all our other lovers better leave us alone
[critical role (aramán); julien/aranessa; alternate universe: pre-canon; character study; power dynamics; possessiveness; implied/referenced sexual content; angst; julien's playboy habits coming back around to haunt him; aranessa having a generally difficult time; unfortunately I must speak the truth this evening; and the truth is that julien davinos is really really hot; 9k]
"Are you certain, my lady?" Raimond's fingers tap against his sword hilt. A minor habit of his. He only ever does it when he's thinking of his son. "I hate to put you to such trouble. It is not your place, or the place of your House, to clean up my House's shameful....indiscretions." Something hot and bright snaps through Aranessa's bones. It feels like a static shock, like ruffling someone's hair after a long run or standing right below a lightning strike. She swallows it smoothly, and does not let her face shift at all. "Your House is my House, General," she says. It is the kinder option. The other option would be to remind him that he does not determine what is fitting for her place, a any time. It is, and always will be, the other way around. But words get sharp and tongues get loose at this hour of the evening, and she is an adult. She can keep a proper hold on hers. "It is no trouble. It is already done. Go to sleep. Keep the guard rotations as they are. Julien will be well in hand by tomorrow." *** To sidestep further drama in House Davinos, Aranessa goes to fetch Julien from his latest night of fun. It proves...challenging. In more ways than one.
Good evening. I am, once again, back in the building of "the many compelling things happening between Aranessa and Julien." (I have been in the building the whole time, actually. I've just been drafting and editing, so you haven't seen me.) I humbly present to you some shenanigans, some silliness, and some sadness - all inspired by that one load-bearing scene in main-show episode 2. Please do enjoy.















