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vdlest · 3 years

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My Works:

2am knock on my door

Posted: May 17, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Anger!Reader

Summary: After Tony's death, Cap's disappearance, and end of Thanos, everybody go on separate ways to continue their lives. You became alone. But one rainy night, you heard a knock on your door, only to find Bucky Barnes soaking wet outside your apartment. You soon realized that you're not the only person who feels that kind of sadness and loneliness. That makes the two of you.

Warning: None

His I Love You

Posted: May 17, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x reader

Summary: You and Bucky are in temporary LDR due to his mission and just by hearing those three magical words, you felt okay.

Warning: None

You Saved Me

Posted: May 18, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x reader

Summary: You kept him from being insane by loving him for who he was, who he is, and who will he be.

Warning: None

Costumes

Posted: May 18, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: You and the avengers are having a Halloween party, and someone came with a familiar costume, making your heart skip a beat.

Warning: None

As Long As We Both Shall Live

Sequel to "2am Knock On My Door"

Posted: May 19, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: Bucky didn't like the idea of you avoiding him. So during the mini-reunion party, he confronted you.

Warning: None

Turning Point

Posted: May 19, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x BestFriend!Reader

Summary: You were out with your girl friends, Nat and Wanda, but when you got home, your boy best friend, Bucky, isn't so happy about you coming home late.

Warning: None

Good Morning, Husband

Posted: May 20, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: You woke up and see Bucky Barnes beside you, realizing that it's your first morning as husband and wife.

Warning: None

My Lady

Posted: May 20, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: It is Tony's birthday party and everyone's required to wear their best formal attire, and when you did, you caught the attention of James Buchanan Barnes.

Warning: None

He Won't Allow It

Posted: May 22, 2021

Characters: TFATWS!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Just when Zemo is about to use you as a pawn to your next plan for your mission in Prague, Bucky decided to remind him that he won't allow anyone to use you. An unexpected confession came after.

Warning: Swearing

Dreamcatcher

Posted: May 22, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Bucky continues to have his nightmares night by night. You advised him to follow what his therapist told him to do — to have a friend. It turns out, you also needed one. Will the two of you take this chance to help each other?

Warning: None aside from swearing

You Left Something

Posted: May 23, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x ExAvenger!Reader

Summary: It has been a year since you left the life of being an Avenger. But after a year, someone showed up in your house, telling you that you left something when you left your old life. What could it be?

Warning: Swearing, mention of sex/one-night stand

You Matter

Posted: May 23, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Girlfriend!Reader

Summary: You and Bucky together with the other Avengers went to Florida for a mission. When your ex-suitor was also in the same area, your boyfriend, Bucky Barnes, is triggered by your ex's words. How can you make him feel better?

Warning: Jealousy, A little bit of smut, Swearing

I'll Come Home To You

Posted: May 24, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: All the men avengers are compromised in a big mission that has to do with an organization trying to revive and continue HYDRA's works. Seeing your fiance, Bucky, leave months before your wedding makes you worried.

Warning: None

His Muse

Posted: May 25, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Tony and Pepper are finally tying the knot. And your date for their wedding is none other than James Buchanan Barnes, your best friend.

Warning: None

Still His

Posted: May 25, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader, Winter Soldier x Reader

Summary: You lost him five years ago, but what happens when the new fist of HYDRA turns out to be the man you thought was a ghost already.

Warning: Swearing, Alternate Universe, Poorly Written

Lost & Found

Posted: May 26, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Nearly three years ago, the Avengers lost in a battle for humanity. They lost because of Thanos. Half of the planet vanished in thin air and only God knows what happened to them. Surprisingly, you received a call from Nat telling you that Tony Stark is safely back in the compound with the help of Captain Marvel. But you get another surprise when Nat tells you that Bucky did not vanish three years ago, he was with Tony this whole time.

Warning: None

No One, But You

Posted: May 26, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: You, Sam, and Bucky went to Prague for a mission that has something to do with what they call the Flash Smashers, but Bucky is not his usual "game on" mode and you found out why. He's still grieving over Steve's disappearance and for not being able to apologize to Tony.

Warning: Swearing

Onto It

Posted: May 27, 2021

Characters: TFATWS!Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: Bucky and Sam are both in New York to finish their mission with the power broker, which turns out to be Sharon Carter. The latter is not just the villain in this story, but you once got jealous of her as well when she tried to seduce your man.

Warning: Swearing, Jealousy, Mention of Smut

Nice To Meet You

Posted: May 28, 2021

Characters: TFATWS!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: The restaurant where Bucky always takes Yori to eat with him is where you actually work. You've been watching and staring at him for quite some time now but didn't have the courage to introduce yourself to him. But what happens when Yori asked Bucky to take you out?

Warning: None

No Goodbyes

Posted: May 29, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader, CivilWar!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: You fought for team Captain America during the Civil War. You were one of the people who believed that Bucky Barnes can gain his redemption. Fighting alongside Bucky, the two of you did not have a hard time getting along and eventually fell for each other. But after the fight in the airport, he decided to freeze himself again until a solution for his condition comes.

Warning: None

Always Beside You

Posted: May 30, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: You and Bucky have been living together for a year now. Ever since you came into his life, he stopped having nightmares, not until Sam gave up the shield and the country have a new Captain America.

Warning: None

It's Her

Posted: May 31, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: It was supposed to be a night of fun with the whole team, but your ex-boyfriend shows up and tries to ruin your night.

Warning: Swearing, AU, Mention of a little SMUT

Scarred & Bruised

Posted: June 1, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Each time you find yourself falling in love, you'd tell them about your dark past, and they'll always end up leaving you. So you tried not to fall in love with anyone since then, and it has been years since you felt love in your life. But then you met Bucky, and it's not hard to fall in love with him so you ran away from him. After a year of hiding and running from the man you thought was just like anyone else, he found you, and no chance that he'll let you go again.

Warning: Swearing, Mention of rape, Violence

You Made Me Live Again

Posted: June 2, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader, Steve Rogers x Avenger!Reader

Summary: You used to date Steve Rogers, but you knew that he has always been in love with Peggy, so you two stopped dating. Two years later, you met Bucky and slowly fell for each other, but you two decided to keep your relationship a secret since both of you doesn't want to shock everyone, especially Steve, who happens to be Bucky's best friend. But until when can both of you hold back?

Warning: Open-ended, Sappy Ending

Midnight Talks

Posted: June 7,2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: After Bucky and Sam's mission in Brooklyn, they came back to the compound and you noticed that something is not right with Bucky. One midnight, you can't sleep and found Bucky in the mini-bar in the compound and you finally found out why he's been acting differently.

Warning: fluff, a little smut, drinking

More than anything

Posted: June 8, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x BestFriend!Reader

Summary: You and Bucky have been best friends since high school. He always asked you for advice whenever he's dating someone, when you say no, he'd say no as well. But one night, you found each other in your room, having sex. Waking up the next day, he's gone. No text, no call, nothing.

Warning: mention of smut

Build a life together

Posted: June 9, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Girlfriend!Reader

Summary: You and Bucky joined Sam to help him restore their family boat. But a life-changing event took place. An event of a lifetime for you and Bucky.

Warning: none

Of all the things

Posted: June 10, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Stark!Reader

Summary: Even before the civil war took place, you sided with Captain America about his point of view of Bucky Barnes — that he could gain his redemption. Bucky has never shown you anything bad ever since you met him. The next thing you knew, he caught your heart too. You took their side up to the civil war, and you knew your brother, Tony, would be hurt by your decision.

After the civil war, Tony told you about the truth of the death of your parents, the Winter Soldier killed them. You were hurt too, for all along you knew they got into an accident but it turns out, they were murdered.

Seeing how devastated Tony is for feeling betrayed by Steve Rogers and feeling hurt upon learning what really happened to your parents, you decided to go back with him in New York, without even saying goodbye to Bucky, the man you secretly loved.

A year later, you & Tony received a call from Wakanda, you are needed in a war. But little did you know, you're about to cross paths again with the man you've always loved from afar and secretly.

Warning: none

Only yours forever

Posted: June 11, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: You and the rest of the remaining avengers decided to team up with the Eternals, but seems like your boyfriend, Bucky Barnes, isn't a fan of Ikaris and the way he stares at you.

Warning: Jealousy, Fluff, Implied Smut

I'm home in your arms

Posted: June 14, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Girlfriend!Reader

Summary: Bucky always comes to visit you, but he asked you to come over to his place this time. Upon your arrival at his apartment, you found him sad and emotional.

Warning: Fluff

Definition of heaven

Posted: June 16, 2021

Characters: Boyfriend!Bucky Barnes x Girlfriend!Reader

Summary: You found out you were pregnant with Bucky's baby when the blip took place. You keep the baby and raised him by yourself and with the help of a few friends. You have always believed that Bucky will come back to you and your son, Gabriel. Five years later, the Avengers won, Bucky came home to you and Gabriel.

Warning: Fluff

Sergeant Barnes' last letter

Posted: June 18, 2021

Characters: InfinityWar!Bucky Barnes x Fiance!Reader

Summary: You woke up in your bed without Bucky by your side. The only thing you found on his trace is his letter for you, saying his temporary farewell as he leaves for Wakanda to fight with his pal, Steve against Thanos.

Warning: Fluff

Let me take care of you

Posted: June 21, 2021

Characters: TFATWS!Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: Joining forces with John Walker is the last thing you, Sam, and Bucky want to consider, but after seeing the powerful force of the Flag Smashers, the three of you left with no other choice.

Warning: Jealousy, Swearing, Fluff

The Barnes & Rogers talk

Posted: June 23, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Girlfriend!Reader

Summary: Bucky can't stop talking about you to his best friend, Steve Rogers.

Warning: Fluff

Could we?

Posted: June 26, 2021

Characters: ExBF!Bucky Barnes x ExGF!Reader

Summary: A normal day turns out to be different when you bumped into your ex, Bucky Barnes.

Warning: Fluff

Get her

Posted: July 2, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: When Bucky found out that you were taken by the subgroup of HYDRA called "The Atonement," he will do everything just to bring you back safely.

Warning: Fluff, Expect an open ending, Heartbreak

Convincing Mr. Barnes

Posted: July 5, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x GF!Reader

Summary: Instead of going out of town with you, you convinced Bucky to help Sam in restoring their family boat.

Warning: Fluff, A little bit of SMUT

Just stay

Posted: July 7, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Neighbor!Reader

Summary: Clogged sink, carrying heavy furniture, fixing your broken headboard - these are just some of the times you called your neighbor, Bucky, for help, and he'll be happy to help you without anything in exchange. Until you finally offered something he can't resist, your body.

Warning: Mention of SMUT (18+), Fluff, Bucky being rough and soft at the same time

A little too late

Posted: July 9, 2021

Characters: ExBF!Bucky Barnes x ExGF!Reader

Summary: Bucky broke up with you and left you when he thought you were cheating on him with Steve. He left without any God damn word, and you weren't able to tell him that you never cheated on him, not even a thought of it.

3 years later, Bucky received a letter from Steve, making Bucky feel guilty for what he did to you.

Warning: Angst, Mention of miscarriage, Expect a heartbreak

Love than lose

Posted: July 11, 2021

Characters: TFAWTS!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: The day Bucky confessed to you that he likes you, you told him that you can't be with someone whose life is always in the line of death. So you two decided not to do anything. But when you saw him in the news regarding his mission to end Flag Smashers alongside the new Captain America, Sam, you rushed towards the scene to tell him that you regret your decision.

Warning: Fluff

Each other's home

Posted: July 14, 2021

Characters: Husband!Bucky Barnes x Wife!Reader

Summary: You just got home from your shopping and spa day with Wanda and Nat, and you found your loving husband cooking dinner for both of you. Just a normal sweet night with the love of your life.

Warning: Fluff

Always you

Posted: July 19, 2021

Characters: Bucky Barnes x GF!Reader

Summary: Thea team is out for a celebratory dinner, but it turns out your ex-boyfriend was also in the same restaurant. Your boyfriend, Bucky Barnes, can't help but feel a "little" jealous.

Warning: Fluff, Jealousy, Mention of SMUT

Morning star

Posted: July 23, 2021

Characters: TFATWS!Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: When Zemo asked Bucky to play the role of the Winter Soldier once more for the mission in Madripoor, you can't help but feel anxious about it.

Warning: Fluff

Says who

Posted: July 29, 2021

Characters: TFAWTS!Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: You think Bucky hates you because he is too professional when you two are working on a mission, he doesn't do small talks, and he doesn't talk to you about any other thing aside from the mission itself. So when you had enough of his professionalism, you decided to confront him.

Warning: Fluff

Cap's divulgence

Posted: July 31, 2021

Characters: Steve Rogers x GF!Reader

Summary: After six months of putting your relationship with Steve Rogers in much secrecy, the star-spangled man boyfriend of yours finally broke the news to everyone in a celebratory dinner.

Warning: Fluff

For a lifetime

Posted: August 2, 2021

Characters: Husband!Bucky Barnes x Wife!Reader // Groom!Bucky Barnes x Bride!Reader

Summary: You just got married to the man you love, and on the reception, you are asked to give a message to your husband.

Warning: Fluff

The only family he got

Posted: August 7, 2021

Characters: PostEndgame!Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: Bucky is still haunted by sadness after his pal, Steve Rogers, decided to live the life he never had with Peggy. He's very afraid that he'll choose the family he only got left, you.

Warning: Fluff

#bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes masterlist #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x y/n

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twobitmulder · 3 years

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When did Storm Shadow Become a Villain?

There is a scene in GI Joe Resolute where Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow are having their obligatory Ninja Battle and (Spoilers I Guess) Storm Shadow reveals that he orchestrated his uncle, The Hard Master’s, death and that he fully meant to kill Snake Eyes as well, out of jealousy and because his uncle would not teach him the final secret to killing a man in seven steps, fearing that young Storm Shadow was too volatile and violent. Towards the end of the battle Storm Shadows wrist bands come off, revealing his Arashikage tattoo on one arm and a Cobra Sigil on the other.

This version of Storm Shadow (Voiced by “every Beagle Boy on Ducktales” Eric Bauza) stands out amongst his post-2000 incarnations as an unrepentant psychopath, but still falls in line with the prominent view of Storm Shadow as a villain--one of the main villains with a special hatred for his GI Joe counterpart.

This is the version I grew up with. GI Joe vs Cobra through Sigma 6 were the prominent Joe adaptations when I was the target demographic and all throughout Storm Shadow was a bad guy to varying degrees.

I knew in the classic Hama stuff he eventually defected, but I was not prepared for just how much he’s a heroic character from the start. There’s no big sword dual with Snake Eyes, no Anakin and Obi Wan style “friend turned bitter enemy” dynamic. It’s made clear from jump that Tommy is undercover in Cobra and remains an honorable man in search of justice. He leaves Cobra quickly and is branded as a Joe in all his figures until 2000--when they started packing their characters in two-packs with one Joe and one Cobra. In all appearances, Storm Shadow is more a Joe than a Cobra. So what led to the the modern view of Storm Shadow as a bad guy, who, even when he gets his redemption, still has a mean streak and a cruel manner? How did a character in a toy driven franchise who had more toys as a hero than a villain end up as one of the franchise’s most consistent villains?

*(For simplicity’s sake, this is only going to cover film and television portrayals of the character).

*Spoilers for pretty much every GI Joe adaptation to follow.

The first portrayal of Storm Shadow as Cobra Commander’s loyal and competent hatchet man (one of the few) is not too much older than Hama’s original Marvel version. The Sunbow version of Storm Shadow (voiced by “guy you’ve heard in everything” Keone Young) remained a loyal cobra agent--with none of the Hama version’s depth.

He had what you might call “standard cartoon Ninja honor” where he clearly had some kind of code of ethics, but was primarily an arrogant killer (as much as he could be in a cartoon) who fought primarily with Spirit and Quick Kick (voiced by wonderfully talented “guy you’ve seen in everything” Francois Chau) as Snake Eyes was largely shunted to the side in the cartoon. The echoes of Sunbow Storm Shadow can be seen in pretty much every non-comic adaptation that followed.

Skipping right over the Dic continuation of the Sunbow cartoon because Storm Shadow actually is a Joe in that, as he was in the comics and figures of the time (and because I haven’t seen it) we come to the 2000′s era.

The Spy Troops and Valor vs. Venom DTV movies had a Storm Shadow (voiced by “guy who got his blood ripped out by Magneto in X2: X-Men United” Ty Olsson) who was essentially his Sunbow self with one major change. He actually had a history with Snake Eyes, and a bitter rivalry. The details are not gone into in either film (you get a little more in the figure file cards and mini-comics of the era) but Storm Shadow accuses Snake Eyes of betraying the Arashikage. The implication being that either Storm Shadow blames Snake Eyes for some crime or another or that there was a schism in clan.

The File cards of the time movie go from acknowledging Storm Shadow’s time as a Joe, and claiming he’s working with Cobra again for unknown reasons, to establishing their own canon that Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow were once best friends and “Sword Brothers” before Storm Shadow fell to the dark side and joined Cobra. Though Storm Shadow’s file card does end with the ominous implication that he’s got his own agenda in working with Cobra (just like his Hama incarnation) the DTV films imply that he’s a Cobra loyalist in addition to his feud with Snake Eyes.

Spy Troops and Valor vs. Venom lead in a semi-canonical way to GI Joe Sigma 6 where Storm Shadow (voiced by “guy whose only other role I recognize is pulling double duty as Zeke Stane and Living Laser in the Iron Man 3 videogame” Tom Wayland) more or less continues the previous two iterations’ version of Storm Shadow. He once again accuses Snake Eyes of some great betrayal that broke their friendship. The GI Joe website at the time includes the detail that Storm Shadow was infiltrating Cobra when he was brainwashed into becoming a loyal Cobra agent. It’s another concession, like his 2001 file card, to Hama’s heroic double agent, while still portraying him in line with Sunbow’s villainous henchman.

GI Joe Resolute comes next, where we see a departure from any pretense of Storm Shadow being a good guy. Resolute, in many ways, comes off as a gritty direct continuation of the Sunbow series, and it takes Sunbow’s villainous Storm Shadow and strips him of even the token bits of honor and humanity he had. It also, as near as I can tell, begins the trend of Storm Shadow outright resenting Snake Eyes, rather than being his one time friend.

As an irrelevant aside, I have my problems with Resolute but I do love everyone’s character designs and Eric Bauza does a fantastic job as one fourth of the cast. His Sean Connery impression for Destro is particularly inspired.

This brings us to the big ones. GI Joe: RIse of Cobra and GI Joe: Retaliation where Storm Shadow is brought to the big screen by Lee Byung-Hun (who I don’t have a snarky/informative aside for because shamefully despite how prolific he is I’ve only seen him in these movies and The Magnificent 7 remake) and as a child by Brandon Soo Hoo (he’s also been in a lot of stuff, but I particularly liked his turn as Beast Boy in the animated New 52 DC movies).

Lee’s Storm Shadow in the first film falls in line with his portrayals up to this point, probably skewing most closely towards Sunbow. He has a code of ethics (he doesn’t kill women apparently) but he’s still a bad guy and he seems to quite like it. Lee brings a charm to the character that had not really existed up until that point. He also spends a lot of time maskless (and it’s hard to blame the production team for that one, he’s a very handsome dude) which was a shock for anyone who grew up with the 2001 era storm shadow where the thought of him without a mask was so insane that it was relegated to a mail in figure (As a kid I seriously thought he had some Mandalorian style code of not removing it)

His origin in this version takes bits of Hama and bits of Resolute (or Resolute took from this, Resolute came out first but this might have been in development). It is, as far as I can tell, the first version to have Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes train together as children and it portrays Storm Shadow, even as a child, as an arrogant and jealous person.

Now, at least in my opinion, it’s fairly obvious that the first movie fully intended Storm Shadow to be a baddie, full stop. There’s a little wiggle room given that we never see him stab The Hard Master in the flashback (the Hard Master in this version is Storm Shadow’s father rather than his uncle) but the way he taunts Snake Eyes about it during their final confrontation makes a pretty compelling case for his having committed patricide.

The sequel would bring back elements of the Hama backstory. Zartan killed The Hard Master and Storm Shadow had to infiltrate Cobra to discover that. Given Cobra Commander and Storm Shadow are of roughly the same age (Storm Shadow being a bit older I think) and this event occurred when they were both children it’s unclear on who’s orders Zartan did this but we do know it was done to turn the already volatile young man into the perfect angry ninja assassin (given this canon is pretty much over we’ll probably never know for sure, but my guess based on the IDW movie universe comics is that Zartan either did it at the behest of the Red Ninja Clan or just to have a tiny assassin of his own, probably the former since they seem to regard each other as unpleasant colleagues who sometimes work together).

What I particularly like about this version is that, because the first movie portrayed him as this charmingly sadistic Bond Villain henchman, even after he switches sides in the sequel he’s still kind of a belligerent dick. It’s a fun piece of characterization that even once he’s cleared his name, avenged his father, and made his peace with his family, it doesn’t change the fundamental fact that he’s not a very nice person.

This is something that would persist into the next (and for the moment last, but more on that later) onscreen version of Storm Shadow.

GI Joe Renegades (the best GI Joe Cartoon, fight me) saw Storm Shadow (voiced by “holy crap this guy originated the role of Saw Gerrera in Clone Wars” Andrew Kishino) as the leader of the Arashikage Clan (explicitly a crime syndicate, harkening back to implications in Hama’s version) who operates independent of Cobra except very briefly and only to fulfill his own ends (again bringing him closer to Hama’s version than any of his predecessors). Falling in line with the implications of the movie and Resolute, he and Snake Eyes were uneasy classmates more than friends and trained together as teenagers. An attempt to kill Snake Eyes went awry and resulted in the death of the Hard Master (who again, seemed to favor Snake Eyes over his own nephew). Storm Shadow believes Snake Eyes to have killed The Hard Master(somehow failing to connect the dots given his own murder plan failed the same night Snake Eyes allegedly murdered his uncle--or hell he’s probably just in denial until the truth slaps him in the face).

Also, irrelevant aside number 2, in contrast with Resolute I really don’t like this character design. Renegades had pretty good character design all around, neatly bringing together various versions in a way that felt coherent but I don’t like the little tufts of hair sticking out of the mask or the way it kinda hangs in front of his mouth. Is he hiding his face or not? It seems like he’s not so much wearing a mask as a bandana and an oversized turtleneck.

This version neatly ties together the “Snake Eyes betrayed us” of the early 2000′s, the “arrogant unfavorite” of the mid 2000s and the “out for justice assassin” of Hama’s run. He is, again, an arrogant prick from the start, but his genuine shame and resolve to abandon his quest for vengeance and his extremely short partnership with Cobra make his eventual redemption (or the start of what you assume would have been a longer redemption arc had the series continued) more believable than the live action movies--if a mite less fun.

And that’s where it ends, at least until the much delayed Snake Eyes live action movie is finally released, where Storm Shadow is set to be played by “guy from the best episode of American Gods Season 2″ Andrew Koji. I quite like the look of the cast of this movie, and I’m excited to see what Koji brings to the role. Will Storm Shadow be arrogant, murderous, honorable, charming, brooding, misunderstood, cruel, vengeful...some impossible combination of all of the above? We’ll have to wait and see.

*Including the various alternate comic book versions probably would have painted a more complete picture, but I’ve only read Hama’s run and the IDW reboot (where Storm Shadow is kind of a non-entity), besides this was more about tracing Storm Shadow through the adaptations I watched as a kid.

*None of the adaptations seem to go with Hama’s original detail that Storm Shadow and Jinx were from Northern California. On the one hand I see why you transplant them to Japan with the rest of their family (it’s a globetrotting element and makes the cast more cosmopolitan) but I always liked the idea of that they were children of immigrants.

*Adaptations have been touch and go about casting Japanese actors in the role but I was impressed to find out that Sunbow cast Japanese Americans as both Storm Shadow and Jinx, making them probably the most faithful casting in relation to their original backstories.

*Apologies for my complete inability to get screenshots of roughly the same size or resolution.

#gi joe #storm shadow

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formeandmyfics · 3 years

Text

JUGENEA FAN FICTION

AT C.G.’s

sequel to ‘At The H.R.’ - Months after their sexy rendezvous at the Roosevelt Hotel, Judy and Gene reunite once again, this time at one of Cary Grant’s infamous parties up on Mulholland

1948

His forehead wrinkled as he felt a tingling sensation on his skin. The comfortable, crisp air suddenly became very warm. The tingling sensation now made its way into his insides. Drifting out of sleep, Gene suddenly felt a spark hit his body and he opened his eyes with the sudden sensation.

Confused, he looked around. He was standing in a living room, one he didn’t quite recognize, but oddly felt familiar. How did he get there from his bed? He looked down and realized he was no longer wearing pajamas but a black suit. Everything felt strange but it wasn’t at all unpleasant. Actually, it was quite pleasant, but peculiar. The atmosphere was muggy and warm, a hazy red glow was in the air, feeling exotic.

Behind him, a blurry figure emerged slowly down the staircase illuminated in red. He heard the sound of familiar heels clicking on the floor in a distance behind him. He knew who it was without even turning around. He just knew. He could already smell her alluring perfume. Gene felt her hand slide along his back before she came into focus. As she slid to the front of him, her hand followed its path to his chest.

Judy.

She wore a ravishing, white evening gown. The dress was long, with a slit cut way up high on her thigh, the strapless bodice accentuated her breasts beautifully. And she smiled at him, a titillating smile that expressed seduction. Her lips were redder and fuller than he ever remembered. Her eyes were dark, almost black, hypnotizing him. She ran her finger slowly down his silk tie before she turned and started to walk away from him. Her hips moved sensually as she made her way to the back hallway. It was Judy, it looked like her, smelled like her, but it she never acted this way. Where was she going?

Judy?

He called out for her in his mind. Why couldn’t he speak? He followed her to where she stood in front of a door. When she turned to look at him, he opened his mouth determined to speak, but she put her finger up to her lips, smiling, shushing him.

Gene stood frozen in place as he watched her lean against the door provocatively, her leg fully visible, beckoning to be touched. The way she looked at him at that moment just screamed sex. He could feel the energy. He could taste it. Opening the door, she motioned with her finger for him to follow her inside before shutting the door behind her. Anxious arousal and confusion spread throughout his being as his hand reached for the door knob. He hesitated at first, but when he grabbed onto the handle, it took a lot of energy to open the door. It was heavy like steel, and his grasp felt very liquid, but he managed to open it.

When Gene shut the door behind him, he found himself standing in the center of an empty soundstage. Where was she? Why did she leave him? Suddenly he felt abandoned, lost. But he could still feel her energy. She was here somewhere.

"Yo, buddy."

Gene heard a harsh voice echoing in his ears. The middle of his eyes wrinkled in bafflement as he turned his head to where the voice was coming from.

"I'm sorry?"

The impatient cabbie turned to look at him over his shoulder, "You gonna pay or are we at the wrong place?"

Gene looked out the window and sure enough they were in front of Ciro's. He immediately reached into his pocket and handed the driver money, "Thanks."

Gene sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He still couldn’t stop thinking about that odd dream he had last night. As he started to walk up to the entrance of the popular watering hole on Sunset, photographers turned from Lana Turner, who just disappeared into the building, and started shouting towards him.

"Mr. Kelly, Mr. Kelly."

"Evening, Mr. Kelly. Over here."

Gene was pulling out his cigarettes as they started flashing and he put his hand up and nodded, turning away from them. He hadn't been here for a night out since the last time he was at Ciro's, months ago, and he wasn't really in the mood for all the hobglob: a term he gave to paparazzi.

After lighting his cigarette, he was about to open the doors when Dick Powell, June Allyson, Peter Lawford and some chorus-girl came charging out of them startling him a bit.

"Oh, hey, Gene," Dick said noticing him first.

Gene smiled wide and shook his hand, "Hey guys," then turned to give Junie a kiss, "Hi sweetheart."

"How are ya, bud," Peter asked placing a friendly slap on his back.

"I'm good. Finally checking out the club scene again."

"Good to see ya back out. Gene, this is Maggie, Fox contract player," Peter said smiling at the bubbly blonde.

"Nice to meet you, Maggie," Gene smiled and kissed her hand.

"Thank you. I love all your films."

"You're sweet. So, what, are you all leaving," Gene asked disappointed.

"Yeah, there's a party we're all headed to. Come on with us," Junie said linking her arm with his.

"Where?"

"C.G's," Rich quipped.

Gene had never been to one of Cary Grant's infamous Mulholland parties, but he had heard about them. As charming and sophisticated Mr. Grant was, his parties seemed a little nuts.

"Oh, you know, the last I heard, from up at Cary's, was that Mickey woke up ass-naked on a pool lounger," they all laughed and he went on with a chuckle, "Not sure it's my scene."

"It's all about self-control, my man," Peter said trying to urge him to come along, "which you have. Mick's got no self-control with anything...especially with legs," he said raising his eyebrows like Groucho Marx.

Maggie giggled and slapped his chest, "Stop it."

"Well, if you're all going I might swing by in a bit. I'll see whose all here first."

"Believe me, everyone you want to hang out with is already at the party," Rich went on.

"Yeah, Kay and Lucille left about 20 minutes ago. Come on, I got a car over there. The girls are already in there waiting," Peter said as he led Maggie away.

Without another word, Junie pulled him along with her making him smile. He couldn't help but just give in. They walked up to Lawford's rented 1947 Cadillac limo and the five of them piled into the back. Gene was the last in, and the minute he shut the door, he was staring at the back of Judy. She was sitting up front laughing horribly with Lena Horne as the driver started the car.

So, those were the 'girls', he thought mischievously as he assumed would be two more chorus girls Pete picked up.

Judy hadn't noticed him as he stared at her surprised. He couldn't see all of her, as he was in the back seat, but he saw her dark lashes as she looked at Lena with wide, amused eyes at something naughty the brunette said, and then her red lips as she burst out in laughter. Her auburn hair was the last thing he saw before the overhead light went off as the driver started the car. He knew she had been in Carmel on vacation for the past 3 1/2 weeks after finishing Easter Parade, but he didn't expect her back for a few more days, and surely didn't expect her to just show up out of no where. But, alas, Ms. Judy Garland did have that way about her.

The two had seen each other and talked since their rendezvous at the Hotel Roosevelt, but they hadn't spent anytime alone. When he started working on Three Musketeers, he didn't even go out to nightclubs. He was just too damn exhausted. And her time working on Pirate and Parade simultaneously had worn her out. He was happy she was granted all that time off, but he missed the hell out of her. Now that he was in-between filming, he was very much looking forward to rekindling with her. His plan was to make up for lost time when she returned from vacation, as she would for sure be well-rested. Judging by how giddy she seemed right now, he was hopeful his plan was working out earlier than expected.

It was dark in the car, but he could see her pale, white shoulders illuminated by the moonlight and he had a sudden urge to touch them...kiss them.

"Look at us, it's like a mini Words and Music reunion in here," Junie said.

"None of us have even started filming yet, baby cakes," Lena said sarcastically over her shoulder.

"That's beside the point, you stinker."

"It's a shame that most of us won't get to film together," Judy added a little downtrodden.

Gene almost chimed in, as he was included in the upcoming film, but he quickly decided that he didn't want her to know he was back there. He wanted to see her face when she saw him. He was playing the game and she loved games.

"Your scene is with Mick, isn't it, Judes," Lena asked.

"I have a musical number with him. You know, three of my leading men are in this picture.”

“And you only get Mick,” Powell stated as he noticed Pete and Maggie huddled close whispering amongst themselves across from him.

“Yah, no, I take that back,” she quickly retorted, “Actually, I have a short scene with Drake, too. Maybe I should ask them to write in a scene with Gene, that way I can act with all three of ‘em,” she chuckled.

June turned to Gene, “That would be swell, wouldn’t it G…”Gene quickly placed his hand over her mouth. She looked at him confused as he pointed towards Judy and then leaned over to whisper, “She doesn’t even know I’m in the car, let’s see what awful things she has to say about me.”

June then reiterated to her husband in his ear and Judy spoke up, “Why’d it suddenly get so quiet,” she turned around in her seat to look at them and Gene quickly bent forward so she wouldn’t catch him.

“Mind ya own business, baby,” Rich said trying to cover up, “You got two couples back here. Sometimes it will get quiet.”

Judy laughed and turned back around in her seat and Lena smoothed her updo, “They all smooching back there?”

“All huddled together like newlyweds,” Judy teased.

“How dare they,” Lena said and she turned just as Gene sat back up straight. Her mouth opened just as surprised to see him but he quickly pointed at Judy and placed a finger on his lips as to say to not give him away. She smiled and turned back around. She, of course, was the only one in the vehicle that knew of her relationship with Gene and loved this charade of Gene’s.

“Judy,” June asked sweetly.

“Yes, darling?”

“If you had to choose, who would you rather work with more, Drake, Mickey or Gene?”

“They’re all different in their own way.”

“Whose a better kisser,” June asked winking at Gene who was smiling.

“Well, I think I have enough class not to answer that.”

“Ok, between Mickey and Gene, which one do you prefer more?”

“It’s Mickey, isn’t it, that little dog,” Rich said in a girly voice.

Judy giggled nervously and scratched her eyebrow, “Please, he’s like a brother to me.”

“Gene then?”

“I didn’t say that,” she quickly said in defense.

Lena glanced back at Gene and did a come-hither motion to get her to keep going and she did, “Gene’s like a brother to you, too, hm?”

Judy sported wide eyes at her friend’s question as she was well aware that Lena asked that on purpose knowing a good-extent of her love-affair with Gene.

“Okay,” Peter said leaning forward, “We all saw those kisses on your Pirate picture. There was no brother-sister dynamic on those takes, you know what I mean,” he laughed naughty.

Judy crossed her arms not annoyed, “I thought you were busy back there, Lawford?”

“Lawford,” he repeated, “Uh-oh, I’m-in-trou-ble.”

“Kissing on screen doesn’t mean you’re into the other actor. She is an actress, you know,” June said.

“And she is married,” Maggie said in Judy’s defense.

Judy and Lena shared mischievous glances at one another. Oh, how naïve that chorus girl was for Hollywood. Gene’s smile widened as he watched Judy smiling at Lena biting her nail like some guilty teenager.

“You must not have read Judy’s biography,” Peter joked to his date.

“You have a Biography? But you’re so young,” she quipped.

Even Gene gave a look to the blonde as Judy placed her fingers on her temple, “No, I don’t have a biog…look, can we please stop talking about me or shall I open up the can of worms that’s all of your discrepancies?” They all murmured “noooo” and she nodded, “Didn’t think so.”

“I think he’s cute,” June went on.

“Who?”

“Gene Kelly. Don’t you think he’s cute?”

“He’s alright,” Judy answered monotoned, forcing herself to seem like she was uninterested.

Lena glanced back at Gene who had his arms crossed and looked baffled. “Well, I for one think he’s a hunk.”

“Yah, for a dancer, I suppose,” Judy went on clearly acting her little heart out for the other’s sake but Lena could see right through. Gene, not so much this time.

Gene leaned forward about to speak when June pulled him back by the shoulder reminding him of his game. “Well, if he’s not a good kisser and not attractive, why do you spend a lot of time with him,” June went on.

“I never said he wasn’t a good kisser and I never said he wasn’t attractive,” Judy answered quite defensively, “He’s a great leading man, we have great chemistry on screen. He’s just…not my type. We’re the best of friends. And don’t you all go talking this nonsense to him, neither.”

Suddenly everyone cracked up. Gene smiled licking his bottom lip, before biting it ready for the charade to end but before anyone could spoil it, the driver stopped and announced they had arrived.

As everyone piled out of the back, Judy grabbed her purse as Lena started to scoot past her.

“Get your game face on, baby,” Lena said before she stepped out of the car.

Judy was confused by her comment, but brushed it off before grabbing the hand that was held out for her. As Judy stood up out of the car, she glanced up at whom she thought was either Richie or Peter, but instead was staring at a very amused Gene. She gasped and whisked her hand away from his clearly shocked.

“Where on earth...” she was going to ask where he came from but didn’t need to continue as the question was written all over her face. Gene just smiled wickedly and she knew.

“There,” she asked in her distinct, but meek, tone as she motioned to the backseat.

“Oh, didn’t you know,” he asked playfully.

Judy couldn’t help but smile embarrassed before she went to get back into the car but he quickly grabbed her arm, “Nah, uh-uh. We have some things to talk about, young lady.”

“Oh, don’t be boring. We’re at a party,” she said just as teasing as she squirmed away from him and caught up to Lena as they all walked towards the front door.

Inside, the party was in full swing and Gene recognized nearly everyone. To the left, in the den, Lucy and Keenan Wynn were entertaining a group with funny anecdotes, while to the right, in the living room, Peggy Lee was entertaining another group as she sang accompanied by George Shearing on the piano. All-in-all, nothing seemed bonkers, as he had heard.

“Hi, Gene,” Angela Lansbury said cheerfully as she walked up to him.

“Hello, Angie,” he said leaning over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

“Since when do you crawl on top of Mulholland on a school night?”

“I didn’t crawl, I was kidnapped outside Ciro’s by Lawford’s gang.”

“Ah, on a magic carpet no less.”

“Something like that,” he teased back.

C’mere,” she giggled, “Get yourself a drink.”

Together, arm-in-arm they walked to the mini bar in the living room and Gene looked around. As quick as Judy could seemingly appear, she seemed to disappear even faster.

“What’s your poison, darling?”

“Oo, how about Bourbon and water.”

“Simple, simple,” she said as she took it upon herself to make him a cocktail.

“So, where’s your groom-to-be?”

“The last I saw him, he was hiding by a potted palm. Which reminds me, I better go find him. Here you go,” she said and handed him his fresh cocktail.

“Thank you. See you later.”

Gene wandered around and said hi to friends meanwhile looking for signs of Judy. When she didn’t seem to be around in these few rooms, he decided to explore elsewhere. As he passed the den, Lucy waved at him which he waved back before heading towards the hallway.

It was semi-dark as he passed a couple necking against the wall and soon found himself in a large, state-of-the arc library and billiard room. Ann Miller, Bob Hope and Mickey Rooney were in the middle of a pool game as Kate Hepburn chatted with Kay Thompson on the couch by the fireplace.

“Gene, Judy didn’t tell me you were coming,” Kay spoke up surprised as she stood up to walk over.

“I didn’t know he would be,” Gene heard Judy’s voice behind him before she appeared next to him.

He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked but Kay reached in for a hug.

“I’ve never seen you at C.G.’s before,” she said in her brass voice.

“I was tricked.”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure I was tricked,” Judy retorted and reached her finger in for the cherry in his drink.

“Hey,” he said seeming annoyed as she plopped the maraschino in her mouth.

“You always give me the cherries that are in your drink.”

“What if I wanted that one,” he said acting sad.

“There are more at the bar.”

If they were alone right now, Gene would have taken the cherry back from her mouth...with his tongue.

His quick thought was interrupted by a loud thump followed by a rolling 8 ball that made Judy jump back.

“A little less force, Mick,” Kate called out.

“Golly, Mickey,” Judy said as she picked up the ball.

“Sorry, Judes.”

Judy handed him the ball as Bob Hope took a drag of his cigarette, “Cary will beat your little behind if you scratch his pool table, Rooney.”

Mick did a double take on the spot and licked his finger before rubbing it on the green baize making the small, white mark disappear.

“Speaking of Cary, I haven’t seen him.”

“He was out by the pool with Betsy Drake the last time I saw him,” Ann said before she leaned over and got into pose to hit her mark.

“Careful, Annie,” Kay said, “your tits are in the way.”

Ann gave Kay a smirk over her shoulder and when she turned forward again, she saw Mickey staring, “Do ya mind?”

“I beg your pardon,” he said smiling and walked out of view.

“Horndog,” Bob said.

Gene turned around to say something to Judy, but noticed she was no longer in the room, “Now, where the hell did she go?”

“Probably getting you more cherries,” Kay giggled.

“I swear, that girl is either a magician or some kind of chameleon.”

“Why are you so agitated?”

Gene didn’t answer, he just took another sip of his drink.

“Is this the first time you’re together again since her vacation,” her voice lowered.

He nodded and watched as Ann continued to hit the balls in the pockets, “Damn, Annie, I didn’t know you could play.”

“I’m a Texas-girl, Gene.”

“Aw, you two should be alone,” she continued.

“I didn’t know she’d be back already. I hopped in Lawford’s Limo and there she was. She didn’t even know I was in there until we got here.”

��Well, why don’t you go talk to her and catch up? She’s missed you.”

He smiled, “Terribly?”

“Terribly,” she breathed in exaggeration.

“Other than the cherry jar, happen to know where she went? She never walked out the door.”

Kay nodded towards the patio door and he gulped the rest of his drink down handing her the glass, “Thanks.”

When Gene walked out onto the balcony, he made an impressed face at the beauty of the surroundings. The back part of the house he was at, he could see the entire San Fernando Valley all lit up in the night sky. Most of the cluster of lights down below were Universal and Warner Bros. studios he could make out clearly, even with the cloudy weather. As he kept walking, the veranda seemed to wrap around nearly the entire house accessorized by patio furniture & a grilling area. He could also see part of the pool area down below as well as he rounded the corner.

Looking up, he noticed Judy standing there, leaning against the railing, oblivious to his presence as she gazed at the skyline. As he got closer, she turned her head. He smiled, but she quickly nodded to look behind him. There, on the next story, was a sitting room, 90 degree walls made of glass where you could easily see people sitting there. He knew in an instant she was warning him to behave.

He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her as they faced the view, "You are like a damn ninja, so sneaky."

"How do you mean?"

"You appear and then disappear. It's like my dream."

Judy turned more towards him curious, "What dream."

He turned towards her just the same, "I had a weird dream about you last night. Wanna hear it?"

"That depends," she giggled a bit nervous.

"Don't worry. This one isn't naughty."

"This one?"

"Mmm. It was so strange, actually. I remember being in bed and then I opened my eyes and I was in some house I didn't recognize. And then you appeared. You didn't say anything, you just made me follow you, like you were seducing me. It felt so real, I didn't realize I was dreaming."

"Then what happened," she asked as if it were the most casual thing in the world.

"You walked through a door. When I went in, I was in a dark, empty studio. You appeared, then disappeared, just like now." She looked at him with the same seductive eyes as in his dream and he continued, "What do you think it means?"

"Maybe you feel lost."

"Maybe I feel like you're drifting away."

"Maybe you're trying to find me."

His eyes sparkled, a small smile forming at the corner of his lips, "Maybe I want you."

Her eyes sparkled back, "Maybe it was just a dream."

Gene's smile turned wide in amusement as he leaned his elbows on the banister and she continued, "And I didn't mean to disappear. Cary just has the most beautiful view in all of Southern California, I think. I've only been up here a few times, but I always I always come out here when I visit."

"It is stunning, isn't it? But you said you have a great view, too."

"I do. I have a lovely view, but mines on the other side of the mountain and not as high up. It's mostly views of the hill. It's not open like this."

Down below, they noticed Cary and Betsy get up from the lounge chairs to walk in. When the host noticed them up above, he gave a smile and a wave. They both smiled and waved back. When pair were out of sight, Gene looked up at the glass-wall room and the two ladies that were in there, had vacated.

He tapped her hand before turning his palm upwards. Judy glanced down at it before nonchalantly looking around to make sure no one was watching.

She placed her hand into his, their fingers entwining and he spoke up in a lower voice, "I've missed you, sweetheart."

"I missed you, too, so much," she said placing he head against his shoulder.

For a moment, they were silent, just enjoying the view until Gene spoke up teasing her, "Not your type, huh?"

Judy laughed, lifting her head, "I had to act Blasé. What did you expect me to do?"

"Tell them how great of a kisser I am not just on screen but off screen as well," he said slowly moving his finger up her arm, creating goosebumps over her porcelain-like skin, "Tell them how much chemistry we have not only when we're acting..." he leaned into whisper in her ear, "but when we're fucking as well." He smiled when he saw her shiver, "Tell them how much I'm not your type when my head is between your legs."

Judy pulled her hand free from his and gave off a breathless giggle as she stepped away from him to create a little space, "See, you're going to get us into trouble," she pointed her finger at him, "Behave."

"Only if you promise to let me drive you home from the party."

"And, uh, darling how to you expect to do that when you didn't drive up here?"

Gene quickly remembered neither had a car, "Shit."

Suddenly his plan of them 'making up for lost time' tonight flew out the window. It's not like he could just ask Lawford to drop them off at a hotel or let them Christian the back seat.

Judy seemed to read his mind from the disappointment on his face, "We can call up Frank. I’m sure he’ll save us.”

“Out of town,” Gene murmured but then perked up, “Kay.”

Judy shook her head, “She drove up with Lucille.”

“And Lena drove up with us. Looks like we’re all out of options of the people that know about us baby cakes,” he saw the disappointment on her face as well which made him feel good that she clearly wanted to be alone with him as much as he with her, but he also didn’t want to waste a good time at the party so he lightened the mood, “We could always hop the fence and pop off behind a tree.”

“And give a chance for a rattlesnake to bite us in the ass,” she joked.

Gene chuckled and walked over to a nearby patio sofa where she followed.

“Cigarette?”

“No, thank you.”

“So, how was Carmel?”

“Oh, golly...”

“You enjoyed yourself?”

“All that time away from the studio, you must be joking. Of course, I did. I just rested and spent almost every waking moment with Liza. We went to the beach and I played a little golf and I ate. Gene, I ate like a horse.”

“Good for you,” he said eyeing her frame which he noticed was just a tiny bit more meaty, in a good way, especially her tits.

“I gained 8 pounds in 3 weeks. Because I’m so little, it’s gonna show on camera. Do you think I should lose it for this collaboration,” she asked curious referring to Words and Music.

“No,” he said almost disgusted, “And fuck em’ if they say something. You look better than ever.”

“Your sweet,” she said placing her palm on his cheek, “So, you’re done with Muskateers?”

“Yep.”

“Good. Less stress right now.”

“Much less stress, but only for a few weeks while I work on my scene for this picture. After that I start on Ballgame.”

“I’m so happy you finally got it going with Stan.”

“Me, too. But a little disappointed that we couldn’t get you as much as we both pushed for it.”

“I know but they want me for Berkley’s of Broadway with Fred,” she said shrugging her shoulders, “Did you get Charlie to direct?”

“No,” he said looking at her with raised eyebrows, “Buzz.”

Judy’s mouth opened wide in horror, “Oh, you’re kidding me.”

“It’s alright, baby. I can handle him more than you can.”

“I swear, if they ever put me in another picture with him in charge, it might be the death of me.”

“Then don’t let them,” he said taking a drag.

“Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done, Gene.”

They sat in comfortable silence, crickets and echoes of the party from inside, surrounding them.

“How are you and Vince?”

“He’s as sweet as can be. Patient,” she trailed off a moment and reached for his cigarette, “Boring.”

“So, the same?”

“The same,” she said exhaling up into the night air, “You?”

“The same. Though, I have to admit, Betsy and I have been fighting a lot more lately.”

“Why?”

“I was kind of taking my frustrations out on her. I would just be so damn irritable that anything she did ticked me off. I haven’t been spending a lot at home.”

“You shouldn’t take your frustrations from work home with you. If that were the case for me and Vince, especially since we’ve worked closely together, we probably would have split up before we even married,” she said as Gene’s friend, not lover.

“It wasn’t just frustration from work,” he said softly referring to their time apart, just not location-wise but intimately as well.

She looked up at him as he was staring at her intently. “We’re both to blame for that, Gene,” she said flicking ashes off the cigarette.

“You know, the more time apart we are, the more I want to toss our two-year ‘agreement’ down the drain.”

Judy nervously licked her red lips before taking another drag and pounding the cigarette out on the ashtray.

“Do you ever think about that night at the H.R.,” he asked, his voice getting husky.

Judy lifted her head, and gave a little smile, “Every day.”

Flashes of him yanking the ribbons on her corset as her hands were placed against the mirror went through their minds. His loud grunts as his hips smacked into hers, her hands grasping the hotel bed sheets, their laughter after they were both sated, their intimate talk in bed in bathrobes, her back arching as his mouth was her insatiable alarm clock also flashed through.

“C’mere,” he said motioning for her to lean into him.

Their lips met just barely when all of a sudden Gene flinched confusing her. She leaned back and he flinched again before looking up squinting one eye.

“What is it?”

“It’s raining, I think.”

One then hit Judy’s cheek and she giggled wiping it away, “I’d say so.”

“Judy, Gene...” Kay said from around the corner and whistled, “Cary wants everyone to do a toast.”

Judy patted Gene’s knee, “Rain check?”

“Funny,” he said getting up and they walked inside.

A little later, everyone was scattered in the living room as a Cole Porter tune was being played over the piano. Judy sat next to their pianist, as Gene stood at the other side of the piano, facing her.

Together they sang 'Night and Day' in a melodic and romantic tone.

Night and day, you are the one Only you beneath the moon Under the sun Whether near to me or far It's no matter, darling, where you are I think of you Night and day...

The pianist was concentrating on what his hands were doing, that he didn't even notice the way his singers were staring at one another. Judy and Gene seemed lost in each other as they sang, their eyes sparkling.

As Kay took a slow sip of her martini, she slyly glanced up at the crowd watching the pair. Judging by their relaxed expressions, mesmerized by the entertainment, no one seemed to notice the sensual chemistry radiating from the MGM pair.

As the song started to near the end, Judy broke away from Gene's stare, her eyes falling on their audience, and she smiled at Gene, darting her eyes to the side of him, non-vocally reminding him that they were being watched. He turned around and continued singing. Judy's eyes remained on the back of him, looking completely in awe, but a bit sad. His comment about tossing their '2 year agreement' down the drain was fresh in her mind. At the Roosevelt hotel that one evening, they had admitted they were in-love, but neither was ready to leave their families...yet. If, in two years, they were still unhappy in their marriages, he had said, then they would leave and finally be together. Gene was more unhappy in his marriage than ever, she knew, and she also knew he was serious about that comment. If he did leave his wife, would he expect her to leave Vince? As much as Judy was in-love with Gene, and missed him greatly, she was not ready to do that.

Her thoughts drifted away as she noticed he was currently putting his all into the song. All eyes seemed to be upon him, not only his beautiful tone, but confidence. She felt tears spring to her eyes feeling so very proud of him, how far he came, that she gradually let her singing drift away so he could shine. When the pianist hit the last key as Gene's singing faded, everyone applauded enthusiastically. Gene smiled, nodding 'thank you' before turning around. He took Judy's hand and kissed it. She gave Gene a wink in return.

For a few minutes, Gene conversed with friends as Judy conversed on the other side of the room with others. By this point, there were only about twelve remaining at the party so things were a little more quiet, and a lot more casual and intimate.

"What is that," Peter asked as he shushed some in his group.

"What is what," Lucy asked.

"Listen."

Sounds of hard dings one right after the other, above their heads, were heard. Then in a second, a blanket like a loud crash on the ceiling shushed the entire room. Cary walked over to the patio and ripped open the curtains revealing a torrential downpour over Los Angeles including small hail. Rain, ok, downpour and thunderstorm, rare, hail...no one there had seen in Southern California before.

"Holy camoli," June said walking over to him.

"Oh, fuck, my car," Powell said and quickly left.

"What are you doing," June called out to her husband.

"It's only light hail," Cary said opening the patio door to pick one up.

Lena shook her head as she placed a hand on her hip, "Have you ever seen this before?"

"Not in Los Angeles," Gene replied.

"And we might not ever see it again," Peter said reaching down to take off his shoes.

"What are you doing," his date squeaked.

"I'm not giving up the chance to experience this like mother nature intended," he said as he stripped down to his skivvies as everyone laughed.

There was an uproar of hilarity as he ran out onto the deck and practically danced in the rain. After he tried to persuade his date to join him, and she wouldn't, he started on Lucy and Lena and June who enjoyed the scene but also refused.

When it was Judy's turn, she looked at Kay and Gene over her shoulder, "Think I'll melt?"

She went to walk but Kay quickly grabbed her arm, "What are you doing?"

"Having fun," Judy emphasized, "Everyone thinks I'm crazy, might as well act the part!"

As Judy ran past Cary, and straight into the rain, Kay was so shocked, she took a few steps with her mouth open wide, as if to stop her, but she was already in Peter's arms laughing and getting drenched.

"Jesus," Gene replied before he placed his hands over his face and chuckled.

"Judy, you're insane," Lucy yelled.

"She must be toasted," June replied laughing.

Her wanting to have fun, and make fun of herself, was typical Judy, but her behavior right now out in the storm like that, acting as lunatic as drunk Peter, made him realize June's comment probably rang true. She must have had too much to drink.

After a few minutes of laughter where their belly's hurt, the rain died down and Peter and Judy finally bounced their way back inside. Lucy handed the both a towel and Gene pulled a giggling Judy aside. As he did so, she stumbled just a tad.

"You didn't melt."

"That's because I'm a Black Irish Witch, not the Wicked Witch of the West. Woo, you know, even after being out there, I feel so hot," she said fanning herself.

"All I saw you drink tonight was some wine. What else did you have?"

"I had some drink that the boys gave me."

"What drink?"

"Uh, it was green. They called it some type of fairy."

Gene looked at her like he didn't hear her right, "Absinthe?"

"Yes, that's it."

"Which ‘boys’ gave you that?"

"Why?"

"Because it has psychoactive side-effects to it. It's higher proof than whiskey. I won't even drink that shit, and neither should you."

"Well, I'm not having any hallucinogens, Gene. I knew exactly what I was doing out there."

"It was Mickey before he left, wasn't it?"

"No, it wasn't. And I'm not telling you."

"Why?"

"Because you're too protective and you'll have something to say and no one wants to hear what you have to say right now," she teased leaning her chin up at him with a silly grin like a child.

"Not even you," he said wanting to reach down and kiss those lips.

"Nope."

"How about now," he said back, his voice getting lower.

Judy's chest heaved, her smile disappearing, when she felt those certain butterflies invade her torso.

Then it went dark.

"Oh, what the hell," Cary shouted as the entire house went dark including the houses on the hills in the distance.

"What happened," they all heard Powell call out as the front door shut.

"Power's out," Peter replied.

"No shit, Sherlock."

"Oh, I'm stepping on wires or something," June's voice was heard, "Oh, what was that?"

"That's me," Lucy giggled.

"Everyone take a hand next to you and follow me into the kitchen. I have a storage of flashlights and some lanterns," Cary said.

"Oh, fun, like a human train," Lena said.

"I'll be in the den. I'm not giving any of you a chance to knock me over," her footsteps disappeared into the next room as the others footsteps disappeared down the hall.

Gene couldn't see shit, but judging by the stillness and silence, he felt he was alone. But wanted to make sure. He swung his arms around gently, to see if he could feel anything that resembled Judy Garland, but just got air in return. He was going to follow into the kitchen, when he heard a few notes play on the piano.

"Whose that," he asked walking over cautiously.

The piano slowly played the bells are ringing...

Gene instantly smiled, "So, that's how you announce yourself now."

"Only to you," she spoke.

"What are you doing over here?"

"Getting out of everyone's way."

"Not everyone," he whispered as he finally caught her.

Placing his hand on her hips, he turned her around, and pressed her body up against his, holding her tight as he felt her breath near his neck. Her fingers then touched his lips gently.

"Oh, there you are," she breathed before he bent his head and she could feel his breath against her lips.

"Here I am," he said before his lips captured hers.

Their lips smacking and sucking sounded awfully loud in the abandoned, dark room but neither cared as they finally kissed again after what seemed like an eternity. When her arms wrapped tight around his neck, Gene plunged his tongue into her mouth, her lips already parted for him. When her hand slightly grasped the back of his head as she took control, sliding her tongue into his mouth now, he felt arousal shoot down to his groin. It made him slightly groan, just a vibration enough for her to hear. He took a hold of one side of her backside as he took a step to push his body into her against the piano. But, she lost a bit of footing and completely sat on the keys in full force that the sound rattled the entire living room as deep as a thunderbolt.

"Who's fucking up my piano," they heard Cary say followed by another footstep behind him.

Then, the flashlight went on revealing Judy and Gene standing shoulder to shoulder looking like frightened deer in headlights.

“What happened,” Rich asked.

“I bumped into her and she fell on the piano keys,” Gene said squinting and held his hand up, “Get that fucking light off me, Grant.”

Carey lowered his flashlight and handed Gene of the small, electric lanterns, “Here, go give this to Kay before she knocks over one of my Tiffany lamps in there.”

Gene gave Judy a look before walking into the next room.

“Do you have any more lanterns?”

“Lena’s turning them on in the kitchen. Go grab yourself one, baby doll,” Cary answered.

“’ll be right back,” Judy giggled as she passed Cary & Richie.

Gene returned back in the living room a few minutes later, after talking to Kay once Lucy joined, and it was pitch black again.

“Anyone here,” he asked hoping Judy still was.

When there was no answer, he made his way to the kitchen. He didn’t speak, but he noticed everyone was now sitting down chatting and had also lit some candles. But Judy wasn’t there.

After making his way around the obvious places with his own flashlight, he started up the stairs. It was still pitch black.

Suddenly, a door next to him opened startling him. He pointed his flashlight and Maggie walked out of the bathroom giving him a friendly smile before heading back downstairs. So, Judy wasn’t in the bathroom, where he assumed she would be.

Where the hell was she?

He held his flashlight down, and was about turn to walk back downstairs, when he saw a faint light coming from the corner room. He carefully walked in what was the master bedroom and the orange hued light was brighter coming from the master bathroom.

Bingo, he thought, and turned his flashlight off as she came into view. The lantern was lit, resting on the large counter, and she was trying to fix her damp hair as much as she could.

“Disappearing again, I see.”

She didn’t say anything, but in the shadow of the lantern on the side of her face, he saw a little smile appear. It was simple, but had a major aphrodisiac effect on him. Without another word, he walked in and shut the door behind him.

Judy stopped fiddling with her hair when she heard him turn the lock.

“Are you sure you don’t want to drive back with me,” Lucy asked Kay as she walked her to her car with a flashlight.

“No, thanks. Lena said she was going to hitch a ride with Vivie and Nick in a few minutes so I’ll just catch a ride back in the Lawford-mobile with Judy and the gang.”

“Speaking of Judy, I wonder where she went. I would have loved to say bye to her.”

“Don’t worry, darling, I’ll tell her for you. Say hi to Desi for us, will ya?”

“You bet. Bye honey,” Lucy said as she got into her car.

Kay waved as Lucy backed down the driveway and didn’t turn until she got back on Mullholland safely.

“I bet I know where Judy went,” Lena said leaning in the doorway.

Kay nodded, “They’re both taking advantage of the blackout by necking like a couple of teenagers is my guess.”

“Good for them. If they enjoy being together that much, than have at it I say.”

The lantern lit up the bathroom with a sensual glow, reflecting back through the large, bathroom mirror as Judy whimpered sensually.

She let go of the back of Gene’s head to grasp the edge of the counter, her knuckles turning white, her back arched. She moaned louder as Gene’s mouth became more demanding between her legs. She felt a rush of moisture cascaded her lower being and her body felt heavenly.

“Oh, gosh,” she whispered as another burst of pre-climax tingled, over-stimulating her.

Gene took that cue to stop and he let her go with a loud sucking motion before standing up to undo his pants. His erection was strained, pressing against his shorts, he hadn’t felt that hard and ready since their last encounter; not even the times he had jerked off thinking about her during their mini-separation.

Judy took it upon herself to yank down his shorts and started caressing him the way she knew he liked as their lips skimmed on another. He softly groaned from pleasure and torture. He wanted to stop her, he wanted to plunge himself into her warm, slick, pulsating center but Judy loved to please him as much as he loved to please her. So, he let her take control. He trusted her not to let him come before he was inside of her.

“I’ve missed you,” she breathed against his lips.

“I’ve missed you, baby, you feel so good,” he breathed back before capturing her mouth with another hot, open kiss.

Cary stood up from the table and grabbed a lantern, “I’m gonna try the braker again.”

“Has anyone seen Gene? He’s usually so good at fixing things,” June commented.

“I haven’t seen Kay or Lena since Lucy left, haven’t seen Judy or Gene, neither,” Peter replied getting up to assist Cary downstairs.

“Yes, what are they doing,” Cary’s girlfriend Betsy said with a casual curiosity.

Over and over, in a timeless rhythm, Gene hit the right spot with each thrust. And she held onto him tightly, her finger tips digging into his lower back to feel his movements and bring him closer.

They were both passionately, and emotionally, reveling in the feeling of being together again. They both also kept the sounds of their lovemaking to a minimum for the fear of getting caught. And it was a challenge as the rise of their impending orgasms made them both want to respond to each other vocally on how they were feeling. Fortunately, after being together since their first picture, they were very familiar with each other’s bodies and body language, so a repeated vocal response of their fuck was not necessarily needed.

Gene felt her slide her back a bit lower against the mirror for a better angle as he realized she was close. He grabbed her hips, accommodating her, and continued his thrusts, now becoming a little faster for her release as he tried to hold out.

She couldn’t hold back her cry of erotic desperation as her climax was near the edge making her toes curl and her body tense up. She wrapped her arms around his shoulder and grabbed on as she rode the wave. When her orgasm burst throughout her being, Judy leaned her head back, the side of her face visible from the lantern, scrunched up as her red lips parted. A cry that she purposefully bit back escaped from her chest, filtered out from her teeth biting her bottom lip.

Gene was relieved as he thrust into her harder, feeling himself start to expand. Hearing his intense breaths start to skip, Judy leaned her head back up and grabbed the sides of his face, their noses touching as he let go.

His hand fell flat up against the mirror beside her head as his orgasm shot out inside of her. It was overwhelming, intense and seemed to keep going as he continued to thrust and softly groan over and over. When both their bodies stilled, Gene breathed heavily, almost shaking, as he leaned his head down. Judy just kissed his forehead.

Then the lights went on.

Gene lifted his head and smiled, “There you are,” he said from their earlier encounter.

“Here I am,” she whispered back and kissed him softly.

MGM was bustling and busy as a bee as Judy walked down the lot towards the small parking lot outside the south entrance. The day was so beautiful, the sun was bright and the sky was bright blue, no one would have expected that it had been storming the past few days.

When she got closer to her car, she noticed Gene leaning against the hood, his back to her, smoking a cigarette.

“Hi,” she said with a bit of surprise.

“Oh, hey,” he replied turning around and stomped out his cigarette.

“I thought you were off for a few days.”

“Had to drop off some notes to Stan. Saw your car was still here,” he reached over and gave her a kiss on the cheek, “How did it go?”

She had just finished her recording for Words and Music with Mickey and was actually quite proud at how easy things went, “It was good. We got it done. Went smoothly. Vince even brought Liza by to watch. Mickey played with her, it was all very relaxed.”

“Oh, how swell. Are you leaving the studio now?”

“Mm hm. It’s such a nice day. I was thinking of having a picnic with Liza in the backyard since I’m getting out earlier than I thought.”

“I’m sure she’ll love it. But, before you go, I have to talk to you,” he said, his voice becoming a bit serious, it made her a little nervous as he urged her to get in the car. She did and watched as he got in the passenger side.

“I’m taking residency at the Beverly Hills Hotel.”

“What do you mean you’re taking residency,” she asked her face completely confused.

“You know how unhappy my marriage has been lately...well, for a while now,” he said and Judy nodded becoming anxious, “Betsy and I talked last night and we decided to separate for...”

“Oh, Gene, are you really sure you want to do that,” she interrupted with almost an exasperation.

Gene looked at Judy in disbelief by her quick response before he even finished talking, “Am I really sure I want to do what?”

“Separate from your family. It’s just...” she looked down fiddling with her fingers, “I’m not ready to do the same.”

Gene turned to her more in his seat, a little irritated, “I’m not asking you to.”

“You’re not?”

Her response was so shocked and genuine that it made him angry. He turned forwards and pressed his palms into his knees shaking his head.

“Why are you getting upset?”

“Do you really believe that whatever I do with my personal life, I expect you to do the same?”

The hurt expression on his face cause Judy to practically sink into her seat, “Well, after what you said the other night about our ‘agreement’ I...”

“Oh, fuck the agreement,” she looked at him with wide eyes, “If you would have let me finish talking then you would have heard that my separation is only going to be for a few weeks.”

“A few weeks?”

“A break. We decided to start there and see what happens. And if we need more time or...anything else...then we’ll cross that bridge when it gets to it.”

Judy tried not to show relief on her face but he could see it in her eyes and he laughed from ridiculousness, “Why are you automatically jumping to conclusions?”

“Because you said you wanted to throw our agreement down the drain since you are so unhappy with Betsy. I assumed that meant you wanted to divorce her and that would mean I would do the same.”

“Assumptions can get you into trouble,” he replied almost amused but sounded like some strict teacher.

“I know that now,” she said irritated, her elbow leaning on the window frame, her temple leaning against her hand. She was candidly embarrassed.

“Honey, I wanted to talk to you because with me staying at the hotel for a few weeks, that would mean I would be more accessible to you, to spend more time together since that’s what we both want. I never expect you to do anything just because I do it. Your decisions about your family are yours and Vince’s only. When you get to that own bridge of yours, I’ll be on the other side of it. But I’ll never be in the middle.”

“You said ‘when’, not ‘if’. How are you so sure of yourself?”

“I don’t know,” he said his voice softening. “It just came out that way. But one thing I know for sure is that we belong together, sweetheart, in one way or another.”

Judy slightly smiled as she thought the same.

“Listen, I’m never going to ask to take time away from your husband, or you daughter, but when you do have free time, you know where I’ll be.”

He reached over and gave her a cheerful peck on the lips before getting out of the car. Judy watched him in her rearview mirror as he started to walk away.

Knowing she was watching him, Gene turned around and smiled once more.

#judy garland #gene kelly #jugenea #fan fiction #jg fans

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penguinwithitsarseonfire · 4 years

Text

Sparks Fly (Whenever You Smile)

Pairing: 13th Doctor x Reader

Word Count: 3,170

Warnings: None

Summary: The Doctor takes you to the planet Erinda; famous for its pink snow. After exploring the local fauna of the place, you finally see the snow. Things end in a snowball fight, and perhaps, something more. (This is technically a sequel to Gave Me the Blues and then Purple-Pink Skies but can also be read as a standalone)

A/N: I mostly wrote this because of the tags @fabulouspotatosister wrote on gmbpps (that's the first time I wrote that title out as an acronym and oh my I have so many regrets) so this is for you hon! Congratulations on getting through all your exams! You deserve a well earned rest m’love ❤️

As the Doctor bounded towards the TARDIS door, you watched the projection on the wall, trying to make sense of the different circles and lines that made up the coordinates of where ever she had landed you.

“And you’re sure this is Erinda?” You asked, turning around to face her.

You had left your jacket draped on the banister and had decided to just throw a jumper on over your t-shirt in case you got cold. You didn’t want to be stuck wearing layers of winter clothes in a hot environment, there was no way you were doing that again.

The Doctor peeked her head out of the door, leaned back, closed it, then turned to you with a grin. “I can safely say that we’re successfully on Erinda – oh! Wait.”

She stuck out her head out of the TARDIS door again, sticking her tongue out. “Yep,” she called out. “This is most definitely Erinda!”

You smiled and rolled your eyes at her antics, picking up your jacket as you walked towards her. She grinned back and popped out, so you jogged to catch up. You were bouncing slightly as you went, trying to contain your excitement.

You were going to see pink snow, pink!

The thought was completely astounding and you couldn’t help the giddy childlike glee build up as you crossed the threshold of the TARDIS-

-Only to be met with an average park.

It really was just a normal, boring park, exactly like the ones you would see back home. It had all the stereotypical identifying factors. There was green grass and a collection of flowers in garden beds, which were in neat little rows by gravel set pathways. There were people walking dogs, eating food on park benches, and lazing in the sun; either studying or sleeping. There was even a large fountain that sat in the centre, with children throwing pennies into it and making wishes.

What wasn’t there, however, was pink snow.

Your heart dropped and you absentmindedly felt that childlike anticipation shatter. You turned to face the Doctor, at a loss. “There’s no pink snow.”

“Yeah,” the Doctor drew out the word, scratching the back of her ear. The chain from her earring cuff dangled slightly as she did so, and it caught against the sunlight. “I could have sworn the snowstorm was supposed to happen about now… Dunno what I did wrong.”

“About now?”

“Planned it for the moment you’d step out of the TARDIS,” she said, and she sounded completely disheartened. “Wanted it to be a bit special.”

Your heart softened at that statement. “Oh Doc, that’s really sweet,” you stared back out to the park in front of you. “Even if it didn’t exactly work out.”

Above you the sky was dark, with heavy, angry clouds slowly rolling across. The Doctor followed your gaze and looked up at them, sticking her tongue out slightly in deep thought – or, well, you assumed she was in deep thought. She also pulled that face when she was considering what sort of biscuit she wanted to eat, so the face could mean practically anything.

“Might’ve gotten the time wrong,” she said absently. “Could be another couple of minutes,” she turned to look at you. “Shall we go for a walk? There’s other really interesting stuff I can show you!.”

You blinked and unhelpfully repeated her, like a confused parrot. “Interesting stuff?”

The Doctor gave you a cheeky smirk. “Super interesting stuff,” she stuck out her hand. “C’mon.”

You clasped your hand in hers and the two of you walked side by side. Your boots crunched against the gravel path, and a slight chill nipped against your ears, your nose, and one of your hands. The other was tucked comfortably in the Doctor’s warm palm, acting like a mini heater against the cold around you.

It seemed though that no matter where you went, there were droves of people, each filling their own little spaces, but, in doing so, left you with no privacy. It made you feel a bit awkward, it wasn’t that you didn’t like it per-say, it was just, well, you had been expecting pink snow, not a park that could be mistaken for one on Earth.

The Doctor seemed just as dispirited as you, and stopped suddenly, surveying the area. She let go of your hand to clasp both of hers together, patting her thumbs against each other.

Your hand felt colder, but you chose not to think about it.

The Doctor rocked backwards and forwards on the balls of her feet, as if building up the energy to shoot herself into the sky. She eyed the tourists for a moment, then stuck out her hand again, taking yours wordlessly. She motioned towards an area that seemed to lead to a vast, empty green field. “Let’s go this way.”

You followed along after her, grateful that you still got to hold her.

Fewer and fewer people dotted the park as you continued on your path, and tall gangly trees sprouted in their place. They towered above you, shielding you from the sky and basking you in their orange leaves.

“Are they like this all year round?” You asked the Doctor, nodding towards the trees. “Or is it just because of the cold, like back on Earth.”

The Doctor hummed, following your gaze. “Oh these? Well they’re Argail trees, so it’s quite odd that they’re orange, actually. They should have bright yellow leaves.”

“Yellow leaves?” You gawked, your mind rewriting the colour of their leaves to a bright neon yellow, like the colour of a high-vis jacket. “All year round?”

The Doctor hummed. “Well, it’s not that different than orange, is it?”

You contemplated it for a moment. “No, I supposed not,” you thought of bright yellow leaves again, and wondered if they would reflect the streetlights at night. “Still though,” you continued. “I suppose orange is just more familiar, and now the only thing I’m thinking of is super bright yellow leaves.”

The Doctor chuckled. “Well if you think that’s odd,” she nodded to a tree to your side. “Go ahead and touch it.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Well that’s not vague at all.”

“C’mon,” she insisted. “They’re really cool.” She scrunched up her face for a moment. “Huh, cool. Haven’t said that a while.”

You eyed the tree thoughtfully then dragged the Doctor along with you, not yet willing to let go of her hand. At the base of the tree you stretched out your other hand to touch the bark. Under your fingers, a collection of blue flowers suddenly unfolded themselves, pushing the bark back and poking out their little, soft petals. You gasped in delight as more unfurled themselves, showing a pattern that twisted up the trunk.

They pulsed softly, alternating between a rich Navy and soft periwinkle, like there was a little light inside each one of them. It was rhythmic and slow, reminding you of something you couldn’t quite place.

“Your heartbeat,” the Doctor said softly, and your spine tingled. She was closer to you than you had realised. “They respond to a heartbeat.”

You blinked, looking at her for a moment before your attention was drawn back to the flowers. Your heartbeat, you were watching your very own heartbeat in the flowers.

Okay, so really cool was an understatement.

“Wow,” you breathed, not really having the words to express the awe you felt, looking at these flowers reflecting your actual, honest to god heartbeat.

An MRI machine would never compare now, not after this.

“There’s more,” she said. “Do you wanna see?”

You nodded, still not tearing your eyes away from the flowers.

Before you knew it the Doctor was marching along the path, dragging you along with her, the gravel crunching under your shoes. Behind you, you watched as the flowers folded back into the tree, as though they had never appeared at all.

You crashed into the Doctor and let out a small cry. She had stopped right in front of you, and, as you turned around around to see where she had stopped, you instead found her toppling over.

You didn’t even think. You pulled her up from the hand that was still held in yours, and wrapped your other arm around her waist, doing your best to steady her. Gravity, apparently, had other plans, and, twisting dramatically, you both collapsed into the grass.

You let out a startled laugh, rolling over slightly so the grass was underneath you, cold and soft. The Doctor, who was curled in your side, let out a soft groan, and let her head fall into the grass, knocking against your waist lightly.

You looked down at her. “Well, that was something.”

She returned your gaze, grinning. “Yeah, I didn’t mean to fall for you,” her face dropped, and your heart leapt into your throat.

Surely she understood what she had said.

“I- I mean off the path,” The Doctor stammered.

“Yeah,” You laughed awkwardly. “Of course.”

You looked at the Doctor and she looked at you, and in this light, it took you a moment to work out what colour her eyes were. You often never seemed to know, it was as if the Doctor’s eyes changed colour. Sometimes they were green, other times they looked more brown, almost as if they were mimicking hazel, but couldn’t quite get it right. Today however, they were almost golden, and they glittered in the sunlight.

The Doctor opened her mouth, as if she were about to say something, but a lone snowflake fell slowly and landed delicately on the tip of her nose. She scrunched up her face, crossing her eyes and trying to look at her own nose.

You cocked your head to the side, studying it, and also trying not to giggle at the Doctor’s expression. She looked like she was pulling a face for a child.

Wait – snow.

You turned your head skywards, and scurried up so you were standing. All around you, tiny pink snowflakes were softly falling from the heavens. They twirled around each other, as if they were dancing. They collected over the ground, over the trees, and into your hair, like a fine dusting of pink powder.

You stuck your hand out, and a collection of pink snowflakes landed in the palm of your hand. You poked at it, it didn’t feel cold, and it was almost as if instead of moulding it, the snow was just moving along with you.

The Doctor completely forgotten, you laughed in delight, wandering through the field as the snow continued to fall. It came down heavier than when it started, but still, it wasn’t cold. It was unlike anything you had ever seen before, unlike anything you could even begin to describe.

It crunched under your boots, and, was you inspected the way it fell on some of the plants, you noticed it had almost knitted itself into their fibres, reminding you of unwoven pink silk.

“This is amazing,” you breathed, and you weren’t sure if the Doctor had heard you, but you loved it all the same.

You turned back to the Doctor to find her looking at you with a grin, her eyes sparkling in delight – no, wait, not her delight, yours. She was happy because you were.

“Thank you for this,” you said, speaking louder so she could hear you. “This,” you gestured around you. “Is incredible.”

Then her grin turned into a cheeky smirk, and, before you knew it, she had thrown a snowball at you. It hit you square in the face, the snow scattering over your skin and leaving a wet, blotchy mark that went cold in the breeze. You tumbled backwards, flailing your arms to keep you upright. With an oof you landed into the snow, butt first.

The Doctor laughed in delight, and you cocked your head to the side. Oh.

It was on.

You dragged your hand through the growing layer of snow, forming a snowball in your hands. The Doctor let out a squeak and started to run, but there was no where for her to hide, you were both in an empty field .

You stood and began chasing her, throwing the snowball at her as you neared her. You watched it fly in the air, completely off target, before it swerved and hit her on the elbow.

Ah. Okay. So the snow could move.

Right.

The Doctor tripped slightly, and turned to face you, her arms filled with at least 3 more snowballs – and when had she had the time to make them anyway?

You didn’t have the chance to contemplate the where’s, when’s, or how’s, because suddenly a volley of them were after you. Your dropped downwards towards the ground, narrowly missing the snowballs but getting a face full of the snow instead. It tasted interesting, sweet, like artificial strawberries.

You clawed at the snow and watched as it formed into a snowball on its own accord, then broke apart to create a duplicate.

Well, that answered that, then.

The two of you chased each other in the empty field, the kinetic snow forming and shifting itself to create the most dynamic snowballs you had ever encountered. The snowballs burst whenever they made a hit, and you weren’t sure if it was because of just the way the snow was, or if it was because it was freshly fallen.

The imitation artificial strawberry smell permeated the air, and you knew there was probably a stupid grin plastered on your face. You couldn’t remember the last time you had had this much joyful, reckless fun.

You had lost the Doctor, and had taken the opportunity to stack a supply of snowballs. The lower ones were more compact, harder and icier, but still, they weren’t cold. You had managed to stack a sort of makeshift tower, a supply that would surely cause you to topple the Doctor.

Around you the breeze sung and birds chirped. There was barely any noise, not from other people, or from certain Time Lords. In fact, if you didn’t know any better, you would even argue that it was silent.

Then, you heard a twig snap.

You turned, your pile forgotten as the Doctor lunged at you, pelting you with snow and landing straight on top of you. You both fell into your snowball pile, and you felt the snow sludge into your clothes, down your boots, and into your hair. The snow had even found itself through a hole in your jumper, which you hadn’t even realised was there until that every moment.

You laughed, loud and bright, the Doctor’s weight warm on top of you. “How did you even manage that?” You cried out, still laughing.

The Doctor pulled herself off of you, holding out her hand and pulling you up so you were both sitting in the remains of your fallen tower. “I’m the reigning champion of the Intergalactic Snowball Championships,” she said as she laughed. “Have been for 100 years. My secrets have secrets.”

You weren’t even surprised by that. Nothing about the Doctor fazed you anymore.

The laughter died down, until your stomach was sore and you were hiccupping slightly. The air was now still. As your adrenaline passed you by, it felt colder by the second, and yet, neither of you moved.

The two of you sat there, wordless, breathing heavy, and plumes from your breath danced in the air between you.

Little pink clouds of snow settled into the Doctor's hair, dusted the bridge of her nose and lay to rest across her coat. She was flushed, you noticed, whether from the game, or the cold, you weren't sure, but the rose of her cheeks rather complimented the snow.

From where your jumper had ripped, you thought your arm would be cold, but it wasn't, it was warm, warmer than the rest of you, at least. Your eyes trailed the length of the Doctors figure, and you found that she had rested her hand against your arm, right over the tear in your jumper.

Your heart skipped a beat.

Oh.

You looked back to her face and the Doctor licked her lips. They were chapped slightly – from the wind, you thought, but otherwise they looked completely soft. You couldn't look away. If you had, you would have noticed that her own eyes were flitting from your eyes to your lips, as if the Doctor was entranced.

Suddenly, the Doctor’s forehead was on yours, her breath matching yours, shaking slightly. Her hand went from your arm, exposing it to the cold, and trailed upwards, resting against your jaw. “Is this okay?” She asked, and there was a rasp in her voice you hadn’t ever heard before. It made you feel warm.

“Yeah.”

Later, the Doctor would say you were the one to lean in first, that it gave her the courage to do the same, but, in this moment, you really couldn't tell.

Because her lips brushed against yours.

The first thing you thought was that her lips were warm, they were soft.

Then you weren't thinking at all.

The kiss was hesitant at first, as if the Doctor were testing it out, then, it grew. Even still, it stole the breath from your body, all you knew was her.

She drew back, whispering your name, as if it were a song. You chased after her, your heart fluttering, or at least, it felt like it did. Your name had never felt so wonderful before, as if it were like its own chorus.

Then she met your lips again, and, for a second time, your brain short circuited.

Your hand trailed upwards, brushing against her earring chain, your fingers tangling in her hair. You gripped tight, pulling yourself into her. You wanted to touch her, to feel her soft skin against yours, to memorise the way it felt under your hands.

You felt like you were walking on air, like you were one of these pink snowflakes, dancing and swaying amongst the breeze.

All too soon, you had to pull away, because breathing was, unfortunately, a thing you had to do. You gasped as you parted, dropping your head onto her shoulder.

“I really like Erinda,” you said, your voice breathy.

The Doctor let out a winded laugh. You watched the rise and fall of her chest as she did so. “Oh good,” she said. “Yeah, I think the snow is the highlight here.”

You nodded into her neck, humming in agreement. “Yeah, I don’t think anything else noteworthy has happened.”

You looked up at her and saw her giving you a delighted, almost dazed expression, as if she couldn’t quite believe that had happened.

“An amazing place for a first date,” you amended. “No seriously Doctor, I love this.”

The Doctor’s eyes sparkled and the smile she gave you was so warm, so soft, it was as if you held out the stars for her. “Good. You deserve to be happy.”

A/N^2: Yes! I know! I wrote a kissing scene! Please don’t let the heavens strike me down if it was awful, an attempt was made.

#the doctor x reader #thirteenth doctor imagine #13th doctor x reader #thirteenth doctor x reader #13th doctor #Doctor Who #DW

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al-pomegranate-seeds · 3 years

Text

Ashes On Your Eyes

“When Virgil fails to pay rent for the third month in a row, he has nothing else to do except ask for help. That goes better than he expected, except now he has to deal with the fact that their feeling are doing all they can to come out to the surface.“

Pairings: Romantic LAMP, romantic Roman/Logan/Patton, endgame romantic DLAMP.

Genre: Urban Fantasy.

Tags: Fluff, getting together, Logan and Virigl are non-binary, Roman and Patton are both trans men, fae Logan Sanders, half-elf Roman Sanders, dragon Virgil Sanders, polyamory.

Characters: Roman Sanders(Castle), Logan Sanders(Croft), Patton Sanders(Morales), Virgil Sanders.

Eigth installment on my Unicia series, and direct sequel to Lilac Leaves.

AO3

Roman huffed as he looked at his shoes. For years, they have served him, but finally they succumbed to the hours dancing and running and whatever the hell he did at the theater that made the soles detach. He could only grumble at himself as he was reminded of how many times Logan had said he should apply some durability spells to it, but had he listened? He had, actually, it’s just that he immediately forgot about it like ten minutes later.

He set the shoes down as he saw Virgil walk towards him, looking vaguely sympathetic as well as amused.

“So, bad shoes?” Virgil asked, not making any effort to hide that little smirk that never failed to make Roman want to – do things. That he probably shouldn’t think about right now.

Roman huffed before saying, “Great shoes, actually, it’s just that they’ve been great for years and finally gave up.”

Virgil laughed lightly before sitting on Roman’s side and laying their head down on Roman’s shoulder. Roman was used to it, but surely enough, his heart did not miss the chance to start hammering in his chest. He was also used to that, it was nearing spring and their friendship had only grown, along with Roman’s feelings which didn’t seem to have any plan of going away any time soon, but he was okay with that, liking Virgil was a very nice feeling.

“Well, that’s what exercise will do to you.” Virgil said, and Roman snickered while moving so he could put his arm around Virgil’s shoulders and hold them against his chest. They only relaxed further, and if they noticed Roman’s rushing heartbeat, they didn’t say anything.

He heard Virgil’s stomach grumbling before he groaned, saying, “We should really eat something after.”

“We could go eat in my apartment.” Roman said, impulsively, and he could feel his face go red as Virgil looks at him. “I mean, you haven’t been to our new place yet, and it would be a pain to go to a diner with my fucked up shoe, and I’m sure Patton and Logan would like to see you – “

“Are you sure?” Virgil asked, worrying his lower lip between his teeth (Roman was almost overcome with the desire to grab their face and take up the job – shhhhhh fuck off), “I mean, you know I don’t like to intrude – “

“They literally love you, Virgil, I find it would be very hard for you to intrude.” Roman said, finally, and Virgil snorted.

“So you keep saying.” And after some moments of thinking, they finally said, “Yeah, alright, I miss Pat’s food anyway.”

“There you go.” He said, messing up their hair, making them weakly bat at his hands, and finally Larry called everyone for their activities.

Virgil got up, dusting himself off before turning to Roman and saying, “Come on, pretty boy, human mirror time.”

And thank the ghosts he turned and walked towards the group immediately after, because Roman found himself rooted to his spot for a few moments, face and heart both warm.

. . . . . . .

Roman opened the apartment door, and immediately yelled out, “Honeys, I’m home! And I brought Virgil!”

He knew he had set fire to the figurative gunpowder line. It wasn’t secret to any of the three (and frankly it probably wasn’t a secret to their close friends either) that they were all in love with Virgil. And could you blame them? Virgil was snarky, funny, strong willed, and absolutely adorable, with their face markings and their passionate rants about the last horror movie he watched.

(He was also absolutely beautiful and – well. The three of them had a lot of trouble with wanting to kiss Virgil every ten minutes.)

“Oh!” He heard Patton say, and finally he and Logan appeared on the top of the stairs of their two-floor apartment. Roman snickered to himself when he realized they were both flushed and disheveled, Patton’s hair half falling off its ponytail and Logan buttoning up his sleep shirt (which had clearly been on the process of being opened). “Virgil!”

He went quickly down the stairs before hugging Virgil tightly. They let out a low “oomph” before hugging Patton back. While they hugged it out, Logan walked towards Roman to give him a peck on the lips, and looking at him, all flushed and pretty – he had to resist the urge to just grab him and kiss him breathless because – well. Virgil was there. And they didn’t have his consent. Maybe one day.

Patton finally let go of Virgil and went to kiss Roman on the lips, and though he was sure Virgil didn’t notice, Roman could feel his hands tugging his just the slightest bit, which often meant very fun things for later.

When he finally let of Roman, Patton, with a blinding smile, said “I’m so glad you’re here! Do you want to eat anything?”

“Yeah. We’re both starving.” Virgil said.

Patton’s eyes went wide and he rushed to the kitchen, saying, "Well, we can’t have that now, can we? You both better sit down!” and they all followed behind him, as he grabbed the burgers they had ordered to eat when Roman got home.

They all sat down at the round wooden table, which was decorated with various cutesy stickers and ink stains, and as Patton set the food down, Logan put his feet on top of Roman’s lap, which gave him opportunity for some mini cuddling. They finally started eating, Virgil and Roman attacking the burger as if they hadn’t eaten in days, while Logan and Patton carried the conversation. The four of them, together and talking like this, felt like it’s what should happen every night, except with Virgil joining in on the flirting and teasing.

“Hmm, you know, if this was your nightly routine, I’m pretty sure I would never leave your house.” Virgil said, and Roman watched Logan’s face go shiny in a blush, while Patton looked at him over the rim of his glass of soda.

He put the glass down before saying, “Well, we certainly wouldn’t complain!”

This seemed to stir something up in Virgil’s brain, because he looked down at the table, looking like he was thinking hard about something before letting out a deep breath. “Actually, I wanted to ask you guys something.”

They all sobered up and straightened themselves, while Virgil put their hands on their table before saying, “You know I hate to ask for things, but I’m not gonna be able to pay rent this month, and this will be the third month in a row so – “ They let out a shaky breath before continuing, “I thought about sharing a place with Thomas but he’s already living with Corbin and Sloane and their apartment is pretty small, and I really don’t want to bother you but – “

“You can come live here.” Roman blurted out, and everyone looked at him. He ignored his red face and instead looked at Virgil, who had a scared but hopeful expression on his own face. “I mean, that’s what you were going to ask, right? This apartment’s plenty big, we got two guest rooms, and I’m sure none of us have a problem with this.”

“Right!” Patton finally said. “Of course, honey! You can live here for however long you need to!”

Virgil looked at Logan, who quickly nodded, and sighed, visibly relieved. “Thank you, guys, really I swear I’ll only stay here until I get a better job – “

“Frankly, Virgil, you staying here would hardly be a problem, even if it were to be permanently.” Logan said, and Virgil went bright red, the markings under his eyes turning from black to a light purple that wasn’t quite lilac, but it sure as hell was shiny.

“That – Thanks. I’ll, um, I’ll bring my stuff over next week?” They all nodded, and went back to eating.

When Virgil hugged them goodbye and went home, it only took the time they needed to lock the door before Patton pulled Roman by the shirt and pushed him onto the sofa, quickly climbing into Roman’s lap and kissing the breath out of him.

As Roman felt Logan sitting down by his side and tangle his fingers into his hair, he let out a whimper that was swallowed by Patton’s mouth.

He was sure he wouldn’t come out of this with a lot energy.

. . . . . . .

It’s next week, and they have just moved all of Virgil’s boxes into his new room. Virgil is laying down on the bed, mentally exhausted, some dark arts band playing in the background. All of his records, all of his notebooks, all of his family trinkets, were stashed in big boxes, and while they technically knew it would be better to start unboxing them now(specially before any of the other three did something well-meaning and found something embarrassing), they couldn’t bring themself to get out of bed. Before they could decide on something, someone knocked on the door.

They grumbled out a “Come in”, and Roman’s face appeared. “Hey, we’re going to have dinner now, if you’d like to join us.”

Virgil took a deep breath, before saying, “Yep. I’ll be down soon.”

Roman smiled at him before finally going down the stairs. Virgil just let his head hit the mattress as he repeatedly thought the word “shit”.

Why couldn’t he just be a normal friend? Why did he have to go and fall in love with a guy who didn’t have one, but two partners? And then, of course he fell for the partners too, because that was just his luck.

If mom had been here, they would have laughed before messing up his hair and saying “You feel too much love, little spider. Something like this was bound to happen.”

Oh, how he missed them, the markings under their eyes always either white or bright pink. How he missed the village, and their parents, and the food that never failed to make him feel full and loved.

Virgil decided he should go eat before he started crying.

The next couple of weeks went quickly as Virgil’s mind refused to process the change, and the fact that he was now living with the three men he loved. And honestly, could you blame him for loving them? Surely not. They were all very lovable.

Virgil was in the kitchen with Patton. The two of them were waiting for the cupcakes to bake so they could decorate them, and in the meantime, Patton was rambling on about his plans for Roman’s birthday, talking about the party they were planning to throw on Logan’s parents’ apartment. Apparently, there was going to be peach and strawberry cake, because those were Roman’s favorite fruits, and lots of honey, so they could expect Logan to get drunk at some point.

The oven beeped and Virgil got up quickly so they could open it. Needless to say, but it smelled amazing, vanilla and chocolate were his favorite sweet flavors, and this was literally Patton’s job, so Virgil almost said they should forget the decorating and just eat everything.

But Patton was really excited to make the cupcakes pretty, so Virgil went to grab the tray, except Patton yelped before he could even touch it.

“Virgil! You’re not wearing mitts!” He says, looking like he was going to get up and stop Virgil if they didn’t stop themself.

“Huh? Oh!” They laughed, before saying, “No, it’s okay, Pat! I’m draconic.”

“Oh!” Patton’s eyes go wide, and after Virgil grabs the tray bare handed and sets it on the table, he grabs their hand and examines it. “Oh, you’re right; it’s not even red, is that where your markings come from?”

“Yeah. They’re birthmarks, my mom had theirs on their neck, and when neutral they were white, but they would turn every shade of pink. My scales do that, too, look. “And then they pulled at their shirt collar to show the scales that started at their chest, and were now a glittery, deep shade of violet, just like Virgil’s markings. “They’re usually black, but when I’m content or laughing they go this color.”

“Oh.” Patton let out, and when Virgil looked back at him, his face was slightly red, with a lovely smile that showcased emotions Virgil couldn’t quite name. “Do you want to talk more about this while we decorate?”

“Oh – sure! I can’t believe I haven’t talked about the village to you three –“ and they went on and on about it as the two of them filled the icing bags.

“My particular village was on like, the top of a hill, with lots of forests and rivers. The winter could get real cold, and, you know, scaly, so by that time we would usually just all go into a big break, everyone had premade food they had been cooking and preserving with magic for months.” They grabbed a bit of icing in their fingertip and licked it off before continuing, “The family structure was different too, it was like, you know that saying, takes a village to raise a child? That was basically it. We had our specific families, we call them hoards though, and they were a lot bigger and less defined, my family was my mom, their sister and a lot of people that they loved but weren’t blood related.”

“That’s awesome.” Patton said putting little gummies on top of one of the cupcakes, “I think families would be a lot more fun if the definition was looser.”

“Yeah, definitely.” They went back to decorating the cakes.

. . . . . . .

Virgil was laying down on the couch, his head on Logan’s lap. She was reading a book about potion theory, while he was half-awake and enjoying her hands on his hair. He could feel himself purring, and if he wasn’t so deeply content he would probably be embarrassed, but honestly, who cared about being embarrassed when there was a pretty, glittery fairy playing with your hair?

Logan hums, captivated by something in her book, and Virgil hums back in a question.

“Oh, I was simply just reading about the use of potions in helping trans people transition, and I realized that our household is entirely trans.”

Virgil giggled a bit. Now that Logan had said it, he realized it was a bit true. “Well, technically I’m not trans.��

“Oh?” Logan put down her book, putting her other hand on Virgil’s hair as well, so clearly you couldn’t fault him for melting and closing his eyes again. “Why is that?”

Virgil took a moment to come back to themself (which was harder than people would think, with Logan basically petting them like a cat), before saying, “Well, being trans is, your gender not matching what you were assigned at birth and - “ He was interrupted by a low, pleased grown when Logan lightly scratched his scalp, before, with a red face, saying, “I technically wasn’t assigned anything at birth, that’s not how my village did it, they just use gender neutral pronouns until kids find out what fits better.”

“Interesting.” Logan says, a subtle smirk on her lips. “So you don’t consider yourself trans?”

“Well, yeah, but I’m also definitely not cis, I mean, my experiences line up a lot more with trans people than cis people, you know? Oh, do that again.”

Logan’s smirk grows as she buries his fingers on Virgil’s hair with intent, and as their purring gets louder, she simply says, “You’re adorable.”

. . . . . . .

Virgil was sitting down on the couch, wasting time on his phone, when he heard a voice dramatically belting out something that he vaguely recognized was from a musical. He playfully groaned, setting his phone down just in time for Roman to grab him by the hand and pull him for a dance.

Virgil went with a yelp, and he was helpless to do anything besides let himself be led in a dance that didn’t seem to have a lot of rhythm, but Roman surely made up for it in enthusiasm, spinning Virgil around with ease as if he was made of cotton, and Virgil only managed to giggle and yelp before Roman finally gave him some reprieve and let him go. As he was breathing heavily, Roman continued to sing and dance on his own, before finally trailing off with a bow and an adorably expectant face.

Virgil couldn’t just look at that face and not go along with it, so they just started clapping before saying, “Good news?”

“Marvelous news! I have just been informed that the theater agreed to play one of my favorite musicals and I am ecstatic!” He said, arms up in the air. “Oh, this calls for a celebration! A dine out night with all my loves!”

Virgil winced internally. Of course, it made sense that he would want to go out with his partners before anything.

Roman took out his phone and started typing away happily, “Oh, we’re going to that fancy diner on the other side of town, I’ll text them and tell you the time so you can start getting ready – “

“Me? Why would I need to get ready?”

That apparently startles Roman, for some reason, because he stops typing and puts on this confused expression on his face, “Why – Didn’t I just say we’re going out?”

“Yeah, you said you’re taking your loves out on a dine out night.” Roman looks confused for a few seconds before his face goes entirely red.

“Oh! Right, I – I did say – I did say that – um.” He sputters, and Virgil has half a mind to laugh at him. “But, well, I do want you to come along, you know, um – “

“Hey, it’s alright, you can go out on your date, you don’t have to include me just to include me.” They say, hoping their smile hides the pain. It’s not – they have the right to go out on dates without including Virgil, it shouldn’t bother him so much. “Really.”

“That’s not – that’s not what this is at all!” Roman chews on his lip for a while, and before Virgil can start saying that they understand, he sighs heavily and says, “Fuck it, here goes nothing.”

He walks up to Virgil, stopping just in front of him to hold his hands, and says, “Virgil, I, I want to include you because – well – we love you.”

A beat passes, and Virgil finally says, “I know that, we’re friends, Patton tells me that all the time – “

“No, that’s not it. I mean – “He lets out a shaky breath, before continuing. “We love you, as in, we are all romantically attracted to you, and we want you to be a part of our relationship.”

Virgil’s ears are ringing. Surely they couldn’t have heard that right? But the longer he stays silent, the more panicked Roman’s expression gets, and finally he starts saying, “This isn’t – we were going to tell you all together, on purpose, it’s just – you’re so beautiful, inside and out, and we just – fell –“

“That’s convenient.” Virgil says, sounding a bit dazed. “Because I – I love you three too.”

They both stay silent for a few more moments, before Virgil starts giggling like a fool in love – which is exactly what he is. Roman follows him shortly, and soon they’re embracing and giggling together while Roman kisses all over Virgil’s face except for where they most want him to. Finally Roman stops his attack and just looks into Virgil’s eyes with an unfairly attractive and adoring smile that Virgil has to look up to, and honestly Virgil will melt if he doesn’t kiss Roman right this moment.

So he asks, “Can – can I kiss you?”

“Absolutely.” And Roman lowers his head while Virgil gets on his tiptoes so they can finally, finally, let their lips touch, and oh geese.

Virgil mind explodes a little bit even at just their lips touching, and after Roman starts using tongue, they go weak at the knees and let out some frankly embarrassing sounds. Roman decides to have mercy on them, and walks back until his legs hit the couch, dragging Virgil to sit on his lap, before proceeding to turn Virgil’s thoughts to mush, licking and kissing and grabbing Virgil by the waist with one hand and his hair with the other and frankly, they can’t do a lot more than accept what he’s given(not that that’s a bad thing) and let out little weak whimpers.

At some point he has to breathe though, and Roman, the fiend, doesn’t look nearly as breathless as he feels, but that only bothers him vaguely and for a few moments before Roman says, “Can I kiss your neck?”

Virgil’s brain short circuits and before he can even decide he says a weak “Please”, and Roman dives in for his neck and suddenly, there are lips on his neck and he can’t think or say anything besides Roman and please, over and over and over again.

And then they hear the front door opening, and Patton’s voice, surprised but most definitely not displeased, says, “Well, isn’t this a pretty image.”

Virgil looks at the door, and Logan and Patton are standing there, Patton’s face red and Logan’s face shinier than he’s ever seen it, and Virgil is panting while they close the door and approach.

“So.” Logan starts. “I take it you two had a talk?”

“Yeah.” Roman says. “I told them about – we love them.”

“Well, that’s funny.” Patton says, placing his hand on Roman’s shoulder. “Because I seem to remember we agreed to tell them later. And all together.”

“Yeah, well, this wasn’t exactly planned.” Roman says, almost petulantly. “I just – I said something and had to fix it, so.”

Logan clears his throat before saying, “Well, Virgil, I can see you don’t oppose to having a relationship with Roman, but – “

“All of you. I love all of you.” Virgil interrupts.

Logan’s face goes impossibly softer, and he grabs Virgil’s face with both of his hands, and says, “I really want to kiss you right now.”

“You – you should.” Virgil says, and he does.

Logan is different from Roman, softer and sweeter, almost like he’s afraid Virgil’s going to break, and Virgil lets themself get lost in the taste of his mouth and the feeling of his hands and how much they love him –

Logan eventually lets go of him, probably sensing Virgil needs to breath, but he doesn’t remove his hands from Virgil’s before leaving a long peck on their cheek.

Virgil puts his face on the crook of Roman’s neck to take some time to breath, which obviously makes Roman coo and play with his hair to calm him down. He also leaves a few kisses on top of Virgil’s head, which was not at all calming and comforting thank you very much.

When he’s finally breathing right again, he feels a hand on his shoulder, which makes him turn to Patton’s direction and oh, that smile should surely be illegal.

“Do I get anything, honey?” And Virgil is throwing himself at Patton, who simply pulls them to sit sideways on his own lap.

Patton kisses with more intensity than Logan, but he’s more controlled than Roman, almost as if he wants to be in charge of the kiss and make Virgil melt on his tongue and boy oh boy is Virgil okay with that.

He finally lets go, and Virgil tries to follow him with their mouth, but Patton simply grabs his face by the chin and looks into Virgil’s eyes like he’s the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen.

“Your face is lilac. You’re so pretty.” He says, a little bit breathless, and Virgil has half a mind to start kissing all of them again.

#fluff #getting together #first kiss #first kisses #trans character #trans roman sanders #trans patton sanders #trans logan sanders #non-binary virgil sanders #genderfluid logan sanders #fae logan sanders #half-elf roman sanders #dragon virgil sanders #urban fantasy #polyamory #love confessions #neck kissing

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bernadineisreborn · 4 years

Text

Reality VII

Draco Malfoy x Reader

Author’s note: Hellooooo and welcome back. In this chapter, things get figured out. You probably knew all along, but now reader knows too, so that’s good. UMMM okay that’s it, hope you all enjoy! Please please please like or comment or (gold-tier) reblog!! But, I appreciate you just for reading! Love you! –Bernadine

Warnings: swearing/vulgarity, me not knowing wtf I’m doing

Word count: 1883

CATCH UP HERE: Series Masterlist

Draco did not consider himself weak. He was resilient, he was intimidating, he was a Malfoy, for fuck’s sake.

He hadn’t allowed himself to feel emotion since the school year had started. His Aunt Bellatrix’s advice rang in his mind almost constantly: any emotion would allow Snape, or worse, Dumbledore, to read him with ease.

He sat in the Slytherin Common Room, his metaphorical muscles tired from the weight on his shoulders. Draco had been back at Hogwarts for three months, and hadn’t made much progress with the Vanishing Cabinet. He needed to do something else.

Of course, he had other plans. None of them were as good as the Cabinet, but they could work.

Draco thought of the package he had hidden in the Room of Requirement. It was a last resort, he reminded himself, to use the cursed necklace that laid inside in attempts to kill his headmaster. Dumbledore, Draco was sure, would somehow manage to evade the curse it gave those who touched it. He had to find a way to fix the Vanishing Cabinet and allow other Death Eaters to do the pillaging around Hogwarts.

It was a Saturday, which meant a few things. First, Draco had time to himself. He could work on his task, mostly unbothered. Second, there was a Quidditch match.

Draco watched longingly as Crabbe and Goyle lazed out of the dorms, clad in green and silver uniforms, nodding to him as they went by. Draco grunted and repressed the intense desire to follow them. A Quidditch match sounded perfect right about now.

Emotion, thought Draco numbly, is the hamartia of mankind.

----

You squinted as you woke up, sunlight streaming in through the tall windows of Ravenclaw Tower. There had been no dreaming last night; no furred or feathered creatures had patrolled your subconscious at all.

You weren’t sure whether to be grateful or suspicious. This was the second morning you had woken up without having had the dream since you’d spoken to Trelawney.

The Great Hall was filled with excitement, as the Slytherin and Hufflepuff teams prepared for today’s Quidditch match. You usually would have attended with Marcus, but as things were now, you weren’t really in the mood.

Instead, you explained to Sue and Mandy, who were dressed in yellow and black Hufflepuff scarves, “I’ll get to catch up on homework that I haven’t been able to do. You know, since I’ve been in detention.”

They seemed content with this answer, and maybe even a bit sympathetic. You waved to them as they headed off to the Quidditch pitch.

You’d brought Trelawney’s loan, The Dream Oracle’s Sequel: More Dreams, More Divination, with you, and you started reading as you sipped on your morning tea.

An hour later, you knew breakfast was officially over because the leftover food, plates, and your still half-full teacup vanished from the table. However, you had made it to the section titled “Dream. Interrupted: How to finish your dream experience,” and were eager to try the book’s recommendations.

You dashed to the seventh floor, and found the blank wall you needed to utilize. You started pacing, desperately thinking, I need a place to sleep to fall asleep without interruption.

After your third pacing in front of the wall, a small door appeared.

The Room of Requirement was a bit less of a secret location that it had been last year. Harry Potter had made the place legend when he’d started the D.A., and you’d visited a few times, curious about the place’s magic.

Now, it was more useful than ever. Through the doorway was a very cozy room. There were windows that let in fresh sunlight, framed with heavy-looking velvet drapes, and there was a bed bigger than any you had seen before, covered with fluffy quilts and throw pillows. There was also a pot of tea, and you realized delightedly that it was chamomile from it’s smell.

On top of the bed were a pair of silk pajamas, in exactly your size and favorite color. You changed quickly, and drew the drapes over the windows. Hazy midday sunlight trickled in from behind the curtains, giving the room the appearance of a faint golden glow.

You poured yourself a cup of tea and settled in the bed, skimming the chapter of The Dream Oracle’s Sequel again, for good measure. According to the book, you needed to do a short incantation, and then you’d be able to sleep until the dream had finished.

You readied you wand, setting your tea on the bed stand, and spoke, “Somnum Integrum.”

Almost immediately, you started to feel drowsy. The bed’s blankets were so comfortable, you wondered whether you were in heaven.

And you wondered if the rabbit would ever move, damnit! It lazed in the emerald grass, without a worry. The sun was shining brightly, and as you watched, you understood why the bunny wasn’t afraid. No one would hurt her here, she was somehow completely safe. The snake approached first, cautious, stalking. It’s blue eyes, you realized, were actually closer to a gunmetal grey. The hawk swooped in then, graceful and feathered. Its talons were outstretched, and you noticed that they were scarred with small, almost invisible, winding lines. The rabbit was oblivious to the mini-knifes plunging at her through the sky.

Just as you thought the hawk would strike, the snake propelled himself up and met it, deflecting the blow from the bunny and taking it himself.

The rabbit, now, was clued in. She watched, eyes wide as the snake and the hawk struggled. Their fight showed no signs of ending, and you got the impression that the rabbit was afraid for the fate of both parties involved.

In a flash, the snake broke free and winded himself around the rabbit in the grass. At first you thought he would squeeze her to death, and the rabbit seemed to think so too. Then, the snake faced the hawk again and hissed. You realized, with a bit of surprise, that the snake’s stance around the rabbit was protective.

The dream fizzed and faded away, and you were catapulted into a memory: a lonely, sad hallway at midnight. But… a different perspective.

This time, you were the one huddled against the wall, weeping into yourself.

A tentative hand touched your shoulder. You opened your dream eyes. The hand was long and pale and connected to an equally long and pale face: Draco. The moonlight shone through the window and hit his white hair at an irritatingly perfect angle.

“Y/N,” he asked, grey eyes full of concern, “Are you alright?”

You jolted awake, back into reality, back into the Room of Requirement.

Around you, the large bed was still unbearably comfortable. Through the windows, afternoon light streamed, and you realized that you must have been sleeping for a few hours. You threw the comforter off yourself, and padded across the cool stone floor barefooted. Drawing a heavy velvet curtain back, you looked outside. The Quidditch stands were still full of people, and streaks of yellow and green warred in the air above the field.

You remembered the dream, then, looking out at the sunny November day. You weren’t entirely sure how to feel. It almost felt like the snake and the hawk were other people. It would make sense, wouldn’t it? If the rabbit was you, then maybe the snake and hawk were people you knew.

Your mind drifted curiously to the second dream. Why the hell had your subconscious conjured that? Draco hated you, or so you were rather sure. But his expression in the dream had been so caring… so conscious of your feelings. There was something you were missing.

You gathered your things, still pondering the dream’s revelations. In the hallway, a figure stood to meet you. It was Draco, and he looked angry. His wand was raised in a rather threatening position. When he met your gaze, his expression relented slightly.

“Oh, it’s you,” he said lamely, lowering his wand.

You scoffed and stepped back, a bit surprised to see him standing there, especially after the dreams you’d just had. “Yes, it’s me. Who’d you think it was going to be?”

“Someone else,” he stated, his eyes wandering over you. His brows quirked up, “Do you ever put on real clothes when you’re not in class?”

You looked down, and noticed with a jolt that you were still wearing the Room’s gift: the perfect silk pajamas. “Yes, obviously. Erm, what are you doing here?”

His expression shifted, eyes narrowed, “I need to get into the Room of Requirement.”

“Oh. Right,” you crossed your arms in front of your chest in an attempt at a defensive pose, “What for?”

Draco sneered, “None of your business.” His eyes softened then, and he opened his mouth to speak, “I—”

But your hand had flown to your mouth in recognition, the things you were carrying falling from your arms in the process. His expression, his eyes. Even though the expression of the Draco in front of you was nowhere near as sympathetic as the Draco in your dream, it was enough. You knew: Draco was the snake.

He stared at you, brows pinched together, his face somewhere between annoyance and confusion, “Merlin, get a grip.”

You weren’t paying attention. You quickly scooped the things from the floor, Draco making no attempts at helping you, and started walking away. Over your shoulder, you called, “See you in detention.”

Draco watched you walk away, then turned back toward the now-blank wall in front of him. He exhaled, and allowed his expression to neutralize, as if he was slipping on an ice-cold, skin-thin mask. Pacing quietly, he thought. I need the Vanishing Cabinet. I need the Vanishing Cabinet. I need the Vanishing Cabinet.

The Room of Requirement was both a great comfort and a great stress to Draco. He walked into the room carefully, the fixing of Cabinet was not going well.

He tried for an hour or so, working on the Cabinet, following instructions from every book on Vanishing Cabinets in order to fix it.

As he worked, he wondered what you’d been doing in here, in pajamas, no less. Draco recalled the night you’d caught him in a rather…unfortunate position. He had expected to hear rumors the next day about what you’d seen, he’s expected you to tell everyone, he’d expected his reputation to need repairing. But, you’d stayed quiet, and he had no idea why.

That night, he considered, she was wandering the halls alone too. Awake at an ungodly hour. Maybe she… Draco stopped himself. He didn’t care why you’d been out of bed. You meant nothing to him. You were a nuisance, you were…

Well, he was a little grateful that you hadn’t given him the additional stress of telling people that The Draco Malfoy was crying and alone and hopeless.

Draco lazed around the Room of Requirement. In this form, there were lost objects everywhere. Objects people had come to store somewhere—anywhere: old broomsticks, he assumed these were faulty; random books; broken desks and chairs; an ancient looking teapot and teacup set, even with tea still in it. The tea wasn’t even cold yet. Draco wondered briefly if the pot was charmed to never cool. He sniffed. Hmm, chamomile.

---

Tag List: @drawlfoy @buckys-hoeee @silversslytherin @acciodracoo @afootnoteinyourhappiness @a-hopeless-fan @ilkaeliseb @accio-rogers @laurarestrepo98 @ellewoods2b @naomi02hook @ohitsmai (tumblr won’t let me tag you, it might be a setting you can fix) Did I miss anyone?? If I did, just let me know!!

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livefordrama · 3 years

Text

Reviewing Dramas I Have Watched Part 8

Again, here is my rating system: 1- Did not like, 2- Enjoyed but probably wouldn’t watch again, 3- Enjoyed and would watch some episodes again/may watch again, 4- Enjoyed and would watch again, 5- Loved

Korean Drama

My Strange Hero: 4

Trigger Warning: Suicide, Bullying, Verbal and Emotional Abuse

My Strange Hero is about a man named Bok-su (which stands for revenge), who was falsely accused by his friend and girl friend of shoving his friend off the school roof and expelled from high school. Now nine years later, he gets the opportunity to return to school but he isn’t just going to go back nicely, seeing the seemingly cozy lives those who betrayed him are living he decides to enact his revenge by proving how corrupt the high school and the people working in it are. However, his plans for revenge get more difficult to achieve when he begins to fall for his ex-girlfriend once again.

This show was cute and interesting, it made me mad and lot and Yoo Seung-ho never disappoints. I ended up watching it in less than a week with studying and all so it draws you in really fast. I absolutely loved the realistic factor of not having to forgive everyone for a good ending and to move on. Many shows, kdrama or otherwise, make characters forgive even those who did horrible things to them just for a good ending, and it’s not always that simple nor do you owe those who did horrible things to you an apology to be a good person and move on looking at you Missing Nine. However my main complaint with it is that the ending isn’t as impactful or satisfying as the ending three episodes previous. I’m glad they had the three ending episodes because the other characters got more closure, I just wish they would have made it as impactful as the ending of episode 29. It is about thirty minutes an episode so it’s a really fun and interesting watch if you need something on the shorter side. I highly recommend!

Love Alarm (Season 1): 3

Trigger Warning: Bullying, Suicide, PTSD, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Abuse

Love Alarm deals with the concept of having an app that can read your emotions and alerts your phone when you are in 10 meters of someone who loves you or alerts your crushes phone if they are within the 10 meters. It follows Jojo, a girl with a mysterious and sad past, who can’t download Love Alarm because of her phone. She is in an unhappy relationship and begins to have feelings for the new student. After being kind to a student, he gives her the phone and she can finally download it only to find that love is a lot more complicated than she originally expected.

Okay, I started this show because the new season was coming out and everyone was freaking out about it. I had been avoiding it all this time because I love Song Kang and have been following his work since his smaller roles, hoping he would get bigger roles. I was so excited when I first heard he would be the main here but couldn’t ever bring myself to watch it cause I don’t like romance love triangles and already knew he was playing the webtoon second lead which made it worse. Plus I have a trauma with anything that has Kim So-Hyun in it. I adore her acting, she is so good, too good. She just always plays in really sad, dark Kdramas and I always like the second leads in her shows so I just get sad and angry when I watch her shows. I at the time just didn’t feel like dealing with being annoyed and finally got in the mood to watch a cheesy love triangle romance. *spoiler alert* I can confidentially say that while no character and no ship is necessarily healthy, I do prefer Sun-ho to Hye-yeong. No, not because he is played by Song Kang, in the first few episodes I hated his character. I wanted to punch him so badly, but with all his immature flaws he did do some mature things. He told Hye-yeong to not fight over Jojo and to let her pick which I loved because, shows like to have the two people fight amongst themselves who gets the crush and that’s so stupid to me, Jojo is a person with feelings too and she might not like either so I loved that he said that. I also loved that instead of telling Hye-yeong not to pursue Jojo because he still loved her, he told Jojo to stay away from Hye-yeong so that he wouldn’t be hurt by her like Sun-ho was. He still loved her but his friend came first, and I felt horrible when he lost almost everyone who genuinely loved him. Hye-yeong is okay, but he isn’t even a healthier option, he literally stalks her all the time without her even knowing about it, he memorized her daily routine, where he’s going to college so he could move there to be around her, it’s just too creepy to me. Yes, Sun-oh stalked her too and that is not okay at all, but he made his presence known so that she can voice if she was uncomfortable or knew to call someone if she felt threatened, Hye-yeong sneaks around and doesn’t even talk to her and that’s super creepy to me. I just think they are both immature and personally with some growth I think Sun-oh is more fitting than Hye-yeong cause the two really do seem like they are in love with each other while Jojo and Hye-yeong seem like a crush that will turn out to be more platonic. I know it’s wishful thinking but that’s just my hopes. *spoiler over* I did really love this show actually, sometimes you just need a trashy dramatic romance. Yes, it had toxic behaviors but I still liked it, it felt like a realistic teenage couple in high school (minus Mr. Stalkery Stalks.) I think that not everything has to be analyzed, I enjoyed the cute romantic scenes at face value, even though I knew they weren’t healthy. If it happened to me in real life, I would have punched a bitch but it’s fun to watch on a screen.

Blood: 2

Trigger Warnings: Blood, Suicide, Terminal illness, Murder, Abuse.

Blood is about a surgeon who is also a vampire. He tries to control his vampire self and help humans while working on a way to make himself human. When he transfers to a new hospital things take a turn for the weird as the patients of the new ward start exhibiting symptoms he is all too familiar with.

Blood was really good for the first two thirds of the series. I watched it before I found out about the main couples real life situation but continued to enjoy it because it’s none of my business what they do in their personal lives (so please don’t message or leave comments about that situation or your opinions on it.) Both couples were super cute and there were some plot twists that admittedly got me. I liked the story line and the idea that vampires were viruses that doctors were researching in secret. I really got hooked for most of the story; however, the last few episodes felt almost like they switched writers and the new writer had never watched the previous episodes. Comments were made that never were brought up again, like the thirty minutes of vaguely discussing his parents and who he was as an infectee that was never even slightly brushed upon for the rest of the episodes let alone resolved. Not to mention that last episode was a total mess and the ending sucked. The last two episodes are not canon in my mind that’s how weirdly out of place for the show they felt, it was like a 180. The ending was so confusing and I just really hated how it all played out. Because of this, I give the show a 2 cause I did enjoy it a lot but I won’t watch it again. Once of that was enough.

Legend Hero: 4

Legend Hero, also known as Legend Hero Samgugjeon or Legends Heroes the Three Kingdoms, is about people who compete in a dream battle to acquire their ultimate dream. The main character acquired three spirit helpers which help him in combat by transforming him into an armored knight with special power, and later befriends angels who help him in the battles by boosting this power. He has to fight friend and foe alike to achieve his ultimate dream but that begs the question, is a dream really worth it?

I really enjoyed this show, it was admittedly difficult to get into at first but once I did, I was hooked. The characters were so cute and endearing, the plot had humor, angst, and fluff alike. The acting was a little silly at points but it was made for kids so it’s a little overdramatic. It was all around a very entertaining watch, I watched the whole series while on vacation during the resting hours when my family and I were lazing around the hotel and it was such a refreshing, happy, lazy watch. I highly recommend for those who enjoy a happy watch when they just wish to relax.

Web-Drama/Mini-Series

Power Rangers Dino Force Brave: 4

Power Rangers Dino Force Brave, while technically a sequel to the super sentai series, is a original stand alone production and sSouth Korean take on the power rangers series. While the power rangers finally enjoy the peace that had come to the earth, a new threat is brewing. The Neo-Deboth Army has arrived looking for the power of the dinosaur king, the power ranger once more have to come together to defeat this threat.

This show was super interesting and cute. I have never seen any of the power ranger series so I am entirely inexperienced when it comes to their world. However, I can confidentially say this is a good stand alone as I was not confused while watching it. The first episode got recommended to me on youtube and since I was bored and unsure of what to do, I decided to watch it. I believe I finished the whole series in only a few days. It was super cute and I liked how ironic and silly the ending was with all the characters, including the evil ones dancing together. I’m sure die hard power rangers fans hated that but as someone who knows nothing about the series, I found it quite hilarious. The plot itself was entertaining and cool, it had some angst moments and some cute moments. I loved the ending, but that’s all I will say about that.

Founder of Diabolism Q: 3

Founder of Diabolism Q is simply snippets of cute or funny scenes from the book that didn’t make it into the series or at least not in as much detail. It follows many characters in small, five minute long episodes and the shenanigans they get in to.

Founder of Diabolism Q was super cute! I have watched The Untamed and read some of the book but haven’t watch the actual anime yet. Still, I decided to watch this short series. I watched each episode as it came out and loved every one. There isn’t much to say on it though, other than it was super cute and if you love The Untamed or its adaptions, I highly recommend. Just make sure you watch or read one of the full adaptions first otherwise you will be very confused.

Imaginary Cat: 4

Trigger Warning: Depression, Suicide, Vomit, Illness, Death

Imaginary Cat is about an aspiring webtoon artist who, after loosing his crush and falling into a depression, finds a cat in an alley and takes her in. He is able to recover from the loss and get back into writing when he meets a girl who is obsessed with cats especially after she lost her kitten as a child. He is just trying to get his webtoon accepted and she just wants to get close to him and his cat.

This was such a cute little easy watch, but was really sad at some points throughout the series. I teared up through some scenes and laughed so hard through others. I also related a lot to how the main plays with his cat, especially when said cat wants none of it. It was a really nice mini-drama to watch in the very little time I had between studying and moving house. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend to those who want a easy watch that’s a little sad and very cute.

Korean Movies

The Magician: 4

Trigger Warning: Blood, Abuse, Drugs, Suicide Attempt, Murder, Death

The Magician is set in the Joseon Era and follows the famous magician, Hwan-hee. He along with his blind friend Bo-eum ran away from their abusive caretaker as children and are still worrying about being found by him even to this day as they perform to keep their livelihoods. Meanwhile a noble lady who was sold to the Qing dynasty comes to town. The two end up running into each other and quickly fall in love, however they both have to overcome the obstacles in their way in order to be together.

I loved this movie, I had to pause a few times just to process how much I personally enjoyed it. I wish I was able to watch it in a better quality because I never once saw how his one eye was blue, I just took their word and the movie poster for it. Unfortunately, it was the only place I could find to watch so I took what I could. The only reason I am giving it a four instead of a five is the ending sucked. I hated the ending. It just felt unnecessary and honestly really pissed me off. I don’t always need a happy ending but I also didn’t need that kind of ending either. I would still recommend it to those who like angst with some romance and a open-ish ending.

Seondal The Man Who Sells the River: 5

Trigger Warnings: Blood, Death, Vomit, Gore

Seondal is supposedly a comedy about a group of swindlers who become fast family after escaping from a war they were drafted in. They work together to swindle their way into riches and out of dangerous situations. They gained a huge name in the Joseon dynasty for even swindling the king. However, after tragedy strikes, they decide to do their greatest job yet, sell a river of fake gold.

The movie was really good, both funny and heartbreaking. My friend and I watched it together thinking it would be a nice comedy after we watched some sad kdrama earlier that week however, it was most certainly not. We both ended up crying and raging. So just be warned it claims to be a comedy and it is hilarious for the first half of the movie, however it quickly turns dark so fast you are just sitting their in shock wondering what happened. I thought Xiumin’s acting was great and his character was adorable. I had not seen his acting before and he easily became a favorite. The movie’s plot and writing kept you engaged and entertained throughout and the ending was great in my opinion. Overall it was a really good watch, I have seen it twice now and thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend to those who enjoy both comedy and angst.

#kdrama review #review #kdrama #my strange hero #love alarm #founder of diabolism q #founder of diabolism #the untamed #the grandmaster of demonic cultivation #Imaginary cat #The magician #blood #seondal the man who sells the river #power rangers #power rangers dino force brave #legend hero #legend hero samgugjeon #legends heroes the three kingdoms

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jungnoir · 4 years

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a sprinkle of mischief;

kim seokjin | why waste your time with a maybe when you’ve got a guaranteed yes right under your own roof? | 1.2k words. | supernatural, fluff. a mini-sequel to a dash of wicked.

Of all things you might have expected to hear on your way through the front door that fateful Thursday evening, none of them had even come close to “Are you on Tinder?” Mainly because your (slightly) unwanted house guest who asked shouldn’t even know Tinder exists.

Barring a normal greeting, you turn to face Seokjin who is sitting politely criss-cross applesauce on the couch with a phone in hand that you have no clue how he acquired, to squeak out, “Why?!”

He flinches at the volume of your voice, “I was looking for matches and you were one of them. However, I’ve heard of this ‘catfishing’ business from the TV and I wanted to be sure no one was using your photos for anything nefarious,” he details, as if it should be obvious to you, “do you need help with the groceries?”

There is a paper bag of cold foods tucked underneath your chin, almost slipping from your poor grasp because your other limbs are preoccupied with different paper bags full of groceries. Second trip be damned. You can’t nod, so you only hum an affirmative and he is quickly tossing the suspicious device in his hand to the floor to come help you. He alleviates you easily. You attempt to ignore the flash of muscle underneath his mole-littered arms because of course he’s built; he used to level cities.

“Yes, I am on... Tinder. Why would anyone use me of all people to catfish?” You grumble, following him to the kitchen. You set down the bag you think has wine in it on the counter and figure you might need it soon anyway.

Seokjin gives you a look as if he was mentally saying “we’ve talked about this”, annoyed roll of the eyes and all, “Attractive people are used to catfish all the time, petal. Have you not seen the news? You’re prime prey for this kind of thing.”

You fluster, “T-That’s a bit of a stretch-”

Seokjin is suddenly upon you, but it takes you far too long to realize that he’s only reaching above you to put away things in the cabinets. One hand brandished at your back and his chest casually bumping against your shoulder, you start to itch for a way out of the precarious position he’s put you in. Calling you attractive and then this? He was looking to kill you!

Your work-fried brain was working in overtime, so instead of saying more on the subject that you might regret, you instead slip away from his hand, ignoring the little look of confusion he gives you in return. “Never mind. The more pressing issue is how’d you get a phone?”

“Someone gave it to me.”

“Someone gave you their phone? No one just gives away their phones these days, Jin! They cost several hundreds of dollars.”

“Which is ridiculous,” he elbows the cabinet door shut and moves to put the fruits in the fridge drawer, “I was able to build freeze rays with less money than you people spend on your little computers. There should be an uprising about that by now.”

“You built freeze rays with less money because there wasn’t an actual economy in your universe, Jin.”

He snorts, bent over as he scoots a few apples to make room for pears, “An issue which you can easily mend in the final draft, no doubt.”

He must notice the displeasure in your sigh that follows, however, because he’s quickly explaining the situation, “A-Anyway, I simply told the woman that I was in need of a way to contact my spouse as my own phone had been dropped in the toilet.”

Ignoring that the spouse in question would probably be you in this situation, you hurry on to your next burning question, “And she let you borrow it?” “Yes, and then I teleported home.”

You squeak with horror, running into the living room to retrieve the smartphone he’d so carelessly tossed earlier. It was an obnoxious canary yellow with a little ladybug charm attached at the end. When you swipe up to see if she or anyone she might know had contacted the phone yet to get it back, you saw nothing. “Seokjin! People have trackers on their phones these days!”

“Precisely,” his smooth tenor rounds up on your kneeling form so he can pluck the phone out of your grip, “which is why I disabled it hours ago.”

Ah, right. Amongst his other personality traits that designated him a worthy specimen, you’d written his intelligence to be through the roof. You honestly wouldn’t be too surprised if it turned out that he had somehow successfully tapped into the phone line of the government at this point and was exposing their dirty secrets to the dark web.

Yet, this was the same man who still considered mostly everything he heard on the news to be true, so you had to consider how impressed you really were. “The entire reason why I haven’t given you a phone is because I have no clue what you’d do with it if given the chance. It was already a struggle enough debating on letting you watch the damn TV, and now-”

“Are you looking for love, petal?”

The way Seokjin asks is incredibly disarming. He’s curious, looming over your still kneeling form with the silly phone in hand, head tilted so that you can see his raised brows. You’re already so goddamn embarrassed, and now he’s asking you if you’re looking for someone with the tenderness of a friend. You want to sink into the floor.

You don’t get a chance, however, when Seokjin reaches to ghost your jaw with his free fingers. So ever delicate, he crouches down until he’s almost at your level, hand still perched underneath your chin to keep it raised high, toward him. “If you wanted someone to play with, I could have kidnapped them for you with ease.”

The strange moment is suddenly broken. Shoving his hand away, you grab the phone back again, “I want someone willing, you dolt.”

“I’m available.”

You gape at the villain. He didn’t just... offer himself, did he? So casually? “Jin, what the hell has gotten into you?”

“We’re both fairly young,” he rationalizes, closing in on you minutely, “and lively, and attractive. Plus, you already know everything about me. Why waste time getting to know someone else who could never live up to the standard?”

He did, oh God, he did. “And... you’re the standard?”

Seokjin chuckles, “I’m the blueprint.” Your stunned expression is enough to send him off without much else said on the matter, “I’ll make dinner and you go clean up, hm?”

Not even waiting for your reply, Seokjin stands back up and heads to the kitchen with a little pep in his step. A couple moments of stunned silence later, you open the now unlocked phone to see where Seokjin had left off, unsurprisingly on Tinder.

(You stop on Seokjin’s profile as you scroll through Tinder mindlessly later that night, curled up next to the villain with a shared bowl of popcorn between you and a ridiculous movie on TV. He’d managed to take a decently harmless-looking couple of selfies, and his bio wasn’t that outwardly menacing. You might have even gone as far as to call his profile... really adorable. You think, for a moment, that it might be funny to swipe right on him.)

(You really don’t find it funny. Your curiosity is killing you.)

(”It’s a match!”)

#seokjin scenarios #seokjin drabbles #seokjin fluff #seokjin au #villain!seokjin #kim seokjin #bts scenarios #bts drabble #bts fluff #bts au #villain!bts #villain x civilian #uhhhh #majwrites

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add-to-inventory · 4 years

Text

Gav played: Hitman (2016)

The game: Hitman by IO Interactive

Score: I liked it rescored after further play: I loved it

With stealth games I always feel the need to say “well it’s not Dishonored.” It sure isn’t, but so few games are of that caliber.

You play as Agent 47, an assassin fulfilling contracts in a wide range of intricate settings. Most of them are glamorous, and the overall tone is very James Bond. Like, “my favorite mission involves taking down leaders of a spy ring at a Parisian fashion show” kind of glamor.

{Screenshot: or taking revenge on a rock star who got away with murder at an extravagant Bangkok hotel.}

The game’s biggest strength is that it is rich with possibilities. You can, if you like, follow through any of several suggested plans (called Opportunities), which are often themed and creative, or find your own lowercase-o opportunities to complete the mission. There are boring weapons, but also exploding golf balls! You can throw a crystal ball at an evil banker’s head, or serve expired tomato sauce in the lunch of a bioweapon designer so you can get him alone in a bathroom! Disguise yourself as a waiter, or soldier, or the yoga instructor slowly shifting a lesson to the edge of the deck so you can push a lawyer who specializes in acquitting gang members off the mountain!

There are lots of things to experiment with hidden around, and a very extensive in-game achievements system to both provide clues to and unlock more options to play with. It’s been several weeks since I technically finished the storyline, and I’m still having fun trying new things. I was disappointed to realize that the one thing I knew about this game before starting it (’you can assassinate people dressed in a plush flamingo costume”) is actually in Hitman 2, but oh well, there’s still plenty of clever surprises.

I prefer the depth of story in other games in the assassin subgenre, like the Dishonored and Assassin’s Creed series. Hitman still scores well with me: it has a funny and stylish approach, and I enjoy the amount of thought put into each mission. I do want to play 2 & 3 in the future!

What’s the game’s biggest weakness? I think I can sum it up by saying it caters too much to dudebros. Obviously a lot of video games do, especially swaggery adventure games, but I’m still going to criticize it because I have standards here at Add to Inventory. Agent 47 does not have a personality. Just...none. He is a blank mystery. Considering that the connective tissue between missions is a plot about his background, I really think I should have some sense of the character I’m spending hours controlling. Instead, there are a lot of empty signifiers of “coolness” and heterosexual appeal. 47′s handler, Diana Burnwood--who I have a clear liking of, with her humor-tinted voice regularly popping up--has a crush on him, and women npcs regularly remark that he looks good. Men among 47′s adversaries sometimes make threatening sexual remarks, and that’s homophobia, baby! I have no interest in whether it might be realistic, this is an over-the-top action movie of a game, and more people like those than homophobes.

Also, my least favorite map (an apricot farm being used as a militia base in Colorado) made me listen to two guys arguing about Donald Trump.

Hearing disorder corner: The subtitles are smooth and helpful, letting me latch on to overheard details as well as foreground dialogue. They don’t identify the speaker, which would be better for d/Deaf players. (I can hear and recognize voices most of the time, and followed along with no trouble.) The text is slightly smaller than I prefer, but an overall good experience.

Try it if you like: James Bond, you really want the modern parts of Assassin’s Creed to slap as hard as the historical parts, the invisibility afforded by wearing a uniform, morally disinterested protagonists, high replay value, extremely interactable and influenceable environments, being empowered to and rewarded for experimenting.

Update: After more replaying of missions, my enjoyment of this game has grown, and I’ve bumped it up to “I love it.” There’s just...a lot more texture, humor, and inventiveness to discover than I had realized when I first reviewed the game, and I find the developers’ dedication to making each map a fully realized and alive world, with mini stories playing out and surprises smartly integrated. I really want to play the sequels now!

#Hitman #IO Interactive #rpgs #battle #i love it

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mirkwoodshewolf · 5 years

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Baby queen’s first word and steps; Queen x toddler reader

*Author’s note*

Hey guys well here we are with another request. This time this one came from my wattpad and it was fairly recently given to me so I just got it done and it’s too adorable to be kept on just wattpad for a few days before I also posted it onto here. So no warnings on this really except TEETH-ROTTING, UNADULTERATED FLUFF (with maybe a hint of swearing) but other than that enjoy you lovely darlings.

Edit 7-9-19*

SEQUEL IS OUT. PT. 2 I REPEAT PT.2 IS NOW OUT. Click here for the second part.

Taglist:

@psychosupernatural

@geek-and-proud

____________________________________________________________

*1974*

Rising star and front man of Queen Freddie Mercury had just woken up to see the sun blazing in through the curtains of his and Mary’s apartment. He reached over to feel if the love of his life was still in bed only to feel it empty and cold. He looked up and saw a note lying there along her pillow. He picked it up and it read out.

Work called in earlier than I expected. So sorry I couldn’t stay to greet you Freddie. Have a good day and record a new hit record, I love you Freddie.

-Mary

He smiled and kissed the note before setting it aside and got up to put on his robe before heading into the next room. The jointed room next to the main bedroom was decorated in pink with flowers and butterflies scattered everywhere (designed by Freddie himself) and lying right by the window was a white crib and as he looked over, there he saw the angel he had been blessed with.

Unexpectedly and unexplainable, in the midst of the early stages of them dating, Mary had fallen pregnant just as Freddie first started off with his new band. It threw him for a shock at first but he was determined to make this work and give Mary the support she needed, and to ensure that the baby did have their father in his or her life.

Then finally on Jan 13th, 1973 their daughter (y/n) Austin-Mercury was born. And the second Freddie stared down at the beautiful baby girl, he was smitten with her. As were his bandmates, they all helped and got involved with helping to raise their niece. Each of them loved (y/n) as if she were their own, but none so much more than the drummer Roger Taylor. He spoiled that girl to no end whether it was for Christmas or just recently her 1 year old birthday. In fact Roger even went to the extend to have a mini drum kit set out for her with her own customized drumsticks.

Even at the disagreement with the rest of the band saying that she was too young, Roger was determined to turn his niece into a drummer, at least before Brian or Deacy had the chance to teach her guitar or bass. With all the love and attention Roger had given her, Freddie and Mary both had agreed to name Roger the godfather of little (y/n).

Of course when he was told by Freddie one rehearsal, he tried his best to keep his emotions in check but when he was finally alone the drummer actually broke down crying (to which Brian had overheard and got a good couple of months of blackmail out of him).

Now at a year and a half old, little (y/n) woke up to see her dad leaning over her crib. She reached out to him and Freddie couldn’t help but smile and pick her up as he cooed.

“Aww there’s my lovely darling. Oh you’re getting bigger every day aren’t you? Please stay this young forever. I don’t want to deal with the nasty little boys that’ll try to take you away from me just yet. With your mother’s looks it’ll be damn near impossible.” It was true, she inherited most of her looks from her mum minus the hair, that she inherited from Freddie. So a tuff of ‘long’ black hair covered her head.

(Y/n) babbled and touched her daddy’s face to which he smiled and brought her close before pecking her cheek multiple times making her laugh.

“Ohh you’re so cute darling.” He then went into the kitchen and set her in the highchair that his mum had given him. He fed his daughter her breakfast before getting her cleaned up and finally changed into clothes before he got dressed to head to the studio.

The phone rang and he answered it.

“Freddie Mercury darling, oh hi Maria when are you coming over?” He stood there in silence before he said, “What? What do you mean you can’t come over? Oh….I’m so sorry. Yes I—I understand, my regards to you and your family. Take care of yourself darling, bye.”

Maria was a friend of Mary’s who was also a coworker with her at Biba. Apparently she had called to tell Freddie that she couldn’t make it to watch over (y/n) because her mom had passed away from cancer. He hung up the phone and that’s when he realized he was in a bit of a situation.

He had to be in the studio in the next 25 minutes, Mary was at work and he had no babysitter to look after her. His sister Kash was still in school right now, he’d never want to ask his dad especially since he was at work all day till dark, and his mum was currently fighting a small cold. He thought and thought and debated long and hard. Sure he’s taken her to the studio before for rehearsals and all, however this time the boys were in the middle of recording their 3rd album “Sheer Heart Attack” and all of them needed to focus on the recording since the deadline was coming up.

“Hey darling, my beautiful baby girl. How would you like to see your uncles and godfather hmm?” Now she might have been a year and a half year old but she was a clever girl, at the mention of her godfather and uncles a huge smile came on her face. Seeing the smile on his daughter’s face, Freddie thought that with no other choice, he’d have to take her with him since there was no one else to watch her.

They arrived at the studio 15 minutes late and when Freddie walked in through the door with a baby bag over his shoulder and carrying (y/n) in his arms.

“About bloody time you show up Fred.”

“Relax Brian, had a bring in a little extra baggage.” At the sight of her, the boys all gathered around and fawned over their #1 fan. “Hope you lads don’t mind that I brought our littlest fan. Maria cancelled and I couldn’t find anyone else to look after her.”

“Oh not at all Fred, in fact things will be a lot more peaceful now that she’s here.” Deacy said as he took her from Freddie’s arms. Deacy lightly bounced her up and down cooing softly at her.

“Deacy darling you are such a pro. Any kids that you’re not telling us?” Freddie teased.

“Oh no. Veronica and I aren’t ready for that step quite yet.”

“Well hurry it up and give my lovely girl a best friend already. Unless it’s a boy then don’t bother.”

“Whys that?”

“Because if he’s a boy he’ll get a crush on her. And as the years go by that crush develop until by the time they’re teenagers that’ll—”

“Enough Fred. That’ll never happen to my beloved goddaughter, not as long as I’m around!” Roger spoke up as he came up and stood beside Deacy.

At the sight of seeing her godfather before her, she fussed as she reached out for him babbling and making fussy noises. Roger let out a playful gasp as he reached out for (y/n). “Mhm lovey, come here you.” He then gently took her into his arms.

She stared up at him in awe before reaching out to him, taking a handful of his hair but not pulling it. Thankfully unlike most babies (y/n) was well behaved and doesn’t pull hair, she just held his hair in her hands as she kept staring up at Roger. He gave her kisses all over her face even blowing raspberries into her cheek making her laugh which in turn made Roger smile and chuckle.

“Thank god you brought her here Fred, Rog was nearly about to blow his top because of a disagreement we had with a song, now (y/n) can help see the song my way.” Brian spoke up.

“Brian if anyone is to use my daughter to get what he wants, it’s me.” Freddie spoke up.

“Alright lads, let’s start up the recording.” Roy, their recording manager spoke up. Unpacking some of her favorite toys to keep her occupied from the bag, Freddie took his daughter from Roger’s arms and set her down on the floor and as soon as she saw her toys, (y/n) went right to them. Freddie kissed the top of her head, thinking she would be fine for now, in order to let them work.

She was a good girl after all.

“Don’t pout Roger, you’ll get your time back with her once you’ve done your bits. Alright my darlings let’s do this!” Freddie then strutted into the recording booth and got himself into position, followed by Brian and Deacy. Roger who looked toward his backpack before looking down at his goddaughter playing and softly babbling to herself thought before he’d get caught, he��d give her, her surprise now.

He got a small handbag present out from his pack and knelt down before his goddaughter and said.

“Hey lovey,” she immediately looked up and reached out for him. Roger chuckled and said, “Guess what, I was in the toy market yesterday and saw something I think you would love. You ready?” She babbled as Roger continued, “I’ll take that as a yes.” He waited for dramatic emphasis before finally pulling out a beautifully hand-made stuffed lion.

(Y/n)’s eyes widened and she babbled as she reached out for it. Roger smiled knowing that she liked it said.

“Yeah that’s my girl. Do you know what the lion sounds like? Huh what’s it say?” She babbled out and Roger said, “That’s right, Rawr!” He playfully shook the lion along her cheek and neck allowing it’s mane to tickle her which made her laugh as Roger continued to playfully roar at her.

“Roger there’s only room in her life for one spoiling father, and that right belongs to me.” Freddie’s voice soon spoke up from the piano. Roger looked up and he flipped Freddie off and said as he picked her up,

“Your daddy is just a jealous wanker; you love me more don’t you (n/n)? Huh don’t you?” He began to repeatedly peck kisses along her cheek and lightly tickled her tummy which made her laugh some more all the while locking his eyes with Freddie in a mocking matter. Freddie grinned at him and said.

“You’re playing a war you won’t win Roger dear.”

“We’ll see about that Fred, we’ll see.” He kissed the top of (y/n)’s head before forcing himself to set her down and gave her her new lion before walking in the booth.

As the day went on, (y/n) was fed her food, got her diaper changed whenever she was wet, and of course had her naps. She was currently napping against Roger’s chest as he sat on the couch while the other three were with Roy listening to the track to see if it was all good and what edits needed to be made.

“Don’t you think I sound like shit?” Freddie spoke out.

“No it’s good.” Brian spoke out naturally.

“Can we redo it from the second verse?” suggested Freddie. Roy allowed it and Fred went back into the booth and re-recorded his part for the song. Roger looked down to see his goddaughter still sleeping against his chest, her thumb in her mouth unconsciously sucking it.

He smiled and lightly kissed the top of her head as he gently rocked her back and forth until a voice broke him out of his trance with his goddaughter.

“Okay Rog, your turn now.” He looked up before looking down to see (y/n) was starting to stir from her nap. He hated to leave her but it was then Brian came up and said.

“I can take her Roger; don’t worry you’ll get her back soon.”

“Fine.” Carefully he handed (y/n) over to Brian and he held her against his chest. (Y/n) who was now wide awake began to cry as she reached out for him.

“Aww hey, he’ll be back love.” Brian tried to soothe her as (y/n) kept whimpering and crying out as she reached out to Roger. The drummer couldn’t help but kneel down and kiss her tiny little nose and he said.

“Don’t you worry lovey, I’ll just be right across the window, you’ll still see me.” He kissed her cheek this time before standing up and heading into the recording booth. Brian kept hold of (y/n) until he had to go up and record his bit alongside Roger.

He set her down with her toys in order to keep her occupied. Even though she did reach out for her lion, she still looked in the direction of where Roger had disappeared to.

After awhile they came back in but were gathered around the control booth in order to hear what their pieces sounded like and what they could do to improve the editing of whether one part should be louder or softer. It was then (y/n) in her little brain began thinking about trying something.

Seeing the couch she reached out for it and gripped the side of it with her tiny hand as she pulled herself up. She wobbled as most babies do when they first stand but eventually she took her first step, then her second and just kept walking and walking.

Deacy was the first to turn around and he gasped as he said.

“Lads look!” And when the rest of the band turned around, they were all in shock and awe at seeing (y/n) taking her first steps. She slowly wobbled as her steps got a little faster.

“That’s it! That’s it my darling come to daddy!” Freddie said as he knelt down before her and held out his arms so that she could come to him.

But to Freddie’s shock, his own daughter went up to Roger. He happily took her in his arms and playfully tossed her up in the air making her laugh as he praised on how good she did walking all the way across the room.

“I can’t believe it. My own flesh and blood, goes to you instead of me.” Fred said flabbergasted.

“I told you Fred, she loves me more than you.” He pecked kisses all over her face making her smile as the other two gathered around her praising her as well.

“Well I may have lost the battle but not the war. The first word she will say will have nothing to do with you.” Freddie proclaimed.

“What you’ve been trying to make her say dada?” Roger mocked teasingly.

“No. I predict she’ll say mama first. However Mary thinks she’ll say dada first since that’s what her first word was according to her father. But I swear to you her first word will be mama and yours will be last word she’ll ever learn.”

Later on that day as the boys were finishing up, as Roger and Deacy were with (y/n) taking their ‘playtime break’ as the four boys liked to call it. Deacy had her in his lap while Roger was making her newly gifted stuffed lion walk around and playfully roaring at her as he would tickle her with its mane.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to your godfather’s insanity as you get older. If not then you’ll always have a home with me, right love?”

“It’s not insanity, it’s me loving her.”

“Raw…” (y/n) spoke up.

“That’s right baby bird, that’s what a lion says.”

“Ra—ra….Rog.”

Both Deacy and Roger looked at each other in shock.

“D-did she just say….” Deacy started but Roger hissed out a shush toward him and he knelt down before her and said.

“What did you just say lovely?”

“Rog. Rog! Rog!” She began to chant out. Roger held his arms up in victory as he took his goddaughter in his arms and lightly spun her around proclaiming.

“Yes! Yes baby love ohh you did it! You’re first word. My name! Oh I’m so proud of you my little lion cub.” He began kissing all over her face and Deacy spoke up.

“Fred will not be pleased about that.”

“Oh he’s never going to hear the end of it.” He went over to the window to see Brian and Fred discussing their business inside the booth and he knocked on the window to get their attention. He waved them over and the two other band members came out and Brian said.

“What is it this time Roger?”

“You guys will be happy to know that our lovely baby Queen here just said her first word.” Both Freddie and Brian gasped and Freddie proclaimed.

“And I missed it?! Oh you cheeky darling say it again, say it again for daddy!” He took his daughter back into his arms and she chanted out.

“Rog-Rog!” At that his heart dropped and he glared at Roger.

“You are dead meat Taylor.” He handed Brian his daughter and soon Roger took off running as Fred began to chase him screaming out various profanities while Roger just kept taunting and teasing him that he won.

Both guitar players just stood there shaking their heads and Brian said.

“I can tell this little one will have them both killing each other by the time she’s 2.”

“I think she already knows she can do that now.” Deacy stated.

“One thing I do know is that I don’t think Roger’s ever gonna let Fred hear the end of this.” Deacy nodded in agreement.

And that was the truth. As (y/n) grew older, anytime she was around Roger was always the first one to greet her, and he would always in conversation whether she was there or not, speak up about how his goddaughter’s first steps and words were all for him.

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dean-winchester-is-a-warrior · 2 years

Text

Get Me to the Church On Time Pt. 2

Series Summary: It's Dean and Julie's wedding day. What could go wrong?

Chapter Summary: Julie is wondering where Dean is and what's taking the boys so long.

Series Warnings/Explicit 18+: Some show level violence, eventual smut, fluff, smidge of angst. Chapters will have individual warnings.

Chapter Warnings: None, Julie's turn to be an anxious bean, fluff.

Pairings: Dean Winchester x OFC (Julie)

Word Count: 527

A/N: Dean and Julie are back! Each part will vary between 500+ and 2000+ words. I will be releasing all the parts today, September 15th, as part of my 1K follower celebration! 😊💓

The parts will be released as follows:

Part 1 - 8:00 AM

Part 2 - 10:00 AM

Part 3 - 12:00 PM

Part 4 - 3:00 PM

Part 5 - 6:00 PM ||

*Times are all based on CST*

A/N 2: So, as I stated this mini-series is part of my 1K followers celebration. For the celebration I asked people to send in gif prompts, or requests for me to write, all of which would be posted on my birthday, which is TODAY! 🎉

I only ended up with 6 prompts/requests, so I thought I would mix the prompts in with my own ideas, and I decided to write this little mini-series as well as a (hopefully) special surprise for those who enjoyed Dean and Julie in Green is My Favorite Color.

At 7:00 PM, I will post my last fic for the celebration, the first chapter of my sequel series, I Will Find You in the Dark!

Hope you enjoy my contributions for the day! 😘😘

Both beautiful text dividers, below and at the bottom, were created by @talesmaniac89. 💓 Title card was designed by me.

"Julie," Charlie chided, "you're gonna wear the carpet out."

"Good, it's hideous anyway." Jody answered for her. "Let's put an end to it once and for all!"

Julie stopped and looked back at the two women who made up her bridal party and threw her hands up. "Where is he?"

Both women came to her side to soothe her, each taking one of her hands, Jody on the left and Charlie on the right.

Charlie shrugged. "You know how those guys get, lose their heads if they weren't screwed on. I'm sure they're on their way."

"They were supposed to be on their way already! Julie cried, frustration and fear oozing out of her. "Cas zapped himself out of here to go get them a half hour ago. The motel is ten minutes away! We have a church full of guests out there!"

Jody patted her hand. "Sweetie, it's a dozen or so crotchety hunters, they'll keep."

Julie pulled away from the women to resume her pacing.

"He's not coming. He's talked himself out of it."

Jody shook her head. "Sweetie that man is so besotted with you it's amazing he ever actually leaves your side."

Charlie nodded. "She's right, Julie. Dean is madly in love with you, you're all he ever talks about."

Julie was shaking her head frantically. "No, it was a mistake to separate from him last night. Stupid traditions, can't see the bride before the wedding - idiocy! That man is a flight risk!" She said, throwing her arms up in defeat.

Charlie walked directly in front of Julie and forced her to stop pacing once again. She spoke in calming tones. "Julie, I promise you he's coming."

She took Julie's hand again and began to rub the back soothingly. "Look, he's told me that in the past he walked away from you a few times and hurt you, but that he swore to you he'd never leave you again."

Julie smiled softly. "He told you about that?"

Charlie grinned. "Vodka may have been flowing freely, but yes, he told me. And he tells me often how perfect you are and how much he doesn't deserve you. And when I say he's wrong, he says that it doesn't matter cause unless you ever, 'get smart enough to chuck him'," Charlie said, using finger quotes, "he's staying with you."

She gave Julie a quick, reassuring hug. "He'll be here, sweetie."

As Charlie pulled out of the hug, Julie smoothed down her little, white, cotton wedding dress and tried to breathe deeply. Charlie and Jody were right, of course. Dean wouldn't hurt her like that. Even if he was panicking a little, he'd come talk to her about it. He wouldn't just leave.

A small frown marred her brow again. But then, where was he?

Just as the thought entered her mind, the sound of smashing, screaming and yelling came from the front of the church. The women all froze for a moment before racing out to the sanctuary to see what was going on.

They skidded to a halt as they ran through the door and saw the scene in front of them.

1 - Jensen RPF + Any/All characters Jensen plays.

@lyarr24

@siospins2

@impalaslytherin

@maggiegirl17

@akshi8278

@candy-coated-misery0731

@nt-multi-fandom

@deanswaywardgirl

@slytherinlyn314

@globetrotter28

@jensensgirl

2 - Dean Winchester Fics Only.

@saikosheadcanons

@lgranger67

@carryonwaywardgirl

3 - Any/All Fics (regardless of fandom/character.)

@sunshineandwings86

@kazsrm67

@sexyvixen7

4 - Everything (includes fan vid/DOOL edits as well)

@unabashed-lover-of-fictional-men

@awkward-and-indecisive

@maliburenee

@supernatural4life2022

@spn730015

@b3autyfuldisast3r

@kickingitwithkirk

@waywardbaby

@foxyjwls007

@deanwanddamons

@deandreamernp

@deanwithscissors

@myloversgone

@snowlovespie

@leigh70

@all-alone-he-turns-to-stone

@fangirlxwritesx67

@charred-angelwings

@hopefuldreamers-world

@mysherlock221b

@jensensgotyoudean

@stixnstripesworld

@thoughts-and-funnies

@magssteenkamp

@norman1967

@princessmisery666

@eevvvaa

@mishkatelwarriorgoddess

@deepsketchsupernaturalcowboy

@b-i-t-c-h-i-e

@twirpbunwarrior

@mysweetlittledesire

@waynes-multiverse

@mrsjenniferwinchester

@bernasaurus

@jensenslady79

#dean winchester fan fiction #dean x ofc #dean x julie #dean fluff #spn fan fic mini-series

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xenophanatic · 4 years

Text

Not my Austen???

Okay, I know this is going to be an annoying post for those who are much wiser and mature than myself. It’s like that college student who has taken their first Austen class and tells all Janeites ‘Did you know that the lake scene never happened in the book!’

However, I need to talk about two texts that are based in our reality, where Austen novels exist, that aim to celebrate Austen but - imo - they fail to either understand Austen’s original works or execute their mission statement poorly. These two texts are Lost in Austen and The Jane Austen Book Club respectively.

In Lost in Austin, Pride and Prejudice avid-fan Amanda Price, who is unsatisfied with her modern life and romantic prospects, switched with Elizabeth Bennett. She finds that not all her favourite characters are what they seem and unintentionally changes the plot to her favourite novel.

I didn’t mind the set-up. Actually, I found it quite enjoyable. However, some things were forced. Amanda, knowing Darcy’s arc, falls for it. By that I mean while before entering the world is in love with the character and wishes her boyfriend was like Darcy, when meeting him she instantly dislikes his rude behaviour, however then gets to know him and falls for him. THAT IS THE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BOOK. So, as a fan - how can you not see this rude behaviour as just an exterior coping mechanism. Though I haven’t watched this series since it aired, that was something I remembered not understanding from a character point of view.

Though the series explored several secondary characters well, the main issue I have with this text is the ending. Amanda has taken Lizzie’s place and therefore her and Darcy have fallen for one another. Knowing the this is not how it supposed to end, she tries to get Darcy and Elizabeth together. Elizabeth this whole time has been living in the modern world and knows her existence as an Austen character who marries Darcy - umm... hello? this could have been a great existential crisis narrative, but lets ignore that for Amanda’s self-fulfilling prophesy. So, instead of ending up together, Elizabeth and Darcy decide to go separate ways and Darcy ends up with Amanda (leaving her modern day life), while Elizabeth goes to present time as a modern woman.

Contrast Amanda’s arch to that of Catherine in Northanger Abbey. Amanda is obsessed with P&P to the point where she compares all men to Darcy and rejects living a her life to instead read about Lizze’s. This is similar to Catherine who is obsessed with gothic lit that is all she talks about and has not knowledge of what is happened in the real world. She also projects her knowledge of gothic lit (tropes and plotlines) to her love interest’s life - which cause a rift between the two and others around them. In the end, Catherine learns that she should not live in the fiction world and accept the reality of life. She grows mature and marries said love interest. While, through Northanger Abbey, Austen tries to illustrate the downfalls to individuals who engross themselves in fiction and encourage them to instead accept reality, Lost in Austen encourages audience to submit themselves into fiction and reject reality. I believe that the creators of Lost in Austen - or maybe just Amanda - has never read Northanger Abbey. In my opinion, Amanda should have returned to her reality and understood that while fiction is enjoyable, it is not where she belonged. Amanda crashes into fiction, makes many mistakes - derailing the original story - yet gets ‘rewarded’ by ending in her favourite novel and male hero.

What about your career Amanda? What about your right to vote? What about any autonomy or agency you will get in the modern world?

In all honest, I would love to see a sequel where Amanda misses internet, electricity and Independence; or where Darcy thinks about what could have been with Elizabeth. I mean they were, in the world of Austen, created for one another. I dislike the ending and therefore dislike the series as it’s thesis statement is... Why can’t I be Elizabeth!

It’s funny how this text wants to celebrate Austen by creating something that she would not agree to. Not because of the liberty they took with her text, but with the message they are trying to send.

The second text, which I recently viewed, is the film The Jane Austen Book Club. I had previously seen it, but didn’t remember it or why i didn’t enjoy it. I chose to re-watched it because of my love for Hugh Dancy and how his relationship was shown in trailer made me want to see it again.... yeah... not good. It feels the mission statement was ‘Friendship, Love, and Jane Austen’, but really it didn’t do any of it right.

The issue I have is that there is so much going on... but nothing at all. It is all surface level. Most characters are also unlikable, except for Grigg (Hugh Dancy) - mainly because I like the actor. None of the romances were appealing, the friendship was told not shown, and Austen was discusses on surface level as if just in background... like a jukebox musical. Again, the best one was Grigg with Northanger Abbey because he actually put effort into it and I did like the Henry Crawford discussion because I agree with it. FannyxHenry Forever!

The friendship between the women, and the men, were so weak that I’m not sure why they are all hanging out after a year. Was the club that impactful to your life? This film was based on a book - which I haven’t read. However, here are some changes I would have made.

1) Have it a mini-series rather than a film. Consisted of 8 Episodes. First episode called Juvenilia, introducing all the character and getting the book club set up. Each following episode is titled by the Austen novel and focuses on the person hosting the bookclub for that month. Giving the characters a whole hour to explore themselves and the novel, whilst building the over arching plot. And the final episode titled Love and Friendship, concluding each character’s arch.

2) Have it more with strangers rather than friends. Or maybe even friends that have been out of touch - who got together because of an Austen class or something. Oh, maybe a recent death of a friend - therefore leaving the sixth place empty for Grigg. By having familiar friends talk about these books, there’s no character building - because the character known each other for a long time. The film also doesn’t given enough time for Prudie or Grigg to feel apart of the core-group.

3) Focus on female friendship. Prudie is an outsider and other often make fun of her or judge her relationship with her husband. I expected to see a scene where the friends help her out - like in Skam when the girls help Vilde and the iconic imagery of Sana carry Vilde. Have Prudie throw away this image she has and talk to the ladies about her fears and past. The girls talk to her and make her feel better and they all bound. But nope. Prudie’s arch was to make her husband read Austen... ehhhh....

4) Have someone else, other than Jocelyn, be the one to introduce Grigg to the group. From the trailer, it seemed that Grigg was someone Jocelyn didn’t want in the group because he was a man, but then saw him as a rebound guy for her friend and then end up liking him. I wanted that rather than Grigg clearly being interested in her and her stringing him along. I did LOVE the Grigg moments about science-fiction and Jocelyn’s arch of reading the sci-fi books as a symbol for letting him in. However, if we get this disinterest for one another at the start it would be similar to Pride and Prejudice, therefore fitting into the Austen theme. Though I liked Jocelyn as the Emma character, the P&P romance would have worked too.

I don’t know... I just want to re-work this whole thing. Ideally a Sunny meets Jane Austen. Old friends, that have been out of touch for years, come together after the death of a friend and decide to re-connect through what brought them together... Jane Austen.They find that they no longer connect with the character/book they once love and instead connect to different characters and book. Dead friend’s younger brother, feeling he never knew his sister, joins the club to understand his sister more.

Oh man I want to write this mini-series now!

Anyway, hope you enjoyed my rant. If you feel the same or even disagree, comment! Let’s talk!

#jane austen #the jane austen book club #lost in austen #xenophanatic

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a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives · 4 years

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The Last Smile in Sunder City

I'm Fetch Phillips, just like it says on the window. There are a few things you should know before you hire me:

1. Sobriety costs extra.

2. My services are confidential - the cops can never make me talk.

3. I don't work for humans.

It's nothing personal - I'm human myself. But after what happened, Humans don't need my help. Not like every other creature who had the magic ripped out of them when the Coda came...

I just want one real case. One chance to do something good.

Because it's my fault the magic is never coming back.

The Last Smile In Sunder City is a brilliantly voiced fantasy for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Rotherweird or Terry Pratchett's Discworld, and the debut novel from actor Luke Arnold - known for his lead role in Black Sails!

Luke Arnold was born in Australia and has spent the last decade acting his way around the world, playing iconic roles such as Long John Silver in the Emmy-winning Black Sails and his award-winning turn as Michael Hutchence in the INXS mini-series Never Tear Us Apart. When he isn't performing, Luke is a screenwriter, director, novelist and ambassador for Save the Children Australia. The Last Smile in Sunder City is his debut novel.

Interview with Luke Arnold

Question: What inspired The Last Smile in Sunder City?

Luke Arnold : I grew up reading old noir detective stories from people like Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. That familiar mix of pulp and romance serves as an easy gateway into a new kind of fantasy world. Fantasy comes with its own set of expectations and I love taking a different kind of character into that setting and letting it bounce him around a for a bit. We can have the grand questions of an epic adventure story told through the gritty introspection of a lazy gumshoe.

Question: How much of your inspiration comes from real life and real people?

Luke Arnold : None of my characters are based on anyone in particular, at least not consciously, but it all comes from real life in some way. Fetch is working out how to do some good in a world that feels like it's falling apart, and I get plenty of inspiration for that every day. A lot of people are wondering what they can do to make things better. I haven't found the answer yet, but the questions keep me writing.

Question: Why did you choose to write for the fantasy genre?

Luke Arnold : Reality comes with a lot of baggage, for the writer and the reader. Most people have locked and loaded opinions about everything and it takes a lot of work to unpack it. Fantasy sets me free. I can explore guilt, war, shame, depression, masculinity, identity and all kinds of issues, hopefully approaching them from an angle where I catch the reader off guard.

Question: What was the best part about creating the character of Fetch Phillips?

Luke Arnold : When I was young, I looked at those tough, hard-boiled characters and dreamed of being like that one day. When you're going through adolescence, the idea that one day you just won't care what people think of you seems like heaven. With Fetch, the part I most enjoy is taking that character and actually exploring what it would be like to be someone like that. Because it must be awful. There is nothing romantic about being broken in that way. Being cynical isn't something to aspire to. Sometimes readers will just want Fetch to be more like that hard-boiled hero we have in our heads, but I think that's kind of the point.

Question: What's next, for you?

Luke Arnold : I'm appearing in a Foxtel series called The End that should be hitting screens really soon. It's a truly special show and I feel privileged to be a part of it. It's a darkly funny family drama that explores dying with dignity from a bunch of different angles. The scripts by Samantha Strauss are exceptional and it feels like a new kind of Australian show.

I've just put the finishing touches on the sequel to The Last Smile in Sunder City and there should be more coming after that. I'm always acting but I'm making more of my own projects in between that you can follow on twitter and Instagram @longlukearnold

Interview by Brooke Hunter (x)

big thanks to @curlsandbooty for sharing this link! ❤️

#luke arnold #luke spam #interview #the last smile in sunder city

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professorprophetess · 5 years

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Analysis

Why “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” worked where other video game themed movies fell short”

Jumanii: Welcome to the Jungle was not met with any sort of optimism whenever the sequel to the beloved Robin Williams movie was announced following the actor’s death. Yet despite all misgivings this movie turned out to be better than one might expect it to be, even standing its own and paying many moments of homage to the prior film. It managed to be a video game movie that actually worked, and that mostly comes from how it embraced its concept whereas other game movies tend to try too hard to take those half-real incoherences out of the equation and it more often than not weakens what is being attempted. In contrast I’ll be referencing these other movies: Spy Kids 3: Game Over and Ready Player One as well to compare and contrast how well each films handles their game elements.

First a few definition of terms might help those who are not as versed in the terminology as I am or as other game scholars might be. Whenever I say Incoherence, I am of course referencing Jesper Juul’s Half-Real. In it, these things are basically those parts of video games that are non-diagetic but are part of gameplay. The UI, the menus, the rules, the loading screens, the world maps, etc. It’s one of those reasons straight video game adaptations have such a hard time because a large part of what is going on with the game is those non-diagetic elements (Juul 121-162). I may also refer to certain games as MMO, MMORPG or just RPGs and while I know many know what those abbreviations stand for, I’ll spell them out right now. An MMORPG is a Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game whereas MMO is just to refer to any large game that is online. RPG is simply a Role Playing Game. Any game that has classes to choose from and the party system are generally RPGs. There are other types of abbreviations for games but for the games being discusses, these are the three most pertinent. The final abbreviation is VR or Virtual Reality.

I will start with the oldest film of the three: Spy Kids 3: Game Over. Its central conceit is child spy Junie Cortez had retired from spy work because he was feeling inadequate and just wanted to do something else with his life. Then the maker of a new VR MMO game turned out to secretly be an evil mastermind. They had sent another spy kid into the game but her mind had been trapped by him somewhere in it. Since the other spy kid is his older sister Carmen, Junie has no choice but to enter the game world and go after his sister and save the world while he was at it. In the end, the villain is stopped by Junie and then the virtual monsters somehow end up in the real world with the climax being that the mecha monsters are stopped by Junie and his family (Spy Kids 3). As far as video game adaptation movies go, this and the other films don’t technically count since the games in their plots aren’t real. However, Spy Kids 3 doesn’t also seem all that concerned as to how its central game’s rules work. Sometimes they’ll throw in the gaming concept of mini-games to advance —the robot fights, the racing game, the duel, I can only think of a few times where they faced monsters. Only three times did their life points count—the robot fight, the duel, and when the guy got blown up—. Emails are mentioned but it’s never shown how they exchange them aside from an awkward mimed handoff. Then there is the power up the bad guy gives Junie’s Grandpa AKA his old friend. These items, and the few elements of game play rules are there but they’re not really anything other than a plot point here or a beat there. They’re not central to how the plot is resolved nor how the story is playing out beyond a few bumps in their path to the climax. In fact the film version of incoherence AKA breaking the fourth wall plays more of a role with the climax as the 3-D glasses are used to see the monsters once they get into the real world. They’re not called those in the film but it is very clear with how they look that they are 3D glasses. Still, while it doesn’t resist the incoherences, it merely accepts them as a fact of a game movie and moves on (Juul 121-162, Spy Kids 3).

The next film I’ll look at is Ready Player One. Unlike Spy Kids 3, Ready Player One’s VR world isn’t actually an MMO. The OASIS is actually an internet interface that has many gameified elements to it (Ready Player One). In this film, the inventor of the OASIS died without any heirs about ten years before the start of the main plot and then added an extra gameified element to the OASIS. He left behind an Easter Egg Hunt for the whole of the OASIS’s user base to find. Winner takes the whole OASIS for themselves. This set off a bunch of people pouring over the things he loved in his life to see what kind of Easter eggs he hid to find the clues to get to that final prize. The hero, Wade, is a major Halliday—the OASIS creator—fanboy and finally manages to crack the code to get through the first challenge. From there, the race is on against his fellow gamers and Sorento the menacing head of a company that—should they get control—would make the VR world of the OASIS a pop-up filled nightmare. For the most part the rules of the game are not as important as the rules of the real world, as Sorento being the generic corporate villain that he is uses in game data to find the offline ID’s of the leaderboard to threaten them or, in one case, kills Wade’s not-all-that-lamented Aunt and Uncle as well as a bunch of innocent people who also lived in his trailer house stack (Ready Player One). Item inventories and passwords play a large role in the movie’s outcome as well as an extra life and the rules of the various mini games and challenges the players go through, but beyond that, I wouldn’t say the incoherences are ever used to anyone’s advantage beyond a plot device moment with that extra life Wade got from the Archivist (who turned out not to be just an NPC but an actual user avatar after all: the ex-best friend of Halliday) (Juul 121-162, Ready Player One). Ready Player One was far more concerned with pop-culture references than it was anything else. This doesn’t detract from things but it is what it is.The gameified OASIS of the movie with its customizable avatars is interesting but doesn’t seem particularly efficient for anyone just trying to use the internet for data sharing or business. In fact it seems like it has a lot of wasted features to look cool instead of be functional. If it were a straight up VR MMO, that would make sense but here it creates more issues. Ultimately, the incoherences are there but not super important more than item collection—the keys and Wade’s 1-Up—,the moment where they steal Sorento’s password, and the chase scene at the end where the real-world jerking about it making it hard for Wade to get to his goal. Never once do they seem to be anything anyone—except the bad guys—can take advantage of and even then it was more by accident than design (Juul 121-162, Ready Player One).

I saved Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle for last. In the original film, Jumanji was just a board game. A possessed board game but a board game none-the-less. Yet, its rules affected the whole plot of that first film. That first film ends with two of its Protagonists, Allan Parrish and Sarah Williams, throwing it into a river for it to get washed away in the year 1969 (after having been adults in 1995 for most of the film’s plot). There is a post credit scene where two girls speaking French come across it on a beach (Jumanji). Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle opens with a man jogging along a beach and finding the game in the year 1996, one year after a majority of the plot of Jumanji took place. He picks it up, takes it home, and tosses it on his sleeping teenage son, Alex, who remarks “who even plays board games anymore?” While he plays his vaguely Atari 2600-esque console, the game magically changes into a cartridge version of Jumanji. Alex picks it up and puts it in. The next that is seen is a flash of green light. The movie jumps ahead and now it’s 2017. The movie introduces our four new teenage protagonists as four types of teenagers: the wimpy nerd, the lazy too-cool-for-school jock, the introverted awkward girl, and the self-absorbed, selfie-obsessed, popular, pretty girl. Also, the father of the Alex is re-introduced and the consequences of his disappearance have made him a wary, angry man. The four kids all get in trouble and land in detention; pretty girl Beth for being on the phone in class, Awkward girl Martha for mouthing off, and the boys Nerdy Spencer and Jock Anthony “Fridge” are in trouble because Spencer helped Fridge cheat on his homework. They find the old-quasi Atari console with its very Nintendo looking controllers and decide to turn it on to play Jumanji. It is shown to look like it’s an old school RPG for four players that can each choose from different characters to play. After pressing start, they all get sucked into the game and become their characters. Spencer becoming the handsome Dr. Bravestone, Fridge becoming the comically small “Mouse” Finnbar, Martha becoming the sexy Ruby Roundhouse, and Beth becoming the male Dr. Shelly Oberon (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle). The first instance of game incoherence being part of the actual plot is when they get into the game and Beth dies but comes back because the extra life system. They meet a helpful—to a point—NPC named Nigel who fills them in (enabling a flashback cutscene) which is even explained by Spencer to the others. He gives them the item they need to finish the game as well as warnings about the bad guy they’re running from/racing to the center of Jumanji and drives off repeating his voice lines. A nice touch, as after they’re done with any sort of major speaking, NPCs do repeatedly say the same thing due to programming (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Juul 121-162). The next incoherence is ability UIs that can be displayed by pressing their names on their outfits, and that Bethany being the character who is the cartographer is the only one who can use the map-item. Along the way, Fridge’s back-pack is an inventory for weapons that shouldn’t reasonably fit in it and the group has special attacks they can activate once conditions are met, like Martha using Ruby’s fighting skills or Spencer using Bravestone’s weapons(Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Juul 121-162). Other touches where the game incoherences are woven into the plot are when NPC’s only talk to Spencer’s Bravestone, shortcuts across the whole world from the bazaar to the jungle house of Allan Parrish, and the NPC guardsmen whom Martha has to distract with a radio that conveniently is there for here to use her character’s dance fighting with. Then there is the scene where Alex, who has been in the game since 1996, is almost game-overed permanently but Beth transfers an extra life to him. Finally, there is the climax of the film where Martha as Ruby uses one of her extra lives to get to the top of the giant Jaguar mountain where the stone needs to go to win Jumanji, because characters respawn in this world by dropping from the sky. She purposefully uses her character’s weakness to snakes to get to the sky and she slaps the stone into Spencer’s hand so he can end the game(Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Juul 121-162). This leads to them winning once he yells Jumanji and the kids are free to go. They leave school and see that Alex was sent back to 1996 and his family’s house is no longer the dilapidated mess but is now warm and full of life. The kids move on and the movie ends with them at school the next day smashing the console with a bowling ball and the credits roll. At no point were the rules of the game they were in ever ignored and as mentioned the characters of the movie were even able to use those rules to their advantage whether it be getting through the world faster via a shortcut or using how the characters respawn to get around the bad guy. It wove these in well and that is why, of the three films here, it implemented its game aspects the best. There were still moments where the movie deviated—since we would see what the villain was up-to from time to time—but otherwise it stuck to keeping the rules consistent (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Juul 121-162).

Jumanji: Weclome to the Jungle was a film I had very low expectations for and not only did it exceed those expectations, it very cleverly used parts of gaming that other films ignore —unless they have to deal with them—to their full advantage for the plot line. Spy Kids 3 and Ready Player One didn’t ignore these aspects per-say but they did not fully embrace them as Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle did. By doing things the way they did, the writers of Jumanji were able to side-step a lot of the problems movies with video games in them could run into while attempting to make an engaging video game based narrative. The other two films attempted this same tactic but with varying levels of success. Video games are hard to adapt, and that is just a consequence of their inherent interactive status. The player’s interactivity affects how the game is to them. Adaptations take this out and lose part of the game. What Jumanji ultimately did that the others didn’t was make it feel like this was a game someone could play and showed how it would be played. The others did not. That was why they fell short.

Sources:

Jumanji. Directed by Joe Jonhston, performances by Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, and Bradley Pierce, TriStar Pictures, 1995.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Directed by Jake Kasdan, performances by Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart , and Jack Black, Sony Pictures, 2017.

Juul, Jesper. Half-Real. MIT Press, 2005. pg 121-162.

Ready Player One. Directed by Stephen Spielberg, performances by Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, and Ben Mendelsohn, Warner Bros, 2018.

Spy Kids 3: Game Over. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, performances by Daryl Sabara, Alexa PenaVega, and Antonio Banderas, Dimension Studios, 2003.

#academic paper #jumanji 2017 #jumanji #spy kids 3 #ready player one

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