded neatly behind his back, his expression smooth as polished marble. Around them sat a small cluster of lords and septons â enough to make the meeting official.
âMy lady,â Otto said as you approached, inclining his head with mock civility. âWe thank you for attending on such short notice. Please, be seated.â
You didnât move. âWhat is this?â
Viserys shifted uncomfortably, eyes flickering between you and his Hand. âThere have been⌠concerns raised,â he began, his tone hesitant. âYou understand how closely the court watches the stability of the royal line. It has been several months since your wedding to my brother andâŚâ His words trailed off as he rubbed at his temple. âQuestions have been asked.â
You stared at him, suspicion already twisting in your gut. âQuestions,â you repeated slowly. âAbout what?â
âAbout heirs,â Otto said smoothly, seizing the opening. âOr ratherââ he paused, letting the silence linger for a moment, ââthe lack thereof.â
For a heartbeat, you could only stare at him, the meaning of his words sinking in like ice water down your spine. Then disbelief hardened into fury.
âYou summon me before the council,â you began coldly, taking a step closer to the table, âto discuss my womb?â
Otto smiled faintly, the perfect picture of reason. âNot to discuss, my lady â merely to clarify,â he said smoothly. âYou see, the matter has caused⌠some unrest. There are whispers that perhaps the marriage has not beenââ he paused delicately, ââfruitful.â
Your fingers curled around the edge of the table, nails biting into the polished wood. âFruitful,â you repeated, the word falling from your tongue like venom. âTell me, Lord Hand â are you in the habit of inquiring into the private matters of every marriage in the realm, or only those that inconvenience you?â
Ottoâs expression didnât flicker. His tone remained calm, reasonable â the voice of a man who hid malice behind measured words. âI inquire only when the stability of the realm may be affected,â he replied smoothly. âThe Kingâs council must consider every possibility. You and Prince Daemon have been wed forââ he glanced down at a parchment, the motion purely performative, ââfive months. No announcement has been made. No signs of an heir. Naturally, the court wonders if perhaps the gods have seen fit to close the womb of the Princess.â
The air in the chamber seemed to still at the thinly veiled implication.
Your jaw tightened, but your voice, when it came, was soft and cutting. âCareful, my lord. The gods are fickle creatures. They might decide to close your mouth next.â
A few of the lords shifted, uncertain whether to look at you or the Hand. Otto, of course, merely smiled â that thin, patronizing curve of his lips that made you want to drive a goblet straight through his throat. âI assure you, Princess,â he said mildly, âno offence was meant. But when the succession of the realm may hang in the balance, His Grace is right to seek certainty.â
You stared at him, the realization sliding into place like a dagger between ribs. This wasnât about heirs. It wasnât about the stability of the realm. Otto Hightower, ever the vulture, had scented blood â your rising influence, your ability to temper Daemonâs furyâand meant to get rid of you down before you became unassailable.
Turning toward the King, you met Viserysâs weary gaze, disbelief and anger threading through your voice. âSurely, you donât mean to entertain this insult.â
Viserys shifted again, visibly uncomfortable. âItâs not an insult, child,â he said, his voice carrying that weary gentleness he used when trying to placate. âMerely⌠a concern. You know how these things spread. If the marriage is troubled, it would be better to resolve it quietly before others make assumptions.â
Resolve it quietly. The words settled like ice in your chest. He meant annulment.
Ottoâs eyes gleamed â the satisfaction barely hidden behind his veneer of civility. âThe Faith could be called to confirm the matter, of course,â he added smoothly, his tone almost sympathetic. âA physician or septa mightââ
The doors slammed open.
The sound cracked through the chamber like thunder.
Daemon strode in. His cloak billowed behind him, dust from the road still clinging to his boots, and though his expression was deceptively calm, the fire in his eyes was unmistakable. Every man in the room went still. Even Otto Hightowerâs composure faltered.
âDonât stop on my account,â Daemon drawled lazily. âIâd hate to interrupt such an important meeting.â
The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on.
Viserys exhaled heavily, already bracing himself. âDaemonâŚâ he began, but it was useless.
The prince was already in motion, his steps measured â a predator circling prey. His gaze swept over the gathered lords, past the nervous septons, before locking on Otto like a dragon sizing up a meal.
âI heard,â Daemon said, his voice low but carrying easily through the room, âthat my wife was summoned before the council.â He tilted his head slightly, his mouth curving into something that wasnât quite a smile. âImagine my curiosity when I discovered the topic of discussion was of our martial bed.â
He reached your side in three long strides, his arm winding around your waist and pulling you close without hesitation. The sudden gesture was possessive, protective and it startled you more than you cared to admit. You had expected to stand alone in your defence; part of you had even braced for Daemon to use this as an opportunity to accept an annulment and cast you aside.
But he didnât.
Instead, he stood beside you, unyielding, his hand firm against your hip as though daring anyone in the chamber to try and take you from him. Whatever else he was to youâyour unwanted husband, your tormentor, your frustrationâright now, he was your shield, and the weight of his presence filled the room like a drawn sword.
âSo tell me, my lords,â Daemon drawled, his tone deceptively casual, âwhich of you volunteered to climb into my bed in my stead?â
An uncomfortable murmur rippled through the room, the councillors shifting uncomfortably at the implication. No one dared to meet his eye.
Ottoâs composure faltered only for a breath before he recovered. âYour Grace, no one meant offence,â he said quickly, though his voice carried an edge. âConcerns were raised for the good of the realmââ
âConcerns,â Daemon echoed, turning his head toward the Hand with slow, deliberate menace. âAbout what, exactly? My performance? My wifeâs virtue?â His smile thinned, the faintest hint of a snarl curling beneath the words. âOr is this your latest attempt to worm your way deeper into my brotherâs ear?â
Otto straightened, his restraint beginning to fray. âI advise the King as duty requires,â he replied tightly. âThe realm must have heirs.â
Daemonâs expression sharpened, all trace of humour gone. âAnd you presume to dictate when they come?â His tone dropped lower. âOr from whose womb?â
âOf course not,â Otto began smoothly, though the gleam in his eyes betrayed his intent. âHowever, if your wife cannot fulfill her duties, it would be prudent to consider other options. My daughter, Alicentââ
âAlicent Hightower?â Daemon scoffed, his laughter low and mocking. âThe only thing she could breed is boredom.â
The insult hit its mark. A few of the councillors coughed into their hands, poorly hiding their amusement. Ottoâs jaw tightened, the faintest flicker of fury breaking through his polished restraint.
âI have no interest in your spawn,â Daemon continued sharply, each word laced with venom. He leaned forward, his head angling just over your shoulder, his voice dropping to a low growl that slithered through the chamber like smoke. âAnd the next time you dare to question my wifeâs worthâor her bodyâyouâll be counting your teeth instead of heirs.â
You fought the urge to smirk, but gave in to the temptation of leaning into him, placing your hand to rest over his. It was a simple gesture, but it showed your solidarity. Daemon Targaryen had once claimed he was not your dragon, yet here he stood, defending you as fiercely as one. And though he infuriated you more than any man alive, you had no intention of letting him go either.
âThis is unseemly,â Otto hissed, his composure splintering. âThe Prince misinterprets the councilâs intent.â
Viserys rose from his seat, attempting calm though his tone frayed with irritation. âDaemon, enough,â he said, voice heavy with exasperation. âThe matter was only raised to ensure stabilityââ
âThen let me assure you, brother,â Daemon said, his tone dropping to something low and dangerous, âmy marriage is quite stable. And as for heirsââ
He turned toward you, his lips curving into a slow, wicked smile that made heat creep up your neck. âThey will be provided when I decide the time is right. In the meantime, how my wife and I fuck in our marital bed should not be of concern to anyone in this hall.â
Ignoring the gasps rippled that through the chamber. He turned on his heel, using the hand on your waist to guide you to follow him out of the chamber. The doors slammed behind you, the echo reverberating through the marble corridor, leaving a stunned silence in your wake.
Only when the noise of the council faded did you finally exhale, tension bleeding from your shoulders. âYou didnât need to do that,â you muttered, refusing to meet his gaze.
Daemonâs tone was calm as he took you in. âIf you think Iâd let them humiliate you while I breathe, wife,â he said softly, âthen you truly donât know me yet.â
You turned to look at himâand for the first time since your marriage, there was no mockery in his eyes. No smirk. No cruel amusement.
âWhy?â you asked, your voice low. âYou made it quite clear you never wanted this marriage. That was your chance to be rid of me.â
Daemon stopped walking. The torchlight from the corridor flickered across his face, throwing sharp shadows over the hard lines of his jaw. For a long moment, he didnât speak. He only studied you, eyes dark and searching, as though weighing truths heâd rather keep buried.
Finally, he said quietly, âI didnât want a marriage forced on me.â His voice had lost its usual biteâno swagger, no arroganceâjust the faint rasp of honesty. âBut Iâll be damned before I let Otto Hightower, or anyone else, decide whatâs mine to keep or discard.â
You stared at him, uncertain whether to scoff or believe him. âSo this is about pride, then?â you asked, your tone measured. âPossession?â
He gave a faint, humourless huff of laughter, the corner of his mouth twitching but never quite forming a smile. âAt first,â he admitted. âPerhaps. But pride doesnât make a man ride through the night when he hears his wifeâs being paraded before the council and being accused that she is some barren broodmare.â
Your breath caught â just a fraction. You searched his face, expecting him to be mocking you, but what you found instead was something dangerously close to sincerity.
He stepped closer, close enough that the heat of him seeped through the thin layers of your gown.Â
âYouâve done what no one else at court has managed,â he said, voice low, roughened by truth. âYouâve made them listen. Youâve made them respect meâsupport meâwithout ever drawing a single blade. You stood before them with nothing but your tongue and your will, and you bent the court to heel. Youâre a threat to Otto, and thatâs why he went after you today.â
Your pulse quickened, steady composure slipping beneath the weight of his words. âAnd thatâs why you defended me?â
âNo,â he said simply. âI defended you because I wanted to.â
The air between you grew heavier. You could feel it â the shift that had been building for weeks now was impossible to ignore.
You tried to look away, but he reached outâgloved fingers brushing beneath your chin, coaxing your gaze back to his. âYou are my wife, from now until my death, you are mine to protect.â
For a moment, you forgot how to breathe. The fierce promise in his eyes rooted you in place, stealing the air from your lungs. You searched his face for the lieâfor that familiar smirk that always followed his provocationsâbut it never came. Daemon Targaryenâyour infuriating, impossible husbandâwas entirely, terrifyingly sincere.
âSo let them whisper about heirs all they like,â he murmured. âWeâll give them something worth whispering about soon enough.â
You swallowed hard, forcing composure back into your voice. âYou think one grand gesture and a few flowery words erase months of your cruelty?â
His thumb grazed the line of your jaw. âNo,â he said softly. âBut itâs a start.â
You exhaled, steadying yourself. âI hope this doesnât mean you expect me to let you into my bed.â
A faint smirk ghosted across his lips, a glimmer of the man you knew too well. âIâve told you, wife,â he said, voice smooth as silk. âWhen I touch you, it will be because you begged me toânot because some fat lords on a council demand it.â
âI may not have wanted this marriage,â Daemon said. âBut the thought of losing you⌠that, I find I want even less.â His gaze locked on yours, unwavering. âThey thought forcing this marriage would tame me,â he murmured, a flicker of something dangerous glinting in his eyes. âBut all theyâve done is tie me to the one person as untameable as myself. You and Iâwe were never meant to be gentle. A dragon needs fire to burnâŚâ His thumb brushed once more against your skin, the gesture feeling less like flirtation and more like a vow. âAnd Iâve found mine.â
For once, you didnât have a sharp retort. The words lingered between you, fragile and unguarded, like something that might shatter if either of you dared to break it. Your gaze danced between his, taking in the depth of his lilac eyes, and slowlyâalmost against your better judgmentâyou stepped forward, your hand resting lightly against his chest.
He stilled beneath your touch, watching you closely as you leaned up, your lips brushing his softly. Daemonâs breath hitched, and then he returned the kiss instantlyâhungry, wanting, alive. The contact was brief, fleeting, but it burned like wildfire. You were the one to pull away first.
âThank you, Daemon,â you murmured, your voice softer now, though not without its steel. âFor coming to my defenceâand for your honesty. Perhaps⌠thereâs hope for us yet.â
He released your wrist, stepping back just enough to let you go. His gaze lingered on your face, unreadable. âRest, wife,â he murmured, his tone softer than you had ever heard it. âThe realm can damn itself for all I care. Theyâll not touch you again.â
You hesitated only a moment before offering the faintest of smiles. âGoodnight, husband.â
Daemonâs lips curved, the ghost of a grin playing there. âGoodnight, wife.â
And as you walked away, your steps echoing down the quiet corridor, neither of you could quite ignore the truth that had finally taken rootâwhatever bound you together was no longer duty, nor politics, nor the will of others.
It was something far more dangerous.
she is made out of flowers @eviesaurusrex - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag