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#I know people have done this before but it's rarely acknowledged that they both saved the world
jazzkrebber · 10 months
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the shadow and bone trilogy: we've overcome countless obstacles, moved past our differences, and rallied together to save the world from the darkling
the six of crows duology: we were trying to get some money and we think we saved the world or something?
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elvestoneanzelote1 · 23 days
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Hello!! I really love your work, since I saw Honkai Star Rail... You can write then can I ask you to write Caelus x fem reader who is from Herta Space Stations.
That's all please write it, since it is my first time writing this.
𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘐'𝘮 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘬𝘢𝘪 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭.
𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩.
𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴.
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You were one of the Herta space station members that helped out Asta... Well, you most likely are good at self-defence enough to defeat some of the attackers but... It wasn't enough when you were surrounded.
That day was as clear as water... The Trailblazer who came to save you on time.
With a smash of his bat the monster disappears.
"Hey... Are you alright?" His voice asked you as your gaze fell up and nodded while holding the cards close to you.
He doesn't know why you have cards on you not until March 7th hugged you.
"Y/n!! I thought I would not see you again after we got separated!" She said while snuggling closer to your neck as you smiled a bit reassuring March that you were fine.
"..." Caelus stood awkwardly as he took notice of your appearance... Your h/c hair was not that rare among the people present but your eyes was simply e/c coloured with the pupils been green clover like.
"Who... May you be?" You asked unsurely as March smile and beckon hit Caelus in the back who flinch.
"My name's Caelus"
"He seems to have short-term memory loss... Say y/n have you ever seen him on the space station?" March asks as you stare at Caelus who... Somehow feel slightly flustered by your unblinking stare yet you quickly smile.
"No I have not... But I guess I don't look around much"
"I suppose... Where were you heading off to?" March asked as you told her you were heading to the storage room to take some supplies for taking care of the repairmen.
"We were going to the elevator," March said as you nod.
"I'm sure Himeko and all will be there"
"Be sure to come since we don't often stay in space station we have a lot to chat about!" March said as you smile softly and nod.
"Be careful on your way... Both of you" you replied as March smiled brightly and waved while walking away while Caelus stood unsurely..
You tilt your head to side confuse as he smiles a bit, "sorry for the trouble... But..."
"Hmm?"
"I was wondering if-"
"Caelus! Hurry before more monsters come!" Match shouted as Caelus sweatdrop and shook his head slightly.
"Can we meet again?"
"Huh? Sure... I will be present at the space stations"
Caelus smile and walk away waving as you stood there slight confuse yet quickly left to get the supplies.
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"Asta... The supplies are brought..." You said as Asta beamed happily and ask if you were in short of trouble or not... In slightly worried tone.
As you told her about what have happen, as Himeko smile and thank for the contribution which make you flustered.
"I..."
"I have done the task given by the others" a voice interrupted as you turn to notice Caelus whose eyes widen slightly yet he quickly smiles at you then face at Asta.
"I'm sure we have some time to spare" March said as Dang Heng nod in acknowledgement.
You smile and nod about to ask how they are after facing off the other enemies.
Until the alarmed went red.
As the enemies try to attack neutralizing all defence.
"Take the express and leave" Asta said as the others nod Caelus eyes flickered on yours as you told them to leave immediately to the express.
"Y/n Tell the others to Evacuate quickly"
"On it Asta" you replied and rush away to evacuate the others people who cannot fight or defend themselves.
With a swift of your card you make the enemy into a card of glass that shatter defeating them.
As you immediately help around for others to leave.
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"Miss Herta welcome back" you replied in relief that the strongest enemy was defeated by The Trailblazers.
"Y/n! You seem like you have drank a lot of caffeine" Herta mention as you smile a bit.
"I guess so... Miss Himeko will be upstairs"
"Well... I surely hope things will settle. Take a rest you need it... Beside if one of the fighter lose its strength I can't fight off all you know"
"Alright Miss Herts I will... Keep in mind to rest"
Herta left as March ended up taking you to chat as you found out Dang Heng was helping Arlan.
As Caelus was helping Herta in simulating universe of sortm
As you ended up taking slight break with March who told you about her journey of recent travels.
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"I can manage" you replied to Caelus who shook his head and hold onto the supplies.
"I want to help as much as I can"
"That's... Very kind of you" you said smiling abit as Caelus smile back helping you out on the works.
"If I'm not wrong you are leaving in express right?" You asked as Caelus said he doesn't know and haven't decided yet.
"What about you? Will you leave if you get the chance?"
"Well yes... I want to go around the universe.."
Caelus nod while in thought and ask, "so why not travel together?"
You quickly refused.
He was confuse by your dismissal.
He later on even ask March, Himeko, Mr Yang and even Dang Heng about you.
"Seem like someone have a crush" Said March teasing Caelus who quickly refused.
He find out you help around the space station ad worker too... And you also fight.
Herta also seems to speak fondly of you.
There are two type of Caelus ending.
One yandere as he fall deeply for you second normal crush ending.
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In yandere ending he will stay back in Herta space station leading to the missing of the astral express which you were disheartened by the fact they may have died.
Caelus will often stay beside you and help around and in no time become closest to you.
One way or another Herta will find out but for her it doesn't matter if Caelus like you too much.
As long as he is not a murderer thanfully he isn't.
Unless someone push his button to the point of harming you then let's say some monster present have killed that person.
No one will know eventually.
It is either that person is too... Rude and make people life difficulty.
As somehow you may or may not be fall in love with him.
Which can go good or bad way...
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In normal ending
He will text you often while in astral express.
He will try to be much more into texting and all if he is busy on worlds he won't be able to talk for two or three days.
I think this one have more likely to be delusional type to think you also like him a lot.
I mean who will reply to someone who often bother? And he will surely purpose you one day when he returns back to space station.
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A:n- that's all good day/night to all
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juiles · 1 year
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I am crazy in love with you.
Summary: You and Wanda have a talk after a rough day for you. Leading to some cute partner fluff
Pairing: wanda maximoff x gn!reader
Type: just pure fluff
Triggers: talk of self harm, talks of ultron fight and bombing
Masterlist!
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Wanda POV
I sat on the bed of my partner and stared out the window while I waited for them to come out of the bathroom. They had been in there for way to long now and I was starting to get concerned. I know they have a past of hurting themselves and my biggest fear is that they are doing it again. I refuse to look in their head though. That’s a promise I made them when we first got together and I have no intentions of ever breaking that one.
I sat and picked at the skin around my thumbs until I finally heard the lock click, announcing that they were done whatever it was they were doing. When the door finally creaked open I lifted my head to face them. I smiled softly as they stared at me in confusion for a moment. After a few moments they smiled softly however, the smile didn’t seem to reach their eyes making me frown in concern. I quickly replaced it with a smile hoping they didn’t notice, which thank goodness they didn’t and held one hand up.
They took that hand and sat on the bed beside before scooting up to be leaning against their headboard. I followed suit and tucked myself into their side, burying my head into the crook of their shoulder. Honestly, this is where I felt at home the most. I felt safe here. Like nothing could ever hurt us.
At this moment, the only thing that could hurt us is Y/n, inadvertently, with them bottling up their emotions. It will just turn explosive, we both know that. Y/n and I had known each other forever. We lived in the same apartment building and y/n, Pietro and I had been best friends. They had volunteered like me and Pietro did. They had a similar reason to us as well except they also lost their sibling. They were completely alone and the same age as us so we became closer as they had me and them share a room as our powers were very similar to each other, the only difference really is the colour of our wisps. When we were left alone at 10 and stuck to each other tight.
I had started having feelings for them a couple years in there before Pietro and I got rescued, when we went to fight Ultron, Natasha had spoken some sense into them and they joined us in the fight. We started dating not even a few months after Ultron. Some say it was because of my loss of Pietro and I was just looking to fill the whole but y/n fulfilled me in different ways. I still grieve Pete but with y/n by my side it was a lot easier.
“I’m sorry…” Their apology shook me out of my thoughts and I hummed in acknowledgement while I watched their hands fiddle with the rings on my fingers. A nervous tic they did when talking about feelings which very rarely happened. “I was almost 2 months clean… It would have been her birthday…” They blew out the breath they were holding through their nose and squeezed their eyes shut. “She would have been 16 today…”
I sighed and turned to face them. “Detka…”
“No… I need to…” They opened their eyes with a pleading look making me nod softly. “She would have been 14. I imagine her as the shy quiet type. One that always made people smile. She was like that you know? 6 years old and could put a smile on anyones faces. She was my parents pride and joy. God I loved her with my entire being… I couldn’t save her… the bomb went off to close to her room… she had begged me to spend the night in my bed that night… I told her no because shes a “big girl and big girls sleep in their own bed”… God wanda I was so fucking stupid…” They stopped when their body let out a sob.
“If only I had said yes… she would be here… I would be able-“
“No. Stop that. In no way was this your fault. You had no idea that was going to happen. It was the same for me and pete.” I stopped them placing my hands on their cheeks. “You wouldn’t let me take the guilt for sending Pete off to help with the last bit of fighting. I won’t let you take the blame for this. We were 10 when that shell hit our apartment building. 10. How could you have kept her safe when you were still a baby yourself.” I wiped the tears off their cheek as it rolled down. “Can I clean it please?” I motioned to their arm and they hesitated for a moment before nodding shyly.
y/n POV
I took a shaky breath searching in Wandas eyes before nodding slightly. She helped me stand and walk over to the bathroom and sat me down on the closed toilet lid before rummaging through my bathroom cabinet and stood back up holding my first aid kit.
“I love you y/n. With everything in me. I hope you know that.” I nodded biting my lip as she slowly rolled my sleeve up. “This doesn’t change anything my love…”
She squeezed her eyes shut quickly then went to work cleaning and wrapping my cuts. I whined when it stung but other than that just stared at her face as she was so focused. When she finishes I instantly melt into her arms and cupping her cheeks kiss her deeply. I pulled back and we rested our foreheads against each other as we stared at each other.
“I am crazy in love with you, Wanda Maximoff.”
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managician · 1 year
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Thanks again for answering all my questions! I have some more for Sontails, my own this time instead of from a list. Take your time if you need to with your exams, I don't mind! :)
"Who wakes up early and who sleeps in?"
"Which trait does each find the most endearing about the other?"
"What does each do/say that almost always makes the other flustered and blush?"
"How often did they share a bed before they started dating?"
"How often does Sonic brush Tails' tails, if ever?"
And finally, not necessarily a Sontails question, but very much related:
"How did Amy inevitably find out about Sonic and Tails' relationship, and how long did it take her after to get over her feelings for Sonic?"
Thanks to you for sending more of these lovely questions in! I’ve been having lots of fun with them.
I’m almost done with exams, thankfully, so thank you for your patience as well! I hope I managed to entertain you with my answers x)
“Who wakes up early and who sleeps in?”
I think both would be early birds, though if someone was to sleep in, it’d be Tails. I can totally see him staying up late working on (x) project and then waking up late a result, whereas Sonic tries to keep a regular schedule, for the most part.
But outside of that scenario, the two of them look the type to rise and shine pretty early, since we know they are quite the active people.
Unless it’s one of those rare days where they feel like lazying around for a bit, probably. In which case they just stay in bed together till one of them (Sonic) gets hungry and gives them an excuse to go grab a bite for breakfast, haha.
“Which trait does each find the most endearing about the other?”
Tails loves how caring and cool Sonic acts with everyone! His genuinely good personality and will to help out any friend in need is one of the things that would make him fall for the hedgehog in the first place, I’m sure.
I know their Adventure/Sonic X era origin story got retconned by now, since it’s been made so that Sonic saved him from bullies and Tails decided to tag along with him (instead of Tails just one-sidedly following him because he thought he looked epic). But tbh both versions really highlight to me the fact that Tails is just blown away by Sonic as a whole, which is super sweet.
For that reason, I like to imagine that Sonic’s kindness remains his favourite trait throughout the years. Not only is he a hero with outstanding strength, he’s the best person Tails ever got to meet -- how perfect is that? 
On Sonic’s side, he adores how sweet and loyal Tails is while still having a strong sense of justice. The amount of things this little fox has done for his sake —fly him over all sorts of dangerous waters and cliffs, plan to break into prison to rescue him, get into fights, etc.— will never fail to amaze him. 
I feel people sometimes forget Sonic used to be a completely solo fighter before meeting him, so Tails being willing to stick through thick and thin as long as they’re together would mean the world to him. They both get attached so fast and it only grows stronger with time :’)
“What does each do/say that almost always makes the other flustered and blush?”
Sonic just needs to bring up how awesome and perfect his partner is for him to get all embarrassed. Pretty easy stuff.
It’s like... a bit crazy for Tails to have Sonic acknowledge that there’s things only he can do/can do much better than him, The Hero (tm), y’know? Tails is not used to hearing people think so highly of him, and to have the one he admires say it without a hint of hesitation will never fail to fluster him.
Tails is not really one to pamper him with verbal affection like that, but he’s got it even easier. He just needs to wrap his tails around him and snuggle up to him without warning and BAM, Sonic is also a blushy mess in 100% of cases. 
He’s always felt to me like someone that would offer casual affection better than receive it (which is tied to my headcanon of Tails usually waiting for him to start any affectionate gestures), so just have the love of his life give him the warmest hug ever and I guarantee he’ll be at least a little embarrassed.
In general, it’s not super hard for either of them to blush, though! They’re one of those mushy couples that will always make the other feel a bit weak on the knees, methinks.
“How often did they share a bed before they started dating?”
Very rarely, if at all, I'd say.
This came up in one brief line in my Sonic/Nine fic, but I don't see Sonic as much of a bed person. The only place I recall seeing him sleeping on (in the games) is a couch! And he has a pretty nomad lifestyle, so beds just... Don't seem like they'd get along with him very much.
I think the only times they would have slept together before they dated would be if they were, say, in the middle of travelling together and needed to sleep outside for the night. So they'd snuggle close to avoid getting cold, since Tails' namesakes do a really good job of keeping their body warmth.
...That'd be more like sharing the floor or a tent than sharing a bed, now that I think about it. Oops. XD 
Yeah, I just don't see them bed sharing all that much, at least not with sleeping purposes. Cuddles in bed are always A+ okay for both of them, though! And Sonic's a lot more willing to try to sleep next to Tails after they start dating, if it's something that would make his boyfriend happy.
“How often does Sonic brush Tails’ tails, if ever?”
He definitely does, although it’s hard to pinpoint how often, or if it's even a 'regular' thing between them. Hmmm...
Something like once a month sounds good in my head. That way it's a bit of a special occurrence, but they get to look forward to it.
It's kind of a relaxing routine for them both. Sonic loves Tails' tails and treats them with care, and Tails likes having someone else take care of them, especially when that someone else looks like he's really enjoying himself while brushing his fur.
(As mentioned in the ask, the last question is not strictly a sontails one so I’m putting it under a read more, just in case somebody checking their dash/the ship tag wouldn’t want to read it.)
“How did Amy inevitably find out about Sonic and Tails' relationship, and how long did it take her to get over her feelings for Sonic?”
Funny that you asked this! It's a very interesting question and you're gonna get me to talk a bit about my view on modern sonamy, something I don't really do often, so buckle up.
Now, this might be partly because Amy reminds me of a friend I had, but I tend to see her as someone who's chasing the 'high' of having a crush rather than a serious, down-to-earth relationship.
"I miss the good old days. Hangin' out with my hero, Sonic... Chasing bad guys... And blowing them away - ha ha!" This is one of her first quotes in SA1, and I found it interesting that she emphasised how both chasing after Sonic and beating up robots made her life feel thrilling and fulfilling.
It's like she's one of those people that just wants to be in love as part of her life experience, if that makes sense. She didn't wait to fall for anyone naturally; Sonic showed up one day in Little Planet, saved her and she went "that guy, that's the one for me.”
And she loves Sonic dearly for who he is. He’s her hero. Finding him was a fated meeting that signaled the start of a new chapter in her story.
However, I genuinely think she’d love to see her two friends together and happy, too. 
The way I like to imagine it, she finds out about it before Sonic and Tails have actually shared that they’re an “item” now with the gang. In a very casual way -- just something like her going to Tails’ workshop looking for Sonic, walking in on the two of them sleeping on the couch with their hands intertwined, and having that little oh realisation moment that Sonic wants to be with someone else.
Obviously, she'd struggle with knowing that all her honest, good-hearted efforts to catch his attention would've never done the trick. How long has she been playing an impossible game? She'd be kinda mad at both Sonic and Tails for not telling her about their feelings for each other sooner, as it would've saved them all some trouble.
Though you can't help but sympathise that they wouldn't want to share the news yet, since being strictly 'best buds' has been their whole brand for like... Forever. It's a delicate situation on both ends.
Thankfully, Amy is someone that lives life head-on almost as much as Sonic himself does, so I want to think she'd try to be supportive of them and gradually get over her heartbreak after some months. No point in dwelling on something that's already settled, right?
All she can do is be a good friend and, this time, try to find someone that's right for her. Who knows? She might end up finding the ideal partner to bring fun into her life again :)
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chrysalispen · 2 years
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Prompt #14 - Attrition
AO3 LINK HERE
Fill under cut.
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Aurelia hated balls. Yet here she was, the center of attention at one of her very own.
Or she would be if she weren't hiding.
She stared, disconsolate, down at her feet-- covered as they were by a shimmering drape of ivory satin. Over the gown lay the deep scarlet sash with its house crest. The dress itself felt scandalous with its strapless shoulders and plunging cut, not to mention bloody cold - honestly, how anyone could be so fond of skin-baring formals in a climate where the temperatures hovered at or below freezing for most of the year she'd never understand - but the sash was really too much.
"Aurelia, darling."
Her aunt lingered in the doorway, a glass of wine in one hand. Aurelia didn't even bother with a response. A month after the dinner which Uncle Janus had hosted to introduce her to her "intended" and his parents, she remained so furious with her guardians that she still had to exercise all the self-control at her disposal simply to exchange civil pleasantries with them.
It was such a strange and unpleasant thing, this rage inside her. Like a constant ache in her chest, or a cinder that could never quite cool to ash. It seemed to smoulder even when not in the presence of her would-be gaolers.
She had never before realized she was capable of being this angry.
In Gyr Abania, there were partisan fighters in the mountains (Father had called them "outlaws" or "brigands" when he wasn't calling them something worse): a motley collection of men and women fighting against the Empire's occupation, whose exploits often made the provincial papers. Without Ala Mhigo there seemed to always be fighting between the viceroy's legion and those pockets of resistance - especially out in the fringe communities near the wall to the south - without any clear victor in sight.
Of course, it was naught that anyone in the capital would have heard about - unless there was widespread and violent revolt, life in the provinces remained largely beneath their notice. Even in the city itself such matters were rarely discussed beyond the idle click of a disapproving tongue over one's eggs and toast and tea. Most of the wealthy who made their homes up in the old palace district saw the partisans only as criminals whose sole goal was to upset the 'natural order' of things and assumed Lord van Baelsar would sort them out himself.
But Aurelia had overheard enough of the conversations between her father and his peers to know the viceroy found their antics more worrisome than the papers let on. The Ala Mhigan people might keep their heads down and kowtow to their Garlean overlords when it was necessary, but it was as much an act as her own show of deference to her relatives. As she had grown older it had been easier and easier to sense the resentment and fury that roiled out of sight: a massive monster whose shadow was sometimes visible to the observant eye, lurking beneath the placid surface of the lochs.
She didn't presume to know how the aan felt, had no way of understanding what it must be like to share in such an unenviable lot. But, she thought to herself, surely this seething rancor she felt must be the most miniscule taste of it.
"You can't simply hide from your guests, you know," Marcella said when Aurelia didn’t acknowledge her presence. "You'll have to face everyone eventually."
"I wonder that you and Uncle can face me."
"What is that supposed to mean? What precisely do we have to apologize for?"
Aurelia tightened her grip about the snowy fur that served as her sole protection between her bared back and the chill emanating from the tempered glass window. "You both know what you did."
"And you, miss, should save these dramatics of yours for the playhouse. None of the rest of us care to see or hear them." Marcella's response was what she had expected: a long-suffering sigh, a snap of the wrist, a flutter of her fan as she took another sip from her glass. "We've done only what needs must to secure your future."
My future, Aurelia thought. 
In that moment the smoulder was no longer a smoulder. She rounded on her aunt, limbs shaking and face burning like a banked ember, unable to keep her temper leashed a moment longer.
"You have done naught for the past six years except to throw me like a leg of mutton at every spoiled prat with a family name and a fortune in the hopes I'll become someone else's problem, and you expect me to believe 'twas all done for my own good? Do I have no say in what becomes of me?"
"This marriage is for your own good. You can mislike it all you wish, but this is what is expected of you."
"Expected," her laugh was as cold and brittle as the icicles dangling from the eaves outside, twinkling with harsh crystalline purity in the outdoor lights. "It's what you expect of me, perhaps."
"Yes. It is. This is a windfall for you, and you would see that and cease this self-absorbed prattle if you had any onze of sense in you at all." Her aunt's face was now as livid as her own, she noticed with a petty sort of satisfaction. "I have given you countless chances to come to terms with this in your own time, but I don't think you understand just how incredibly fortunate you are."
"How am I fortunate?” Aurelia demanded. “Tell me. What about any of this is luck?"
"What about it isn't? You caught that young man's eye by sheer chance and even then it took your uncle loosening the purse strings on the family coffers to keep his parents' interest, girl. You've no money or status of your own save the family name and his largesse."
"Yes, the two of you have made quite certain that I am well aware of my precarious position in-"
"To wed into His Radiance's family, extended though that connection might be, is prestige well worth any personal inconvenience. As it is, you have no guarantee that any further offers will be forthcoming."
"My education will afford me other opportunities, aunt."
"Will it? A field medic's salary will not keep you in the manner to which you are entitled. And what will you be doing with that expensive education of yours in the meantime? Crawling through the mud. Surrounded by the dead, dodging sword and spell. Risking capture. Placing yourself at the tender mercies of savages who will take your virtue as readily as your life! Have you the stomach for such things? We doubt it. Your own father doubted it."
"That is no great surprise, at least," she said bitterly. "Save my mother and L'haiya, none of you have ever shown the barest scrap of confidence in me."
Marcella snapped the fan shut and slammed it down upon the nearby lacquered table with a clatter. 
"Your common mother did you a disservice most grave indeed in allowing you to run wild, rather than preparing you for what lay in your future."
"Don't you dare speak of Mama so-"
"Perhaps in the southern provinces such unfettered freedom to do as you like is the order of the day. In a civilized society such as ours, that behavior is an unseemly display. One which carries untenable risk to our family."
To Aurelia's mortified horror she could feel tears welling in her eyes. They were angry tears, but she knew her aunt would take them as a sign of weakness, and try as she might she could not stop the tightness in her throat from closing in. "How it is any less a risk to wed me to a stranger?" "Do you think I knew your uncle? I met him the day before we were to wed. I was a girl, younger than you, and I too raged against my fate at first. But in time, I discovered that being a mother - fostering the next generation of Garlean leaders - is perhaps the most important duty one could have." A smile curved Marcella's painted lips, but it seemed to Aurelia's eyes strangely resigned. Certainly there was nothing of joy in the overbright shine of her eyes. "To the masses, their betters are their beacons. They look to us for guidance, to light the way through the cold and the dark. Just as we ourselves must look to His Radiance, to guide us in turn." "I never asked for any of this." The stern lines in her aunt's brow relaxed and beneath the steel a sudden, naked sympathy laid itself bare in her gaze. "Give it time. Once you’ve had a chance to settle in, I've no doubt you'll feel differently. There is a certain contentment in accepting your place in life. But make no mistake: it is your place. This is the role Garlemald has given you, my dear," Marcella said, in a much softer and conciliatory voice. "And you must serve."
Aurelia said nothing. She clutched the furs to her chest as if they were a lifeline and stared down at the wood grain of the table. It was all she could do to keep the scream that lay just behind her lips from bolting forth - let alone the wild impulse to do so just to see who might come running.
Mistaking her niece's silence for acquiescence, Marcella het Laskaris cleared her throat.  "You may take five minutes to compose yourself. I will inform Lord Sebastian that his radiant and grateful bride will be joining him shortly."
The door clicked shut at her aunt's back. She waited a brace of beats, then another, and another, until she could be certain that she was alone. With a soft click she unclasped the pearl-studded handbag she'd brought to hold small necessities and slipped the small card with its switchboard number out from the folds of her handkerchief, where it had remained hidden since her early afternoon appointment.
For a moment she paused, flipping it over and back to read the address and the string of numbers, then tucked it into the plastic case that held her student identification card and transit pass. It would be secure in there, and at a glance would appear no different from the other small cards she kept stashed in the same spot (punch cards for her favorite cafes, mostly).
"Thank you, aunt," Aurelia whispered into the still darkness, eyes dry and heart afire. "Your advice has been most helpful."
Gathering the furs about her shoulders and tucking the purse beneath her arm, she made sure to plaster a false smile on her face before reaching for the doorknob. She didn't want to be late.
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girl4music · 2 years
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I don’t know whether I should say this publicly or not because I’m wary of the reaction I might get for it as a Demi fan but I’m going to anyway in the interest of expanding my and hopefully other people’s consciousness. I feel like ‘29’ is a song we would have never gotten from Demi if Wilmer didn’t break up with them. That’s not to say that I think that if they were still together that there still isn’t a problem. It’s just that in some way I feel ‘29’ is more of a revenge type of song than it is a spreading awareness type of song. I sorta feel like Demi wouldn’t be admitting to the relationship between her and Wilmer Valderrama as being predatory and childhood grooming if he never dumped her. You know what I mean? I mean it’s really not my place to speculate on what went down between them in the breakup, but since Demi is putting the subject out there of her own volition… I thought I’d say my piece on it. I, of course, still commend her on it and think it’s very brave to release a song like ‘29’ because she is right. But at the same time, I think their realizing and acknowledging that it was childhood grooming what Wilmer did to Demi sorta came about because they broke up and her hurt feelings made her see or think of it in this way.
Demi’s a rare breed of human because for most people pain and anger clouds their mind and makes it difficult for them to assess a situation and judge it clearly or truthfully or fairly. But Demi’s different. When Demi feels in pain or angry, it only makes them see how things really are as opposed to how another who feels the same way would perceive them to be. And I can only assume the reason for that is because they’ve lived with the pain and anger longer than most people and so are familiar enough with it to sort of hone it like honing a skill they already possess to help and heal rather than using it as a weapon to hurt and harm. And I guess I, myself, can see it from this angle because of watching ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’. Xena is a character who - like Demi - has been on such a journey with pain and anger that they’ve figured out how to use it in a positive way over succumbing to a negative way. You know, because they’ve done the latter many times already and have noticed that it doesn’t serve them or anyone else. Huh… I’ve never compared Demi to Xena before. That’s certainly a new way of looking at them as a person. What I’m saying is both of them are able to translate pain and anger and turn it into something actually useful and beneficial for themselves and others. Initially, it comes from a place of bitterness, spite, rage and vengeance. A need to get a one-up. But throughout the journey of allowing themselves to feel these feelings rather than push them away or bottle them up inside themselves… Something wonderful happens. They are eventually compelled to save the day because of feeling them. Most people would honestly just crumble under the weight of their own feelings - of the pain and anger they feel. And they’d succumb to the urge to use them negatively. To lash out and attack. To cause pain and destruction. To essentially become their own worst enemy in becoming other people’s. I’m not saying Demi hasn’t done that. I’m saying they’ve done it to the point where they’ve realized it’s not helpful at all. They’ve grew from those horrible methods of coping with their own feelings of pain and anger and turned it around - turned it into something good. Something that is actually helpful. It’s really quite astonishing and it just goes to show you the depth of Demi’s character. The tenacity within them to just keep fucking going even when they feel like absolute shit in themselves when they feel this way.
So please, don’t think that what I’m saying about Demi’s writing, recording and releasing of ‘29’ is a mark against them in any way. It’s not. I’m just thinking about it a little deeper than most are. I think it’s a great song and I think no matter which way it came about or how it manifested,… the fact it exists at all is really a testament to Demi as an incredibly brave, honest and vulnerable person. A real human being. I am not insulting, judging or condemning them for it in any way by seeing it in this way. So please don’t take it that way. I just acknowledge a person’s pain and anger and see it as something they must feel and go through the motions with in however way they need to. It’s never a bad thing to me that a person ever feels these emotions. To me the whole point is to feel them when they come crawling into our skin and psyche. To allow ourselves to feel them. I think ‘29’ really just embodies the kind of person Demi really is inside and that that kind of person is truly amazing. A rare breed of human who - like Xena - not only learns and evolves from their emotions, but turns them into helpful resources for fighting for the greater good.
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xtrablak674 · 3 months
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Henry M. Diaz
We never had any kind of romantic relationship, this was rare for me not having some kind of sexual feelings for a friend. Trust I had found a way to have some kind of intimat relations with most of my male friends when I was a young gay. I found his light green eyes attractive and he has a handsome face, but a bit short like a baby cub. Our friendship started in high school, I am pretty sure he was the class below me, we were both in the drama department at the Performing Arts high school. He had become a bit notorious for coming out publicly and being in, what was it People magazine? I think there was even a small protest in front of the school about him.
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But we were friends before this, I think. Memory is so mutable. Knowing myself I wouldn't actively pursue someone just because they were famous, so I am going with we met before his fifteen seconds of fame. We did work together with Citizens Committee well it was his volunteer work that I joined him in, I was never quite welcomed into the ranks the way he was. Not sure if this was Kim Magillacuddy who ran the program and Henry lived with, or the fact that I didn't go through whatever official process or rite of passage to join the group, I did work just the same.
We went on to be roommates when I decide to leave college and pursue my career in the theatre full-time. I think he lasted a couple of years before he left to become a shaman. I don't think I acknowledged at the time that I had more affluence than him, the oldest of seven Dominican children he never had much. I had money left over from the funds my grandparents saved for me for college, this helped in buying the IKEA furniture we had in the small two bedroom apartment in Williamsburg. I remember we bought matching futons, and I painted mine red to go with the red and purple theme in my room.
The next time I had connected with Henry he had moved out of the city to some place called Greenwood Lakes, I would visit him up there a few times, once for his art exhibition at a local library, he would come down to the city for my numerous exhibition when I was actively pursuing my career in the visual art. Then we fell apart, there was some dynamic that happened between us that I don't think he ever fully verbalized, but he had met his threshold and the friendship ended. I think the last time I saw him was sometime in the mid aughts.
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We had known each other for about sixteen years or so, had traveled together done a documentary together, he was featured I was the friend, we both volunteered at Gay Men's Health Crisis ending up in their Young Hot & Safe campaign that rode the subway trains stirring up controversy in the press. Social activism was important to both of us, but ultimately I had much more success in my paid careers than he did. I am not sure if this lead to bitterness or maybe feelings because he always had to struggle and I am not saying my journey was frictionless but it seemed a bit easier.
I hold no animosity towards Mr. Diaz, which is what I knew him as, he might be non-binary like me now, I'm not sure. I also knew him as half-Sicilian which turned out to be not exactly the truth. Now I think he considers himself Taino and has claimed a name that represents this new understanding. Henry was one of many friends who struggled with their identity embracing groups that were not their ones of origin.
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When I found this photo from when he attended the opening of my solo exhibition Brooklyn Rises I just knew I had to post it. I didn't think I would say anything more about it. I don't think we can talk about ourselves without talking about the people we surround ourselves with, this is my attempt to do just that. Do a brief exploration of a friendship that lasted on and off nearly two decades.
[Photo by Brown Estate]
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princeofgod-2021 · 1 year
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LIGHT OF LIFE 347
John 1:4
TOO LATE 10 – AGENTS OF CHANGE? 2
Eze 14:19-20 “Or SUPPOSE I WERE TO SEND A PLAGUE INTO THAT LAND, AND POUR OUT MY RAGE ON IT WITH BLOODSHED, killing both people and animals. EVEN IF NOAH, DANIEL, AND JOB WERE IN IT, AS SURELY AS I LIVE, DECLARES THE SOVEREIGN LORD, THEY COULD NOT SAVE THEIR OWN SON OR DAUGHTER; THEY WOULD SAVE ONLY THEIR OWN LIVES BY THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS. NET
God rarely harms or resists men who attempt to stop him from carrying out His judgement on people, because it basically shows that someone sees and acknowledges God’s “pains” and as such, respects Him for who He is.
Exo 32:30 And on the day after, MOSES SAID TO THE PEOPLE, GREAT HAS BEEN YOUR SIN: but I will go up to the Lord, AND SEE IF I MAY GET FORGIVENESS FOR YOUR SIN. Then Moses went back to the Lord and said, THIS PEOPLE HAS DONE A GREAT SIN, MAKING THEMSELVES A GOD OF GOLD; But now, if you will give them forgiveness—but if not, let my name be taken out of your book. BBE
However, the scary thing about being too late is that, even if God does [seem] to respond to pleas and tempers down His judgment, you soon realize that the judgement is only merely delayed.
Exo 32:34-35 So now go, lead the people to the place I have spoken to you about. See, my angel will go before you. BUT ON THE DAY THAT I PUNISH, I WILL INDEED PUNISH THEM FOR THEIR SIN.” AND THE LORD SENT A PLAGUE ON THE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY HAD MADE THE CALF – THE ONE AARON MADE. NET
It seems simpler here, as the Bible did not say that God killed or destroyed them, right?
He only punished with a plague. The issue here was that the primarily intended judgment was to be DEATH.
Exo 32:7-8,10 The LORD said to Moses: Hurry back down! Those people you led out of Egypt are acting like fools. They have already stopped obeying me and have made themselves an idol in the shape of a young bull. They have bowed down to it, offered sacrifices, and said that it is the god who brought them out of Egypt… and I'M ANGRY ENOUGH TO DESTROY THEM, SO DON'T TRY TO STOP ME. But I will make your descendants into a great nation. CEV
Moses pleaded with God, and the God of Mercy let go about the issue of killing them outright.
Exo 32:11,13-14 But Moses pleaded with the LORD his God and said, " LORD, why should you be so angry with your people, whom you rescued from Egypt with great might and power?... Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Remember the solemn promise you made to them to give them as many descendants as there are stars in the sky and to give their descendants all that land you promised would be their possession forever." SO THE LORD CHANGED HIS MIND AND DID NOT BRING ON HIS PEOPLE THE DISASTER HE HAD THREATENED. GNB
But when God finally decided not to let the Israelites enter the “Land”, Moses’ pleas could only stop instant judgement; they still suffered the judgement of Death Penalty, extended over time.
Num 14:11-12 The LORD said to Moses, "HOW LONG WILL THESE PEOPLE TREAT ME WITH CONTEMPT? How long will they refuse to trust me in spite of all the miraculous signs I have done among them? I'LL STRIKE THEM WITH A PLAGUE, I'LL DESTROY THEM, AND I'LL MAKE YOU INTO A NATION LARGER AND STRONGER THAN THEY ARE." GW
You need to follow this “process” carefully to get the points: Moses had used similar “lines” before with God in Exo 32:9-14 in pleading for Israel, and it “worked”, as God “repented of the evil”.
Num 14:15-16 Now if you put to death all this people as one man, then the nations who have had word of your glory will say, BECAUSE THE LORD WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THIS PEOPLE INTO THE LAND WHICH HE MADE AN OATH TO GIVE THEM, he sent destruction on them in the waste land. BBE
But Alas! This time around, God’s forgiveness was not forgiveness at all; it was merely delayed [and redesigned] judgement.
We all know how Prison could be: some Judgements are instant death; some are locked up with hard labour, and no mercy handouts than prison food and some senseless Human Rights, till death.
Num 14:20-22 Then the LORD said to Moses: IN ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYER, I DO FORGIVE THEM. BUT as SURELY AS I LIVE and my power has no limit, I SWEAR THAT NOT ONE OF THESE ISRAELITES WILL ENTER THE LAND I PROMISED TO GIVE THEIR ANCESTORS. These people have seen my power in Egypt and in the desert, but they will never see Canaan. They have disobeyed and tested me too many times. CEV
You need to read further to hear God swear passionately about dealing with these people. Pls read.
Num 14:28,29,34,35 Now give them this answer: 'I SWEAR THAT AS SURELY AS I LIVE, I WILL DO TO YOU JUST WHAT YOU HAVE ASKED. I, THE LORD, HAVE SPOKEN. YOU WILL DIE AND YOUR CORPSES WILL BE SCATTERED ACROSS THIS WILDERNESS. Because you have complained against me, none of you over twenty years of age will enter that land… YOU WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR SIN FOR FORTY YEARS, ONE YEAR FOR EACH OF THE FORTY DAYS YOU SPENT EXPLORING THE LAND. YOU WILL KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE ME AGAINST YOU! I SWEAR THAT I WILL DO THIS TO YOU WICKED PEOPLE WHO HAVE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST ME. Here in the wilderness every one of you will die. I, the LORD, have spoken.' "GNB
Now, the people themselves tried to plead on their own behalf, but it was too, too late, forever!
Num 14:40-42,45 And EARLY IN THE MORNING they went up to the crest of the hill country, saying, “HERE WE ARE, AND WE WILL GO UP TO THE PLACE THAT THE LORD COMMANDED, FOR WE HAVE SINNED.” But Moses said, “WHY ARE YOU NOW TRANSGRESSING THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD? It will not succeed! DO NOT GO UP, FOR THE LORD IS NOT AMONG YOU, AND YOU WILL BE DEFEATED BEFORE YOUR ENEMIES… So the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country swooped down and attacked them as far as Hormah. NET
Pls understand folks: when Judgement is set in motion, non-conformity with the judgment is SIN itself.
Imagine that when Moses pleaded for himself, or when these people tried to appease God, it was accounted sin.
May we not offend God to the point of no mercy, in Jesus name.
Join us on Wednesday as we proceed with this compelling Subtopic.
Keep Shinning!
Brother Prince
Monday, May 01, 2023
08055125517; 08023904307
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clownsofthefandom · 2 years
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Let's discuss hypocrisy and that "collab blog post"... Pt.1
A few days ago SimplestSimon published a collaborative blog post where they did three things:
1) tell us why asking for credit on photos is wrong 2) post unseen photos of Bill and then claim they have more within their private group, and finally 3) tell us that the fandom has suffered enough and they will no longer be acknowledging the succubus known by her mortal name, Alida Morberg.
Let's dive in...
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Before the post was even published there was a dramatic announcement made beforehand:
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There are a couple of key takeaways here. It's apparent that there's a big push to make it known that they have a secret group and that these unseen photos are only made available to a select few in this group. Also, people steal from them, and this is bad:
"We have been sharing pictures and videos for couple of years now for fans to see and share and experienced time after time that some annoying fan account steals from us without ever giving proper credit..."
"We are done sharing these rare moments, and know this action only comes from the disrespect we receive."
Before we jump forward to their collab post, let's jump back a bit (to May) to a post that SimplestSimon made about an Instagram user which they titled "Entitlement In The Fandom"
...oooh the irony.
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-> "...she strictly asks people to credit her for whatever she has posted, paid for, or “stolen” from other accounts. Note that she is not the owner to ANY content actually. No matter if you pay for and buy a magazine, it doesn’t make you the rightful owner to a picture or whatever is written in the article."
Wait a second. Rewind. But didn't Simplest also just say:
"We have been sharing pictures and videos for couple of years now for fans to see and share and experienced time after time that some annoying fan account steals from us without ever giving proper credit..."
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Oh honey wait, it keeps going...
The content that SimplestSimon and their clan are asking to be credited for are listed in that announcement post:
"...we are always on the alert and are most of the time first to post news, articles, pictures and videos. We are done sharing these rare moments..."
Simplest is definitely right about one thing: in regards to all of the content they're upset about not getting credit for, they are, without a doubt, not the owner of the content, actually. Any of it.
Those "rare moments"? They're photos and videos posted from personal instagram accounts, both private and public. That content belongs to the poster.
Do you also smell a bit of an ego trip? I sure do! But let's keep going...
The collab post. I honestly don't even know where to begin, so I'll make a few posts to discuss this all lol
Let's just hold hands and digest this lovely handpicked photo for a second, k?
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😂
Are they the "heroes"? Oh my....
Yes, please save us oh holy ones, our SAVIORS...
Now let's move on to the actual content of the post:
"We think it is stupid that some fans think they own pictures and videos and always nag about credit. Remember, those accounts that constantly want to be creditted, do not own the content themselves. They just want to create an illusion that they are in charge and know more than anyone. By crediting them, you give them free advertisement and link them to everything in the fandom, and give them the power to be supreme."
But wait...wasn't the whole reason you stopped posting new content and your decision to create this post in the first place due to people "stealing your content"?
Just to drill it down your throats once more, here's SimplestSimon's (including their entire group's) feelings about crediting accounts, out of their own mouth, just the day prior to this post:
"We have been sharing pictures and videos for couple of years now for fans to see and share and experienced time after time that some annoying fan account steals from us without ever giving proper credit..."
.....and then the next day written on their collab post:
"We think it is stupid that some fans think they own pictures and videos and always nag about credit."
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Just as a recap in case you're lost (and I know we are), here is what's going on: It's ridiculous to ask for credit on content that's not even yours. And equally, it's wrong to not credit them for their content, which is not actually their content to begin with, except yes it is. And in conclusion, definitely don't ask for credit. But also, how fucking dare you for not crediting them.
A few accounts are listed as being part of this collab post (I'm assuming they all read and agreed with what was being said beforehand?) and I'm honestly curious if any of them read that all and also got severe whiplash from all the contradictions and hypocrisy 😂😂
This next part is great...
"They just want to create an illusion that they are in charge and know more than anyone."
Because..
Also SimplestSimon and co:
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..."because we have saved some shit that noone else have seen..."
..."you think you have seen everything there is to see? you're wrong"
(previously on this novella...)
"They just want to create an illusion that they are in charge and know more than anyone."
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to be continued...
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strawpeen10 · 2 years
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Getting My Buying Homes To Work
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Make sure they have actually assessed all agreements and also kinds. When you're done, the ink dries, as well as the seller obtains the acquisition funds, the residence is yours.
Usually, vendors will "list" their house with an agent and consent to pay a compensation if your house is marketed within a specified time period. During that time, the property agent will certainly attempt to market the home by advertising and marketing as well as holding open homes. It is essential to comprehend that the agent you satisfy at an open residence or via a listing represents or functions for the vendor.
A "purchaser's representative" works straight for you as the homebuyer and also represents your passions throughout the procedure of looking for houses and making an offer. Genuine estate representatives usually work on compensation.
As a customer, for the most part, you won't pay a property payment.
Top 10 Reasons Most Genuine Estate Professionals Fail The realty profession can be one of the most satisfying for many factors. A few of the most effective things I love regarding being an expert actual estate agent is the versatility of my timetable, limitless earnings potential, and also certainly, helping people with among the biggest deals of their whole lives.
Something that is rarely discussed regarding the property profession is the alarming percent of representatives who fall short to prosper in business. Depending upon the source, the percent of property representatives that fail in business within the very first 5 years ranges in between 85-90%. When you think regarding it, almost 9 of 10 brand-new representatives can expect to stop working, which is an eye opener.
Recognizing these reasons realty representatives fail can greatly reduce the opportunity that you're going to fall target to the startling fact of the portion of representatives falling short in business. Being a successful entrepreneur takes a great deal of hard job. It does not matter what sector, starting an organization is going to imply long hours and great deals of blood, sweat, and also splits.
Discovering the practices of top property representatives can go a lengthy way. It's no assurance that what one agent is doing to develop their business is mosting likely to work for the next, however the work principles of top agents is often very comparable. Marketing realty is not for every person, end of story.
One of the most usual factors why individuals try to offer genuine estate is due to the fact that they think all real estate agents make boatloads of money. The typical real estate representative makes much less than $40,000 per year.
Being a successful genuine estate representative is so much greater than being a specialist door opener. Becoming a professional real estate representative for one of both factors above is not a good suggestion. It's crucial to obtain involved in realty for the appropriate reasons, or else, you might be one more realty representative that stops working in the business.
If the answer is that you have a need to assist individuals with one of the largest purchases of their lives, than actual estate can be a terrific career for you. Helpful site invest money to build their company due to the fact that they know just how important it is.
Not having money to make auto repayments, trainee loan repayments, buy groceries, or to purchase various other needs is one more reason property representatives fail. Before marketing realty, it's exceptionally essential you have enough money saved so that you can pay your bills as well as have money to likewise buy lives needs.
An additional popular reason property agents fall short is due to the fact that they're attempting to market realty component time. Now, before component time actual estate representatives lynch me in the comments listed below, I acknowledge that it's practical to be an effective component time agent. The reality, nonetheless, is that the bulk of component time property agents stop working to make it in business.
Lots of customers and sellers will avoid hiring a part-time agent at all prices, merely because they're not readily available like a full-time representative would certainly be. Absolutely nothing against part time agents, yet this is the idea process of lots of consumers. If you're mosting likely to offer realty component time, remember, sincerity is the most effective policy.
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captains-simp · 3 years
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Wanda Maximoff ~ Fake It Till You Make It
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Wanda version of this fic as requested by @yeetus-thyself
7.7k words
Warnings: shitty family and homophobia
[ masterlist ]
Buy me a coffee ☕
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Pleeaasse, Wan" You pouted once again. You had been begging Wanda for the favour for an hour now; her stubborness was proving hard to overcome.
"I'm busy." Wanda said, her accent strong as she walked around her appartment to collect things for her next mission.
"But will you be busy on the 10th?" You asked from the couch where you watched her disappear into various rooms as she talked.
"I thought you said it was a few days." Wanda quipped, seemingly only giving you half her attention.
"It is." You confirmed with some hope.
"So I'd need to clear my schedule for more than just the 10th." You huffed and rested your head on the back of couch.
"Yes you would. I'm sure Natasha can manage without you for a few days."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that." She muttered.
"Please, Wan." You tried. "I need a win." Wanda stopped by the kitchen counter and gave you a long, considering look. You had long given up on your puppy dog eyes and instead copied her expression as you chewed on your bottom lip.
"I'll think about it." Wanda finally said before grabbing something from the cupboard. It was the best response you had gotten all night and you knew you wouldn't get anything more. So you accepted it and hoped for the best.
Your parents had invited you to their cabin for a few days just like they did every year. It was a beautiful place. You could spend your whole visit in the forest along the back. Or swimming in the clear lake that was a short walk away. The cabin itself was the cosiest place you had ever been and had been where some of your best memories had happened as a kid.
As you got older things changed. Being around your family, especially your parents, wasn't as enjoyable. They had high expectations for their children, expectations that your siblings had met without a problem but ones that you had struggled with. You enjoyed your life. You had the kind of relationships you had always hoped for, you loved your job and you had the perfect balance of the two. But you could never shake the feeling that you had failed.
Your brother was a surgeon who always told you all stories of the lives he saved and the close calls he had swooped in to save people from. One of your sisters was some hot shot lawyer who had done great things like help people wrongly convicted but still put dangerous people back on the street. And your other sister was the CEO of an energy company that you never quite understood. They even all had equally successful partners who loved to talk about themselves as much as your siblings did. You didn't have any of that. But you did have Wanda.
Knowing the Avengers was the only thing about you your family took interest in. They were always subtly hinting at wanting to meet your friends. But you knew the Avengers had to endure enough fan service and didn't want to push your family onto them, especially with how annoying they all were.
However as your family's unrealistic expectations reached their all time high you were sure you wouldn't be able to handle another trip with them without a win, and you were far too petty to take the moral high ground and just not go. Not to mention that was a huge part of you that was dying to see what the Wanda girlfriend experience would entail. Yep, that was what you were asking of Wanda. To pretend to be your partner for the duration of the trip.
You knew it wasn't a smart choice. That if Wanda agreed your crush on her could get out of hand. You knew you would end up getting too caught up in the act. You could have, no - should have - asked Natasha or Yelena or even Carol if she was around. But your family knew you were the closest with Wanda and she would be the one it felt the most natural with, and the most believable. At least, that was what you told Wanda.
"When are you going?" You asked, changing the subject in hopes that Wanda wouldn't suddenly conclude she didn't want to do it (then you really would have to ask one of the others).
"Tomorrow." She answered, keeping her focused tone.
"When will you be back?" You attempted to keep the concern out of your voice but the glance the redhead gave you told you you hadn't done a good job.
"The day after." She said, softer this time. You nodded as you looked down at your lap and tried not to think about everything that could possibly go wrong on her mission.
"Be safe." Wanda strolled over to you and placed her hand gently ontop of yours and gave it a quick squeeze.
"Always."
*
"Got any plans Saturday night?" Natasha smirked knowingly at her friend as they preped for their mission.
"No." Wanda replied as she adjusted her earpiece.
"Nothing with y/n then?" Nat asked, partly genuinely but mostly knowing Wanda would still say no.
"Nope." She said again, biting the inside of her cheek in consideration before speaking again. "Not this Saturday."
Natasha raised an eyebrow in surprise and interest. Wanda rarely made any kind of special plans with you as you would always hang out casual and it was never anything fancy or different. She had always wanted to though.
"Plans for another time?" Nat continued as she double checked her pack.
"Maybe, I'm still thinking about it." The redhead turned fully to her friend at her words, confused at why Wanda was hesitant to spend time with you. "She wants me to go to the cabin with her and her family." Nat had heard all about the infamous cabin and your family.
"That sounds fun." Nat nodded. The cabin sounded fun. Your family did not.
"As her girlfriend." Nat's eyes widened excitedly but before she could speak Wanda clarified. "Her pretend girlfriend."
Nat paused and looked as though she was going to speak for several seconds until she stuck to just giving a confused look.
"Yeah." Wanda sighed. "Thinks it would seem impressive." Wanda had tried not to be hurt over that. She knew you weren't just friends with her to show her off to people, because you never did. But it hurt her to think the only time you could see her in a romantic way was when you were pretending.
"Well," Nat muttered as she adjusted the zip along the front of her catsuit. "Fake it till you make it." It was Wanda's turn to give Nat a questioning look. "Maybe it'll be an eye opener for her."
"You think I should do it?" She asked, fully open to hearing and accepting her friend and mentor's advice in that area.
"Definelty." Nat confirmed. She wasn't sure about it for the reasons she said though. Wanda's crush on you was obvious to everyone except you, just as it was vice versa.
*
You had been overjoyed when Wanda told you she would come with you to the cabin and play along as your girlfriend. She had told you when she came back from her mission, in fact it was the first thing she said after she had let herself into your appartment. It was never really brought up after that, but you couldn't deny you were incredibly anxious on the week leading up to the visit.
On the drive up to the cabin you and Wanda stayed in a comfortable silence most of the time, clearly both lost in thought. You had the radio on for background noise more than anything else, but you would occasionally lightly tap the steering wheel if there was a tune you recognised, oblivious to Wanda's acknowledging smiles.
"So what's the plan?" Wanda asked as she looked at you expectantly. Right, of course the Avenger wanted a strategy.
"Keep things simple, I guess. They know how we met already so we can just say at some point we took things a step further than friendship." Wanda didn't seem convinced at the simplicity of that. "Look they're not going to want to hear about us, not much at least. They prefer the sound of their own voices, they'll be trying to impress you is all."
"Impress me?" Wanda asked.
"Yeah, hope you warm up to them so one day they can invite you to their snobby parties." Wanda chuckled her heart warming laugh as she glanced out of the window, knowing there was a lot of truth to what you said.
"And what are those like?" She enquired curiously.
"I wouldn't know, I've never been invited." You said simply. You had gotten over that a long time ago, gotten used to being forgotten. Wanda clearly hadn't though.
"It will be an honour to turn them down." Wanda said. You shook your head and smiled at her. That did sound pretty nice.
When the cabin came into sight between the trees your nerves spiked. You figited in your seat and bit your lip when you saw some of your family gathered outside, their attention instantly on you. You shot Wanda a quick smile which she returned before you got out of the car.
"Y/n! So nice of you to come." You mum said as her eyes flickered to Wanda more than you. She opened her arms for the shortiest hug in human history before turning to Wanda. "You must be Wanda, we've heard so much." You mum insisted as she brought the redhead in for a hug too. She raised her eyebrows at you over your mum's shoulder and you bite back a laugh.
The others came over to greet you and mainly Wanda in a rush, overwhelming both of you.
"You two will be in the upstairs bedroom on the left." Your mum told you as you went to grab your bags. You did a double take, convinced you had heard her wrong. That was the best room in the house. A big difference from being in the small room in the basement every other time you had been there.
"First one on the left." Your dad confirmed. There was no way your parents were going to be in the basement so you wondered who else had been moved around but didn't ask, knowing whoever it was wasn't going to be happy.
You and Wanda made your way up to the room and you couldn't help but smile at the sight of the spacious room and the door you knew led to your en suite.
"That was...a lot." Wanda summarised as she said her bag under the bed.
"I would tell you it gets better but I don't want to get your hopes up." You sighed as you got a couple of things out.
"It's just a few days." Wanda said despite the fact you should have been assuring her.
"Yeah." You nodded and stared down at the floor. "Now c'mon." You suddenly said as you took ahold of Wanda's hand and laced your fingers together. You missed the startled blush that crept onto her cheeks when you turned around.
Your family were sat outside whispering amongst themselves when you returned. Their interested gaze fell to your entwined hands in an instant.
"So you work with the Avengers?" Your brother, Dalton, said as soon as you both sat down.
"I do, I'm one myself." Wanda said as she continued to hold onto your hand.
"Must be crazy, what are they like?" He enquired.
"They're good." Wanda said simply. Everyone clearly expected something more but Wanda pretended not to notice making you smile.
"I almost did business with Stark once, decided against it in the end." Claire announced proudly. You and Wanda exchanged knowing glances. Stark had told you all about his encounter with your sister, it definetly wasn't her turning him down.
"I was invited to one of his parties." Anna said quickly. "I was busy that night unfortunately."
Bull. Shit.
"Yes I remember working with Doctor Strange when he was still in the medical profession." You gave Wanda an I-told-you-so look as your family erupted into conversation over who had the most contact with the heroes. That had to be a new record of how quickly they started talking about themselves.
They continued like that until your mum called everyone in for dinner. The food smelt undeniably amazing as you took your place at the table next to Wanda and eyed the dishes infront of you. Your parents efforts to impress the redhead weren't all that bad.
Your family continued to catch up and and you and Wanda half listened as you ate. They were all doing as well for themselves as ever and still hadn't learnt any modesty.
Although you were proud of your siblings for what they had all achieved, Wanda had contained four potentially devastating bombs from going off in the space of half an hour a week before but she wasn't going to bring that up anytime soon. Eventually though, the attention turned to you to bring you out of your silence.
"And you're still working in that little café, y/n?" Your mum asked curiously.
"I own it, mum." You corrected quietly as you stabbed some pieces on your plate.
"Ah yes, quite the contrast though, isn't it. Between you two." She said as she pointed at you and Wanda with her fork. You didn't say anything to that because you felt there really wasn't anything to say in response. It wasn't like you hadn't thought that exact thing every now and then.
"The team loves it." Wanda said suddenly making everyone, including you, look at her in slight surprise from speaking up. It hadn't taken your family long to learn Wabda wasn't much of a talker, not to them anyway. You couldn't get her to shut up half the time. "At least one of us goes everyday. If we're lucky we all can. Nothing beats it." She defended simply before turning back to her food to show she wasn't going to say anymore. You smiled down at your plate at her words and the truth of them.
No one said anything in response, clearly shocked from this new information until Dalton spoke up.
"But doesn't Stark like fancy, top of the line, restaurants? I can't imagine him in some random coffee shop, no offence sis." He nodded towards you though you knew he didn't mean it. He couldn't let you have just one win.
"That random coffee shop has catered some of Stark's parties. Not that many though." A smug smile crept onto Dalton's face as he opened his mouth to make a snarky remark but Wanda cut him down again. "Because y/n's invited to the rest as a guest and a close friend." Your family stared at you with open mouths.
"You've been invited to Stark's parties?!" Anna exclaimed. In your defence, your family never wanted to hear about your life so you never got the chance to tell them anything.
"It's not really my crowd." You shrugged. "I just go to hang out with them after." Dalton's jaw clenched in annoyance and he didn't say anything for the rest of dinner. It was only really your mum who kept talking. Telling everyone about her latest travels that fell on death ears.
It was certainly a first for your family.
When everyone had finished their food you and Wanda excused yourselves and said goodnight before retiring to your room. Wanda shut the door gently as you collapsed onto the bed on your back and glared at the ceiling. The redhead shuffled around quietly to get her toothbrush and toothpaste and some other things you weren't really paying attention to and went into the bathroom.
When she came back out she was in her bedclothes and lifted your feet off the floor to turn you so you could fully lay on the bed. You smiled at her weakly.
"You should go get changed." Wanda said as she got her laptop out her bag. "Then you can pick a movie." She announced when she had gotten under the covers and started her laptop. You smiled more and nodded.
You tried not to think about your family and everything they had said at dinner as you got changed but it proved difficult. Everything they had said echoed around in your head but most of all you couldn't shake the disregarding ways they said it. It was as though you could do no right with them. Maybe they would never be proud no matter what you did.
You placed your toothbrush back I'm the holder and rinsed your mouth before heading back into the bedroom to an awaiting Wanda.
You got under the covers next to her and rested your head on her shoulder as you glanced at the Netflix screen and pointed to one of the comedy movies.
About ten minutes into the movie Wanda spoke. "You okay?" She whispered as she continued to look at the screen although that wasn't where her focus was.
"Yeah." You whispered back.
"You can talk to me." She said after a second." You moved your head away so you could see Wanda clearly.
"I'm so glad you're here." You said honestly. She smiled and nodded as her eyes searched yours.
"I'm glad I'm here too." You knew Wanda wasn't glad she had to spend the time with your family. She was glad that she could support you despite their efforts to bring you down. You were incredibly lucky to have her.
You rested your head back on her shoulder and neither of you spoke for the rest of the movie. Or the rest of the night. You must have fallen asleep about half an hour in.
*
Wanda was one of the most intimate people you had ever met. It was mainly something she aimed towards you and Natasha but didn't refrain from comforting others and giving hugs to anyone who would take one. She never held back at all with you, as far as you knew. But when you woke up and couldn't tell where your limbs started and Wanda's ended, you were still surprised to find yourselves like that. Butterflies flew around in your stomach in a way you knew was dangerous but couldn't help but love.
You were resting your head on her rising chest and had your arm slung across her stomach. Your legs were tangled together and her arms were holding onto your waist. A warmth spread through you and you decided to settle back into her hold and closed your eyes with a content smile.
You had about ten minutes to enjoy that before Wanda woke up. You could feel the moment she realized you were so close, she physically froze. You waited in anticipation for something for several moments until your friend very slowly unhooked her legs and guided your body to lay against the mattress and pillows as she slipped out of bed towards the bathroom.
You sighed when you heard the door close and rubbed your eyes slowly, knowing you should get up but wishing more than anything that you could return to how you woke up.
"Morning." Wanda croaked when she left the bathroom and saw you sitting up in bed.
"Morning." You said back with a smile and tried not to focus on how ridiculously attractive her voice sounded.
You gathered some random clothes into a bundle and went into the bathroom to change again and brush your teeth. When you came out Wanda was pulling her shirt over her head and gave you a generous view of her toned stomach. That training with Natasha really was paying off. Your face heated up when you saw it and you turned away to pretend you hadn't seen when Wanda noticed you.
"Don't make a sound." Wanda warned. You glanced up at her with some confusion. "I don't think your family's awake yet, that means we get the kitchen to ourselves." She grinned and you did too.
You and Wanda had gotten so used to getting up early for your jobs you forgot other people would still be sleeping. It was hard to break out of the habit but it proved useful.
The pair of you made a quick breakfast and ate it outside thanks to the warm weather even at that time. But soon enough your parents came downstairs and ruined the peaceful atmosphere with the clanging of pots and loud convosations.
You wandered around the side of the house and saw the old table tennis table that bad been folded away years ago and hadn't been set up since. You went over and started setting it up when Wanda joined you and eyed the table with a glimmer of mischief.
The redhead wasn't all that competitive, in fact you were pretty sure she let other people win games on the regular to make them feel better about themselves. But there was an undeniable spark of mischief in her eyes when she saw the table.
"You played this before?" You asked convosationally.
"I have." She said as you both automatically took up your positions of opposite ends of the table.
"Me too." You said confidently. "A lot." Wanda hummed in acknowledgment and swivelled her bat in her hand and stood ready. You smiled at her seriousness for the game.
You served surprisingly well for someone who hadn't played in a few years and Wanda was able to hit it back with ease. Once you had developed a steady pace you started hitting the ball more daringly to Wanda who was caught off guard before she started doing the same.
The moment you missed the ball a small smile tugged at the corner of Wanda's lips, her celebration was short lived when you suddenly sent the ball back her way until it was too late.
"That wasn't fair!" She exclaimed childishly.
"That was tables tennis." You said seriously but started smiling again.
Wanda huffed dramatically and flipped you off as she trudged back to the table and served the ball with force. You managed to send it back but took a step away from the table in caution.
You continued like that for a while. The competition tension rising as you picked up the pace, one of you occasionally getting a point before the other evened it out.
At one point you were vaguely aware of Dalton sauntering over to see what you were doing and arched his brow at the sight of the table.
"We still have this thing?" He questioned and you hummed quietly in response, too focused on the game.
"Hey Claire! Get over here, we're playing table tennis." You rolled your eyes at the intrusive and could sense Wanda refraining from doing the same until an idea popped into your head.
You caught the ball in your hand and smiled at Wanda's protests as you moved round to her side of the table just as your sister came out.
"I didn't even know we still had this." Claire laughed as she picked up another bat from the box.
"Maybe we should take it back with us." Wanda whispered to you and you bit your lip to contain your smile because yes, yes you should.
Inevitably, your siblings sucked at table tennis. You had suspected as much you just never thought they would be as bad as they were. They missed almost every hit and everytime they did they got increasingly angry, which meant they ended up flaring their arms around like idiots. It was a memory you would be sure to treasure.
"Stupid game" and "probably broken" kept echoing across the table until your siblings finally stormed off to throw a tantrum.
The rest of the day went by quietly. You and Wanda sat by the lake for most of the afternoon to enjoy the sun and heat. You reveled in the most recent memories of your siblings embarrassment and had to keep hushing down to childish whispered whenever one of them was nearby.
Surprisingly, dinner went by peacefully too.
You weren't asked anymore questions at the table. Instead, your family were content with talking about their upcoming plans between stealing glances at you and Wanda that the redhead never failed to notice.
The pair of you slipped off to your room the first moment you got and easily fell into bed besides one another. Wanda picked out a DVD from her bag of an old Sokovian show she used to watch as a child and had you hooked on as well as teaching you the language.
She settled down beside you and within the first few scenes she wrapped an arm around your shoulder so you could sink into her further like she did sometimes when you watched things together. You were barely paying attention to the series after that.
Despite trying to keep your focus on understanding what was happening in scenes of the show, you couldn't help but want to melt under the warmth of your best friend. You hoped it was something you got to experience more, you felt safer than you ever had in Wanda's arms.
Little did you know that having you in her arms was the most comforting feeling Wanda ever experienced and she always tried to do it as little as possible to refrain from falling for you more. It never worked.
*
You had thought waking up in Wanda's arms the morning before had been the best thing to awake to. But that day when you woke up not only were your legs tangled together again but the redhead was slowly stroking your hair while your head rested on her chest.
It was a gradual gesture that maintained a perfect rhythm and made you want to fall back asleep. But you were afraid you would mistake it for a dream later on. No, it was definitely real.
Luckily, your head was already tilted upwards slightly so when you secretly opened your eyes to risk a peek at your friend you saw her staring out the window as though she was in a trance. She was clearly so deep in thought she hadn't noticed you wake up, you had never seen her like it. But the feeling was too good to ignore, too compelling.
Soon enough, you found yourself drifting off back to sleep.
*
When you woke up again Wanda was gone. Her absence left an emptiness you knew wasn't good for you. As the days of your visit went on your fake relationship with Wanda was going to effect you even more when it was over.
Over...you couldn't think about that.
Once you got up and got changed you found Wanda in the kitchen looking at the news on her phone as she sipped her coffee.
"Morning, honey." You grinned. Wanda blushed slightly into her coffee, something you thought was undeniably adorable.
"Morning yourself." She tried to play off smoothly making you grin more.
You made breakfast for you both just as your mum came into the kitchen and greeted you both with an overplayed smile, already talking to Wanda about an upcoming party that she should go to. Wanda mumbled something about a busy schedule as you managed to whisp her away outside with your food.
Eventually, you and Wanda became bored with sitting around in the house when you had such amazing surroundings on your doorstep. You declared that you were going on a walk with the redhead and left before any of your family could invite themselves to go with you. Especially as you had told your friend to wear her swimwear underneath her clothing as you had a surprise for her.
You made a point of holding Wanda's hand as you left and once you were far away from the house went to take it back only for her to hold on tighter.
"You never know where they could be lurking." She joked as an excuse, so you starting swinging your arms playfully as to assure her you wanted your hands to stay linked together too.
You spent hours in those woods and was thankful for having a spy best friend who of course knew to pack the essentials like food and drinks so you could stay away from the house as long as you wanted.
The redhead brought so much you were able to have a small picnic on top of a hill that overlooked the large lake that stretched out all the way back to the house. You remembered thinking up stories as to explain the strange shape and curves to it as a child.
"It's beautiful here." Wanda said as she picked some grapes from the bunch between you.
"It is." You agreed with a fond smile.
"I used to want to live in a place like this." She muttered, sparking your interest.
"In the woods?" You asked curiously and she nodded.
"I thought I could retire to the woods and get a small cabin and I could grow my own food and that was all I needed." You hummed with a smile as you studied Wanda's features.
"Sounds lonely." You thought aloud.
"I'd have a cat." She said simply making you laugh. "I never used to think that but now when it crosses my mind and I picture that life... I picture someone else there with me." You knew she was imagining it as she spoke and you wished you could see exactly what it was she wanted.
"We could always downgrade the holiday house." You half joked as you nodded in the vague direction of the house. "Make it a simple cabin."
"We?" Wanda asked hopefully, the emotion clear before she had a chance to conceal it.
"There's no one I'd rather run away and live in the forest with." You joked although there was a lot of truth to your words. The redhead considered you for a while before smiling and nodded as though she had reached her own internal conclusion.
"Come on." You said suddenly as you stood up and dusted yourself off.
"You want to go back?" Wanda asked and you grinned.
"I'm going to show you that surprise." You declared and packed the remaining food away. Wanda did the same, eager to see the surprise you kept secret the whole way.
It was quite a way back to the house. The whole time Wanda kept asking more questions about it but you wouldn't say. She could only make guesses based on the swim wear which should have left only a few options, non of which she got right.
Finally, you arrived where you wanted to and grinned at Wabda before starting towards the edge. The redhead frowned as she watched you approach the ledge and became worried when she invisioned the steep slope that didn't always lead to water straight down. If you were to fall... your friend didn't have to wait long to see that. You slipped along the edge and disappeared from her view as she gave a startled cry and sprinted towards the edge and knelt over with wide eyes, expecting to see something that could haunt her forever but instead she saw you on a wide ledge but seven feet below her.
To your left was part of the ledge that had been dug into randomly and acted as perfect aid to get back into the woods above.
"Come down here." You beckoned as you starter to take your top off. Wanda's eyes widened more and quickly turned around and dropped down next to you steadily.
She glanced over the side of the small ledge to glance at the fifty foot drop into the water. There was nothing in the way to fall onto but there was no telling how deep that water was.
"You can't go in like that." You laughed as you kicked off your shorts and pushed them to the side.
Wanda's face heated up at the sight of you in your y/f/c bikini as you assessed the view. But even in her flustered state she was able to put it all together.
"You want to jump down there?" She exclaimed making you laugh.
"I've done it tones of times." You assured. "It's fun."
"It's a death wish! What if the waters not deep enough?" She questioned making you laugh more.
"Are you scared, Wan?" You teased as you took a step towards her making her avert her eyes from your form. She scoffed to play it off.
"Of course not." You hummed in faux belief.
"Well then I'll see you down there." You grinned and took a couple of steps back until your feet were no longer on the platform and you were plummeting down towards the water where you landed with a splash.
Wanda held her breath as she waited for you to resurface for a few agonising seconds. When you did with a gasp and started kicking around frantically to keep yourself afloat with your built up adrenaline the redhead sighed in relief and started taking off her own shorts and shirt and placed them next to your things.
You've jumped from higher. She told herself as she rocked on her feet. And you have powers! She argued back before she shoved those thoughts aside and threw herself off the ledge and into the water below. You laughed as she came back up and pushed her hair away from her way. You swam closer to her and saw her wide smile.
"Fuck." Wanda whispered with a laugh as she looked back up from where you had both come.
"Told you it was fun." You teased as you tried not to focus on the low cut on her bikini bra.
"Yeah yeah." She laughed and paused when she looked past you and saw you were surprisingly close to the house. She could see the outline of your family sat outside.
"They're looking." Wanda muttered. You could tell by the look on her face who she was talking about. It wasn't like there was anyone else around either.
"Do you think they've caught on?" You asked nervously as you stared at Wanda's brown eyes to stop you looking at your family.
"Maybe..." She considered and glanced around. "It's not like we've been acting like that much of a couple." You scoffed at that.
"At home everyone assumes we're dating and the one time we need it be believable it isn't." You rolled your eyes but couldn't help the smile.
"I know." Wanda laughed for a second but then paused. "Then let's give them something believable." She gently placed both her hands on your waist and pulled you slowly towards her. You let her guide you and took extra notice of the water droplets across her face. You almost trembled when your bare stomachs pressed together in the water lightly.
Wanda's soft hands left your waist and gripped your thighs to pull you up to wrap your legs around her own waist. You couldn't help but giggle at the gesture as you wrapped your arms around the redhead's neck and held onto her waist with your legs in a lock.
"Can I?" Wanda whispered when she lifted your chin with her finger and her other hand came round the back of your neck.
"Just shut up and kiss me." You demanded with a playful smile and leaned in to do it yourself.
You smiled into the kiss and felt Wanda do the same. It was everything you had ever imagined it to be. Her lips were soft and fell into place perfectly against your own as they moved together. Your mind was hazey and your stomach was doing flips at the realisation that you were actually kissing your long time crush. You forced yourself to remember that it was all a show. That Wanda didn't mean it. But she put on a believable act and kissed passionately, even slipping her tongue through your parter lips to explore your mouth further.
When she eventually pulled away you rested your foreheads together to catch your breath and grinned as you closed your eyes.
"You're a really good kisser." You blurted out making Wanda chuckle.
"Not too bad yourself." She teased.
"I hope not, we're gonna have to do that again." You smiled and instantly realized that sounded like a confession you desperetly wished you could claim. "You know because...Once probably wasn't enough to make it entirely believable." You rambled and Wanda nodded somewhat stiffly and let your legs drop back down. You wanted to say something to her, anything but it was all stuck on the tip of your tongue.
Just as you opened your mouth to speak, a small murmurarion of starlings flew across the lake, some of them skimming the water then gaining height again as they got closer to you and Wanda. You both ducked instinctively as they flew over your heads and off towards the forest again as you watched them in awe until they disappeared. You glanced up at the sky and noticed the sun had gone behind a cloud, ableing you to continue looking up at the other birds higher up.
You kicked your legs up slightly so you could lay on your back and outstretch your arms to keep you afloat in the water so you could stare up at the sky without hurting your neck.
You didn't realise Wanda mimicked you until her hands brushed against yours. She withdrew it as soon as you touched and went to murmmer an apology but you smiled and held onto her hand as you both lay watching the birds.
Neither of you had to say anything. It was a comfortable and peaceful silence that was occasionally filled with birds chirping or the sound of a calm breeze. Of all the things you expected to feel on that trip, relaxed was not one of them.
You stayed like that for a while until you were both snapped out of your daydreams by the distant yell that declared dinner. Well, you had to go back to them eventually.
Both of you took your time swimming back to dry land and only felt a shiver when you left the water and the breeze hit you. Wanda spotted and reached the towels before you and wrapped yours around you tightly. You thanked her with a small blush as you both sauntered up to the house where the mouthwatering smell of a barbecue greeted you. Your dad was leaning over it while shooing your brother away as he tried to offer his 'help'.
You and Wanda went inside to change swiftly and came back outside as the food was being placed on plates and your mum finished setting up the buffet. Everyone starter helping themselves and you piled as much food as you could onto the plate. You parents had asked what food Wanda liked and when you gave them a brief list you added in a few things you knew you both loved.
"You gonna eat all that?" Anna asked as she eyed all the food on your plate. Guilt and insecurities washed over you until Wanda purposefully grabbed a large handful of small sausage rolls and put them on her plate that was piled with a considerable amount more food than your own. You smiled at the reassuring gesture as she sat down with a satisfied grin on her face when she saw Anna close her mouth to stay quiet.
"Thanks." You whispered to her as you sat down.
"If you don't eat all that I will." She declared. You were pretty sure she went back for seconds.
Instead of disappearing back to your room like you did the previous nights, you and Wanda stayed with your family for a while after dinner. It wasn't to do with their company, more the mesmerising fire in the firepit you all sat around. You were cuddled up into Wanda's side with a blanket over both of you as you stared at the flames, smiling at their small flickers and dances.
"So Wanda," one of your sisters began, "are any of the other Avengers...you know." She nodded her head in the direction of you both.
Oh boy you though.
"I don't think it's my place to say." Wanda said because yes, a lot of the Avengers were queer.
"Oh come on, you can tell us." Anna encouraged as she sat forward eagerly.
"I could, but I'm not going to." Wanda continued to defy.
"Lay off it guys." You mumbled but was ignored. Your family took it in turns saying her teammates names in hopes of sparking a reaction, clearly forgetting they were facing someone who had been trained by Natasha Romanoff.
"Stark!" Claire said but was instantly shut down by the others.
"He's married!" Dalton objected.
"Could still be bi though." Claire tried but Dalton just scoffed.
"I suppose there's going to be more surprises."
"What does that mean?" Wanda asked with narrowed eyes, feeling protective of her teammates. Dalton met her gaze with his own challenging one.
"I just never thought one of the Avengers would be a dyke." You felt Wanda stiffen as you all held your breath. There was no way to tell what was going through the redhead's mind, especially as after all those years of friendship you still didn't even know what team she batted for. She was an ally at least, but would she see this as her battle to fight?
Upon getting no reaction, Dalton continued. "It makes sense why you'd hang out with y/n though, we always knew something was wrong with her but-"
"That's enough." Your mum snapped with a guilty expression she failed to mask. You swallowed hard and moved to get up, deciding you had heard enough.
"Then you're idiots." Wanda stated as she glared daggers at your brother while you sunk down.
"I'll have you know I have a doctorate-"
"Your idiots." She repeated. "There's nothing wrong with y/n, which is impressive considering she's grown up around you lot." You looked at your friend in awe as she continued.
"She's the most amazing person I've ever known, including any of the Avengers. She's everything that you're not and I'm lucky to call her my girlfriend. It doesn't matter what any of you think of her, I love her and I always will." She declared as shot daggers at each individual family member who had fallen silent. She took your hand and pulled you up from your seat to take you inside.
You couldn't get her saying she loved you out of your head. You reminded yourself over and over again on the way to your room that it was just an act. That the redhead was making her point. But God, how you wished it was real.
She was so gentle with you as she guided you through the house. When you got to your room and broke down sobbing she held you on the bed for a long time until your cries turned to sniffles. The thing was, you weren't sure what you were crying over. Sure, what Dalton had said had hurt. As did the confirmation that your whole family had always looked down on you. But you had known that was the case for a long time, you had moved on from it.
Instead, you may have being crying over what you didn't know and didn't have. How much of what Wanda said was true? It was all based off of something that wasn't real. What if she saw you the same way your family did?
When you stopped crying you became aware of Wanda gently stroking your hair as she rested her head on yours and held you close to her. You remembered the memories you had accumulated over the past few days with her. The kisses, the hand holding, the nights together, how she stood up for you like no one ever had. You loved her so much.
"I think we should go tomorrow." Wanda mumbled and you nodded into her shoulder.
"I'm not going to leave you though, you know that right? You can stay at mine and we'll watch more of those crappy American movies you like." She mocked lightly making you chuckle against her. "Whatever you want."
"I just want you." You said honestly. You knew you shouldn't have said that, but you were too emotionally drained to care.
"I just want you too, y/n." You pulled away from the redhead to look at her clearly.
"I don't think you know what I mean." You sniffed and she smiled at you fondly.
"I mean what I said earlier, around the fire." Your eyes widened slightly and you held your breath.
"It was all an act though." You whispered and Wanda chuckled as she exhaled sharply.
"No y/n." "I think I am inlove with you." She said as she took ahold of your hand and searched your face for any signs of a reaction to her confession.
"Me?" You questioned, not quite believing it.
"Yes you, idiot." You smiled and sighed in relief, not being able to find the words to express your overflowing happiness and numerous other emotions you couldn't quite pinpoint. You let go of Wanda's hand and brought them both up to cup her cheeks. You had done a lot more handholding than kissing in the previous few days. It needed to be evened out.
You closed the gap between you and kissed Wanda with just as much passion as you had in the lake, except all hesitation and questions were gone. Because you knew she loved you. Oh God she loved you. You grinned into the kiss at the thought and felt her hand fall to your hip while the other caressed the side of your neck in the most gentle manner you had ever seen from her.
When you eventually pulled away you rested your forehead against hers, a smile still playing on both your lips.
"Told you we'd have to do that again." You said and and laughed. "I love you too."
"Well I hoped that wasn't a pity kiss." She joked and you smacked her arm playfully.
"It definetly was not and I'll prove it to you by taking you on a date when we get back." You promised as you sat back to look at her clearly.
"Oh yeah?" She asked with a playful smirk and leaned over so her face was inches away from yours.
"Yeah." You said back.
"Well until then, my real girlfriend should definetly just keep kissing me." She said as she pushed you down gently and kissed you again. You smiled against her gleefully.
"Your girlfriend would love to."
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maxfoxdbh · 3 years
Note
Markus and a biker crush? Like they have this awesome motorcycle and helmet that give them the most intimidating/badass aesthetic and vibe but really they're just a teddy bear. Also some flustered Markus would be awesome (I just found your account so expect more requests from me!)
OMG I can totally see him being into that kind of person lol 🥰 Thank you for requesting :)
I'm sorry it took a while. I took a bit of a break because my school just started up 😓
You’re Not Scared, Are You?
Biker! Reader x Markus
Summary: Markus has never met anyone quite as great as you, he just doesn’t know how to vocalize it.
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Biker! reader
Post revolution
Jericho gang are buddies ❤️
Markus is whipped af
No warnings
💫💫💫
It was finally over. Markus could relax. Of course, things still weren’t perfect for Androids, but the improvement was so great that he finally felt safe and secure.
Ever since becoming Deviant, almost all of what he felt was distress, anger, fear.
Real happiness was rare, purely because of the state of the world. His future was uncertain, his people were in camps. It was hard to be happy when so much was wrong.
But now? Things were alright. He sat in the cool darkness of one of North, Simon, Josh and his favorite hang on spots. A park not too far south of the Spirit of Detroit Statue.
Simon smiled softly at him, leaning against one of the old oak trees. “Someone seems dazed, ” he noted.
Markus’s eyes flickered up to meet those of his blonde friend. “We really did it,” he said simply, “we’re free.”
“Yeah, Markus,” North chuckled with a smile, “we have been for months now.”
He wasn’t sure how to justify his bewilderment. The truth was, reality hadn’t actually hit him until just now. Markus was free. It was all over.
“You saved all of us, Markus,” Josh chimed in, propping himself up against on of the metal poles of the swing set, “we couldn’t have done it without you.”
“That’s not true,” He insisted, slightly embarrassed to take all of the credit for something as big as a revolution, “you know we wouldn’t have won if we weren’t all together.”
Simon smiled, “Yes, but you’re our leader. We’re happy to have you, Markus.”
The elected leader’s face softened and the corners of his lips turned up. “I’m happy to-” He cut himself off, hearing the roaring noise of an engine.
Markus’s head spun to the right, staring as a figure approached, perched up upon the seat over a motorcycle.
He stared the person up and down, eyes wide.
You wore a sleek, black helmet. It was too dark to see your face under the tinted glass.
Your leather jacket was worn and well loved. It looked cool as hell on you, but the real showstopper, arguably, was your bike, shiny and black with horizontal red striping.
Markus gazed in awe at both the machine and at the person stepping off of it.
He didn't think he’d ever seen someone so cool.
“Y/n,” Simon grinned, LED glowing bright blue in the dark, “you’re here!” He turned to the group, “This is my friend,” He introduced you, “We met at the music store.”
“Hey,” Your voice was calm and airy as you lifted you hand and cocked it to the side to say hello.
“Hey,” Josh tilted his head up in acknowledgment, pressing the heel of his shoe against the swing set.
Markus’s eyes were wide, cheeks flushing slightly as he took in the cool, tranquil aura you gave off.
“I hear you’re a human,” Josh notes suspiciously, arms crossed.
You turn your head to him, nodding. “Yeah,” You twisted your boot in the dirt.
You blinked up at the night sky and felt a snowflake drop onto your hand.
“Y/n is a good friend of mine,” Simon insisted with his hands up, smiling, “you don’t have to worry.”
He takes a moment to introduce you to Josh and North, who loosened up slightly.
North looks you up and down with narrowed eyes, analyzing you, looking for any signs of danger. “If Simon trusts you, then I do too.”
You nodded even though you were sure that she was still skeptical of you. Your hands reached for the clasp of your helmet and with ease, you pulled it off of your head.
Markus felt his artificial heart pound as you made a weak attempt to smooth down your hair.
Stunning.
You tucked the helmet under your leather-clad arm with a smile. Your face was soft, much kinder than Markus had expected.
Josh shrugged, “I agree. Besides, I’ve never met a real biker before.”
You giggled and tilted your head, hair falling slightly in front of your eyes, “I’m not very exciting.”
Markus raised his eyebrows, artificial heart pounding.
If only you knew.
“You must be Markus,” You smiled, holding out your hand, “Simon told me a lot about you.”
Markus blinked, not expecting you to suddenly speak to him. Mustering up all of his courage, he opened his mouth.
“I-I like your bike!” He blurted out, cheeks a growing shade of blue.
Snickers echoed around you as the members of Jericho whispered something about a crush.
You raised your eyebrows and lowered you hand hesitantly as Markus rushed to explain himself.
“I mean- I like you too! Well, I don’t like you like you, but- Well actually-” He shook his head, rambling on and on. “I didn’t mean it like that, really. I was just saying-”
“Do you want to come on a ride?” You cut him off with a question, tilting your head to the side coyly.
The cold breeze drifted through the loose hairs around your face and looking at Markus’s face, you could already feel your adrenaline rush building, feel the surge of energy that came from riding your bike.
“O-On the motorcycle?” He stammered, pointing to it with wide eyes.
You nodded with a smile, listening to the scattered giggles of Jericho’s leading members. “Well, I didn’t bring a car.”
Markus’s face flushed with color, heat rising in his cheeks. It was hard to maintain eye contact with you. “Yes,” The side of his mouth twisted into a nervous smile, “I guess that’s true.”
You watched as his eyes flickered between you and the bike, eyebrows taut together with apprehension.
North scoffed, watching as their fearless leader clenched his jaw, foot twisting in the dirt. “You’re not scared, are you?” She teased.
“What?” Markus asked, whipping his head around to look at her. He shook his head. “No. No, I’m not.”
You smiled and grabbed his hand gently, eyes sparkling with anticipation, “Then let’s go,” You grinned, pulling a hesitant Markus to your side.
He felt his nerves untense, scooching behind you on the back of the black and red bike.
You felt his fingertips apprehensively press into your sides and electricity buzzed throughout your body as you turned you head to look at him, putting on your helmet. “Ready?” You smiled.
Markus took in your steely leather-clad appearance again and then listened to the sweetness of your voice before nodding.
Without another word, the two of you took off into the night.
302 notes · View notes
rayofsunas · 3 years
Text
s/o who dies.
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A/n: listennnn, I wasn't going to write something dark, but then I unregretfully decided to listen to edgy/dark audios and I was suddenly in the mood to write this so yeah lmao. also, guess what? I'm planning on making a discord server right after posting this! so, be on the lookout for that when I get it all sorted out. also, note for Scaramouche's that the reader inserts tend to lean more femininely versed (I hope that's okay), the only reasons why I do that is because one I simp and I'm female AND two since I am doing a mini-series for Scara, I've kind of based his imagines/fics around that universe (baby daddy universe). I haven't started his yet, but consider these part of that series' universe. anyways as always thank you for requesting anon and enjoy! <333
Summary: you die + how the boys cope afterward.
Parings: Albedo/Gn! Reader, Xiao/Gn! Reader, Scaramouche/Fem! Reader
Warnings: swearing, angst, death, poison, illness/cancer, murder, arson, obsessive behavior
Word count: 2.1k
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Albedo
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"You need to keep this on your head." Your lover said for the one-hundredth time, placing the cold cloth on your forehead once again after taking it off only seconds earlier.
"This is pointless," You said, no longer wanting to ignore nor hide behind the invisible thick curtains of the obvious death sentence approaching. "My body rejected the medicine the first twice doses, what's a third time going to do?" You asked, knowing Albedo wouldn't answer; your hope was to knock some sense into his thick skull. but he was too worried trying to ignore the obvious as you had previously been doing, not anymore though.
This was saddening to watch, both Albedo's unfolding and the girl who accidentally poisoned you, whimpering into Sucrose's shoulder. She was only a young girl, barely seventeen when she was chosen to work under Sucrose and your boyfriend. She was very good at Alchemy and luckily had a desire to practice the craft. But unfortunately, she hadn't paid much attention when it came to Surcrose's educational poison lesson and had unknowingly mixed up poisonous liquids and materials.
After tipping over some clutter in Albedo's office and knocking over a test tube laying unsealed on the counter, you had realized the contents spilled on your skin, bleaching into your pores. You had been tasked with bringing the famed alchemist and his assistant some vials and materials for the collection of a rare butterfly they had found. It was both telling and obvious that something was wrong when you never showed up with the required materials requested and it was already too late hours later when the chief Alchemist, his assistant, and Alchemist in training came bounding down the stairs of Albedo's home laboratory.
It didn't take long for the trio to realize something was wrong. Sucrose had found the vile on the floor, most of its contents spilled and in a little puddle, plus your state on a nearby lounge chair was obvious; slumped awkwardly, forehead visibly sweating, eyes closed, breathing raspily.
You accepted the first doses of the supposed nullifying medicine without hesitation, just wanting the numbing feeling to go away. But when it never kicked in you decided it would be best to save the medicine, because it wasn't working. Your time was coming.
"Since the medicine is taking immediate effect, you should try to get the contents out of your system," He said, reaching out for you. Badly you wanted to argue that the medicine wasn't working at all, but he wasn't listening and already has his lean arms wrapped around your middle, helping gently lift and guide you over to the sink.
You hear materials being shoved to the side and soon enough you had your head dangling over the sink, shaking hands gripping the metalled edge tightly. Soon enough, Albedo's hand was on your back rubbing up and down, hoping to comfort you, it wasn't working though. You could only think about your death, what the other side would look like. Could there even be heaven or hell, maybe a place in between, maybe nowhere...?
As soon as you felt the urge to vomit, you did, and despite it being utterly disgusting Albedo seemed to welcome it happily. He took this as something good, but it only worried you when you saw the reddish hues in the bile.
"I think they should leave." You muttered acknowledging Sucrose and Elizabeth, the taste of gooey, metal only becoming more apparent. The blonde agreed, nodding and muttering "Okay."
As Sucrose lead Elizabeth towards the stairs, the pair heard you say. "Goodbye Sucrose, Elizabeth." Which only seemed to make the young girl wail louder.
You sighed sadly once the silence was back. Just your thoughts of death, and Albedo's slowly crushing heart.
"You should probably leave soon as well. I don't want you to be here when I go." Albedo frowned at your statement, head shaking.
"Don't say things like that."
Of course, he'd say that. Why did he feel the need to ignore this when it would only come back to hurt him even more later on when you were gone?
"You're the smartest man I know and we both know where this is heading," You said, head feeling much heavier than before. It was getting closer to your time. "I'm going to die, and you can't do anything about it."
"I'm not leaving your side. We promised to stick together through everything, you can't ask me to leave."
"I guess... But promise me this."
"When I go, stop blaming Elizabeth. It was an accident..." You said sincerely. Albedo wanted to make a fuss about it, tell you he'd never been able to forgive her. But for you, he would try. If it was your list desire, your last wish, he'd make it come true. Though it would be difficult. Accidental or not, she was the reason you were leaving him here, alone.
"Okay, I'll try..." He said honestly.
"Thank you," You said, letting out a shaking breath you had been holding for a very long time. Now you felt much more peaceful. "And since I know you stubbornly won't leave," You started, finally turning away from the sink to look into his cerulean eyes. "At least hold my hand."
"Of course, love."
even a year after your death, no matter how hard he tried, there was still this nagging feeling every time he looked at Elizabeth
he wanted too badly forgive her, but he couldn't
she had, although accidental, taken the one person that meant so much to him and he'd never forgive
Albedo is gonna be distant towards everyone he knows and it's completely purposeful
he doesn't like the pitiful gazes that people send his way and he hates that all the captains stared at him at your funeral
obviously, some questioned if he was able to stay in the field
he hadn't taken any time off, even when Jean advised he was welcome and that it would be best
tbh, albedo's going to have a hard time for a while
Xiao
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Why did it have to be you? Why not him? He'd feel much better knowing you could live another day, after all, he'd been living a very long time.
But no, the fallen Archons, Gods, Yaksha had chosen you to join them. He wished that weren't the case
Humans and their pathetic vessels... So weak, he thought. Allowing something like cancer to beat them.
No matter how harsh it sounded, he didn't despise you, no. It wasn't your fault. You didn't ask for this. He just knew that if you were a godly being this wouldn't have happened like this or at least not so soon; Xiao had known Gods that had terminal illnesses to live years. Why couldn't you be like them?
He hated watching you lie there in that bed, immobile, sickly, and tired, and all you could say was that everything was going to be alright, that he'd be alright.
But it wasn't. He wouldn't be okay without you. He would struggle daily, fall deeper into a hole. You were the light of his life, the only light in his life. And you were gone, just like that. Turning external scars into internal ones tattered all over his dying heart.
Xiao for the longest time has been by himself, so the people of Liyue know it'll be harder for him to overcome this, no matter what he says or does to prove otherwise
Zhongli in particular knows how hard this will be for his friend
his first and probably last love, dead, gone in the blink of an eye
he'll continue fighting all the monsters he crosses, becoming even more violent when he does so, trying his best to get rid of this stupid sickly feeling of heartbreak
but it won't go away, no matter what he does, no matter how absurd
he just wants the feeling to go away, he despises that feeling so much
if you have a secret place somewhere, like in the mountains, Zhongli often finds him there, wallowing in invisible self-pity
"You know they wouldn't want you to be like this." Zhongli would say, only trying to help
but it doesn't
it only enrages Xiao, even more, fuels him to push everyone out of his life again instead of letting them in like he'd done in your presence
Scaramouche
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How dare you. How dare you leave him like this. Alone, nonetheless with a toddler to raise who kept crying for her mommy. He couldn't do this without you, he didn't know how to raise a child, speak to her with the gentle care that you did. That was your expertise but now he'd be doing it solo.
And never again would he entrust someone who he cares about, into ignorant, incompetent arms. Never again will he ever allow any member of the Fatui to watch after his daughter; no matter their rank or position. They had one job while he was away doing business in Liyue. Guard your home twenty-four seven, accompany you into Inazuma's port town should you need anything, watch after his daughter while she plays happily in the luscious Inazuma fields. And they couldn't do that. All he gave them was one simple task, watch and keep you and your daughter safe. Instead, they slacked off, probably drunk in some bar while you were being brutally attacked by murderous mercenaries, left to fend for you and your daughter, only to die protecting her and leave your home to be severely burned.
He knew those idiotic Fatui soldiers were incompetent the moment he stepped foot into the harbor and found that everyone seemed to quiet down. Especially the eerily silent soldiers flanked on each side to welcome him home; he was the highest-ranking soldier in the land of Inazuma after all. Not a single one bothered to step forward and tell him what was wrong, what they all criminally allowed happen. Scaramouche only realized what had happened when he was mere minutes away from arriving home, his daughter had come running from his widowed mother's arms, the sight of smoke rising in the air, from the direction of his home. You were nowhere to be seen.
It all happened so fast, in the blink of an eye. His daughter was clinging to his shirt and his mother only stared with tears of pity.
It didn't take long for the puzzle pieces to be put together and before he knew it, Scaramouche was standing in front of his home, part of it burnt to a crisp and black.
He didn't need to ask what happened, he didn't need to know where you were, because he already knew. What he didn't know was who exactly had done this. But he was going to find out, now.
Incompetent, selfish, bastards. They would all pay for this. The lazy piggish Fatui soldiers who he should've never trusted with such a simple task and the thieves who had murdered you. They all had it rightfully coming.
Scaramouche hates the world after he lost you
he hates it so much and can't understand how this had happened
he's not a good person, so he blames it on karma and those stupid idiots who couldn't protect you
ngl, he's not gonna be around much after your death... his mother would argue that he should be here to raise your daughter, because she's also in pain and doesn't understand that this isn't some game of hide and seek this time
instead, he's focused and driven by revenge
he doesn't listen to a word anybody says, he's much more dangerous than before, and he only trusts his judgment
anyone trying to get him to stop his mission, is someone who doesn't want to see him happy he thinks (though that's not true at all. they hate that he is obsessive over this) but he will personally put a stop to that
and he'll only return home to his daughter and mother when he finds who did this and they along with their bloodline is exterminated
while he's gone, the remainder of his family is relocated somewhere he knows they'll be safe, for example, even though he despises childe, he knows his mom and daughter will be safe with his family
sorry, but Scaramouche will hold this deep-rooted hatred and love for you after you die
yes, he still loves and misses you dearly, but he hates you for leaving him alone, hates that although it wasn't intentional and out of your control, that you were gone
no matter how hard you tried to fight, it was selfish of you to leave him like this
he's not going to stop until he believes whoever was behind this is dead
and in his case, he'll stop believing when he chooses, even if they are innocent/guilty, he'll keep going
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3.19.21, rayofsunas
866 notes · View notes
raggaraddy · 3 years
Text
The Basement: part one
Anon request: Hi can I request an assassin!yoongi one shot where yoongi gets jealous over reader somehow even though I know he isolates her so she depends on him but maybe she somehow stumbles into a colleague of his in his living room or a friend and the friend is 👀 looking not so respectfully
A/N: Enjoy lovely. 💜💜💜 Part two
Summary: For the first time ever there is someone else in the house with you and Yoongi. How could Yoongi expect you to resist speaking with him.
Trigger warnings: Violence, intimidation, kidnapping, imprisonment, yandere themes.
Yoongi
Yandere! Yoongi
Assassin! Yoongi
It may only be a few hundred square meters, but this house is your entire world. You know every creak, every floorboard that squeaked, how each door closes, everything. So in the middle of the night when you are woken by an almighty thump, at once you could recognize how out of place it was.
Cautiously sneaking downstairs and peering around every bend, you are just in time to see Yoongi slamming the basement door shut behind him.
Putting your ear to the entrance, you could hear the sounds of banging, of the chains, of low spoken voices. Over and over in your head, you told yourself to ignore it. To go back to bed and let it be. But the signs that there was another person down there with Yoongi were clear, and the temptation of that was too much to bear.
Your lesser instinct winning out, you open the door, instantly coming face to face with an ascending Yoongi. And behind him, in the place where you had been chained up many times before was a hooded man. Seated on the floor in a slumped position. His hands fixed against the wall keeping them high.
"Out," Yoongi demands, shoving your shoulder lightly to push you back through the doorway.
"Who-" is all you can gape, disbelief printed on your face.
"Not your concern." He refuses, closing the door. Continuing to push you back into the kitchen. "You do not go down there. Am I clear?" A finality to his expression not allowing any room for discussion or expansion.
Nodding, with a small pout you look at the basement one last time before faking a smile and returning to bed.
You were awestricken. Not once in nearly 8 months have you seen or heard another person in this house. Also not during the 6 months stretch before that. No one had visited. Not a single person had come past the house or had even driven up the driveway by accident. Your curiosity was burning you from the inside out. Your longing to see, to speak to another human aching your very soul.
Yoongi had gone into town, leaving you alone with the unlocked basement door. You'd always been chained up if he kept you down there, so it had never needed to be locked before. And the very idea of taking a quick peek was so tantalizing. However, on the more sensible side of this debate, you knew that Yoongi's word was final and you had never disobeyed him before.
You would like to say you were smart enough for this to at least be a difficult decision. But you swiftly threw common sense to the wind and went downstairs the second you heard the car pull out of the garage. Your body buzzing as you approached the new man.
With a heavy breath and timorous movements, you pull the hood back from the man's head. Black, straight, short hair. Dark, full brows, a perfect heart-shaped face, and ears that stuck out just a little too far. From head to toe, he's largely built. Taller and wider than Yoongi, making you astounded to think about how dangerous he really was.
For a few seconds, the both of you look equally surprised to see the other. Your pulse coursing through your ears, mouth slightly agape, looking at another human for the first time in forever.
"Hi," you squeak, nothing else coming to mind.
"Who are you?" He snarls.
It's spoken with so much hostility, but that question is one that brings you so much relief. You break down, pouring out your entire story in a rampant monologue. Telling him in detail everything you could about you, Yoongi, this place and your abductions. Fully spilling all that you had been so desperate to tell.
He, however, gives you nothing in return. For nearly 10 minutes you ask him question after question and he declines them all. Not even his name slips loose. He explains once that he can't know if your working with Yoongi, or that lunatic as he called him, and he is not going to tell you a single thing. Every question afterwards is only met with a solemn stare or a shake of refusal.
"If you won't tell me anything," you mope a little, "well, you look like a James Bond character, so I'm going to call you Mr Spy. The Spy? 007. Spy-man? I'll work on it." You mutter completely senseless and giddy from this rare moment. Continuing to overshare and divulge.
"Okay, Y/N. With everything you've told me, we're on the same page. So, if you help me get out of these," he rattles his hands, "Then I can get you out of this place."
The thought is alluring. But also more than you signed up for when you came down here. Firstly, Yoongi always keeps the keys for these chains on him. But secondly and most importantly, if you attempted to escape, if you tried to leave again Yoongi would never forgive you. You can't get away from him. You know you can't. And if you tried he would lock you up and throw away the key. You couldn't- You can't.
"I'm sorry, but no. I can't." You sadly brush his offer aside. Feeling awful denying him help like that. "I have to go back up before Yoongi comes home," you mumble.
Leaning over him you bring the hood up. You need to return him to how he was. He doesn't fight or argue, seeming to somberly accept his fate, but his eyes do dart to the top of the stairs at the last second.
Reacting to his troubled expression, you spin around seeing Yoongi already home, standing at the entrance.
At once your body tightens becoming flushed with sweat. Scrambling back from the man you stand in the middle of the room, trying to keep your breathing slow and deep to hide your fright.
"I thought," He starts to lower down the stairs, punctuating each point in his sentence with an additional step. "I said. You could not. Come in here."
"I'm sorry," you hush as Yoongi snatches the hood from your hand. Your head lowering in surrender.
"You want to save her?" He turns his attention and building anger towards his new prisoner. His fists are tight, knuckles cracking as he clenches and twists them. "You want to get her out of this place?" The challenge, the hash way he spits the words spoken about you is making the hairs on the back of your neck stand. Goosebumps flittering down your skin.
Lurching forward Yoongi's knee bashes into The Spy's head. And again. His foot following down booting him in the chest. And again.
"You think she wants to go with you?!" He growls, beating his fist into his head, over and over. The skin breaking, blood erupting all across his face. The Spy's restrained position not allowing him to protect himself in any way, only able to groan and splutter through the abuse. "You're too weak to even get yourself free. You think you can take her!" Yoongi steps back and lifts his leg, stomping the heel of his boot into the curled up fist of The Spy. Making him explode in a pained howl as you hear the bones crunch.
Not wanting to show any reaction, you stay coiled and fixed. Praying for this to end quickly. You had seen this level of violence and sadism from Yoongi before in the outside world. He doesn't acknowledge or accept any interference and he will only finish on his own terms.
You can't help but think if this is this how cruel and viciously he treats everyone else?
Stomping down again, this time he lines up The Spy's ankle. Throwing all his weight, all his force into the joint. The man's screams turning into cries as he wails in agony.
"No. You're not taking her anywhere." Yoongi straightens up, blowing out a heavy breath. Running his fingers back through his black hair over and over pulling it out of his face. "You're gonna tell me everything I wanna know. And then I'll finally let you die." He swallows hard, rearranging his clothes and loosening his muscles. His fiery explosion now quenched.
You can't lift your eyes as he drags you to the top floor. The basement door sealing, muffling the tears of the man below.
"Yoongi. I told him- I told him I couldn't-" You're starting and stopping, trying to sufficiently explain or plead your case. He's never shown anything near that level of violence towards you, but you were still sure he was about to lock you away endlessly for disobeying him.
He steps into you, silencing and making you jump back, smacking into the wall. Trapped between it and your hovering captor.
"I heard you." He speaks deeply and softly. In complete opposition to how he was moments ago. "Well done." His coarse pronunciation is abandoned as he speaks these words very clearly. Making sure you hear his sincerity.
His hand runs softly over your hair, stroking and cupping your head. Making you fight not to melt. Making you look up at him with big eyes. Any sort of affection from Yoongi instantly impacting you greatly, making you emotional and needy for more. Your bottom lip quivering, you whimper lowly as you lose the internal struggle and lean into his hand. Your eyes scrunching tight, hating yourself for how much his gentle touch affects your heart.
"Come with me," he holds your hand having you trail him upstairs. Taking you into his bedroom where he extends the affection and intimacy. Being with you so tenderly and kindly as your mind and heart tears back and forth between the softness you can feel now, and the horrors you saw him do before.
Despite the risks, your head fills with how and when you could see The Spy again. He was hurt, and he needed your help. And you were too eager to see him again. But when you wake the next day, you find a hefty padlock keeping the basement door sealed.
Yoongi at once reading your reaction. "You should thank me for locking that door Y/N. You don't know how dangerous some people can be."
Part two
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part 1 of the andreil coming out thing here
ok, so andrew and neil aren't the most openly affectionate
there's no hints to the public that they could possibly be together, considering their little... rivalry
however, with andrew out now, a few people like to believe that andrew and neil could have an "enemies-to-lovers" situation
some people even think that they're already together
nevertheless, this is a very small population in the grand scheme of exy, and most of this is indulging in fantasies anyways — few people really believe in these theories
and as months pass after andrew's coming out, people stop pestering him every 0.2 seconds about who his boyfriend is
andrew and neil think they're finally free of all the annoying paparazzi and slightly overbearing fans
and it's under this false sense of security that shit hits the roof
it's a random september night when it happens, nothing terribly significant
but the whole week, andrew had been craving a closeness with neil, the kind that comes with not seeing your person for weeks
so he booked a flight to where neil was, realizing that had this occurred a few years back, andrew probably wouldn't have even acknowledged that he missed neil, let alone made steps to actually see him again
on a flight.
(he thinks bee would be proud)
anyway, he reached neil's apartment with minimal damage and proceeded to be drowned in kisses
it's a good few days.
and then, on that fateful september night, andrew is hit with the urge to take neil out
(not like murder. more like... a date?)
they don't usually go out on those, but it's not like they've never done so before
so andrew books a dinner reservation at a fancy restaurant, fully intending to take his man out on a nice. fancy. relaxing. drama-free. date.
of course, the universe has other plans
andrew and neil arrive at the restaurant (a little late but neil's lips were a good distraction for a few hours, okay? (they may have left the kitchen in disarray from lunch, but that's irrelevant))
their table is a secluded corner where they're pretty much hidden from view, save for one or two tables, and the seemingly solid privacy relaxes andrew and neil
their dinner goes by relatively uneventfully
(excluding when andrew gave a small smile to one of neil's dumb jokes, who proceeded to dump marinara sauce into his water instead of next to his garlic bread while staring dreamily at andrew, and then nearly choked when he took his next sip from the glass)
(also excluding when neil gave a not-so-innocent suck on his fork and andrew, frustrated over laws about public indecency, stabbed his brussel sprouts aggressively, causing one to fly up and hit and burn his eye)
(also also excluding— )
ok, so maybe it was more of a mess than andrew was ready to admit
but andrew dug into his panna cotta feeling lighter than he had in weeks as neil teased him about his sugar addiction and held his hand under the table
it was as andrew leaned over and kissed some cream off the side of neil's lips that he got the feeling of being watched
he whirled around, hair nearly hitting neil's face, as his gaze landed on a cell phone camera pointed at them
he caught the eye of a very guilty looking man, made even more errant when said man proceeded to leap out of his chair and run out of the restaurant
andrew was half-out of his chair to follow him when neil tugged on his shirt sleeve, an instigative glint in his eye
"neil. do you want to see this on every gossip magazine in the next few hours?"
"well no, but that fuckwad is always going to have those pictures. we, however, can make sure he doesn't get the headline he wants"
"... i'm listening"
about 40 minutes later, back at neil's apartment, neil posts a picture of his extremely messy kitchen on twitter
@neil_josten_official: well fuck me 🥴
@03andrewminyard: if you insist
~ 30 minutes later ~
@neil_josten_official: *image attached: andrew is laying his head in the crook of neil's neck as neil kisses him on the top of his head, andrew's fingers running through neil's hair. they both appear to be shirtless*
@neil_josten_official: BREAKING NEWS: just had sex with my (very hot) boyfriend to get revenge on unfulfilled gossip "journalists." life really couldn't be better :)
@neil_josten_official: ok but really, stop trying to out closeted celebrities (and people in general). it's not cool. it's not trendy. our lives aren't a scandal to report on. you're all just assholes and fuck you
@neil_josten_official: but not literally. a metaphorical fuck, if you will
@exykevinday.official: I'm proud of you for coming out and finally ending your ridiculous rivalry @neil_josten_official and @03andrewminyard, but was there really no other way you could have done so without informing me about your sex life?
@03andrewminyard: haha. no.
needless to say, the internet erupts in shock at neil's tweets
theories emerge left and right about how, when, why andrew and neil got together
the two of them get requests for so many interviews, talk shows, panels, magazines, all of which they turn down
of course, there's the occasional question in a post-game or team interview that's hard to avoid, and for the most part, these rare moments provide the only things the public knows about what they affectionately call "andreil"
but apparently when you're in a very public relationship, there are certain expectations fans have about how much of it you disclose
and while andrew doesn't necessarily want to divulge their private life to millions of people, he also can't help but be reminded of how seeing nicky and erik's comfortable relationship in his late teenage years solidified to him that him liking guys wasn't a bad thing
and it's with that in mind that he posts a picture on his instagram from earlier in june of him and neil curled up on the sofa, a massive rainbow flag draped around them with neil kissing his cheek
it's one of the few pictures he posts of the two of them (photos are more of neil's thing (when the hell did he take such model-esque photos of andrew?))
but andrew constantly @'s neil on twitter for literally anything
@03andrewminyard: don't forget the cat food the spoiled idiots take the most expensive stuff @neil_josten_official
@03andrewminyard: hey @neil_josten_official get me the mega stuff oreos from the store ok bye
@03andrewminyard: i- @neil_josten_official. why. is. there. neon. orange. paint. all. over. my. socks.
needless to say, neil's retaliation of posting gorgeous photos of andrew always flusters andrew
and if andrew needs to press soft kisses to his lips to stop neil's gleeful laughter and his own flightful smile, well, that's no one's business
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Gabriel Agreste: Interesting Villain, Horrible Character (400 Follower Special)
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I'm honestly surprised more people didn't want me to talk about Gabriel, especially with how often I rag on how horrible of a person he is. But, three character analysis posts later, and we're going to talk about why the main villain of Miraculous Ladybug is a real letdown.
Gabriel Needs to give the Whining a Rest
The interesting thing is one of the few things I actually liked in Season 3 was Hawkmoth. His plans actually made sense (for the most part), and by playing the long game, he managed to turn Chloe against Ladybug and deprived her of several key allies. Granted, Season 4 immediately undid the latter, but I was still impressed by his strategy.
Generally, one of the better aspects of Gabriel as a character was just how over the top he was as Hawkmoth. Keith Silverstein is clearly giving it his all with his performance, and he is just so enjoyable to watch as a cartoonish supervillain.
And therein lies the first major problem with Gabriel as a character. While he is fun to watch as a simple supervillain, the show tries to give him more depth and unintentionally makes him worse.
In Season 2, when it was revealed that Gabriel was Hawkmoth, many fans speculated on what he needed the Miraculous for, until the Queen Bee Trilogy showed it was to save his possibly dead wife, Emilie. The idea of that is so the show can give more depth to its main villain, and I think it's an interesting idea in concept. After all, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
The problem is just how radically different Gabriel is normally compared to how he is as Hawkmoth. He always goes on about how he's “doing this for Emilie”, but it's hard to really sympathize with him when you consider he constantly gives evil monologues and evil laughs, really getting into the supervillain role. And let's not forget all of the “I'm going to wear Ladybug's skin as a suit” faces he loves to make.
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Clearly this man is the picture of mental stability.
Gabriel's motivation for being Hawkmoth when compared to what he actually does as Hawkmoth is shady enough, but the thing is that the writers clearly want the audience to at least feel a little bad for him. They want to make the audience sympathize with him despite the way he acts with or without the mask. Without Miraculous Ladybug, he is routinely putting innocent lives in danger and never once shows regret for his actions. All he talks about is how “he's doing this for Emilie”, or that “he'll get their Miraculous soon”. There's no real reason to feel bad for him other than “because the script says so”.
Let's compare Gabriel to Malcolm Merlyn from Arrow. His big plan in the first season of the show is to create a machine that will cause an earthquake to destroy a crime-infested portion of Starling City, claiming to be trying to help everyone, but it's clear he is only doing it out of revenge for his wife getting killed by a criminal from that part of the city. In addition, throughout that season and future seasons, he always makes sure his plans lead to him benefiting in some way, showing he isn't just some noble man trying to achieve his goals with a less than noble method.
If we got some moments that showed that what Gabriel was doing was selfish, it would make him a more complex villain. But we don't get anything like that. What do we get instead? Well...
I Could Really Care Less About Emilie Agreste
We have known Gabriel's motivation has been to save his wife for a little over two years at this point, but at the same time, it's hard to believe that motivation because of how underdeveloped Emilie is as a character.
There have been a total of two lines in the entirety of the show that explain what happened to Emilie, and they're both vague as hell. One of them was from “Feast” that implied Emilie used the broken Peacock Miraculous.
Adrien: My mom used to have dizzy spells… just like Nathalie.
And the other that outright tells the audience what's happening to her in a clip show that most people will skip.
Nathalie: As I've watched Emilie falling deeper into an endless sleep, my sadness for her has deepened, too
That is literally all we get for an explanation, and nothing else. We have no idea of what she's like as a person or what her relationship with her family was like other than Gabriel and Adrien saying they miss her. Other than the way the narrative says she's important to Gabriel and Adrien, we don't really have a reason to care about her as a character. There have also been some lines that imply she went along with Gabriel's questionable parenting techniques, like how he was apparently only homeschooled as a kid (Origins) and never had a birthday party growing up (The Bubbler), so how do we even know if she's a good person? In fact, why not set up this question as a mystery to make the audience wonder if Gabriel has another reason to bring Emilie back?
It ultimately turns Emilie into a plot device and not a character that Gabriel and Adrien only bring up to make the audience feel bad for them, and meant to justify Gabriel's actions by saying that he's “doing this for his family”.
But hey, if he's doing this all for his family, surely Gabriel's redeeming traits come from his relationship with Adrien, right? Right?
As a Parent, Gabriel is Far From the Best
I've talked about this briefly before, but parenting in Miraculous Ladybug is written in such a black and white way, even by the standards of this show. Parents are portrayed in one of two ways. They're either amazing people who love and support their children unconditionally, or they're awful people who treat their own children like trash. And much like a lot of things in this show, there are times where the latter is treated like the former.
There are so many times where the narrative insists on making you see Gabriel as a troubled, but wellmeaning person who tries his best to be a good parent to Adrien, but it is far from the truth.
I'm not going to beat around the bush. Gabriel is a terrible parent. Like, he is awful at being a parent in so many ways, even before you find out he's Hawkmoth. In his first appearance, “The Bubbler”, he delegates getting Adrien a birthday present to Nathalie, his assistant. He literally can't be bothered to take time out of his schedule to get his own son a present for his birthday. And as the show goes on, he becomes more controlling and forbids Adrien from going out with his friends in other episodes (Captain Hardrock, Silencer). While this could be used to show Gabriel getting worse, it's never acknowledged in-universe, with Adrien continually defending his father essentially keeping him on house arrest.
“But IOTA!” You might say. “Gabriel has made efforts to bond with his son in some episodes.” While that might be true, most of those come right after his Akumas have almost gotten Adrien killed. He only hugged Adrien and made an attempt to learn more about him after Simon Says invaded their home, he only decided to watch that movie Emilie was in with Adrien after Gorizilla nearly dropped him off a building, and he only hugged Adrien again in public after he was turned into a gold statue by Style Queen.
In fact, let's talk about how Gabriel acts in the Queen Bee Trilogy. He actually decides to quit being Hawkmoth, but it's not because he realizes all the damage he's caused. Instead, he gave up because his “magnum opus”, a stronger than usual Akuma that only got the advantage on Ladybug ironically because of dumb luck, failed. Sure, he says he can't keep putting his son in danger, but he rarely ever acknowledges that he does so in the first place. When Riposte wanted to fight Adrien, Hawkmoth did nothing to stop her other than giving her a stern warning earlier on and nothing else. Where was this attitude earlier?
Hell, even then, he immediately goes back to being Hawkmoth as soon as he sees an opportunity, not even a day after his “mAgNuM oPuS” blew up in his face (because I guess Scarletmoth was just Plan B). If he made such a big deal about caring for his son, why didn't he try harder to spend time with him? Has he ever had doubts about what he's doing before? If Chloe didn't show up as Queen Bee, was he going to follow through on his promise and try to be a better father to Adrien instead of trying to get Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculous?
And yeah, the whole irony is that Gabriel is doing this for his family when he is unknowingly fighting his own son, which could lead to some interesting drama if done right. The idea of how Gabriel would react to his son being Cat Noir could really lead to some internal struggles for him to go through. But then we got “Cat Blanc”, which shows just how terrible of a character Gabriel is.
In an alternate timeline where he found out his son was Cat Noir, what does Gabriel do? Does he try to steal Adrien's Miraculous while he's sleeping? Does he reconsider his actions or realize he was endangering Adrien's life?
NOPE! He just decides to akumatize him all while emotionally tormenting him, before causing the end of the world.
This is honestly one of the most appalling things I've ever seen in any TV show, because it's basically an abusive father ordering his son to listen to him all while referencing his (kind of) dead mother to back up his point. And rather than use this to show how despicable Gabriel is, the episode decides to blame Marinette for this happening. Yes, according to the show, her present to Adrien caused several events to happen which caused Cat Blanc, but this logic makes no sense. It's like blaming the JFK assassination on the man who sold a gun to Lee Harvey Oswald, instead of, you know, Lee Harvey Oswald.
Not only was this episode yet another excuse to blame Marinette for something that wasn't her fault, it leads into the biggest problem I have with Gabriel as a character.
Sympathize with Gabriel? Surely, You Jest
After everything I've gone over regarding Gabriel as a character, after all the awful things I've talked about, are you really surprised that I don't feel bad for him at all?
Gabriel is just an awful character and a despicable human being, but the show just keeps wanting me to feel bad for him. It's just so hard to when you consider everything he's done has made him anything but sympathetic. I'm just saying, it's kind of hard to feel bad for someone who tries to start World War III with the only justification being “i'M dOiNg It FoR mY fAmIlY”, especially when he treats his family like crap.
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The writers go out of their way to show how horrible Gabriel is as Hawkmoth/Shadowmoth, but they think because they throw in a few moments where he looks conflicted, we'll immediately feel bad for him. What makes so many people interested in seeing Chloe become a better person is that they can tell she's the victim of a troubled upbringing, and know that because she's only a teenager, she still has room to grow as a person, represented by having more honest moments of vulnerability. Gabriel is a grown man who once caused the apocalypse because of how terrible of a parent he is, and has even fewer sympathetic moments than Chloe does. Which one of these two is supposedly irredeemable? The answer may surprise you.
But the frustrating thing is that this kind of villain could have worked. Instead of making him this mustache-twirling psychopath, show how much Gabriel regrets what he has to do, but keeps pushing onward despite all the lives he's risking if it means that he can save his wife. Instead of making Gabriel like Lex Luthor, make him like Mr. Freeze, who is basic a better written version of him.
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But as it stands, there's a good reason why Gabriel gets little to no respect as a character in the Miraculous Ladybug fandom, as a villain, or as a father.
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