#all the french women i know are obsessed with her and want to be her it's kind of crazy | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

juliasgoodusername · 1 year

Text

Sometimes a girl has to go a little crazy. Sometimes a girl has to make a book-accurate floorplan for 300 Fox Way. These things just happen, sometimes.

Obsessive annotations under the cut ✨ but be warned, there's a LOT

Exterior

Okay first of all, I'm no architect, and my only knowledge comes from work experience in the real estate industry + a lot of Sims. The style is sort of neo-rural French colonial. I didn't set out to adhere to that standard so much as I made an amalgamation of homes in Blue Ridge Mountains-adjacent towns in Virginia. Specifically, my headcanon Henrietta template is Orange, VA (I'll save that explanation for another post) so I took inspiration from real estate listings from there.

Alright alright I know there is supposed to be one bathroom, but I simply can't tolerate that in a house with 6+ residents. I can't. There was a possible contradiction in the descriptions of "the single shared bathroom" that I used as an excuse to add a 3/4 bath, and I threw in a powder room for free. Because technically there is still only one full bathroom! But seriously with that many women over 30 most of them probably have IBS or chronic constipation and I'm not making them all share a toilet.

Officially we only have 4 bedrooms listed in text: Blue's, Persephone's, Maura's, and Calla and Jimi's shared one. Everyone else gets rooms that don't qualify as bedrooms via Virginia residential building codes (such as the attic, obviously, which falls below the combined ceiling height and square footage requirements). That really just leaves Orla unaccounted for but I'll get to that later. Other aunts and friends seem to visit during the day and live somewhere else, because in The Raven King only Jimi and Orla were described as needing to move out of the house during the demon stuff.

I designed the entire interior floorplan before I even touched the exterior, so there's a few issues, like how I'm totally missing shutters on the windows that functionally need them most. 🫶 I didn't feel like making the windows smaller to fit them, and I could have added faux-shutters but I think those are stupid. 😘

First floor

"This house is lovely. So many walls. So, so many walls," Malory said as Blue entered the living room a little later.

- Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Chapter 30

Right off the bat, we have an insane number of doors and walls. Old colonial houses are pretty much the opposite of open concept. Functionally I believe that's because it's easier to control heat with closed off rooms, but Virginia is not particularly cold so idk. As for the number of doors, I mean....😤😤😤 I prefer archways/doorless frames in small high-traffic spaces, but every time I thought I could get away with it Maggie would specifically describe doors opening and closing (For example BL,LB Ch 41 gives the reading room double doors, and even the living room gets one in Ch 11. What kind of living room needs a door???). I'm actually missing one of the doorways described in canon, but if you know which one I'm talking about I DARE you to find a place to put that thing!! But I digress.

“Mom," she said as she jumped down the crooked stairs.

- The Raven Boys, Chapter 3

I'm liberally using "crooked" to establish the corner turn stairs. Blue steadies herself on the stair railing when she identifies Gansey for the first time (TRB Ch 15), so I wanted the stairs to have good visual access to visitors. It also sort of has a feng shui-ish effect of separating the public and private energy zones in the house. If that statement made zero sense, I think one of us doesn't know enough about feng shui 👀 and it might be me.

I'm also using that quote to establish Maura's room downstairs, if Blue generally expects to find her mother there, but mostly because everything else was upstairs and it was getting hard to fit. Granted, at one point Blue leads the boys "up the stairs to Maura's bedroom" (TDT Epilogue) but since they were just arriving at 300 Fox Way those stairs could easily be the outdoor ones. There's a handful of little things to support me here, such as Adam grabbing a scrying bowl from Maura's room to use in the reading room (BL,LB Ch 41) implying that her room was the closest place to find one. And speaking of Maura's room-

Calla was overwhelmed by how much shit Maura had in her room at 300 Fox Way, and she told Blue this.

... The mess was taking years from her life. ... Maura liked chaos.

... The psychic hotline rang in the room next door. Calla's concentration fluttered away.

- Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Prologue

Maura is my favorite hypocrite. She claims to detest clutter (TRB Ch 34) and yet her room is literally described as chaos. She probably treats her room like a college student and moves the furniture every time she gets bored/stressed. Thus, I gave her the most insane furniture configuration I could think of while still matching all the contents described.

The phone ringing next door might imply that she neighbors the phone/sewing/cat room, but that area is pretty well described and Maura's room is never mentioned there in any other instance. That leaves us with the kitchen phone (TRB Ch 27) which I put in the hallway with kitchen access as a compromise so it would technically still be in a room next to Maura's.

In the reading room, the man looked around with clinical interest. His gaze passed over the candles, the potted plants, the incense burners, the elaborate dining room chandelier, the rustic table that dominated the room, the lace curtains, and finally landed on a framed photograph of Steve Martin.

- The Raven Boys, Chapter 13

There are so many quotes about the reading room that I just don't feel like citing them, but other details include the mismatched chairs, the shelves, doors etc. It's also described specifically as Maura's "front room" (TRB Prologue) so it's one of the cornerstones that I designed the rest of the layout around. Because of the plants, it makes sense that this room would be south-facing too. (Although idk how much light they get with the wraparound porch awning in the way. Oops lol!)

The outside suddenly seemed vivid in comparison to the dim kitchen. The April-bright trees pressed against the windows of the breakfast area, ...

- The Raven Boys, Chapter 3

Blue Stormed into 300 Fox Way's kitchen and began a one-sided interrogation with Artemus, who was still hidden behind the closed storage closet door.

- The Raven King, Chapter 9

Likewise, I'm using the particularly dim kitchen to place it on the north side, where we also know there's trees in the backyard.

I'll say the kitchen layout is weirder than it strictly needed to be because in the Virginia homes I referenced I adored all the strange kitchens, especially with old timey 'servants area' vibes where laundry kitchen and pantry are all connected. Instead of a kitchen island, they get one of those rolling kitchen carts which I doubled as a bar cart for the drinks they have in the living room.

The kitchen has a doorway to the hall (TRB Ch 13) and the living room is within view when Blue's on the kitchen phone (Ch 27).

Speaking of chapter 27, that's when we get the description "The morning light through the windows turned the drinks a brilliant, translucent yellow." So I put the living room on the east side of the house, where the rising sun would cast really strong light like that.

Second Floor

When she woke up, her normally morning-bright room had the breath-held dimness of afternoon. In the next room over, Orla was talking to either her boyfriend or to one of the psychic hotline callers.

- The Raven Boys, Chapter 3

Blue headed toward the red-painted door at the end of the hall. On her way, she had to pass the frenzy of activity in the Phone/Sewing/Cat Room and the furious battle for the bathroom. The room behind the red door belonged to Persephone, ...

- The Raven Boys, Chapter 11

Blue's room and the Phone/Sewing/Cat room are our cornerstones for this floor. In several examples we know that the Phone/Sewing/Cat room faces the street and has a window (TRB Ch 15, BL,LB Ch 4). While Blue's room is "morning-bright," we also get descriptions of guests at the front door "backlit by the evening sun," (TRB Ch 15) so once again we're probably talking about south windows if it's sunlit at both times of day.

Adam sat awkwardly on the edge of Blue's bed. It felt strange to have so easily gained access to a girl's bed- room. If you knew Blue at all, the room was unsurprising - canvas silhouettes of trees stuck to the walls, leaves hanging in chains from the ceiling fan, a bird with a talk bubble reading WORMS FOR ALL painted above a shelf cluttered with buttons and about nine different pairs of scissors. Against the wall, Blue self-consciously taped up the drooping branch on one of the trees.

- The Dream Thieves, Chapter 49

We get some great descriptions of Blue's room (especially TRB Ch 43), although the above one is my favorite (#wormsforall). Every piece of furniture is accounted for exactly as described except the desk which I added because it seemed practical, and Blue is nothing if not practical™.

Persephone's room is also very well-described, all the way down to the furniture and lighting placement (BL,LB Ch 4 and TRB Ch 11) and it's surprisingly similar to Blue's room, if not a bit smaller. Her room gets strong afternoon sunlight, so I put it on the south too (BL,LB Ch 43).

Calla and Jimi share a room that's also upstairs (TRK Ch 16). Because they are the only two who have to share a room, I have justified that it must be the "master bedroom" (sorry for using that term) and is far bigger than the other bedrooms. I managed to fit two queen beds in there, but some scholars [me] would argue that Jimi and Calla might also share a bed because they are in love. Can you prove me wrong? No, you can't.

As for the bathroom, remember when I mentioned a possible contradiction? Famously, Maura draws the ley line symbol in the steamed up shower door (TRB Ch 1). However, much later we get Maura, Orla, Calla and Jimi all sitting in the bathtub for some kind of ritual (TRK Ch 9). No matter how I picture it, I can't put 4 full grown women in a bathtub together without someone partially sitting on/spilling over the side. But that would be impossible in a combo bath/shower enclosed by glass doors!! Thus, I gave The Bathroom a nice tub and put a small shower in the en suite of Jimi and Calla's room. I know this is a stretch but I don't really care.

Attic

Blue had never been a big fan of the attic, even before Neeve moved in. Numerous slanting roof lines provided dozens of opportunities to hit your head on a sloping ceiling. Unfinished wood floorboards and areas patched with prickly plywood were unfriendly to bare feet. Summer turned the attic into an inferno.

... In one of the narrow dormers, two full-length, footed mirrors faced each other, reflecting mirrored images back and forth at each other in perpetuum.

- The Raven Boys, Chapter 34

Trying to fit the attic access in after everything in the second floor was my biggest challenge, because stairs normally take up a lot of space and you have to be careful about head room. I'm the end, I decided it was one of those fold out attic doors that you have to reach from the ceiling of the hallway. We might get a lot of instances of the attic door being opened (😤 seriously, Maggie... 😤) but technically a trap door in the ceiling is still a door!

Dormers pretty much cemented the French colonial style for me. And you know the drill by now: a hot room probably means a lot of sun, which means I give it a south facing window!

Mud Room/Cellar/Basement

This cellar has absolutely zero mention in the text, but my justification is based in the architecture. So far we've got a funky old colonial house, built without a garage, lots of walls etc. Especially in a low-income/semi-rural area, it's not crazy to assume that 300 Fox Way was built before most residents had refrigerators (1930s-40s). Besides iceboxes, a major way to keep food fresh was root cellars. Modern renovations for old homes convert these to concrete basements, but that's why the basement is so small and connects to the kitchen.

My headcanon is that Orla originally shared a room. Pick whoever you want: Maura, Blue or Persephone, any of them would easily be such a chaotic roommate that Orla snapped and in a fit of teen girl rage moved herself down to the crummy dark basement. Over time, she made efforts to glamorize it, such as a vintage dressing screen to hide the flood drainage pump. The privacy also allows her to bring boyfriends over, even sneaking them through the mud room.

This is really just my artistic license, but I swear it makes a surprising amount of sense in context. There's cases of Orla sneaking into the kitchen (easier if she has a back entrance) and she's almost always using the phone upstairs or in the kitchen (because a basement would get bad reception) even though her calls get kinda ~intimate.

Aaaaaand I think that's everything. Sorry it doesn't look like the photo from the wiki at all, but I couldn't find a source for it and Victorian style wasn't super common in the areas I researched. Let me know if I missed anything major! I'll probably cry myself to sleep if so.

#happy hyperfixation friday everyone #January was a weird month for me ngl this was one of my more hinged projects if you can believe it #please don't let this flop tho like this definitely took longer than any drawing I've ever posted here #trc #the raven cycle #the raven cycle fanart #300 Fox Way #Blue Sargent #the raven boys #my art #trc unraveled

3K notes · View notes

girlreviews · 2 months

Text

Review #146: Parallel Lines, Blondie

Man oh man oh man. I love Blondie so much. I found this record in the Windsor Oxfam. I don’t remember exactly how old I was, but I remember what boyfriend was with me so that puts me between 15 and 18. Yeah, same guy. I actually don’t remember if he ended up getting his hands on this record or not. I think I still have it. Will rifle through my collection later to check.

Blondie was in the “being cool” wilderness for some absolutely crazy reason at that point, and nobody really gave a shit about them anymore. When I was 17 or 18 they were playing the Reading Hexagon which is honestly still just such an unbelievable insult I’m still annoyed about it. I’ll circle back to that.

Parallel Lines epitomizes the complete and total coolness and badassery of Debbie Harry. I have never wanted to be someone more than I wanted to be her. So much confidence. Such incredible cheekbones. Such commitment to art. No apologies. The voice of an angel one moment and snarling whimsical warnings, like, hey you, don’t fuck with me, the next. Always standing in front of all of those completely non-descript nobody dudes. Yeah they’re playing the music, but who cares, who are they? It’s all her. She is Blondie.

Can I pick a favorite? It opens with Hanging on the Telephone, in which she is really threatening to rip the phone clean off the wall. It might be that one. But we’ve also got the classic One Way Or Another, which needs no comment, and one of my actual favorites of all time, Heart of Glass which never fails to fuck me up, but like, it’s a god damn disco track? Like sure, yeah, let’s boogie away our heart break. And I did. And I have. And I will. And these are all SINGLES. We aren’t even discussing the actual album tracks yet. Just listen to it. Honorable mention goes to Sunday Girl, which I always really loved. It’s cute and it’s kind of sweet in a very teenage girl kind of way that worked for me since I was in fact, a teenage girl. Also, not on the official album release, but there was a version of that track where the latter half was sung entirely in French and I always really dug it.

Okay so circling back to the Hexagon. This is a weird story and I’m still not sure how I feel about it, to this day. As I said, Blondie were playing a show at the Hexagon. I was absolutely obsessed with them, and Debbie Harry. I was also 17 or 18 and spent every penny I had on going to shows, but those pennies were pretty limited. I worked as a waitress at the pub that was two doors down from my house. It was full of characters. One such character was a regular, he was in his late 40s, was very wealthy, didn’t drive, was single, and spent literally every bit of his spare time in that pub. Think on that. He paid a lot of attention to the various young women that worked there. Was he creepy? No not exactly. But did it make you uncomfortable? Yes it did. Because you never knew when he might make it weird. Everyone liked him well enough. One day out of the blue this guy presented me with five tickets to the Blondie show. I didn’t know what in the hell to say or whether to accept them. Or what it meant. Whether there were expectations attached to them. Whether it was okay to take them. I was uncomfortable. I was 17.

Here’s what happened. My Mom, who sort of knew him too, since he was always there, decided it was fine, because she wanted to go. But for it to be okay, she decided he also had to come. So we went, he came, and a few friends too. The thing is though, she never knew him like I did. I saw him every day. I saw him with the other girls that worked at the pub. I saw him drunk off his ass. I don’t know that I ever would have taken the tickets. Or if I did, I’m not sure I ever would have invited him. I feel a bit queasy about it to this day. I think in the end something really off-base happened one night between him and someone on staff and he got barred. That was usually the way it went with regulars who were there that often.

The other thing to note is that Blondie ended because Debbie Harry was with Chris Stein, who was literally dying of some rare autoimmune disease throughout their last tour. There were other factors at play, but essentially, they broke up because he was too sick and she stayed at his side and became his full-time carer. When he was well, he left her. They are, remarkably, still close friends to this day and still perform together. Just never forget that men are dogs, and that Blondie is and always will be Debbie Harry. I love her. To this day she looks better than I do in a mini skirt and I love that for her.

ETA: I checked and in fact, I do not still have Parallel Lines in my record collection, but I am quite confident it got lost when I moved back to the US. Also, I’m not 100% certain that show was at the Reading Hexagon. I just know it was a shitty venue not worthy of Blondie. This was 18 years ago. You get the idea.

#album review #music #music review #rolling stone top 500 #blondie #parallel lines #debbie harry

175 notes · View notes

jarofstyles · 1 year

Text

Reaper 5

Reaper is a dark story with dark and mature subject matter. 18+ NSFW

the wait is over, we think you’ll be please with this <3

Check out our Patreon for exclusive writing and early access!

wc: 9.9k

warnings: surprisingly soft?, smut hehe, knife play?, degradation x praise kink, they're obsessed with each other, begging and edging, possessive reaper

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

It would have been Deja Vu had the roles not been reversed.

A few hours later Y/N found herself awake to an empty bed and the sound of ceramic clanking. It could only mean one thing.

Lazily, she made her way out of bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes to get to the kitchen where she knew she’d find Harry. It was endearing really, the sight of him trying to make some French toast from scratch. Granted, the kitchen looked like a war zone, but the plate of strawberries and cream filling was calling to her.

“Hello, chef.” She teased, dipping her finger into the cream to get a taste. “Do you need a hand? I don’t trust you with this, I can’t lie.” Bunny couldn’t help but laugh when he caught sight of the Spider-Man band-aid on his finger.

“Your faith in me is heartwarming, really.” He deadpanned, looking over to her with a faux glare. There was real stress on his face, though. He hadn’t thought French toast was going to be difficult, but the egg ratio and accidentally dumping half the container of cinnamon in and having to start over, cutting his finger on the strawberries? It was more complicated than he had anticipated.

“No. I want t’make you breakfast. You had a shit night and I don’t want you stressing any more than you’ve got to.” He felt a bit embarrassed to be caught in the chaotic act, but more so, he wanted to do this for her.

That itself was something that he was coming to terms with. He wanted to allow himself closer to her and show more of the softness he had reserved but he also… didn’t want to push it. She was going through some traumatic shit and throwing feelings and all that wouldn’t probably help. So he would do what he could like this without expressing the things he was thinking.

“Okay, in that case, let me direct you a bit, don’t be so stressed the difficult part is over.” She said, noticing he had already dipped the bread and placed it in the hot buttered pan.

“When did you wake up?” She asked sweetly, plopping herself on one of the high chairs by the counter. Watching him cook felt like a treat within itself. He had taken the day off to spend with her and treat her, she was going to soak up every second.

The only problem was the tension that was only growing thicker. Falling asleep in his arms felt different, it was a comfort she realized she hadn’t felt in a while. If ever.

“You cook like this for all your girls, Harry?” She wanted to tease but she had a feeling she knew the answer. It made her feel special knowing she was likely the only one to see him like this.

“I woke up about an hour ago and let you sleep. But I don’t let the girls here.” He said quietly, listening to the sizzle of the toast on the pan. He wasn’t sure why exactly he felt such a need to let her know quickly that he didn’t let women or men he hooked up with here, but he did.

She was special. She was, as cliche as it was to say, very different from the rest of them. She meant something. It wasn’t one night of rough and lust, it was someone he cherished as a human since day one.

That’s why she was allowed in his place. A vulnerability he didn’t share with many at all. Privacy was one of the most important things to him and he trusted Bunny not to do anything to disrupt that.

“I also don’t cook. Obviously.” He shot her a look, flipping the French toast to see it a bit burnt. “I keep doing this. It either takes forever and then I turn it up and it burns.”

“Don’t turn it up silly,” Bunny let out a giggle at his frustration. “Low and slow till it crisps and then set it to high for a bit. Wait till the egg sets first, otherwise, it will be mushy in the middle but burnt on the outside.”

Her little tip was meant to help, he seemed to understand her explanation and adjusted his cooking method accordingly.

“Have I been good then?” She wanted him to confirm her thoughts because she really had been on her best behavior since their last intimate moment in the kitchen. He promised if she was good he would give it to her. She felt like she deserved it after what she’d been through.

She didn’t want to push him though, especially when he was being so sweet.

“Of course.” He said it as if it was obvious, his fingers scratching his stubble as he turned to her with a serious look on his face. “You’ve listened. It isn’t in your nature to but I know that about you. You’re a little rebel but you’ve been listening and keeping yourself safe. S’all I can ask of you.”

Harry was extremely impressed with her behavior considering it was definitely her nature to act out for attention and do the opposite she was told to do.

Her face lit up at his praise, finding herself wanting more of it. Especially in his raspy voice that hasn’t been used much yet, his low-accented words making her hungry for more than just breakfast.

“You’re the only girl I’d let in here. You aren’t one to tell secrets.”

Considering the number of weapons he had and the incriminating phone calls, he had a lot of sensitive shit around that no one else could be trusted with.

“Has it been a while?” Y/N felt like she needed to ask. Sure he didn’t bring girls around, but he definitely had had some hookups recently. Just how recent was what she wanted to know.

It wasn’t so much jealousy as much as it was curiosity. Harry was a man with drive and sex was likely a big part of his life, she didn’t want to get in the way of him and his outlet. If anything she wanted to be the outlet.

It had been a while since she had a proper hook-up, one where she was left satisfied. Her not so secret ex-boyfriend had moved to another state around the same time Sterling went nomad.

“Know I’ve been giving you a hard time with it, think maybe I should fix that…”

Harry paused his movements, turning from the stovetop to look at her with a raised brow. She didn’t correct herself. If anything, she met his eyes with ease.

So it had been on purpose. The touching and skirts and the things she probably saw his eyes lingering on. He should have known, but he also was trying to just simply pass it off as a wishful thought. It was easier to deny his wants that way.

“And what do you mean by that?” He asked, crossing his arms spatula in hand.

Her eyes went to his arms and felt herself heat. When he had that stance, that defiant brow, it did something to her. He was in charge, asking questions, and quite frankly? She fucking loved it.

“You didn’t answer my question.” She countered, looking back at him with her brow raised. Allowing herself to crack a small cheeky smile, she noticed his shoulders soften slightly.

Bunny didn’t want to be too upfront with her intentions, but she figured the more they talked about it the quicker they could come to an agreement. If she was going to stay here any longer she would need some type of sexual release.

He had told her she couldn’t touch herself and frankly that was the hardest part. Y/N was perverted, she liked the things that were a bit filthy and taboo, maybe that’s why she attracted the freak in the first place? Regardless, she wanted to make sure he knew she wanted him to make a move.

“I mean….” He looked her over, trying to gauge just how serious she was. It seemed that she was, his shirt hanging from her shoulder, her body leaned against the counter as she watched his every move.

“Been since before you’ve got here. Probably 2 months since then so… a bit.” He could be a downright whore, sure, but lately, it had been too busy and too unappealing. The one night stands were alright but he found himself using the gym to get frustrations out more than anything.

“Why are you asking?” He turned momentarily to flip the next piece on and also take a breath. She was probably one of the only ones who was able to unnerve him. “Haven’t been fucking around while you’re here if that’s what you’re worried about. M’an asshole, but not that big of one.”

“No, I’m not worried about that. I would know if you’re doing that, you’re good at hiding a lot of things but that’s not one of them.” She said with a soft smile, watching the way his back tensed with his movements.

It would be easy to tell if he was getting satisfied elsewhere, for starters he wouldn’t be looking at her like he wanted to eat her and he wouldn’t be so wound up. At least that’s what she gathered from their encounter.

“I’m asking because you promised if I was good you’d help me.” Bunny wished she would have waited for him to turn around before saying it, but it was easier to get it out when his back was to her. “Unless you changed your mind of course…”

Harry did promise that.

He’d simply assumed that perhaps with all of the stuff going on… continuing the cat and mouse game they’d done for a bit wasn’t the most appropriate thing. But he also wasn’t one to try and dampen someone’s fun.

“That something you want?” He questioned, serious tone catching her off guard. She had expected him to just go along and tease her back but… he seemed caught up.

“M’not saying no. I know I’d like to, and I’m sure as fuck not someone to leave a lady unsatisfied but you’re going through some heavy shit, love.” He was coming from a place of concern. “Is this something that will make it better or worse? M’not exactly gentle.”

She shifted in her seat, feeling a bit exposed now that he was properly asking her if she wanted it. It was easier to play it off when teasing, but now she was confronted she sensed herself getting shy.

“I just want to take my mind off of all of it…” She let out a sigh, looking down at her hands. Sex had always been an outlet she was fond of, though it seemed her partners never realized just how important it was. A good connection and some touch could do wonders for her.

“Said I couldn’t touch on my own so I haven’t, it’s just proving to be difficult so I wanted to ask if you changed your mind.” It had been over a week even though he told her one would be enough. His hesitation made her think he was rethinking it all. She wanted to give him a way out.

“I won’t be offended… I just don’t normally go this long without it, especially when I’m going through something— I could really use it is all.”

Harry didn’t want to make her feel held back. Nor did he want to miss out. He could see her retreating a bit into herself and he didn’t like it at all, turning off the stove as he crossed the kitchen and looked down at her from across the counter, quietly making up his mind.

She wanted it, sure, but he didn’t want her to regret it. On the other hand… he wanted her, too. She was saying she needed it and he wasn’t a man who could say no to her in these types of things. What Bunny wants, Bunny gets. She just didn’t know it yet.

“What if I let you touch yourself?” He murmured, the tension in the room building. “You’d have to do it in front of me. And then… maybe I’ll do something for you. If you can manage to be good for me while you do so.”

Her eyes were pinned to his the moment he finished his sentence, her attention fully on him. Sure, it wasn’t exactly what she wanted but it sounded even more exciting than what she had in mind.

“I can do that.” She agreed, feeling the excitement bubble up in her stomach. How soon would this be? Could even do it after breakfast… during? No, she was getting ahead of herself. Whenever he let her.

All she had to do was listen for a little bit longer. It couldn’t hurt.

Harry seemed comfortable with this idea, maybe it would be convincing for him to see just how good she could feel. How he made her feel.

Harry was a fan of edging, some might say. A big one. He nodded, the excitement and anticipation filling up his body as he turned to plate their food.

The tension was palpable in the room now. She could feel it, he could feel it, and Harry wasn’t shy about letting his gaze stick on her as he ate. She was a bit shyer, looking down with heated cheeks as she tried to eat the food.

It wasn’t bad- a bit overdone, maybe- but she was hungry for something much different. His eyes on her had her skin feeling prickles of excitement, her toes curling into her socks as she remembered his voice when he had let her go down on him.

The idea of his gravely, dark voice commanding her to pleasure herself was something she had been very hopeful for, and now it was going to come true. He had essentially edged her for days and days now, and she was so wet just at the thought that her panties were becoming a bit uncomfortable.

“Finish that.” He snapped her out of her lusty trance, the smirk on his face letting her know that he knew exactly where her mind was at.

She quickly finished the last few bites of her French toast, setting her fork and knife on the plate before lifting her arms over her head for a long stretch.

Her shirt was lifting a bit, exposing her lace underwear and a bit of her tummy. She thought he would appreciate the preview of what he’d be seeing in a bit. The thought had her feeling even slicker, his gaze was so intense she could feel it piercing through her.

“It was delicious, thank you so much.” She cooed, hopping off of the stool to place both of their plates in the sink. But not before giving Harry a kiss on the cheek.

Harry knew she was testing the waters, swaying her hips a little bit as she walked. It wasn’t her normal movement and he was well aware of how she was trying to entice him.

Little did she fucking know, he was already enticed. Wanting. There was no need. He would give her what she wanted, with time.

“Now we can do what you want.” He stood up and crackled his knuckles, looking at her wide eyed stance. His body was thrumming with need and he wanted to see her, for real. See her melt for him. Even without his touch, at first.

His finger lightly tipped her chin up, pressing a chaste kiss to her still slightly sticky lips before pulling back. “Go into the bedroom and set up how you usually would. Don’t touch without me there.”

Bunny tugged her bottom lip between her teeth as if to savor the feeling of his plush lips against her own. She was so excited, resisting the urge to actually jump up at the thought. It’s been a while since she could properly connect to her femininity.

She opened the door and quickly went to the bathroom to freshen up before he arrived. Nothing much, just a quick look over and pep talk before making her way to the bed.

She’d kept the lights low, natural daylight defused by the curtain harry had hanging. Table lamps on adding a warm glow to the room overall. She also kept the tshirt on, thinking that it would come in handy in the process.

The smell of him on it was enough to keep her senses stimulated, to truly show him how much she needed him.

Harry had stalled, cleaning up the dishes and trying to gather his wits as he knew she was going to be in bed waiting for him. This time, however, it was a very different type of wait.

He cleared his throat, walking down to the room to see her sprawled out in the middle of the bed, hair haloed around the pillows, and the shirt was drawn up slightly to expose the panties she wore.

He took a deep breath, letting his eyes openly scan her in and admire every single detail that he could. The beautiful girl, she was in here for him. Him alone. He was going to make her love every moment, but he was going to draw it out of her.

“Didn’t touch, did you?” He smiled when she shook her head, feet approaching the end of the bed. “Good fuckin’ girl. That’s what you are, hm?” Leaning down in a flash, he took both ankles and yanked her closer to him.

Bunny yelped in surprise but it melted into a giggle. That was one way to get her heart pumping. He looked incredible, standing there with his powerful body. Hands that had the power to take lives caressed her skin lightly before letting them fall back to the bed.

She wanted to kiss him, she wanted to kiss him badly. It was all she had been thinking about for hours, days even. It had been the only thing keeping her mind off of everything else. His touch? She didn’t want him to stop.

Bunny wanted to be a good girl, figured the best way to approach was to ask nicely. No bratty energy today.

“Can I please have a kiss?” She asked so innocently, it was sincere. She just wanted to be close to him again. Y/N knew he was about to tease her for all she was worth, but a little kiss couldn’t hurt. As much as he was willing to give.

“Would really like one before we start, if that’s okay…”

He softened slightly, visibly smiling as he looked down at her. “Sweet little baby wants a kiss?” He murmured, looking down at her soft gaze, hope in her eyes that he couldn’t crush.

“Only because you asked so nicely.” He lent a knee on the bed, slowly hovering over her with his hand resting above her head. Her eager mouth met his, hand curling into the hair at the nape of his neck to try and coax a little longer of a kiss from him. He hummed against her mouth, swiping his tongue against hers for a mere moment before pulling back.

She whined in her throat at the loss of him as he stood back up, but didn’t attempt to follow him. She wanted to be good for him, to get his dirty praises and promises of more. If she did what he asked, maybe he would finish her off. The idea alone almost made her salivate.

“There we go.” He curled his hand over her knee, urging her legs open. “You were saying… you’ve been feeling needy lately? That’s how I heard it, anyways.” He feigned a casual tone. “Been driving you crazy you couldn’t just slip your fingers into your panties and touch yourself the way you’ve been wanting. But you were good, and I think you can now.” His tone made her shiver, feeling a pleasurable heat from his eyes.

“Why don’t you show me?”

She couldn’t help but feel a little nervous in that moment. Sure, she wanted this and was looking forward to it, it was still Harry and he made her feel like no one else could. She couldn’t be more excited to bring her hand down over her panties, slowly starting to tease herself to get prepared.

“Is this how you’d do it?” Y/N asked after a beat, letting him take in her actions before breaking the silence. “Always thought you’d enjoy teasing me…” She could feel the heat spreading through her panties, pressing down just over her clit to feel a jolt of pleasure.

Taking her other hand, she moved it up her stomach, slowly exposing the skin beneath the tshirt. She wasn’t wearing a bra, but she thought she’d tease him as well by keeping it bunched up exposing just a little glimpse of what she was positive he wanted to see.

His eyes were glued to her, watching her hands every move.

For a bit now, he had been trying his absolute best to keep his eyes to himself and while he had indulged in cuddles and kisses, he hadn’t let himself get too sexual about her since she had pushed him over the edge s bit ago- and now he was finally releasing that part of him. A part that wanted to ruin her.

“Mm. I would.” He whispered. “I do love a tease… edging.” Her fingers pressed over her clit again, making her exhale shakily. The shirt was ridden up and exposing her bottom half now, the lace hiding her just enough to keep his curiosity.

“They’re soaked.” The light-colored lace was a darker shade from how she had soaked through them, a stroke to the ego and to his cock. “You’ve really been worked up, sweet girl? That much?” He tilted his head, clicking his tongue. “Shame. But you were good and didn’t cheat. I’m proud of you. I know it’s probably hard for a little slut like you to keep your hands off.”

Testing the limits. Remembering what she liked last time, he knew that would be good with her.

It was so backhanded like he was mocking her in the most lustful voice he could. She loved it.

She was eating it up, the way she mewled at his praise. All Y/N could do was nod, letting her hand squeeze at her breast to release some more tension. It had been a while since she’s had the time to herself just to touch herself and love on her own body.

It was something she hadn’t realized she missed until it was gone. Her body was so responsive to every touch, her breath becoming shaky at the painfully slow pace she had set for herself.

“I wanted to… so bad, I was waiting for you to do something.” Bunny slipped one of her fingers underneath, gasping at how soaked she really was. It surprised her, he wasn’t kidding. “You make me so wet… all the time.”

Harry nodded, pinching his bottom lip between his fingers as he watched intently at the hand underneath her panties. That was cruel, but he had been cruel in making her wait. “I wanted to be a gentleman for once. To take your situation into account but… I don’t think you quite like gentlemen, do you Bunny?” He shook his head at the thought.

“No, you were waiting for me to get you on your knees on this bed and take you from behind. Dropped to your knees in my kitchen so easily, begged for my cock in your mouth... I can’t say I’m surprised, honestly.” He reached into the pocket of his sweats, pulling out a pocket knife he had armed himself with since waking up. Paranoid? Maybe. But now it had a use.

“Kept you waiting and now you can’t take it anymore. Had to ask me. Maybe it’s a little cruel, but I loved it. Loved seeing you a little embarrassed but so wet that you can’t take it anymore. You did good, didn’t touch just like I told you.” He twirled the knife in his fingers, the dark smile making her shiver as she pressed her fingers against herself a bit harder.

“Now I think it’s time for you to show me exactly what you wanted to do this whole time.” He lent down, grabbing the waistband of the panties and sliced through it. “Hiding that cunt from me isn’t going to get us anywhere. I want to see it.”

It was so hot.

Everything about it screamed dangerous and possession, but she didn’t care. The girl was on cloud 9, maybe even higher when she saw the look in his eyes. He’d been waiting to see her too, it made her cunt clench. Looking to be filled.

Her fingers glided through her folds with ease, circling her clit to get it nice and wet. She was sensitive, figuring out the speed at which she wanted to go. Nice and slow to let him take in every part or move a bit quicker and show him how ready she was. Needy.

“Wanna be good for you.” She admitted, “you make it fun.” And she wasn’t lying either. Y/N loved how he built tension, how every move was perfectly calculated to make her want to scream.

“I think you like being a little mean, hmm?”

“I’m not a nice man, pretty girl.” He retorted, but his pleased eyes were taking in her movements.

Finally, bare for him to see, he observed her fully as he watched her wet digits play with herself. She was beautiful in every single place, it seemed, and he was pleased with how tempting she was between her legs. A huge temptation, really, with his hands itching to touch and his mouth wanting to taste.

He would, too. But he wanted to wait.

“I can be nice to you, sure. You’re my sweet little Bunny. But you like when I’m mean. Like when I call you names. Bet you like me mean to you in here too.” He licked his bottom lip, rubbing at his chin. “Spank your ass sore. Make you wait to cum. Or even more, make you cum over and over until you’re over sensitive and begging me to stop. Treat you like my beautiful little fuck doll. Never had one of those before. Always just have a one and done. Maybe it’d be nice to properly own a pussy this time around.”

Obviously, he liked her for more than that, but he could see her change in demeanor- how she had made a mess on her fingers and rubbed a bit harder at his words. “Does my pretty baby like that idea? Want t’be my little fuckdoll?” His fingers brushed her knee again, teasing her with his touch.

“Yes please!” It was all she could have wanted really. Sure it’s not everyone's idea of romance, but she loved the idea of being his to use as he pleased. Of course that only worked because she fully trusted him with her life. He was probably the one person she trusted the most at the moment.

“I’ll be so good, I promise!” She had momentum going now, her fingers making tight circles around her clit. The pressure was just right and his words were making it so easy to just let go.

Harry could feel his hands twitch, her eagerness making it that much harder to keep himself under control. He was enjoying his view far too much, watching her unravel and crave him.

“I’m sure you will be darling, but your cunt needs some proper stretching before you take me. Can you show me how much you can take?” Would she be ready for his fingers?

She nodded, feeling herself clench around nothing at the idea of taking his cock. Of course, she had been thinking about it for ages but to see him in front of her, taunting him about it? She was feeling it in her bones.

She slowly slid a finger inside of her, the noise of pleasured relief exhaled from her mouth. She was tight and hot and so wet she couldn’t remember a time she had been this slippery.

Harry could see it from where he stood, her finger glistening as she pulled it back out and slid it back in. His cock was solid, throbbing in his pants as he waited and watched.

Was he torturing himself by not just going for it? Maybe. But the gratification he felt now was unmatched. “There we go. Got one in there. Why don’t you give yourself another, baby?” He murmured, rubbing himself through his pants. “My cock’s much bigger than your little fingers. You’re gonna need to take a few.”

With a gasp she managed to fit another finger in, giving herself a few more slow pumps to make sure she wasn’t going to hurt herself. The stretch felt amazing, but it would feel even better if it was his cock.

Her eyes had closed being so caught up in the moment that she moaned at the sight of him palming himself. Images of his velvety hard cock came to her mind, that night that had been replaying on a loop in her mind.

“Harry…” She let out a whine, not saying anything else because she didn’t dare to complain. It’s just that she wanted more. More touching, more kissing, more of him. It felt so good, fucking herself with her fingers thinking about the man standing above her.

“I really want to cum. Really, really.” She felt like she was going to burst, but what she was doing wasn’t enough. It felt like she was teasing herself, her body wasn’t satisfied unless it was him.

“Aw, you do?” He smiled. “Y’want to cum all over those pretty little fingers? Bet it feels so good, doesn’t it?” He taunted, leaning over her slightly as she fucked herself. The sound was audible, her fingers making a squelching sound as they moved in and out of her.

“Stop.” He commanded. Y/N’s face was stricken, a whine leaving her lips but she did as he asked, slowing her fingers down. The loss of orgasm was visible on her face and she almost looked like she wanted to cry- but he would make it worth her while.

“There we go. Listening to me so well. Those orgasms are mine.” He smiled darkly, kneeling one leg on the bed and spreading her legs back after she attempted to close them around her hand. A possess trill went through his spine. This was his.

“I’ve been debating here if I should lick you until you’re shaking, or if I should finally give you my cock. I’m torn.” He feigned a confused look on his face. “Pretty baby like you might not be able to take my cock. Could only take two of your fingers…” He shook his head, looking at where they were still buried. “But I have a feeling that you’re going to want my cum. You’re on something, hm?” He pulled her hand from her, exposing her cunt to the open air. “As much as M’sure breeding you would be fun… don’t think that’s something either of us need at the moment.”

“Yes!” She breathed, silently thanking herself for sticking to her routine just so she could have moments like this. Was it risky still? Yeah, but worst came to worst they’d figure it out. They were up against much worse already.

Y/N was so eager she felt a bit embarrassed, but could you blame her? She’s had a crush on him for years and finally, she was getting a taste of what she had wanted.

If she had to choose between his cock and his mouth, it was a difficult choice. Both were incredibly good in their own ways, but she just wanted him to pick. She was so desperate for him, she was positive it wouldn’t even last that long.

“I wanna feel you, please take this off.” She pleaded, tugging at the tshirt slouching on his shoulder.

Harry wasn’t in the position to say no to a request like that. Not when she had just agreed to let him inside of her if he wanted. His mouth was begging for it, wanting to taste her sweetness, but he knew he had been holding back a long damn time from letting himself have her.

She deserved a proper reward, and he wasn’t going to last long enough to get his mouth on her and hear her sweet little moans and whimpers.

Her hands immediately found his bare skin, warming his body up with her touch. She was incredibly needy and that was partially his fault, but it didn’t mean he didn’t love the hell out of her desperation.

“You like what you feel, pretty? What you’ve been wanting to touch?”

Overwhelmed by the feeling she nodded, a simple hum of mhm leaving her lips. He was incredibly toned, tattoos contrasting against his skin, some scars as well.

She couldn’t keep her hands off, running them over his sides and his front before finally settling on his back. Her nails gently dug into the skin, trying not to pull him towards her too much. She wanted to seem patient even though she was far from it.

“You look so good…” He really did. His hair fell in front of his face, muscles tensed to show off their shape. It was so effortless for him, she swore he was sculpted by the gods.

“I’m so lucky.”

The genuine awe on her face made him soften in his face a little bit. The sweetness she had never faded, regardless of the filthy and brattiness. It made him internally purr.

Harry couldn’t help himself from leaning down and pressing a searing kiss to her lips, a token of his appreciation for her sweet words. He was luckier than she was, but he didn’t want to ruin the moment.

She was thinking she was lucky to be able to touch him but didn’t have a damn clue about how many words and thoughts filtered through his head every time he looked at her. “Such a good Fuckin’ girl. Being so sweet for me. Got any other pretty words for me?”

“So many…” A hand reached from behind him to tuck his hair behind his ear, settling on his cheek with fingers just against his jaw.

“Can’t give them all away at once, can I?” She smiled at him cheekily, stealing a quick kiss from his lips. Y/N stared at him expectantly, waiting for him to react.

“You’re very handsome, I really want you.” She breathed, eyes staring into his in a state of bliss. They hadn’t done much but her heart was filled with content. Just being with him in this moment, she wasn’t thinking about anything but him.

Harry didn’t let any of his other partners touch him this type of way, so it caught him off guard with how much he enjoyed it. The girl had a chokehold on him without even trying, a leg up in a way that he hasn’t been anticipating.

“Yeah? Y’think so?” He hummed, watching her eager nod. “Thank you, sweet thing. Don’t know how you can be so sweet yet so filthy at the same time.”

He removed himself from hovering over her, running his hands over her bare stomach and letting his fingertips drag over the skin. “Pretty girl. Such smooth skin. I’d say it’s a shame that I’m going to cover it in marks and mess it all up, but I don’t feel bad at all.” He didn’t feel a sliver of regret. Removing his hands, he popped his button open on his own pants.

“Keep playing with yourself for me. Rub that little clit but don’t let yourself cum. Can a dumb little puppy like you do that?” He crooned, his other hand stroking her bent knee. “Or is it too hard?”

Y/N let her fingers continue to rub over her clit at a slow pace, trying her best to keep her ever growing pleasure at bay. She let her knee relax into his hold, humming out in approval. The roughness of his skin made his touch even more electric, aching to feel his fingertips across the plain of her thigh.

“Use your words, pretty girl.” Harry squeezed her skin just lightly, “let me hear it.”

The breathiness of her tone, the desire in her cadences, Harry wanted to hear all of it. He wasn’t sure when he was going to be able to experience her like this again, so he wanted to take his time.

“Yes I can, sir.” She didn’t hesitate this time, “I can do it.” She didn’t dare beg for it but her whimpers said everything she couldn’t voice out loud. He was taking his good old time getting undressed, enjoying the view of her squirming beneath him.

The heat that was between her legs was begging to be released. The way he looked at her with the obvious hunger behind his eyes, that it was all because of her sent a chill up her spine.

If anyone else talked to her in that condescending tone, she would bristle. But with Harry? It lit her up. Soaked her. Her cunt was weeping, begging for his attention. Being degraded by him did something to her that she hadn’t realized would get her this worked up.

He could see her eyes on his hands as he stood off the bed, letting his jeans fall down to the floor. His palm covered his cock, squeezing to relieve himself a little. “You look so beautiful laid out like that. Was a bit mean to you, making you lay every night without relieving yourself… but I think that you’ll be thanking me later. I’m going to make sure you forget I even made you wait.”

“What are you going to do to me, sir?” She asked, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks. It was so easy to seduce him, so effortless, he brought the temptress right out of her.

Her fingers sped up their movements over her clit, daring to dip a finger inside just like she would. Her focus was on his eyes, watching as his darted around her body taking her in. Bunny had never felt so exposed, but she could see his desire. His eyes were drunk on her.

“Want to know what you like…” So she could tease him with it later of course. Testing his self-control always seemed to get him, he loved testing his limits. “Let me into your mind a little.”

“What are you going to do to me, sir?” She asked, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks. It was so easy to seduce him, so effortless, he brought the temptress right out of her.

“Want to know what you like…” So she could tease him with it later of course. Testing his self control always seemed to get him, he loved testing his limits. “Let me into your mind a little.”

The little smirk on his face would be annoying from anyone else, but from Harry? His cockiness, the smug look had her dripping. How did he manage to do that? Her fingers curled inside of her, a little furrow forming between her brows as she bucked her hips slightly into her hand. “Please?”

Harry loved hearing her beg. That much was evident as he stepped between her legs, stroking himself slowly. The pace of his hand was almost a tease, letting his tip brush her a little bit. Her body shuddered, her other hand clenching the blankets hard as she lifted her hips to try and chase the feeling.

“You really are gagging for it.” He murmured, free fingers wrapping around her wrist and pulling her hand from her cunt. Leaning down, he led the wet digits to his lip. They wrapped around them, a pleased hum leaving his lips in a vibration against her. His tongue flicked between the fingers, licking up every single bit of wetness he could. The sweetness of her cunt was unmatched.

“Tell me you want my cock, and I’ll give it to you. Say… you want me to fuck you.”

A whimper fell from her lips, body squirming beneath him at the delay. She wanted him to touch her, licking her fingers wasn’t enough. Bunny could still feel the weight of his tip on her throbbing clit, catching his eyes so she knew how much she meant it when she asked.

“Please sir, I want your cock so bad, please fuck me! Please!” It was as if she was begging him to show her some mercy. She just wanted him all over. The second he gave in, she knew she’d feel relief. Sex for Bunny had always brought this side out of her, willing to do anything to get to her high. It wasn’t that hard to submit when Harry was the one demanding obedience.

“Please…” She whimpered again, her legs twitching to squeeze shut but were stopped by his thighs. “Been waiting so long, just wanna feel you… don’t wanna think.”

That had seemed to be what broke him. He had finally gotten what he wanted, finally was able to give her what she needed. Spreading her back on the bed, he knelt back on the soft mattress and lifted her knees to spread her out properly. Her wet fingers were dropped but quickly caught his wrist, desperate for contact with him.

A wolfish grin lit up his face making him look a little bit evil, and for some reason, it turned her on more than it should. Harry was a dangerous man, he was ruthless and he killed people- hell, his nickname was Reaper for fucks sake. And yet, here he was. He was going to belong to her, come hell and back.

The dragging of his cock over her slit made her whine, impatient as ever to get him in but her impatience was shortly cut when he began to press into her.

“It’s okay my Bunny,” Harry cooed, easing himself inside her. It was clear from the start it’d be a tight fit, but he was surprised at how easily he’d slipped in. “Like a glove.” He purred, voicing his thoughts out loud.

Bunny’s moans were a mix of pleasure and pain, her turning eyes darker than ever. She’d never felt someone so deep. The slight burn from the stretch was immediate, but the feeling of being full of him was enough to have her back arching.

Harry stilled once he had her fully wrapped around his length. He could feel her throbbing, her slick against his balls, he swore he could stay inside of her forever. With a low growl, the grip on her wrists tightened, head falling to mouth over her breast.

“Mine…” He mumbled against her skin, barely audible. “Fuck-“ Harry felt feral with her. Everything about it called to his core, all he could do was think about pleasing her. His mouth left a sheen over her skin, trails of his spit marking all the parts he owned.

“Harry, please!” Bunny felt like she would lose it, the tension had bubbled over. She couldn’t wait any longer, he needed to move.

His dark eyes rose up and looked at her with a green she hadn’t seen before. A part of him she had never been exposed to. And to be honest- a part of him he hadn’t experienced.

Pure need and possession, feeling like he was where he belonged. Snug inside of her, marking her with his mouth, keeping her where he wanted her. She was everything he had wanted and more.

“Love that beg.” He smirked against her skin, kissing up her sternum and to her neck as he slowly pulled out a few inches before sliding back in.

As much as he wanted to simply pound into her, the savoring of her body felt even more fulfilling. Her shuddery breaths, flexing hands as he felt her squirm underneath him, he was feeling the full effect.

He repeated the action, pushing as deep in as he could until his balls rested snug against her ass, his mouth hovering over hers. “This is where you belong. Wrapped around me, under me, with my cock as deep as it can get.”

It was true, she thought. It had never felt like this before. Sure she’s had great sex, but sex never felt so… raw. She was no longer afraid of seeming too eager, he had fully unraveled her.

“Ah! More!” She breathed, “More, please! More.” It was like he couldn’t get close enough. Her legs found their way around his waist, using her heel to push him further into her. “My hands— let me touch you.”

It was a simple request that Harry couldn’t deny. He had forgotten he was holding her wrists together, far too focused on the feeling of her velvety cunt. His lips nipped a bit of her skin as his hand pulled away, placing both of his hands beside her head.

“So greedy, why don’t you let me play?” Harry was only teasing, he himself was barely holding it together and that was new. He was always able to control himself, but once again it seemed he couldn’t when it came to her. His hips immediately pulled back, setting a pace he felt would satisfy her.

Steady. Deep. Constant.

She was a wreck. Truly, utterly lost in how good it was feeling, his thrusts timed just right to give it to her again just when she was about to ask him for more.

“F-fuck.” She whimpered, trailing her nails down his back. It was evidently something he liked, a groan leaving his throat as she marked him, the skin turning red underneath her nails. “S’good, so good. You’re so big.” She rambled, clutching herself to him.

“Yeah? That’s what I like to hear. Knew you’d take me perfectly. Had my doubts at first… tiny little cunt but… as soon as I got in I knew. It was made f’me.”

It felt so good being stretched, being under him. His eyes ate her up, watching every movement of her face as he adjusted just a bit to try and find the right place. The right spot that would have her shaking.

“How long have y’wanted this, pretty girl? Hm? How long have you been dreaming about my cock?”

She couldn’t lie in this state. He knew that.

Bunny had only been waiting for the right moment, it seemed that moment is now.

“Since I was 17.” She moaned at the tension, he could feel himself pause for a second as proceeded with the words she was saying. “4 years, you were— ah!” Harry couldn’t help himself. He sped up, the carnal need inside him had won.

“I wanted you to sneak into my room…” It reminded her of the many times she walked past him in tiny shorts to catch his attention. Getting a glass of water before bed, a signature move. “So you could fuck me just like this.”

The fantasies with him were never-ending, she swore she’d imagined him in every state possible. Nothing compared to this.

No one could really blame her. The teenage crush grew into a full blown infatuation with the man as she got older. As cliche as it sounded, his gruffness to everyone but her, how gentle he usually was, how he was genuinely kind to her while he openly told other people to fuck off? It made her feel special. Appreciated.

Of course, she had a thing for him. Just a bit older, tattoos, a protective streak a mile long just for her. She wanted to thank him- just like this.

“Fuck. Don’t say that.” He said hoarsely, gripping the sheets hard as he drove in harder, looking down at her glossy eyes. “Don’t fucking… say that.”

Her 19th birthday when she had crawled in his lap, claiming to want warmth. All the hugs she didn’t want to let go of. How irritated she was with girls who tried to flirt with him. It made sense- but it also made him crazy.

“You’re fucking filthy. You’ve always been… a little slut.” He moved to grip her throat. “You even hear yourself? You wanted me to fuck you? Take your cherry right next to your brother's room? You filthy little whore.” But he loved it. God, it only made it seem even more right.

The both of them fucked in the head when it came to kink, wanting shit they shouldn’t. He wouldn’t have touched her until he was able to, but knowing she was in her room… “sitting in that bed with those pink walls, playing with this cunt? S’that what you did? Waiting for me to come in and be the first one to take it?”

He wished he had been the one to take it. A possessive snarl left his chest. “Doesn’t matter. This cunt is still mine.”

She couldn’t help but smile, happy to be laying there with his hand around her throat. He wasn’t applying pressure, just holding her there so she could look at him.

“Yours. It’s yours.” She breathed, “Wanted it so bad, you weren’t even trying to hide yourself from me.” Bunny prayed for the summer days when he and Sterling would work on their bikes in the garage, shirtless of course. How he’d take his time drinking his water, letting it drip down his chest a bit. The way he’d smile at her when he licked his lips clean.

He seemed to quicken his pace at her words, her body moving with the power of his thrusts. How could he have gone this long without giving in? Everything he had been wanting was always right within his reach.

“Please don’t stop! Please!” He had found the spot he’d been searching for, watching her eyes roll back in pure bliss as her begging continued. “Feels so good, please never stop! Fuck!”

“Never going to stop. You’re in so much trouble.”

He was fucked. This has started just to keep her safe, the faux dating, all of it. And it was unraveling at the seams. He wasn’t a fool- he knew that this was going to change it. There was no way in the world that he would be able to go without this again.

It felt so perfect that it would be a crime to deny either of them the pleasure their sex brought. It wasn’t just sex. That was something he would dissect later though.

He felt her tremble underneath him, her breathing heavy as she clawed at the wrist holding her throat. She wanted his stability, her body jolting as shocks of pleasure went up her spine.

“Tell me you won’t take anyone else. Tell me you only want my cock.” He growled. “I’m the only one who can give it to you this good.”

“You. Only you.” She meant it as well. Bunny couldn’t remember a time when he wasn’t in the picture. She’d grown so much in the time since she met him, so much had changed, but he hadn’t. He kept her safe.

Her senses were heightened, her body feeling sensitive to every touch of their skin. It was searing hot, the way he was kissing her skin only added to her arousal. She was so close she could feel the threads of tension starting to snap deep in her stomach.

“Wanna cum for you, all over you, want you to feel how good you make me feel…” Her voice was hoarse from all the moaning and whining, panting with the pace he had set. There was no stopping him now that he had her, it felt how it was supposed to.

“Yes pretty, cum all over my cock.” Harry cooed, pressing kisses over her face. “Show me how good you are, let me see how beautiful you are when you’re creaming my cock.”

It was like her body was tied to him. His request was granted, unable to hold back as soon as she had permission.

“H-Harry-“ she couldn’t talk, his name falling into a moan as she let go around him. Cunt fluttering and clenching over his prick, legs tightening around his waist as he fucked into her and stimulated her spot just right, making her cum all around him.

“Fucks sake- fuck, you’re mine.” He squeezed the sides of her throat as he kissed her hard, letting himself unload into him. Spots of pleasure danced behind his eyes as he let go, the flood of hot cum shooting into her eagerly.

It had been a long time coming but he didn’t regret the wait. It was fucking perfect.

It was too hard to describe the feeling in her body. Blissful relaxation, the comfort of his body on top of hers, the warmth that came from him as he placed delicate kisses over her skin.

His hips were still moving, though his pace was slow. It was as if he was milking every moment.

“So fucking perfect, you know that?” He breathed against her, “always been mine.” Harry wouldn’t let it go. It still didn’t feel entirely real, but as his hips kept with their movements and he heard small whimpers escape her lips he knew he should have acted sooner.

“Does it feel nice, baby? Want me to keep going?” Harry’s voice was soft, “Wanna give me another one?” The squeeze she gave him in return proved him correct. Without another word, he rested his forehead against her shoulder, continuing his sharp and shallow thrusts from within her. He smiled at the sound of her heart picking up again, her breathing returning to its shaky state.

“So close, aren’t you? Horny little thing.” He murmured, pressing another kiss to her collarbone. “Come on let go… wanna lick you clean.”

It was unreal to her. Being showered in affection, feeling him as close as he could possibly get. He had cum inside of her, the mess he was making with these thrusts trying to push as much in as it still leaked out with every pull- it had her eyes watering.

It was almost too much. The pleasure made her whimper, a weak noise leaving her mouth each time he thrust inside of her, but she was a slut for a bit of overstimulation.

Harry was eating up each noise, each movement of her cunt. She took everything he gave him and it was obvious to him now that he had met his match. Each move he made, she followed like a mirror.

“Yours, yours, yours… fuck, Harry.” She ran her hands down his back, feeling the swells of his shoulders and memorizing their hot skin pressed against each other. “M’gonna…. Right there, bite me. Please fucking bite right there.” She needed a bite of pain to go over the edge. It would do it immediately.

His eyes glazed over, a low growl coming from him as he bit into her skin. He hadn’t expected it from her, but he figured he should drop all exceptions when it came to Bunny and sex.

Everything he thought he knew was crumbling before him, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. Her body was twitching against his, a second orgasm flowing through her in shock waves. Her pretty little moans were pushing him further, licking over the area he had bitten to soothe the burn.

“I’ve got you, you’re okay… doing so good for me sweetheart.” His voice was low and breathless, pulling back from her skin to take a look at her. She looked so relaxed, melting into his touch, eyes struggling to stay open. “Talk to me bunny…”

Her eyes were blurry. Everything felt hot and floaty and she melted right into the bed, leaning into his hand as he stroked her cheek with care. This sort of touch paired with two orgasms had her feeling like she wasn’t in her own body.

“Hi.” She slurred, eyes closing as a blissed-out little smile rose on her lips. “Feel so…” she trailed off, a drunken giggle leaving her lips as she felt his fingers press the hair away from her face, sighing contently as her shaky legs curled around his waist.

He had tried to pull out but she whined sadly, tightening her thighs with a sensitive gasp. “No. No- stay.”

She whispered tiredly. “Don’t. Want you in. Waited… so long.”

Harry couldn’t help but obey, trying his best not to move. The heat of her cunt was welcoming, though the clenches as the walls tried to continue to keep him in and milk him for everything he was worth made it hard. He was tired but… he was obsessed with this feeling.

“Shh. S’okay.” He kissed her cheek. “Still got to clean you up, but I’ll stay here for a minute. You okay?” Her cheeks felt hot under him, her weak hand lifting to hold him there.

“Mhm…. So fuckin’ good.”

There was nothing in her mind but him. The way it should always be. She was nervous that if she closed her eyes for too long she’d wake up and it would all have been a dream. The soft kisses he left over her skin were telling her otherwise.

“Really want to lick you clean, you know?” Harry couldn’t help himself, he was high on her. Seeing the way she reacted to him triggered something new within him, was it possible that he was capable of love?

“We’ll save it for another time though…” He chuckled at her whining, happy to see she was eager and up for it. He knew better, the tension that would build up from here would make it all worth it.

Harry glanced up at the clock on his bedside table and relaxed when he saw it was just around 4 pm. Plenty of time for them to clean up, eat, and snuggle some more.

“Why did we never do this before?” Bunny asked curiously, knowing now she wasn’t alone in her desires.

“Because I would have been slaughtered by your brother. And you’re too good for me.” He said simply. That much he knew.

She was sweet and kind and wasn’t supposed to be connected to this mess. Even looking down at her, he felt slightly guilty for pulling her into this. It would never be the same for her again now that she was exposed to this lifestyle. To his temper. And even then, he hoped she wouldn’t have to see him in his true rage.

“M’not good for you. But you’re mine anyways.” He rubbed his nose against hers, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips. He was selfish and he could admit that. He should have let her go when this was all over if he was a good guy. It was nice that he wasn’t. “The moment you let me inside of you sealed the deal. I was gonna be nice, gonna let you be happy without me but I don’t think I can.”

562 notes · View notes

thehomeofplatonicfics · 6 months

Note

Hi I recently discovered your account and I’m obsessed your writing is amazing and I don’t know if you’re still doing Tudor!reader Fics but if you are I have a request. So reader is Anne Boleyn’s eldest daughter and had to watch her mothers execution (for the storyline reader was 12 or so years old) and never forgave her farther so when she’s like 15 (maybe the day after Catherine Howard’s execution) she overthrows him as revenge. I hope you understand what I’m trying to say total understand if you don’t want to right it. Have a good day/night❤️

A/N: I love how kooky the timeline would have to be warped for this to be possible but I absolutely love the idea of this! So sorry for taking so long to write this, real life does enjoy getting in my way :(

Revenge

Someone had to stop King Henry VII, your father, from his increasingly brutal reign. Lady Mary, your half-sister, seemed unable to do anything without the counsel of her precious Ambassador Chapuys. Elizabeth was of course just a child, too young to rule. Edward was a mere baby. It seemed to you that the responsibility of saving the realm fell solely on your shoulders. It was a burden you were glad to take.

You were grateful that you’d had enough time being raised by your mother Anne Boleyn, that you had learnt how to be as cunning and manipulative as she had once been. Of course, having Mary as an older sister helped solidify those ideals, as Mary was able to inspire a great deal of loyalty in others when she wanted to.

It had been a long, arduous task to slowly turn the King’s courtiers against him. An entire year had passed before the perfect opportunity had finally arisen. Only two days had passed since poor Queen Catherine Howard had been executed on your father’s orders. Though you hadn’t been the greatest fan of the silly child, she was just like you… an innocent girl. Too many young women’s lives had been destroyed on the whims of an undeserving King, and the unrest among the populace seemed at its highest. It was the perfect time to strike.

The foundations you had laid throughout the year, telling little white lies here and there, promising things that you’d never do in order to gain the loyalty of the courtiers, would serve you well. The King had noticed some changes but could never trace them back to you. Often you would have agents loyal to you do the work that needed to be done while you were at home with Elizabeth in the country, creating a wonderful alibi.

Knowing that the King seemed to be favouring Catherine, the Lady Latimer, as his potential sixth wife, you realised that she would be the perfect distraction for your coup. You knew she wanted to be with Thomas Seymour so she would be likely to help you, especially as you had always had a good relationship with her growing up. Elizabeth, of course, was easy to manipulate into playing the part that you needed her to.

You dressed in your most regal black dress, deliberately picking out jewels and a French hood that made you look like a true ruler. You took a deep breath in and out to try to calm your nerves and your trembling hands before you went into the court. You gave a subtle nod to Catherine Parr who, along with Elizabeth, went up to the King to talk to him and distract him.

As soon as the King had begun discussing something with them both, you gave the signal to your loyal people who captured his guards and those you knew were still loyal to him, discreetly dragging them away.

You gave a sly, satisfied smile as you secretly prepared your weapon behind your back. You knew that your father’s greatest fear was getting sick, so you poured a poison on your blade before walking up to him, curtsying, and then holding the blade tightly against his throat. “Y/N! What is this?!” King Henry asks incredulously, clearly not believing one of his daughters could pull this off, his face grew white as he saw all the people loyal to you with their weapons drawn.

“I am now your Queen. You will take orders from me, and no one else.” You call out to the people in the court, who begin to cheer. You smile smugly to yourself as you see your father’s world crashing down around him.

“Why, Y/N? Just… why?” You give an incredulous laugh, sneering at him. “Why, father? For my mother.” You lean forwards, your breath touching his face as you snarl your words.

You turn to your guards, and give a sweet smile. “Throw him in the tower.” You command, pushing your father towards them. You sit on the throne, looking around at your successful coup. Allowing yourself a few moments to gloat in your glory, you immediately turn to your advisors. The Queen had work to do.

#platonic reader insert #the tudors reader insert #the tudors x reader #the tudors imagine #henry vii x reader #catherine parr x reader #anne boleyn x reader #elizabeth tudor x reader

141 notes · View notes

ukrfeminism · 2 years

Text

Rebecca Whitehurst never wants to set foot in a school again.

She also wants all teachers, especially female ones, to wear bodycams, to have CCTV in every classroom and for teachers to operate in pairs. “I think teachers should never be alone with children, there should always be someone else there. I know it is dramatic but I don’t want what happened to me to ever happen to anyone else,” she said.

The views of Whitehurst, who is married with two children and has been a modern languages teacher for more than ten years, have been shaped by what she describes as a “modern horror story”.

Last week the 46-year-old wept as a jury at Manchester’s Minshull Street crown court cleared her of two charges of sexual activity with a child and one of sexual communications. She had been accused of a sexual act with a 15-year-old pupil in the back of her Volvo and of sending him explicit texts, including a photograph of her breasts.

The court heard that the teenager, who had declared he was in love with Whitehurst, became obsessed with her and lied about or faked the messages. The boy, who watched pornography involving older women, assaulted her in her classroom and sent an abusive message to her daughter, the court was told.

The family spent £43,000 fighting the case, which dragged on for three years. If convicted she would have faced up to 14 years’ in jail.

Speaking from her home in Cheshire where her husband, Billy, an accountant, has “been unbelievably supportive”, she said her experience at times felt like a television drama.

It unfolded against the backdrop of a rising number of schoolboys watching online pornography, and pupils’ mental health becoming a frontline problem for many schools.

Last year, an Ofsted report found 90 per cent of girls and 50 per cent of boys polled by the schools inspectorate said they had been sent explicit pictures and messages they did not wish to see. A survey for the British Board of Film Classification last year found that almost half of 16 and 17-year-olds had recently seen pornography. Figures from NHS Digital found that one in six children in England had a probable mental health disorder last year, up from one in nine in 2017.

Whitehurst’s ordeal started in April 2019. The boys’ school where she taught French, German and Spanish had paid for her to attend a three-day course on mindfulness. She was asked to teach the subject — not to lower the stress of high-achieving children in the run-up to exams, which she had suggested, but to children on the inclusion register, who have special educational needs and disabilities. “I said yes because I am that sort of person,” the Sheffield University graduate said, but admitted to being nervous about teaching a “wishy washy” subject to children who may have experienced significant trauma.

In an early session with the group of ten boys the 15-year-old who would go on to accuse her said he was hearing voices in his head telling him to kill someone. “I thought OMG,” she said. “As soon as I could I reported it on our safeguarding system . . . I reported it on there and thought someone would talk to me about it, but no one did.”

As the sessions continued the teenager “latched” onto Whitehurst, who tried to give him “sensible advice” via the school’s email system.

He talked about being in a gang and, in an area of the city linked to the Manchester bomber, Whitehurst also feared he was at risk of getting involved in terrorism. When he started to talk about how he had “this big secret” and she was the only person he could tell it to, she made, she admits, a critical mistake.

“He had said he wants to kill people and is in a gang,” she said. “He was talking about going to the mosque. All these things were adding up in my head. I thought there was a bigger picture and I would find out about it and report it.

“I tried to get him to talk to staff who were better trained in such matters but he said no. He said he did not trust the school email which we were already communicating on. In one email thread he emailed me a ghost emoji and I realised he meant he wanted to tell me the secret on Snapchat. I downloaded Snapchat on purpose because I thought he was going to give me this big secret.”

Whitehurst said the secret was nothing to do with terrorism: “The secret was he was in love with me. I realised I had made an idiot of myself. I told him nothing like that was ever going to happen and there had been a misunderstanding. I told him I had to tell the school. He would say ‘they are not going to believe you’ and that I had made a mistake in giving him my Snapchat username. I should have reported it but I did not and I know now that that was an error.”

A few weeks later the teenager came into Whitehurst’s classroom when she was alone. He tried to force his tongue into her mouth, touched her intimately, slapped her face and spat at her. She tried to push him away, which he told the court he thought was encouragement.

“I do not think he knew how bad it was what he did; I know porn was available to him, he sent me lots of links which I never opened but I have an idea of what he watched,” she said. “I think he thought slapping me and spitting at me was sexy in some way.” Again, she did not report the assault. Whitehurst admits she was scared and also “again I thought I would be held responsible as I am the adult and he is the child”, but from then on things got steadily worse.

Over the coming weeks he gave her a necklace and sent naked images of himself which she deleted. He “begged” her to meet him outside school. Still worried about his state of mind, she met him several times in public places, including at a charity run she was doing in a Manchester park where she thought there was no risk of him “launching himself at her”.

At school Whitehurst volunteered for extra duties to ensure she was not alone. She applied for jobs in other schools.

In September 2019 she broke down in the playground when a colleague asked her if she was OK: “I said no and blurted it all out. She said she would have to take this to the head teacher.”

Whitehurst agreed with the head teacher that the matter would be reported to the police and the local authority safeguarding officer and that she would be suspended pending an inquiry. “My logic was, they will understand,” she said. “They will know he is difficult and that I wanted to help but mismanaged things.”

Whitehurst was shocked in her first police interview, two months later, when she heard that the boy had accused her of having sexual activity with him and sending him photos of her breasts.

The pandemic meant that the investigation dragged on. She did not hear anything until last year when police said they had downloaded data from both the phones, including a screenshot of a fake text conversation in whch she appeared to be suggesting sexual acts with the teenager outdoors.

“I thought, ‘I never sent those’. They did not look right. They were obviously fake. The language did not add up. I did not need a professor of linguistics to say that was not me,” she said.

“It was extraordinary that what he said was believed and I was not. He said it was consensual. And we were in love.

“I kept thinking the police will look at all this properly, tell me this will be dropped and say, ‘You poor woman’.”

As it became clear that the case would go to court Whitehurst switched lawyers. Her new team instructed an expert witness to look at the downloaded data from both phones. His report — which cost the family £8,000 — made clear there was no evidence that a photo of her breasts or a text suggesting outdoor sex acts had been sent by her or received by the teenager. Still the case was not dropped.

A week before court, Whitehurst says “calm descended”. She decided not to wear a face mask or hide her face and be “as brave as I could be”.

By video link the teenager gave contradictory evidence and admitted the assault on Whitehurst. The jury took less than three hours to acquit her.

Whitehurst’s case may be extreme but it is not isolated. There is a website on which teachers share dozens of accounts of false allegations. Teaching unions called last year for pupils who make them to be excluded and for fully funded mental health programmes aimed at boys.

Christian Harbinson of the law firm Thompsons solicitors, which represented Whitehurst, said: “An underfunded criminal justice system is unable to cope and that stretches out the agony for innocent people like Rebecca. It’s taken almost three years, since the allegations were first made, for her to clear her name, during which time Rebecca’s life has been on hold and her family have had to deal with an unimaginable level of stress and worry.”

Asked whether the teenager, now 18, would face an inquiry for possible criminal offences, Greater Manchester police said it had no intention to investigate “the child victim in this case”.

1K notes · View notes

theoldlesbianwithcats · 1 month

Note

Why do you think non-radfem bi women are so obsessed with calling themselves lesbians? While radfem polilez are annoying, i can logically understand where they're coming from, with there belief that lesbian label would magically shield them from men and patriarchy. But all those women who aren't feminists and don't have past trauma with men? Who are open and unapologetic manlovers, who admit they never stopped liking men, just discovered they liked women more, who have "exception" boyfriends/husbands, who regularly seek casual sex with men? I don't know what to make of them. Why is it so hard to call yourself bi?

Hi anon!

It's not that it's hard for them to call themselves bi, a lot of bi people genuinely believe that everyone is bisexual so, to them, lesbianism is just bisexual with a preference for women.

I used to hang out with a bunch of bi women, one of them had told me she was a lesbian for a year or so when she revealed to me that she regularly hooked up with men. She has a popular excuse among fakebians: she only has sex with men when she's ovulating, nature wants her to get pregnant and she can't resist that! I literally had to explain to her that, when lesbians ovulate, it doesn't make us want to have sex with men. If it makes us hornier, it's still for women. That's when she finally admitted that she was bi!

Another reason I hate is that bi women keep saying, even in 2024 "I just call myself a lesbian because saying I'm bisexual is too complicated". Everyone knows what bisexuality is!! If anything, it's way more confusing to say you're a lesbian with comphet/a bunch of exceptions... I thought I was bi with a preference for women for three years, I never had any difficulty saying it and no one ever told me that they didn't know what it was.

Finally, a reason that's more sinister for why non-polilez bi women with no trauma call themselves lesbians... is to date/have sex with les4les lesbians. In a French podcast I listened to recently, a fakebian's advice to younger LBQ women was to shamelessly lie about your sexuality in order to have sex with lesbians: the woman prefers gold stars? She wouldn't mention her ex-boyfriends. The woman is ok with bi women but doesn't want to be someone's first experience with a woman? She made up an ex-girlfriend. As long as bi women don't call out the predatory women in their community, we're still going to have a lot of fakebians.

28 notes · View notes

drenix004 · 5 months

Text

𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘━━━ 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀 𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐙𝐀

chapter 1

❝𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲︙It was the candy she needed to cope with the life of danger and death she had willingly gotten herself into.❞

❛Her sweet, natural attitude reminded him of honey, and her peculiar amber eyes reaffirmed this❜

warnings: mention of alcohol, drugs, death, obsession, among others, if you are not comfortable, don’t read it !

rating: 18+

pairings: Valeria Garza x female Oc

¡English is not my first language, so there may be mistakes, don’t hesitate to correct me.!

¡para las personas que hablan español, actualizo primero la historia en wattpad :)

Link de wattpad-> Honey

━━━━━━━━》❈《 ━━━━━━━

Their screams and unbridled banging on the door echoed throughout the room. She had been doing the same thing for three days, she hadn't even taken off her blood-stained dress, her makeup was smudged and her hair was tangled.

"Let me out, shit!" He yelled again as he kicked in the door. But, once again, their cries had been ignored—"They're going to kill them if I don't come back, please," she whispered to the door before breaking away.

He walked over to the bed in the room and used it for support as he sat on the floor, and laid his back on one side.

The room was a mess, everything was destroyed due to the fits that anger and irritability they gave him due to withdrawal.

Jérémie controlled her with sedatives and other drugs combined, which is why she was never able to escape. Now he only suffered the consequences of his system not receiving these substances; The excessive sweating made her feel sticky, the nausea and anxiety had only increased since the second day.

She had slight cuts on her hands when she broke the glass things in the room, insomnia and muscle and joint pain had her tired, she just wanted it all to be over.

"They're going to kill them," he whispered again, looking at his hands almost on the verge of collapse. Despite her condition, she kept thinking about the women who were still trapped in that place.

They would kill them like cattle to erase all evidence, if she was alive the others would be killed.

His energy was running out, maybe, and just maybe, he could sleep without feeling the Frenchman's hands on his body, he could rest for a moment, at least.

She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't hear the door open, or that anyone had entered.

"Valeria?" His weary eyes fell on his person; The woman with short black hair had blood splattered on her face, as well as on her hands.

Valeria gave a general glance at the room before looking at it.

"Disaster will cost me dearly," he thought he was going to approach her, but he walked past her to the bathroom. He heard that there would be a key, surely he was going to wash away the blood. "But it's a really insignificant thing. He came out of the bathroom with a clean face and hands. He walked over and knelt in front of her. "I have to take away all the crap you're carrying," he carefully touched her face, being careful with her split lip. "Lace doesn't go with you at all, Laurie.

Valeria hated the woman's appearance from the first moment she saw her in that church, that was not her Laurie.

But she would take it upon herself to fix everything that the French son of a bitch had changed.

"What's going on?" —the opposite of Pena and asks— You were missing, how come that...?

"The questions will come later, Dulce," he interrupts her as he strokes her cheeks.

Valeria helps her up carefully, running a hand around her waist for a better grip as she helps her walk.

He sits her down on the toilet and turns off the faucet he had left open to fill the bathtub.

Laurie allows herself to be undressed by Valeria's delicate hands, she had long missed her touch.

He felt it stop; Very surely, seeing the bruises and needle scars on his body, he heard him curse under his breath as he resumed the action.

He didn't look at her out of embarrassment, and she didn't ask anything about it either, which she appreciated, it wasn't necessary to know what had happened for her to have such marks on her skin.

She was carefully put in the bathtub, and for the first time in 5 years, she relaxed as she felt warm water and not cold water as she had been made accustomed to.

Valeria's hands were soft and light as she bathed her and brushed off her smudged makeup with a towel.

"You do it right, Dulce," the short-haired woman carefully untangled her hair as it had knots, and she knew how much it hurt to remove those knots, especially if it was on curly hair.

"They'll kill them, Valeria," Laurie says after a long time, Valeria stops momentarily before continuing, "they're going to kill them for me," the guilt escapes in the tone of her voice, her conscience blames her for what's going to happen to those poor women. "I've got to go back, if I do they won't do anything to them."

"You're not coming back, Laurie," Valeria's voice becomes cold, authoritative. Contrary to the one a moment ago.

Laurie looked at her on the verge of tears.

"I can't leave them, I can't abandon them. His trembling hand grabbed one of the Mexican's wrists, "please."

Valeria stared at her before sighing, the woman had plans to destroy everything that belonged to the Frenchman, the man had dared to touch something that was rightfully his, and she never let things go.

She didn't answer, but Laurie knew she'd think about it, she knew her so well.

Forty-five minutes into the bathroom, Laurie was taken out and changed into new, comfortable clothes, clothes they had brought while they were both in the bathroom.

The bed had even been fixed and Valeria had not hesitated to put her in the middle while she snuggled her on her chest, but not before taking off her vest.

Laurie, on the verge of falling asleep, told her something that would unconsciously make Valeria's business grow illegally.

"I have information about that place on my laptop," Valeria frowns as she watches her fall asleep.

Place? Had he saved information, and of what kind?

Valeria barely had her in her arms after several years and already had more work to do, including the idiot who had been torturing for hours.

Careful not to wake the woman, Valeria took her cell phone out of the back pocket of her pants and dialed the first number she had registered; It only took him to ring once for them to answer him.

"I'm not going to repeat what I'm going to say, you'd better listen carefully; look for the laptop in room 503 of the surgical residency dormitories in the south wing of the Sorbonne University. I don't want mistakes, they better not be screwing around.

He hung up the call and settled better in bed, his head was plotting new plans so that everything would go smoothly, in addition to the fact that they had to keep a low profile after the massacre he had committed a few days ago, the authorities were already getting involved, he had to end everything quickly and return to Mexico.

He had business to finish as far as his territory was concerned, and the constant troubles with the Cowboys was a rope he couldn't let loose, at least not for long. They were a plague that I should have at least controlled.

It would be a very long week; full of stress and tension, plus there would be bloodshed... Perhaps it was a good thing that he made himself known to the French.

It could stir up the hornet's nest.

Chapters: teaser, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...

the chapter is a little short, please bear with me as I get used to posting on tumblr :) comments, likes and reblogs are much appreciated.

¡requests open! you can place your orders of the 141 being hybrid or monster x reader, or any other COD character. please ask with confidence, I will be happy to do it (unfortunately I will not write smut, I am very bad at writing that kind of content, sorry).

#valeria garza #valeria mw2 #cod mw2 #valeria cod #valeria garza x reader #valeria garza x fem!reader #valeria x f! reader #valeria garza x you #valeria x reader #valeria x oc #mw2 #wife!valeria garza

43 notes · View notes

birdofdawning · 1 year

Text

Le Poison des Pierreries

Two women kissing in nature, by Georges Rochegrosse (1859-1938).

This is such a sweet picture. I’ve seen it pop up a few times on Tumblr.

And now I am going to ruin it. But then I’m going to try and unruin it! However, if you just want two girls kissing in nature then scroll on by and vote in some polls. It’s all good.

So this is an illustration from 1903 French novelette Le Poison des Pierreries (The Poisoned Stones) The two characters kissing are the Princess Alilat (the tall brunette) and the Prince Sparyanthis (the blond). Sparyanthis is eighteen years old and we weren’t yet at the point where we required super-buffness to indicate masculinity, so the artist depicts him as a pretty youth. But don’t stop reading! Because 1.) this is a tale of eroticism, revenge, obsession, and treacherous murder by sorcery, and who doesn’t love all that? and 2.) there is nothing straight about this couple or this novel.

Also, 3.) it’s pretty sexy. So, you know. Be aware fellow asexuals.

Le Poison des Pierreries was written by the author and essayist Camille Mauclair for his friend the Orientalist Georges Rochegrosse to illustrate. Orientalism was very pretty but very, very problematic and if you don’t know why you can easily find out by doing a search.

(BTW I am not an expert on textual analysis or art history, or queer and gender theory, and know almost nothing about the French language — when I get stuff wrong feel free to let me know! I’m sure at the very least there are lots of classical allusions I’m missing.)

Also: there’s some implied lack of consent in this story.

The novelette tells of the distant city of Etesia. It is ruled by two brothers, the doughty warrior Cimmérion and the beautiful, decadent Sparyanthis. They are really really fond of each other. But in a way that wasn’t a big deal in 1903.

Cimmérion arrives home from war with the beautiful princess Alilat whom he has forced into marriage. Alilat is now the last of her house, thanks to Cimmérion, because he’s slaughtered everyone she ever knew, and she has opinions about this. Despite Sparyanthis’ best intentions, Alilat beguiles him, and they begin having an affair while Cimmérion is away hunting each day. ‘Two women kissing in nature’ is the moment when Sparyanthis finally gives in to his desire for Alilat.

But Alilat is (understandably) after revenge for herself and her people, and she uses her sorceries to bring a strange malady upon Cimmérion that robs him of his strength. At the same time she relishes the agonies of guilt Sparyanthis feels over his ongoing betrayal of his beloved brother.

Eventually everyone dies!

But until that happens there is a lot of queer sex going on.

The Queerness

So we can try and read this story as someone from 1903, or we can read it as someone from today. In 1903 it’s a story of masculinity as a vital, conquering, barbarous force versus femininity as a languid, yielding, civilising… perhaps too civilising… influence. A healthy nation was thought to be warlike and ever-expanding. Old civilizations — like the ancient nations of the East — were regarded as rich but dwindling due to becoming too decadent; their sexual mores (which the West took a not at all creepy interest in; c.f. Richard Burton) were held to be intriguing but Not The Done Thing. A proper western couple — one (1) man + one (1) woman, married — had quick, penetrative sex and then went to sleep or something idk. This is how Cimmérion takes Alilat, and she loathes him for it (there’s a line about her ‘being thrown down upon the couch of the conqueror’ and having to endure his caresses). Real men are too busy hunting or making war or running kingdoms to bother much about girls.

But Sparyanthis is quite a different sort of person from his dull brother. He wanders around the palace in women’s clothes having sex with whoever he finds; the explicit incidents are with women, but there are plenty of young men in the illustrations. And everyone is down with it because the Etesians are known for two things: war and having A LOT of sex, never mind with who (at one point Spary can seek out Aliat at night because all the servants are busy making out with all the soldiers in alcoves).

Both in words and illustrations Mauclair and Rochegrosse suggest Sparyanthis is a young woman. He is ‘more beautiful that all the maidens of that country’. He is frequently described as wearing women’s robes, or of being naked except for his jewellery. He is languid and wanton (not vigorous and virile like Cimmérion), with golden tresses and soft, white limbs. There are suggestions that he is sometimes rouged or kohl-eyed, but I don’t trust my translation enough to say for sure. He lies around on couches and beds a lot, and delves into non-manly stuff like magic and secret knowledge. There’s much made of how devoted to each other the two brothers are because of their differences. Soft, white Sparyanthis idolises tanned, brawny, bearded Cimmérion, and Cimmérion ‘adores Sparyanthis’ beautiful body’.

Alilat, meanwhile, is not an Etesian and is accustomed to wearing sombre modest clothing (there is a scene where Sparyanthis invites her to one of his afternoon gambols, and when everyone strips off and starts making out Alilat remains in her black robes and pointedly focuses only on her host, Sparyanthis, and he wonders what’s going on). But once she seduces Sparyanthis, she starts playing with gender too: she frequently meets him dressed in masculine clothes, while he is still in his woman’s garments. She is a vital force, determined as she is to achieve her revenge, and this is juxtaposed with Sparyanthis’ languorous attitude. She is compared to a hunter, and him to the quarry.

Alilat explicitly cannot stand the touch of a man, so she's having an affair with the beautiful, voluptuous Sparyanthis... because neither her nor the story considers him a man.

She intends to destroy both Cimmérion and the city of Etesia, and she takes a devilish glee in how tortured with guilt Sparyanthis is, but she does seem to be as sexually obsessed with him as he is with her. And there are moments of maternal kindness too, where she fondly treats Spary like a younger sister.

So while in 1903 it’s a story of what city-destroying calamities happen when men and women don’t follow their natures or whatever, today it reads like messed up queer people having a lot of queer sex. And I think it’s definitely much more fun to read it that way.

The Sex

So I am demisexual and modern sex stuff doesn’t really do much for me. But, tell you what, 1903 veiled door sex knows what it’s about.

Everyone is having great sex here, and it’s implied that because of all this sensuality the kingdom is doomed to fall: the ‘warm voluptuousness’ is ‘softening the men’. You just can’t run a country while everyone’s fucking all the time, and Mauclair is here to tell you all about how bad an idea it is.

No sex is ever described (though it’s taking place in the background of at least one illustration), so the excitement is all in the set-up: Alilat abducts and fucks Sparyanthis while dressed as one of his own archers (“and seized him with the audacity of a soldier taking a weak, conquered Syrian”). A magician approaches Sparyanthis while he is studying the stars in his chambers and traces on the ground with a wand the symbol for an astrological union, and then opens her robe enough to reveal her breasts and they have sex with Alilat still wearing her false beard. I mean

They met in secret caves and rut like beasts, howling, then sit in the throne room in their official robes and give each other secret looks (which, to be fair, is kind of like every new love affair).

Sadly there are no illustrations of any of this! I guess Rochegrosse just wanted to draw beautiful youths embracing and had no time for Mauclair's gender-switching antics, and I think that's a shame.

Anyway, because Cimmérion has laid hands upon Alilat without her permission she has come up with a very particular murder scheme. She tells Sparyanthis that Cimmérion prefers to take her ‘naked save all her jewellery’ and so she enchants her jewellery to burn away his vitality while it caresses his bare skin — the Poisoned Stones of the story’s title. The very act of sex brings about the stoic Cimmérion's murder.

Everyone in Etesia is making out with everyone else, and Cimmérion’s and Alilat’s marriage seems to be the only expected exception to all this polyamoury or so you would think. But then comes the kicker at the end: as Cimmérion lies on his death bed he tells Sparyanthis and Alilat that he knew all about their secret love the whole time and he was totally okay with it: they should carry on with his blessing. Sparyanthis is not okay about that. But too late, bud.

Anyway, not two women kissing in nature, but — I think — two genderqueer people kissing in nature. Read it for yourself! It’s really short!

(Okay, so this is too long already, but Alilat is just so cool. She sends dreams to Spary and begins seducing him before they've even met.

There’s this whole bit where she summons up a spirit of fire from the underworld to infuse her jewellery with wicked magics, and Sparyanthis is like “Do we need to use sorcery? Can’t we just stab him?” and Alilat says “Don’t be such a nerd, Sparyanthis, I wanna do it with evil sex.”

And there’s also another part where she’s wondering about how it will all turn out once Cimmérion is dead, and she’s thinking that maybe she’ll usurp the throne, but then again maybe she’ll just destroy the kingdom and then ride out across the desert as it falls, laughing, and then she’ll go to the mountains and establish her own country of sorceresses and she will be their queen.

And hey, maybe the Alilat who ‘died’ was only a simulacrum and the real Alilat did just that. I hope so, people should just leave a girl alone.)

#Le Poison des Pierreries #French Novel (1903)#Two women kissing in nature #by Georges Rochegrosse (1859-1938)#Playing with gender #Genderqueer #orientalism #A lot of sex #Like a LOT #Sorcery

108 notes · View notes

beanghostprincess · 5 months

Note

I've fallen in love with trans girls usopp oh my god

Nami and Robin know she's trans they invite her to go shopping, spa days hair appointments. They accept and welcome here before usopp knows about it.

Usopp still feels a little silly asking to join them on their little outing. She doesn't want to ruin it by being the only "" boy"" when it's a girls night. If she doesn't ask Nami drags her along any way. Even before they expected her to be trans they were always comfortable around usopp. Nami more than anyone, the amount of time she's walked in on usopp showing just to ask what she wants for dinner (Luffy does it too but he does that to everyone he would start conversations while his crewmate is on the toilet) or to join the bath to relax and unwind It's normal. It's just usopp she takes her to the spa all the time. Mud bathes, facials, back massages. Nami gets a full mani pedi nothing extra just french tips, ussop just like trim and buff with a clear gloss.

When they go shopping Robin likes to find nice outfits for her to try on. She takes things from the women's section and places it in men, for her to "find". Like 'oh usopp look what I found in the men's section. Try this on it would look nice on you' and it's a flower print low cut shirt with flared sleeves and bell bottoms with a matching bandana.

They also notice when usopp is feeling insecure about her body or identity. She takes glances or full on stairs at herself in the mirror looking at every flaw or part that causes dysphoria. They try to find ways to distract her, if by clothes or going to the bathhouse is too much for her at the moment they take her to lunch or sightseeing.

After she comes out the girls welcome her and have a girls day. After they pry sanji off of her it's straight to shopping. They try on bra after, after bra, after bra. What size would you think you'd be? What size do you want to be? B? C? Nothing over DD. What color do you want? Undies tucking or non tucking? Bikini or boy shorts? How about the lace set. Sopes and body washes. Coconut and vanilla or how about hibiscus and honey? Clothes! You need some nice clothes and shoes. Heels you need one pair of heels and a nice evening gown just in case our captain puts us in a situation where we need to look nice. Her hair is cute already but it would look better if it was half up and hair down especially with this cute scrunchy that Nami found.

They come back to the ship with bags and boxes all carried by sanji. All belonging to usopp, the trip was honestly overwhelming to say the least but she enjoyed herself. She tries different looks throughout the month but she falls back on her signature brown overalls but now unclamped and worn as pants and a yellow crop top and floral pattern bandana. She also got a belly ring.

Sabaody was a nightmare. She spent two years training getting stronger for her captain, yeah getting fit was great (she loves her muscles) but growing a beard not so great. It felt like her body was betraying her but she couldn't worry about that now, not when her crew needed her in top form. After the two years she learned a lot about plants and found some are high in estrogen and can increase hormone levels. Not by a lot but enough to alleviate some dysphoria it helped a lot with her hair growth mostly. Speaking of hair she made a blade from stone so she can shave, it's better than the cheap razors you have to buy.

When meeting up again, Nami could tell she was a little self conscious about her appearance. She was going to give words of encouragement but was quickly interrupted by sanji being a little too overly affectionate to usopp. Fawning over her, missing her and admiring her soft skin, pretty eyes, her scent of eucalyptus and mint. He buried his face in her new long and luscious curls and babbled sweet nothing to her until Nami pulled him off. Most of her troubles washed away after seeing Sanji still obsessed with her even though she's not looking like her ideal self at the moment.

Buy honestly she still hates it. Sanji words of affection can only do so much. She hates getting dressed with the others, Shopping trips and spa days aren't as fun. She looks good, hot even but still a stranger to herself. She gets up earlier than most of the crew to get ready. shower and mostly shave, she hates shaving in front of the other girls. she's welcomed by Saji and heart shaped pancakes.

Usopp is tickled but still feels down. She asked him if she's feminine enough and she looks like a woman. Sanji is still in awe with her and answers yes 100 times yes. She gets a little frustrated and asks again not as a boyfriend but as a fellow trans person. Does she look feminine enough. Of course he gives the same answer but in a more serious tone and he tells her she looks like a lot of women. They have been to countless islands and met tons of people including women that are buffer and broader than her and they're still women. Luffy also chimes in agreeing with him (he also stole usopp's pancakes) saying she looks like a lady who would be on Amazon Lily. They reassure her that there's no one way of looking like a woman or being a woman but if it's dysphoria related they can call up Ivankov to fix things up for her.

Okay this is- This is so relatable, tbh. And also- Auch. It hurts.

I am so in love with the idea of transfem Usopp, too! She has been through so much,, And I love the way you portrayed her problems with dysphoria and the way the crew helps her out all the time. The experience of her asking Sanji if he thinks she's feminine, not as her boyfriend but as a fellow trans person... It's so- Ughhh. I love this. Please. It's so good. I love them so much. Thank you for this.

#one piece #black leg sanji #usopp #sanuso #transfem usopp

30 notes · View notes

my-mt-heart · 7 months

Note

My weekly essay quiz:

There's nothing in terms of shipbaiting on the show so far that makes me concerned about where it's going. There's no chemistry between Isabelle and Daryl, and it's not played like there should be. Each episode has reinforced that Isabelle is a nun, that she chose her life and it's an informed decision because she used to lead a very different life. Everything she does is for Laurent. He is her raison d'être. Anna, the nightclub singer and Quinn's (I assume) bedwarmer, has a line which sums up the episode and Isabelle's emotional drive: "Women need a damn good reason to come back." There's a beat with Quinn's non-reaction to her insignificance. "Sometimes a damn good reason to stay." Isabelle has stayed (alive) for Laurent and she will go back to Quinn for Laurent.

However, the show does "borrow" Caryl/Carol beats liberally, which is cheap, annoying and lazy writing. Make Isabelle a character in her own right—Clémence could've carried the weight of this show if they'd let her— don't make her go back to her old life and her emotionally abusive boyfriend to protect her child. In 104, we see Laurent hiding from walkers underneath a sheet of corrugated steel, much like Sophia underneath the car on the highway, including the walker trying to get to him. Earlier in the episode, Daryl told Isabelle when he found out the boy was missing that, "He's a smart kid. He's running, he's hiding," but there's no urgency to his words, unlike when he was searching for Sophia.

In that same scene, when Daryl first walks into the apartment and finds Isabelle there, he asks her if she's okay. There's none of the careful tone he usually uses for Carol when he knows she's fragile; the camera is on Daryl, so we can see from his face that there are no emotional stakes on his part. Isabelle's been out searching for the kid all night and his is the first friendly face she sees, so she hugs Daryl. Judging by the body language, it's because she needs to connect with someone, anyone. The camera is still on Daryl when he hugs Isabelle back or, really, offers her some basic comfort. He's hesitant and slow in putting his arms around her and he just sort of places them there. There's no squeeze, no melting into each other's embrace. It's almost impersonal.

Sylvie asking Isabelle if she's ever had romantic feelings for anyone after she took her vows serves two purposes. One, to drive Sylvie's arc—she's the young nun who's had no other life and meets a dashing young man in the big city, so it's a standard romance trope used as a foil for Isabelle's arc. In each episode so far, Isabelle has emphasized that young people know of nothing else. They have had no options. She's lived, loved and made mistakes. Isabelle has no reason to lie to Sylvie about her own feelings when she says she was simply concerned for Daryl, not emotionally invested (at least not for his own sake). She's entrusting her nephew, a boy who means everything to her, in his care and Daryl had just acted completely unhinged when they interrogated Quinn's henchman, so whatever concern she felt was completely justified.

(Emotionally unstable men don't make for good love interests if you're looking for a happy ending and Isabelle is far from naïve.)

Speaking of the interrogation scene, the misogyny is so strong. The captured goon speaks about Isabelle (to her) in much the same way Ed spoke to Carol, echoing whatever mean streak keeps Quinn alive and breathing. Isabelle is an obsession, a possession he wants. Daryl doesn't understand a word that's said because it's all in French and Isabelle doesn't translate that she's being called a whore. (The translation offered onscreen is "slut," but the word used is "putain.") Daryl loses his shit on the guy, but it has nothing to do with anything going on in the scene (because he doesn't understand 90% of the conversation) and is just out of character. He's calculated and brutish, telling a story about "Jimmy, the runt of the neighborhood and incidental pig sticker," which seems intended to scare the other guy, but he doesn't speak much English, beyond "she very bad girl," so what's the point if it's lost on him anyway?

The "battered wife" ambiance is coating everything in this episode. I've mentioned the pervading misogyny before, but it's not solely in relation to Isabelle. Anna, too, is used (and pretending like she has agency) and Sylvie is young and unworldly, she should be getting an "how to stay safe in the real world" talk from someone who knows it's not all butterflies in the stomach.

Nothing about this show (so far) is butterflies in the stomach.

France/Paris is pretty. The second unit does some fabulous work in all the episodes I've seen. Cinematography is top notch. The set design and the VFX are not. It feels like the set dressers might come from stage or maybe studio set productions (like sitcoms) where you have limited space and all props need to be arranged to maximize visual angles. There's a strange feeling of corridor design in all outdoor sets, much like a janky computer game with low resolution textures. Buildings in the distance are all a blurry soft focus, so we won't spot that the kudzu and the decay either look painted on or pixelated. The green screen is an immersion breaking corneal abrasion and the Eiffel Tower does some gravity defying feats.

DD is supposed to be an arty action adventure, I guess...? I think Norman was going for an "elevated," more European feel to the show, like what you'd see produced on local TV in continental Europe, but they'd need European writers who won't cram the show with every trite cliché Americans might assume is true of France. Zabel (and his crony Richman, who only get jobs by handing them to each other) write somewhat campy/soapy drama, with a bent toward white man's history and copious biblical references, so action scenes aren't in the wheel house of either man and every single fight scene has been cringe worthy.

If Norman and/or Nicotero wanted "something completely different" from the flagship show, the showrunner would still need to have seen TWD to know what they're subverting and to keep the characters in character, so we don't end up with the toxic mess that seemed to sum up much of Daryl in the episode.

[SF]

Thank you for all of this 🙏 Hopefully people find it helpful. I only watched a 10s clip of Daryl talking about Jimmy and it was enough to upset me. Daryl didn’t sound like himself at all. This is not an art project, it’s a TV show based on a character with some of the best development in history. Story matters. Voice matters. Continuity matters. Why does nobody in charge seem to care? (That’s rhetorical).

#caryl #caryl spinoff #carol peletier #melissa mcbride #darylneedscarol

24 notes · View notes

enbysiriusblack · 1 year

Note

i'm sorry if i'm bothering you, it's just that i saw that you ship jegulily and i wanted to ask if you have any headcanons about them?

it'll never bother me to answer asks or talk about jegulily.

lily being a big doctor who fan and she introduces it to them and they all obsess over it together and will always laugh when remus wears something resembling one of the doctor's outfits (which he does a lot)

lily and regulus first bonded over classic literature and would read together in the library all the time, and one time james comes over with his friends and peeks at the book both of them are reading and comments "little women? ooh who's your favourite sister? mines definitely beth, made me cry" and lily swoons right there. regulus' swoon moment for james is when he sees regulus reading hamlet and recites the 'to be or not to be' monologue terribly.

james picked up a bit of french from sirius and flirts with regulus and lily in french, absolutely forgetting regulus is fluent however lily doesn't know any french so she asks regulus to tell her what james said and he'd lie and say an absolutely terrible pick up line making james panic and have to just say the truth

the day lily and james found out regulus has no clue who abba are. their souls died. and they introduced him to the band but he just could not like it. until he found out sirius pretends he doesn't like abba, so regulus decided to pretend he does just to annoy sirius but also as an excuse to dance with an extremely excited lily and james

i think this is a fairly unpopular jegulily opinion, but lily and regulus dating each other first. james has a crush on both of them and is friends with lily, not really friends with regulus. while lily and regulus have veen friends for a while, having a study group together with remus and they liked each other so lily asked him out and they started non-publically dating (only their friends knowing) and then both of them started growing feelings for james while together so they talked about it and went on separate dates with him then the second date all three together

angsty hc now, after finding out regulus joined the death eaters, lily immediately broke up with regulus and refused to talk to him again. james heard him out about why he joined, but felt he had to break up with regulus due to it. just before he died in the cave, regulus visited them and gave them a letter, making them promise not to open it till midnight. they listened and waited but after opening the letter where he said s last goodbye to them, they both regretted it so much and wish they broke the promise and opened it straight away.

#ive said about this before but i love how jegulily are all the actual younger siblings (james' siblings being the marauders and marlene)#but they have that older sibling/mum friend vibe #marauders era #marauders #anon ask #jegulily #james potter #lily evans #regulus black #jegulily headcanons

72 notes · View notes

wolfspero · 6 months

Note

Hey, I don't want to bother you, so I'll write to you here (and you don't have to reply, of course) I just thought I should say thank you for interacting with my old post, it made my evening- <3

Every time it’s nice to see that there are a few who are interested in this game in one way or another.

Hello! Oh no, I'm not bothered at all - quite the opposite, actually. This is such a sweet message. You don't owe me any thank you, but that's nice from you.

I was glad to see your post too. I was only looking for Heavy Rains' fan arts and gifs (well, especially those about Norman Jayden, but I think that I was open to a lot of things), but I didn't expect to learn anything about the next (unfortunately abandoned) game.

The potential was insane. The fact that it was centered on Norman already got me, but Jack Reilly's existence and their life together? Like omg? First, that means that Norman is canonically gay / bi, which is both awesome and unexpected.

I really had a great time with this video game. It probably was my first narrative game (and more specifically, a game with choices, but I don't know how to say it in English) and I loved the experience. I played it a few times and also watched some let's play (I just finished one today, because a very well known French streamer just discovered Heavy Rain and I wanted to live this experience again). It's always cool. A lot of feelings, several linked points of vue, endearing characters... bref, it works, and it's hard to just move on after the end.

However, it's really hard to ignore how the whole game shows a typical straight male gaze. Like all the time, and it's not even subtle. Women are objectified for no purpose - just because they can do it, I guess? This is not just about David Cage's shower obsession (like really, how many shower scenes? is it a kink or something? for real, it happens too often to be ignored ahah), but how he portrays his female characters. It's quite painful to watch. How many sexual aggressions? We even have a particularly scary agression in a dream? Was any of it really necessary? Did they exist in any other way?

Oh, yes, we had Madison Paige. I liked her, but she was not an exception at all. She also was over sexualized - not surprising, at this point - but that's not all. Yes, she is smart and brave. But that doesn't erase the fact that she only exists to be here for Ethan Mars. She was the nice nurse that helped him every time he was hurt, because that's how women are supposed to be.

Gender roles are very stereotyped and it even starts in the firsts minutes of the game, when Grace is depicted like if she was so boring. She took care of the children all day, managed all the organization herself and is basically exhausted.

And when she comes home, what? Ethan didn't do anything. He has to wait for his wife to tell him what to do, to remember that yes, it's his kid's birthday and he should be more invested. So a very hard task, to get the table ready... except he doesn't even know where the plates are, how to open the placard (I don't remember the English word, sorry) and can't even take care of the material. But he did it, so I guess we should applaud?

And after that, Grace continues to set up everything, without any consideration, while he goes out to play with the kid. It brings him the good role. I guess that Grace would love to spend fun time with her children too, but she can't since she is the only one to be invested in his son's birthday organization.

So when I read that Norman Jayden had a boyfriend, I was just confused. Wtf David? Were you drunk or something? How could you even not think straight? I know that sometimes a strong enough misogyny can involuntarily become gay, but still. This is so far from what we saw in Heavy Rain. I was not expecting it to be somehow canon. But it is, and I take it. It's just so sad that we'll (probably) never see it as a game.

The fandom seems to do the job for all of us. It doesn't appear as dead as you say, really. I saw some AO3 fanfictions... but didn't read any of it yet. It's not that easy to start an English story when you're so far from being fluent. I already struggle to read in French due to my attention issues (or at least it is the main reason), so starting a story in English is something else - and way harder. I already did it, but not many times and my level stays way too low for me to don't see any difference. Anyway, I hope to be able to start some of them. I saw a lot of potential in a few Norman/Ethan stories and I don't want to miss it.

Well, now, I also hope that Norman/Jack fanfictions exist. I guess not, according to your post? If so, what a waste. We don't know much about them (or at least I do not), but already enough to write a very entertaining story. Jack Reilly obviously was a very skilled scientist. He worked on advanced technologies and Normand used them on the field. This is both revolutionary and fascinating.

Also, we have the whole addiction to triptocaine part. They unfortunately had that in common - Jack even died for it. That brings a deep meaning to all the times we saw Norman fight against his addiction. The fact that he couldn't stop and was sure to die because of it. It's even more significant to know that his love died from it. It's awful and dramatic. But for the same reason, I think that it has - again - a huge potential. A story about their common addiction and how they deal with it would be amazing.

It deserves to exist, really. Oh, and of course, Jack also deserves to survive. I want to see Norman and him happy together. Our poor FBI guy wasn't very lucky until now, so it has to change. I'm not sure that I couldn't support anything else ahah.

Well... This answer starts to be long (or at least, way more than what I expected), so I should stop here. Just thank you for your kind words and your implication in the fandom. It's really pleasant to see. And the fandom doesn't need anything else to be alive.

#heavy rain #quantic dream #norman jayden #jack reilly #ethan mars #madison paige #david cage #sorry for the long answer #I'm not used to it #anyway #thank you again

11 notes · View notes

arty-shadow-morningstar · 2 years

Note

Hi! I love, your work, by the way! I was wondering if I could get a Tim x Adrien story. With a side of childhood friends to lovers? Like Tim and Adri met at one of the Drakes Parties? But also I want a side a relationship reveal, but with Class Field Trip to Gotham City salt. Also, also Tim and Adrien already know each other superhero identities.

Basically all of Lila's lying, Tim x Adrien's relationship, is revealed at one of the Wayne Gala's.

I have never shipped Adrien with anyone because I have zero grasp of his character and I gave this my best shot. I lost control of the plot somewhere and It turned into this monster. I know you guys might ask me to continue this but my answer is no. And Class Redemption because why not?

[Masterlist]

-------

THE STORY OF THEIR LIVES

Ten-year-old Adrien smiled as the old lady pinched his cheeks. Even in Gotham, he can't escape the obsession old wealthy women has with his ‘chubby’ cheeks.

While she commented on how cute he was (at least that is what Adrien thinks she is talking about, he had slacked in his English lessons a little bit and she was using the English word for cute a lot), he scanned the lavishly decorated ballroom for signs of his mother.

She would be more willing to distract the nice lady than Père while Adrien made his escape. Instead, he locked eyes with another boy around his age.

“Help me!” Adrien mouthed to the other boy in English.

Tim was ecstatic at meeting another child his age at the boring gala his parents made him attend and concerned when they started asking for help.

Once he got a glimpse at who was holding the other boy hostage, he winced in sympathy. Ms. Milson may look like a feeble old lady, albeit dressed in more expensive clothing than your average grandmother, but her hands are like crab pincers which Tim had been the victim of many, many times.

Tim recognised the other boy as Adrien Agreste, French model for his father’s, Gabriel Agreste’s, brand. Said blonde’s cheeks were turning a worryingly red and Ms. Milson took no notice as she continued to coo about how cute he is.

Once Adrien realised that Tim was looking at him, he widened his eyes so comically and mouthed at Tim for help. His pleading green eyes, similar to that of a sad kitten, made Tim cave in to help despite the potential damage Ms. Milson will inflict on his cheeks.

Tim sighed and tried his best to make sure his smile didn't look like a grimace, “Ms. Milson.”

“Timothy, darling, where have you been hiding? I have been looking for you everywhere …” Ms Milson babbled on as she predictably reached for his cheeks after letting go of Adrien’s. Tim tried to stay still and not flinch at her approach.

Holy crab pincers, Batman. It hurts so bad. Why was he doing this again?

Adrien, behind Ms. Milson, rubbed his cheeks and gave Tim a bright smile in gratitude which made Tim’s stomach feel funny.

Are all models this pretty? Honestly, he could see why Gabriel would openly try to break child labour laws and use such a pretty face.

“... and you have grown so big. Timothy dear, have you met this boy yet? He’s your age. His name is…erm….what was it again, dear?”

“Adrien Agreste, Madam,” he replied.

“Well, Adrien, this is Timothy,” she said as she pulled said boy’s cheek and Tim grimaced from the pain, “and his parents are the one hosting this lovely gala.”

“Oui.”

“Ms. Milson, can Adrien and I go play?”

“Of course, dearie,” She finally released Tim’s cheek from her grip and gave it one last pat, “I remember when my boys were your age. Oh look, there’s Richard. I haven’t seen him in a while. He’s growing up into a rather smart young man. You boys go have fun now.”

By then, Tim had already grabbed Adrien’s hand and dragged him across the room, out of Ms. Milson’s sight.

“Sorry, about dragging you, Adrien. But if we don't get out of there, she will come pinch us again.”

“It’s fine. No cheeks being pinched is good.” Adrien said in a slight mix of French and British accent.

“I was afraid that you might not understand me.”

“I have a family in London so I learn it but there are some things about English that I find confusing.”

“Don’t worry, even Americans sometimes find the language confusing.”

They stood there and stared at each other. Tim used that opportunity to study Adrien. His blonde hair was well-combed and all of his clothes were all obviously Gabriel branded. So another reason for Gabriel coming was to promote his new line.

“Do you want to be friends?” Adrien bursted out asking.

“Yeah,” Tim absentmindedly answered, deep in thought about his observations of Adrien before registering the question, “Huh, I mean, sure. We can be friends.”

“Adrien, what are you doing here?” A blond woman who is likely to be Adrien’s mother called out due to their resemblance.

“Mama, this is my new friend, Timothy.”

“Nice to meet you, Madam. My name is Timothy Drake. My parents are the hosts of today’s gala. I hope you are enjoying your evening.”

“Such a polite boy. But you don’t need to be like that with me. Are you boys having fun?”

“Timothy was going to show me around.” Adrien exclaimed, before lowering his head and quietly asked, “Can I go with him, Mama?”

Emilie smiled and bent down to pat his head, “Of course, you can, mon cher. Stay inside the mansion at all times. I will be staying in the Ballroom the entire time. Come find me when you want to go back to the hotel.”

“Okay, Mama!” Adrien smiled brightly, causing the funny feeling in Tim’s stomach to increase and his face felt hotter. Tim held out his hand (why was it sweating so much? ) for Adrien to grab.

Emilie tried to resist the urge to squeal as she watched the two boys walk away, giggling like the children they are supposed to be. She was going to persuade Gabriel to let Adrien keep in touch and be friends with the son of the Drakes.

------

Adrien tuned out Lila’s voice as he stared out the airplane window of his first class seat. Lila was also somehow in first-class and she was making as much use of it as she could. As soon as the seatbelt sign was off, she had spent every second of her time sitting next to him, stating that first-class chairs were big enough for two. All of his requests for her to go away fell on deaf ears. (Does she actually have tinnitus or is it selective hearing?)

Many of the other passengers had put in earplugs or headphones to avoid her but Adrien had not much luck as Lila stopped his every attempt to do the same.

On paper, the class was on their way to Gotham City for their school field trip. As an Agreste, he got a seat in first class and unfortunately along with Lila, who by some miracle managed to get his father to get her in.

The truth was that it was just a cover for the Miraculous Court, who were sitting in business class along with the rest of their classmates, to get into Gotham to escape Shadowmoth’s scrutiny and discuss with the Bats about the Paris situation. For Adrien, it was an excuse to see his boyfriend, Tim Drake-Wayne again. Or also known as Red Robin.

The two boys had kept in contact over the years. Tim began to reach out more after he learned about the akuma situation and patiently endured Adrien’s crush on Ladybug. Luckily, one identity reveal later, Marinette and Adrien decided that they were both better off as friends. Marinette had long moved on from her own crush on ‘Adrien Agreste’ and in the suits, Chat Noir no longer flirted around Ladybug.

Soon after, Tim and Adrien confessed to liking each other and started dating in a long distance relationship.

After a long talk with the rest of the Miraculous Court, they agreed to let Adrien tell Tim about his identity. They thought that as a Wayne, Tim would be able to connect them to Batman and get them the help they needed. It hasn’t been long since the Court was formed and properly established. Between school and the akumas, they don’t have the proper manpower or resources to investigate Shadowmoth.

The second identity reveal was more chaotic than the first.

—--

Adrien, transformed as Chat Noir, was nervously standing in front of his computer screen where a shocked Tim was frozen for the past few minutes.

“Tim?” Adrien asked worriedly, “I know this is a lot to spring it much on you and you might not believe it-”

“No. No. Babe, I believe you. It’s just… wow, my brothers are not going to leave me alone if they find out about this.” Tim looked down thoughtfully and tried to process the fact that his boyfriend wears a leather catsuit on a regular basis to battle.

“Tim, are you okay?”

“I am fine. So you are Chat Noir. I know that but my head can’t seem to get around to that fact.”

“Oh. Wait. Plagg, claws in.” Adrien said and a green light flashed over him. Tim takes a double take as the camembert on Adrien’s desk starts floating.

“On second thought, I think I should get some sleep if I am hallucinating floating cheese.”

“Tim! What have I told you about your sleep schedule.”

“Relax, Adrien,” a nasally voice was heard, “your boyfriend’s fine. He just couldn’t see me because kwamis don’t show up on cameras. Remember Kwami Buster?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Who was that?” Tim asked.

“Plagg, he’s basically a god that allows me to transform into Chat Noir. Cameras can’t seem to work on him and that’s probably why you think that there is a floating cheese besides me.”

“Right. Right.” Tim placed his head in his hands, “So to recap, you are a cat-themed superhero. Specifically one of the main heroes that are fighting that Butterfly Man.”

“Shadowmoth.”

“Okay. And you are powered by an invisible god.”

“He looks like a black chibi cat actually. You can’t see him because of the cameras. I think there’s a picture Marinette drew of him somewhere. Hold on.” Adrien went out of frame for a moment before returning with a sketch of Plagg.

“Wow.”

There were points in Tim’s life when he thought that things can’t get weirder and they did. His boyfriend confesses to being one of the heroes that the JL had been trying to make contact with for the past year but couldn’t, due to a frustrating combination of magic and politics. That is making its way to the top ten weirdest.

“Tim?” Adrien’s hesitant voice brought him back from his thoughts.

“I am fine, Adrien.” Tim reassured, “It was a lot to process but I believe you. You should be glad that I have made this line so secure that even Lex Luthor would have trouble listening in. I don’t think you would like your father knowing about this.”

“Oh thank kwamis. Well, the other reason I am telling you this is because I need your help contacting Batman. As a Wayne, you probably know how to do that. At least I hope you have a way.”

Oh. Tim wanted to laugh.

After many months of failing to get into contact with the Miraculous Court, an opportunity simply landed on Tim’s lap in the form of his boyfriend. Now, he had a decision to make.

“Tim?”

“Adrien, I also have something I have been keeping a secret.”

“It can’t be that you are also a superhero, right?” Adrien joked, “Cause what are the chances that both of us are heroes.”

Adrien’s smile faded, upon seeing Tim’s completely serious face.

“No. No. No. No way. Non. Non.”

“Adrien, I am Red Robin.” Tim interrupted Adrien’s denial session. Cackling was heard through the speakers which Tim assumed was from Adrien’s floating cat god.

Adrien went silent for a moment before asking, “Who’s Red Robin?”

It was Tim’s turn to be shocked into silence. His boyfriend didn’t even know who his hero identity. Granted, he never talked about the Bats of Gotham in detail to Adrien besides mentioning that they ‘save’ him a few times and his family’s alter egos weren’t as public as the Parisian heroes. But still.

Tim slapped his hand to his forehead in despair, “My boyfriend doesn't even know who I am. Granted, I am not that much of a big deal but that hurts.”

“I’m sorry,” Adrien apologised, “I only know about Batman and his sidekick, Robin.”

“I’m fine. Don’t let Damian know that you called Robin a sidekick.”

“Your brother is Robin?”

“My entire family is in on it.”

“Is Alfred Batman then?”

Tim laughed.

“Come on, Tim. I want to know who he is.”

“It’s Bruce.”

Adrien felt his brain trying to process the information. “What?”

“Bruce Wayne is Batman.”

“Are you sure you are not making fun of me for being honest and telling you my superhero identity?”

“Nope. Completely serious. I am the hero, Red Robin. If you search up about the Teen Titans or the Young Justice, you will see my name beside them. I am best friends with the older Superboy and Kid Flash.”

They spent the rest of the call, talking about their alter egos.

—--

After months of planning over video calls to somehow get most of the Miraculous Court out of Paris so they can discuss the Shadowmoth problem. A class trip to Gotham was what they came up with.

Adrien was jealous of Marinette, Kagami and Luka who went ahead of the class a few days prior, using Jagged Stone’s tour as a cover.

Marinette had came clean to her parents about Ladybug and they pulled her out of Dupont to be homeschooled. (The official reason was so she can focus more on her career since Jagged named her his favourite designer and she had more work. The real reason was so she can focus on taking down Shadowmoth.) She was there as Jagged’s costume designer.

Luka had persuaded his father to take a detour in Gotham so it coincided with the class trip and Kagami was a tagalong as Luka’s girlfriend. How they managed to persuade her strict mother Adrien didn’t know.

Chloe and Zoe had stayed behind, partly because the sisters didn’t want to go to Gotham and partly so there would be someone to hold off the akuma until the others portaled back. The final three members of the Miraculous Court, Alix, Alya and Nino, were in business class with the rest of the class.

“Adrien~” The sickly sweet voice which felt like bugs crawling up his skin, called for his attention, “Can you tell this lady who I am so I can get my drink?”

There was an attendant who looked frustrated and tried her best to hide it behind a professional smile. Adrien knew that look all too well, seeing it on many of his co-workers’ faces when Lila was on set for a photoshoot.

“What seems to be the problem?” Adrien asked the attendant, a practised smile on his face.

“The young lady wants wine but we can’t do that because she’s underage.”

“See, Adrien, she’s being unreasonable. I already told her that I am 18 and I can drink.”

“Lila,” Adrien said gently, “I am sure the nice lady is working hard to make sure you are comfortable but unfortunately, it is the law in America that the drinking age is 21. She doesn’t want you to get in trouble.”

“But, Adrien-”

“ You can drink when we get back. It’s only for a few days. You don’t want to get kicked out of this trip for causing trouble. Right, Lila?”

“Fine. Can you get me a soda then?” Lila asked the attendant, who nodded and walked away in relief. (She was gonna tell the others to be watch out of the entitled girl in first class)

“And can you get out of my seat please?” Adrien interrupted, “I want more leg room to myself right now so I can sleep.”

Lila dropped her smile and her lips began to tremble, preparing to cry and cause a scene.

Adrien looked at where Gorilla was sitting. The bodyguard was getting ready to intervene if Adrien wanted him to. He gestured to show Gorilla that he had it handled.

“This flight will take hours and I think both of us having our own space instead of being cramped in one seat for that long will be more comfortable.”

“But Adrien, I want to be together with you.”

“And I don’t.”

“Adrien, how could you?” Lila started crying.

“Lila, we aren’t even dating. I don’t like you getting into my personal space. I only tolerate you because you are my classmate and for some bizarre reason, my dad deemed you good enough to be my friend.”

“I thought we had something,” Lila sobbed.

“Hey, girly,” a dark-haired man from a seat over snapped, “The guy’s reasonable in wanting his own space so quit your whining and get over your delusions before I drag you back to your seat and gag you.”

Lila immediately went silent and looked at Adrien with an expectant look. He simply tilted his head in the direction of her seat. Lila turned to find the man glaring at her.

Knowing she lost, Lila slowly went back to her seat.

Adrien sighed in relief and turned towards the man with a look of gratitude,

“Thanks a lot for the help.”

“No problem. She was getting on my last nerves too.”

“I am sorry that you had to deal with her.”

“It’s fine. Us bros got to stick together on things like this.”

Finally, peace and quiet. Adrien put on his earphones to listen to the playlist Nino had made for him and enjoy the rest of the flight.

------

Tim rocked his heels nervously as he waited for Adrien and his class to show up. Bruce had put him and Dick in charge of the tour of Wayne Enterprises for the Dupont class. Dick was there to do the actual tour guide duties while Tim was there to pass on the meeting details to the Miraculous Court by discreetly blending in with the class.

And also because he was a sap who missed his boyfriend. Jason and Dick would never stop teasing him about how he spent 40 minutes in the bathroom to get ready. Was it wrong to look good in front of his boyfriend who he hadn’t physically seen in 1 year, 3 months and 23 days?

The bus carrying Adrien and his friends finally arrived. Dick elbowed Tim in his ribs to focus because Tim couldn’t stop staring at his love. Adrien immediately brightened when he spotted Tim besides his brother. Tim had to wonder if Gotham was sunnier than usual.

Unfortunately, their moment was interrupted when a brunette girl latched onto Adrien’s arm, blabbering about why ‘Adrien-boo’ didn’t help her when she needed help getting off the bus. She reminded the Waynes of the gold diggers who would throw themselves at Bruce and only viewed him as a trophy and money dispenser.

Adrien had an uncomfortable smile as he tried in vain to make the girl let go of his arm. She instead doubled down and gripped harder on his arm, making him grimace. The rest of the class was oblivious of Adrien’s pain as they huddled around the two and cooing about how cute they look and underhandedly berating Adrien for not helping Lila out. Thankfully, the one Tim recognised as Adrien’s best friend, Nino, stepped in while his girlfriend, Alya, smoothly redirected the class attention to the tour.

Dick gave them a bright smile and introduced himself as the tour guide. He shook hands with the teachers while Tim made his way towards his boyfriend, careful to not be noticed. He found Nino fussing over the marks on Adrien’s arm a little bit away from the group who were distracted by the fact that they were meeting the eldest Wayne child, Richard Grayson. Seeing the marks, Tim saw red.

Tim was aware about the girl, Lila Rossi.

She was a manipulative liar who had been causing a lot of trouble for the Miraculous Team by trying to isolate Adrien from his friends and slandering the rest of them with false lies. She also nearly got Ladybug akumatized which made the over-stressed Marinette finally decide to tell her parents about the Miraculous to ease the burden. However, once her main target and who she perceived as a ‘rival’, Marinette, was gone, Lila was hell bent on making Adrien hers.

Gabriel, the only person who Tim thinks can beat his parents for ‘Worst parent of the year’, had employed that snake as a model because apparently she was a good influence on Adrien and the reason why Adrien’s actual friends are no longer allowed at his house.

Overall, Lila was a person that should be taken care of immediately. Already, Tim had formulated many plans to get rid of her, preferably somewhere as far from Adrien as possible.

While Dick started the tour and Lila left Adrien in favour of trying to gain favour with a Wayne, Tim sidled up next to his boyfriend who was in the back with his friends.

“Hey, love.”

Adrien lit up and hugged him, “Tim!”

Nino and Alya gave the two thumbs up before shielding the two boys with their bodies to give the couple some privacy and prevent Lila from seeing.

Tim hugged him back and gave him a peck on the lips, “Are you okay?”

“Great. I am doing fine.”

Tim did a small frown at the answer. He laced their fingers together and slowly brought Adrien’s hand up to his lips which made Adrien’s cheeks turn pink at the gesture.

“You made me promise to not lie about not sleeping,” Tim said, “So I wish you won’t lie to me about the wounds that girl inflicted on you.”

“Tim, it’s nothing.” Adrien tried to reassure his boyfriend.

“It’s not. I have seen this kind of thing on a lot of people from Gotham. I don’t want what happened to them happen to you too. People who leave these kinds of marks are bad news. Besides as your boyfriend, I have the right to be worried about anyone who hurt you. I want to unleash hell upon her but I am not doing it now since you guys suspect that she has a way to contact Shadowmoth. So what can I do for you?”

Adrien smiled gently, touched by his boyfriend’s sincerity and squeezed his hand, “I want Lila to leave me alone.” His voice, soft and vulnerable. “Everyone else in the class is pushing for me to be with her. Father is not helping. I wish he didn’t send Lila to breathe down my neck and report back my every move to him. I want to be able to relax without her hounding me when I want to be alone. I don’t want my arm to hurt because of her nails. I want to be able to hang out with my friends without having to sneak around. I wish I could say I love you to you in public and tell people I have a boyfriend without the worry that my father would lock me up in the mansion.”

"As you wish.”

Adrien snorted, “Does that make me Buttercup, Westley?”

“You are beautiful enough for the role,” Tim flirted, making Adrien blush.

The blond cleared his throat to recompose himself, “So about tonight?”

“We will meet you on the rooftop of your hotel.”

“Marinette, Luka and Kagami can portal over with the horse.”

Tim looked towards the group in front of them, “Would they notice if you were gone for a moment?”

“Alya and Nino would cover for me. I can tell Gorilla that I am meeting up with you.” Adrien said, wanting to know what Tim had planned.

“I can tell Tam to not let anyone into my office for a while. My office has a rather comfortable sofa. How about we spend some time catching up,” Tim suggested and he kissed Adrien.

Plagg peeked out of Adrien’s jacket pocket and interrupted them, “Hey, kit, if you are going to go lip-lock with your lover boy, I am going to join Trixx and Wyazz in blogger girl’s fanny pack. I heard that they were going to play cards.”

Adrien spluttered but didn’t refute Plagg’s request.

“Don’t cause trouble and I will leave some cheese for you to eat. Please behave, Plagg.”

“Yeah, yeah, just go enjoy your tryst.”

Adrien tapped Nino’s shoulder to grab his attention as Tim grinned. He texted Dick to drag out the tour as long as possible.

Was it mean of him to throw his brother to the wolves while he go and make out with his boyfriend?

Yes.

But Tim never had any guilt throwing his brothers under a bus and wasn’t starting now. He dragged Adrien into his office which he had cleaned every surface beforehand in anticipation of this and dear god, Heaven has never tasted so sweet.

—---

Chat Noir paced back and forth nervously on the rooftop. It was easy to slip out when Adrien and Nino shared a room while Alya and Alix were the same and they had stuff pillows under the blankets in case one of the chaperones does a bed check. They managed to get up to the roof, unseen with the help of the Fox miraculous.

There was a slightly muted thud which he heard thanks to his enhanced hearing and alerted Chat Noir to the arrival of the Bats.

“Ti- I mean Red Robin.” Chat Noir ran and hugged his boyfriend.

Until he heard throat-clearing and realised it came from the Batman.

Chat Noir hoped that his embarrassment wasn’t visible as he slightly moved away from Red Robin.

“Ummm, bonjour, Monsieur Batman, sir. I- um We- errr,” Adrien stuttered under the intense gaze from Batman, “So anyways, LB called me and they were a bit late because Shadowmoth had the worst timing. Am I right?” He gave a nervous chuckle, “It’s one of the recurring akuma which are easier to deal with unless Shadowmoth gave them a power up. Which might take a bit longer. But they will definitely be here. Definitely. So um-” Adrien babbled, nervous because while he had experiences with Jack Drake and the Brucie Wayne persona, Batman was on a different level than the other two and he was losing his cool.

“Relax, Batman’s not going to hurt you.” Red Robin rubbed his shoulders.

Just then, like the miracle she is, a blue portal opened to allow three people Chat Noir was very happy to see pass through.

“LB! I am so glad you showed up.” Chat Noir hugged his best friend.

A cough came from where the two other heroes were standing from the sides.

“Sorry, I am glad to see you too. Viperion and Ryuko.”

“Yeah, sorry for being late,” Ladybug said in a professional tone, bringing her hand out towards Batman for a handshake, “Shadowmoth has been very active these days. Anyways, thank you for meeting us.”

Batman accepted it, “The Justice League has been wanting to make contact with you for a while now. Sorry that we haven’t been unable to find out about the situation in Paris until this year. We have monitored you from afar and I see that you have done a great job keeping the akumas under control by yourselves. What can we help you with?”

“Yes. First-” Ladybug stopped mid-sentence as she stared at Robin.

“Ladybug?” Batman asked, confused.

The heroine ignored him and glared at Robin who also looked confused.

“You!” Ladybug pointed at him menacingly, “Al Ghul, you fucking bitch. Why are you still alive?!”

Robin lets out a curse in recognition to which Batman reprimanded with a “Language”. “The same goes for you, Cheng. I thought you blew yourself in Taiwan,” Robin hissed.

“Whatever. You owe me for saving your life.” Ladybug retorted.

Chat Noir made a time-out gesture, “Hold on, you two know each other? And what is this about blowing yourself up, LB?”

Ladybug sighed, “I will give you the long story later but Al Ghul and I do know each other. That’s because we were once engaged.”

“WHAT?!” Everyone looked back and forth between the bird and the ladybug.

“Those weren’t rumours?” Red Hood said, voice filled with disbelief.

“You knew Baby Bat was married?” Nightwing turned his head towards Red Hood.

“I am not married, you idiots. Only engaged. Grandfather wanted to unite the power of the Chengs with ours so he proposed an engagement between the two of us.” Robin explained.

“The old man got too greedy. The engagement got cancelled and our clans had been feuding until the League’s fall.” Ladybug continued.

“Is this a Romeo and Juliet kinda thing?” Rena Rouge asked.

“Fuck no. I think we are cousins, something-times-removed through our grandmother or something.” Ladybug looked disgusted at the idea and Robin had a similar look of disgust on his face.

“And I am not marrying a child,” She added.

Robin scowled, “Just because you are three years older than me, does not mean you can call me a child. But I will express a similar sentiment about not marrying you.”

“That’s effed up. I thought Ra’s can’t get more crazy.” Red Robin shuttered at the thought.

“Hello,” Bunnyx cut in, “I thought we are discussing the Shadowmoth thing and not about what family problems LB and Robin has with the crazy grandpa.”

“Right,” Ladybug cleared her throat and went into details about Paris and what help they required.

—--

“Monsieur Batman, there is one last thing I need to talk to you about,” Ladybug said, her eyes telling him that it was important. The others had left for patrol, joined by a few of the Miraculous Court so the Bats can assess the Court’s ability. The only ones left on the rooftop were Batman, Ladybug, Chat Noir and Red Robin.

“Robin, you can come out,” Ladybug called out.

“Tch.” Robin appeared from where he was hiding after he had done his rounds, mad that he had been discovered.

“Chat, how about you go with Red Robin? It’s not about Shadowmoth.”

“You okay, LB?” Chat Noir gave her a look of concern.

“I am fine, Chat. Just family secrets.” She gave him a small smile as an apology.

“It’s fine. I get it.” Chat Noir reassured her and turned to Red Robin, “So about this place you said you would show me.”

“Oh you are going to love this.” Red Robin grabbed his boyfriend tightly and grappled away.

Once they were out of sight, Ladybug turned back towards the father and son pair, “Okay, I lied. It was about Shadowmoth’s potential identity. I just didn’t want Chat to know about this.”

“And you used me as an excuse to get rid of them?” Robin asked with a raised eyebrow.

“A very convenient one,” Ladybug replied, causing another round of bickering.

“Back to what you were talking about. This information is somehow related to Chat Noir.” Batman cuts in to which Ladybug nodded.

“I wasn’t lying when I said that it was family secrets. This will break Chaton if he knew,” Ladybug nervously said, “Since I started home-schooling and getting the support of my parents, I have been using my free time and family’s resources to investigate who Shadowmoth might be. We already know that he is in regular contact with Lila Rossi and Felix Fathom, Adrien’s cousin, is aware of who he is. There’s not much evidence but the only one with the connection with the two is…” She trailed off.

“You already have a suspect.”

“Gabriel Agreste might be Shadowmoth.” Ladybug revealed before going into more details about her theory.

Somewhere a little far from the rooftop, sitting together on a perch, hidden by the shadows, Chat Noir covered his mouth with his hands as tears flowed down his masked cheeks while Red Robin hugged him tightly to offer comfort.

—--

The saying ‘Curiosity killed the Cat’ could be said of Adrien.

There were many things he wanted to know. Everyone in his life had their own secrets and Adrien had come to learn that secrets were secrets for a reason.

Pushing Ladybug’s boundaries to reveal hers and her unwillingness to tell him anything had cost them their easy-going partnership and broken to the point of Shadowmoth nearly winning. It was then that they had their identity revealed to each other. Their friendship as Marinette and Adrien also took a hit.

Luckily, thanks to the two kwamis’ stubbornness, they were able to build their relationship to the way it was before although there was a bit of tension here and there.

Marinette learned to be more open with Adrien and other people instead of keeping it all to herself and Adrien learned to not be so pushy about revealing them and wait for them to be told when the time comes.

That said, Marinette’s family history is one of the things that everyone in the Court wanted to know about. They knew there was something off and there were times when something didn’t fit quite right with the image of a very friendly family that runs a bakery business. The Dupain-Chengs told all of them to keep it to themselves for their own safety.

However, the interaction between Ladybug and Robin had aroused his curiosity.

“Tim,” Adrien asked as they admired the Gotham skyline, “can you find out what they are talking about?”

“They still have their comms in so I can. I was going to do it anyway because I want to know what their deal is.”

After a few minutes, Ladybug’s voice can be heard through Red Robin’s ear piece which the two boys huddled around.

“...didn’t want Chat to know about this.”

“And you used me as an excuse to get rid of them?”

“A very convenient one.”

“What did LB want me to not know about?” Chat Noir thought out loud as the pair bickered.

“Back to what you were talking about. This information is somehow related to Chat Noir.”

Batman’s gruff voice cuts in.

“I wasn’t lying when I said that it was family secrets. This would break Chaton if he knew. Since I started home-schooling and getting the support of my parents, I have been using my free time and family’s resources to investigate who Shadowmoth might be. We already know that he is in regular contact with Lila Rossi and Felix Fathom, Adrien’s cousin, is somehow aware of who he is. There’s not much evidence but the only one with the connection between the two…”

Tim connected the dots about what the topic was about. He looked over at his boyfriend to find his cat green eyes watery.

“You already have a suspect.”

“Gabriel Agreste might be Shadowmoth.”

Adrien took in a sharp breath and choked. Tears started to fall. Tim caught him before he accidentally pushed himself off the ledge and held Adrien tight. Tim muted the comms and whispered a mantra of ‘It’s going to okay’ as he rubbed soothing circles into Adrien’s back. (A part of him idly wondered why the ones he dated have supervillain daddy issues.)

------

The next day, Adrien met up with Tim at the Gotham Museum of Antiquities. He had told Mme. Bustier and Gorilla that he was expecting to meet with a friend who lives in the city. It took a lot of work and Nino and Alya’s help to convince Lila and the class to leave him alone. Tim showed up in the middle of it and Adrien didn’t like the way Lila’s eyes lit up when Tim introduced himself.

“Adrien~ you didn’t tell me that your friend was a Wayne,” Lila gripped Adrien’s arm and leaned on it, “Why didn’t you want us to meet him?”

Adrien pushed her away and got closer to Tim instead. He positioned them in a way that used Tim as a human shield against Lila.

Tim grabbed Adrien’s hand behind his back, hidden from the eyes of the class, and squeezed it in reassurance. He gave a glare to Lila who tried to make a grab for his boyfriend.

She took a step back at the sudden show of hostility.

The glare was replaced so quickly, that Lila wondered if she had imagined it, by the polite mask reserved for formal events and interviews.

“That’s on me. I told Adrien not to tell anyone about it. Didn’t want to attract unwanted attention and all that. The price of fame is big as I hope you will understand, Miss.”

“Oh, I am Lila. Lila Rossi. You might have heard of me.”

Tim lets his grin turn sharper, “Oh, I didn’t ask but I am very aware of who you are, Miss Rossi.”

Lila opened her mouth to say something, only to be ignored as Tim turned towards the rest of the class with a charming smile, “And if you guys don’t mind, I would like to join you on the tour.”

As predicted, Lila latched onto Tim while Adrien stuck to Tim’s other side.

Tim dropped his smile and gave her a cold look that can freeze the Sahara, “Miss Rossi, would you mind letting go of me?”

“You don’t mind Adrien touching you.”

“I have known Adrien since I was a kid. You however are a stranger and I don’t like strangers touching me.”

“But you are Adrien’s friend and his friends are also my friends.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t see the same and I feel rather uncomfortable with your advances. My boyfriend might not appreciate you hanging on to me.”

Lila made some excuses about Italians being affectionate and needing support in case she fainted due to her poor health. (No way was Lila letting a golden ticket go that easily. Famous people have paparazzi following them and a break-up might be bound to happen if there are pictures of Wayne with a girl in his arms floating around.)

The class backed her up but Tim wasn’t going to deal with this bullshit.

“Well, if you are that concerned for your classmate, I have no choice but to help her out.” Tim sighed in defeat. Lila tried not to smile too widely and show her glee at the victory but the smirk on his face gave the girl an uneasy feeling.

The next minute, Lila found herself in a wheelchair pushed around by Gorilla while Adrien and Tim were nowhere to be seen and supposedly exploring the VIP section together which Tim had reserved earlier only just for the two of them.

Tim had gone up to the Receptionist desk and returned with a wheelchair that had an annoying squeaky wheel, muttering about getting better disability aids at the Museum. He managed to reason with the whole class that this was a better way in case Lila passed out and they would just have to bring her back with the wheelchair instead of dragging her unconscious body around.

Lila had tried to stop the boys from separating from the group but Adrien already had permission from his father to go hang out with Tim since Gabriel was not going to miss the chance to be on good terms with a Wayne. There was nothing she could do but sulk as she listened to the boring tour and cursed Timothy Drake-Wayne.

Meanwhile, Tim and Adrien were having a nice time, looking at the exhibition of the history of the entertainment film industry. Tim had used his connections as a Wayne to arrange the exhibition for their date.

After looking around for a fair while, Tim felt that it was safe to approach about what happened last night.

“So did you and Marinette talk it out?” Tim asked as he caressed Adrien’s face which had concealer on to hide his eyebags from crying and little sleep.

When Chat Noir and Red Robin returned, Ladybug immediately knew that they knew and took Adrien away for a private talk.

“I sort of get why she didn’t tell me. Like she said, there was little concrete evidence and it was just a theory. One of the many possibilities but just a little more plausible than the others,” Adrien replied, closing his eyes and resting his head on Tim’s shoulder while Tim wrapped his arm around Adrien to pull him closer. Plagg flew up into Adrien’s hair and purred.

“There is something else that is bugging you, isn’t there?”

“It just- It feels like she doesn’t trust me. Marinette had told me that she does but I can’t help and feel that way.”

“Why?”

“There was time during our first years as heroes and Ladybug thought that my father could be Shadowmoth because we found out that he had the Grimoire in his possession. Ladybug wanted to investigate it and I threw a fit because I didn’t want to believe my father could be the ‘bad guy’. Then, he got akumatized and we dropped the subject.”

“So because of what happened back then, you think Marinette doesn’t trust you.”

“From her point of view, I stopped her from pursuing one of the big leads we had since we began and I am the son of our prime suspect. It’s understandable if she wasn’t able to trust me completely.”

Plagg stopped his purring and somehow gave Tim a look that said, ‘don’t fuck this up’.

“I don’t think she thinks that way.” Tim soothed Adrien, “The way I see it, she kept it from you because she knew you would be hurt if you knew that Shadowmoth might possibly be your father and she was trying to have it confirmed to see if it was true or not by collecting more solid evidence. I would have done the same in her shoes.”

“You think so?”

“We love you, Adrien. Although her love is different from mine,” Tim kissed Adrien and touched their foreheads together, “we just don’t want to see you hurt. I already dated people with supervillain for fathers so this won’t change a thing. I will still love you because you are still Adrien, the one for whom I would give my everything to see you smile.”

“Tim, I love you too.” Adrien whispered as he returned the kiss.

“That’s my cue to leave. It’s getting to lovey-dovey here for my taste,” Plagg grumbled. The kwami was disgruntled to be ignored by the two boys and then took off through halls devoid of people for something to entertain himself with instead.

As time went out, the kisses became longer and heavier.

Adrien thanked Tim’s genius idea to reserve the exhibition just for the two of them. Between the vigilante work, akumas and the thousand miles between Gotham and Paris, they never got to do makeout sessions like this often and they were going to make every moment of it count.

—----

When Tim and Adrien showed up from their own private tour, Adrien looked a little flushed. Alya and Alix wolf-whistled while Nino put his fist out which Tim fist-bumped.

After a few quick whispers, Tim broke off and walked towards Mme. Bustier with whom he exchanged a few words.

“Attention, class,” Mme. Bustier called, “Tim has some exciting news for us.”

“Thank you, Madam. So this is a last minute change to your plans and we weren’t able to confirm it yesterday during your tour of WE but you are all invited to our annual Thomas and Martha Wayne Charity gala this Friday, which is two days from now,” Tim announced, causing the class to burst into excited chatter.

“Since I know that you might not have brought along formal wear, we have arranged a shopping trip tomorrow and contacted your parents or guardians to send you money to buy something to wear. We will also arrange for you to rent something if you want. That is all.”

Alix leaned towards Adrien and whispered, “Dude, your boyfriend is awesome.”

“I know, right?” Adrien agreed.

“Thank kwamis that Fluff made me ask Marinette to make a formal suit for me a month ago.”

“I think my father hoped that something like this might happen and that’s why he made Nathalie pack a tuxedo. Just in case.”

“Do you know why he invited the entire class and not just you?”

Adrien put his index finger on his lips, “You will find out in due time. Tim told me to keep it a secret. But here’s a hint. It starts with a L and ends with an A and rhymes with Liar.”

Alix mock-punched his shoulder, “You are making all the single people jealous.”

Adrien just laughed.

—----

On the day of the gala, Adrien found a suit delivered to his hotel room with a note.

It was from Marinette saying, ‘Tim ordered me to make this in a week. So you better wear it instead of what basic white monochrome piece your father made.’

Nino laughed when he read the note as Adrien opened the package to reveal a red tuxedo jacket with a gold floral pattern. Its collar and inner lining were black. There was a similar vest, a white shirt, a black bowtie and black suit pants. As he examined the suit, he saw robins and cats hidden among the floral designs.

[Dear god, help me how to describe clothes better.]

Adrien blushed when he saw the words ‘Property of Tim Drake-Wayne’ and a downward arrow stitched near the bottom of the jacket’s inner lining. Plagg and Nino both cackled at Adrien who buried his face into the jacket.

“Oh, camembert, Pigtails is evil. This is perfection. Why did Tikki get her and not me?”

“Quiet, Plagg, before someone hears you and comes in.” Adrien admonished him.

Plagg quieted down but snickers still escaped him.

“You have to admit that it’s funny.”

Adrien’s phone dinged and he checked to see it was a text from Marinette, ‘I better see you wearing it because I pulled three all nighters to finish it on time.’

“She must have worked a lot for her to be this pushy about it,” Adrien observed.

After changing their clothes, the boys headed down to the lobby after meeting up with Alya and Alix on the way. (Marinette had also sent the others MDC originals.) Only a few of their classmates were done but they all complimented Adrien on his suit.

The only chaperone following with them to the gala was Gorilla and the rest, including Mme. Bustier, had opted out for a spa day since the gala has good security and nothing to be worried about.

Soon, two limousines arrived and Tim came out of one.

The black-haired boy was wearing a suit, similar to the one Adrien was wearing except his colour scheme was black and the same green shade as Chat Noir’s eyes, instead of Adrien’s red, gold and black. However, his bowtie was a golden-yellow like Chat Noir’s bell. Adrien laughed as he realised that they were wearing each other’s colours.

“Tim!” Adrien happily greeted and hugged his boyfriend.

“Hey, Adrien. Your ride is here.” Tim resisted the urge to kiss Adrien’s hand. He couldn’t yet because of the Plan.

“Wait, we get to ride in a limo?” Kim asked excitedly.

“Courtesy of Wayne Enterprises.” Tim explained and then asked, “Where are the rest of you?”

On cue, the elevator door opened to let Lila and the rest of their noisy classmates out. Their chattering stopped upon seeing what Adrien was wearing.

“Adrien?” Lila sounded angry for some reason.

“Didn’t you say that Gabriel made matching outfits for the two of you to wear to the gala?” Rose piped up, confused.

Ah. So that’s explained a lot. The dress design itself was beautiful, made of purple silk and white laces and elaborate patterns. Adrien could say it was one of his father’s finer pieces. However, it still would have looked better on a mannequin than it would on Lila and just screamed expensive and pretentious. Adrien remembered the suit his father wanted him to wear and realised that it indeed would have matched the dress Lila was currently wearing.

Adrien straightened his suit and with the most innocent and clueless face he could muster, told them, “I was told to wear this one.”

“Don’t you have another one? A spare one? One that is white?” Lila insisted..

Adrien tapped his chin for a moment as if in thought before replying with a, “Nope.”

Since he had enough fun out of Lila’s reaction, Tim clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention and announced, “Since everyone is present, it’s time for us to go.”

Lila’s complaints were unheard over the cheers of excitement as everyone walked towards the limos.

It went according to Tim’s plan when Lila threw another tantrum about not being in the same car as Adrien and stating there wasn’t enough room on the larger and more spacious limo the class was given while Adrien, Tim, Nino, Alya and Alix went on the other. Tim calmly explained that Adrien had only been allowed to name three people to go in the same car as him and Lila wasn’t on the list. Lila cried about her ‘Adri-boo’ not choosing her as she held Adrien in a desperate grip. However, Adrien had the courage to do whatever he wanted and face no immediate consequences since his father was thousands miles away in another country.

He pushed her off, “Lila, I never said this before but you make me uncomfortable. You may say that it’s because Italians are affectionate people or whatever but it doesn’t change the fact that I hate the feeling of you touching me everywhere. I also don’t like that you go around telling people that we are dating when we are not and you ignore me when I say not to do that. I also have someone else I like.”

“It’s Marinette, isn’t it?” Lila accused him.

Adrien rolled his eyes.

“Marinette isn’t even here. And no, it’s not her. He is someone very special to me.”

The class gasped in surprise at the reveal.

Adrien continued, “He listens to what I want and does everything to make me happy. He doesn’t care about my looks, or money, or fame. He only sees me as Adrien. Not Adrien Agreste the model. And I am very happy that he likes me back. So fuck off, Lila.”

Adrien hurried and got into the car while Lila stood there in shock. Alix, Alya and Nino quickly followed. (trying to hold in their giggles.) Gorilla got into the front passenger seat.

“We will see you at the gala,” Tim cheerfully waved at the class before closing the door and the limo drove off.

-------

Camera lights flashed as they exited the limo and reporters tried to grab their attention. While the Miraculous Team was used to it as heroes, it was different from the attention they were being currently given.

The class later arrived and were mostly flustered by the reception. Lila tried to ignore what had happened at the hotel and just enjoyed the red carpet moment that she believed was for her. However, there was less enthusiasm from the sidelines than she was pleased with. But you have to take what you can get.

Suddenly, the reporters stopped their barrage of light when they were given a piece of news in their earpieces and they rushed to the other end of the carpet near the entrance where Adrien and Tim were posing side by side, with arms wrapped around each other.

Lila’s heart stopped when she realised what the reporters were shouting at the couple,

“Tim and Adrien, is it true? Are you two dating? How long have you been together? Why come out now?”

Tim raised his hand for silence and the reporters quieted down like obedient dogs eager for treats, “You must be talking about that post Adrien made earlier this evening so to answer your questions,” He and Adrien leaned towards each other for a passionate kiss which had Lila screaming internally in rage and the crowd roaring in delight.

“I hope that will suffice.” Adrien threw out before Tim dragged him inside. Nino, Alya and Alix rushed after them to not be caught by the media burning with questions.

Around Lila, the class was in a similar state and interrogating her if she had known or giving her empty words of comfort.

Lila wanted to scream but she didn’t want to look like a mad woman in front of the cameras and tried to hurriedly get the class inside. “We should get inside. Then, we can ask Adrien what this is all about. It was so mean of him to pull a prank like this without telling us.”

The crowd started up again when Jagged Stone exited from the next limo in all his rock and roll glory. He was accompanied by his son, up and coming musician and heartthrob for teenage fans everywhere, Luka and his girlfriend, one of the youngest Olympic gold medalist fencers, Kagami. They were followed by MDC, Jagged’s favourite and mysterious designer, a young prodigy in a fashion world and whom many notorious and tough fashion critics only have praises and compliments for. Many have tried to speculate who she might be but to no avail.

The reporters erupted a flood of flashing lights at the rockstar’s group, Jagged Stone, drawing most of their attention. Lila seethed that she was outshone and the attention she ‘rightfully’ deserved was stolen by someone else. However, since there were cameras everywhere, she couldn’t act out but just continued to smile and wave despite no one focusing on her.

“It’s Jagged Stone!” Ivan pointed out. Most of the class turned around to look at the rockstar behind them who had a look of impatience.

“Can you kids move? You are holding up the line.” Jagged said impatiently.

“Hey, dad. Luka. Kagami. M.” Juleka waved awkwardly from where she was standing next to Rose and Jagged’s face morphed into a smile.

“Jules, my daughter. Why didn’t you tell me you were in Gotham? I would have come to see you if I knew. Anyways, I am glad to see you….” Jagged chattered on as he hugged Juleka who fist-bumped with Luka as a greeting while in her father’s embrace. The rockstar kept on talking about meeting Brucie again.

“Hello, M. Stone.” Rose greeted.

“Rosie, hope you have taken good care of my daughter.”

“Of course. And these are our classmates.”

Luka cleared his throat to get their attention and said, “ Dad, how about we move along so the people behind us can get in?”

The former Kitty Section members felt a little awkward, considering they broke up because Luka didn’t like how the class treated Marinette and falling so easily to Lila’s lies.

“Sure. Let’s go, kiddos.” Jagged walked past the class with one arm around Juleka’s shoulders and the other around Luka’s. Rose and Kagami followed closely behind. MDC, who wore a mask to conceal her identity, didn’t spare a glance to the class as she sashayed past in her gorgeous blood red evening gown.

Lila felt indignant about being ignored and tried not to show it as she followed the other group, cheeks burning from humiliation. Luckily for her, the class was in awe of meeting one of their favourite celebrities to question why Lila wasn’t mentioned at all during the conversation.

And MDC, there was something about the way the designer stare at her throughout the conversation between Jagged and the class that made Lila feel uneasy.

—------

The class stepped into the large ballroom, looking like they had stepped into a movie. Elegant crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, a pyramid made of champagne flute glasses, a buffet table laid out with mouth-watering appetisers to snack on, a fountain with a statue of a nearly naked woman pouring out water from her golden pitcher, classical music softly played by musicians from a balcony while rich and fancy danced, chatted and mingled among themselves.

Lila’s mouth was wide open in shock. The events she had been attending as Adrien’s plus one, thanks to Gabriel, weren’t as lavish as the one before her. While Timothy might be out, Bruce Wayne had adopted several over the years and she just needed to catch the attention of one of them. Then, she can go to galas like these all the time. With her becoming a legal adult that year, she won’t have to go through the tedious process of convincing her mother to move here. She could just apply at one of the local colleges.

Lila had unconsciously rubbed her hands together like a typical scheming villain which Sabrina noticed.

“Lila, are you cold?” Sabrina asked worriedly.

“Huh?”

“I asked if you were cold. You seemed to be rubbing your hands together for warmth.”

“Don’t worry. It's just a little chilly. I am fine.”

“Really?”

“Well, the truth to be told, I still can’t believe what Adrien did earlier. What was he thinking?”

“About him being boyfriends with Tim?”

“Yes! He pushed me away and told me that he didn’t like me. Now he is kissing a boy just to prove a point.” Lila covered her eyes as if to hide her tears, “He didn’t have to go that far to hurt me.”

Sabrina pursed her lips and said nothing as she rubbed Lila’s back to comfort her. She exchanged doubtful glances with Mylene.

Adrien’s declaration of not liking Lila had given the class the realisation that they had never considered his feelings when plotting to bring the two of them together. Right now, seeing Adrien contentedly swaying to the music with Tim made them feel guilty about how they treated him and only encouraged Lila to get closer to him.

—---

While the class might be gullible, they weren’t entirely stupid. The Wayne Gala was attended by many famous faces, many of whom the class admired.

After the initial starstruck awe of the situation faded away, it didn’t take long for the class to realise that Lila was ignored the people she claimed to know and have ‘helped’. Ignored wasn’t quite the right word. There was no hint of recognition when they look at Lila. Only smiling and nodding before walking away.

Then, Lila would tell them that the person was busy these days or they had something on their mind or she would backtrack and say that they weren’t as close as she had said. Lila really loved making excuses. Sometimes, the class had to point out who certain people are when Lila once claimed to have known them to be like ‘family’.

There was a sense of dread among the Akuma Class as the night went on. There was voice in the back of their heads that sounded a lot like Marinette whispering, “She lied. She lied to you. She can’t do what she said she can. She lied. She lied and you believed her.”

The doubts and suspicions built up. The class didn’t want to believe Lila would lie to them. If so, was she ever really the nice sweet girl they thought she was? While Lila went around trying to find a Wayne child to suck up to, the class exchanged quiet words about their suspicions.

“Guys, I don’t think Lila is who she says she is.” Sabrina blurted out.

“Oh thank human’s common sense, I thought I was the only one,” Max exclaimed.

He brought out his phone, “I had Markov run searches for if Lila had done anything she had said to have done in the past year based on Markov’s recordings of her claims. There’s nothing.”

“What? What do you mean, Max?”

“There should be at least some traces of Lila on the internet, like paparazzi pictures, a post mentioning or hinting at her involvement, some credit given to prevent copyright lawsuits or news articles on the events Lila said to have attended. There’s nothing. Not a single thing. I even told him to run facial scans on pictures of parties that many celebrities attended. Other than the ones that Gabriel was invited to, there is not even an accidental shot. Either Lila loves her anonymity so much that she will edit herself out of pictures which is unlikely given how much she loves being in the spotlight or she lied to us.”

“Marinette!” Mylene cried out in realisation, “She was telling us the whole time.”

“We should have listened when she told that Lila was lying to us,” Kim added.

“Oh my god, what have we done?! We made her drop out.”

Someone slow clapped, drawing their attention.

“I suppose I didn’t give you enough credit. You aren’t complete morons if you still have enough brain cells to work out that you were being played like puppets on a string.” Tim Drake stood before them, smirking like some evil mastermind about to reveal his schemes.

The class spotted Adrien hanging out with Luka, Kagami, a blonde girl in a stunning purple gown and an Asian girl in a gorgeous midnight blue dress.

“Tim. What are you doing here?”

Tim made a displeased expression and explained, “I was going to introduce you to some of your idols that I invited for this purpose and subtly shift the topic towards Rossi. One by one. So all of you will figure out that Lila Rossi is nothing but a lying snake. No offence to the snakes.”

“How do we know that you didn’t set the whole thing up?”

Tim rolled his eyes, “Oh please, some of these people have enough wealth of their own that I can’t even bribe them. It would just be a waste of everyone’s time. The most I did was just sent some invites and made sure that they would come. Can you believe how hard to was to get a hold of Tony Stark? And he didn’t even show up. I bet if any of you go ask any one of them if they knew Lila Rossi, they will say no. So either a whole lot of people are lying or your ‘friend’ lied to you. I don’t know why. For the popularity. Fame. Or just some lap dogs she can use to get through school. I don’t know but I know that everything that came out of her mouth is not true.”

“Why are you doing all of this?” Ivan asked.

Tim held up two fingers, “Two reasons. Reason one is of course Adrien. He’s my boyfriend and I don’t want her around him. Reason two is also why I don’t want her around him. But first.”

Red heels clicked across the marble floor as they approached the group.

“Let me introduce you to the lovely Mademoiselle MDC,” Tim gestured behind him towards the masked woman who they saw with Jagged Stone earlier.

She removed her mask, revealing a familiar face that made the class gasp her name.

“Marinette.”

“Hello. It was nice seeing you again,” Marinette said in a way that reminded them of the evil smart assistant to Tim’s evil mastermind.

“We are so sorry,” Mylene apologised, “We drove you away because we didn’t want to believe you about Lila.”

Marinette gave her a small smile that didn’t look forgiving, “Save your apologies until this whole fiasco is over.”

She took out her phone and all of their phone dinged as they all received the link she texted.

“What’s this?” Kim asked as they all opened it. Sabrina dropped her phone in shock at the news articles about Lila’s past victims. Chills went down their spines as they kept scrolling, unable to look away in horror because this was someone they went to school with every day and smiled at them so innocently. They were all playthings to her.

“Lila wouldn’t. She wouldn’t do something like this.”

Marinette’s face remain neutral as she replied, “But she did. She just hadn’t had the chance to go that far yet. I got out before I became one of them.” Marinette pointed to the phones to show what she meant.

Suddenly, Tim and Marinette looked in the same direction and the class followed their gazes to Lila was making her way through a crowd towards them. Marinette put her mask back on and the two blended into the surroundings like they were never there.

Lila grinned, happy that Duke Thomas-Wayne, newest addition to the family, gave her his fake number. He was still a little green and awkward but she can work with it.

Now, today she just got ‘dumped’ by Adrien and got the class’s sympathy. She could play into that and milk it for all it’s worth for the last few months until graduation. Then, she could make an effort of moving on from Adrien and slowly introduce Duke as her new love interest.

The only problem might be Gabriel. He might terminate her modelling contract since she let something like Adrien’s boyfriend slip through. Once she managed to get Duke to be her boyfriend that problem might be easily solved. Bruce Wayne was said to love his kids, going to as far as to built a zoo for one of them as a birthday present. So if one of his kid asked for his girlfriend to get a modelling gig..

Lila sipped the champagne she managed to snatch from a passing waiter and mentally patted herself on her back. She drained the flute and made her way towards the class, a tad wobbly from the alcohol she had. She made sure her face was one of heartbreak and say she drunk out of despair.

However, the atmosphere around her minions were so chilly, that Lila almost immediately sobered up.

“Guys, there you are…” her voice trailed off upon seeing their glares. “What’s going on?” She tried going for meek and confused. The weak ones like Mylene wavered but Kim pointed at her with anger, “We know, Lila. Drop the act.”

“Know? Know what?” Lila tried to think, assessing the risk of keeping the act up or moving to another school and starting all over again.

“Lila, stop. We know that you lied.”

Lila stopped like they asked and grinned so smugly that the class felt like there was someone else instead of Lila in front of them.

Lila opened her mouth and hell broke loose.

------

A year later, Adrien laid in Tim’s arms and sighed in contentment. Finally peaceful days were upon them. With Batman’s vast resources, they were able to confirm Shadowmoth’s identity as Adrien’s father. The final fight was not only physically exhausting but emotionally draining considering who he had to fight. Both Marinette and Tim offered the option for Adrien to sit out since it might be painful for him while Tim fights as Chat Noir on his behalf. To which, Adrien declined.

In the end, he got another closure of what had happened to his mother and buried her. The Waynes helped with the media fallout of him being Shadowmoth’s son. Adrien was seen as Shadowmoth’s naive and sheltered son who had no idea what his father id although there were still some wary eyes when he goes out in public. He had donated most of the wealth Gabriel spent decades accumulating to akuma relief and therapy for the trauma his father caused the whole city. He only kept the amount that was left by his mother for college and savings to use until he found a source of income from a job he likes doing.

The Miraculous Team announced their retirement but agreed to come back if the Justice League calls on them.

Marinette had gone to the Order’s Temple to complete her guardianship training and kept them updated with a reassuring text once a month. Luka and Kagami were engaged while Alya and Nino were each focusing on their careers and college before deciding to get married or not. Alix was the only one of them still using her Miraculous to do Bunnyx stuff. Chloe and Zoe were kicking ass and taking name as the Bourgeois sisters. A pair more terrifying than their mother.

The Akuma class or the part of the class that listened to Lila were steadily getting their lives back on track after the number the she-devil had inflicted on them.

As for the Italian herself. She was nothing but a distant nightmare.

The night of the gala of where she was exposed, it was attacked by Two-Face and Lila got shot while trying to escape. Luckily for her, she was only shot in the leg and just needed a surgery and weeks of physical therapy. Lila was very upset about her perfect body being marred and the bloodstain on the expensive dress. The class gave her the cold shoulder so she had no one to help her with her very real disability as she recovered.

Lila’s mother went to the school to complain about how her daughter got shot when she was reassured that Lila would be safe and all of Lila’s lies came to light. Turns out Signora Rossi was aware of her lying habits but not that she had Lila was capable of forging her parent’s signature on documents and doctor’s notes, and the many months she skipped schools. That day, Signora Rossi came home to a anonymous thick manila envelope that contained evidence of Lila bullying and harassing people from the her past school and until now. The akuma fight was a tough battle but the Miraculous Team managed to defeat her within an hour.

By the end of next week, Lila was gone and Tim investigated into the matter to see she had been sent to some disciplinary school.

Life was peaceful..

Until a portal opened up in front of the couple and spat out a very young black haired kid with green eyes dressed in a cat suit who looked at Tim and Adrien with wide eyes and said, “Papa? Daddy?”

#maribat #maribat fic #ml x dc #mlb x dc #adritim #Timdrien #Tim x Adrien #idk what the ship is called #lila salt #maribat class salt #maribat class redemption

94 notes · View notes

lordisitmine · 11 days

Text

TTNBD BLOG PART FOUR

Covers chapters 4 and 4.5 of the story.

This is the chapter that gave me the idea to do these commentary blogs in the first place! This is also the longest chapter so far (*distant laughter from the future*)- I originally intended to try and keep each chapter of this story around seven thousand words, so they would all be nice and even, but alas, I’m just too verbose for such consistency. The story has to split the right way, and so that inevitably means that some updates will be longer than others. One of the later chapters I have planned might very well end up being twice as long as this one (*laughs again*), so I’ll really have no place to hide at that point. So, without further adieu, let’s get to it!

CHAPTER FOUR: AT THE TURNING OF THE YEAR

The title of this chapter isn’t directly inspired by anything- there is a folk song with that name, but I hadn’t heard of it until way after I already came up with the title for this chapter. It’s kind of a neat song though, so I’ll link it here- it’s about the changing of the seasons and the nature of mortality, and the kinds of things people think about and sing about at new year’s.

This chapter starts with one of my favourite scenes that I’ve written for this story so far. I think it’s probably my own personality showing through again, but the idea of having a woman dress up for me is like O_o and picking out her clothes for her!? Please. Anyway, Sybil is not being subtle… Lizzy is just really oblivious, though maybe not so shy anymore, based on the way the chapter ends. Don’t worry, don’t worry, we’ll get there.

I know Lizzy’s colour is pink; her outfits in the anime are all based on Lolita fashion, and they’re all in very typical feminine colours. Since she’s grown up now, I wanted her style to reflect that, as well as the changing of the times. And I just think blondes look so good in green. It’s my favourite colour, and it’s the colour of her eyes, so it would make them pop. I have at least one more party scene in this story, though, and she’ll be back in pink and frills for that one. I just wanted to give her a simpler, more classic silhouette for this one, which is what I think Sybil would have picked for her, with the ridiculously large sleeves that were so emblematic of the time.

And a Gibson girl hairstyle! This was a popular hairstyle of the time, albeit a little later, more into the 1910s (Edwardian rather than Victorian). But like I’ve said, I can and will fudge the numbers a little when it comes to historical accuracy, if I think I can get away with it and if I really want to be self-indulgent. This is fanfiction, after all. The hairstyle I described was not the one I ended up drawing. There are some variations when it comes to what constitutes a Gibson girl hairstyle, and of course, it would depend on a given woman’s hair length/texture etc. What I described was simpler, more like the picture on the left, but what I ended up drawing was more like the one on the right, which is so beautiful, and I’m obsessed with how the drawing turned out.

As for Sybil, who I imagine to be more on the masculine end of the fashion spectrum- I wanted her to have a Marlene Dietrich moment (for those unaware, Marlene Dietrich was a singer/actress who was very popular in the WWII era and was known for her bending of gender roles and her queerness). Once again, I’m being anachronistic- Marlene Dietrich and her iconic menswear wouldn’t be a thing until decades later, but I can pretty much guarantee that lesbians have been wearing tuxedos for as long as tuxedos have existed.

Madame LaChance’s shop is called Chanceux en Amour. That’s French for ‘lucky in love’ and since Madame’s name is literally ‘lady luck’, I thought it fit. Women have been seamstresses, both domestically and commercially, for centuries, but for a long time, they did all the labour and reaped none of the benefits. So yeah, this is a women-owned business, baby! We love to see it.

As we know by now, Madame is not only a friend of Sybil and Simeon’s but is connected to Ciel and Sebastian as well. I like to think she treats those boys a little like dolls, like if she comes up with some insane design she wants to try, she’ll test it on them. I swear to God I must have been a fashion/costume designer in another life because I’m obsessed with describing/drawing outfits for my characters in everything always.

I am so incredibly proud of these ones. Ciel and Sebastian are known by their employees and patrons only as the Raven and the Phoenix (I referred in TTEOE to Ciel being like a phoenix and it stuck oops) and I wanted them to have stupid, extravagant outfits to reflect that.

Anyway, yes, Sebastian is wearing thigh-high boots, and yes, you bet they’re the stiletto heels he wears whenever he’s in his true form and we only see his feet! Ciel is in heels too, lol, he would have to be to keep up with Sebastian at all.

I am in love with the idea of the two of them creating this whole mysterious persona around themselves, and I’m a sucker for a masquerade. Ciel’s outfit (the sleeves in particular) was inspired by Shakespearean costumes- I’m a big fan of theatre and Shakespeare and I love when characters in stories have an element of mystery and performance to them. Ciel is nobility, so he’s used to garnering a certain level of attention and respect from the people around him, and I don’t think that would change now that he’s a demon but I also think he would like the element of anonymity that a mask gives him.

I’m a BIG fan of the 2004 Joel Schumacher Phantom of the Opera film (if you couldn’t tell by the way I described the theatre in this chapter, or the outfits I have everyone in). If you’re trying to imagine anything in this chapter, it’s all pretty much lifted directly from the aesthetic of that movie. And I was also listening to the 2013 Baz Luhrman Great Gatsby movie soundtrack when I was writing it too. Yeah yeah, it’s the 1900s not the 1920s but I have to get in the old-timey party mood somehow, and that soundtrack was hugely popular/ I had it on my iPod when I was a teenager and at the height of my Black Butler obsession so. They’re somehow kind of linked in my mind.

Le Cour de Corbeau literally translates to ‘the raven’s heart’ and what is Ciel if not Sebastian’s heart? I’m thinking of writing a one-shot spin-off once TTNBD is done that goes back and explores exactly how Sebastian and Ciel met Madame and ended up owning an entire nightclub. I don’t have the exact timeline of events planned out but I imagine it involved some sort of demonic shenanigans so it should be fun to come up with something.

The club is located in the Montmartre area of Paris, which was one of the main gathering areas of the queer community in Paris in the early twentieth century. Paris in general has been home to many underground gay clubs, salons, cafés and cabarets throughout history. Even to this day, it’s considered one of the queer capitals of the world. I knew I had to pay homage to the queer community in my fic, knowing Ciel and Sebastian were going to be living in Paris.

In chapter nine of To the End of Everything, I wrote a scene where the two of them snuck off from a ball to be together, and they danced in a quiet, dark room, and Ciel had a thought of some day being able to do it in the open. I was thinking of that when I decided to set a chapter in this club.

The scene with Lizzy and Sybil in the carriage on the way to the club was really tricky to write- it’s difficult to write a sort of coming out scene without being able to use any of the modern terminology we use now. I’m of the opinion that homosexuality was talked about in common society a lot more than the history books would have us believe. Humans have been having sex longer than we’ve been doing pretty much anything else, and that must count for something.

Lizzy and Sybil get to dance in this chapter! I spent a long time trying to find the right song for them, and I settled on Serenade for strings in C major my Pyotor Illyich Tchaikovsky. Tchaikozvky’s waltzes have this grandness to them, and they always make me feel like I’m being floated around on a cloud of air, which is how I wanted Lizzy to feel during this scene. I believe I’ve said this before, but music is very important to me and it inspires me greatly, and so I’m always finding ways to subtly work it into my writing.

Speaking of music- let’s talk about the scene with Madame’s performance- one of my favourite Sebaciel tropes is them having sex in semi-public places, during parties or in Ciel’s office or anywhere they might be discovered at any second so Ciel has to try to be quiet while Sebastian will try to make him get loud on purpose. There’s just something so utterly them about it. Also Sebastian leaving his gloves on. Enough said.

The song Madame is singing during this scene is from Mozart’s famous opera Don Giovanni, called Vedrai, Carino- specifically the aria from that scene. In that scene, one of the characters, Masetto, has been beaten up, and his fiancée, Zerlina, finds him and promises she can cure his wounds… with sex. It’s all cheeky double entendre and it’s very romantic and cute.

Here are the lyrics:

Come, come; if that's the worst, there's no great harm done. Come with me home to supper, And give your faithful promise, you'll nevermore be jealous; Those bruises can be cured, where love is zealous. Come, shall I tell thee, How what befell thee, Soon can be cured By my potent charm? No garden grows it, Though it aboundeth, Like furnace glows it, Yet none 'twill harm, All guard and cherish it: Gold cannot buy it, Say, wilt thou try it Soft 'tis, and warm. Has thy wit flown, Hear, how it throbs within, lays his hand on her heart 'Tis all thine own, Ah, 'tis thine only

The melody is cheerful but lilting, and it builds and builds with a sort of heartbeat rhythm toward the end… I just thought it was perfect for this scene.

Sybil and Madame’s conversation was interesting to write. I realised part way through that I was writing an exchange with only original characters in it. I wasn’t sure how many people would really want to read a story with so much original character content, but the response to this story and especially the characters I’ve created has been wonderful and really touching. Being a writer is the most important thing in the world to me- someday I hope to have my own novels out in the world, so even a little bit of positive attention for the more original aspects of my fanfiction is a big encouragement.

Anyway, onto the next section of commentary, which is the scene between Alois and Claude.

I want to be clear- being a victim of sexual assault or child sexual abuse does not automatically turn you into the kind of person Alois is. It is completely possible for CSA victims to have normal, healthy relationships as adults. Alois, of course, was never in a safe enough space or had the necessary support system to heal from the trauma he endured. Instead, he ended up internalizing the abuse he experienced and convinced himself he was in control of it, that he was the one manipulating and using the old man, and that has led to him having a skewed perception of himself and his own sexuality, as well as an unhealthy relationship with sex in general.

The human mind will convince itself of all sorts of things in the pursuit of survival. People will cope however they can. There is no wrong way to survive. In Alois’s case, he sold his soul to a demon. Clearly, he has much different motivations and boundaries than a regular real-life person- and often in fiction, an unhealthy mind is much more interesting to write and read about, especially when there’s things like demons involved.

From the beginning of planning this story, I wanted Claude and Alois to have a super messy dynamic. I see Alois and Claude as a narrative foil to Ciel and Sebastian- the same dynamic, a young aristocrat and his demon butler, but taken to the opposite extreme conclusion. The same devotion, obsession, even attraction, but inverted- reluctant, resentful, but no less intense and inescapable. Where Sebastian is loyal, Claude is treacherous, but he is no less drawn to Alois, if only because of the contract between them.

Alois and Claude’s dynamic as I write it is this: Alois may be the master, and he may think he is in control, but he will always get more than he bargains for when it comes to Claude. Of course, I’m writing this commentary months after this chapter came out, and I’ve pushed that dynamic even further in subsequent chapters.

As to how it will end between them- well, you’ll have to wait and see.

On to the climatic title moment of the chapter, the countdown to the new year and the new century: I was just a little kid in 1999, so my memories are vague. I remember some stuff about the Y2K scare (for those of you younger than I am who don’t know what I’m talking about, you can google it, I’m not going off on a tangent here 😆. Anyway, I imagine the coming of a new century must be really exciting, more so than any other new year celebration, because it’s far rarer.

And of course, what better moment to kiss a girl you like for the first time than at such a classic, traditional moment? There’s something so gripping about the turning of the year, that moment when it feels like everything is about to change even though it really isn’t. It gives that same sort of exhilarating feeling as kissing someone for the first time. Kissing someone for the first time is terrifying too, but it’s also amazing.

Of course, things are about to go sideways for Lizzy, so she’s not going to get to experience any of what normally comes after such a thing, at least not for a while.

I like to imagine Ciel and Sebastian standing up on that balcony, looking down into the street over the crowds and the fireworks, and Ciel’s jaw just dropping when he sees Lizzy kissing Sybil. Lizzy?? Kissing a girl?? He’s not jealous or anything, obviously, but it must have been quite a shock for him, it’s no wonder he was staring.

CHAPTER FOUR-POINT-FIVE: INTERLUDE; AULD LANG SYNE

There are going to be a few interludes throughout this fic- they’re really just chapters on they’re own, but they’re shorter parts that feel like they need to stand on their own. Also, I like the word ‘interlude’ and wanted an excuse to feel fancy.

Auld Lang Syne is of course a quite well-known (at least in my neck of the woods) Scottish folk song that people typically sing at New Year’s. it was originally a poem written in the Scots dialect by poet Robert Burns, written in 1788, but he said himself that he had “taken it down from an old man”. The first verse and chorus can be directly attributed to a 1711 folk song by James Watson, the rest being attributed to Burns himself. Watson’s original stanza and refrain are the most memorable of the song’s lyrics:

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon; The flames of Love extinguished, and fully past and gone: Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold, that loving Breast of thine; That thou canst never once reflect On old long syne. Chorus: On old long syne my Jo, On old long syne, That thou canst never once reflect, On old long syne.

The phrase “auld lang syne” can be translated to mean “old long since”, but in a more general sense just means “times long past”. The phrase “for auld lang syne” can me taken to mean “for the sake of old times”. The song, while generally sung at the stroke of midnight at the new year, can also be used as a general farewell- it’s about remembering the past while moving toward the future. It’s been sung at graduations, funerals, and other such events for this reason.

Thematically, it’s perfect for where we’re at in the story. “Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon” is sort of an inverse of what’s happening- Lizzy still thinks of Ciel often, and Ciel has just had his past brought back to him despite having moved on from it. “Is thy sweet love now grown so cold, that loving Breast of thine; that thou canst never once reflect on old lang syne?” Has Ciel really lost all attachment to his past- does he really care so little what happens to the people he once cared about that he can’t even be bothered to look back, or to literally go back to his old life in some sense?

Alois is hungover and yet somehow still a little horny- there’s not too much to say about it other than OOF. I always have more fun writing Claude’s inner monologue anyway (I hate him so much but it’s so fun to write him), so the scene at the breakfast table where he makes the comment about Ciel not having the butler Alois does really tickle me. I love when characters throw shade at each other without realising what they’re saying. And the fact that Alois has to go around solving crimes and blames Ciel for it despite never having met him? Delightful. What a whiny bitch he is.

Abberline is the boss man now, and he’s doing his whole strong man though guy in charge routine, but he can’t fool me. He’s just a little guy. Still, though, it’s not great that someone leaked stuff to the press- it’s almost like whoever did it wants to cause a panic and make sure that the message gets sent to someone… I wonder what it could mean?

I don’t actually know if the London news would be published in Paris so quickly. I’m probably stretching historical accuracy to its breaking point haha, but like I always remind myself, I’m the only one who cares about stuff like that, and it’s my story anyway so ultimately, I can do whatever I want!

Ciel and Sebastian would be walking down the street holding hands if it was allowed. They’re so gross and domestic in this story and I’m not even sorry. Thinking about them going to a café in the morning and sitting looking at the paper and people-watching while Ciel eats a mountain of sugary treats and Sebastian drinks his coffee- I am often inclined to think about little else. I promise that when all of this is over, they will go back to doing that. But the main plot of the story has finally caught up with them.

“Would you hate me terribly if I said I wanted to go back to London?”

“I would hate you terribly if you pretended you did not.”

One of the things Sebastian loves most about Ciel is how unapologetic he is about the things he wants. Ciel’s motives as a human were never about being good- only about serving his family’s name, which was an obligation as well as a desire, but also about revenge, about going to any extent to achieve his goals. People so often sacrifice their dreams or wants for the sake of others, or for the sake of politeness, or decency- but Ciel was never like that. In a lot of ways, Ciel is a selfish person, self-indulgent and stubborn and a lot of other things people normally don’t like. So how could a demon like Sebastian not love him?

For the record, I love Ciel also. I call him selfish and stubborn and indulgent and all of these somewhat negative things, but I mean it affectionately. He’s a pretty little bastard and I love him so much. I think he should get everything he asks for and be allowed to do whatever he wants forever. (Me 🤝 Sebastian).

Okay so. I had to kill someone. There had to be a murder to bring Ciel and Sebastian back to London. It wasn’t going to be Lizzy that dies, obviously, but who else could it have been that would have made Ciel even remotely interested? I didn’t want to kill one of Lizzy’s parents, they’re useful characters to have around. Not Abberline- he’s even more important. So, Edward was the natural choice. I don’t think Ciel liked Edward at all- Edward certainly didn’t like him- but neither do I. Or rather, I don’t really have any feelings for Edward as a character whatsoever- he’s so minor. So murdered it is. The more important part is HOW he was murdered, obviously, but the fact that the victim is someone connected to Ciel’s past is also important.

RIP Edward Midford, thanks for your sacrifice to the plot. You will not be forgotten.

I think Lizzy and Sybil would have probably gotten together that day if Edward hadn’t have died and sent Lizzy on a whole new emotional arc. So maybe actually Edward, fuck you for getting murdered and keeping your sister from getting some. And fuck me for writing it that way I guess 😅

Anyway, that’s all for now! I’m on hiatus right now, and I’m working on the outline for the final arc of the story, and also trying to catch up on these. I’m probably going to start grouping chapters together in posts. There ended up being so many more chapters in this story than I originally planned. See you again soon!

#ttnbd #fanfiction #commentary #black butler #kuroshitsuji #sebaciel #about writing #lord speaks #this is almost 4 thousand words lolsob

6 notes · View notes