#“Oh I love this but this detail ruins it for me. It shouldn't have been there.”

[dontbotherwiththepronunciation]

Warning: Religion, God-critical (that term makes me feel like I'm writing meta that bashes a teen girl or pretends she is the villain), nihilism, explorations of suffering according to abrahamic faiths and particularly christianity, canon fucked upness in Aeron and Theon's stories. LONG POST.

I've been thinking about the Drowned God. I know people usually connect catholicism with the faith of the seven, which is fair especially when looking at it as an institution, and the faith of the Drowned God gets compared more often to Scandinavian/Norse mythology, more specifically to Valhalla as the afterlife (although I think the feasts given by Ægir and Ran in Skáldskaparmál would be even more fitting, but that's only me nitpicking), but the catholic catechism sees suffering as something that is both redemptive and also empowering and this reminds me of Aeron and Theon.

Christianity on itself believes that suffering, when united with the Passion of Jesus, atones for one's sins and thus allows entry into heaven. Catholicism specially sees suffering as an inherent part of the human condition brought upon by human sin against God.

“As long as [Adam] remained in the divine intimacy, man would not have to suffer or die.”  - Catechism of the Catholic Church

But since Adam and Eve committed sin by eating the forbidden fruit (or as I like to see it in my I-view-very-important-religions-as-basically-high-fantasy interpretation, Eve chose agency & knowledge and cut the strings this divine puppeteer used to limit her with), suffering was casted upon them and all their descendants. And then, according to the incredibly specific official bible timeline from the Houston Christian University, 3974 years, six months, and ten days later (skdghsfbdhaaahahahahahah) Jesus was sent to earth to cause some havoc and basically tell everyone that the suffering, the struggle, the oppression and all the horrible things that happened to innocent people in our world would eventually have a payoff after death.

The more strict practitioners (ex. flagellants) used to (and some still do) find spiritual benefits when causing physical pain upon themselves. Corporal mortification was seen as an act that brought you closer to purity. Suffering made you ascend in the eyes of God. Suffering was encouraged. Suffering was noble.

Suffering was a promise of hope.

The promise of eternal life (and the eventual bodily resurrection) allowed people to believe that, as long as they placed their faith in Christ, the suffering would not be tied to a tragedy.

The phrase "God is Dead" first appears in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables but it became more popular through Nietzsche's The Gay Science (Insert SpongeBob hand gesture). A simplified summary of the themes explored in The Gay Science would basically be Nietzsche claiming that christianity invented an ideal inexistent utopia that is too farfetched from reality. He sees christianity as a common, anti-intellectual philosophy for simple minded people that enslaves its believers. But by seeing it as something inexistent and false, by "killing God", the illusion of divinity is lost and all the hope and consolation that came with it are gone too, leaving humanity in a state of tragedy; nihilism.

God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it? - The Gay Science

To some extent I feel like he is the reborn Eve in the narrative. By denying the superior force he feels he gains control over his own person, but is left in a world of pain at the burden of his existence being tied to mortality and purposelessness (oh, sweet paradox)

Nietzsche was a self-proclaimed nihilist although he didn't seem to want to be one. He saw nihilism as the result of the loss one felt at the realisation that life, and all the suffering in it, had no greater purpose. "God is Dead" was calling the readers into finding a way to cope with the situation.

And for anyone who started reading this because I mentioned the Drowned God, sorry it took so long to get here, but I relate all of this specifically to Aeron and Theon and their connections to religion. I believe in Theon's bind to the Old Gods and, as he is in ADWD, it seems he has come to vaguely believe in both of these faiths, although the Old Gods are more present in his story. Aeron though, is so reminiscent of this concept.

And I know that christianity is not the only religion tied to the faith of the Drowned God.

The Osiris myth is arguably the most important one in Egyptian mythology and I think the motif of "What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger" is just as if not even more present in that one.

In it, Set murders his brother Osiris. The reasons behind the murder vary depending on source, but one of them portrays it as revenge for Osiris having sex with Set's wife, Nephtys. Set usurps his brother's throne while Nephtys and Osiris' wife, Isis, search for his body, then mummify and revive him. Personally I don't consider it to be very similar to the myth of the Drowned God but it feels more resemblant to it than Jesus' very normal "came back without a scratch" resurrection. Osiris doesn't get that benefit. He comes back bruised and bandaged, with death being visible on him.

Christianity also has refrained from sacrificing their own but Quetzalcoatl and Tláloc, aztec deities, would demand human sacrifice through drowning during Etzalcualiztli (the sixth month of the aztec calendar) and Tláloc specifically promised an utopic afterlife to those who had water-involved deaths, but even more to those who willingly gave themselves to the water. Celts also practiced drowning sacrifices, but I know too little about them to be honest.

What I am trying to say is, if actively searching, one could alway find similitudes to other faiths, but because abrahamic faiths have been the ones that prevailed through time and the ones I've experienced most, I will focus on them.

Alright, Florence play "What the water gave me"

Drowning, baptisms and water imagery

I wonder what it would be like to be a Catholic, to dip your hand into the cold water and to believe in its holiness. - The Moth Diaries (Yes, I read the Moth Diaries, shut up! It is what if Carmilla and Twilight had a child.)

Christianity is kind of basic when it comes to water symbolism, but it's loyal to its theme.

There isn't a lot to speculate on water, it "washes yours sins away" but there is a common pattern in characters that belong to the Bible that is repeated over and over again and somehow Aeron embodies it pretty perfectly.

We are confronted with characters who have lived sinfully.

On the other hand, I do wonder what would be considered as "sinful" according to the Drowned God. Their religion is passed down orally and has no scriptures that I know of, so a set of rules can be more ambiguous depending on whoever is preaching. Lust, greed, wrath and pride, all considered official sins by christian doctrine, are encouraged by the faith of the Drowned God in the form of salt wives, raiding and their beliefs of ethnic superiority. The only sin I can think of that is specific to the them is that Ironborn shouldn't kill Ironborn, but even that is absolved when water is involved since drowning another Ironborn is alright and a death near the water is considered a good death.

We are born to suffer, that our sufferings might make us strong. - The Prophet, AFFC

Suffering is also encouraged, so I am assuming that any type of hedonism would be seen as sinful too (which would-be contradictory to what I stated above, but alright maybe GRRM was a little weaker when it came to world-building this time or maybe I am misunderstanding something. If so, please correct me, I genuinely am curious about these topics), if that is the case, then yeah Aeron was sinful and has reasons to look down on his former self.

Young I was, and vain, but the sea washed my follies and my vanities away. That man drowned, nephew. His lungs filled with seawater, and the fish ate the scales off his eyes. When I rose again, I saw clearly. - Theon I, ACOK

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised, - Acts 9:18

Here is one of the many character allusions I think one can identify in Aeron. Saul of Tarsus, disputed Apostle, leads a violent life persecuting early christians until lightning strikes him during one of his travels and blinds him. For three days he starves and spends his time praying until Ananias of Damascus comes to his rescue and baptises him.

It's one of the less obvious ones, but I just like how they used the scales-blindness imagery and while this storm was one at land, not at sea, there is another biblical character who shares more similitudes with Aeron.

As a kid the book of Jonah was one of my favourites, so of course I love Aeron!

A prophet, an equal, but weak in his beliefs, too tentative when he should be nothing but certain in his faith! God tells him to go overthrow Nineveh (east) and, because these prophets never learn not to contradict the narrative, he tries fleeing to Jaffa (west). On the way there, the ship he is traveling on is barely holding on because God has sent a storm against them. The sailors blame Jonah, Jonah takes the blame and goes "alright, you know what? Just throw me over board and the storm will cease." The sailors refuse, but Jonah goes overboard anyway. He comes back to the surface three days later reborn in the water as as a new man, now fully convinced to follow his path as a prophet.

Depending on the translation there are a lot of similitudes between the texts. Even the imagery used for describing settings is alike. I know religious scriptures get a bad rep because of all the atrocities committed in their names (valid, very valid), but viewed simply as text, they have some truly beautiful prose and the Book of Jonah is so vivid and precious, and it is very reminiscent to some of Aeron's chapters.

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said:  “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.  From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,/out of the belly of Sheol I cried,  and you listened to my cry./and you heard my voice.  You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas,  and the currents swirled about me;  all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, ‘I have been banished  from your sight;  yet I will look again  toward your holy temple.’  The engulfing waters were at my throat,  the deep surrounded me;  seaweed was wrapped around my head.  To the roots of the mountains I sank down;  the earth beneath barred me in forever.  But you, Lord my God,  brought my life up from the pit.  “When my life was ebbing away,  I remembered you, Lord,  and my prayer rose to you,  to your holy temple.  “Those who cling to worthless idols  turn away from God’s love for them.  But I, with shouts of grateful praise,  will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.  I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”  And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. - Jonah 2

The seaweed in his head, the belly of the beast (Silence/Sheol), the crashing of the waves, the engulfing waters.

I won't even really go into The Forsaken with the Jonah comparison, because to me the Forsaken is the most open "Jesus in the dessert" analogy, but I still find it compelling to imagine Jonah and Aeron, both inside the whale/ship desperately praying to their God. Only one of them finds salvation and it's not Aeron.

But asides from setting and aesthetic there are these:

The god took me deep beneath the waves and drowned the worthless thing I was. When he cast me forth again he gave me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a voice to spread his word, that I might be his prophet and teach his truth to those who have forgotten. - The Prophet, AFFC

Ears that hear and eyes that see— the Lord has made them both. - Proverbs 20:12

Otherwise that they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed. - Isaiah 6:10

They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. - Psalm 135:16 & Psalm 115:5

There is a singer from my country, she wrote a song called "Thanks for life" and then killed herself three months later (Iconic behaviour). The song is still considered a "humanist hymn", which I think is morbidly hilarious. In the lyrics, she keeps thanking life for things that should be basic to life; for having eyes, ears, mouth and hands. I think there is something interesting in how these are all basic atributes most people are born with but these acts of gratefulness, at least in Aeron and Jonah's case are not made in bad faith. They are genuine and true.

 The Drowned God gives every man a gift. - The Prophet AFFC

Are these seen as the God's gifts too? If so, are these acts of gratefulness supposed to make the believers humble and less ambitious? Or is it just that the God is a niggardly one? We know of Aeron having thought his gift was that he could piss longer and farther than most, and later on he recognises the power of his speech, his eloquence. Surprisingly, Aeron is never stripped of that gift once Euron captures him.

His eloquence is his strength, through it he preaches, leads religious rites, advices lords and convinces others to join the faith. And of course, he also baptises.

Baptisms, baptisms, baptising, cleaning the sins way, water as a metaphor for blood, birth, rebirth, John the Baptist!

This is where the storm -> near death experience -> spiritual reawakening pattern ends, but the similarities become more clear when we recognise both of them as heralds whose strength lies in their reputation and their oratory, something both Euron & Herod recognise and it is what keeps them from killing him (or in Herod's case at least for some time).

I have mentioned on my blog that I don't buy a lot into the Jesus-Theon comparisons and I will mention it again later but, since I am a hypocrite, I will take the Theon-Jesus bait and use it as a prop for my Aeron-John thing. As of now there are just two instances involving Theon that actually make me think of Jesus:

Psalms 22

His baptism

Jesus baptism marks his place as "messiah" but it also announces the beginning of his true calvary. By having the Holy Spirit descend on him after the water has cleansed him, he accepts his destiny as his father's (God) lamb to the slaughter. According to Matthew's Gospel it is even Jesus who has to beg John to baptise him, although John is initially reluctant. After the baptism Jesus departs to the dessert knowing of the suffering that awaits for him. This is not the case for Theon. Theon initially doesn't even want to be baptised. It's almost like he is subconsciously trying to escape what is to come after the baptism: the anguish.

Lifting the skin, his uncle pulled the cork and directed a thin stream of seawater down upon Theon's head. It drenched his hair and ran over his forehead into his eyes. Sheets washed down his cheeks, and a finger crept under his cloak and doublet and down his back, a cold rivulet along his spine. The salt made his eyes burn, until it was all he could do not to cry out. He could taste the ocean on his lips. "Let Theon your servant be born again from the sea, as you were," Aeron Greyjoy intoned. "Bless him with salt, bless him with stone, bless him with steel." - Theon I, ACOK

I love Theon's baptism by Aeron. It goes badly and it's tragicomical. It feels like a mockery of Jesus' baptism. A satirised Monty Python type of scene.

Here he comes, our cocksure young man who sees himself as the chosen one, holding a promise of paper while thinking there is an entire comet heralding his return, here he comes, our prodigal son, all "Don't need no advice! I got a plan! I know the direction, the lay on the land! [...] Nuh-nuh-nothing can break-nuh-noting can break me down!" only to get cold feet and be made to kneel in the mud, annoyed at the custom that would have actually anointed him, and then having to blink the tears away because it hurts him. @/shebsart has a really beautiful and intense but also comical depiction of the scene and I really love it.

It's also a little sad. It shows a disconnection from what should have been his culture and faith. The saltwater washed Aeron's follies away. Aeron embraces it, he drinks saltwater, bathes in saltwater and would probably not mind it on his eyes. The saltwater nurtures Aeron, but to Theon it only gives pain.

Ok now, to

Reek, Aeron, Job and Jeyne, Falia and Job's wife

(I think a reading of The Book of Job could also be applied to Lancel Lannister with Amerei Frey taking the role of Job's wife and Jaime Lannister acting as Job's friends, but I won't write about him and even Aeron will be in second place. @/nosaeanchorage wrote meta about the religious journeys Theon, Aeron and Lancel experience involving trauma responses which I found to be very interesting and well formed, so yeah I'd recommend reading it!)

The book of Job has a theme in its story. Can you guess it? It's further suffering!

(In a very deep voice: Where were you when I feel from grace? A frozen heart, an empty space)

So, Job is this guy living a rather fulfilling and morally righteous life; he is happy with his wife and children, has a few friends, is wealthy and healthy and, most importantly, he is God-fearing. Satan tells God that the only reason Job is loyal to him and serves him so dutifully, is because God has been good to him. God gets insecure and tells Satan "alright, let's see if you are right. Go torture him a little. You can take his riches, his children and his health in that order. You can take pretty much everything he values, but keep him alive!"

Job becomes a miserable wreck of a man.

It's not a favourite of mine, but it has a pretty good interval of "pathetic wet kitten blorbo" and "angry, scornful almost defiant in his resentment survivor" so I still enjoy it. And it also opens the question on whether "divine punishment" is really something inherently based on justice and goodness, it defies the way many religions tend to preach that bad things can only happen to bad people and, unlike the suffering promised by Christ, there is no redemption to be found through it. Job at some point gets healthy again and his riches are restored, but this was not a given. The suffering is pointless unless he finds a meaning to it.

This doesn't really sound a lot like Theon or Aeron. Both of them were deprived of well adjusted, happy lives since childhood, but Theon's behaviour towards Ramsay sometimes reminds me of Job's feelings for God, and Euron literally claims himself to be a God.

Ramsay is never directly compared by the text or any characters to a God (well maybe he himself does, but that's arguable), the closest we come to such is this:

“The gods are not done with me,” Theon answered, wondering if this could be the killer, the night walker who had stuffed Yellow Dick’s cock into his mouth and pushed Roger Ryswell’s groom off the battlements. Oddly, he was not afraid. He pulled the glove from his left hand. “Lord Ramsay is not done with me.” - A Ghost in Winterfell, ADWD

But Theon's fear for him sometimes makes me think of one. He is so terrified of Ramsay and sees him as this unbeatable force, but keeps telling himself and others that whatever Ramsay has done, as nefarious as it is, is an act of mercy and goodness. I know there are different interpretations to that behaviour. Some readers tend to believe that he has successfully gaslighted himself, others see it as a remnant of his sardonic and sarcastic sense of humour. Personally, I imagine it's a mixture of both. There is enough textual evidence for me to believe he does not truly think Ramsay is justified in his actions, but I can imagine how he might try telling himself that no punishment goes undeserved as a way of coping, which is what he tells Jeyne too.

In the Book of Job, our poor little meow meow goes through different reactions as his torture starts, many of them resemble Theon's thoughts, never fully by text, but very much in spirit.

He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason. He would not let me catch my breath but would overwhelm me with misery. If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him? Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty. - Job 9:17-20

How long will you torment me and crush me with words?  Ten times now you have reproached me; shamelessly you attack me.   If it is true that I have gone astray, my error remains my concern alone. If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and use my humiliation against me, then know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around me.  Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice. He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; he has shrouded my paths in darkness.  He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head.  He tears me down on every side till I am gone; he uproots my hope like a tree.  His anger burns against me; he counts me among his enemies.  His troops advance in force; they build a siege ramp against me and encamp around my tent.  He has alienated my family from me; my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.  My relatives have gone away; my closest friends have forgotten me.  My guests and my female servants count me a foreigner; they look on me as on a stranger.  I summon my servant, but he does not answer, though I beg him with my own mouth.  My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own family.  Even the little boys scorn me; when I appear, they ridicule me.  All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me.  I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth. - Job 19:1-20

That, the ambivalent conviction that they deserve to be punished, and the overall fear of their torturer's omnipotence are written similarly. Of course in Job's narrative the omnipotence is real, in Theon's it is only perceived, but so, so strongly.

And this is where Jeyne takes an interesting role.

Job's wife is a fun character and I admire her. To some extent she and Jeyne serve similar purposes in the story, since they defy Job and Theon's conviction of their fate being unescapable. Sadly, in Job and his wife's case, she is wrong because you can't defeat God and you can't escape him, but I still appreciate her condemnation of Job's passivity and God's supposed goodness. The text focuses on Job's pain but never on the collateral pain that reaches his wife. She might not have fallen sick, but since her living condition is tied to that of her husband she is affected by all this. She has lost her riches, her happiness, her children, and only because of God's whims, someone she begins to hate. She also begins to loathe Job and the way he keeps making excuses for God and justifying the tragedy that befalls them. So, she tells Job:

“Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” - Job 2:9

(fucking metal, I love her, iconic behaviour)

The holy scriptures are not very compassionate to women who defy men or God, they get vilified and punished, but I applaud that bravery.

In Jeyne's case, her defying of Theon's conviction that Ramsay is unescapable is done much more gently and the relationship between them appears to be one of mutual compassion; Theon often tries to victim-blame her in the same way he blames himself but never seems to truly internalise that, Jeyne apparently doesn't hold his participation in her abuse against him and considers him her saviour. But still! Jeyne, as meek and scared as she is, is the one who by constantly asking for help, by acting undignified in her suffering and not simply taking it without question, manages to water this seed of doubt in Theon's mind, even if he himself isn't fully aware of that.

And it's kind of fun to think how, although Jeyne and Falia are narrative props with similar purposes, it's Jeyne and Aeron who take the place of Job's wife. Falia is Job, fully sure that Euron is merciful and will treat her with respect and care for their children, that Euron will not forsake her, while Aeron is immediately telling her to run for her life.

Maybe because, unlike Theon, his faith is already placed in a God.

Jesus Christ & The Forsaken (and Lodos and Theon)

(Need new song...Wow a yard SAIL!)

Lodos

I'm going to clear the issue with Lodos very fast, because he too seems to be like a wink at Jesus Christ. Lodos literally claims he is the Drowned God's Son, dies, then supposedly comes back from the dead some time later like "'sup", leads a rebellion against the current ruler of the Iron Islands and dies again this time with all his followers being persecuted and killed, so yeah, he seems like a satirised version of Jesus Christ but there is not a lot more to that.

Theon

I have seen people claiming connections between the two but never in a manner I could agree with, and I feel so stupid because I don't get it. People sometimes compared his and Robb's relationship to Jesus & Judas, which aside from the suicidal thoughts post "betrayal" doesn't seem very alike. The "betrayal" was done for different reasons, the reactions to the "betrayal" are different, and the guilt also comes from different places. By placing Theon as Judas we also sanctify Robb in a manner I find almost insulting since Robb condoned and approved of Theon's torture by the Boltons. If I'm going to compare Robb and Theon it will be more to God & Satan, but even there it's only a superficial similitude.

Now, Aeron, Aeron, my love, Aeron!

My God, my God, why have thou forsaken me? - Psalms 22:1

“Still praying, priest? Your god has forsaken you.” - The Forsaken, TWOW

Even the title feels like a reference. The trajectory of Aeron's belief during the chapter resembles the psalms too and, although I never believe in anything I think, their similitudes are what makes me hopeful about Aeron's fate; the idea that he is not truly forsaken.

As hinted above, the Psalms begin lamenting themselves over the anguish that God is seemingly not stoping, yet as they continue the psalmist becomes even more convinced of his God being a merciful one who will provide a cure for his afflictions, one whom the world should praise.

For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.  From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfil my vows.  The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him— may your hearts live forever!  All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive.  Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.  They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! - Psalms 22:24-31

According to most interpretations, the psalmist himself is Jesus. This is the suffering of Christ and from Psalms 22:22-31 it is spoken by him after coming back from the dead. He encourages others, those who have witnessed his anguish, to believe. This is also what Aeron does once Falia is bound to the prow with him, he tells her of better times to come.

“Falia Flowers,” he called. “Have courage, girl! All this will be over soon, and we will feast together in the Drowned God’s watery halls.” - The Forsaken, TWOW

This also slightly mirrors Jesus and the Penitent Thief, who is crucified next to the Messiah and fears what is to come after death. He asks Jesus to not forget him.

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23:43

It's so remarkable and moving to me how Aeron has always tried to protect Falia from Euron. He doesn't know her, if he were to have known her he would have probably looked at her with scorn, to some extent she has acted as an accomplice to Euron in his captivity, and yet...he promises this frivolous greenlander girl that the two of them will feast together...

The end of the chapter also carries christian imagery that seems to stem from Christ's crucifixion.

“Your Grace,” said Torwold Browntooth. “I have the priests. What do you want done with them?” “Bind them to the prows,” Euron commanded. “My brother on the Silence. Take one for yourself. Let them dice for the others, one to a ship. Let them feel the spray, the kiss of the Drowned God, wet and salty.” - The Forsaken, TWOW

When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.  Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” So this is what the soldiers did. - John 19:23-24

They bound Aeron Damphair tight with strips of leather that would shrink when wet, clad only in his beard and breechclout.  - The Forsaken, TWOW

The overall mental image summoned by that description is also rather similar to the typical depictions of Christ on the cross.

And even prior to The Forsaken, there are still some smaller, more superficial similitudes between the two.

Aeron lives sparingly, has no material possessions save for his waterskin and robe, he has a cult of followers devoted to him, and disregards governmental authority since he obeys to a higher power, one who encourages suffering in the same manner christianity does. Aeron fasts, goes swimming in cold water, drinks salt water, all this as a way to serve his God and become a living example of their teachings.

So yeah, in my opinion Aeron is the closest we have to an ASOIAF Jesus reference. It's not Theon, Theon's torture by Ramsay and the torture he imposes on himself afterward have no ideological purpose, it is pointless and unwilling. In my opinion, it's not Jon, it's not Beric, it surely isn't Robb, I hope it's not Dany (although I see a lot of abrahamic imagery in her (Moses + Lot's wife)), it's the Damphair. And I love that. I love how (according to the the author) one of the least sympathetic characters in this story has been somewhat equated to Jesus. A bold move, one that I've enjoyed a lot.

Anyway, in order to further develop this.

The Storm God, Euron and the Devil

Let's go!

I feel like Euron would appreciate this type of stuff he is flamboyant, weird and comical. If we ever get an ASOIAF musical I like to believe this could be inspiration for a duet between them.

Monotheism is a rare concept in ASOIAF.

The Many-Faced God could be the closest we have to a (explored in text) monotheistic religion, although it is monotheistic in the way Hinduism could be considered monotheistic: The belief in one supreme god whose qualities and forms are represented by a multitude of different deities, all which emanate from one alone. 

Out of the religions that are explored in the books none of them are really monotheistic, although some of them demand for their worshippers to worship them and no other.

Most real-life monotheistic religions have a type of "anti" to their god, who is not a god themselves, but is a being superior to humankind meant to drive them to perdition. They function more as a tool for testing human's moral compass and will to follow the true God than a foe. The word "Satan" means "adversary", but this is in reference to his relationship to humans, not to God.

In Goethe's Faust, God and one of his devils, Mephistopheles, make a bet and Mephistopheles is fully devoted to winning that bet. He does everything in his power to prove human virtue isn't true and that corruption will always prevail. The story proves he has a point. Faust does some completely despicable and heinous stuff and is very immoral, and still Mephistopheles loses anyway because God decides to pardon Faust's misdeeds and allows him to enter Heaven. Mephistopheles never stood a chance. He was fighting the narrative and the writer of the narrative and he could only be defeated by them. He is only a minion of God who doesn't comprehend his position and believes he is capable of surpassing a creature who is above all.

This is pretty compliant with christianity's views on the devil.

Hoverer, it is not the case with beliefs like those of Aeron and Melisandre. They don't regard the Storm God and the Great Other as mere petty minions doing the Drowned God's or R'hllor's dirty work. They see them as threats and all other gods as their petty minions.

"There are no gods but R'hllor and the Other, whose name may not be said." - Victarion I, ADWD

"Your Drowned God is a demon, he is no more than a thrall of the Other, the dark god whose name must not be spoken." - Victarion I, ADWD

The Storm God is considered an enemy of the Drowned God, and although his labour is similar to that of the christian devil (driving men/sailors into their doom), he seems to be his own creature.

And still! When comparing Aeron's role to Jesus Christ in the Forsaken, I can't help but think of Euron, the Storm God, and Satan as one.

“Kneel, brother,” the Crow’s Eye commanded. “I am your king, I am your god. Worship me, and I will raise you up to be my priest.” - The Forsaken, TWOW

(Not gonna lie, I think it's very fun how out of all the Greyjoy's the one whose name is directly derived from "God" is actually Theon, but alright, whatever...)

We don't really know what triggered Aeron's religious awakening. With Theon, Ramsay and his time in Winterfell is the easiest answer, with Aeron it's a mystery and I don't dare to say religion was a coping mechanism for Euron's sexual abuse or Urri's death because, based on what we know, the more plausible options are that alcohol and sex were the coping mechanisms.

We only know he went down in a storm and washed up ashore. On itself that is enough to be traumatic, so I don't know how much we should speculate on it.

A smile played across Euron's blue lips. "I am the storm, my lord. The first storm, and the last. - The Reaver, AFFC

I don't even have a theory, I don't have any proof or a structured idea. This just seemed remarkable to me. The concept that Euron might be involved in whatever happened during that storm is tempting and fun, nothing more.

Now, if Aeron is playing the role of Jesus, with Falia as the penitent thief during the "crucification", then I think I can claim Euron is taking the role of Satan; especially during The Forsaken.

After an undetermined, but apparently long period of starvation and isolation, Euron finally comes to Aeron, dressed in black and red, and presents the equivalent to the Devil's three temptations.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus answered,  “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.  “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ”  Jesus answered him,  “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will kneel and worship me.” Jesus said to him,  “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. - Matthew 4:1-11

“That’s it, priest. Gulp it down. The wine of the warlocks, sweeter than your seawater, with more truth in it than all the gods of earth.” - The Forsaken, TWOW

“Pray to me. Beg me to end your torment, and I will.” “Not even you would dare,” said the Damphair. “I am your brother. No man is more accursed than the kinslayer.” - The Forsaken, TWOW

“Kneel, brother,” the Crow’s Eye commanded. “I am your king, I am your god. Worship me, and I will raise you up to be my priest.” - The Forsaken, TWOW

I'm not going to pretend they are the same, with exception of the third one, but even the others have small resemblances; nourishment of some sort after starving + trying to get the other killed, although the later one reminds me more of an encounter between him and Victarion.

Euron turned to face him, his bruised blue lips curled in a half smile. "Perhaps we can fly. All of us. How will we ever know unless we leap from some tall tower?" - The Reaver, AFFC

The last temptation, is the most interesting to me, because Euron has already distorted Aeron's faith into being chosen as King. He played at the edge of legality and won! And yet now, during The Forsaken he is experiencing a sort of existential defeat. Aeron is not being rescued by any god, but he would rather die as a martyr or accept even more torture and suffering rather than serve him. It doesn't matter how much Euron tries to convince him that his God has abandoned him, that he is a greater force, like Jonah, Job and Jesus Aeron refuses to abandon his faith.

And I think this persistence is what will keep him alive.

I've always found it very fun and interesting that Euron never threatens to cut Aeron's tongue out.

When wondering why, the Theon-Ramsay answer would be that Euron likes to hear Aeron's pain, which makes sense given how Aeron is a more targeted victim of his compared to ex. Falia Flowers. But Euron very clearly intends to gain Aeron to his side. He knows of the power Aeron holds in his voice and speech, of his reputation as a holy and respected man among the Ironborn, and how much of a waste it would be to simply throw away that power. Remember Varys' "[Cersei] knows a tame wolf is of more use than a dead one"? An eloquent priest is of more use than a mute one.

But this also backfires on him because since Aeron's integrity can't be broken, he manages to keep defying him and even continues spreading the word of the Drowned God, even as he is in a situation of mortal peril.

And still, even if the end of The Forsaken is somewhat triumphal, I can't believe it.

Yes, he is strengthening his faith, this obviously is a victory over Euron, his persistence and loyalty, but how long will it last? Weirdly enough out of my five favourite POV characters, Aeron is the one whose death I'm convinced of the least (sadly), and whenever I try picturing him after managing to get away from the Silence I can't help but imagine there will be a change in his mindset and I don't know what form it will take.

“Even a priest may doubt. Even a prophet may know terror. Aeron Damphair reached within himself for his god and discovered only silence.” - The Drowned Man, AFFC

Maybe it is because the chances of getting to my 30s are very narrow, and in the mean time I am in physical and mental pain, that I find there is something very beautiful and empowering about showing that the horrors are not always meaningful, and that they are continuous. The horrors are trying to live before, during and after the horrors.

So anyway, the reason I brought up Nietzsche way earlier in this is because I don't think the suffering in characters like Aeron or Theon is of nihilistic nature and it baffles me when people pretend it is. This is not suffering for the sake of suffering because suffering is inevitable and pointless and blah blah blah blah misery porn blah blah blah trauma porn blah blah blah moral outrage blah blah blah. It is suffering, it is inevitable, it can be pointless, and it makes a huge point in the narrative and the characters lives! And it is important to me that we see characters go through these things; to see them lose, grieve and hate, to see them being imperfect examples of victimhood, even if their feelings on the matter will vary. Some might attach some personal value to their trauma and others won't and both should be allowed to exist in media without people pretending only one of those is valid.

Theon's suffering is something very rare and precious to me because it serves no greater purpose. It started before he even met Ramsay and hasn't known at end ever since. I don't consider it redemptive, it's not a justified karmic punishment either. It carries no ideology and it's not for the sake of others. There is no consolation for him or anyone else because of it. The blood will coagulate, dry and be washed away, the wounds will scar and heal, and he will gain weight and muscles back and none of his mental issues will be solved. The torture doesn't fix him.

And I think that his possible outlook on it will be very interesting to see in contrast with Aeron's and their respective religious journeys. Theon's religious awakening is different and still genuine. It is in servitude to another faith that would be looked down upon by Aeron, and whom even Theon himself denied back in ACOK, mockingly referring to them as trees.

"Tell me true, nephew. Do you pray to the wolf gods now?" Theon seldom prayed at all, but that was not something you confessed to a priest, even your father's own brother. "Ned Stark prayed to a tree. No, I care nothing for Stark's gods." "Good. Kneel." - Theon I, ACOK

And I can't imagine an Aeron who, after going through an event this world-shattering (being tied to the prow of a ship while living unspeakable horrors, being drugged by the person who sexually abused him as a child and has now confessed to killing their brothers, one of whom Aeron seemed fond of, being confronted with the victory of a self proclaimed god whom he despises, and starting to form his own connection with a former mean girl whom he would have spat on, now co-victim), would be as judgemental to his nephew's newly awoken beliefs, even if they differ, even if he keeps viewing his own calvary as something divine, even if to Theon the suffering will never be a positive.

With all this said, I will admit I long for some evolution in Aeron's faith as the story progresses. I am open to pretty much every ending, but I love the possibility of a rupture between him and the faith that has been sustaining him for so long. Perhaps not a full negation of his God, but some questioning of his religion. The unsettlement of the "God is Dead" sentiment crawling in the cracks of his doubt.

So, simply out of curiosity in case anyone actually managed to get here:

#speaking #asoiaf #aeron greyjoy #theon greyjoy #euron greyjoy #ramsay snow #falia flowers #jeyne poole #ok yeah fuck it I am posting it #I know nobody really cares about this stuff and sorry for clogging the tags but I had fun doing this and it's been on my drafts for #a month or so #christiangirlera #/sarcastic #whenever I see people complaining about [REDACTED] in Theon or Aeron's story I just think of that post complaining about lesbianism in rgu #“Oh I love this but this detail ruins it for me. It shouldn't have been there.” #and then that detail is one of the core themes in the premise that is fundamental for the development of the character #“mIsErY P0®n iS Vo¥eUr|sTiC” #well guess what? most fictive media is vo¥eur¡stic!

[animehideout]

LOVE IS THE MOST TWISTED CURSE OF THEM ALL

Part Five

Gojo Satoru x Fem! Reader

Check part 6 here 🆕

Check part 4 here.

a/n: Hii, I hope you enjoy this part as well, let me know if you want to be added to the tag list 🫶🏻

if you have any ideas of details you want me to include please let me know and don't hesitate to share your critics it helps me a lot to better my writings <3

Music recommendation ♪ : SKZ- Taste ( Yes I am a Stay ♡ )

You shook your hand with Nanami's. Smiling softly at him.

“I see your wife is now playing your game..Gojo?” Said Mei Mei wearing an amused expression,

only earning a glare in return from the man sitting in front of her.

“Come on, don't tell me Nanami triggered your jealousy and protectiveness over your wife” she added.

“Im.Not.Jealous!! And.Shes.Not.A.Real.Wife” he whispered in an angry low tone.

“Hm then why are you so upset about it?” she asked sipping water from her cup.

Gojo leaned in and said, “because I want everyone to treat her poorly, everyone to belittle her and this guys over here shouldn't interfere or try to defend her like the gentleman he is– that's why I'm pissed...my plan is to make her life a living nightmare, and it shouldn't be ruined by anyone, especially Nanamin.. Understood now?”

“Understood” she simply said, looking forward for all the drama that she'll soon witness.

She was relieved that he wasn't jealous, Mei Mei desired Gojo since high school days, and him falling for you; his wife, is something Mei Mei won't allow.

......

“How long have you been teaching here? I haven't seen you around” he asked.

“Um– today is my first day actually” you replied with a hint of awkwardness.

“Oh I see!! good luck then I'm sure you'll do great” he encouraged,

“T-thank you” you stammered ,pleasantly surprised, a warm genuine smile graced your face.

Nanami is indeed respectful and considerate quite the opposite of some other dick that you're stuck with.

“Excuse me for my random question, but what Jujutsu technique do you possess?” he questioned completely oblivious of your situation.

You swallowed with difficulty, rocking your legs under the table in embarrassment. But why would you hide who you really are?

“I–I don't have any Jujutsu energy my situation is kind of complicated so...” you replied,

trying your best to hide your discomfort from his sudden question, especially knowing that your husband is sitting at the table next you and any vulnerability will cost you your dignity and pride.

“Oh I understand! but I'm sure you're skilled with weapon use. It doesn't matter if you have a curse energy or not what matters is the braveness you carry within you” he said and smiled,

he smiled for the very first time in years taking both Gojo and Mei Mei by surprise.

“Nanami smiling? if I knew he had such an attractive smile he would have been one of my preys” thought Mei Mei to herself.

The tables turned, and now it's Gojo's turn to sit and watch your cute interaction with his colleague. Having known Nanami for years, Gojo was already familiar with the way he treats women with ultimate politeness but in Gojo's eyes you weren't deservant of such treatment, he hates you and wanted everyone around to do the same, to turn against you until you feel excluded, until you give up on your job and the small circle you've built in two days. His goal is to make you experience once again the sense of isolation you've grown up with, and Nanami encouraging you was the first step to hinder his goals. That's why Nanami shouldn't get close to you.

...

It was the very first time you witnessed someone acknowledging your skills, someone comforting you and understanding that it's okay to not be a sorcerer. His genuine words touched your heart.

Uncertain how to respond a shy smile formed on your lips, his compliment felt like a gentle breeze that lifted up your spirit, making you forget about all the hate you have dealt with for years.

As the school bell chimed, signaling the break's conclusion, you rose to head to your next teaching assignment for the second years.

“It was nice talking to you, Nanami,”you said gently, keeping eye contact, which he acknowledged without breaking.

“Looking forward to our next meeting...after you” he said, stepping aside to let you walk ahead.

....

“Nanamin!!”

“Yeah Gojo what do you want?” Nanami replied with a sigh, irritated, since Gojo used to annoy him a lot before.

“Nothing much... but maybe next time, acknowledge my presence before chatting with her so casually.”

“Huh? she was sitting alone, and you were with Mei Mei. so what's your point? cuz i couldn't get it yet!”

“Listen, Nanamin, don't waste your time with her. She's–”

“Why would you say that? It's not like I'm trying to steal your wife or something!” Nanami interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

“I'd appreciate it if you don't talk to her again”

“She's a mature woman with free will. You don't get to decide who she talks to.. Excuse me now” Nanami asserted, and the walked away.

– Time Skip Night Time –

“Aah, what a day” you sighed, yawning as you began drying off, still wrapped in your towel.

The warm bath washed away the fatigue from a long day of teaching. Smiling at the memory of Nanami's words, recollecting his warm smile. Suddenly interrupted by a voice.

“I see you're happy?” came a voice that caught you off guard, disrupting your thoughts.

“Satoru? What are you doing here?”

“This is my house, or did you forget?”

A blush colored your cheeks as you realized being clad only in a towel that barely covered the length of your thighs, and his focused intense gaze didn't make things any easier.

“Watcha smiling at? don't tell me you're having those lovey-dovey moments where you have a burst of energy, kicking your feet in the air because you developed a crush on someone? is it Nanami?”

“What if it is? are you jealous? I thought you had plans to spend the night with Mei Mei. What brings you here anyway?”

“Oh, you gave yourself away... eavesdropping to my chat earlier?”

“Nah, wasn't really interested in what you said. You were just loud for some reason” you retorted.

“Getting more bratty by each day?” he remarked, taking a step closer as you instinctively took a step back.

“What do you want?” you asked, panic brewing inside, wild thoughts racing through your mind.

“Nothing.. Why do you seem uncomfortable? Is it because I'm getting this close to you? Is it because my fingers are now tracing your skin?” he teased, his fingers leaving a trail of delicate goosebumps on your exposed arm.

“Satoru!” you warned, air hitched in your throat..

“Is it because no one will be able to hear you scream, in this house of thick walls?”

“Satoru get away and- stop it with your g-games” you stuttered as he tarped you between his chest and the wall. He could hear your heart pounding out of your chest.

“What if I dont? what would you do? stop me?” he challenged.

You tried to walk past him, but he was faster, he pushed you on the king sized bed, and crawled on top of you, making you disappear under his giant figure.

“What? I thought you wanted this from the beginning, I thought you wanted me inside of you huh? You wanted to make this marriage real dont you? so why are you fighting it back now?” he said calmly,

He held your hands above your head to stop you from pushing him and hitting his chest.

“SATORU GET OFF OF ME..I DON'T WANT THAT AND YOU KNOW IT”

tears gathered in your eyes, you didn't want your first time to be like this, hell no, it scared the shit out of you, and wanted nothing more than breaking free from his grasp.

“Are you crying now babygirl? I thought you were braver than this..”

“IM NOT CRYING...GET OFF OF ME NOW” you yelled and used your legs to push him away.

Suddenly, he paused and then started laughing hysterically,

“Y-you should have *laugh* seen the scared look on your face...that was hilarious” he continued on laughing,

and you were sat on the bed, fixing your towel looking at him in utter confusion. “w-what the hell?” you whispered.

He paused inhaling, “See how weak you are, unable to protect yourself..” he started, looking at you with dismissive glance.

”I.am.not.weak.”

“I could have broke you if I wanted to, I'm just not interested in fucking a nobody like you..” he spitted each word was thrown at you like daggers.

You swallowed your pain, choking on the tears that you've never allowed to stream.

“You won't.. and I'm not interested in even looking at some arrogant, power digger, empty shell of man like you” you fought back

“Empty shell of a man” echoed in his ears, the thing that he's always avoided, his emptiness, the void that he thought he covered with his strength, you cracked it. How did you even know?

“Why are you silent now Satoru? did I strike a sensitive nerve?”

“I am the strongest, meaningless words coming from a meaningless person won't affect me” he replied, eyes piercing through you..

“Enough with the strongest!! is it your only resort to defend yourself? to prove yourself? You're not special Gojo Satoru, people out there are also worth it, are also strong and talented , you're not better than them not better than anyone, yo–”

“In all the heavens and the earth, I Alone Am the honoured one..do you understand?” he spoke slowly yet with harsh tone..

a tone that sent shivers down your spine. You looked at him silently, his face inches away from yours, looking into each others eyes, his blue eyes; an ocean, a canva of hidden struggles.

If looks could kill, you'd be already sent to heaven.

“Do.You.Understand?” he repeated.

But all what you could do is stare,

“Say.It” he yelled

“no” you started “...in all heavens and the earth, I alone the one you can't control, Satoru” you added twisting his words, and used them against him.

.....

Satoru let out a short, mirthless laugh, the flicker of offense evident in his blue eyes poking the inside of his cheek with his tongue– but it's Gojo Satoru, he would never give you the satisfaction of actually breaking his ego, so what else he could do except flipping the topics.

“From now on I'll be sleeping here. Couch or the other room, your call, but this is my bed” he declared, breaking the silence after thinking he would really break you, from how intense the atmosphere was.

“If I were you, I'd find another spot. But if you stick here, you better sleep with one eye open” he added warning, taking off his shirt to reveal his toned back.

You swiftly gathered your belongings, exiting the room as he began unbuckling his belt.

.....

Sitting in the next room, knees to your chest, tears flowed silently. making sure the door was locked, you couldn't deny he had given you a scare. It was his plan all along, to frighten you, to make you feel vulnerable, proving he could easily assert dominance.

“I hate this. I hate you, Satoru.”

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[deyisacherry]

3 steps for a love confession — DCA x Y/N

First step, analyze their feelings for you. Done.

Second step, accept them. Done. Hardly.

Third step…

Confess.

There you were, sitting behind the desk. The kids had recently left, the Pizzaplex hadn't closed yet.

Good, great, wonderful. They have time.

Sun had excused himself to you, saying that he had to tidy up some things in his room. Of course… walking around the site, accustomed to nimbly dodging the pile of things lying on the floor, was the complete opposite of that.

Thank the stars that he and Moon can communicate internally, or his incessant nervous chatter would have been noticed by you a long time ago.

"How is someone supposed to confess their feelings? What are we supposed to do? You know how bad I am at telling the truth, I'll just say something stupid to avoid it and ruin it, I'm sure. Very sure!" Sun paced back and forth, his beams spinning as he tried to think. Poor thing, anyone who saw him from the outside could tell that he had gone crazy. He even moved his hands in expressive gestures as he communicated with Moon.

"Staying up here, not talking to them, probably not much will happen if we keep doing this."

"Moon! I'm serious! I'm not good at this, and you- neither are you!"

"Rude."

"You know what I mean."

"So cruel."

"Moon."

"I know, I'm just playing."

Sun sighs, stopping his pacing. "Maybe a letter? They're nice, and personal, and… oh, no, no, I'm going to get carried away and probably make them feel uncomfortable, plus I don't have self-control with details, and drawings, and glitter glue-" Sun he lets out an exasperated groan in his mind space, causing Moon to growl. "Why is this so difficult?!"

"Noisy."

"Please be of more help, you also want them to know how we feel." Sun says, with a tired expression.

"Flirt until they find out?"

"Oh, please…" Sun says annoyed, placing a hand on his forehead in disappointment.

"Hey, it's not even that terrible." Moon defends himself against his reaction. "You don't have to be too obvious… just play around."

"It's easy for you to say, you always do…"

"Not like this…"

Sun is silent for a few seconds, and then groans softly knowing that he is accepting his proposal.

"I guess we can try." He crosses his arms, looking down at the Daycare through his balcony.

"I have an idea."

"You do?"

"Yes."

"… Should I trust you?"

"Maybe you should, maybe you shouldn't." Moon responds, with a very soft laugh.

Sun has a feeling that he's going to regret it.

———

When the crepe paper rose is ready, Sun holds it in one hand, while the other one holds a piece of sticky tape.

"… This is goofy… even for me."

"If you don't try, you'll never know."

"Don't apply my sayings to me!"

"Just do it."

Sun complains silently, and begins with the last step of Moon's idea. Best scenario, it really works. Worst scenario… he'll resign himself to letting you see him and will stay in his room forever.

"… I'll blame you if anything happens."

———

There's at least an hour left before the Pizzaplex closes its doors. You are reviewing some messages that you forgot to reply to. Yep… it was definitely a good idea to have disabled the option to show when you read a message. It saves you from the idea that they will hate you for losing social energy mid-conversation and leaving them on seen.

You're in the middle of drinking some coffee you ordered, when you feel Sun approaching. You usually let him talk or do something, so you don't turn to look at him. But he doesn't do anything, so oddly enough, you look away from the screen to where you know he is.

And you're immediately greeted by the sight of Sun, with a paper rose taped to his smile. His eyes narrow with excitement as he leans across the desk. "Hello, Sunshine~"

A wink from him, and- Oop.

You just choked on your coffee from how badly that caught you off guard, coughing and covering your mouth as you look away in panic.

"Oh no, no, no! Sunshine! Sorry! Sorry! Bad timing for that! I'm really sorry!" Sun tries to get his hands closer to you but he doesn't know how to help, and seeing him with the rose still stuck to his mouth doesn't help your coughing stop.

———

"I knew it was a bad idea! I knew it! I knew it! And you knew it! You wanted to make fun of me!" Sun yells into his headspace, pressing a Freddy stuffed plushie against his face.

"But the flirting worked, they were blushing and embarrassed."

"They weren't blushing nor embarrassed! They were choking!"

"… Isn't that how embarrassed people react to something like that?"

"Moon!"

… The third step will have to be postponed.

---

edit: god dang it i just realized i made some mistakes with the font color AAA

#they're silly #and so in love with y/n #so they will get clingy #sundrop #daycare attendant sun #fnaf sun #sun fnaf #moondrop #moon fnaf #fnaf moon #daycare attendant #daycare attendant fnaf #fnaf security breach #sundrop fnaf #moondrop fnaf #sun x y/n #sun x reader #sundrop x reader #sundrop x y/n #moon x y/n #moon x reader #moondrop x y/n #moondrop x reader #daycare attendant x y/n #daycare attendant x reader #drabble #one shot

[multi-fandomlovers-world]

You Are More Than Just A Teammate

Alex Keller x Fem! Reader

Summary: You and Alex have been pretty close for quite some time, even more now that you are his teammate. He's always treated you with kindness and respect. You started growing feelings for him but you didn't know if he felt the same way, or so you suspected. Today, you find yourself determined to find out...

Category: Fluff, NFSW, Pre-Established Friendship, New Relationship

Requested By: @rascal-xo

N/A: Thank you @rascal-xo for requesting!! I love that you sent this in and I hope you like it! I may have put a lot of detail 🤭

Warnings: Minors DNI, Explicit Content, MDom, Kissing, Making Out, Praise,Hickies, Consensual Sex, Blowjob, Fingering, Eating Pussy, Unprotected Sex, P n V, Multiple Orgasms, Spanking,Missionary, Doggystyle, Cowgirl, Creampie, Aftercare

Reblogs And Comments Are Highly Appreciated!!! :)

You find yourself sitting on the patio deck, listening to the ocean waves crash against each other and feeling a slight warm breeze hit you, as you see Alex come out of the living room and join you out of the patio. You and Alex were on temporary leave after killing The Wolf. You and Alex were teammates, but he also became your friend. Somebody you could trust and rely on. He always had your back, no matter what in any situation. "Hey, is this seat taken?", Alex said, making you snap back into reality and look up at him. He gave you a soft smile and waited for your response. "Hey, no come sit with me. I'd like your company", You said, with a smile and pushing your hair behind your ear. He chuckled lightly while handing you a beer and sat down next to you. "How are you doing? You know, after fighting The Wolf", You said, looking at him again. "I mean, there's still a lot of ground to cover, especially now knowing Hadir has possession over it, but other than that. I'm good. I'm just glad to be away from all of it right now and just be here with you", Alex said, keeping his eyes on you and taking a sip of his beer.

You smiled lightly. "Right. There's been something that I've been wanting to tell you", You said, facing him. Alex put his beer down and started facing more towards you. "Oh, ok. What's up? What's on your mind?",Alex said. There it was, the question he'd ask if he saw something was wrong with you and wanted to help you out as much as possible. "Ugh... Listen, I don't know if this is gonna make things awkward between us or anything but I'm in love with you for you for quite some time and-", You stopped yourself, and looked over at Alex, who had a surprised look on his face and his mouth slightly opened. "You know what, I shouldn't have said anything", you said, as you began to walk inside and make your way into the living room. Alex snapped out of it and ran after you, grabbing you by your wrist and making you turn towards you.

"How long?

"What do you mean by how long?"

"How long have you known that you've been in love with me?"

You looked down and sighed. "For a couple of months. I didn't want to say anything because honestly I didn't think that you were in love with me and I was scared that it would ruin our friendship", You said. "I've been in love with you since the moment I met you. I just didn't know how to tell you", Alex said, making you look up at him. You knew he meant it. You parted your lips as he caressed your cheek, and you looked into his eyes. He looked into your eyes and then made his way down to your lips. His thumb caressed your cheek and your lower lip, making you part your lips slightly." I want to kiss you so bad",Alex said, his voice lower and more of a whisper. "Please do", you said. Immediately, he crashed his lips onto yours and kissed you passionately. You hummed into the kiss, and started running your hands through his hair and across his jawline. He hummed lightly and tapped your leg, making you jump into his arms as he carried you into the bedroom.

Once reaching the bedroom, Alex sets you and climbs on top of you. You had your hands touching his face then running down his chest, slightly pulling at the buttons. He continued to kiss you while unbuttoning his shirt and pulled away for a moment, shoving the shirt off and throwing it somewhere on the ground. You stared at his body, seeing his slim, muscular body. His tattoos stood out even more and you bit his lip. "Like what you see, baby?", Alex said, with a smile. "Yes, very much", You said, biting your lip. He kissed you again and then started kissing down your jawline to your neck, making you moan softly. Your hands ran over his chest and back, feeling his muscles. He pulled your shirt up, taking it off of you and revealing your white lace bra. He continued to kiss your neck and make his way down to your shoulder blades and chest, making you moan and arch your back lightly. "Mmm fuck, you're trembling, baby", Alex said, kissing your chest and leaving small hickies. You lifted yourself up a bit and Alec watched as you unclipped your bra, throwing it on the ground and revealing your breasts. "Your tits..are so fucking perfect", Alex said, as he started kissing, licking and sucking on your breasts, making you moan softly.

He started kissing down your stomach, and pulling off your shorts, leaving you in just your panties. You knew your panties were soaked by now but you didn't care. He pulled your panties off of you and guided you to open up your legs. He rubbed your clit softly, feeling how soaked you were. "Mm fuck baby, you're soaked. I can't wait to taste you",Alex said as he kissed the sides of your inner thighs. You let out soft moans before you felt him start licking your pussy. You moaned louder,running your hands through his hair. "Ahhh! Ahh fuck Alex", you said, panting and whimpering under his touch. He hummed and began licking your folds while fingering you deep and slow. "You taste so fucking good. Cum for me. Cum on my fucking tongue like a good girl", Alex said, before licking and sucking on your clit, making you squirm and moan. You felt yourself cum seconds later, making you arch your back again and pull slightly on Alex's hair. He moaned lightly, cleaning you up. He pulled away from your pussy and you saw his mouth, beard and mustache covered in your juices before he cleaned it off and made his way back up to you, kissing your body, neck and jawline. "Good girl. You're doing so well for me", Alex said, as he kissed you on your lips. You could taste yourself on his soft lips. You felt his cock brushing up against you and you pulled on his shorts, making him take them off and leaving him in his boxers. He grabbed your hand and made you touch his cock, feeling how rock hard he was already.

He laid down and you climbed on top of him. He kissed you again passionately on the lips, rubbing his thumb over your cheek and hair. You began kissing down his chest, leaving hickies on him and running your hands over his slim, muscular body. He let out soft, breathy moans, watching you as you made your way down to his boxers. He lifted his legs up slightly, allowing you to pull down his boxers and his cock spurting out. Your eyes widened a little, seeing how hard he is and how big he was. "Look how hard you've made me", Alex said, biting his lip slightly. You licked the tip of his cock, making him moan softly. You used your tongue on the sides of his cock and then spit on his cock before you started bobbing your head up and down. "Ahh.. fuck yeah. Keep those pretty eyes on me", Alex said, making you look up at him and he moaned a bit louder. He threw his head back. Alex looked back at you, pulling your face lightly and kissing you softly on the lips as he flipped you over so that way he was back on top on top of you. You felt his cock rubbing up against your pussy, making you whimper. "Are you sure about this? We can stop if you want to", Alex said, looking into your eyes. "Yes, I'm sure about this. If I want to stop, I'll tell you", You said, catching his eyes as he nodded and began rubbing his cock against your wet pussy.

You moan softly, feeling his cock rub up and down against you. "Beg for me. Tell me you want me to fuck you", Alex said, looking at you with lustful eyes. "Please Alex, I want you fuck me please", you said, whimpering. "God, you're so fucking cute when you beg", Alex said, as he began to push his cock inside of you slowly, making you moan. He let you take a second to take him all in before thrusting into you slow and deep. Alex lowered his head to you and kissed you deeply, making you moan into his kiss and you ran your hands over his arms and shoulders. He pulled away and watched as your facial expressions would change. His moans were breathy and somewhat loud, letting you know he was enjoying as much as you were. He started thrusting a little faster and kept kissing your shoulder. Your moans filled the room, as well as the skin slapping and his moans. "Fuck baby, you're so tight. You're taking my cock so well",Alex said, as he kissed your shoulder blade. You felt a certain feeling in your stomach again and scratched his back. He groaned in response.

"You're gonna come again aren't you? Cum for me, baby. Show me how good I'm making you feel"

You came seconds later and he smirked, seeing you arch your back and kept moaning. "Good fucking girl. You're doing so well taking my cock", Alex said. You turned your head to look at him slightly and he kissed you softly on the lips before pulling out of you. "Get on top of me baby, please", Alex said as he laid down and you climbed on top of him. You grinded yourself against his cock and he moaned softly. His hands ran up and down the sides of your body. You moaned softly before grabbing his cock and sliding yourself onto his cock. "Ahh oh my god",You said as you threw your head back for a second. You started riding him up and down, moaning his name over and over again. He sat up a little and let his mouth suck on your tits while grabbing your ass hard and guiding you up and down on his cock. He pulled away from your breasts and his moans grew louder. "Fuck yes, baby. Ahh shit I'm gonna cum", Alex said, as you continued to ride him. "Oh my god. Fuck yes, baby. Y/n, ride me like that. I'm gonna cum", Alex said, moaning a bit louder and throwing his head back. "Ahh Alex, please cum in me",You said, moaning. Alex then came inside you, letting you feel his warm seed into your pussy. You moaned and pulled his cock out of you. You tried to stand but your legs were so shaky. "Hey, hey, hey. It's alright, come here. I've got you", Alex said, as he opened his arms and you rested your head against his chest. "You did so well, baby. I'm so proud of you", Alex said, stroking your hair as you looked up at him.

He smiled and cupped your face as he kissed you softly on the lips. "Did you enjoy it?", You asked, tracing his chest and his tattoos. "Yes, I enjoyed it. It was fucking perfect, my love. From the sounds of it, you really enjoyed it too", Alex said, smirking. "I really enjoyed it, baby", You said with a smile. "Good girl. Now, I'm gonna carry you to the bathroom so we can get cleaned up ok?", Alex says, as he got up and walked over to your side to pick you up, bridal style. You giggled and showered with him, cleaning yourself. Some time had gone by, you and Alex had gotten done showering together. You and Alex ended up just snuggling in bed the rest of the night.

-The next morning-

You woke up to the feeling of a warm breeze coming through the bedroom. The sun was out and beautiful as ever. You could hear the ocean waves crash amongst each other and hit the rocks. You looked over and saw Alex wasn't in bed. You started to think maybe you did the wrong thing. You were still in just a pair of underwear and you grabbed his buttoned up shirt, only buttoning half way and walked out into the kitchen. Once you reach the kitchen, Alex comes up from behind you, picking you up and placing you onto the kitchen counter. You gasp then laugh, realizing it's just him. He chuckles as he runs his hands over your thigh. "Good morning, beautiful", Alex said, cheerfully. "Good morning, handsome", You say, as you touch his jawline and kiss him softly on the lips, which makes him hum. "I apologize to leave you alone in the bedroom this morning. I just wanted to make us some food and get our energy back and uhm.. there's a question I've been meaning to ask you",Alec said, sounding a bit nervous. "Oh. It's ok. Thank you for making breakfast and what's up?", You said, as you took a small bite of toast. "Would you want to be my girlfriend?", Alex asked. "Oh my god, yes! I would love to be your girlfriend. Would you like to be my boyfriend?", You said with a smile, hoping that you'd get a good response. "Yes, I would love to be your boyfriend. You just made me the happiest man alive, my darling", Alex said, with a smile and chuckled. "And you just made me the happiest woman alive. Are we gonna keep this between us for now or?", You asked. "I thought we would just keep it between us for now and then we'll go tell everyone. If that's ok with you, of course",Alex said. "Of course. I think that'll be good", You said, as you smiled again.

"You look really sexy in my shirt,baby. Just saying", Alex said as he looked at you. You just giggled and pulled him closer to you and kissed him again. The rest of the day was spent snuggling and enjoying each other's company. You finally got the man you loved and he got the girl he always wanted. Everything was perfect and that's all that mattered.

Reblog for more content like this! It helps creators like myself tremendously :-)

Taglist:@rascal-xo @deadbranch @dressycobra7 @lolis-pikt

#cod mw2 #mwii #alex keller #alex keller x reader #alex keller x you #cod alex #alex cod #cod fanfiction #call of duty modern warfare #cod smut #call of duty x you

[shkika]

i've been curious about how iterators in your interpretation ascend exactly, since they seem to be unable to get off the string!

is the process more metaphorical/spiritual in nature? or is it entirely physical?

also!! i really really love your art and interpretations tee hee pleading face emoji

This is a pretty good prompt to talk about how I think ascension works! I'm gonna try to be thorough even if some information may seem basic! To me ascension feels like it's meant to be spiritual.

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF UH...

1. Ancients and ascension throughout time.

2 . Iterators and ascension

3. What Saint is and how he works.

I think some people may not realize the concept of leaving the world behind was a thing before the void fluid revolution, before our ancients discovered the ruins of the race that came before them that led to the void sea. Those were the times of those gravel eating monks.

I think ascension is supposed to be a process experienced by old creatures. It works by abandoning all your earthly desires after having been through the cycles again and again. So as you detach yourself from the world eventually.. leaving it behind and ending the samsara.

It became something worth working towards. If you didn't guide your soul to spiritual relief... you'd get stuck in the cycles. Which was painful and scary.

When the void revolution came and a much easier and faster solution was found, of course they took it. It was an answer to getting stuck, finally they would have a guaranteed method of escaping the cycles.

Turns out you can't cheat yourself out of the cycle.. if you are attached to the world too strongly, you become an echo. Which made rumors spread.

So we need another solution. Another effortless way to escape. And so iterators were made! They were designed with a few things in mind . They would be a constant in any cycle, they can't escape.. they can't ascend.. they can't die. Their taboos would make sure they don't try anything themselves and they tough bodies keep them from completely losing function.

This way they could work basically forever on the great problem.

Alright here we go!! The question! How do iterators ascend then. They shouldn't be able to, they weren't meant to do that on their own, but one allegedly managed.

Well a GOOD hint imo is Moon's dialogue in the Saint campaign.

By this we can guess there is a solution. But it is one right answer among infinite faulty ones. And it's completely indistinguishable or was there a way to safely test it.

Once you discover it and you execute it. You're a goner.

Kind of.. how it happened with Sliver of Straw..

Kind of how Saint's ascension works too.

Sliver basically was the only iterator EVER who accidentally stumbled on it and executed the task. And ascended herself before she could do anything more than send the triple affirmative signal.

And that was it. It probably happened completely out of nowhere in a flash. And she was gone.

This is also a reason why I think she is saint. The way Saint ascends creatures is... by just giving them the solution she discovered. The moment they know it, they end up in the void.

Saint is the only one who can do this. The only one that came back.

OH also quick note.. I love how Pebbles and Moon do not understand what Saint is, unless they discuss him together. Very underrated part of the game's writing. Anyway.

Saint's purpose is to continue their endless cycle to save others. Pebbles says that by definition no one who knows the answer can venture outside.. except Saint. It's why Moon tells him to wake up.

He's the only one that can.

#ask #anonymous #rain world #rainworld #kiki rambles #sliver of straw #rw saint #PHEW #LONG ONE #BUT VERY ENJOYABLE #AH #i was soooo happy #to finally create a functional #mostly functional to me at least #way #on how cycles work! #hope this is a nice read #ALSO THANK YOU ANON #im happy you like my art aah <3 #lore rambles

[bbokkie]

For The First Time

Scenario: You're rambling something to your boyfriend, you soon worry about being too annoying since he hasn't said anything to you whilst you chattered. You looked at him, only to be met with loving eyes and a love-struck smile. >_o

"It's just like seeing her for the first time again.."

Characters Included: Chamber, Yoru, Phoenix

Disclaimer: This will be in a Headcannon with Oneshot type of form

(hi schnookies i tots forgot u guys haven't eaten anything for the past month sowwy, here's expired food for u<3)

Song: For The First Time - Mac Demarco

Chamber - Vincent Fabron

- Chamber really likes when you ramble, I know this man can go on and on about something-- his looks, or his guns so he loves seeing his loved one ramble on about something because for one, he loves hearing your voice and two he gets to stare at you while all kinds of emotions appear on your face that he oh so loves.

You both sat down on a chair while you told him about your day, the mission you had was crazy, almost life threatening which made the story much more fun to narrate and interpretate.

For the first few minutes into your story, Chamber responded well with jokes and laughter, everything went well! After a few more minutes, you never really noticed him not responding back until you paused to drink water. You realized that you might've been annoying him, with worry in your system you looked at your boyfriend.

Your eyes met with his, his cheek resting on his hand while his eyes deemed soft and warm, his lips curved into a soft yet telling smile, eyebrows softened. Looking at him, your heart ached! You looked at him with a gaping mouth as your cheeks flushed with red.

"What's wrong, mon cheri?" He asked, slightly worried. You closed your mouth as you shook your head. He laughed. "Don't let this face ruin your beautiful storytelling." He said softly. "Trust me, I'm listening with full intent! It's just that the storyteller is such a sight for sore eyes." He chuckled. You looked away with a bright red face. The man laughs again.

"Pardon, do continue. Also, turn your face back to me, I really like looking at something while listening."

Yoru - Ryo Kiritani

- He convinces himself that he doesn't like listening to anything, or anyone to be exact. He hates having to just sit down and listen, ew.

- But.. he adores your voice, he hates listening but you, you were an exception. He could listen to you anytime. Even he's wounded and you're scolding him, he wouldn't be pissed off or annoyed, he'd just be happy he lived to hear you.

It's lunch time, the two of you got your food and sat down in the empty cafeteria.

Sitting down, you then started small conversation. "How was your day?" You asked. "Shouldn't you know already, you've been following me around all day." He said with rolled eyes. "Okay? If I don't follow you, you'd think I'm dead or in a white van." You fired back. He sighed in defeat, or cockyness.

He then asked how your mission was yesterday, he heard from Raze that your mission yesterday was funny and lighthearted unlike most missions.

When he asked you that your eyes widened and sparkles replaced your pupils. It's not everyday your boyfriend asks you about your day. With a skip of a heartbeat you explained the details of your day.

Of course, usually after 4 sentences or so you shove a spoonful of food into your mouth, saying words with a full mouth while making hand gestures only to swallow the food and repeat what you said.

In Yoru's pov, he drifted into his thoughts mid story. Whilst staring at you, he remembered when he fell for you. It was just as simple as a stare when he knew he fell. Before he knew it, his heart ached. It quickened and it started hurting, in that moment he realized something, he was irreparably in love with you.

You realized that your boyfriend hasn't said a word about your story. You stopped for a moment. You though to yourself, "That bitch definitely teleported away to fuck with me."

You looked beside you only to be met with your boyfriend with his chin on the table with a goofy smile and soft eyes. Within seconds, he realized you were looking at him and his back immediately straightened and his cheeks flooded red. You two sat there in silence. He held his hands out before teleporting away.

It took you a few seconds but you bursted into cackling laughter. That shit was so loud, wherever Yoru teleported to he heard it and his ears BURNED.

Phoenix - Jamie Adayemi

- Bro LOVES conversation with you. He'd literally do anything for you to even engage with him even though you two are dating. Honestly, he sometimes forgets you two are dating, even to this day he's still a little shy around you, and does over the top things to hopefully impress you. And every time you two start conversation, he's always lost into something, you.

The two of you sat on a patch of grass, you two were having a little cute picnic date! He first asked how your day went, a simple conversation starter. Without much thought and with a clap of your hands you started rambling about your day.

- I would like to think when Phoenix gradually loses his focus on a conversation he begins to drop from full blown sentences as replies to bland and hopeless "Mhm's"

You continued to talk about your day when you slowly realized that his replies were all sloppy and almost tired "Mhm's". Concern and worry filled your body so you decided to check up on him.

You looked to your side only to see him lying down on his stomach, two palms out and his chin in the middle, eyes soft and filled with love and a goofy, wide smile. You giggled at the sight. Phoenix quickly realized his girly ass action and straightened before laughing with you. "Do I have that much an impact on you?" You laughed.

"Yeah, you've got a pretty face and voice. How could I not be distracted?"

(nahh u got phoenix giggling and kicking his feet 🫶🫶 anyways girlie pops and slaybossers i hope u enjoyed ur monthly BANGERR!!! MAKE SURE TO SMASHGHH THAT LIKE BUTTON AND DESTROY THST GODDSMN SUBSCRIBE BUTTON SO I CAN PAY MY MORTGAGE !!)

#valorant x reader #yoru x reader #chamber x reader #yoru valorant #phoenix x reader #valorant headcanons #bokie'sfatass #chamber valorant #phoenix valorant

[daedalusdavinci]

42. Foolish - twobats

one word writing prompts i knooow this has been sitting in my inbox forever and im sorry. heres a drabble i wrote up of them being stupid

Bruce awoke with panic flaring in his chest. There had been a hand on his shoulder. Alfred and the kids knew better than that, and so instinct took over, grabbing the offending arm and yanking. Before he was even fully awake, Bruce had rolled and pinned a man underneath him, an arm drawn back to knock him out.

"Wait, wait, wait, Bruce-" 

Bruce blinked hard, and in the darkness, the details of the figure started to come together. Harvey- or was it Two Face? had one hand pinned above his head, the other raised defensively. "Some way to treat your bedfellows." 

"Dent," Bruce breathed, letting his hand fall. He gripped his collar instead, rolling his fist into the fabric. "Why are you here?"

"Thought you might prefer I get your attention this way instead of the other way." He didn't specify what the other way was, but he didn't have to. Harvey knew, and without Two Face's signature rasp, Bruce could put the pieces together. His hand was warm on Bruce's cheek, thumb sweeping gently across his cheekbone.

It shouldn't have been that easy, but Bruce found himself relaxing anyway, leaning into the touch. "I hope that means I'm not going to have a reason to throw you back in Arkham soon." 

"If I say you won't, will you hurry up and kiss me?" Harvey's smile was teasing, but warm, stunning like it had been back before Bruce had learned how to take someone out in his sleep. He'd been in love with that smile for so long, he didn't think anyone could blame him when he just… melted.

Bruce's fingers laced through Harvey's as he leaned over him, nose nudging into his cheek. Without the blankets, cold was starting to settle against Bruce's spine, but Harvey's skin was warm and golden. "Maybe if you promise I won't."

Harvey's fingers pushed up under his shirt, heat tracing scars across his back. The way Harvey looked at him was fond and familiar, a smile pressed into the corner of his eyes. "Convince me."

Falling into him was easy. Bruce kissed him like he had a thousand times before, soft and deep and too loving. Harvey's hands were warm against his skin, dragging him closer, pulling him deeper, and Bruce never even thought about resisting. His fingers fumbled with the buttons on Harvey's shirt, clumsy, but nonetheless determined to get Harvey out of his suit and down to something more suitable for bed. "Why do you even put on all these clothes?" Bruce muttered, pushing back his lapels and sliding his hands across Harvey's chest. He'd always been big, broad in the shoulders with enough muscle to be worth grabbing, and Bruce filled both his hands with pecs and squeezed.

Harvey snorted against his mouth, ruining the kiss with his grin. "I think you're getting a little sidetracked there, darling." 

"Oh, I'm on track," Bruce said stupidly, kissing the corner of his mouth. 

Harvey pushed up into him until Bruce was sitting in his lap, a hand steadying against the small of his back. It was easier to push his suit jacket off of his shoulders this way, and Harvey shrugged out of it, tossing it to the side.

Something toppled off of the nightstand and thunked softly against the carpet. 

"Whoops," Harvey muttered, glancing over at it as Bruce kissed his jaw. 

"Probably a cup," Bruce said dismissively, far more interested in worrying a mark into the spot under his ear. 

Harvey snorted at him, his hands sliding up under his shirt again and his head tipping. "Not one of your fancy glasses?"

"I broke too many of those." 

Harvey's laugh was soft, but it warmed Bruce from the inside out. When he kissed Harvey again, he kissed him harder, pressing him back down into the mattress like he could kiss all of his affection into him. Harvey's fingers laced into his hair to keep him close, and he felt the curve of Harvey's smile, desperately fond.

He'd missed him. It hadn't been that long, exactly, but even days apart left a vague emptiness inside Bruce's chest. They’d been doing this for too long, tiptoeing around the masks to spend time with each other, and It was becoming too easy to set aside all of the rules and love Harvey. An exception was steadily carving itself out in his life after a lifetime of mooning over the man who carried the sun in his smile, and Bruce wondered how much longer they'd last before one of them would fold.

The door opened. 

Harvey started so bad that he knocked their heads together, making Bruce reel back with a hiss. Harvey shoved him off, but not fast enough before the light turned on.

Alfred stared at them both, shotgun in hand and still in his slippers.

Bruce knew how they looked. Bruce, in his nightshirt and boxers, grabbing his forehead- Harvey, frozen halfway to diving off the bed, shirt half-open and looking like he'd rather be shot than face Alfred's stare for a second longer.

Alfred blinked. Bruce could see him cataloguing and compartmentalizing, slowly packing away his surprise. Finally, he said dryly, "I rather hoped you would get better at sneaking around with age. Mr Dent, I would remind you that shoes are not allowed on the beds."

Blushes didn't show up easily on Harvey’s skin, but Bruce didn't think he could look any redder. "Sorry, Alfred."

"Good night," Alfred said, and he turned, and left.

Harvey put his face in his hands.

Slowly, Bruce sat up. The roar of his heartbeat in his ears began to fade. "I think he heard you sneak in."

"Just take me back to Arkham. Throw me in a cell and leave me to rot," Harvey said into his hands.

Bruce snorted a laugh, rolling off the bed. He picked up the cup where they'd knocked it over and replaced it on the nightstand. He locked the bedroom door and flicked the lights back off. "Next time, just lock the door."

"Sure, so he can bust it down," Harvey muttered.

Bruce swung a leg over Harvey's hips, dropping into his lap. "Come on, Harv. He's caught us doing worse."

"That's what makes it so humiliating," Harvey grumbled, but his hands still dropped to Bruce's hips. 

#bruharvey #twobats #my fics #tumblr drabbles #asks #roomfulloferidans #tired of looking at this #dunno why but im not having as easy of a time w drabbles as i used to

[bonebabbles]

So since my rose-colored Gray Wing glasses have been torn of my face and stomped into tiny pieces, I’m now wondering if my perception of Clear Sky’s arc is also skewed. I thought his redemption arc was well done (until Star Flower came back) because he was sincerely trying, wasn’t expecting forgiveness, and (unlike a lot of redemption arcs) was not forgiven by most of the characters right away because of how bad his actions were. Until he got with Star Flower, I thought his redemption arc was damn near perfect. Do I have on rose-colored glasses for his redemption arc?

Clear Sky's "redemption arc" is one of the most incompetent bits of writing that has ever blighted the entire series and I promise you I'm not doing hyperbole. It is so bad that it drags down everything it touches, including Gray Wing, Thunder, Acorn Fur, and the entire concept of StarClan.

And, unfortunately, both things you cited there absolutely did not happen, I am going to have to eat your glasses. I'm gonna munch. I'm gonna cRUNCH

"He was sincerely trying"

He wasn't. He just stopped actively shredding random people on his border and then whines that he's "Trying So Hard," using it as yet another guilt trip tactic because he's still an abuser.

The SECOND anyone gives him any criticism (FOR BRINGING A WIFEBEATER INTO HIS CLAN MIND YOU), he twists the fact they're supposed to "forgive him" against them, starts calling Gray Wing slurs for having asthma, and gets offended at a warning while huffing, "no one tells me what to do!"

Like a big fucking baby

And he only let Tom into his clan (even implying he's not a REAL cat because he's fat + an ex-kittypet) because he promised he could show him how to "fight dirty."

AND ALSO he is fully aware that this man kidnapped children in a previous book; but Blazing Star completely forgets major details of the previous three books in a way that is absolutely unacceptable. You are practically reading a new continuity.

"He was not forgiven by the other characters right away"

He was. He was literally, immediately forgiven in the very opening of Blazing Star. By Gray Wing and Thunder, because the narrative decided that Everyone Is Responsible.

Even back in First Battle, right after the fight ends we get a line that gives Bramblestar a run for his money. "WE let it get too far." The narrative even scrambles for some reason to make a woman responsible and grabs Tall Shadow for some fucking reason.

Acorn Fur doesn't even mention that CLEAR SKY WAS STARVING HER FATHER before she decides to move in with him, because she would miss her parents too much on the moor... those parents who just died. In the battle Clear Sky started.

Everyone immediately forgives him and kisses his butt because "The guilt will hurt him more than any actual consequences :((( He was just under so much pressure of leading guys.... which is why he should continue to lead............"

I've actually had a hard time continuing my reread because I've actually been fucking enraged at how Thunder is swooning over his daddy "finally looking at him" uwu

This is painted like a good thing. This is a sweet and nice thing that finally, the abusive ghoul who shoved his face into a festering wound and said he shouldn't have been born just before trying to kill him and all of his friends 'respects him.' Oh Joyous Day Yippee Hooray!

How this ruins the other characters

It destroys Gray Wing because it makes ALL this dogshit behavior that he displayed for the first three books correct. In spite of how GOD awful this "Redemption Arc" is, you are supposed to believe that there is good "deep down" within Clear Sky. That all of this abuse apologia was wisdom. Gray was, and IS, right to take every insult and understand it as humility, and the Clear Sky on the page is actually a Good Boi who Really Does Love His Clan.

It ruins Thunder because even after ALL of that physical and emotional abuse and neglect, he's still supposed to honor Clear Sky as "You'll always be my father." These destructive impulses to want his approval are good and natural in this narrative, not something to confront or fundamentally question.

Fuck, just look at the Tom Redemption. The writers LOVE abusive parents. Even if they beat the shit out of your mom, get her killed, kidnap you, and had no part in raising you, "they still love you and would die for you." Tom's Redemption and Clear Sky's Redemption are just different lines in the same song.

Acorn Fur moves in with the guy who held one of her parents hostage and ultimately got both of them killed

And STARCLAN forms to "tell clear sky what to do," because in the baffling Fear vs Greed Dichotomy this series thinks is some kind of thesis, Clear Sky was just "afraid," not "greedy," and that means his fucked up little head can be fixed by the comfort a religious force can bring. He wasn't abusive because he loves having power over people, the thing that is right there on the page, nope, he really was just worried about death or responsibility or something.

This isn't even getting to the person he is in later material. He's a MONSTER in Moth Flight's Vision, as if his growth never happened.

And this is taking him all at face value-- in a meta sense, the sheer amount of female characters that get brutalized just for his man pain is legitimately dizzying. 2 mates die, 2 innocent women slaughtered, a child beaten and another starved to death, and even pregnant Star Flower gets pinned to the ground and licked on the face as her assaulter talks about how much he wanted her as a mate

This is the worst arc in the entire Warrior Cats franchise and it is spinning on the crap-axis that is Clear Sky's 'redemption'.

The arc is bad BECAUSE it is working towards this idea, that the best villain the series ever wrote has to become the writer's Poor Little Meow Meow halfway through 6 books, so we can get to our regularly scheduled Born Evil Foreigner Villains Who Hate Love And Friendship.

Imagine TPB but Fireheart cries that self defense against Clanborn cats makes you Just As Bad, Tigerstar was just scared or something, and you get two Diet Scourges. That's DOTC.

#dotc hate #tw abuse #tw fatphobia #tw domestic abuse

[ruthlesslistener]

Oohhh I get it now. But tbh if I'm going to be honest, at least proshippers hide their stuff away in their respective dark areas/behind safe walls and even tag and warn people about the dark content they make. Antis dont, they just invade places and engage in the said dark content just to get mad at it. At least from my own experiences from them. Idk I just see most proshippers as responsible in managing what they make, while antis don't. I actually got a taste of dark content from antis myself as a kid, in a lot of callouts made by antis lololol. And not because the proshipper were demanding their content be known. Its been like that even now actually, where dark content gets shoved in people's faces purely because an anti is trying to act like a hero. Though this is just my experience with them.

Another thing if you wouldn't mind, is that while it's true that dark content can lead to a lot of things in real life. I personally see that it has to be allowed to exist, because dark content shows the dark realities of life and that we shouldn't just leave it/ignore it. I seen victims of abuse for example, who had their experiences validated from reading dark content/about their abuse in stories. Or like the fact that a certain famous entertainment company doesnt want to show blood in their content because of "violence" in shows where kids and adults are watching, where some have pointed out that not showing even a small proportions of what violence can do (blood) will lead to a very naive understanding of the consequences of violence. Shocking because this is a western company, and the TV show in question involves guns and... you get the idea. Don't get me started on censorship and how that can get out of hand so easily.

I don't think I'm explaining this well but yeh. Dark content is needed and should be allowed to exist in my personal views, but should still be allowed to exist behind close doors and away from people who don't want to see it. You can delete this ask if it makes you uncomfortable, I'm just trying to put my two cents into this convo. But yeh, I prefer to live in a world where dark content exists and not one where its nothing but "wholesome" and "pure".

.

[Tone: calm and neutral]

Oh no yeah I agree with you 100%, this is my exact stance on things and is a mirror to most of my experiences- hell, I like exclusively dark content and part of the reason for that is bc I came from a psychologically/emotionally (and sometimes physically) where 'we're all just a big happy family and you're ruining it you little freak' was a big problem. Stuff that's just pure and wholesome actually makes me feel uneasy and on edge all the time because I always feel like the other shoe is about to drop, while horror is comforting because I can read the situation and know what's happening. Part of the issue in my household also stems from the fact that my dad has an issue with differentiating fiction and reality (he suffers from untreated ocd and paranoia and a whole slew of other issues), and he used to blame the stuff I was reading for making me 'disrespectful' and 'cold' whenever I dared to have a negative emotion- hence me just seeking out more and more fucked up shit so that I could vent my anger without getting cussed out (though it also was bc I wasn't allowed to watch anything over a G rating til I was fucking. 16.). Without going into more detail, he used extremely similar tactics to antis and that's why I have such a strongly negative response to them, discounting all of the times where I had nasty run-ins with them. I very much hate all of them and it is because I had to deal with people like them my whole life. It wasn't fun.

I have very few actual squicks, and if I'm in a curious mood I'll also read stuff even if it disgusts me- and hell, sometimes their are exceptions. Captive Prince is a series I'm very fond of full of rape, csa, incest, and psychological abuse, but the reason why I love it despite the content is because it is a very compelling story about how horrible all that abuse is and how deeply fucked up it can make a person, as well as how awful the victim can seem when your pov is being manipulated by the abuser. The problem I have isn't content-based as much as it is the people, and, to the lesser extent, the tone of some of what they make.

See, what soured me on proshippers aren't people who are quietly making darker content and posting/tagging it properly (those are just normal writers and artists imo), I'm talking those who proudly proclaim themselves as proship, aka the vocal few balls deep in The Discourse who make it their whole personality trait. They're mostly centered to Twitter rather than Tumblr nowadays, but the problem with said vocal minority is that they are. Well. Extremely fucking annoying, entitled, tone-deaf, and just overall awful people. Almost everyone who proudly flaunts that they're proship is so balls-deep in the discourse that they feel personally victimized by anyone who shows any negative reaction to the gross shit they're into bc that automatically means they're a puritan, when sometimes it really is just an expression of disgust. Twitter proshippers are a whole different breed than Tumblr ones after the porn ban, but unfortunatly I keep getting their arguments shown to me when I'm on the site scrolling for furry porn and its...bad. It's real fucking bad. Not as bad as antis half the time but certainly not much better in how they treat people and their personal boundaries.

It's also the people who will take content that's pretty fucked up and spins it through a fandom lens that also gets me, though most of the time I just block and move on with a bad taste in my mouth instead of getting actually angry. And by 'fandom lens', I mean people who will take a rape/abuse/etc situation and then go 'oh but what if they're a couple with only a few pokes at the fucked up elements in canon. Ex, some (admittedly few, but they exist) people ship Mohg and Miquella as a reciprocal pairing despite it being a kidnapping and nonconsensual body modification incest-for-power situation, and that just...it feels so wrong. It's just so shallow and such a bad take read on a complex situation that I cannot stand it, it makes me want to run the opposite way. I have zero authority to force people to not do things ofc, I'm not a fucking cop, but those people give me the vibe of someone who'd not help you out with an abusive partner because 'oh but his posessiveness and controlling nature is just so cute, and he clearly loves you so its okay!' and that rings the alarm bells of someone that I do NOT want to be around even if it logically means nothing.

Does that make sense? It's a convoluted mess, but I hope I made it more clear that it's not so much the content that bothers me as much as it is the people and how they use it.

#knittingworm #ex the people i thought were proshippers in my askbox were the ones who kept arguing over ethics even when i said i was uncomdortable #thats the sort of 'no boundary respect only argue' thing that upsets me not rlly what people are into #its very much how people treat other people that bothers me about the Disc Horse #reply

[hmshermitcraft]

Hello! New to the blog, please let me know if I’ve gotten anything wrong with how I’m supposed to use the ask box!

—

Gem was the princess of Camelot. Well, current day Camelot. Which was now in ruins.

She heaved a sigh. Oh how she wished she could be a princess like her ancestors long ago.

But noooo. She had to be born thousands of years after the golden age of the kingdom she’d dreamt of. The kingdom that would’ve been rightfully hers.

History is a strange yet fascinating thing. Not many species get to learn that they have a history. And here Gem was, in a classroom learning about the reign of her great-great-great-great-…-great grand father, King Arthur.

She found herself dreaming. What would Camelot look like today? What would she contribute as Queen? Who would she meet?

Flipping through the endless pages, a name had caught her eye. His name was under the defects label. ‘Wels, knight of Camelot.’

‘On the quest to find the holy grail, Wels knight was nowhere to be found. Some scouts say that he had run far into the woods during formation. Some say that he ran into the night. Sources vary.’

She hummed. Disappearing into the night huh. Hot. She caught herself. What are you thinking. This man is dead at this point in time. If he was alive he’d be 2000 years old at this point!

Gem buried her nose into her textbook, hiding her poppy red face from the world.

—

When Gem joined Hermitcraft;

Wels is oblivious to the fact that he is in modern textbooks, and was as shocked as Gem was when she first met him.

“Welsknight… Wels, knight of Camelot…?”

“How do you know that-?”

“I’ve read about you in my textbooks-“

“I’m in textbooks?!?!”

“How are you alive! You should be like 2000 years old by now?!?”

Xisuma, who has been standing there for the past two minutes said,

“Accidental time travel, and lots of lines of code. You don’t want know.”

—

May I be 🎨 anon? Is that how this works?

(anon, you're absolutely perfect <3)

Wels found Gem's interest in him... A little off-putting at first. Nobody else on the server even knew about his origins (besides maybe Scar, if he hadn't forgotten by now) so it's strange being interrogated! Gem wanted know every single detail about Camelot and the life there.

For Wels, Camelot was only a few years ago. It's difficult answering Gem's questions. It brought up grief that he was still trying to navigate. Thankfully, Gem backed off when she realised. Wels appreciated the thoughtfulness.

He didn't find out about her connection to Camelot until several months into the season. He just so happened to be coming to visit when he heard Gem and Pearl talking about it. The pair were sat around a big textbook, Gem pointing at pictures. And Gem said it, plain as day, that if Camelot still existed, she'd be the princess.

Sadly, there was very little Gem could tell him about her family lineage. Most was lost to myth and legend, she only had what's captured in writing - old textbooks and stories. She happily told Wels what she knows, though, with a soft empathy as they cover harder parts. They grew closer as they bond over the past. Until, gradually, they started to form a relationship in the present.

Wels had a bit of a crisis, because he couldn't fall for the princess, but Gem shrugged. Princess of what, was her simple reply. Her and Wels are just normal people now, shouldn't they get to define what that means for them? So they did. And what it meant turned out to be quiet dates on sunny days, and holding hands, and kisses.

Wels might not be protecting Camelot anymore. And he doesn't really need to protect its princess either, she can do that herself. He can love her, though. And she loves him back.

#hermitshipping #ask #welsknight tag #gem tag #tayls #🎨 anon #mod 🎀

[ddoxhan]

gray ashes

i'm sorry.

word count : 0.7k words

genre : angst, when you realize love isn't a road full of flowers; fem!reader

tw : profanities, degradation (kids, don't look down on people)

a/n : wrote this while I was really obsessed with 'anti-romantic' and I could relate so much to the lyrics :3 enjoy !!

"do you believe in love at first sight?"

"i do actually, ironically."

"why would you say that?"

"well, i don't believe in love."

"oh, that does sound odd."

"the former was me back then and the latter would be me now."

"i just don't anymore."

it dates back to my high school life. there was this one girl i liked a lot, you could say i actually loved her. but whatever, i don't really know whether i did.

"minjeong-ah, here's some water."

"thanks."

"you're doing great! you were really cool back there!"

"yeah, sure."

and i just stuck around her almost every day in school whenever i could and even after school. she hated me and i thought maybe, i could change her mind one day.

"i like you minjeong!"

"..."

"i'm sorry. i don't want to give you false hope."

"i-it's okay, sunbae! m-maybe you-"

"i won't change my mind."

"give me a chance! you won't know if you don't let me try."

"suit yourself."

but that never happened.

i did everything i could, every day for a whole year. but she never lost her stance. and i lost myself.

i truly believed that i could get her to reciprocate my feelings for her. i really did. the hope-driven me. though she never gave them to me.

when she would finish training, I'd prepare warm water as she hated having cold drinks after, saying it's bad for the body. when she loved strawberry-filled bread and almond milk, i would run to the store to get them because they run out real quick.

can't believe i still remember the details about her. i guess i really did love her then. don't you think she was a little dull to not push me away when she saw how much i liked her? however, it wasn't her fault in the first place.

i bet you're just thinking how foolish it was for me to keep pestering someone who clearly rejected me. well, i guess that's the charm of falling in love. nothing can come in the way of your love. except for the person you love.

i was really selfish. i only saw myself throughout that journey. how i felt, how i thought, how i could be her soulmate. but never once then about how she felt, how she thought, how things were tough for her. because of me.

all i ever wanted was receive a small bit of what she gave her. even if it was just the attention to what i say. even if it was just her eyes on me. even if it was just her.

i knew she just dated her to get me off of her. i was determined, way too hella determined. things went on for some time. she still kept her and i still stuck on her. maybe she grew impatient, perhaps even annoyed, perhaps those feelings turned into hatred. even i would have, thinking back, to be honest.

she bursted. whatever mean things she could think of, she spat all of them at me. attention-seeker, dumb b*tch, leech. how i ruined her high school life, how she hated to come to school because of me, how she attracted such an ugly piece of shit.

i think that was what was needed. both her and i. she was done with me and i lost myself amidst the love. after that day, i stopped. stopped following her, stopped contacting her, stopped anything that had to do with her.

but i know best that it shouldn't have even started. the moment she rejected me, i should have just put these feelings aside and call it a day.

though, i thank her a lot. for letting me know how much of a fool i've been and how love wasn't worth it. and it still isn't. which is why i don't believe in love anymore.

it is pure bliss and cotton candy clouds until you take the wrong path down the lane.

this is something I look back at and just smile. a bittersweet smile yet relieved, that we both weren't suffering anymore and going on with our lives. i wonder how she's doing, and wishing her all the best sincerely. i would like to borrow this time to send her a message.

the same words she last said to me on that day.

"i'm sorry."

#winter #kim minjeong #aespa #aespa angst #aespa imagines #aespa scenarios #aespa x reader #winter x reader #Spotify

[tallbluelady]

The Last Gift

1.3k because 6.2 MSQ got some details wrong...

Ameliance had just started tea with Rowan when Forchenault came barging in, as was his wont in the estate. As much as she loved him, he was terribly prone to forgetting that he shared the space with others.

"I've been their main contact on the ground for over a decade, and now they're expecting me to be their messenger boy. Can you believe that Ameliance?" he asked, entirely unaware of their guest.

"It can only mean that they trust you, love," Ameliance said. "But mayhap we can discuss it after our guest has gone home?"

Forchenault turned from his wife and nigh jumped at Rowan's presence.

"Mistress Argentas, I didn't realize you were here." He clasped his hands together. "That actually saves me a considerable amount of time."

Rowan gave a graceful nod, almost as if being ignored was a regular thing for her, bless her heart. "Did you need to speak to me about something?"

"The Lopporits asked for your presence on the Moon. They wanted to thank you for your help in their latest project personally," Forchenault said.

"Oh. That's kind of them. Usually they send someone to me, but mayhap they want me to test their new dungeon..." she mused.

"They told me Urianger was there -" he stopped when Rowan almost shot out of her chair in excitement.

She shook her head and sat back down. "Oh, I, uh... I shouldn't leave so quickly after all the work you did to bring us together, Ameliance."

Ameliance shook her head. "Twas no hardship to arrange. Go and see your fiance."

Rowan ran a gamut of emotions on her face, went to hug Ameliance, then started to teleport right then and there. With a woosh and a whistle, she was gone.

"Fiance? Do you mean to tell me they're engaged?" Forchenault asked. "When did that happen?"

Ameliance just smiled and sipped her tea.

*   *   *

Rowan had to shake some of the aether out of her head as she reappeared at the Beastway Burrows aetheryte. Using the aethernet was disorienting when you only had to traverse a few malms away. Traveling to the moon on such short noticed made her slightly more dizzy than she had anticipated.

"Are you alright?" the squeaky voice of a Lopporit asked.

"Are you going to faint?" another one asked.

"I'm in no danger to faint, just a little more dizzy than I thought," she said. "Where's Urianger?"

She turned when she heard his quick steps and started to laugh. Sure, she was just as excited to see him, teleporting out of a meal, but it still tickled her to see him run to her. She gave a squeal of delight as he lifted her off the ground.

"It hasn't been that long since we parted, darling," Rowan said as she was smothered in kisses.

Urianger planted one last big kiss on her cheek before he spoke. "Dost thou not wish to be greeted thusly?"

"No, pray continue to kiss me as often as you like, ser. I just... what's the occasion?"

"Mayhap mine enthusiasm doth stem from the Lopporits' own. The information gleaned from our foray into Alzadaal's vault happened to be the very bolt of inspiration to throw the shackles of many a bound mind in the Burrow."

"Oh, truly? That's wonderful to hear," Rowan said. "Do I get to see what they're up to?"

Urianger shook his head solemnly. "Nay, the project yet requireth a few revisions before any adventurer is allowed to peruse the location."

"Don't you count as an adventurer?" Rowan asked. "Last I checked you delved into those ruins along side me, on top of all the other exotic locales you've traveled to."

"As their chief advisor on the project, they hath made an exception for me," he said haughtily.

Rowan gave a few chuckles at that. "Ah, very well. But why else did they ask for me to come here then? Forchenault didn't seem so pleased to be their errand boy when he told me."

Urianger took her arm as if to escort her. "Livingway doth have a gift and wisheth to deliver it to thy person herself."

"Did you tell her that she should do so?" Rowan asked, leaning her head on his shoulder as they walked.

"I was consulted upon the distribution of the object," Urianger admitted. "Twas almost to be a reward for any who braved their dungeon, but I foresaw that thou mayest have a sentimental connection to it."

"Oh?"

"Verily. But I shall say no more on the subject - twould be hardly fitting for Livingway's first gift to be one bereft of surprise."

 Rowan hummed in agreement then realized the procession of Lopporits following behind them. "How large of an audience am I to have?"

"As many as thou thinkest appropriate. Thou art more than welcome to make this a private affair, if thou wishest so."

She shrugged. "They've worked hard and I suppose I can feign delight for them if it comes down to it."

"I doubt that thou wilt have cause to feign delight. I dare not say more lest thou derivest the object's nature."

"Darling, I have no idea what Livingway could give me that would be sentimental," she said.

"Then it's a good thing I'm here to give it to you now," Livingway said as she met them in one of the atria of the Burrows.

Rowan nodded. There were many Lopporits gathered around them now. She would be lying if she said she could tell any of them apart other than Livingway. Why didn't Venat give her familiars more varied coloring?

"Anyways, per Urianger's instruction, I've wrapped the gift for you." She handed Rowan a gift box.

"Tis beautifully wrapped," Rowan commented. "The ribbon is even my favorite color."

Urianger nodded and smiled. "The outside appearance of a gift oft addeth to the experience of receiving one, dost thou not agree, Rowan?"

"It does indeed." Rowan smiled, feeling the lesson being imparted to the Lopporits in his words. She started to untie the ribbon in earnest and open the box.

Inside was a familiar looking crystal that glowed gently in the shadowed recesses of the box. Rowan gasped when she touched it. It felt so familiar in her hands.

"Do you not like it?" Livingway asked, ears drooping.

"No... it's just... it feels so strongly of Her." She turned back to Livingway. "Where did you get this?"

"It was the very crystal that guided us to Ultima Thule," Livingway said, perking up a little. "Urianger said it would mean more to you than to any other on Ethyris."

Rowan gave a soft chuckle at that. "He was correct on that front, as is his wont. I'm almost completely speechless." 

"So... you like it then?" Livingway asked.

Rowan nodded and extended her arms out for a hug. Livingway looked to Urianger, who smiled and nodded. Then she cautiously came into arm's reach of Rowan, who scooped the small being close to her chest.

"Thank you, Livingway. This means so much to me. Much more than I can say in words." Rowan gave an extra squeeze before letting Livingway go.

"Yes, well, we didn't have much use for it ourselves..." Livingway muttered, suddenly bashful. "I am glad that you like it though."

*   *   *   *   *

"Urianger said that you received something from the Lopporits last you saw them," Y'shtola said as they waited for Varshaan to reappear at the Great Work.

"Oh, aye." Rowan dug around her myriad of pockets. "Twas this crystal of light."

The Miqo'te woman held the object in her hands. "It still bears some of Her essence. Where did they get it?"

"Twas our guide to Meteion, so it was created before the Sundering. Livingway was going to have it be a prize for those who delved their dungeon before Urianger stepped in."

"I suppose Urianger has more to teach his little disciples about life on Ethyris," Y'shtola chuckled.

Rowan could only join in the chuckling before she joined in with everyone else's turning heads to see Varshaan's new form.

#Aether and anatomy #rowan argentas #Urianger #wol x urianger #Watching someone go through 6.1 reminded me I wrote this...

[tuiyla]

since we're bring up the subreddit's greatest hits, I think my last straw was the 5th post within like 3 days that was basically "how dare Santana taint the beauty of finchel by ruining their perfect prom memory". I'm not here to argue it was her finest moment, but my god, the way people blow that out of proportion. And all just to canonize Finn, as if he shouldn't have been kicked out of that prom in the first place anyway. frankly, I'm glad Santana "ruined" that cringe moment.

The subreddit's greatest hits and it's just the most tired takes you've ever heard lol. What a time it was to check it several times a day.

I feel like that one's a classic but one I haven't heard in so long I sort of just blocked it. People get so obsessed with that particular detail. Like, I'm sorry, but out of Santana's whole rant that's the thing you think is the worst thing she's ever said? Obviously it was cruel, but in the context of how I feel about the whole scene and 100 Pezberry stuff in general I really don't pay it much attention.

But my god people love to shit on Santana for that one thing in particular. Let me play Satan's advocate for a moment and be the blatantly biased Santana stan people think I am lol. She wasn't lying, was she? All Santana did was reveal that it was only because of her and Quinn that Rachel got the crown. Frankly, I don't know what Rachel thought happened. I mean, even in the scene itself she fears it's a joke. If I were Rachel, I'd be pissed that Santana would stoop so low as to want to ruin my prom moment, sure, but then I'd think for a second and realize what that stupid bitch was actually saying. That she and Quinn both cared about Rachel enough to want to give her the crown, completely disregarding McKinley's vote. That's got to count for something, and sure it got revealed by Santana being a bitch but if the Pezberry feud proved anything it's that Rachel's got to see Santana's good side more. But, I mean, yeah, it was a low blow from Santana. Not earth-shatteringly cruel tho by any means.

And also, and this is what gets me: the scene never brings up Finn. Santana never does, Rachel never does. It's the fans who automatically think, oh how dare she ruin that Finchel moment. And I think that's doing Rachel a disservice, who probably did very much like her dance and joint triumph with Finn but it meant more than that to her. She specifically highlights her friends' belief in her mattering the most. And that meaning stays even after the revelation because Quinntana believed in her, even if, in her hurt, Santana used the fact against Rachel. So what I'm trying to say is that, because of Cory Monteith's and therefore Finn's tragic death the fans have this tendency to consider certain things sacred. But it's them who gave that scene this meaning, not the scene in 100 that has nothing to do with Finn being gone and Santana somehow intentionally ruining Rachel's memory of him. That's literally not what happened and even Santana wouldn't stoop so low as to insult his memory, not to Rachel.

In general, season 5's approach beyond The Quarterback and special mentions here and there, like City of Angels and Bash IIRC is to ignore the Finn elephant in the room. And so it's annoying when people cherry-pick when he's relevant and what callbacks are specifically about him when, in fact, they're not. And it's like they're reducing s5-6 Rachel to Finchel, too, in a way, which is its own thing. I have seen people on the subreddit say they can't fully love Santana because of this particular action and I'm sorry, that's just bonkers. Specifically because she ruined this Finchel memory for Rachel? That's not even what the scene is about. You're getting mad at fictional character Santana Lopez because of a leap in logic you have made. At least get mad at her for the right reasons, geez, like her transphobic comment and overall behaviour in this scene. But no, it's one of those fandom things where an interpretation gets spread like wildfire and people forget what's actually in the text. It's like getting mad at Blaine for something he did in a fanfic.

And you know what Anon, I think I'm with you on being glad that moment was ruined lol. Because I find that moment so incredibly obnoxious and I think it's my top 1 worst Finchel moment, so. It's a contended spot though.

#that's what's so bonkers in the og scene there's NO mention of finn #when she talks to mercedes rachel doesn't complain about that memory beign ruined #people just think of that because of the irl tragedy #anyway i hate it when people narrow issues between women down to... a man #how fun #maybe santana sucks because of how she hurt rachel not because it was a finn memory my god #glee asks #anti finchel #remember when i was only neutral about them #anon #santana asks #glee subreddit #rachel asks

[thesoulesscollection]

Could you write a sequel to Hidden Love where Henry confesses his feelings to Charles and Ellie?

Heya, thanks so much for the fluffy request, I enjoyed writing it. I'm sorry that this took a while to complete. My ask box is always open for anyone to flood it.

Kept this one on the shorter yet still sweet side.

Prior Fic in question; Hidden Love

Sitting them down together as a trio with no issue in Henry's bedroom wasn't as difficult as he'd initially expected at first so at least he had something going in his favor. Now the pair are sitting opposite to him, likely confused to why they're brought to his little abode; nobody beside them was allowed in. It didn't help he stared at them long and hard, stewing in awkward silence figuring out what to say. Picking up the smallest detail to them as if he's going to miss something important he got the strength to approach the topic he was burying for weeks.

"I love you two" Henry finally went to admit, becoming awkward spitting the words out so suddenly keeping his eyes glued firmly to his lap. 

"Oh" 

Then snapping his head up, glancing over at Charles, the pilot tilted his head to the side, doe eyed, staring up at him with knowing curiosity. 

"Not surprised though" 

"Yeah, Hen. It was so obvious" Ellie retorts matter-of-fact. "Me and Char. We noticed easily the way you look at us. How you would react whenever we're around clicked in for us"

Charles interjected right after, shrugging his shoulders while swaying in his spot inching closer, "Yeah. You get this really cute lovey dovey sparkle in your eyes. It's adorable. You freeze like a startled deer caught in the headlights when we speak to you, not as bad as it once was in the beginning but still" 

"Why didn't you say something to us earlier though?" 

Henry stiffened. "I. Didn't know how to say it. And I was afraid you two would reject me… Then it would've been awkward. I didn't want to ruin our friendship" 

"Do you really think it would've ruined our friendship? How would you know that it would've done the other effect?" Ellie's hand gently held onto his, "We care so much for you, Henry. A lot to be truthful and to put it out in the open. We love you too" 

"And much more than in a friendly manner if you have to know what we mean there, Hen" Charles jokes, an attempt to lighten the mood. "We'll do anything for you. All you have to is to just be open with us" 

It had done the trick as Henry wasn't tense anymore, "Yeah, I do… You guys actually like me then? I'm really relieved then" 

"Of course, we do. You shouldn't have to be shy with us. We know you better then that"  

Smiling, the tension built up was melting, Henry allowed them to get near, their bodies were warmly cozy next to his, and he got clingy again needy for their love. 

#Answered Ask #vampireocean #Ask Box Is Always Open #Asks Are Always Open #Anon Or Not #Thsc Fic #Henry Stickmin Collection #The Henry Stickmin Collection #Poly Threat #Triple Threat #Henry Stickmin #Charles Calvin #Ellie Rose #Fluff #Admitting To Feelings #Feelings #Domestic Fluff #Romantic

[gleefullypolin]

Trying to stay neutral in the face of some of the worst takes you've ever seen is...hard. I try to remember that I may have had the same takes if you took away 10+ years of my fandom experiences. Kneejerk reactions and doom spiraling is very much how I expect younger me might have acted. Though I could do without how literally things are taken at the moment, that's tiring.

Glad to be of service! 🫡 If my main weren't connected to a side blog for another fandom where I know I'd bring possible unwanted attention to myself I'd happily out myself.😄

The double standards: it's very sigh worthy in general and I don't disagree, the men and some specifically, are being held to a standard that was probably unfair to hold them to in the first place. I do realize that a lot of stuff has been fanon or built up the last couple of years and I get it, it's hard to lose your idea of someone. I do think that there's a good chance that men in our ships in general are being held to a standard of the female gaze that isn't about physicality but female empowerment in general. So many men judge women for having sex then immediately do what they're saying women shouldn't do.

It's not really fair to the male characters but the idea that a man would wait for and only want one woman, to be powerless against her in the way women are often portrayed for men in regular media--I get it the appeal that it would carry for some. Men are usually held to a standard of some kind they're sure to miss. If you asked me do I remember meeting my significant other I can tell you details and time and place but if you asked him I'd bet he'd not be able to say much other than he says he knows I was it for him.

I'm with you, I hope that people remember that these are real people not the characters they play and even if they were, to mind their manners.

I have come to just not enjoy screeners at all over the years. I remember one using an emoji for something and you can only imagine how that went. They were biased on top of it and were 100% wrong in its intent. It was a little much.

I think if both scenes are true then we have to have the first one to have the other and the latter one is the only one that matters. The audience is not going to remember a sentence or a throwaway line but they'll remember the scenes themselves. If a throwaway line is enough to get the point across in a visual medium, there's no need to have him staring at her longingly. There's no need to create physical tension between them. They can just tell each other and whoop, problems solved.

I think this, if true, can be handled better but I also think people in fandom forget the largest audience is a general one and they're going to need some hand holding reminders of what's going on. Colin being unable to perform is a damning indictment of what he's done to himself and just how much Penelope affects him. And I have to say that two scenes I'd wager are less than 2-3 minutes total are not going to ruin the romance of a show that's going to have 8 near one hour episodes.

If anything about any of it was even mentioned to Penelope or at all after the fact I would be very surprised. This sort of thing feels very much just a way to establish something with Colin himself. I wouldn't be sad to see it not be true but if it is, I feel it's gotten more importance in fandom than the show is ever going to give it.

I can't imagine Colin being needlessly cruel to Penelope, his words were thoughtless and I'd love to know his side of that story but irrespective of romantic feelings, this man cares deeply for her as it is.

Oh my I went back and checked my original Tumblr blog and I first posted 13 years ago and I still cringe immensely as some of the takes I had back then. Spiraling doesn’t even begin to touch what I was doing back then. Like girl, we had full on meltdowns, actual knock down drag out fights, and even in person stand offs in our fandom. I laugh about it now, most of us are either friends, or acquaintances who see each other around on Facebook or twitter but none of it even matters anymore.

But it got so bad there before the show ended that I eventually abandoned that blog and ended up starting over years later AFTER OUAT had pretty ended on my Captain Swan blog where that family is just a very lovely group of women that have tolerated my absolute abandonment due to my complete anxiety of life. Lol

I didn’t know what to expect with Bridgerton, or even what to expect with a regency type show, it really wasn’t my type of show. And I didn’t know that it had existing books with it until after I had seen season 1. All the girls at work were like “OH girl swoon, you have to watch this show.” And I have a very lovely friend, Natalie, who had written a book called “Emmie and the Tudor King” about the Tudors and I was trying very hard to learn all the rules around that world, so I thought what the hell, lets try this. And now here the hell I am! In another fandom with an actively shooting show.

But after season 1 and 2 with Simon, Anthony, and Benedict, I just figured it make 100% sense that Colin would end up sleeping around. LOL because damn…there is always one seen isn’t there. Maybe it’s a Shondaland thing, or a timeframe thing, but its definitely a theme and its coming to our screen whether we want it or not. I saw a comment earlier today somewhere that if we got up and went to the bathroom during it, it would be over before we got back, so I’m taking solace in that!

I hope they treat Nic and Luke with respect after the season airs. I’ve met my fair share of seeing the actors take the heat of their characters and I have a hole in my heart for the trauma I carry around that fandom I spoke of earlier with how fandom got involved in the actors lives and the result. Again, being young and seeing the spirals of fandom, I feel like I could write a book lol.

Lets get rid of screeners. I get why they have them, pump the hype, but do they? Or do they pump the anger and anxiety? Sometimes they use their “power” to pump the ship wars or stir the wrong sentiment. I know the saying is that all attention is good PR but is it really?

I can’t imagine that Pen finds out about the women or the visit he makes there. I mean yes she or perhaps more likely LW may have something to say about his sudden swagger or new found ladies man behavior, but Pen is not a delicate flower either. She is Lady Whistledown and I don’t think she will wilt. I think last season may have hardened her a bit.

#my asks #wonderful people

[solemn-siren]

Storm's calamity: Chapter seven

Chapter seven: Seal the Deal

Previous chapter: Calamity in sight

A/N: Well October was pretty busy! I wrote two theories regarding The Baron and her relationship with the royal family, finished up the Witch's Heart, and started writing non Poptropica stuff on my Quotev! School is also a thing too and it happens to be exam season too. Oh and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is soon.

Anyways enjoy Chapter Seven of Storm's Calamity!

Also Gwendolyn will soon be getting her own origin story similar to Witch's Heart! it will also be published on the PHB so keep an eye out there. Did I mention it would be longer :eyes: (The boys will get theirs too don't worry.)

There I was, walking in the forests of Monster Carnival island, my home island. It was the weekend where School wasn't there to bother me. I could go wherever I wanted whenever I wished.

Most kids in my school went shopping with their families, played video games at home, watched TV, or anything you expect kids to do these days. Instead I would take a walk in the forest, especially the ruins of the old carnival attractions. Something about knowing this place was once full of human life and fun, but was now abandoned and overtaken by nature, was fascinating.

"Come on Gwen! Let's see if we can find any treasure today!" I was too distracted by the haunting thought of the rollercoaster to notice my best friend, Lynx, had ran ahead of me. You see, because this place was abandoned, it meant people left behind strange objects. Lynx and I loved coming here and scavenging whatever we could.

"Look at this! It's a treasure map!" Lynx exclaimed, holding up a piece of paper. It was old but there was a magical charm about it. Lynx held it up excitedly, admiring every detail about it.

it was then a large net was thrown in our direction, capturing Lynx and causing the map to fly out of her hands. I caught it before it got too far away.

"Who's there?!" I demanded, gripping onto the map tightly and looking around. A strange hooded figure jumped out from the trees, a knife in their hands.

"Give me the map." They demanded in a strong and serious voice. "Or I'll take your friend's heart instead..."

----------------------------

I woke up gasping for breath. Thank god it was only a dream.

The sleeping quarters of the blimp was deserted, meaning everyone else had woken up already. It was 9.30am. I really did oversleep.

Just 5 days ago Alouette, Maverick, Felix and I left camp to head to mystery of the map island. Who even gave that island a name that long? Shouldn't it be Viking island? What does a map have to do with any of this? Whoever named that island needs to do a better job.

Once I got changed I went out to the deck where everyone was just doing their own thing. Alouette was driving the Blimp, Maverick was doodling stuff on the map, and Felix was carving something at the back. That kid has been doing that for the whole 5 days. I haven't seen him sleep once.

"Good morning Gwen you're late." Alouette said, waving her wand and summoning a plate of pancakes in my hands. "Not long to go."

"why are you the one driving the Blimp?" I asked.

"Can't trust either of the boys with it." She answered, carrying out multiple tasks with her magic. "Maverick would drive this blimp like a maniac and Felix would probably crash this somewhere." "Crash this somewhere?" I asked. "We're talking about some guy who managed to crash his own plane in the middle of a peaceful night." Alouette whispered, glancing at Felix. "Plus, you've seen his actions. He's so going to backstab us." --------------------

The rest of the flight went uninterrupted. We finally arrived at our destination, and because it is too long I will not say where we arrived. It's what the island gets for having a long name.

The walk to the viking settlement also went uninterrupted. The jungle was peaceful, we could actually finish our job here pretty quickly.

Or so I thought.

When we arrived at the actual settlement, there were guards patrolling the fortress perimeters, looking out for someone, or something. When we arrived we were able to get in since Amelia did let the leader know we were coming. But something really was off.

"Erik the Red, the visitors you were expecting have arrived." One of the guards explained as we were lead to the throne room. Sitting on a throne with a shiny goblet in his hands was a man with Red hair and a beard, with a large hat on his head. He looked like he was ready to let out his anger anytime.

"Amelia's children huh." The Red man said, drinking from his goblet. "They really are children. Anyways Amelia explained there's some sort of vision and prophecy that I, Erik the Red, would understand." I nodded and was about to recite the prophecy but then Erik went into his angry mode.

"However! Some Thief stole our precious treasure and we're yet to find the thief!" He shouted, his voice causing my heartbeat to speed up. "Thor's amulet. It is very important to us. So let's make a deal then. Find the thief, bring back Thor's amulet, and we will share everything we know."

Well no isn't an option here. -------------------- Alouette is searching around the fortress, Maverick is searching the nearby camp, and Felix is searching the Jungle, and I'm stuck with the dodos and the nearby waterfall.

"Dodos are mean birds." Alouette explained as we all split up to our respective areas. "They will come after you if you have food." "Unless you hunt them down first! They're delicious." Maverick added. Yea totally helpful.

"Would be kind of funny if a dodo really did steal Thor's amulet." I muttered to myself, climbing up the nest and not disturbing the dodos. They are mean, I will understand that and move on. Their nests seemed empty, and those with items inside didn't have anything amulet like.

As I climbed down I felt something whizzing past my neck, killing an unfortunate dodo behind me. I grabbed my dagger and jumped down from the nest, scaring even more dodos.

"Who's there?! Thief?" I demanded, showing whoever that I had a weapon. There was silence, but after a while a man appeared from the trees, and my heart stopped.

This was the same man who trapped Lynx and threatened to kill her years ago. And potentially a thief. Wait no definitely.

Octavian.

#storm's calamity #poptropica story #poptropica