Crossover, au, or only x reader story of the show. Boy meets world, girl meets world. When it come to this, for me it's mainly option 3, non yandere.
Bmw: yn is cory's twin. They share friends. Yn is bi or pan. Yn is the smart twin. Yn shares a room with Morgan. Yn and Morgan have sister time. Minkus has a crush on not only tapanga, but also yn (like his son likes both Riley and Maya) which she sees as adorable. Yn only judges you by your actions. Yn is scared of tapanga, she'd rather be in a horror movie than face her fury. Yn like most of the family, has fabulous hair. Yn gets a good amount of admirers. Yn knows how to stand up to bullies, she gained a cool nickname and is rarely messed with. She got a job when she was able to.
Gmw: yn is the aunt who lives near by. Yn tells her neice, nephew and their friends about her and their parents past. If it goes against the parents, yn's answer will always be "no". Yn went to Texas with her niece and her niece's friends. Yn is not a perfect, but a good role model.
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Summary: The children of Viserys I from his wife Alicent Hightower had always been lacking in affection from their parents. They simply didn't realize how much until their widowed aunt was brought into their lives. (AU where Alicent has an older sister and her kids get the love that they deserve, takes place some time after the Driftmark event)
Part VIII - Clash of the Castaways
|| Loving Arms Masterlist ||
A/N: So.... how is everyone? 😅 I know it's been a while, and I will be honest this chapter probably isn't the best but I had so many ideas and executing them all was a lot harder than I thought. Hopefully the next one doesn't take as long to write out and flows a little better
Oldtown was teeming with organized chaos as a number of servants moved to and thro in the courtyard to finish the last preparations needed for Otto Hightower and his youngest daughter Alicent to set off for King’s Landing. The clatter of hooves and the bustle of people filled the courtyard as the retinue of House Hightower prepared for their departure.
In the midst of it, two children stood quietly watching it all unfold before them. None paid them much attention and skirted around the two. Gwayne did his best to keep his expression neutral while he held his younger sister’s hand in comfort. (Y/N) leaned against him weakly, red rimmed eye blurry with tears. Neither spoke a word, letting it all happen without much complaint as Alicent was carefully lifted up into the carriage in front of them.
Off to the side, Hobert and Otto were still in the midst of their own heated discussion.
“Otto this is still much too soon for you to be leaving for King’s Landing, I am sure the King would understand the circumstances and be willing to wait” Hobert argued. “Alyrie has only been laid to rest a few weeks back, and your poor child is still recovering from her horrid accident. Your children need you, Otto! You cannot simply leave them behind!”
“Gwayne and (Y/N) will both understand, they will come to understand that duty comes before all else” Otto said. “Not to mention, what would you have me do with them? The girl will be a hassle to lug around, with her recent disfigurement it will be even more difficult to even find her an adequate match. Let us not even begin with all the difficulties that Gwayne has with his studies. No Hobert, things will be simpler if it is merely Alicent and I.”
“Otto, I do not know if you think before you choose to speak but you make it sound like your son and daughter are burdens.”
“They bring unneeded situations that I do not have time for,” Otto said. “All I am asking of you, Hobert, is that you do what you can with them.”
“The girl is seven and the boy is nine, but you are acting as if they are lost causes.”
The younger of the two brothers’ did not answer.
“I will send you the funds for their monthly expenses; their clothing, Septa’s, tutors, and all other things that they will need as they grow.”
“And how often will you come to see the children?”
“In due time, I will have too much to do while Alicent and I get settled in the Keep.”
“The two will be a man and a woman grown before long, Otto.”
“That I am counting on” Otto said patting his brother on the shoulder. “Take care Hobert!”
Gwayne and (Y/N) immediately took hurried steps to follow after their Father once he had finished his conversation with their uncle. Otto quickly mounted atop his horse and briefly turned to look at his eldest children, before he motioned for the retinue to begin its march toward King’s Landing. The two children all the while tried to keep pace with their Father and their younger sister’s carriage.
“Behave yourselves!” Otto called out to them, his eyes locked forward.
It was the last thing the man said, before leaving their gaze and too far out of reach for them to keep up with him.
The little ones stood there for quite some time.
Watching.
Waiting.
Hoping.
“He didn’t look back, did he?” Gwayne asked quietly.
“No,” (Y/N) said. “He didn’t. Neither Father or Alicent said goodbye.”
The brother and sister held hands tightly, their hearts breaking not for the last time.
When the elder Hightower daughter returned to her chambers, she was quick to dismiss her attendants and all those that served her to be away for a time. She breathed in shakily, eye stinging as she furiously wiped at her face and locked her jaw tightly. She only gave herself a small moment of calm, before she let a scream of frustration loosen itself from her lips and grabbed the object nearest to her, throwing it with a force that shattered the trinket that had moments ago been gripped harshly in her hands.
The dam of her emotions was simply too much for her; she poured everything out of her for the next several moments, clothes were strewn about, her vanity was overturned, and shoes were chucked in every which way as she tore at her own clothes and clawed at her skin and hair.
Nothing was truly left unscathed from her wrath.
The soft knock at her door was what broke her out of the mind - blocking seething fit. It was a timid sound it was surprising that it was enough to catch her attention at all.
With a shaky breath she called out, “Who is it?”
It creaked open slowly and Aemond hesitantly peered into the ransacked room, “May I come in?” His aunt laughed in disbelief, settling herself onto the floor and her skirts billowed out beside her. Wordlessly she gestured for the boy to come into the room.
“I apologize for the state of my room, I was not in the best state of mind earlier. Everything was moving quite quickly in my mind when I was taking my rage out onto my possessions, and now that I say this it seems quite childish that I subjected so many to the beginnings of my mood earlier before all of -“ she gestured to everything around them and sighed tiredly “- well I suppose all of this?”
Carefully Aemond sat beside her and when he was close enough, stiffly leaned into her side. She giggled softly and wrapped an arm around the boy, tugging him a little closer to her side. Shyly the boy cuddled closer and preened when she ran her fingers through his long platinum locks of hair.
“Are you alright?” He asked. “Judging by the state of your things, I assume things did not go well with my grandsire and mother.”
“Let us avoid speaking of them any further, I know how much you love them and I know you would not take kindly to my true opinions of the two.”
“And I am thankful for it, muña. I would prefer not to take sides on some matters” Aemond said bluntly.
“It also happens to simply be for my own sanity, conversations can be quite vexing when things that are said go in one ear and out the other.”
“Sounds a bit like Aegon,” the boy laughed.
“Now my sweet boy, we will try to keep that kind of teasing lightly,” she says carefully. “Your brother is making more effort and wishes to improve himself, so let us not knock the wind from his sails when he is making the effort to do better.”
The boy pouted some but nodded in acquiesce to his muña’s request.
“But while we are on the subject of improving and bettering things, I heard some things in regard to the loss of your eye” she said.
A stormy expression fell over his face and he scowled, pulling away from her slightly. But rather than let him pull away, she tugged him tighter in her arms.
“Nothing needs to be addressed muña,” Aemond grumbled in between gritted teeth. Gently she tapped his jaw and the boy softened his clenching teeth a bit.
“Your expression betrays you my sweet boy,” she mused, “ I say this to you with all my love and care but you must find it in yourself to forgive that Velaryon boy.”
“But Muña?! How can I - Why would -“ Aemond was a flustered mess as he tried to pry himself from his aunt’s tight embrace.
“Aemond, I say this as someone who has carried resentment for longer than you have lived. Do not forgive him for the sake of anyone else but your own. I spent far too many years trying to prove my worth and ability to those who would never give me a second thought unless I could benefit them in some way.”
“Everything is fine muña, do not worry or fret so much over me,” he pointed at some of her shattered trinkets. “You should instead worry about getting some of these items replaced.”
“You and your brother love to shift the topic of conversation,” she chuckled. “Aegon does the same thing when the topic becomes too unbearable for him.”
“You happen to do the same muña, and I see no point in musing any further on the topic” Aemond huffed. “I paid the price for my dragon and I would do it again if I would have Vhagar at the end of it all.”
She softly tucked his hair behind his ears and cupped his face in her hands. His eye shifted away from her stare, bouncing across her face to take note of her gentle expression.
“You and I both know that the physical pain is not the only thing that leaves its mark on us, but the wounds from all the fingers pointing the blame solely on us” she said gently. “No one truly had our best interest at heart when things occurred, we were just the pawns there to make things happen.”
The boy sniffled quietly and wiped at his nose, “Can we please talk about this some other day? I really don’t want to delve into this, I do not think I can mentally be okay about the topic, I need some more time.”
Quietly she brushed away his tears and conceded to her nephews request, “When you are ready we will talk about this at length, alright? I wouldn’t want this to become something that festers.”
He hummed shakily in agreement, cuddling closer to her in comfort even after initially trying to remove himself from her embrace.
“But I do wonder sweet boy, why did you originally come to my chambers? I was sure that I had everyone apart my guard vacate the area” she said with a tone of amusement.
Aemond looked away in embarrassment and mumbled, “I used my title as prince to have your guard let me through because I was hoping you would be open to accompanying me to the dragon pit?”
Her face drained of color, “You want me to go with you? To the dragon pit?” She laughed with disbelief but did her best to not have him know how difficult the notion was and kept a smile on her face as she attempted to keep her trembling to a minimum “Oh I am sure Halaena and Aegon would love to join you, why not have them take part?”
Aemond pouted and teasingly pulled at her skirts, “Come now muña, do not tell me you are so afraid of a little dragon fire?”
In a deadpan she said, “Any sane person fears dragon fire, not all of us are willing to put our trust in two - ton gargatuan beasts.”
“But I will be there alongside your muña, please join me” Aemond pleaded. “Let this be our solo activity, I do not always want to share you with my siblings.”
“Is this truly the activity that you want for us, Aemond?” she asked with skepticism.
Eagerly the boy stood and tugged at her arm in an attempt to help her onto her feet to hopefully speed up the process of leaving the room that had been devastated only some moments prior to his arrival. Despite the clear hesitation about being near the very beasts that the Targaryen side of her niece and nephews side of the family were so fond of, to satisfy the clear innocent hopefulness of her nephew, she accompanied him to the dragon pit.
It was a beautiful day to be spent in the the outdoors and it would have continued to be, if the presence of a rather uninvited guest had not made himself known to the pair. Perhaps with the man's clear disdain for her family or even normal caution would have made the woman remember to summon her guard to accompany them to the pit, but the last person she expected to have halt her and Aemond in their tracks was none other than the Rogue Prince, Daemon Targaryen.
The man's smirk was enough to have her hackles raise in suspicion of his intentions, none had seen or heard of the man since he had run off to marry the Princess Rhaenyra and they had chosen to reside on Dragonstone.
Without looking away from the man, (Y/N) leaned close enough to her nephew to whisper, "Say nothing to him and wait for me near the entrance of the pit. Depending on how my conversation with him goes, we might have to postpone our visit."
The boy wished to protest, but a quick glance between Daemon and his beloved Muña made it clear enough that the two would exchange more than pleasantries. The air crackled with hostility, more from one side than the other, and it was enough to silence the boy from making any witty remarks.
Surprisingly Daemon said not a word to his nephew, his gaze never leaving the unwavering look in the elder Hightower woman's own expression. Aemond quietly walked away, always looking back every few paces to see that neither of the two moved an inch, even as their presence was but a speck in the distance.
With the boy gone, it was not long before Daemon spoke.
"Well," he chuckled "If it isn't the prodigal Hightower cunt that has made her appearance. Most would offer their condolences, but I imagine that it was better that your husband no longer had to suffer in your presence."
She smiled spitefully, "I suppose the spare would say that." Daemon's smirk dropped. "Or perhaps niece fucker is more accurate, what say you, Prince Daemon?"
"Watch what you say, woman."
"Then mind your own tongue," she hissed back.
"I am your Prince, I could have you sent away or cast into the dungeons where all of your ilk should reside."
"You forget yourself Daemon, I was married to a Prince of Dorne and still retain my title despite my great loss" she lifted her chin and looked him straight on. "You are not my better, we stand as equals wether you believe it or not."
He laughed, "We will never be equals. I would sooner die than stand on the same footing as the likes of you."
"Then perish," she scowled.
His hand gripped Dark Sister tightly at his side, "Perhaps I should cut you down to size, set you as a reminder to the other snakes from your family."
"Go ahead," she said "If that is what you need to have someone to stand at your stature. No one else seems to be willing to tell you their truths, I refuse to be another one of those incessantly agreeable fools that will only speak to appease your emotional whims."
He stared down at the woman, because despite the barbs he threw at her, she refused to back down for even a moment. As Prince, he was accustomed to most, if not all people giving in to his opinions or standing aside because they knew their place. Really, he should not have been surprised that the eldest daughter of the man he despised most would be the one to stand in his way, both literally and figuratively.
"You would do well to keep your thoughts to yourself," Daemon said through clenched teeth.
"And what? Be like all the other simpering spineless slugs that are keen on pleasing others," she laughed. "I would sooner strangle myself with my garters before that."
Despite himself, he agreed with her, but he certainly did not want her to know that. "Are you always so blunt with your form of speech?"
She shrugged, "What are you going to do about it? Tell my Father? I have already disappointed him enough, what you or anyone else says would not make a difference to his opinion of me."
His eyes narrowed, "Something tells me that you will be a pain in the arse whenever we meet from here on out."
She smiled and curtsied mockingly, "What gave it away?"
The Order of Maesters from the Citadel never wrote the first interaction between the then Prince Daemon and (Y/N) Hightower (nee Martell), but it was noted from most maesters that there seemed to be a begrudging respect from the man who was quick to exchange quips and barbs with the woman. Just as she seemed to fear no repercussions when replying to every comment that came from the Prince whenever he deigned to visit the Keep from time to time.
Summary: The children of Viserys I from his wife Alicent Hightower had always been lacking in affection from their parents. They simply didn't realize how much until their widowed aunt was brought into their lives. (AU where Alicent has an older sister and her kids get the love that they deserve, takes place some time after the Driftmark event)
Part VII - Lines are Drawn
|| Loving Arms Masterlist ||
A/N: And more lore is being dropped! Excited to hear what y'all think and hopefully the ending wasn't too bad 😅
The Hightower sisters sat across from each other, neither said a word or made a sound, rather waiting in silence for their Father to arrive.
(Y/N) had enjoyed the short trip that she had with her nephews and niece, but was immediately alerted by an awaiting servant that she was to meet with her Father and sister. Reluctantly, she had sent the children off with Criston to freshen up from their arduous journey. And rather than put off the inevitable had gone to the summons in her riding attire.
So now, the two sisters were in wait with Alicent sat as the picture of absolute decorum; upright, hands clasped together primly, and her face blank of all emotion. Her elder sister leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, and a scowl graced her features.
"Your face will stay that way if you keep scowling" Alicent said softly.
Her sister scoffed, "Oh no. My already disfigured face will be marred even further."
"There is no need for you to be so curt with me."
"Then don't try and tell me what to do, simply because you bedded the supposed most powerful man in the realm, it does not mean you can order me around."
Alicent scowled back, "It is a wonder how our aunt dealt with you. You are so crass and impertinent in the worst of times."
"It's called having a personality Alicent, you would know what that is if you didn't always have a stick up your arse."
The screech of Alicent's chair rang through the room, as the younger Hightower stood up in indignation towards the treatment from her older sister. But the two kept quiet once they heard the thud of the doors open and their Father walked in with a thunderous expression.
"Oh thank you Father," (Y/N) drawled. "You finally grace us with your presence when you're the one that called for us to meet you."
With little warning, Otto harshly turned his elder daughter's chair around and gripped her chin in his hand tightly. His eyes narrowed and his fingers clamped down hard, the nails of his fingers nearly piercing the soft flesh of her skin. "You have the gall to act so brazenly when you have gone behind our backs and hindered all of the careful planning that we went through."
His daughter pulled at his hand to loosen his tight grip, "So you have finally taken notice."
"Did you think that I would not know? I am Hand of the King! Laws and decrees do not happen without my knowing," Otto seethed. "But it had to be my own daughter, my flesh and blood that sought out the King to completely overturn everything your sister and I have tried to accomplish."
"What has she done, Father?" Alicent asked.
"Might as well ask me what this belligerent child of mine has not done" Otto said. "But she had the cheek to have it written that all matters concerning your children Alicent, must be approved by only her!"
"Is this true?" the younger Hightower asked. "I am their mother! I know what is best for my children, not you! How dare you go behind my back and have my husband approve this!"
Not one to be scolded, Alicent's older sister pushed away from ser Otto and stared them down.
"If you knew what was best for your children, why would you agree to Aegon and Helaena being married? To treating Aemond like he couldn't accomplish things because of his disfigurement?" (Y/N) said. "I will not let those children suffer as I did, because of your actions!"
Otto laughed, "You bring up this argument time and time again. You wanted for nothing, you know not of suffering."
"Deny it all you like Father, but tell me who was the man that took one look at my recently scarred face and turned his back on me?! Who was it that brushed aside the fact that Alicent was so spoiled that she couldn't stand a moment not being fawned over that she pushed me toward the very flames that left me scarred?" she cried out. "Where was my Father then? And every instance since then, where was he?!"
"Our Father had and has a duty to the realm," Alicent argued. "You cannot expect a man of his importance to think of such petty qualms that you might have!"
(Y/N) scoffed, "Of course his favorite would come to his defense! You are just like him! Both of you talk about family, honor, and all these values that you don't truly believe."
"Our family has always been my priority with every decision that I have made, you should know this" Alicent argued. "How could you think any differently?"
"Let me ask you Alicent, how old is Aegon?"
Alicent scrunched her face, "How is that - "
"Aegon is five and ten, the same age that my son Vorian would have been if the Stranger hadn't taken him" (Y/N) wiped at her eyes. "Vorian is your nephew, whose funeral that both you and our Father neglected to attend. And it was not just him, when I dealt with the loss of my beloved husband and youngest son Doran it was Gwayne who stood at my side!"
"Surely you could not expect for us to be in two places at once!" Otto argued. "We had to stand alongside the King for the funeral of Lady Laena!"
"We are family when it is convenient, Father" his daughter laughed in disbelief. "It does not excuse that I was not even offered a letter of condolence when Vorian passed away, he was equally your grandson just as my sister's children. But I suppose since he was only fifth in line to the Dornish throne, he wasn't as valuable to you."
"This is simply your grief talking!" Otto dismissed.
"No Father, this is me talking!" she screamed. "You better damn well listen because I am a woman grown and I intend to see everything you have worked so hard to accomplish to crash and burn!"
Otto stood toe to toe with his daughter, "You would not dare!"
"Watch me!" his daughter smirked. "I learned from my Uncle Hobert well; I sat long enough, I listened, and I intend to prove the bastards in front of me wrong!"
The slap Otto gave to his eldest daughter rang in the room, leaving a visible bruise beginning to form on her face. It was followed by the hearty laugh of (Y/N) as she turned to her sister with a smile.
"Know this Alicent, when all is said and done, by the time that the children no longer need me. They will not need you either."
This enraged the young Queen as she pointed toward the door, "OUT! GET OUT!"
Her sister curtsied mockingly, "As the Queen wishes."
And left.
Leaving both her Father and sister to regret having summoned the elder Hightower daughter in the first place because they knew that something had begun and weren't sure how this would end.
Summary: The children of Viserys I from his wife Alicent Hightower had always been lacking in affection from their parents. They simply didn't realize how much until their widowed aunt was brought into their lives. (AU where Alicent has an older sister and her kids get the love that they deserve, takes place some time after the Driftmark event)
Part VI: A Ring of Green
|| Loving Arms Masterlist ||
A/N: I sometimes struggle giving multiple characters dialogue, so I thought why not give each of the kids their own focused chapters or moments. Hope you all enjoy this part and leave a comment! I love to hear from all of you.
"Muña, would this not be easier if we did all of this by dragon instead of horseback?" Aegon whined.
"I will not have you and your siblings become layabout nobles," she replied. "This hunt is meant to put in practice your skills with the bow, equestrianship, and to learn how to skin and prepare the game that you catch. We will not be the kind of people that forget the work that is put into having a meal on our table, is that understood?"
Aegon whined a bit more with a pout.
"I don't understand whines, I need an articulate response."
The boy huffed once more, "Yes, muña. But why is it only the two of us? Why are Aemond and Halaena allowed to wait for us at the camp?"
"They will join us tomorrow but I thought this would give us time on our own to talk about whatever you like, my sweet love."
"Whatever I like? No judgement or scolding?"
"Now I question if I should scold you if that is the response," she laughs.
He frowned, "It's just... I am sure that in your time away from King's Landing that you must have heard a thing or two about all of us and I can not help but imagine of all that you must think of us. Me in particular."
"I will admit, I have heard a thing or two while in Dorne but that does not mean that I have a fully colored image of who you are" she sighed. "And if we are being sincere, I felt many things about all that I heard regarding you."
Aegon looked away in shame, "I see. And what was it exactly?"
"Pity," she shrugged. "A bit of anger, but not at you, anger at your Mother and Grandsire. Mostly I felt that I wanted to protect you but I was uncertain how to go about it. There was some helplessness as well since my husband had fallen ill and could not come to visit sooner."
"Did you not feel shame for having a lily - liver'd and slow nephew? I'm not the Realms Delight or even worthy of being considered heir" he said bluntly.
"Is that truly what you think of yourself?"
"How else am I to think of myself, muña? Mother and Grandsire are always so quick to point out my flaws and my tutors never said it, but I could sense that they thought of me as a hapless fool."
His aunt pulled at the reigns of her horse to slow the beast down to trot alongside Aegon's own horse. "Let me ask you something, and when I ask it, I need you to be completely honest with me."
"What?"
"You said that you aren't the Realm's Delight, who was given this monicker?"
Aegon looked confused, "Rhaenyra? Who else?"
"When was she given this title? And by who?"
The boy thought for a moment, uncertain as he said "My Father? It is something I have always heard said of Rhaenyra. But why is that relevant?"
"Aegon, I need you to listen closely" she said. "She was given this monicker when she was a child of eight years, simply because courtiers thought her to be sweet and beautiful." She pointed at him with a short laugh, "You are a handsome young man, quick - witted when you choose to be, and amongst a variety of courtiers and diplomats. If you gave a smile and a few well placed laughs to certain nobles, it wouldn't be long until the perception of you has changed."
"Do you want me to behave like a clay - brained, sodden - witted fool? A smile and a few laughs aren't enough to change anything" he scowled. "It would be better to run off to Essos and live a life of comfort than have to grovel for even a modicum of respect from the likes of the court vultures."
She clench her jaw in mild frustration, "I am not asking you to do anything that is more than you are capable of Aegon. I am saying that the tides can be changed with a few things, because do you think that Rhaenyra can hold onto her title for much longer?"
"Muña, you are treading a dangerous line."
"If we ever wish to see change in our lives, sweet love, then the line must be trod whenever we see the opportunity given."
The young prince was mildly frustrated and hoped to change the subject entirely, and to his good fortune in the distance Aegon spotted a buck of a substantial size.
"I think we can drop the topic, muña because I intend on catching that buck!" and with a snap of his reigns, Aegon sped forward.
His aunt sighed with a wry smile and chased after the boy and buck, "He can try all he likes but we'll finish this talk whether he likes it or not!"
The aunt and nephew duo had managed to catch up swiftly to the buck, an arrow from Aegon was able to slow it down but it was a swift arrow behind the elbow of the buck's lead leg from (Y/N) that brought the great beast down. She had the young man strap the buck on his own so that they could quickly return to camp and skin it and prepare it for consumption later.
Rather than have Aemond and Halaena take part in the preparation of the meat, their aunt was quick to have them set off with their guards to prepare the fire and find herbs that could be used. Allowing for Aegon and herself to have more time to continue their discussion.
"Have at it" she said handing Aegon her sharpened knife. "Slice along the beasts belly and let us finish our talk."
"What is there -" he struggled to cut through the flesh "To talk about. We said all that need - needed to be said."
She pointed at the spot he finished cutting, "Stick your hands in and pull out the intestines. Aegon, don't make that face."
He scowled in disgust, "I don't want to take out the intestines that is disgusting."
"What's more disgusting is this attitude" she said. "Now take out the intestines before they swell and implode, it would contaminate the rest of the venison. And don't think because we caught this stupid thing, it means I will drop our subject from earlier."
Begrudgingly, he did as he was told and plopped the bloody organs into a bucket beside the table in which they were preparing the meat. She took the dagger from him and carefully began to remove the fur from the meat while rolling it up.
"You think to - " she cut further and handed him back the knife "to little of yourself Aegon. Keep skinning."
Shakily he did so.
"I know that you have heard things and taken them to heart because no one has said this otherwise, but I truly think that you could accomplish great things. If and only if we work together to find the things that you could put your time into, not simply because it is expected of you."
"You will be sorely disappointed muña, because I have had tutors that gave up long ago."
Gently she pushed the boy aside and took another dagger to help him skin faster, "Your previous tutors lacked creativity to trod the line and failed to consider that you learn better with other methods. Not everyone can read a text and execute the knowledge, some of us do better by example and practice." She pointed her blade toward the half finished deer carcass, "Or do you mean to tell me that you knew how to skin this beast until now?"
He flushed in embarrassment, "I suppose I hadn't thought about it. The letters of texts have always jumped and I was always forced to sit for hours until I finished what was given."
"It might surprise you Aegon, but your uncle Gwayne has the same condition" she chuckled. "He was never much for sitting still at a desk and couldn't get through a page without the letters mixing around. Thankfully our Uncle noticed and found other ways that Gwayne excelled, making my brother quite the formidable swordsman and knight."
Aegon chewed at his bottom lip in thought, "Is it possible then? For me to truly be accomplished? Even if it isn't in the areas that my Mother and Grandsire want?"
"It is why I argued with your Father" she said. "I knew that there were expectations but I know that together we can create reasonable goals that can lay the way towards a future you want to reach." Setting aside the blade in her hand, (Y/N) washed her hands free of the blood from skinning the deer and dried them quickly.
"If you really think that I can muña, then I would like to try, please?"
Gently and lovingly she cupped his face in her hands, "All I want is for you to try. Don't give up because others say that you cannot or because they have set the limits for you."
"It's difficult when all your life it feels that everyone is waiting for you to make the next mistake," he teared up and pressed into her embrace. "I already think that about myself every day that I awake."
"Sweet love, can you look at me?"
Nervously his eyes met her own.
Slowly she reached into the pocket of her skirt and procured a ring to show it at his eye level. Its stone was a yellow green peridot, the prongs were a bronze while the rest of the ring was a faded silver.
"I know that perhaps I pushed quite a bit at some of your boundaries today," she began. "But the main reason I had your brother and sister do other things today was because of this." Carefully she took one of his hands and placed the ring onto his palm, "Aegon? Would you be my heir?"
His eyes widened and he looked at her in shock, "You want me to be your heir?"
"In the grand scheme of things, I don't have quite as much to my name but I am asking you, my sweet Aegon if you would be my heir? I am giving you a choice, become the boy that they wish for you to be or the man that I know you can become with the right guidance."
He sniffled softly, "My Father wanted a son but has never wanted me. The realm has their flawless heir and despite all this, somehow you want me? Flaws and all to be your heir?"
"The choice is yours."
With a teary laugh, Aegon put the ring of green onto his pointer finger in admiration. "I hope you know that you are never getting this back, muña."
"And I would never ask, sweet love. It absolutely suits you."
There was no fanfare from trumpets, cheers from adoring peasants or nobles, and certainly no flowers tossed in the air. But in that moment; the muggy tent, sticky entrails, and slightly too big ring were enough for the young prince.
Summary: The children of Viserys I from his wife Alicent Hightower had always been lacking in affection from their parents. They simply didn't realize how much until their widowed aunt was brought into their lives. (AU where Alicent has an older sister and her kids get the love that they deserve, takes place some time after the Driftmark event)
Part V - Setting an Example
|| Loving Arms Masterlist ||
A/N: I meant to post this to celebrate Matt's b-day, but I forgot that we share a birthday 🤣 and I got caught up with other stuff, but I hope you all still enjoyed it. Don't forget to comment!
Divider credit: @saradika
Sit still and look pretty.
It was one of the first lessons that (Y/N) Hightower (nee Martell) remembers receiving when she was still a young girl; receiving her lessons and instructions from the Septa, her Mother, and additionally her Father. It was a simple enough thing to follow, even at the tender age of four, when it was just she and her older brother Gwayne that took their lessons together.
But losing their mother, Otto leaving she and her brother behind in Oldtown, and being disfigured by the age of seven.
Sit still and look pretty, didn't hold as equal of a weight as it used to.
When her Septa tried to recite that same lesson again after all of those things happened, it would be the first time of many in which (Y/N) chose to talk and fight back against the rules that they tried to place upon her.
In fact, it was truly a change for her life when the Septa brought the girl to her Uncle Hobert and Aunt Lynesse expecting that the couple would agree that this was a lesson that she needed to take to heart, only for the Septa to be dismissed. Instead the Hightower couple would teach her a different lesson that she would apply for the rest of her life.
Sit still, listen, and prove every bastard wrong.
Never would the eldest daughter of Otto Hightower believe in her entire life that the uncle and aunt who were as equally traditional to the same values of her father, would teach her to break the norms and expectations that had been long since been established in the family.
A lesson and many more that were never told to her Father, in every letter written to his younger brother, Hobert Hightower would praise her progress in the things she was taught but never specified that the girl was learning alongside Gwayne to one day take over the leadership of a house.
Whether it was that of house Hightower or another.
The discussion between Viserys and (Y/N) was one that was quite overdue, because despite having met before when his children were quite young, neither had much to talk with one another back then. When she left the room, there were a few things that Viserys had conceded and signed in agreement, so she was ultimately satisfied with the uprooting of some of the things that they had come to agree.
Walking out of Viserys' study, she decided to seek out the children for a moment of reprieve considering that discussing with the Targaryen King had felt taxing on her patience. She left the room without a glance to the guard that had almost impeded her discussion with the King and instead left with quick strides to hopefully find the children enjoying themselves in the garden or training yards, as she had been adamant to make sure every last tutor that had originally been employed was gone.
It wasn't long before the elder Hightower was able to find her nephews and niece exactly where she had assumed they would be. Halaena was happily sprawled in the grass and leaning to look at some variant of bug that she must have found, Aemond sat on the stone bench by her and was reading a tome in Valyrian, and Aegon was surprisingly sitting contently beside his sister eating a cookie from the satchel in his lap.
"Well is this not the most pleasant sight?" she laughed. "Last I heard, the three of you could rarely stand to be in the presence of one another."
"We were waiting for you, muña" Halaena looked up. "You took quite a while and we thought it would be more pleasant to wait here in the garden."
"Neither Halaena or I believed when Aegon first told us that our tutors and the septas had been relieved of their positions. But this has felt like the longest day of my life" Aemond pouted. "It has been positively dull!"
"Well I am not one to complain," Aegon grinned and offered up his satchel of snacks. "It has been pleasant to enjoy the gardens without anyone to nag."
Their muña happily took a cookie from Aegon's satchel and plopped herself tiredly on the grass, "I figured that there would be a mix of reactions from the three of you but things had to be put in order." She looked between them, "I sought an audience with his graceful Majesty, King Viserys the Peaceful and had some things put into writing and sealed."
The children looked at her in surprise and uncertainty of what this could possibly mean for all of them.
"Might we inquire as to what those things are?" Aemond asked while setting aside his tome.
She hummed in thought, "Well I see no harm in all of you knowing. After all, it pertains to your futures and much of how things will be going forward."
She waved the children closer and hesitantly all three inched forward until they sat in front of her. "Due to the graciousness of the King, from this day until you are all married, I have become your caretaker of sorts. It has been decreed Halaena and Aegon will no longer be married."
The two were ecstatic and threw their arms around their lovely muña, whispering their rushed and tearful thank you's, one of their great fears would never come to be. With soft assurances from their aunt, Halaena and Aegon hesitantly pulled away while wiping away their tears.
"How did you get our Father to agree, muña?" Aegon sniffled.
"Ah," she laughed. "Never underestimate the stubborness of a woman willing to take risks. Often times, it is better to sit at the table, listen to what is said, and do all that you are capable of proving that something can be done."
"But I imagine that there is more, isn't there?" said Aemond.
"Plenty more, but it is perhaps better if I were to summarize it all" she said but the clattering sound of armor made her turn.
Ser Criston Cole approached the group, a frown marred his features and hesitantly the man gave a short bow when he stood before them. "I apologize for the interruption, but I came to seek out the young princes for their training only for a servant to tell me that their lessons had been dismissed."
The Targaryen children's muña stared at the man with a curious look, "Dornish man, are you?"
"I beg your pardon, my lady?"
"Your family hails from Dorne, do they not? Your appearance and the way you speak has hints that you were raised in the Dornish Marches" she pointed out. "My husband was a prince of Dorne."
Ser Criston knelt on one knee, "Forgive my impertinence, princess. I am Ser Criston Cole of House Cole, my house is in service to House Dondarrion."
She waved the man off, "No need for the formality Cole. I presume that you are my nephews previous master-at-arms."
"Previous, my lady?"
"All who taught my nephews and niece have been relieved of their service, ser" she said plainly.
"But I have served faithfully to House Targaryen for a number of years and there has never been complaint of my teachings."
"That is all well and good ser, but going forth, I am the one who has say over the education of 'ahibaayiy and until you have proven yourself to me. Then you can serve in any other capacity, but not with them."
His gaze betrayed nothing as their eyes locked, "Has the Queen and Hand been made aware of these changes?"
"Would you like to be the messenger?" she tilted her head and smiled.
He swallowed nervously, "Am I given a choice?"
"We are always given choices, Ser Cole" she leaned closer until their noses almost brushed. "What choice will you make?"
"I would like to prove myself, my lady" he said softly. "Given the choice."
"Then set to prove that you are still worthy of being their master-at-arms, and prepare to have an additional student, as Halaena will be joining my nephews soon. Is that understood?"
The man nodded and hesitantly rose, offering the group another bow and walked away.
Halaena softly broke the silence, "I will be joining my brothers muña?"
"Yes, my love. Because tell me, what did you and your brother witness right now?"
"You were talking to Ser Criston?"
Their muña shook her head, "Not just the obvious."
Her nephews and niece looked confused at what else she was asking them to point out.
"You witnessed me setting that man as an example," she smiled. "He doesn't truly know what position or power I hold, but I was able to have him fear speaking to your Mother and Grandsire, made him aware that I was in control of whether he would still be given a chance to prove that he could serve."
"How will you have us learn to do it, Muña?" Aegon asked.
"I will be highly involved in your teachings, because not everything that is taught are the things that you should learn" she said.
This only further confused the children and the faces they made had her laughing heartily.
"Seems as if I have my work cut out for me, don't I?" she giggled. "But let's make this our first lesson and remember it well; sit still, listen, and prove every bastard wrong."
This caught the three Targaryen's off guard and their shock made them laugh at her blunt choice of words.
"Perhaps my words sound a bit much, but let me tell you this" the three paid close attention. "No one in this world will give a damn about you, if you don't pretend to do it yourself. As much as I would love to say that humanity is kind and loving, everyone has something to gain."
"What about you, muña?" Aemond asked. "What do you have to gain?"
"That is for me to know and the rest of the world to find out," she smiled. "But I hope you are ready to learn as much as you can from everything that I have learned."
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YES!I can’t get this idea out of my mind: Although your auntie and Tyland Lannister perspective interests me very much(he – like much of his relatives – are very materialistics and vain people, and auntie is a genuine GOOD and KIND person, and his brains go short circuit because of that), I was thinking on the dornish side of her late husbands family: maybe his brother or cousin, who’s always been in love with her, but out of respect kept his feelings for himself, and never wed. Years later – maybe Aegon becomes a valiant knight, thanks to her (and gets a decent haircut) and has areal relationship with his siblings, is part of a celebration and duels with said sir 9played in my mind by OSCAR ISAAC!)and looses it(he’s older and more experienced, but still was affair fight. And uncle dornish crowns auntie the queen of love and beauty.
I have more, but this is the base, what do you think?
This is such a cool and interesting concept! (Even more so because the face claim that you have for said Dornish knight is Oscar Isaac, that man is so handsome 😍)
We will definitely have a lot of changes to come for Aegon, but Muña's love interest is certainly a hard decision to make now. 😭
But I would love to hear all of your ideas either way, because I adore hearing what you all think.
Summary: The children of Viserys I from his wife Alicent Hightower had always been lacking in affection from their parents. They simply didn't realize how much until their widowed aunt was brought into their lives. (AU where Alicent has an older sister and her kids get the love that they deserve, takes place some time after the Driftmark event)
Part IV: Changes must be made
|| Loving Arms Masterlist ||
A/N: There were so many ways that I wanted this chapter to go, but I think this was as good as I was going to get it. Please leave a comment and let me know what y'all thought. 😊
BTW: I have tagged everyone that asked, but some weren't working for some reason
For quite some time, Aegon was used to being harshly woken in the morning and dragged to different lessons or things that he absolutely despised attending because it was the expectation. Curtains would be pulled open quickly, further bothering his morning as light would seep into his eyes and making his head pound with pulsing pain from drinking quite a bit the night before.
His mother, grandfather, or perhaps the septa would harshly pull him from his bed, tell him off for his previous behavior and that he was shaming not just himself, but his family by his actions. It was all things that he had heard and experienced more times than he could count.
A routine that he had lived for so many years that he had lost track at what point did it begin.
So it was certainly a complete shock to wake up slowly one morning, the soft feeling of someone playing with his hair was what had stirred his sleep addled mind. His room was still fairly dark, the curtains had not been drawn and there were no servants or other attendants milling about his room. His bleary eyes slowly focused in to see that his lovely muña was the only one in the room.
"Did you sleep well, sweet boy?" she asked softly while combing her fingers through his hair. "I figured that we might try a different way of going about your morning since I heard that you imbibed quite a bit."
She sat on the edge of his bed and had such a tender look of affection as she stared at him that it overwhelmed Aegon to see it. Instead of answering, he hid his face in her skirts and gripped the fabric of her dress between his hands. Kneading the material in his hands and whimpering softly.
There was no reproach from his sweet muña and she shushed him softly, petting his tangled locks.
"Oh Aegon," she whispered. "I am sure that your head hurts, but we must start the day. There is quite a bit that must be done."
He snuggled into her lap and peeked an eye to look at her, "Must I?"
She laughed gently, "Yes, you must."
She turned to the side table by his bed and carefully picked up the teapot that was placed there by the servants to pour some tea into his teacup. "Here, sit up a little."
Begrudgingly Aegon sat up against the headboard of his bed and pushed back his hair away from his face, rubbing at his eyes in exhaustion.
"I made sure to add a bit of honey to your tea this time," she smiled. "I thought a bit of sweetness would be a nice way to start the day before we break fast."
"Thank you," he whispered. He took his light purple teacup with gentle care and blew softly on the steaming liquid, humming in delight when he managed a small sip. "It tastes better, thank you muña."
"You are welcome," she said as she picked up her own teacup and drank her tea silently beside him.
It was quiet.
Aegon wasn't used to soft mornings like this one.
To hear the distant clatter of life outside the walls of the Keep.
The gentle birdsong as they also greeted a new day.
The quiet hums of his muña, whose smile hadn't left despite the fact that he wasn't even ready for his lessons.
Even with his hesitance to become too comfortable, Aegon hoped that he could more mornings like this one.
"Muña?" he called out softly. "It is not that I don't appreciate this change of pace, but what stirred all of this?"
"I heard amongst the grapevine that your mornings were quite the chaotic events" she said gently. "That it was quite the spectacle to be present when the eldest prince was put in his place or so I had heard."
His face burned in shame and he looked at the dregs left at the bottom of his cup. Because even though he appeared aloof and uncaring to others, it was humiliating to go through it.
He just didn't know how to change what he was doing, when every day felt like a burden.
When his limbs felt like lead, his head would hurt from all the letters that would swim on the page, and as if his heart would pound out of his chest as nothing that his tutors said made any sense to him.
"It seemed to me," she said quietly and carefully lifted his chin to look her in the eye. "It seemed that everyone around you had failed to help you. Or was I mistaken?"
Tears pooled in his lavender eyes and shook his head, swallowing the lump that was stuck in his throat.
"I know there will be quite a bit of backlash, but I have relieved all of your current tutors from service and have sent word to a few that we will see if they fare any better" she said. "Would that be alright with you? Trying things a little differently?"
He quickly but carefully set his teacup beside him, practically leaping into her lap and wrapped his arms around her tightly. His sobs wracked his body and made it difficult to speak.
"H - how? H - how is it that y - you can s - see ME?!" he cried. "H - how? When my own m -mother cannot?"
She only held him tighter and rubbed his back softly, "Because I know what it is like to go through life never being seen by those we cry out to the most."
He could only cry.
And she held him in her arms for quite some time, letting him cry even when his nose ran and stained her dress. It took a long time until his breaths merely shuddered as the last of his tears dried and he let himself be held.
Slowly he sat up and wiped at his nose, "I think that I would like a bath now."
"I will have someone come up and draw the water for you," she said wiping his stray tears away. "I have someone that I need to speak with soon, go and look for your siblings. Spend some time together, I have made the arrangements so that you are not interrupted."
With that she leisurely stood up and brushed her skirts from any wrinkles. He sat back on his bed and watched her.
"Where will you be going, muña? May we come along?"
"No Aegon, it is probably best that you and your siblings not come with me today. I do not think it would be appropriate for you all to witness me stir up more trouble than is necessary."
"Trouble?" he tilted his head confused.
"Heaps of trouble and hopefully I will not need any help getting out of it" she laughed. "But knowing my big mouth, there will be times that I cross the line."
"I don't know if I like where this will go" he said. "Please take care, muña."
"I will do my best, Aegon" she said. "But do not worry and I will be back as soon as I am able."
---------------------
"My lady, I must tell you once again that the King does not wish to have any visitors at this time," the guard said with his gaze forward.
"And I will tell YOU again Ser, that if you do not tell the King that I wish to speak to him about an urgent matter, that you are stripped of your post and tongue" she smiled.
The guard trembled in his place but remained firm in keeping his gaze forward.
"My lady, please -"
"What seems to be going on here?"
Their gazes darted to King Viserys standing by his partially opened door, he looked between them expectantly.
"Good brother, how lovely to see you" she said with a saccharine smile. "I was telling this kind ser that I needed a word with you, but it seems that you were preocuppied."
"Nonsense, I have time to speak with my good sister. Come in (Y/N), don't dawdle by the door."
Walking by the guard, she curtsied sarcastically and followed Viserys into the room, only to stand by the door itself as her gaze looked over the massively detailed city that he was constructing.
"This is.... quite the project that you have here, Viserys."
"I have been making it for a long time, I would hope that it looks impressive for all the effort that I put into it" he chuckled, while working on another portion of the city. "But tell me, what brought you here that needed you to threaten that poor young man?"
"I will be blunt Viserys, were you in a drunken stupor when you agreed that Aegon and Halaena should be married? This kingdom follows the faith of the Seven and despite the brutish ways of your ancestors, they should not be married."
His expression hardened and he stopped what he was doing.
"Your Father and Alicent made quite a few points and I saw no harm in them," he said. "If you have any qualms bring it up to either of them."
"But you are King," she stated. "A decision like this cannot be made without your say, so yes there is a few things that you could do to make sure that this marriage doesn't happen."
"We must all do things that are our duty even if we are not fond of them, I am sure that with time they will find it agreeable" he waved it off.
"And you are the speaker of such things?" she scoffed. "Here you hide away from your own children and wife, it is hypocritical to say that they will one day find it agreeable when you can't stand to be in their presence."
"That isn't true!"
"Then explain it to me Viserys! You say that we must all do things that we are not fond of and because of duty, but those children are suffering because of it!" she yelled. "You wanted an heir! Now you have plenty and cannot even spare them a moment of your time or care!"
"My children want for nothing! They are princes and princess of this realm, they have never gone hungry and more things than they could ever want!" he argued. "In time they will learn to grin and bear it, because there are others that would love to be in their place!"
"With parents like theirs, it is punishment enough!"
"Silence! You have said enough!"
"No Viserys, I haven't!" she rushed forward and stood toe to toe with the man. "If I must forfeit my life here, I will do all in my power to ensure that those children have someone fight on their behalf!"
Viserys was practically shaking in anger, but her eyes had a look in them that made the man turn away. "See yourself out, (Y/N)."
"No."
He looked at her in disbelief, "No?"
"No" she echoed. "Until you concede, I will not."
"I am King, I could have you thrown in a cell for this insolence!"
"All I see is a weak man, there is no King here."
It was unnerving how she stared at him, Viserys was used to grown men trembling at his word and groveling for forgiveness at his feet. People pleading that he would find mercy in his heart for them and not following through with his threats.
Yet his good sister refused to back down
His legs shook as he sat down and tried to keep his gaze on her.
"What would you have me do? I have already agreed."
"Allow me to find good matches for the children and that I may have say in what must be done for them" she said simply.
"That is asking for too much, (Y/N)."
"Oh it is merely the start, Viserys."
"What else is there?" he asked.
"We will have many more things to discuss," she smiled. "I hope you are comfortable because changes must be made."
Summary: When Sirius Black was still in Hogwarts, there were few places that he could ever feel that he truly belonged. At Hogwarts, with his friends, and a secret place that he held ever so dear. Somewhere he couldn't bring himself to talk about.
Pairing: Sirius x Aunt Reader (PLATONIC)
A/N: I was inspired a lot by the song Find You by Sing Street and listened to it a bunch when writing this story. I think at this point we can all assume that I like making cute stories where characters get to have nice mother like figures.
Growing up for a young Sirius Orion Black was a bit difficult, he was not very fond of the rules of the house of Black, which is why he tended to be on the receiving end of punishment quite often. But there were two places in the whole world that the young Sirius felt that he could freely be himself, Hogwarts and the home of his beloved aunt (Y/N) (L/N) nee Black. A name that was usually said with vitriol if ever spoken at home and avoided when in the company of other wizarding families for formal dinners.
But despite all that, Sirius loved getting to spend time with his aunt and running over to her place from time to time, even if it was not as often as he would have liked. The boy's rebellious soul felt freedom from the rules of his parents and getting to experience the warmth of being loved by his aunt.
Which is why, with his heavy suitcase in hand, Sirius had made haste to leave Platform 9 ¾ as soon as the train stopped. He said his quick goodbyes to his friends and booked it before his mother and father arrived to take Regulus and himself back home. He knew that they would have heard about his school antics and not been pleased, so with nothing else to lose, he left.
When he finally arrived at her home was fairly winded and the bouquet that he purchased was a bit worse for wear, but he did not care. With how lovely his aunt was, Sirius knew that she would be pleased at just having the chance to see him.
Sirius knocked on the door and loudly said. "Auntie! It’s me! Sirius! Please open up!”
The door swung open and there stood the woman of the hour. “My sweet, sweet boy!” she pulled him into a tight hug and pressed numerous kisses onto his ruddy cheeks
Sirius dropped his suitcase and hugged her. He was immediately enveloped by the smell that always made him feel better, a cozy homey scent of chamomile tea, parchment, and ink.
"I missed you!" He said, hugging her a little tighter and burying his face into her soft sweater.
“Oh! you're getting so tall, stay little for a while longer won't you?”
Sirius couldn't stop the smile that appeared on his face when she stroked his hair. With a grin, he pulled away a little to look at her and said, "Well, it's not something I can stop you know. But for you I’ll try.”
“Come in, come in and give me that suitcase of yours, you must be tired!” She said ushering him through the door.
“Okay.” Sirius obeyed, picking up his suitcase and entering after her. He immediately dropped down on the sofa. “I’m knackered.” He sighed tiredly, tilting his head against the cushions.
“Oh my sweet boy, it's always good to have you here” she said while setting his suitcase off to the side.
“I wish I could stay here forever,” Sirius muttered, closing his eyes. It was cozy here, warm and comforting. He didn't even want to think about returning home.
“Let's not think of that just yet, hopefully I don’t hear from Walburga too soon” she said wiping her hands against her skirt. “I actually have your favorite cookies in the oven right now.”
"Mmm, now you've given me a reason to stay," Sirius hummed in response, opening one eye and looking up at her. "You spoil me too much auntie.”
“I don't spoil you enough!” she said pinching his cheek lovingly.
"Hey!" He protested, wrinkling his nose at her with a laugh. "You really spoil me a lot. I come to you every summer and you feed me non-stop in the time I get to stay with you. I'm afraid I’ll put on weight and won't be able to recognize myself if I keep it up."
“Good! Wards the girls away and I'll keep you to myself” she teased.
Sirius laughed and rolled his eyes, amused. “You act like a mother more than my real mother! I wouldn’t mind you keeping me all to yourself, you’re my favorite after all.”
She smiled softly, “I would keep you here if I could, if only your mother wasn't such a witch.”
Sirius smiled back, enjoying her caresses and soft voice. However, the mention of his “mother” darkened his mood for a moment. “Don't even mention her... “ He muttered bitterly, turning away and sitting up.
“I know, I know” she said with a sigh. “Just give me a moment and I'll be back with those fresh cookies and a pot of tea”
"Okay." Sirius mumbled.
When his aunt left, he leaned back against the sofa with a heavy sigh. He really didn't want to think about his mother. Not when here everything was so comfortable, warm and nice. Here he could be himself and not the Black heir.
It took several minutes for his aunt to return. In the meantime, Sirius was staring at the ceiling, tapping his fingers on his leg restlessly.
"Auntie," he spoke up as she walked over to the table, “you’re positive that Father or Mother hasn’t called about me?"
“No, not yet!” She said bringing along her tray of cookies and tea
Surprisingly, this news left a strange feeling in his chest. A little part of him, tucked deep in his heart, always wanted their attention and care. But, on the other hand, he knew he would be better off not seeing them at all. Not while they treated him only as the future Black heir and not as their son.
Sirius looked at her and smiled, "That’s good. I can have all the cookies to myself."
“You'll take some of these to your brother, won't you? I worry when Regulus doesn't come for a visit.”
Sirius rolled his eyes at the mention of his brother and muttered under his breath but still nodded in agreement. He's going to give some of the cookies to Regulus. "But if you worry about him so much, why don't you just tell him personally?"
She sighed and poured him a cup of tea, “He never answers my letters or calls, your mother certainly has her clutches on that boy.”
Sirius grimaced and accepted the cup of tea, wrapping his fingers around it. The warm liquid warmed him, and he took a small sip, “You’re not wrong about that. Mother has her claws in both of us.” He looked at his aunt, his expression slightly bitter. "Why does it seem that she's always hated us more and more over the years?"
“She's always been bitter over the littlest things, she was a real nag growing up” she said. “Try not to take it to heart.”
Sirius chuckled at that description. He could easily imagine his mother being bitter, just like his grandparents, and always finding something to complain about. "Is there a part of her that ever loved us, I wonder? At least Father sometimes acknowledges that we’re children.”
“I wish I knew the answer my sweet boy, but if as her sister, she refuses anything with me, then I wouldn’t know.”
Sirius nodded silently in response, wrapping his fingers tighter around the cup, feeling the warmth and holding it tighter. "Yeah... I hope Regulus is alright. I doubt anything good awaits him at home." He said bitterly and took a large gulp of tea.
“But enough about your mother, how was school this year? Any new friends?”
Sirius visibly brightened up when she changed the topic. He took another sip of tea before enthusiastically answering, "It was pretty cool, honestly. James and Remus are still my favorites, of course. But we found a new friend Peter, he's cool too. It's hard to be with us, though. We always get in trouble," he said with a chuckle, as if being in trouble was something to brag about.
“Not too much trouble I hope,” she teased.
Sirius shrugged, the corners of his lips tugging up in a smile. "Not too much trouble, just a normal amount. James, Remus, and I have gotten detention multiple times this year, and Peter only once. But we've had a lot of fun.” He chuckled again, feeling a pang of mischief in his chest as he mentioned the pranks. He definitely had no plans on telling her about their pranks on Snape.
“That's good, have fun while you're young because you don't want to wind up like your auntie do you?”
Sirius burst out laughing, rolling his eyes a little. He shook his head and said jokingly, “No, no, of course not. I don’t want to grow up to be a lonely old cat lady.”
“Watch yourself boy, it's one cat and two dogs, thank you.”
Sirius grinned like a little kid. He reached out to poke her in the cheek, which he has done since he was younger, and said with a mischievous tone, “Still seems like an old cat lady.”
The skittering of nails against wood caught his attention and in just a moment, his aunt’s corgi ran into the room through the doggy door and jumped up excitedly upon seeing the boy.Sirius laughed, seeing the corgi run up happily to him. He loved animals and dogs were no exception. He leaned down and patted the corgi on the head and scratched his ears, "Hey, buddy!"
The dog barked with excitement, wiggling in joy at seeing Sirius.
Sirius laughed again and scratched the dog's head vigorously, clearly enjoying the pup’s excitement. He looked up at his aunt and joked, “Well, I think the corgi clearly missed me more than you did.”
“Well these old bones of mine aren't going to jump in excitement if that's what you want,” she joked with a sip of tea.
Sirius smirked, he was amused by her comment and the corgi's behavior. "Are you trying to hint that you're an old woman, Auntie?"
“You're the one that called me old, young man” she wagged a finger at him.
Sirius chuckled and said with a cheeky smile, "It was in a humorous manner, of course. I know you're still full of energy and still a hundred years younger than Dumbledore."
She laughed, “Dumbledore has been hundreds of years old even when I went to Hogwarts.”
Sirius laughed imagining Dumbledore being old already when she was at Hogwarts. He sat up a little, still petting the corgi, and said, "Yeah, he must've been a fossil even then."
The dog barked again, licking Sirius' hand and demanding attention. Sirius smiled and continued to shower the corgi with attention, scratching its head and ears, and even giving it a little rub on the belly. "You know, I'm quite jealous of the corgi," he said with a cheeky tone, looking up at his aunt, "It has all your attention."
A thoughtful look came over her features, “He was actually meant to be yours, you know.”
Sirius looked at her in surprise, the corgi still wiggling in his lap. He thought for a moment before saying in disbelief, “Really? But you’ve had Pudgy for years!”
She smiled sadly, “When you were 5, I hoped your mother would finally set our differences and let me come to your birthday even when I hadn’t received invitations to the previous ones. He was supposed to be your gift, but she said finally responded that time and said I was never allowed to come. Not even over her grave.”
Sirius' expression darkened at her words, the smile disappearing from his face. He could feel the familiar bitterness well up inside him as he listened to her story. The anger at his mother only grew. "I honestly don’t understand her…" he said quietly, his gaze fixed on the corgi. He petted the dog softly, “Why does she hate you so much? You’re her sister, and you’re so much nicer.”
“Married your uncle who was a muggle, remember?” She reminded him gently.
“It’s honestly ridiculous…” Sirius muttered under his breath. He never understood his parents' obsession with blood purity and the importance they placed on it. He looked back up at her with an upset expression, "It doesn’t change the fact that you’re family. She should have let you come on my birthdays or let me visit you more often than I do.”
“She thought I would be a bad influence on you. But I just wish she hadn’t been so bitter. Your uncle would have loved to know you” she said sadly.
"I would have loved to have him in my life too." Sirius muttered quietly, continuing to pet the pup who was still wiggling in his lap. He was quiet for a moment before he spoke up again in a slightly bitter voice, "She didn’t even let us come to his funeral, just because he was a Muggle."
A few tears slipped down her face even as she tried to keep smiling for his sake, “I know he wouldn't have held that against you, he was always so proud that his nephews would be wizards.”
Sirius felt that familiar pang in his chest as he watched her wipe away the falling tears. He had always known she was saddened by his uncle’s death, but he hadn’t realized just how much. He gently put a hand on her knee. "We probably would’ve been his favorite nephews," he said with a half smile, trying to lighten the mood.
She smiles at his comfort, “I actually have something that he asked me to set aside for you and Regulus.”
Sirius' expression was surprised as he listened to her words. He hadn't expected that his uncle would have anything left for him. He was both intrigued and curious, and his gaze became more attentive. "Really?" he asked, his grip on the corgi tightening slightly.
She nodded, “Just give me a moment and I'll go get it”
Sirius nodded and watched as she got up from her seat to go get the things his uncle had left for him and Regulus. He continued to pet the corgi, its soft fur helping to calm his anticipation.
While he waited, Sirius sat in his chair, thoughts swirling in his mind. He wondered what his uncle had left him and what significance it would have. The fact that his uncle had set aside something for him and his brother was unexpected, especially considering his mother’s bitter rejection of his aunt and the family's strict beliefs. Losing the boy’s attention, Pudgy the corgi waddled out of the room.
“Here... it... is!” she said struggling a little beneath its weight.
Sirius laughed again, standing to help her with the heavy present. He looked down at it, intrigued, "What did Uncle even leave us, anyway?"
“I’m not sure, your uncle was so secretive about this thing. He wanted to be sure you wouldn't open it until you were 14 or mature enough for it.”
Sirius’ eyebrows raised at her words, his eyes now fixed on the present. It was clear that it was something important. He weighed the box in his hands thoughtfully. "Well, only a few more years until I can finally find out then. What about Regulus? What’s in his?"
“Boy, don't play with me. Your 14th birthday was a few weeks ago and I think you’re mature enough,” she sassed. “And I wouldn’t know about Regulus' gift either, he said they were for the two of you.”
Sirius' cheeks grew warm and he let out a sheepish chuckle. He wasn’t for much fuss about his birthdays and tended to forget about them. Feeling slightly embarrassed, he rubbed the back of his head and said with an amused tone, "Oh right, I guess I am a year older. It slipped my mind."
“Well, go on” she said encouragingly. “See what he left for you.”
Sirius looked down at the present in his hands once again, his curiosity now growing. He took a deep breath, the weight of the present felt heavier than any Christmas gift he’d received before. He slowly began to unwrap the packaging, pulling off the paper and revealing the contents of the box.
The wrapping paper was tossed aside, but Sirius eyes were transfixed on what had appeared once it was removed. He stared at the gift in stunned silence for a moment. He didn’t know exactly what he’d been expecting, but it certainly hadn’t been this. He could feel his heart thumping in his chest and his mind whirling. He hadn’t been this speechless in ages.
His jaw dropped as he stared down at the guitar, amp, and leather jacket (his main focus despite the other knick knacks). His mind was in a flurry of thoughts and emotions, but there was one thing he wanted to do more than anything else. He reached into the box, gently pulling out the guitar and running his fingers down its surface. His hands trembled slightly as he held it, his mind already filled with visions of him performing with his friends.
“These were his,” she said softly.
Sirius looked up at her, his eyes wide and full of wonder. He could never have expected that his uncle would give him something like this. He held the guitar tightly in his hands, his heart filled with gratitude. The knowledge that these gifts had once been a part of his uncle's life made them all the more special to him.
"He loved music so much, didn’t he?" He murmured, still awestruck.
“He loved it,” she said wistfully. “He once came with this guitar to serenade me and my father and sister were furious. How could a muggle come and traipse around the family home?” she laughed fondly.
Sirius chuckled, imagining a much younger version of his uncle playing the guitar and trying to impress his aunt and her family. To most pure-bloods, it would be a major disgrace to bring a muggle anywhere near their family home and yet it sounded like the most romantic, exciting thing in the world to Sirius. "I can only imagine the look on our family's faces.”
“Horrified!” she laughed, “but I loved it and couldn't imagine anyone else but him after that.”
Sirius felt his heart warm slightly as she laughed, the sound filling the room. He could sense the love and adoration she still had for his uncle.
It reminded him once again of the fact that he had lost the opportunity to really know his uncle.
"I wish he'd been around longer." He said quietly, his fingers tracing the strings of the guitar.
“I know, sweet boy” she placed a hand on his in comfort. “But he was sick and in so much pain, he couldn’t keep fighting it.”
Sirius felt her warm hand on his and his heart ached at her words. He knew that his uncle had been ill for a long time before he passed away, but he hadn’t really understood the extent of his pain. He nodded silently, trying to push down the feeling of sadness that was welling up inside him. He swallowed and his voice was hoarse as he quietly replied, “Yeah… I know…"
“But make sure to check the box, I know that he wrote you a letter too” she said confidently about what she remembered.
Sirius looked up at her, his eyes widened slightly. His thoughts were distracted from the sadness for a moment at the mention of his uncle's letter. He reached back into the box and began searching through the items in search of the letter. His fingers finally brushed against a folded piece of paper and he pulled it out, holding it carefully in his hand. He stared down at the letter, his heart beating in his chest. He could see the familiar writing of his uncle's name on the front, but he couldn't bring himself to immediately open and read it.
He looked back up at his aunt, his expression a mixture of trepidation and anticipation. "I'm... I'm not sure I'm ready to open this just yet..." he said quietly, his grip on the letter tightening.
“And that's okay, sweet boy” she said softly. “You can read it whenever you're ready, that letter is for you only.”
Sirius nodded, feeling a weight lifted from his chest. He was grateful for her understanding and the fact that she wasn't pressuring him to open the letter right away. He carefully placed the letter aside and looked back at the guitar and amp. He couldn't resist the urge to hold the guitar again, so he picked it up once more. He strummed a few chords awkwardly, feeling the weight of the instrument in his lap. "I have a feeling I'm going to be spending a lot of time with these..."
“You'll learn eventually and I hope if it isn't too much, would you let me be the first to hear when you can play a full song?”
Sirius's heart fluttered a little at her request, and he smiled warmly. He was honored that she wanted to be the first one to hear him play. He clutched the guitar in his arms and nodded vigorously. "Of course, Auntie! You'll be the first one to hear me play."
He was determined more than ever to learn how to play the guitar and make his uncle proud, and to express his emotions in music. He could already imagine all the songs he would write, all the pain and love he would pour into them. He looked back at her, his heart full of gratitude. "Thank you… for everything.." He whispered.
“It's my pleasure, sweet boy” she said comfortingly. “I hope you know that.”
Sirius continued to hold the guitar, staring down at it with a mix of wonder and determination. He wanted to become the best guitar player that the world had ever seen, maybe even better than that group his aunt liked, The Beatles.
"I'm going to work hard and learn everything I can," he mumbled, mentally making a plan to practice for hours every day.
“Are you going to want to try on the leather jacket he gave you?” She asked looking into the box again.
Sirius's face lit up at her question. How could he not want to try on a leather jacket? Especially one that had once belonged to his uncle.
He carefully placed the guitar down, then reached over and took up the leather jacket from the box. He held it up, admiring its sleek, cool appearance, and his grin widened.
"This looks awesome... I can't wait to see how it looks on me." he said excitedly, already anticipating how cool he was going to look. He slipped the jacket over his shoulders and zipped it up, taking a step back to look at his reflection in a nearby mirror.
But it was slightly too big, as his uncle had been a much taller man. Sirius scrutinized his reflection, a hint of disappointment washing over him as the jacket hung a little loose on his frame. He pouted slightly, pulling the edges of the jacket tighter.
"Yeah... it's a little big," he admitted, looking up at her with slight sheepishness.
She laughed fondly, “Nothing a little spell can't fix, want me to give it a try?”
Sirius perked up at her words, his disappointment quickly disappearing. He had completely forgotten about the countless spells they could use as wizards. A small, sly smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Yeah, why not.” he chuckled, running his hands over the jacket, feeling the material against his skin.
He closed his eyes for a moment. Her hands came to rest gently on his shoulders and he focused his mind to her next words, as she murmured “Resizamento.”
He felt a familiar tingly sensation washing over him as the jacket began to shrink and mold to his body, conforming to his form. Sirius eyes fluttered open, and he couldn't help but gasp as he looked at his reflection again in the mirror. The jacket now fit him perfectly, molding to his frame and accentuating his lean body. He spun around, admiring himself from all angles, a feeling of pure elation washing over him.
"It's perfect..." he breathed, grinning widely.
She hugged him tightly from behind and pressed a kiss to his hair, “He seemed to know it would be.”
Sirius smiled widely, feeling a burst of affection as his aunt hugged him from behind and kissed his hair. He could practically feel his Uncle's presence in the room, as if he had known that his gifts would fit just right.
He ran his fingers over the material of the jacket once again, a sense of belonging and happiness filling him.
"I'm never going to take it off," he teased, spinning around in her arms to face her.
“You’ll have to at some point, leather is a material that needs to be cared for” she said.
Sirius rolled his eyes dramatically, a small laugh escaping his lips. He knew she was right, of course, but the idea of parting with the jacket for even a moment felt like a small tragedy to him.
"Ugh, I know," he sighed, pretending to pout. "But it's sooo comfortable. I just want to wear it forever."
“Well with a little magic, you probably could” she said nonchalantly.
Sirius's eyes widened with excitement at her words. He hadn't thought about that before. If he cast spells to clean and care for the leather, he probably could wear it indefinitely without wearing it out. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, a mischievous smile on his face.
"Hm... now that's a thought. I could do that, can’t I?”
“Don't you get any ideas mister,” she said playfully.
Sirius put on a look of mock-innocence, fluttering his eyelashes and holding his hands up in defense.
“Who, me? Get ideas? Never.” He giggled before continuing, “But can you imagine? I’d become known as the wizard who wore a leather jacket every day. I’d be a living legend.”
“As long as it isn't for the worst smelling, then that's all you. Have at it” she said taking a seat.
Sirius feigned shock, bringing a hand to his chest and looking deeply offended. “Worst-smelling? Me? Aunt, you’re underestimating my grooming skills.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “I’ll charm the jacket to smell like new and fresh leather every single day. You won't be able to tell the difference.”
She laughed heartily, “Now I know all the girls will swoon with you around, the jacket and guitar are a powerful combination.”
Sirius smirked, a hint of pride in his expression. He couldn't deny that the thought of making girls swoon was appealing. He was a teenage boy after all.
“You think so…?” He asked, running a hand through his hair with a cocky confidence. “I bet they'll be fighting over me with a guitar and a leather jacket.”
“Well it certainly worked on me back then.”
Sirius raised an eyebrow, a cheeky grin on his face. “Did it, now? I guess these gifts were quite the winning combination.” He smirked, eyeing her up and down, his tone teasing. “So are you saying you have a weakness for leather jacket-wearing, guitar-playing boys?”
She sat back comfortably, “Well I married the "bad boy", didn't I?”
Sirius let out a loud laugh, throwing his head back. He thought that was a very accurate description of his uncle. He had definitely fit the part of a "bad boy." He ran a hand through his hair again, grinning.
“Ah yes, I guess you did. And I assume that all of this...” he said, gesturing to his new gifts, “…had something to do with it?”
“Some of it, because despite all appearances, your uncle was a gentleman”
Sirius smiled warmly, his heart filled with a sense of pride and affection. He could imagine his uncle acting like a gentle and courteous gentleman around his aunt, even with his bad boy looks.
He chuckled slightly, his tone teasing. “A gentleman with a bad boy image... he really was the complete package, wasn’t he? I bet all the girls fell head over heels for him,” Sirius continued, his grin widening. “He probably had them all swooning left and right.”
She shrugged, “I suppose so, but your uncle just always made it a point to make sure I knew that I was the only one for him.”
Sirius's heart melted a little at her words. The devotion and commitment his uncle and aunt had for each other was incredibly romantic, and Sirius couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing for a love like that one day. He let out a soft sigh, looking at her with a mixture of admiration and hope. “He really loved you, didn’t he?”
“Til death did us part,” she said softly.
Sirius felt a lump form in his throat at her words, a bittersweet smile on his face. He knew that his uncle had loved her deeply, that their love had been strong and passionate, right up until the very end. He reached out and took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze.
He looked up at her, his gaze intense. “Auntie…” he started, his voice a little hoarse. “Is it okay if I ask you something? Something a little personal?”
“Of course, sweet boy. You know that I try to be as honest as I can with you?”
Sirius nodded, feeling a sense of appreciation wash over him. He knew that she would always be honest with him, and he felt comfortable asking her personal questions. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before asking, “I... I was wondering... what it was like? You and him, when you first met. What was he like…? How did you know that he was the one…?”
“It was all the little things coming together that let me know he was the one for me,” she said swooning a little at the thought. “But we were young, your age actually when we met by chance.”
Sirius smiled at the dreamy look in her eyes as she recalled their first meeting. He had a feeling he knew what she meant. It wasn’t just one thing, but a combination of things that had drawn her to his uncle.
“By chance…” he repeated, his voice soft. “Like fate?”
“Don't know what else you could call it, because to think that the bad boy would do all that he could to see a girl he had met only once, it couldn't be anything else but fate“ she said fondly.
Sirius chuckled softly, shaking his head slightly in disbelief. It sounded like something out of a romance novel. A bad boy seeing a beautiful girl, and then doing everything in his power to get her attention and make her his own.
He smiled warmly. “He really wanted to make sure you were his, didn’t he?”
“Oh yes, I was dressed all prim and proper on our outing as a family and that sneaky scoundrel snuck his name and address into my skirt’s pocket.”
Sirius let out a loud scoff, both amused and surprised at his uncle's sneaky tactics. He could imagine his uncle slipping his details into her pocket when no one was watching, a cheeky smile on his face.
“Sneaky, but effective. I guess he was pretty determined to get your attention,” he said, his tone teasing.
“He certainly had it alright, because I had never met a muggle like him before or ever,” she said honestly.
Sirius chuckled again, imagining his aunt’s confusion and curiosity encountering a muggle for the first time. He could only imagine how different his uncle must have been from the other pure-blood wizards she was familiar with. He leaned back, his tone light hearted, “I bet that must have thrown you off. A muggle boy having that effect on a pure-blood witch.”
“It certainly startled me, because most young wizards wouldn't even talk with me because the family name was intimidating but also because Walburga was meant to be the first choice.”
Sirius's expression softened as she spoke, feeling a pang of sympathy for her. He could understand that family name bringing about some hesitation and intimidation, as the Black family held a lot of status and influence within the wizarding world.
He reached out to take her hand, squeezing it gently. “I bet those wizards were idiots then, not wanting to get to know you because of the family name.”
“For the best really, gave your uncle and edge over the rest” she shrugged.
He smirked, his tone teasing. “But, I bet that wasn’t the only reason you chose him over the rest. You just couldn’t resist a bad boy in leather, could you?”
“You think all of the boys with ties and sweater vests could have made me swoon?”
Sirius laughed heartily at the image of stuffy, straight-laced boys in ties and sweater vests trying to make his aunt swoon. It was a comical sight, and he couldn’t imagine her being even remotely interested in them.
He shook his head firmly, a teasing grin on his face.
“No, definitely not. Those boys would have had no chance against a bad boy in leather. I mean, come on. It’s not even a competition.” He chuckled again, his tone mischievous. “Besides, I think you’ve got a thing for leather-wearing bad boys, don’t you?”
He waggled his eyebrows jokingly, trying to gauge her reaction. He was just teasing, but he wouldn’t be surprised if she actually did have a soft spot for bad boys like his uncle.
“Bad boys tend to be misunderstood young men, and they hold a special place in my heart” she affirmed.
Sirius felt a warmth spreading through his chest at her words. It was a testament to her kind and understanding nature, that she saw beyond the surface of things and understood people on a deeper level.
He smiled warmly, his tone soft. “Yeah, I guess bad boys are just misunderstood sometimes. They don’t all live up to their reputation, do they? And you can see through that, and still love and care for them despite their flaws.”
“When we learn to look past the appearances, we can have the honor of knowing those worth having in our lives,” she said kindly.
Sirius nodded, his expression thoughtful. He could sense the wisdom in her words, and he knew that she was speaking from years of experience and insight.
He squeezed her hand again. “You’re right, I guess. It’s important to look past the surface and really get to know someone before making judgments. It helps us understand them and love them for who they truly are, flaws and all.”
She squeezed his hand in return with a smile, “Now, how about you try and play your guitar a bit, while I make us a quick dinner. Okay?”
Sirius felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of trying out his new guitar. He had been itching to play it ever since he unwrapped it and now he had the perfect opportunity. He gave her a quick hug before hopping off the couch and darting into the living room, guitar in hand. As he settled on the couch, guitar in his lap, Sirius began to strum the strings, his fingers plucking at them with a bit of clumsiness. He closed his eyes, a smile on his face as the music filled the space around him. He let the music take him away, his fingers moving over the strings, creating a simple but beautiful melody that echoed throughout the house. He forgot about everything else and lost himself in the moment, feeling free and alive as he played.
His aunt from the other room hummed along and Sirius smiled to himself as he heard his aunt’s humming to his playing. It was a small moment, but it added to the warm and cozy feeling that filled the house. He continued strumming the guitar, playing with increasing confidence and feeling a sense of accomplishment at the sounds he was creating. Every now and then, he strummed a wrong note, but he didn’t let it bother him, correcting his mistake and carrying on.
Oh yes, moments like these were truly what made it feel like home.
Which is why he never spoke about it in adulthood, because he lost it.
