@giftober Day 1 | Close-up@lgbtqcreators Bingo | Lyrics

@giftober day 1 | close-up @lgbtqcreators bingo | lyrics

1.03 “Second of his Name” | 1.06 “The Princess and the Queen” | 1.07 “Driftmark” 

told you i was coming back for more! 🧡 "i need you here" for the married rhaewin verse, if you're feeling like it? 🥺🥺🥺

(tw: mentions of pregnancy and fears about childbirth, references to miscarriages and the struggles Aemma had, this takes place when Rhaenyra is pregnant with Jace)

The feel of cold sheets under his arm was enough to pull Harwin from sleep, his hand searching the other half of the bed for his wife. He pushed himself up when he realized the bed was empty. Not for the first time in recent nights, Rhaenyra was pacing the room, her movements slowing the further along in her pregnancy she got. The maester was certain it wouldn't be much longer before the babe was born and the closer she got to the birth the more restless she'd become. For the most part, he took it all in stride, doing what he could to reassure her and comfort her. But his knowledge failed him at times, particularly at these moments when his mind was still clouded with sleep and her emotions were particularly frazzled.

"I think if you keep that up much longer, you might leave a pattern on the stone from where you've walked," he mumbled, pushing his hair back as he moved to stand. The look she gave made it clear she wasn't amused by him or his jokes, just continuing with her pacing. "You need your rest, love. And since you won't rest during the days, night seems to be the best time to get that rest."

"I can't rest. Every time I lay down I'm reminded of the child growing in me. I feel like I'm bigger than Vhagar my stomach has grown so large. And any time I stay put for longer than five minutes some lady from court whether she's met me before or not will offer me horrid advice about giving birth and raising the child and it makes me want to scream. And when I am finally left alone and finally comfortable enough to sit or lay down for any amount of time all I can think of is...is my mother. Of what she went through."

Any quip he had vanished at the words, the quiet whisper of fear that he'd never heard her admit before. There was an ache in his chest when he finally spotted it, the look of fear in her eyes that he'd been blind to before. And without another moment's hesitation, he'd stood from the bed and crossed the room to her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

She stayed tense for a moment before giving in, letting herself lean fully into him. It was muffled but he could still hear as she mumbled against his chest, "You've been busy with your men and I didn't - I don't like you thinking me weak. The blood of Aegon the Conqueror shouldn't be frightened by the birthing bed."

"Rhaenyra," he started, hands cupping her face and tilting it up so he could see her better. "I'd never think you weak. Never. And I'm sure Aegon the Conqueror would've feared the birthing bed as well if he'd been the one in it instead of his wives."

The faintest hint of a smile broke through her somber expression and he clung to it as best he could, pressing his forehead to hers and reaching down to let his hand rest on the swell of her belly. Her next words were whispered, almost as if she said them any louder they'd be overheard. "For years I watched my mother suffer through miscarriages and stillbirths. At least six children lost that I know of and her mother before died in the birthing bed as well. All I can see when I close my eyes blood soaked sheets and a tiny bundle on a funeral pyre and it leaves me filled with this dread that I just - I can't make go away. I've tried but no matter what this fear has wormed its way in me and will not let go."

They stood there together, minutes passing as he held her and tried to think of what to say. Any reassurances seemed useless. He hadn't known her mother but he'd heard her speak of what had happened that led to her death. And he remembered his father's second wife dying after a day and a half of labor, leaving behind his father with a new daughter to raise alongside him and Larys, alone once more. He'd be lying if he claimed there hadn't been a hint of worry in the back of his mind that something might go wrong. But none of that mattered now.

"I won't make you promises that everything will be perfect," he told her, breaking the silence they'd been sharing. "We've never lied to one another and I won't start that now. We both know childbirth can be as bloody as a battle. But you have to know that there's nothing I wouldn't do to keep you safe. I need you here with me the way I need air in my lungs. And I'd fight the Stranger himself if he tried to take you from me before we've had a lifetime together."

Her smile was watery but a bit of the fear he'd seen in those violet eyes had receded and he was quick to press a loving kiss to her lips. It was chaste, affectionate but simple before she pulled away to look up at him. "You truly are the best of men, Harwin."

He smiled in return, his hands finding her and slowly leading her back to their bed in hopes of getting her some much needed sleep while she could.

my brain is just an on fire garbage can of Rhaenyra/Harwin story ideas and I don’t know if I should apologize for that or not

ways to say “ i care about you. ”

❝ i care about you. ❞

❝ you mean more to me every single day. ❞

❝ you haven’t been acting right. ❞

❝ i can see you’re hurting. ❞

❝ i just want you to be happy. ❞

❝ if you’re happy, i’m happy. ❞

❝ i’m not going anywhere. i promise. ❞

❝ something’s bothering you. ❞

❝ here. i brought you this. ❞

❝ do you want some? ❞

❝ you don’t have to be embarrassed to cry in front of me. ❞

❝ how can i help? ❞

❝ tomorrow is a new day. let’s go to bed. ❞

❝ don’t worry about it. i’ll take care of it. ❞

❝ i’m not sure. what do you think? ❞

❝ i’m so glad i met you. ❞

❝ you know you can talk to me. ❞

❝ of course i remembered. ❞

❝ you really thought i wouldn’t notice? ❞

❝ is everything okay? ❞

❝ put on your seatbelt. ❞

❝ text me when you get home. ❞

❝ you mean so much to me. ❞

❝ when is the last time you ate something? ❞

❝ when is the last time you slept? ❞

❝ you’ve always been there for me. let me be there for you. ❞

❝ i want to be with you. forever. ❞

❝ we’ll get through this together. ❞

❝ come here. sit down. ❞

❝ you’re all that matters now. ❞

❝ put yourself first. ❞

❝ you deserve this. ❞

❝ you don’t deserve this. ❞

❝ wait. stay. ❞

modern au where Harwin and Rhaenyra grew up together because of their dads but fell out of touch during college and when she runs into him again she’s surprised to find out he’s a single dad to two little boys, doing his best, and that she’s suddenly more willing to take a break from her work when it’s a group of curly haired Strongs asking for her attention