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sehodreams · 4 months

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Rich CEO Sungchan is married to an heiress. Their marriage didn’t start off as a business arrangement. As two young, hot, fit people, they were attracted to each other. But as the years went by, Sungchan became less and less attracted to the heiress. It doesn’t help that their sex life is vanilla. Their newborn was 100% a business arrangement. He’s secured an heir to the empire. Reader is hired as the stay-in nanny to help with the newborn. Most of the day she’s in the main mansion, tending to the newborn as the heiress tens to her socialite life. At night, she sleeps in the detached guest house. Sometimes, the nanny’s and Sungchan’s paths cross in the estate. 🌒 (all asks optional, dont feel pressured to respond)

God I've been in a Sungchan brain rot lately, I have a dumb!popular!Sungchan in the oven and now this, god, I've been well fed these days 🥴

I'm slowly answering the questions, sorry if sometimes I take too much time, it's a busy season where I work, but I love all ideas and mtl questions, so feel free to continue doing them, I'll try to answer them in my free time! 💕

I hope you like it, to be honest i already have a second part, my mind kept showing me other scenarios, so if you have any feedback is more than welcome!

TW and tags: dark!CEO!Sungchan, noncon, p in v, no protection, thigh fucking, fingering, breeding kink, squints of Sir Kink, plus size!nanny!reader

WC: sorry, wrote it in my phone and have no idea, but probably around 4k like usual.

Just a gift

He didn't notice your existence until he went to see his baby boy after a long work trip, he had gone to Japan to see a couple of his restaurants, leaving his wife with his child, trusting her to take care of him.

He didn't mind that she received help, he expected it since he knew she'd have to go to a couple events like always, but it seemed as if the woman he had married was getting busy on purpose to avoid taking care of their child, and that did bother him, but she'd do her job at some point, he hoped.

When he arrived he asked for his child and his wife, the maid told him the lady had gone out to a family reunion and the child was sleeping in his room, so he quickly tossed his tie aside, getting more comfortable, and walked to his newborn's room, calming himself to not get mad with his wife. It was a long way to that side of the mansion and he had asked for his things to be moved as near as possible to help in case anything happened, so he'd rest after checking on his baby. He had stopped sharing his bed with his wife a long time ago and they slept on different sides of the house, but now that they had a child, they couldn't avoid each other's presence anymore, or so he thought.

When he opened the door he expected to see his baby sleeping in his baby crib, carefully chosen by a professional, but what he saw left him without words.

You were there, in the dark room with just a limp light on, carrying his baby with your eyes closed while whispering sweet words "you're a lucky baby, I hope you grow up with as much love as wealth you'll receive, and become a great man". You held him with so much care, close to your chest, giving him all your warm.

And that made him hard.

In the moment he laid his eyes on you, he knew you existed to have a child, you were a mother, and he wanted to give you all the children you wanted. He had deduced you didn't have any children, how could such a sweet young thing like you have children already? You had so much love overflowing your words and movements, it wasn't possible.

He stopped himself, his mind running around a mile per second, imagining you in his bed with your legs up and his cock stuffing you, making you a real mother.

"Who are you?" He asked after a second, still at the door, not walking near you because he knew he'd get weak.

You opened your eyes in shock by the male voice, so deep into your own comfort with the baby you took care of. You looked at him and immediately recognized him, the same hair color and skin as the baby you were holding, also it was impossible to not know who he was, the owner of the household, and your boss you had no opportunity to meet until now, "Sir, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, I'm baby Sungchan's nanny" you smiled. He got drunk with the way your smile made your sweet cheeks chubbier, and your round body called him to get warm with it into your side, so welcoming.

He was sure your sweet pussy would easily accept him, would call for him, just like your eyes and lips did. You were such a sweet thing to the eye, of course you had to taste as sweet too, right?

"Sorry I wasn't notified with your presence, if you don't mind, could you tell me when did you start working here?" He talked, ignoring the pressure that started to bother him inside his pants.

"Oh, it hasn't been that long, maybe a month" you whispered, leaving his child into the crib, softly, slightly bending to not wake him up, showing Sungchan your precious and bubbly ass. God, he wanted to lift that long skirt and fuck you right there, his body was so hot it hurt.

He couldn't remember the last time he had sex, he knows it was with his wife when they conceived the small heir, and after that he got so busy with work and his new life as a father he didn't have time to visit the VIP brothel he used to visit before he and his wife had decided to have a son. He and his wife had a good start, both were equals in the relationship, they had the beauty and the status to be a perfect couple, but their feelings got colder with time, and at some point they just stopped being a real relationship, only staying together for the benefits it had. The sex had always been too vanilla for his liking, and after a couple of years he had decided to visit brothels instead of finding girls around, he didn't want a relationship, and he was sure anyone who wasn't paid to be with him would quickly catch unnecessary feelings for him.

"What do you mean a month? I left for Japan 2 weeks ago, does that mean you were almost 2 weeks here, with my child, and you didn't bother to present yourself to me? My wife has never told me about you" he was frowning his eyebrows behind you. You stood up properly again, bowing and saying sorry. "I don't want you to apologize, I want you to give me an explanation" his voice was getting higher and you looked alarmed behind you.

"Please Sir, let's not raise the voice in here, this is your son's room, not your office, let's have this conversation in another place" you replied. You were so calm, so put together, it started a fire inside his guts. He wanted to ravage you, look at tears falling down your cheeks and your pussy contracting around his fingers, convulsing and making a mess, and giving you the prize you deserved, because you were much more mother than his wife, who had never shown as much interest as you for his child, and you, in just an interaction, had shown more love and maturity than her.

"You're right, let's go to my office" he accepted. You walked in front of him and he watched your hips move with every step, the curve of your lower back going to your ass, was insane. He had never had interest in curvy bodies before, thinking that they were unhealthy, but now that he had a son with his wife, he realized your body was just different, softer, warmer, more breedable, he smiled.

When you arrived to his office he sat in his leather sofa, showing you with his eyes were you should seat, in front of him, in another sofa, with a little table between you. You did it, you sat and patted your skirt, with your straight back, pushing your tits in the way. He saw your sweet boobs push your floral white blouse, and your long baby blue skirt only enhanced the softness of your body. He licked his lips without you noticing and crossed his long legs.

You didn't feel small, but you felt watched, reason why you did your best to mantain eye contact.

So a feisty one, he thought, I like that.

You heard the clock ticking, too obvious in the silence. "What are you waiting for?" He asked.

"Sorry, it's my fault I didn't present myself to you, I should've done it, the lady said to not bother you because then you'd have an unapproachable actitud with your son, and my main interest, as wrong as it sounds, it's the wellness of your child, so I didn't want to push any buttons on you. Still, I'm sorry Sir, I have no excuses."

You sounded so pretty, making it seem as if you always thought about his son, he was sure you'd be a great wife one day, obedient but strong willed, soft and caring but protective.

However, that would have to wait, because he wanted you for him.

"I see, I'm afraid my wife has told you things that aren't a hundred percent true, I do get frustrated when I'm interrupted, but anyone who has direct contact with my child and has to bring me news about his wellbeing will never be a bother, I hope that from now on we mantain a better relationship, and thank you for taking care of my child in the meanwhile."

You looked up to him, you have never been treated so good by a parent before, always working for rich jerks, it was new for you to have such a notable gentleman talk to you like that. You smiled and nodded. "Thank you Sir, I'll take care of him as if it was my blood"

He smiled and dismissed you, you quickly left to go to your room on the attached house, excited to have met your boss.

He jerked off with your smile in his mind.

Days went by, he tried to tell himself that maybe it was better to just have a boss/worker relationship with you, to not surpass any line. But God you did it hard for him, now everyday before his son went to sleep and you to your room, you'd go with the baby in your arms to his office, so he could give him a goodnight kiss.

And he was dying to give you one too.

Everytime he saw you walking near his room in the morning, making sure his baby was always well fed, going around with your pretty flowy dresses and your tits that bounced everytime you moved. They would feed a child really well, he repeated on his mine, or maybe they already had milk? It was impossible to have those voluptuous boobs and not want a taste.

Still, he never did anything, not touching a hair on your head.

He repeated like a mantra that it was not okay, he needed you around because his wife had better things to do than take care of their boy, and his boy loved you so much, every day his laugh filled the empty corridors like a song, making an echo that made everyone that heard it smile.

Except his wife, of course.

"When are you coming back" he asked when he saw her taking a couple bags full of party clothes.

"I'm not sure, but it won't be more than a month" she hurried to go out. You were in the room with the baby, listening to the baby's mother leave without giving the small one a second glance, but you couldn't say anything, it wasn't your position to question the parents.

"If you leave that door, I swear, I'll take cards into the subject" he said angrily. "It's our child! You can't leave him like that! You have never breastfeeded him, not a single time!"

"It hurts, what do you want me to do? And he's being taken care just fine, I'll come back in a few weeks, you also travel a lot, why shouldn't I?" You heard him throwing things to the floor and flinched, you had never seen him get that angry before, he always had a smile on his face when you appeared.

Both their rooms were next to the baby's so you heard everything clearly, and when the baby started to cry you grabbed him and ran to the patio to calm him down.

An hour later you saw from the patio the lady leaving with a couple bags and dark sunglasses. He couldn't... You doubted. Could have he touch her? The same Sungchan you saw every morning and night and always kissed his son and talked to you with respect?

You shook your head, it wasn't any of your business. He came down a couple minutes later, fuming, and searched for you. You quickly answered "Sir, I'm here" You said after running to the backdoor that connected the house with the patio, you didn't dare to scream next to the baby. The baby was in the stroller, taking his daily nap, and you were beside him, sitting in one of the many benches. He walked with you to your seat, heat coming out of him, so hot you felt it in your back when he walked behind you, when he saw him there, his baby next to you now, and your confused gaze, he calmed down.

"I'm sorry you had to heard that, I've been having numerous fights with my wife since the baby was born... I just... I don't know what to do, it had never passed my mind that he wouldn't have his mother around, I always respected how serious my wife took his life and businesses" he looked down, you couldn't help but get soft for him.

"I'm sorry to hear that Sir, but let me assure this baby it's been well taken care of, not only by me, but by you, I had never seen a father so committed to his role before" you wanted to comfort him.

He smiled at your words "thank you".

Everything started to get even better, he visited his child more, and had started to give you bonuses and little gifts, did you have a favorite coffee? The kitchen had all the options you could ever need. You needed a new stroller for his kid? Take his credit card, don't even doubt of getting the best one. Did you like those little dresses, right? Well, one of his friends had a store you could visit, don't worry, it's just a gift.

Just a gift, just a gift, he always said, and you started to feel more and more uncomfortable with his attentions.

"Sorry Sir, I can't accept that" he was showing you a gold bracelet that matched his son's little necklace.

"Don't worry, it's nothing, just a gift" he smiled and tried to put in in your wrist.

You moved your hand away from his grip. "I shouldn't Sir, I-I don't think this is okay" you nervously said, you didn't want to think he had any ulterior motive to give them to you, but everyone else had started to look at you weirdly, and you heard how the staff talked behind you "she's gonna trap him", "she must be doing extra work to be on his good side", "someone should remind her he's married". It was all too much for you.

His eyes full of love changed. "Are you rejecting my gift? I choose it for you, if you don't accept it I have no option but to throw it out"

"No Sir, why-" you couldn't understand why his voice tone changed. "Can't you get your money back?"

"It has your name on it, and my boy's too, it was a set, I can't return it" he denied. You didn't know what to do, doubting if to accept it or not. He saw it in your face, you discussing with yourself, your doubt. He doesn't know why, but he got so mad, he didn't give you another second to doubt, and crushed the pretty box with his hands, to then throw it into the trash can next to the door, walking away without giving you a second glance.

You stayed there, in shock, not knowing what to do. You walked to the bin, empty, with only the crushed box inside, and took it out, you couldn't let something so valuable be dumped. You examinated it, gold with a little sun, matching the little star in the baby's necklace, your initial and the baby's in the back, so pretty, you had never received something so valuable before.

You left the boy sleeping and went to your room, feeling scared of going to his office to say goodnight like everyday.

Why didn't you? He stayed up for hours, waiting for you, and then after the clock sounded at midnight, he walked to see you in the guest house.

He had almost forgotten how the place looked, never finding a reason to visit the place until that moment.

Your room was in the second floor, the living room had the tv on and different bags on your table from all the shopping he sent you to do with his card, the little box he had choosen caught his attention too. He smiled, satisfied with your actions, you never disappointed him.

You were deep asleep, not feeling his presence. He watched you, you were wearing a white tank top that showed your nipples through the cheap fabric.

You shouldn't be wearing that, you should be covered in jewels and the best fabrics, he thought.

He got closer, watching your face. His hand moved on his own, he swears, he didn't mean to, but your skin was magnetic. His hand touched the strap of your tank top and moved it, your tits were so big they were about to spill over the clothes, and he wanted to move the bedsheet away to see what were you wearing down, so he did.

God, you wore nothing, only covering your pussy with your panties.

He saw shift your body, feeling the cold air touch you. You showed him your back, and when he saw your peachy ass he decided that was the night, that was the night you would become his.

He would take you, you wanted or not.

He had tried so hard, showering you with compliments and gifts, how could you reject him like that before? He felt so hurt, he did everything for you, how could you be so cold towards him?

You didn't leave him an option.

He pressed his body against yours, smelling your shampoo from the hair that covered your pillow. His hips touched your ass, his boner presenting itself and feeling your clothed skin.

His hand wanted to roam around but he didn't want to wake you up, so he did his best to softly move his hand to the front of your panties, hugging your side.

His hand entered the rim of your panties and felt the hair you had there, he liked that, a natural feeling, fertile.

The tip of his fingers caressed your little mount, smooth, like caramel. Your ass pressed more against him and he had to bite his lip to not moan, so much time had passed since the last time he fucked someone his body physically hurt him, he wanted to open your legs and push his dick immediately, but he had to enjoy you a bit more, all well done has its benefits, he reminded himself.

His fingers made circles on your clit, and your pussy, even with you asleep, started to respond to his touch.

Fuck, that's my girl, he thought.

It was getting wet, so wet, he moved his hand to his face and smelled you on his fingers. A little drop was about to fall and he decided to lick it, a mature flavor, like a woman that needed a man to break her.

That was it, that pushed all sanity out of him and he pulled down his slacks. The tip of his cock, red and furious, was leaking, and he pushed it between your thighs.

It was hard, your thighs were so thick they almost left no room for him, but you had already dripped enough to make it easier, and with the help of his spit on his dick he did it.

I want to put it in, I need to put it in, his mind was racing and his breath was getting more and more loud. You would wake up in any second, and he couldn't wait for it, he wanted to smash you to the mattress and fuck you like an animal, to cum inside and breed you like you deserved.

His pleads were heard and you opened your eyes, confused with what was going on, you felt the pressure between your legs, and your body hot and wet, but why? How?

"Sorry baby, It'll be quick, just once, okay?" He whispered behind you and you turned your head to look at him, he smiled at you and gave you a peck on the lips.

"What? What?" You asked, just waking up and regaining your senses. "Sir?"

Oh god, he loved when you called him Sir, always with that soft voice and those full lips.

He separated himself and moved you to your back, he quickly opened your legs and situated himself between them, pushing your underwear to the side, almost hurting you of how strongly he did it. he appreciated you hole for a good second, so plump and glowing even in darkness, ready for him.

He may not have noticed all your refusal, he had covered your mouth with his hand after the kiss, and when your hands started to punch his chest he simply smiled and grabbed your hands with his other hand. "Did you know that something was stolen from the mansion today?" You stopped punching him and looked at him, not understanding what was going on. "It was a bracelet, with my son and his mother's initial, gold, really expensive, and all the maids said they saw you wearing it" Your eyes shook, you tried to deny under his hand. "It's okay honey, I forgive you, you just need to be a good girl from now on, okay?" Tears fell down your cheeks, it was a gift! You repeated on your head.

It was just a gift, how could he used that to backfire you, it had his wife's initial, that was right, but it was your initial too!

"I'll move my hand okay, and then I'll fuck you, don't worry, I'm sure you'll like it" he murmured. The light of the night covered him, trespassing the white curtains, like he did in your room.

He moved his hand and you could talk, finally "you said it was a gift" you cried.

"It was, but you rejected it, didn't think that would hurt me? You should've accepted me while I was kind" his fingers were pounding your insides. You squirmed, sensitive, feeling his long fingers work you like nothing.

"I'm... Sorry, Sir" you tried to say. "Please"

"It's okay baby" he replaced his fingers with the tip of his dick "I accept your apology" he inserted it completely in a single thrust.

You opened your mouth, air leaving your lungs and insides moving to accept him, he was so big, your eyes got blurry with the pain tears.

He started slow, but quickly got bored of the pace, and when he had enough he pushed your legs up, watching his dick sink inside you deeper. He exhaled, it felt perfect, your nails on his forearms, hurting him, and your pussy insides caressing him. So perfect.

His hips moved harder, and then he was mating pressing you to the bed. You were so soft and inviting like he imagined. Your cunt was accepting him in a second, knowing he was good enough for you.

Your cheeks were wet with tears, those pretty cheeks, he wanted to slap them to make them even more flushed.

"My angel, you're gonna be the best mother" he said, cock pressing you harder to the mattress, you fell as if your body was sinking into it, moaning and holding yourself to his arms to not fall deeper, where? you didn't know, but you felt like you were about to.

"Please no, not inside" you begged, music to his ears. You tried to think about other things, how would you go after that, where would you hide, who could you ask for help. He saw you thinking too much and put one of his hands around your throat to shut up your pleas and the voices inside your head.

Not a single sound could leave your throat, and the air restriction made you dizzy. You slapped his hand so he'd let you breath again, but he didn't flinch. His pelvis ruthlessly smashing you with force, making your legs tremble.

"Mine, mine, forever mine" he bite his lip and smiled, pumping your insides, filling you with the thickest cum you've ever felt, so sticky it would certainly stay inside, adding to that, the way his hips didn't move away for a second, it would leave anyone pregnant.

He brushed off the hair over your face, and still with the hand on your throat, he left a soft kiss over your lips, still inside you.

You couldn't think properly, you hadn't realized you came when he put his hand on your neck, making a mess over the bed, and the last thing that passed through your mind before you passed out was that you would never accept a single gift from him again.

Except, nine months later, you'd recieve another one, obligated.

#riize x plus size reader #riize x reader #dark!riize #riize smut #sungchan x reader #dark!sungchan #sungchan smut

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chrollohearttags · 1 year

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I cannot get over hard shelled detective eren and his pretty, eccentric P.I. rival turned girlfriend! An iconic duo me thinks 😫

cw: black!fem reader, sexual content, mean eren, just a lil thought while I finish up my next commission

detective eren! is a notorious asshole, around the city and the force but he’s the best at his job. Top graduate in the academy and highly decorated at only 27 years old.

detective eren! solves almost any case he’s put on but he doesn’t work well with others, not even his three partners he’s been assigned.

detective eren! who finds himself at the scene of a gruesome crime one day is quick to pick out all inconsistencies and evidence, thinking he has it in the bag. He wastes no time directing all the officers and giving orders.

“Get this down to the lab, have them run prints and tell them I want it by this afternoon.”

detective eren! who’s in the midst of interviewing witnesses is shocked when he hears another voice doing the exact same thing but it’s not one he recognizes. It’s when he turns to see a woman in a pink plaid skirt, white turtleneck and thigh high boots so he figures you to be a reporter or inquisitive mind, getting in the way.

“Excuse me, this is a crime scene. I need you to wait with the other press.” “Oh, I’m no reporter, sweetheart. I’m (y/n) (l/n)..private detective. It’s nice to meet you.”

detective eren! who’s rarely if ever swayed by anyone or impressed by anything is immediately taken aback by your presence. The larger than life personality and pretty face..he’s captivated. Even so, he has a job to do.

detective eren! who finds himself stumped on this latest case frustrated when he can’t figure out the missing piece of the puzzle decides to do the one thing he can’t stand: interact with people to get more information.

detective eren! cross paths with private investigator (y/n) once more when he starts questioning people down at a infamous club but gets no response.

“Sweetheart, you’re not going to get any info talking to people like that. This is the Southside. Know who you’re dealing with before you come demanding things, pretty boy detective.” I don’t need some little girl playing Sherlock lecturing me. Sit this one out.”

detective eren! who gets so flustered when you one up him in solving the case and it keeps occurring. So much so, his reputation as a detective is brought into question.

detective eren! who can’t understand why someone so silly and whimsical is so good at this decided to confront you at your office one day.

“I want to know how you did it. What the hell did you do to solve this case?! There’s no way you can keep beating me!”

detective eren! who’s always so tense and serious doesn’t know how to handle your calm demeanor, especially when you hand him the missing piece of evidence that he had discarded as useless. But you don’t rub it in his face, rather..you offer to help him! But he’s stubborn as hell.

“It was right under your nose this entire time, pretty boy detective.”

detective eren! finds himself caving when you brush the side of his face, run your finger down his chest and bat those big brown eyes at him. With that sweet angelic voice. It’s easy to see why you’re able to get information out of anyone.

“I don’t see why we have to be at odds, sweetheart. We’re doing the same job so why not work together, hmm? Can we be friends, Detective Jaeger?”

detective eren! can’t resist you any longer finally caves and gives into your charm. In more ways than one…

detective eren! who can’t keep his eyes or hands off of you as you corner him against the desk in your office. Knowing that he’s watched you strut around in those cute little outfits that show off your body, he can’t help but to pull those platinum blonde butterfly locs that compliment that beautiful brown skin so well as he bends you over and hits you from the back.

“God, you’re far less annoying when you’re moaning my name.”

detective eren! who realizes he can’t quit you even if he wanted to now, always looks forward to seeing you on the scene of the crime, even if your hyperactive ass works his last nerve. But he knows you’ll always come through when he needs you.

“Bestie, I got a new lead for you. Wanna hear it?” “I made you come four times last night, (y/n). Do not call me bestie.”

detective eren! finally found someone to be his partner in crime and in life.

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middlenamesage · 28 days

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I’ll let you in on a little secret: “Pretty privilege” is not nearly as real as Venusian privilege. 🤫 💖

Disclaimer: I’m not speaking on the latter from personal experience, as my natal chart does not grant me the status of “Venusian” in the slightest. But Mars conjunct my Venus has made me very motivated to understand Venus; seemingly especially when I’m going through Mars transits because these two characters can not be separated in my psyche!

Before I even learned astrology in depth, I always noticed it wasn’t necessarily the physically prettiest people/women who get all the offers, praise, and support coming to them. The way I used to term it, “personality privilege” is a lot more substantial than the concept of “pretty privilege” that people like to cite. Because I always noticed the privileges were most coming to those whose vibe felt most warm and open, and/or whose vibe had an aura of knowing and exercising their deservingness when it comes to receiving support or attention.

Now I know that this is Venusian energy in a nutshell. And I’ve confirmed the presence of a strong Venus in the people I had always known that struck me as having a lot of offers and support coming to them and being well-liked and recognized by others, but who weren’t necessarily all that conventionally physically attractive.

What matters more if you wish to manifest people giving more to you is in most cases not a major physical makeover; it’s an energetic makeover. Having “I’m pretty and deserving” consciousness and feeling energetically open to people is where the “privilege” most lies!

I’m not exactly the one to give advice on how to project more Venusian energy, and frankly I’m personally not even really trying to gain more of the stereotypical Venus energy embodied by The Empress. While it would be nice to ultimately have a less conflicted relationship with my own Venus, I’m not conflicted about one thing: She’s in fire🔥♌️, so the interpersonal prowess of Venus truly isn’t my main focus with her; learning to self love and self validate has been. I’m proud🦁 of my emotional independence, even if it can be a little extreme, and the stereotype that Leo Venus needs undue attention from others has never resonated with me! Have we forgotten that fire is individuality and independence? Most of my life experiences have given me no other option than to learn how to self validate if I want more validation. This also is due to having multiple neurodivergencies and having built some walls around me due to trauma, that make me seem less open… but I think that still fits a Venus placement not most focused on social graces, and a wounded Venus from a lifetime of being conjunct a stronger Mars! ❤️‍🩹

Maybe other fire Venuses or Martian Venuses or people that have Venus in any setup where she’s not in an advantageous position to charm people with her social skills will relate. 🤗 Our paths might be different; for us embracing that we’re focusing on self acceptance in our journeys to find peace, and recognizing that we possibly also have very emphasized lessons in our journey on how to keep certain people out of our lives, is likely to be the best way to remain authentic to ourselves while helping our Venuses.

So it appears I do have advice for people who have walked a similar path with Venus as me. 🔥♂ And I have plenty of observations about the energy of Venus that can draw privileges from others to it, even though I think that for a fire Venus, continuing to focus on embracing my authenticity even when it’s in no way popular is how I’ll eventually start feeling more capable with the social sides of Venus, and feeling more others appreciating her too.

⭐️🪐 Basic astronomical fact I only learned recently: Venus has the hottest climate of all the planets! And the reason she’s hotter than the planet closer to the Sun is because Venus’s atmosphere is made up of gases that trap heat. To me this represents the way Venusians have honed the skill of radiating warmth themselves. All that alluring heat she puts off can really draw in others. But it’s also her responsibility to use the warmth to be reciprocally giving in her relations with others… if Venus doesn’t give much and just takes, her atmosphere can start to feel more like Hell than like inviting warmth.

Wishing a successful journey for all in evolving with and embracing your Venus… however that may look! We all deserve to know comfort and peace. 🌷

#venus in astrology #venus #astrology #venus signs #leo venus #venus and mars #planets in astrology #astrology blog #astrology tumblr #astrology community #the empress #libra #taurus #venusian #astrology observations #zodiac

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autumnaaltonen · 10 months

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i really would like to know what would be alucard reaction to a goth reader and what would be his thoughts on their style and the music they listen to!! ❤️❤️

really love your works btw!!

Alucard x Goth! Reader

Warnings: none

Immediatly thought you were the rogue vampire he and Seras were tracking down, and had one hand on his gun.

Why else would you be wearing only black from head to toe in broad daylight?

It was 6:30pm.

Seras had to quickly explain the concept of goth fashion, and how 'walking the path of darkness' is also an aesthetic, along with a vampiric lifestyle.

Alucard is happily surprised, having only ever spent time around God-fearing humans who would mistake a Hot Topic for a satanist church.

Imagine his surprise when you turn out to be their contact for the mission, having witnessed the rogue vamp acting super sus while being a regular at your favourite nightclub.

When people started going missing week after week, last seen at the entrance to the club, you knew the wannabe Edward Cullen sleazebag had something to do with it.

You walk the two vampires into the club just before opening to show them around, Skeletal Family and The Cult already blaring through the speakers as the bar sets up for the night.

"It doesn't matter if we all die. Ambition in the back of a black car. In a high building, there is so much to do. Going home time, a story on the radio."

Yeah, Alucard digs it.

Discussing the recent victims, you've already come to the conclusion that the rogue is targeting new kids to the scene, teens and young adults who were just getting into goth culture themselves.

Basically, Alucard and Seras were targeting an undead nark gatekeeper.

Alucard admires your smarts and obervational skills, given that you recognized the target without any help from the experts, but you reassure them that they'll know the vamp when they see him.

Before the club opens, you take Seras behind the bar and force her to go through the Lost n' Found bin to suit up. While her military cosplay hugged her in all the right places, the blue and white were going to make her stick out like a sore thumb.

You reassure Alucard that he's already dressed to impress, and that no one will be any wiser that he was new at the club.

"Will my attire not attract any unwanted attention?" he asks you with a smile, as you help Seras with her makeup in the washroom.

"You will have so many bitches humping your leg, you're going to have trouble shaking them off when the vamp breaks into a run. So perhaps you could lose the hat and goggles," you suggest, squeezing Seras' chin as you force a fake septum around her nose.

As the club opens up to the street, in flows a tidle wave of black lace, sequins and leather. Alucard has never felt more at home, and Seras has never felt so uncomfortable around humans in her life.

Just as you said, it takes the two vamps less than half an hour to spot their target. Cake faced, glammed up with tacky chrome, and biting throats at the bar while patrons think he's just some kinky shmuck with some really authentic fake-fangs.

He's not even trying to be subtle.

Alucard and Seras manage to lead him to the mens bathroom, where they have fun pushing the prick around, treating him worse than the poor kids he 'napped and killed.

You stand at the door, not letting anyone in, and telling them that "staff are setting up a gore-fest theme as promo for the new Saw movie."

With how efficient the mission went, compared to the usual goose chase they go through, Alucard keeps your number in case they have another vamp lose in the city.

You already have a list of possible rogues at other goth hangouts you're familiar with, and are more than happy to help keep your community safe.

However, you find Alucard contacting you more so out of boredom than for work, not that you mind in the slightest.

He shows you the real nitty-gritty of the dark side, how shadows and death bend to his every whim without question, given he is the rightful King of the undead.

Alucard finds your style practical and unique, but thinks you can do better than nightclubs and festivals. It doesn't take long for him to take you under his wing as a Hellsing human associate, acting as a bridge between vampires and the living to communicate on undead disturbances.

You become his right hand, not a secretary, but his human voice and confidante. And no one dares ever question your clothes or makeup whenever you walk into a room, because they know the shadows that follow you aren't just for show anymore.

#hellsing #hellsing ultimate #alucard #hellsing alucard #alucard x reading #hellsing alucard x reader

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roxygen22 · 20 days

Text

Still Here (Chapter 3)

Summary: You have a chance to catch up with Timothée over lunch.

Catch up on previous chapters here.

<><><><><>

You didn't have to wait long to see Timothée again. You crossed paths at the pharmacy three days later, where you were shopping for toiletries and other sundries for you and Madison. There was something oddly...final...about buying full-size shampoos and conditioners, instead of the travel-size bottles you packed in California. Like you had finally accepted that you would be here for a while.

You spotted Timothée's distinguishable curly dark hair over on the next aisle. Your heart stuttered. You had hoped not to run into anyone you knew, especially someone with whom you shared a complicated past. Who was I kidding? This isn't a crowded Target in Cali where you can just blend in. You took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Should I say hello? Should I put down my stuff and come back later? [Y/N], stop it. You can't run away from this. It's a small town, and you are here for the foreseeable future. May as well embrace it. Besides, it may be nice to have a friend again, if he's willing after things ended.

You looked up at the signage above to see what was there. You didn't want to embarrass him if he was shopping for something...personal. Ah, shaving accessories. Nothing embarrassing about that. You smiled, briefly reminiscing how the boy you knew could never grow a full beard despite how desperately he wanted to.

You worked up the courage to go say hello. You intentionally came up behind him as payback for startling you earlier in the grocery store. "If I didn't know any better, I would think you were stalking me, Timothée Chalamet."

He quickly spun around, initially looking over your head before looking down to meet your eyes. His big, lopsided grin sent your heart into palpitations again, just as it did over a decade ago. "Well well well, I could say the same about you, [Y/N] [maiden name], or, umm, I guess it isn't [maiden name] anymore," he fumbled and grimaced.

"It is. I'm divorced," you forced out. You still weren't used to saying it out loud. You watched as a whole range of emotions swept over his face before landing on sad, pitying look.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I wondered if that may be the case when you said you moved back in with your folks. You know, I run into your mother from time to time in town. It was through her that I knew you had gotten married and had a baby. She was always happy to show off pictures." He paused to chuckle. "But she didn't say anything about the, uh..." He gestured awkwardly with his hands.

"Yeah, well, my parents aren't big fans of the d-word. It was a very recent development, too, one they have not yet come to embrace despite not being big fans of Michael." You suddenly found your sneakers very interesting, unable to make eye contact with Timothée.

"Well, hey, I'm just here to grab my dad's meds. I was thinking about swinging by the diner to grab a bite to eat before driving back. Would you like to join me?"

"Uh, sure. Maddy is hanging out with my parents and they aren't expecting me back immediately. Might be nice to have adult conversation again." You chuckled. The two of you paid for your items and walked across the street to the restaurant.

Timothée, ever the gentleman, opened the door for you. Everyone looked up at the sound of the metal bells hitting the glass. Whispers started floating around as soon as you stepped foot inside.

"Is that [Y/N] [L/N]?' "I thought she was in California." "Maybe she's just visiting her family?"

You ducked your head as you felt your cheeks heat up in embarrassment. You followed Timothée to a table in the corner and sat with your back to the rest of the diner, not wanting to see the curious looks. It was somewhat reassuring, though, to know that you still bore enough resemblance to your former self that people recognized you. You hardly recognized yourself in the mirror anymore.

Right as you got settled in your seat, you heard footsteps stop beside you. You raised your head to see that your server was also someone you knew from high school, Amanda. You smiled and softly said hello.

"They said it was you, but I didn't believe them. How are you doing, honey? Where is that baby of yours? Your mom hasn't been by lately to show off any pictures." Only after her barrage of questions did she look across the table. "Hey, Timothée."

"Hey, Mandy," he replied quietly.

"Oh, she's hanging out with my parents while I did some shopping. She's not a baby anymore, though." You pulled out your phone to show Amanda a recent photo.

"She looks just like you, [Y/N]! And they are always babies, no matter how old they get. How old is she? Looks about 9 or 10. I have a 12 year old, almost 13. Practically a teenager!" Amanda pulled her phone out of her apron to show you her lock screen.

"He's very handsome," you offered with a friendly smile.

"How long are you in town for?" she asked.

"Uh, well, I'm not sure. However long it takes to get back on my feet. I recently got divorced, so I am trying to figure out what's next," you replied solemnly as you traced the patterns on the paisley tablecloth with your finger. You were trying (and probably failing) not to give away how incredibly overwhelmed you were feeling. You were grateful when Timothée interrupted the exchange.

"Hey, Mandy, what's the special today?"

"Oh, of course! You are here for a reason, after all. I was so eager to see if it was really [Y/N] that I forgot the menus. I'll be right back." She patted your shoulder before retreating. She returned as quickly as you could mouth "thank you" to him.

The two of you silently scanned the menu and then placed your orders. As you waited on the food, you easily fell into conversation about high school, then your time in California. You had forgotten how easy it was to talk to Timothée. You gleefully showed him pictures on your phone of your favorite landmarks and landscapes until you accidentally swiped to a photo of you, Madison, and Michael together at one of the national parks. The reminders of the fleeting happy times were painful.

Sensing the shift, Timothée grabbed your hand. You felt lightning surge throughout your body from his touch. He squeezed once and then let go just as quickly when he spotted Amanda heading to your table with your orders. You looked up and saw the smirk on her face as she eyed the two of you.

"Enjoy! I'll come back to check on you in a bit."

You turned to look at Timothée. "You know we are going to be the hot gossip for at least the next week, right?" you said playfully.

"Let them talk. There are worse rumors than being spotted with you." He cleared his throat, then popped a French fry in his mouth. "So, was there anything you missed about Tennessee?"

You, you thought automatically. "I eventually came to miss how much simpler things feel here. How life slows down in the woods and the mountains. In LA, everyone is always in a hurry. There is so much traffic. There were so many people, yet it was so lonely. Michael was really my only friend there." You went on, and Timothée listened intently as you provided a high-level retelling of what brought you back.

"...and so I packed up our clothes and a few belongings and drove out here. I got into town about two weeks ago and have been laying low with my tail between my legs." You stared down at your now empty plate in shame.

"Does he stay in touch with Madison?"

"No. He barely saw her after we separated, and he hasn't reached out since we left the state. But she's convinced that he's going to send for her to come live with him once he's settled in his new house in Sacramento with his girlfriend."

He shook his head. "You deserve better than that. SHE deserves better than that." You detected a hint of anger and disgust in his tone.

"Yeah, well, unfortunately, we are both paying the price for my poor decision-making." Your voice was thick with remorse. "She doesn't deserve to pay for my mistakes."

"[Y/N], you can't do that to yourself. You were young. All you can do is make the best of now." Amanda came by and set the check down on the table. You were grateful for her timing because you weren't sure what to say next. Your fingers brushed his as you both reached for the ticket.

"Please, let me get this," he said assertively. "I invited you to join me, remember?" He slid his credit card and the check over to Amanda, whose face was all grin. People were definitely going to hear about this.

You narrowed your eyes with playful scorn. "Fine, as long as you let me get it next time," you rebutted before fully thinking it through.

"Next time, eh?" His eyes lit up as he cocked his head to the side.

You blushed. Whoops. "Umm, yeah, next time. All we talked about was me today. We didn't even get to what you have been up to for the past 10+ years!"

"Fair enough, though that won't take long to tell," Timothée shrugged and signed the receipt after Amanda returned. You both stood and walked out the door to make your way back to the pharmacy parking lot.

"You still have the same truck!" you exclaimed. You jogged the rest of the way and ran your fingers across the emblem on the front. You and he made a lot of...memories...in that truck.

"Yep. Restoring her became somewhat of a hobby when I came back from Texas."

"Texas?" You never knew he left town. From what you remembered, he had never planned on going anywhere, especially not that far.

"A story for another day. Next time, remember?" he smirked.

"Well, maybe we should actually make plans for a next time instead of just hoping we run into each other in town. Here." You handed Timothée your phone. "Plug in your number so we can chat."

This time it was his turn to blush. He took the device from you and called himself. "So I can save your number as well," he offered.

You recognized the digits when you had your phone back in hand. "You never changed your number."

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

You laughed softly. "Fair enough."

"Well, I better get going. It was good to see you again, [Y/N]."

Timothée opened his arms for a hug, which you reciprocated. For a moment, all was right in the world with your head on his chest. I missed this. But I can't want this right now, you lectured yourself. You stepped back and gave him space to get into his truck. He rolled down his window to say goodbye once more.

"Tell your folks I said hello, please," you called out over the noise of the engine. His smile fell just briefly.

"You do the same."

<><><><><>

Chapter 4

Masterlist

Tag List: @croatianprincess

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storiesofsvu · 1 year

Text

Love Comes Quietly Ch 1

Future Alex Blake x reader warnings: language, minor talk of fbi type situations, alcohol consumption.

Alex always felt like it was a breath of incredibly fresh air whenever she got to get out of DC for something that wasn’t FBI case related. Since the divorce she’d almost started to feel a little antsy, like there was something else she should or could be doing to take up her free time now that the house was empty. She and James were still in touch rather frequently, everything had been completely amicable after all, just two people realizing they were going down different paths in life, even if they still cared about each other, they knew their part of the journey together was over. He’d stayed in the house with her while they sorted everything out and got papers signed and figured out who things belonged to and who wanted what before he moved off to Boston to accept the teaching position at Harvard.

Which is exactly how she had found herself on the Harvard campus for a week and a half guest lecturing in a handful of different classes. Despite James being the one to make the original invitation it was Daniela who’d convinced her into staying for the full week. They’d worked together at Georgetown when Alex had first started teaching and were hoping to finally be able to play catch up in between work hours.

Alex had done one lecture already today, using the free time before lunch to poke around the campus a little bit. There were more than enough interesting places, including a handful of bookstores that were home to a lot more than text books and required readings. She wandered the aisles, skipping the non fiction, she had enough of those kicking around the house already. She slowed a bit through the fiction books, though her face grimaced at the mystery and crime novels, there was no need for those, she saw enough of that in her every day life. The last thing she needed was to come home from a case and have that be her bedtime reading. She slowed when she hit the romance section, it was cheesy, she was the first to admit it, but sometimes they just hit the spot, a pleasant over dramatic sappy distraction from real life. Her secret guilty pleasure, if you will.

Her fingers trailed along a couple of books, nose scrunching when nearly all the covers featured a broad chested half naked man. Something, rather a person, caught her eye a bit further down the aisle. It was as if the two of you were both trying to outwait the other before going for the books you actually were interested in. She surveyed you out of the corner of her eye, you were old enough she knew the chances of you being a student were unlikely, especially considering you didn’t have any kind of bag with you. Key ring dangling from your fingers, bulge of your phone in the back pocket of your jeans. You were dressed just on the brink of business casual, but not nice enough that she thought you were a professor.

She watched as your lips moved into a tiny grin, as if a fond memory was waving through your brain and you reached out to the shelf, picking out a book that she recognized the cover of, ‘Love Letters. 2000 Years of Romance’. You flicked through a couple of pages, eyes scanning the text with a little smile on your face before you flipped the entire books worth of pages and she just knew you were inhaling that new book smell. You turned the book over, reading the dedication on the back before slipping it back into its place on the shelf.

“Oh now that’s a good one, it’s not a put it back book.” The words left her lips before she even really realized she was saying them. You practically jumped, despite being more than well aware there was someone else in the aisle with you, looking up to her as you laughed softly.

“Oh! I know, I’ve read it, one of my faves. My copy’s just getting a little worse for wear.”

“A little wear and tear means a book’s well loved.” She smiled softly, “my copy usually lives on the bedside table.”

“Perfect bedtime reading.” You smiled and for a moment you thought she was going to turn back to the shelves but she looked you over briefly.

“You’re… not a student here are you?”

“What gave it away.” You laughed, “and no, just..” you checked your watch, “waiting for a friend to finish a lecture. Need an expert opinion on something.”

“Anything I could help with?” She asked and it was your turn to survey her, the blazer, shoulder bag no doubt with at least a laptop and lecture notes in it, the smudge of white board marker on her right hand.

“Dunno, what’d’you teach?”

“Well, technically just guest lecturing this week, but linguistics.”

“Ah…” Before you could comment that you were waiting on a friend who taught forensic science a man popped into the end of the aisle, a small grin on his face as he wandered down to her side.

“Now why am I not surprised to find you in the romance novel section?” He greeted with a tease and her cheeks tinged pink as she turned to him, “ready?”

“Yes.” She nodded in your direction and you gave her a little salute once his back was turned before you turned back to the shelf of books in front of you with a soft sigh, checking your watch once more. You didn’t have long before you had to be back at the office, you were hoping Daniela would hurry the hell up. Letting out a little groan you rolled your eyes, maybe if you met her at her classroom this wouldn’t take as long.

Considering it was Friday, Alex shouldn’t have been surprised when she was roped into after work drinks and snacks with Daniela and a few other friends. She was at least thankful that they’d ended up off campus, not wanting to be plagued with students or follow up questions from lectures during the week. City Bar Back Bay was the perfect place for them, a trendy lounge tucked away in the corner of a hotel on Exeter Street. There were cocktails, a few glasses of wine, a jug of sangria and plates of chips, cheese, soft pretzel bites and more spread across the table for everyone to share. Everyone’s spirits were lifted at the knowledge it was the end of the week, laughter and conversation flowing easily throughout the small group.

“So?” Daniela questioned, nudging at Alex’s arm, “how’re you liking Boston?”

“You ask that like I haven’t been here before.” She replied with a laugh.

“But now you’re teaching here… and at Harvard, nonetheless. That’s gotta be at least some kind of bonus points.”

“Daniela…” Alex eyed her with a chuckle, “I didn’t move here when my husband suggested it, I’m not going to uproot my life just because you hate having to do certain parts of your lesson plans.”

“Yeah.” Caitlin cut in from her other side, “I keep telling you to just hire a TA.”

“Maybe I just prefer having a friend come to town a couple of times a year.”

“You’re lazy.” Caitlin replied, stealing a chip off her plate, “where’s Murphy? She mention bailing or anything at lunch?”

“No, she said she’d definitely be here. She’s probably caught up at work.” Daniela turned back to Alex with a near whine, “c’mon… what about splitting the year? Half in DC, half here?” Alex laughed, affectionately rolling her eyes.

“Two weeks at a time is my absolute max. I love my job, and as much as I enjoy teaching, it doesn’t jump higher, I’ve spent way too long working to get where I am.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Daniela waved her off with a playful groan, she was about to say something else when a voice rung in from behind her.

“I am so sorry I’m late!” You swept in quickly, hand on her shoulder as you leant around her from behind to kiss her cheek before dropping into the open chair at the head of the small table.

“Yeah, where the hell have you been?” Daniela asked.

“Ugh.” You rolled your eyes, “turns out when you kill someone there’s an extra forty five minutes of paperwork.”

“Should I be concerned?” Alex’s ears had picked up the words, turning back your direction with a tease in her voice and a laugh on her cheeks, pulling a loud laugh from Daniela.

“No, Murphy’s FBI.” She explained.

Alex’s eyes met yours from across the table and a tiny grin split your lips as both of your heads tilted in recognition from the bookstore that afternoon. You’d changed half your outfit from then, no doubt wanting to get out of work clothes, button up swapped for a cotton tank while the blazer was replaced with a plaid flannel, your hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail, soft curls swaying as you turned your head to glance back to Daniela.

“Y/N, meet Alex Blake.” She gestured between the two of you and you extended out a hand that Alex was quick to shake.

“Oh!” Your eyes widened, “Professor Blake. I’ve heard wonderful things.”

“All lies I’m sure.” Alex chuckled with a smirk.

“There’s an Agent in there somewhere too.” Daniela teased, pouring out a glass of sangria to slide over to you.

“Don’t forget Doctor.” Caitlin cut in, snagging another treat from Daniela’s plate.

“Three titles,” you mused, “now that’s impressive.”

“Gives me a nice rotation depending on who I’m talking to.” Alex joked with a shrug and you chuckled.

“So linguist in one column.” You ticked it off on your finger, “gonna take a stab in the dark and say PhD in the next.” She nodded, “but what department for the last?”

“Behaviour Analysis Unit.”

“No fucking way.” Your arm dropped to the table, a little harder than you’d intended.

“What?” Alex asked with a small laugh, taking a sip of her drink.

“I just put in papers for an application to fill the open spot on that team.” You laughed, “I’ve got an interview with an Agent… Prentiss? Next week.”

“Oh thank god.” She let out a huff of a sigh, “we’ve been too shorthanded for too long. I was barely able to get away for this week.”

“Okay, I’m grabbing another pitcher.” Daniela grabbed the empty jug of sangria from the table top, hopping off her chair and Alex was able to slide into it to continue the conversation with you.

“So you’d say there’s a decent chance then?” You raised a brow over the rim of your glass.

“As long as Prentiss thinks so.”

“Is she a hard ass?”

“No.” Alex laughed, chewing on her lip for a moment, “she’s…. driven, loyal, passionate, has high expectations but also incredibly understanding. If you look good on paper things will probably look good, but honestly to her it probably matters more what you manage in person.”

“How so?” Your head tilted, “obviously it takes a particular type of person to be a profiler, but you’re hinting at more than that.”

“Nicely done.” She nearly smirked in your direction, “our team is a family. I know most places when you hear that term it’s a red flag you should run for the hills, but that’s not true here. We spend more time together than with anyone else, our secrets and pasts come out when we’re getting into the minds of unsubs or trying to talk them down. There are things my team knows that some of my closest friends of family have never been told, and that makes us stronger, makes us work together even better.”

“Hmm.” You nodded, sucking back more of your drink, “good to know.”

“You said your interview’s next week?” She asked and you nodded again, “I get back on Tuesday, I’ll be sure to bring your name up to Emily.”

“That’d be amazing!” You beamed, eyes widening with excitement and Alex smiled softly back at you.

She wasn’t quite sure what it was, but even from the very brief moment in the bookstore earlier she already knew that she liked you. Something was simply drawing her to you, like the universe wanted you to know each other, that you were meant to cross paths. After all, you’d already done so twice in one day without even knowing the other existed when you woke up that morning. Now that you were actually getting to spend some time together the two of you clicked instantly, falling into conversation like you were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years. There was no awkwardness or weird small talk, just laughter and little jabs as if you knew exactly how to tease the other person without offending them. She knew deep within her that she had met someone that day that would be an integral part of her life, no matter how the interview ended up going.

Alex was about to elaborate to you when Daniela came back to the table with a tray in her hand and a wicked grin on her cheeks.

“It is time for shots!” She shrieked and Alex rolled her eyes.

“You can’t be serious.”

“Alex, c’mon.”

“Yeah!” Caitlin joined in, passing shots from the tray to the table, “I mean we do have a reason to celebrate after all!”

“Exactly!” Daniela high fived her, winking in her direction before raising a shot glass in Alex’s direction, “we didn’t get to celebrate your divorce when it happened, so now is as good a time as any.”

“Daniela!” Alex half scolded half laughed and the other woman simply shook her head, pointing to the shot until Alex huffed, picking up the glass and you followed suit. Glasses clinked together before liquor was sunk back, little winces echoing through the group.

“Okay!” Daniela shook it off, “that’s the liquid courage I needed.” Her eyes searched around the bar, “try to find myself a man.”

“On it.” Caitlin scooped up their drinks, handing Daniela hers before the two of them disappeared into the crowd.

“You know you’re more than welcome to join them.” Alex prompted, her hand squeezing at your arm on the table top and you laughed.

“That would require me being interested in men in the first place.”

“I’m sure there’s a few nice girls out there too.”

“Meh.” You replied, sucking back at your drink, “not into it. Besides, they invite you out and then bail? Rude. I mean…” you glanced across at her, “unless you’d rather bail too, hit up the guy from your lunch date?”

Alex couldn’t help but bark out a laugh at that, her smile reaching her eyes as she looked back to you.

“That was my ex husband.” She laughed, “we’re still good friends, just, no longer in love.”

“I’m sorry.” You frowned slightly.

“Don’t be.” She shrugged with a smile, “it wasn’t anything hurtful or sad. We got married young, we’re both incredibly passionate about our careers and we spent a lot more time working than together. Things simply… fizzled out.”

“I’m glad you’re still friends.”

“Me too.” She smiled warmly back at you and the two of you slipped into an easy conversation.

Two rounds of drinks later and Caitlin had disappeared from the bar with her conquest while you and Alex were still trapped in an endless conversation that neither of you wanted to halt. Even when Daniela would swing by every so often to check in she could tell that the two of you were clearly fast friends and there was no worry about her leaving the two of you alone any longer. So she took full advantage after another tequila shot to bite the bullet and see if the man she’d been flirting with wanted to go someplace else.

Your cheeks hurt from smiling so much, having not connected with someone like this in what felt like years and Alex would tell you she felt the same. She had just finished a story when your phone buzzed on the table top and your face fell when you glanced toward it.

“Got a case?” She asked, knowing the feeling all to well.

“Not now.” You sighed, sucking back the rest of your drink, “but my weekend is officially no longer a weekend. Gotta report to the office at nine tomorrow.”

“Ugh.” She grimaced.

“Yeah.” You huffed, sliding off the stool, thankful at least that Daniela had taken care of the tab already. “It was really nice to meet you Alex.”

“Right back at you.” She smiled softly.

“Night.” You smiled, giving her a little salute.

“Hey!” Her hand wrapped around your wrist when you were a mere foot away, tugging you back and you raised a brow in her direction, “can’t just leave without my info.”

“Oh?”

“I want to know how that interview goes.” She dug into her pocket, pulling out a business card to hand off to you, “I was serious about thinking you’d make a good fit to the team. I’ll send a text to Emily in the morning, put in a good word.”

“Thank you. Really.” With a smile, you pocketed the card, “I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything.”

“I’m sure it’ll be good news.” She assured with a grin, watching the joy spread through you as you finally did turn from the table, waving goodnight to her once more before you vanished through the bar door.

____________

@svulife-rl @clarawatson @hbkpop @momlifebehard @alexusonfire @itisdoctortoyousir @temilyrights @alexxavicry @leelizzzle @mysticfalls01 @evilregal2002 @alcabots @ladysc @dextur @disneyfan624 @augustvandyne @supercriminalbean @lex13cm @prentiss-theorem @happenstnces @whiteberryx @heidss @geekyandgay98 @onmykneesformarvel @inlovewithemilyprentiss l @desperate-gay @amypoehlfey @overtrred28 @emobabeyy @theclassicgaycousin @kalixxa @leftoverenvy @bigolgay @rustyzebra @aliensaurusrex

#alex blake #alex blake x reader #criminal minds #alex blake criminal minds #love comes quietly #criminal minds fanfic #alex blake fanfic #alex blake series

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takarahase99 · 1 year

Text

Lavender Tea Storms

I rushed into the nearest, open, door as the rain started coming down quicker.

“Sorry but we’re closed.”

A monotone voice rang through my ears. I looked around the place, which I took notice of being a tea cafe, and found the owner of the voice. It was a short statured man, whose back was turned to me, and he looked to be cleaning. I noticed that there were not any other people inside the place aside from him and I.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I’m only trying to find some shelter until the rain dies down and you happen to be the nearest, unlocked door.”

The man turned towards me after my reply and I was able to recognize him immediately. He has been a regular at my book shop for awhile now. I think, to be exact, a year now. He showed up one day and has been coming every weekend. He would come in pick a book and leave once he finished reading it. I was always curious about him; Just never brought myself to introduce myself to him. I found joy out of just admiring him from afar. From the look in his eyes I could tell that he recognizes who I am.

“Well in that case, is there anything I can make for you? On the house.”

“Oh no I’m okay. I’d hate to make you dirty up what you just cleaned.”

“I insist.”

His stare was almost too intimidating. Taking a short breath I gave into his persistence and spoke.

“Early Grey with lavender please.”

His cold stare lightened up and a soft smile, almost missable, was placed on his face.

“You’ve good taste.”

“It has been my favorite for as long as I can remember. It’s such a relaxing brew. Can never go wrong with it I say.”

I moved from in front of the door, over to a table closer to the counter. The cafe fell silent after my statement. I pulled my, nearly, soaked jacket off and carefully placed it over the back of the chair next to me. Hopefully it can dry some before I have to leave.

“Do you own or just work at the book shop?”

“I own it.”

“For how long?”

“Since the previous owner died. It was actually given to me by him.”

“So you knew him?”

“He was my brother. Did you?”

Silence. I watched as his body tensed and untensed as if he was having a mental battle. He knew Erwin and by the looks of it they were close. Then it hit me.

“You’re Levi aren’t you?”

He continued to stay silent.

“You don’t have to reply.”

I reached inside my bag for the letter Erwin left for Levi. It was stated in his final will for, strictly, me to give it to him. As I was about to push myself from my chair a nice steaming cup of tea was placed in front of me. It smells absolutely beautiful. Before he walked away I held the letter out to him.

“Erwin left this for you. He stressed it in his will that I was to give this to you the moment our paths crossed on their own.”

He stared at the envelope for a moment before taking it and retreating back behind the counter. I watched as he turned his back from me. An action I recognized quickly. He wanted to hide his emotions. As he read the letter I turned my focus back on the tea. While we were talking I noticed how delicately he prepared the cup of tea. I could see how passionate he was about making tea. I picked the small cup up and gently blew on the hot beverage before taking a sip.

“I don’t think I've ever made this same tea this good.”

I glanced over towards the silent male. His breathing was slightly labored. He was either holding back his tears or silently crying hoping I wouldn’t hear. I turned to the window and noticed that the rain cleared up. Using that as an excuse I rose from my seat and gathered my things. I walked over and placed the now empty tea cup and saucer on the counter behind Levi.

“The rain has cleared. I appreciate your great hospitality. It was a pleasure to meet you Levi. I heard nothing but great things about you from my brother. I hope to continue seeing you at the shop. You’ll be seeing me here more often; You make the perfect lavender earl grey tea I’ve ever had.”

With that said I made my exit and started my walk home. ‘Oh you knew what you were doing the moment you started telling me about Levi didn’t you Erwin?’

#levi ackerman imagine #erwin smith #aot x reader #modern au #levi x reader #levi ackerman #aot levi

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amyintherapy · 5 months

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"Good Parenting"

I had an eye-opening therapy appointment this week. The kind that makes me feel like...how did I not see things this way all along? It's so obvious?

But, I didn't, so I guess here's to sharing in case someone else hadn't realized this yet either. And to just continue processing on my own if this is obvious to everyone but me already, haha.

I'll skip over the conversation that led into this, as I don't think it's really needed. But my therapist said something like "Some people think of parenting as basically being about taking care of a child's body. They are a 'good parent' if they make sure their children are fed three meals a day, bathed and groomed. If they sign permission slips and make sure the homework was done and they have clean clothing and get taken to school...that's what parenting means to them. I think your mom did a good job of taking care of your body, but children aren't just a body. They have tons of emotions, thoughts and beliefs that result in a lot of emotional needs...and sometimes those are ignored while the body is taken care of and people see that as good parenting."

And just...yeah. DUH. Of course that's what a lot of people think. That's why I come across tiktoks by boomers who have adult children who have gone no-contact and they're screaming about how they have NO idea what their child's problem is, because they were a GREAT parent and they even took their kid to Disney every year. I've literally seen the Disney comment multiple times and thought...going to Disney just means you have at least a little money. That doesn't have shit to do with whether you were a good parent or not? Who says that?

But it totally makes sense that if you see 'good parenting' as being about making sure your child is clean, has access to health care, gets to school on time, etc - that you might honestly think that you were an AMAZING parent if you did those things PLUS spent thousands on a vacation. I think what they're really saying is "I met ALL their (physical) needs and gave them lots of UNNEEDED things too! So clearly I was a perfect parent!"

After my mind was done exploding, I said something to my therapist about how that's fascinating to me because while I, of course, recognize that physically caring for kids is important, too - I see parenting as primarily an emotional or social thing. And I identify far more with my emotions, thoughts and beliefs than I do my body.

She said she doesn't think that's true for a lot of people. She used the example of how a lot of people's primary identity comes from their job (or career path, income, etc) and how that is a by-product of living in a world where we're taught to identify with our bodies over our emotional or social needs from the time we're little kids.

At some point, she also pointed out that there's a relationship between the two - and how in my case, my mom failed to protect my body (in part, at least) because of the lack of emotional care. She was referring to how I was sexually abused and didn't tell anyone about it for years due to the lack of support that I had. And like...yeah. It totally makes sense that you run the risk of not even doing a thorough job of taking care of their body if you don't have a really solid emotional connection with your children. I think I'm starting to realize that my cPTSD isn't just my stepdad and his explosive anger, and my mom catering to his anger to try to keep things calmer. It was also caused by the emotional neglect.

#my posts #ptsd #cptsd #childhood emotional neglect #emotionally immature parents #childhood ptsd #insecure attachment #attachment trauma

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threecheersforinking · 2 years

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Character Analysis: Shouya from A Silent Voice

(Spoilers for A Silent Voice/Koe no Katachi)

Shouya Ishida is one of my favorite anime/manga characters ever, and I’ve been meaning to make a post about him. In my opinion, he is the poster child for the perfect redemption arc. I want to talk about some of the reasons why his change of heart was foreshadowed/under the surface right at the beginning, and why we as an audience are rooting for him, despite the horrible things he did to Shouko.

A Silent Voice is currently one of the top anime movies of all time, and while I do really love the movie (KyoAni is amazing) I am a much bigger fan of the manga; it has more time to expand on the characters and introduces some smaller important plot lines. In this post I will be quoting some moments that were in the manga and not the anime, aka, Shouya’s internal monologue. Anyway, let’s get into it. I want to start with why I think Shouya went down the bullying path in the first place.

Environment and Role Models

One of the biggest factors that influenced Shouya’s class’s toxic environment and led him to be a bully was having an uncaring ableist teacher. In the manga, the phrases “something we just have to deal with” and “this is your responsibility”, things that the teacher said to him regarding Shouko, repeatedly echo in Shouya’s mind whenever he interacts with her. At some points, the teacher actually laughs when the other students make fun of Shouko, letting Shouya (as well as the others) believe that it’s an ok thing to do. If Shouya had an adult figure in the classroom with a stronger sense of morality, he might have changed his tune earlier.

Shouya was also highly influenced by his peers (which makes sense because he was literally 11 years old). When another teacher comes into the classroom to explain what sign language is, there’s a very small panel before anyone else says anything, where Shouya thinks “that sounds fun”. At first, he’s interested in sign language and may have been willing to give it a shot. But then, Ueno suddenly starts complaining about how it’s much easier for them to use the notebook than sign language, and Shouya absorbs this and immediately goes back to thinking about how much of an inconvenience Shouko is to him.

Another influence on Shouya’s behavior is his home environment. I do not want to shade Shouya’s mom completely because overall I think she is a loving parent, but unfortunately she was not able to fully be there for her son because she is a single mom with a full time job. Even though he was in a caring home, he was not necessarily in one that gave him enough attention, and by the time Miyako realized what her son was up to it was too late. If she had given him more guidance earlier on in his involvement with Shouko, they may have been able to avoid disaster.

But all of these reasons aren’t excuses, they’re explanations. Regardless of why, Shouya contributed to Shouko’s severe trauma and did unforgivable things. So why do I think he’s the best case for redemption in anime?

Recognition/Guilt

Shouya is repeatedly shown as having actual remorse for his past actions. This is why other bully characters like Ueno and Kawai are seen as far less likable than Shouya. Other people on here might have actual analyses about those two characters, but as for this post all I’m going to say is that I believe they are much more widely hated than Shouya because of their initial denial of having done anything wrong.

It’s also important to remember that Shouya changed his tune as soon as Shouko left. It wasn’t years after she left his school that he realized he was wrong, it was days. He as an 11 year old realized he was wrong for hurting her; he figured it out as soon as he noticed how she was protecting him from being bullied. And once he himself started to be harassed by his peers, he finally recognized the full weight of what he had done to her.

Some might criticize this moment, saying “Shouya only realized bullying was bad because he got bullied himself”, but frankly, what’s so wrong about that? Many kids who bully don’t realize the full extent of the emotional damage they’re doing until it happens to them. Through this experience Shouya was able to realize, “this is how much pain she felt from the things I did to her”. And that unfortunate shared experience is what drives him to have so much guilt and a desire to change.

Change of Behavior

After his realization of the severe damage he had done to Shouko, Shouya started actively being more kind and thoughtful to others. He learned sign language in order to properly apologize to Shouko. He started helping out strangers and not judging people who are different (Tomohiro, Yuzuru). He acknowledged the severe financial strain he put on his mother and worked hard to pay her back.

And the whole point of the ending of the story is that him feeling sorry for himself and hating himself for the rest of his life isn’t going to undo his past behavior. All he can do now is operate with a better mindset going forward and make a positive difference instead.

Obviously, no one should be forced to or feel obligated to forgive their bully/abuser. But the story isn’t about whether Shouko should forgive Shouya, it’s about whether Shouya can change into a better person. I think it’s a very harmful ideology to believe that people who were bullies as children will be the same person forever. The world isn’t divided into ‘good people’ and ‘bad people’, it’s made up entirely of people who are capable of doing both good and bad things. And I really like how the protagonist of A Silent Voice is someone who had done bad things but is now choosing to be different.

Anyway, this was super long so thank you if you read all of it. Please let me know your thoughts on Shouya or any other characters from this movie/manga.

Thanks for reading!

-threecheersforinking

#a silent voice #a silent voice analysis #anime #anime meta #shouya ishida #ishida shouya #the shape of voice #Koe no Katachi #shouko nishimiya #anime review blog #character analysis

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shrikeseams · 2 years

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So, how defensible do we think Menegroth was, without Melian? Like, on a practical level?

Like on one hand, it's a cave system, and those do tend to be pretty defensible!

On the other hand, a city that's been safe and cozy for hundreds of years while war rages on outside... is unlikely to be up on the latest and greatest in defensive fortifications. And that goes double while their king is famously on the outs with the people who are making the latest and greatest defenses. They're on good terms with Finrod, but he's busy building is own fortifications. Galadriel could doubtless pull something together, but they had no reason to ask her. And in terms of millitary experience you have the same issue. The Iathrim are good, but they're probably pretty used to fighting on their own terms, with a nice, safe fall-back area behind them.

On top of that, they probably have a particularly large civilian population. They're the place for the sindar and avari to go if they don't want to fight in the forever war raging outside the Girdle! By no means do I think their population is useless, but Thingol and Melian's choices would likely not have led to a population interested in preparing for warfare.

So my baseline assumption is that Doriath's woodlands are only moderately defensible, and even then only because they know it so well. Menegroth is moderately defensible, but by Long Siege standards? It's not much. Doriath sat out the Noldor vs Morgoth arms race, and I can't buy that it doesn't show.

And this is all important, because even if you think Dior & Co don't consider the feanorians a threat (which I don't), they're living in a post-Siege Beleriand with Morgoth making gains every damn day. And Morgoth has plenty of reasons to say "Fuck these elves and their king in particular."

So one way or another, for whatever reason, Doriath must prepare for war, on a scale that they haven't considered since Melian threw up the Girdle, on a playing field with two potential opponents who have been in an active and acrimonious arms race for the exact same length of time Doriath has been deliberately sitting this one out.

They are so screwed. They're in a terrible position, and I can spin a case where Menegroth and it's cultural baggage is more liability than asset. Off the top of my head, there are a few directions I could take it in:

Dior is proud, and young, and thinks he has his mother's plot armor. He's unwilling to give up his family's legacy (either the silmaril or menegroth), and thinks they'll keep him safe. Those in leadership who think otherwise (likely Galadriel and Celeborn, among others) leave and cross the mountains. With the more confident and less wise in charge, Doriath fails to adequately develop better defences.

Dior is proud, and young, and his 'advisors' mostly see the latter. They love him, but he isn't Thingol, and they're willing to push back against him. He finds that he has far less practical authority than Thingol ever did. This goes double if he's suggesting blasphemy like 'leaving Menegroth', which has kept them safe for so long. Dior can see the writing on the wall, and sends scouting groups across the mountains to look for safer options. He doesn't muster enough political clout to make a move before the Feanorians arrive.

Everyone recognizes that they need to leave! They're heartbroken, but the political will is there! They send scouting parties across the mountains... but the Feanorians catch wind of it, and start patrolling the routes. There is no path to safety, only a last-minute scramble to fortify the home they meant to abandon.

There are more possibilities, I'm sure. But I can't think of any where Doriath "shouldn't" be braced for an attack from at least one direction, or any where they're not screwed from the get-go.

#Tolkien #Making this post to avoid side-tracking another post #I am not debating the morality of the second kinslaying!#Only thinking about the practicalities around it #Pouring muddy politics all over jirt's fairy tales #And as always: I have not fact-checked a word of this

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hudine · 7 months

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This one is something I’m working on. Not on AO3 yet because I want to have a good portion of the story already wrote. It’s about Jaskier and others becoming Witchers. In Jaskier’s case because his family is cursed that the second son ends up being taken for training to become Witchers. The only reason this never happened to Jaskier was because no one was making Witcher’s anymore. Also Jaskier’s father Alfred Pankratz isn’t exactly who Jaskier thought he was either. Working title atm is Second Son’s Legacy. Has potential to become a warlord AU just not the typical one with the typical characters and so on.

Warnings: Cannon? What’s Cannon?

Part 2

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Geralt was preparing to return to the path, planning to meet Jaskier in Oxenfurt in a few weeks. This would be the second year that the bard insisted on joining him since their fateful meeting in Posada. Last year, Jaskier had shown up uninvited after tracking Geralt down. This time, Geralt had decided to rendezvous with him intentionally, ostensibly to keep the bard from getting injured while searching for him. At least, that's what he kept telling himself—not that he actually enjoyed Jaskier's company.

"Wolf, grab your sword and come with me. A group is approaching the keep. The others are already taking their positions," Vesemir interrupted, pulling Geralt from his thoughts.

"What? How is that possible? The pass should be closed for another week," Geralt said, trailing behind Vesemir.

"I'm not sure, perhaps the weather's been milder than we thought. Just stand behind me and look intimidating," Vesemir advised.

They waited at the gate. Before long, they spotted a group walking up the path. One member held a long stick with a large pair of white ladies' bloomers tied to the top, serving as a makeshift white flag. Vesemir visibly relaxed as he seemed to recognize some faces.

"Do I even want to know where you found ladies' underwear up here, Alfie? It must be harder to locate those than an actual flag. Is that your younger brother Boris? And your nephew Derek? Ah, Gweld, Merck, good to see you're both alive, especially after going MIA since the sacking," Vesemir greeted them.

"We stepped away from the path… separately. We thought it was for the best," Merck mumbled, looking down.

"I don't care if you joined a traveling circus and became clowns," Vesemir retorted. "You could have at least sent word that you were alive. We've been mourning you."

"But we left the path," Gweld started, his voice trailing off at the stern look on Vesemir's face.

"Forget the bloody path! I've lost too many people to care about that as long as you're alive!" Vesemir exploded. "Now go run twenty laps for causing us all to worry."

"Twenty laps…" Merck began. Gweld, who was roughly the same age as Geralt and one of the few who had survived his training year, started moving. Merck, who was only a century younger than Vesemir, followed reluctantly.

"Don't make it thirty and an hour on the training dummies," Vesemir warned in a dangerously quiet voice.

"Yes, Master Vesemir," Gweld responded, pulling Merck along to start their laps.

"You haven't lost your touch, I see," said Alfie, who had been holding the makeshift flag.

"Just because you were one of our mages doesn't make you immune to drills," Vesemir shot back, still visibly annoyed.

"Sorry for my absence. I was hiding from the Brotherhood. They disliked that Witcher mages were outside their control. I arrived here like everyone else, but that year they wanted an apprentice mage more than a Witcher. So, I was trained by the mages at the keep. The Brotherhood also resented that we trained mages in-house, so they fanned the flames of discontent until the pogroms occurred," Alfie explained.

"At least tell me the children you portaled out with are safe," Vesemir said, his posture sagging. He had instructed Alfie to escape with the youngest children, those who hadn't undergone the Trial of the Grasses yet.

"Yes, they're safe, and I found good homes for them. Being the brother of a Duke has its advantages. He used his influence with the king to grant me a small holding in Kerack and even arranged a marriage for me. I was concerned about having a second son due to the Pankratz curse, which tends to turn second, sometimes third, sons into Witchers. Luckily, I ended up as one of the mages instead," Alfie continued.

"And did you have a second son?" Vesemir inquired.

"Yes, his name is Julian. We're a lot alike, and we don't always get along. Since no one is making Witchers anymore, he chose to become a bard. He's been following your pup Geralt," Alfie replied.

"Wait, Jaskier is Julian? I suspected he was nobility by his demeanour, but to think he's the son of one of our own mages," Geralt said, visibly stunned.

"He's also half-fae on his mother's side, which explains his talents as a bard. He has a fae's gift for charm and eloquence. He's technically a legitimised bastard. Surprisingly, my wife didn't mind when he showed up on our doorstep. She fell in love with him instantly. I suspect he might be her favourite, but let's keep that between us when we find him," Alfie confided.

"Find him?" Vesemir asked.

"He's gone missing. His friends at Oxenfurt have no idea where he is, either. He simply didn't show up to teach his classes one day. My eldest son's twin boys, who are ten, are also missing, along with my daughter's second son. In fact, everyone accompanying me here has missing family members who still maintain some connection to their family origins," Alfie elaborated.

"That explains why you have a few from the Cat, Bear, Crane, and Manticore schools with you," Vesemir concluded.

"We're here to find out if any of the Wolves or Griffins, since they reside here now, are still in contact with their families. We want to make sure everything's alright with them," Alfie confirmed.

"Alright, boys! Stand down and return to your tasks! It seems we don't have an attack on our hands," Vesemir called out. Up until that moment, only he and Geralt had been visible, but now Witchers began to emerge from their various hiding spots. Some were tucked away in clever alcoves, others had makeshift hideouts, and a few had even buried themselves in the snow. All told, there were around twenty.

Lambert cautiously approached, brushing snow off himself. "I still keep in touch with my sister. She says she's old now, especially since she became a grandmother. I visited my hometown a few decades ago, not to see family, but to hunt a vampire. She knocked the vampire out with a frying pan when it attacked her daughter. She then yelled at me, reminding me that I'm still her baby brother and should visit more often. I've been going back every year since."

Vesemir raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Seems like I chose the wrong child surprise from that house. A frying pan, you say?"

"I swear by Melitele it's true! I just hope the kids and their kids are safe. Do you have any idea what's happening to the victims?" Lambert inquired.

"We're not entirely sure, but we suspect someone is trying to create more Witchers. My research notes were stolen, and I believe Stregobor might be involved, possibly working with Nilfgaard," Alfie responded. "You see, just before the sacking, we had a breakthrough in understanding why some survive the Trials while others don't. It boils down to genetics and bloodlines."

"So that's why they're targeting Witchers’ families. But how could anyone trace that? Most of us were too young to remember where we came from," Geralt mused.

"You've never brought a child here, so you wouldn't know," Vesemir began.

"Even though we claim neutrality, our schools are on lands governed by some king or another. We're obligated to follow certain laws, including record-keeping. Most kingdoms required us to document the boys' origins—names, places, dates, and so on. The capital cities also kept copies of these ledgers. It was simply easier to comply than to defy a monarch and risk conflict," Alfie explained.

"Let's move this conversation inside. It's cold out here, and I'm sure our guests and mage would appreciate a warmer setting after their journey," Vesemir suggested, leading everyone into the keep.

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#the witcher #jaskier #geraskier #geralt x jaskier #geralt of rivia #fanfiction #fanfic #canon? what’s cannon?#no Ciri #im sorry #just this happens before the whole child surprise event so throws that off

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lookbluesoup · 1 year

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My Take on Fourchenault (complicated)

Making this my own (very long) post and want to say right out the gate that even though seeing several other posts about him inspired me to write my own thoughts out, I'm not here to tell anyone else they're wrong! This is fandom! You're valid! While I don't expect a lot of people to read this and mostly just need to get it out of my head, if I get a bunch of notes on this bashing other fans or parroting hate for specific characters, I will turn reblogs off, and will block people if they try to make this into Drama. Whether you like Levidad or not, be nice.

I also think characters and their actions can mean different things to different people, that's partly the beauty of fiction. Especially in FFXIV, there's a big cinematic element. There's a lot of characters, and background information, that is either left vague or only implied, because they're not relevant to the Main Plot. There's also a lot of subtlety to the FF story, a lot of showing rather than telling, and a lot of different people writing the dialogue, translating it, and building off it. And that leaves gaps that every player will have to fill in for themselves, based on their own reference points. What stands out to one player might be insignificant to another. We are all playing a different game, at the end of the day. I'm not here to tell you, reader, or Fandom at large, what to think. I'm just invested enough in this character to want to share my own thoughts about him!

Overall:

I think he's complicated. I believe he loves his children a helluva lot, but I also think he abusive (partly out of ignorance.) I don't think he's a villain, but I do think he makes some very harmful mistakes and that some of his behavior is very selfish. Which makes him interesting. And I'm very curious what role he'll play as MSQ continues in years to come, what else we might learn about him.

Because this is SO LONG I'm putting my expanded thoughts under a cut!

On Needing Control / Criteria for Abuse

So mostly what I'm going to talk about to start is... warning signs. I'll acknowledge my own bias here in that I'm a psych student who's had to do lots of research, research papers, reviewed case studies, etc. with a particular focus in trauma and abuse. I've spent years IN therapy, coming out of an emotionally abusive home as a neurodivergent and physically disabled person with several (clinically diagnosed) narcissists in my family, and yeah, the issue of parents who are... Overly controlling. Stubborn. Self-certain. And applauded by the outside community, seen as Respectable people in their insular social groups... Hits close to home. So what Fourchenault means to me is absolutely influenced by this background.

A parent can be affectionate a lot of the time, can love their children, be very devoted to family, and still absolutely be abusive. Especially in emotional areas. And, also important - the abusers usually do not see themselves as abusers. They are Protectors. Lovers. Family. Leaders. Victims. Heroes in their narrative. They can believe this so much and so loudly that they convince the people they are abusing, too.

Additionally, doing abusive things does NOT automatically make someone irredeemable, evil, or a villain. It is a flaw, a behavior that can be unlearned, and can be performed out of ignorance and without deliberately trying to hurt someone. I do not think Levidad (Look don't ask me to write out Fourchenault every time this is a long enough essay already) is trying to hurt his family, or that he wants to. And I do think he recognizes some of his mistakes by Endwalker's finale and is on a path to improvement.

But in emotionally abusive homes, you often see dynamics at play where affection becomes a tool for control. Children are given moments of unfailing devotion and love and care as long as they do what's expected of them, but when they misbehave (according to that parent) the affection is withdrawn, or threats are made, even or especially threats the parent doesn't mean, because it's really only about having the child obey. I've seen and experienced this in real life, where parents would threaten to kick their kids out for even minor infractions, just as a scare tactic to keep control, despite having no intention of actually kicking the kid out.

And fear? Is an HUGE motivator for this kind of abuse. Parents can do absolutely wicked things to their children because of a 'greater good' mentality, because they're trying to prevent what they see as greater harm.

People who need control, who are stubborn, who have a temper, might be prone to these tactics. All things Levidad is shown to possess in spades. (I'll expand on some of this further below)

And this dynamic often teaches kids and spouses to desire the affection they know is there, and want, while also being afraid to lose that affection by displeasing their loved one. It may sometimes cause them to become argumentative and self-righteous in their own way (cough, ARR Alphinaud, cough). It can make them belligerent, or insecure and uncertain of themselves, or their worthiness to be loved (Alisaie.) It teaches them to keep secrets, and go behind a loved one's back (Ameliance.)

Some other important aspects of this kind of dysfunctional dynamic is that... the people being abused can be very protective of their abuser. Make excuses. Focus on the good things and minimize the bad. They want to have that relationship, they do genuinely care about the person mistreating them. That doesn't make them incompetent, nor is it meant to infantilize them. It's just a thing that happens to people because of how our brains work and how much most people are wired to need other people and have loyal social bonds. It's a trait to be aware of. It means that just because Fourchenault's family is permissive of his vices, doesn't mean they aren't vices.

AND, to add even more nuance to that, abuse isn't a 24/7 thing. It can be inconsistent. It can vary with the state of mind people are in, other experiences they had that day, and so on. Just because there are a few good days or good choices does not negate all the other bad ones.

A few things that have been stated in canon, which are worth considering to me

He does not read the letters the twins send home, only Ameliance does. While this could mean a lot of things, it can't be argued that he has little to no idea of what is actually going on in his children's lives despite having the opportunity to find out (Ameliance specifically says how she's seen them grow up through their letters!) But in his mind they're still inexperienced children, and he chooses to keep it that way.

Ameliance has been financing the twins and Scions behind Levidad's back. There is no reason to keep this activity a secret from him in a healthy relationship with good boundaries. That could speak poorly of Ameliance instead of Fourchenault, but it's hard to argue for a case where he would have been supportive of her spending. Given his opinions on staying out of other city-state's affairs, and given her behavior compared to his in-game, I'd argue this was more her trying to avoid his ire. Especially because:

I personally find it impossible to justify taking this out on the servants. Are the servants expected to treat his wife as subservient to him rather than an equal, and bar her guests entry? Is he unable to discuss or plan with his wife and trust her (implying a lot of disfunction in the home?) Is taking it out on the servants a roundabout way to punish her? And/or is he going to punish an "acceptable target", the servants, rather than express his anger at his wife or at you, who actually did the thing he's upset about? The servants? Really? People who can't rightly argue back or defend themselves because he is their employer and they are servants? This kind of abuse of power is not the behavior of a benevolent, well-adjusted man. Honestly, for me this line of dialogue alone is a massive warning sign that Fourchenault's need for control can manifest in extremely harmful ways. I'll avoid speculating on just how much that could affect with his family but in this line of dialogue alone there is a lot to unpack.

Alphinaud liked to argue with his dad. Their rows would cause scenes in the house. Alphy is a little shit before Heavensward but assuming he doesn't have some kind of Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Narcissism (he doesn't), I suspect that behavior most likely comes from emotional neglect or abuse. Either seeking attention even if it's negative, or modelling after his dad in argumentative/self-assured approach for approval, or attempting to claim some kind of independence because his home life has been so controlling.

Levidad claims he will do anything to protect his kids, and that he would have forced them onto the Ark even against their will, even if they hated him for it. While that could be read in a touching way, for me it was just another sign that he would do anything to have control. Because to protect his children, he needs to be able to control them. He can love them and use that love to justify infantilizing his children and trying to take their agency away.

While Levidad does let the kids leave Sharlayan (though as they are considered adults, I'm not convinced he actually could have stopped them), it could have been under the assumption they'd come running back soon enough. Since he doesn't read their letters, he may be entirely oblivious to the actual amount of danger they found themselves in. He let them spend time with their grandad, which is good, too. I don't think Levidad demanded total 100% uniformity of belief from his kids, it wouldn't fit with their culture. But at the end of the day I think he still wanted to be assured he was in control.

As far as disowning them. Yeah, I think it was a control tactic, too. I think the only thing he new how to do was Escalate in his disagreement with them, because that's what he did when they were children and they fought. I think the significant moment when Levidad slams them with that excommunication is the fact that Alphinaud does not argue with him. He lets his dad go. And even tells Alisaie not to try, either. Alphinaud has grown. He doesn't need to prove himself to his father anymore, not really. And that means Levidad can't control Alphy anymore, either.

I think if their dad had disowned them as a way to get them a message and pique their curiosity, he would have explained so when the vow of silence was lifted, and apologized for that, explicitly. I don't think he would have been so opposed in the Forum to having the Scions help with the Ark and get involved, because at that point, why continue fostering ill will with the children you love, or potentially risking turning the forum against them?

I could see him being so callous to misdirect the Eorzean Alliance because he does not trust them or want their interference as the Ark will only be able to carry so many people, he doesn't need an army beating down Sharlayan's door, and is baffled/frustrated by his children's opposition in front of everyone, because again, he doesn't know how much they've changed and matured. But disowning them was still about control, in my mind.

Lost in Translation?

It's entirely conceivable to me that Japanese Levidad could be very different from English Levidad. The cultural expectations around behavior, good or bad, are different. And we know, from stuff like how differently Haurchefant's lines were in English vs Japanese at first, that sometimes stuff does change in translation to make it carry better for different audiences. Or because the translator interprets something a specific way. English and Japanese are really different languages and how ideas are communicated or assumptions are made are different, too. Let's also not forget Nael van Darnus's whoopsie gender swap. So if there's parts of Levidad's behavior that seem inconsistent, it could, quite literally, be lost in translation.

I think this makes who he is and why he does things very open for interpretation, so I will reiterate that everyone is free to read him however you like. Your story is yours, and mine in mine, and that's a good thing!

Not a Villain.

Levidad loves his kids. He acknowledges that they've grown in the finale. He relinquishes some of his control. If he hadn't, his kids would have been able to move on without his support. I think he has the capacity to learn to treat them better and that ultimately his love for his kids and desire to have a relationship with them will win out over his need to have control, and I am very curious to see where the story takes them all.

#wyn gabs #endwalker spoilers #long post #warning tags since I do mention aspects of these:#trauma #emotional abuse #narcissistic abuse #(do not think fourchenault is a narcissist I just mention narcissim)#text #shower thoughts

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theluckywizard · 10 months

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In the Shattering of Things, Chapter 37: From the Dust

My Dragon Age: Inquisition long fic featuring my OC Rose Trevelyan, my Level 1 archer who romances both Cullen (slow burn) and Garrett Hawke (fast burn)

Longfic Summary:

Lady Rose Trevelyan's idle, aristocratic life blinks out in a haze of irrelevance when the breach destroys the Conclave. She may be soft and coddled when she joins the Inquisition, but there's a fierceness inside her she's yet to fully recognize. Armed with only a few relevant skills and the mark that makes her a legend, she is thrust onto a path delivering hope where it’s long been scorched away and finds comfort in the grumpy, handsome stick in the mud charged with her protection and training. As she stumbles her way across southern Thedas, she begins to realize she's tangled at the center of machinations she barely understands, and she's not alone in that. Enter Hawke.

Chapter Summary: Broken and fading, Rose is recovered from the mountain pass above Haven, another seeming miracle. As she recovers she wrestles with the ordeal she faced, all that she survived, the forces that enabled her survival and everything that stretches before her.

CW: Graphic descriptions of injuries and medical treatments

Excerpt:

By the time I wake again there’s daylight filtering in through the gaps in the canvas flaps. My arm is bound in a firm sling and my shoulder hurts less, but I can still feel the distant squeal of the red lyrium in the back of my mind. Across the tent, Candlelight wavers on a makeshift table where Cullen is hunched over a journal scratching notes. His quiet company, the gesture of his presence while I slept fills me with unexpected bliss which punches forcefully through the grief and guilt and exhaustion.

I attempt to roll up to sitting, the cot creaking and he jolts to attention from where he’d been referencing a book.

“Keeping out the riff raff?” I ask, attempting some lightness in spite of everything.

“You’re awake,” he says, stating the obvious but with relief, his expression soft, setting down his pencil and coming sheepishly across the tent. “How do you feel?”

“Like I was chucked against a trebuchet like a ragdoll,” I groan, clutching my shoulder in its sling. Cullen helps me up to sitting and then steps back again fidgeting anxiously.

“I offered to keep watch in case you woke up. Let me get Ellendra.”

“No, no–” I protest. “Just, stay for a minute.” He looks momentarily unsure, no doubt the propriety of my ask weighing on him slightly, but he nods and drags a crate over to sit on.

“Of course.”

“Can you tell me the situation?” I ask. He runs his hand through his hair, his expression grim.

“Thankfully we were able to get enough supplies up into the pass to shelter everyone in shifts. But we only have enough food for another week with the strictest rationing. Game is hard to come by up here and we need to start moving.”

“Have we made contact with anyone?”

“Leliana and I have ravens out to the nearest strongholds and the Fereldan and Orlesian governments, but we haven’t received word from anyone yet. I have scouting teams trekking in three directions but their reports haven’t come back yet. I suspect I’ll have their birds by morning if not earlier.”

“How many are we? How many did we lose?” I ask anxiously.

“We would have lost a lot more if it weren’t for you,” he says, avoiding the question.

“Cullen.”

“Best estimate is we lost a hundred and fifty or so. It’s hard to know exactly as we never had official counts of civilians. And the other issue is that morale is low. If we don’t find a way to rally, we’re going to start losing people to their injuries,” he explains. “The healers we have on staff are talented but they are critically low on supplies. And they’re tired themselves.”

“Supplies they’re using on me,” I huff, annoyed with the situation. He chides me with a look.

“It’s unfortunate, but you’re needed. Don’t be too hard on yourself,” he says. “I’m not sure what to do about the morale, but I’m hoping–”

“We need a direction. Something to look forward to.”

“I know,” he sighs, rubbing his neck. “You’ve always been better at that part. At the moment they don’t know much about how you are, only that you were recovered from the pass. Once Ellendra clears you to leave the tent it would be good to make the rounds.”

“I will,” I nod. Resting on his elbows, his hands clasped, he looks impossibly defeated in spite of having survived the attack of an enemy at least ten times stronger, against all odds.

“What was Haven like? After,” he asks quietly. I sigh deeply.

“It was a graveyard. Only the gate and the Chantry withstood the Avalanche. I was able to run to the Chantry’s door and hide around the corner, but I was still buried to my waist. And then the templars came scouting…”

“The templars?” he asks, sitting forward.

“Yes, their general was with them. They were looking for survivors… and me.”

“Samson,” he spits, shaking his head. “I can’t– I can’t believe– no. I can. He only ever wanted two things. He wanted authority. And he wanted lyrium. And I’m sure the Elder One offered them both.” Cullen seemed to be working it out to himself, trying to reconcile the friend he’d once known with the corrupted man who effortlessly pummeled into the snow.

“It must have been hard to see him like that,” I say, not knowing what else to say.

“Hard?” Cullen asks, a little bit forcefully. He shakes his head. “No. In a way it’s completely unsurprising. It makes me sick to think about it. I could have done more to convince the others to come to the Inquisition. I– should have–” He hunches over his knees again and rubs his forehead, his mouth pressed into a bitter frown.

“Cullen,” I say softly. “You can’t take that on yourself. I won’t let you.”

“I wish you luck in stopping me,” he scoffs quietly. He glances up and snorts a regretful laugh. “Forgive me.”

Read the whole chapter at AO3

DAFF Crew Tag List:

#dragon age inquisition #cullen x trevelyan #cullen x female inquisitor #in the shattering of things #cullenmance #rose trevelyan #dragon age #slow burn #probably too sad and busy to kiss right now #almost to skyhold!#the dawn will come #enter hawke

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thismessymasterpiece · 2 years

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Make You Mine

Summary - Neville Longbottom is head over heels... some may even say embarrassingly so.

Neville Longbottom x Fem!Ravenclaw!OC (?) This is a shifting story so the “OC” is myself, I do not know if that counts… (Is readable as GN!Reader from any house, however!)

Category - Fluffy as heck!

TW - One mention of Umbridge just existing because she deserves her own warning, written a long time ago (edited recently) so… possibly terrible writing

Please let me know if I missed anything!

Contains - Really corny fluff, do not say I did not warn you now :')

Word Count - 1,095

Author’s Note - Based around the song “Make You Mine” by PUBLIC so I recommend listening to it while reading, if you can :)

Also available on…

Wattpad

I just managed to sneak away from Umbridge, thanks to the twins. Honestly, I do not know what I would do without them most of the time.

Having just caught a break, I decided to go give a surprise visit to my one and only sunshine. Obviously, I knew exactly where to find him.

As I took my stroll to the greenhouses, I looked around the path, admiring the nature. Hogwarts had such an overlooked beauty. I could not believe how ignorant most people could be, I did not care what you told me, being at Hogwarts was a privilege. I could not understand why some would risk getting pitched out.

If only to remind me of things I should be grateful for, I arrived at the glass door to one of the castle greenhouses only shortly thereafter. Within, I saw my sole source of happiness, bent over a pot on the long wood table inside.

I opened the door and was about to make my presence known when I stopped myself, taking in the scene around me. When I had thought that Neville was simply working on his plants in the comfort of his own silence, I was very clearly mistaken.

Somewhat loud music was playing from no particular, identifiable source, its tone wrapping the room up in a bright and warm aura. Magic, I thought, isn't it beautiful?

The true beauty, though, was coming from the boy standing a little bit in front of me. The boy who still hadn't noticed my being here. I couldn't blame him, necessarily. The music was quite overbearing, not really in a bad way but I was rather quiet in comparison.

I recognized the tune to be from his personal herbology playlist. He was very proud of it but he never let me listen to it. Typically, he noticed when I came in or was expecting me so it was switched off at the moment of my arrival. I had never really known why that was but it was then that I started to pick up on it.

As a new song came on, Neville started humming along to himself. Or, at least he thought he was by himself.

I leaned against a sink near the door with my bag still slung over my shoulder as I watched him and a small grin tugged at my lips.

When the song picked up, he really started to get into it, singing the words and moving around a bit as he went on.

As time progressed, he started twirling and dancing around the room, his head matching his excitement as it bobbed to the music.

I really had to hold my breath so as not to laugh at his passion when he sang into his wand, or makeshift microphone in this case.

"Put your hand in mine, you know that I want to be with you all the time." He sang out. I really couldn't help thinking that he wasn't half bad. Was that just me simping? Perhaps.

My smile only grew as he continued on with, "You know that I won't stop until I make you mine. You know that I won't stop until I make you mine. Until I make you mine."

He was still spinning around and singing, "Put your hand in mine. You know that I want to be with you all the time. Oh, darlin', darlin', baby, you're so very fine." I had started to pick up on why he wouldn't let me listen to this playlist and why he only seemed to listen to it when he was alone in this very greenhouse. It had never crossed my mind that the songs reminded him of me, much less that he got so excited about the thought of me.

I was grinning and most definitely blushing profusely as the song began to wrap up.

Neville really got into it at the very end. He did a pose, still with wand in hand, his fist balled around the handle, the tip pointed towards his mouth, when the music dimmed and slowed down gradually.

"You know that I won't stop until I make you mine." Neville began to finish up, "Until I make you-" he jumped just about six feet in the air as he cut himself off. He had just turned and saw me watching him. In an instant, he had flicked his wand in the air and the room went silent.

"How... uh, how long were you there, Sunflower?" He tripped and fell all over his words.

With a sly smirk on my face, I simply stated, "Long enough."

He turned a deep crimson as he started fiddling with his wand and fingers. It was clear that he didn't want to know when he mumbled, "Meaning?"

"Meaning," I chuckled breathily, "I think you're only more adorable than before." I scratched the side of my head with my wand tip, throwing a convincing look of confusion into my eyes, "Which I didn't really think was possible."

He smiled lightly as he looked at the floor.

I took a few steps closer to the table and dropped my book bag on the surface. As I walked down the significant length of the table towards him, his feet shuffled in embarrassment.

"What? Are you embarrassed, Sunshine?"

He only blushed in response, his eyes now on my shoes which wasn't saying much considering how much shorter I was than him, he might as well just have looked at my face.

I put my dainty pointer finger under his chin and pulled it up so as to allow him a look at my eyes.

"You never told me that you spend so much time thinking about me in here."

He blushed again. I loved how I knew just the way to get him flustered.

"I like that," I added proceeding to go on my tiptoes to try and plant a kiss on the very tip of his nose. I pouted when I came over a foot short. He chuckled a bit.

When I tried again, I made sure not to fail. I grabbed his tie, which had been tucked into his matching uniform vest and slid out effortlessly as I tugged on it, which only gave me more hold on it. I dragged his face towards mine, him not resisting at all, and when he was stooped so far that I could reach while on my very top tiptoes, I landed the kiss. He laughed out loud this time.

"What? I don't give up! You know that."

"Oh, yes. I do. And you know I won't stop until I make you mine."

I chuckled at his little reference to the song he had been rocking with.

"Well, I think you've already got that."

dividers courtesy of the lovely @saradika-graphics and @cafekitsune <3

#neville longbottom #neville longbottom imagine #neville longbottom oneshot #neville longbottom blurb #neville longbottom x ravenclaw!oc #neville longbottom x oc #neville longbottom x fem!oc #neville longbottom x female!oc #neville longbottom x original character #neville longbottom x gender neutral!reader #neville longbottom x gn!reader #shifting stories #shifting story #reality shifting

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