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sneakyparsnipslicer · 5 months

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Power Play

It was never meant to have happened, but in all fairness I'm glad it did. I do have an unspoken duty of care after all.

I'm Gavin, 22, studying at Uni for theatre. Friends have always said I've got an uncanny talent for acting, able to hide how I'm feeling, telling the most convincing lies, but despite that I do have an earnest care for my friends and for some that's a big deal.

So, it all happened one Friday night, some of the girl friends were hosting a house party. Alcohol, music, conversation, the usual. My friend Janice had asked if I was free earlier and invited me. I hadn't seen her all week so the chance to catch up is always welcome. I put on my best clothes and headed off to the house which thankfully wasn't too far from my own place. I brought along some Amaretto for the party and got to mingling with others. I arrived quite early so there weren't too many people around and I got the chance to meet the partygoers and meet up with Janice.

'Hey Gav, glad you could make it! Got some pretty big news!' whispered Janice excitedly in my ear.

'Really? What is it?' I asked eagerly. She waved her left hand in front of my face, a gold ring on her finger. My jaw dropped.

'Tina proposed to me, we're getting married in the New Year!' she cried. I smiled and hugged her. Tina was a friend of ours and had confided to me in secrecy that she had a crush on Janice, and over the space of a year it looks like they'd both hit it off really well.

'Congrats, that's awesome!' I cried. 'Is Teen here tonight?'.

'Yeah she's just over in the other room, I'll go get her' said Janice, and she made her way through to the kitchen. I sat down on the sofa and waited a while. More and more partygoers arrived and as the night went on I forgot about Janice and Tina.

Getting progressively tipsy and humming along to 'Tainted Love', someone slumped down on the sofa next to me.

'Fuck them lesbians' sighed a voice. I opened my eyes and looked to my right, there sat a guy that looked about 30 with a bottle of Budweiser in his hand, shaking his head.

'What's up?' I asked, looking to him in concern. The guy looked to me and shrugged.

'Same fucking story everywhere I go, I see a cute girl, magically they're gay. Swear every fucker's gay these days' he said, taking a sip of his drink. I didn't say anything, took a sip of my drink and looked across the room. I could see past the crowd by the doorway was Janice. She was consoling Tina, who was crying. We caught eachother's eyes and I tilted my head subtly to the guy next to me, she nodded and kissed Tina on the head. I understood the situation.

'So how about you my man? You smashing some puss tonight?' the guy asked, looking me up and down. I turned to him and smiled.

'Nah mate, I'm more for the buss!' I replied, winking. The guy almost spat his drink out.

'Fuck off mate, you ain't gay!' he said laughing. I sighed.

'Oh sorry, were you expecting something more like this?' I asked, dangling my wrist and swiping the air camply. He laughed again, looking at me in disbelief.

'For a moment there I could've sworn you were straight' he said.

'Well you know, not all of us act camp, I like what I like but keep it on the down low' I replied, to which he nodded. I felt like I needed to move this along.

'Say, do you work out?' I asked, looking to his arms. He looked and flexed his right arm.

'Ah, you like what you see?' he asked smugly, grinning. I nodded and took another sip of my drink. He chuckled softly.

'You know, I've never tried a guy before' he said quietly, leaning in a little closer.

'Might be your lucky night' I suggested. He started nodding and bit his lower lip, taking a good look at me. I could have cackled at how easy it was to get him invested.

'What do you say we go find somewhere quiet to… break some new ground?' he asked, chuckling. I could have suplexed myself from the eye roll I wanted to do, but I had to keep my composure and giggled.

'Well, my place is just down the road, should give us a chance to get to know eachother better' I smiled. He drank the last of his drink and stood up. I happened to catch sight of his bulge as he offered a hand to lift me up, predictable. I tenderly placed my hand in his and he hoisted me up onto my feet, grinning.

'Let's get going then!' he said, heading off out of the house. I followed behind him, giving Janice a quick thumbs up and a wink as she nodded understandingly, mouthing the words 'Thank you'.

We returned to my place, him squeezing my ass and getting excited all the while. I unlocked the front door and invited him in. As soon as I was done locking the door, he made his move, pinning me to the door and burying his nose in my shoulder blade, taking a deep sniff.

'Mmm, you smell good!' he said. I rolled my eyes.

'It's Playboy' I said passively. He pulled his nose out.

'That's what I'll call you! Playboy!' he said, smiling maniacally.

'Sure thing, umm' I said, looking to him for a name.

'Just call me Daddy you cocksucking bitch!' he growled, pinning me further into the door and kissing my neck. Daddy, how fucking predictable. I could just see how this was going to go down. He pulled away and exhaled, stroking my chest.

'I'll bet you're a right little slut aren't you, Playboy?' he asked, fiddling with my shirt buttons, slowly revealing my chest.

'Oh for sure!' I grinned, moving in to kiss him. He hesitated but proceeded to kiss me back. I moved my hands behind his shoulders, embracing him. I could feel his dick pressing against my leg, he was totally enjoying it.

'Fuck me!' he said, dazed.

'Don't you mean fuck ME, Daddy?' I asked. He started laughing and moved his hands down to my thighs.

'Didn't think I'd ever be doing this with a guy, it feels so good' he said, looking into my eyes, amazed.

'Well, let's enjoy this then' I said, taking him by the hands and guiding him to my bedroom.

We got into the room and he thrust me down on the bed, biting his lip.

'Alright, strip down Playboy, nice and slow' he said, stroking his own crotch. I sat smirking as I kicked off my shoes and undid the last buttons on my shirt, taking it off and throwing it away. I went to unbuckle my belt when he stopped me.

'Come over here, I wanna try something' he said. Walking over he turned me around and began to unbuckle my belt whilst his cock was grinding against my butt. Always so cute when first timers try to be all freaky.

'You like that?' he asked, resting his chin on my left shoulder, watching as he pulled my shorts down.

'Yes Daddy' I said breathily, trying not to laugh. He dropped my shorts and began rubbing my butt through my boxers with his hands.

'Oh that ass feels so good Playboy, can't wait to explore it!' he whispered.

'I sure hope Daddy's packing tonight' I replied. With that he turned me back to face him, pulled me into a passionate kiss and carried me over to the bed, laying me down on it. Getting on top of me, he looked down as I looked back up at him. I began to pull at his shirt and he took it off, revealing his muscular chest, I'll admit it wasn't half bad. Then I began to unbuckle his belt and pull his jeans down, which he kicked off and there we were on the bed in our boxers.

'Open Daddy's pants!' he ordered, and I nodded, slipping them down his thighs. His dick sprung free, big and girthy, just how I like them.

'Ooooh, Daddy's got a big one!' I remarked in surprise, looking at it. He placed a hand under my chin, lifting it up to face him.

'Suck it, Playboy' he said, and so I began to do so, placing it in my mouth and beginning the blowjob. As it went on, his face became more strained as he tried not to shoot his load.

'Shit, you're good!' he moaned, looking to the ceiling. Eventually he stopped me and turned me over, pulling my boxers down.

'Alright Playboy, going in!' he chuckled. I could have cackled there and then, but I had to withold on the irony of that line. He began to spread my ass cheeks and inserted the tip of his dick, which slipped in easily. Even he was shocked.

'Damn, I thought you'd be tighter!' he said.

'C'mon Daddy, I'm a whore remember? Don't ruin this for yourself' I replied, massaging his leg. He nodded and continued to ride my backside, shaking the bed doing so. I'll admit this guy fucked with feeling, and as it went on and he reached climax, he wasn't aware of what else was going on.

When he finally came, sweaty and panting, he whooped in amazement.

'Wow Playboy, that was amazing!' he laughed, pulling himself away, but he soon realised he couldn't remove his dick from my ass.

'What's the matter Daddy? Too balls deep in me to let go?' I asked, turning my head to look at him. To his horror, his hands were beginning to sink slowly into my back, his pelvic region already sunk furthest into mine, and our feet had merged.

'Yo, what the fuck's going on?!' he shouted, but he couldn't pull himself free, he continued to sink into me as I began to cackle.

'You just fucked your way into a whole lot of trouble my guy!' I replied, laughing as he struggled.

'Let me go you fucking freak!' he roared as our legs were fully joined and his arms had sunk in.

'You upset my friends tonight, 'Daddy'. The lesbians you were moaning about, they just got engaged and you just had to come along and ruin their day' I said coldly as his back and shoulders sank in, him yelling out for help.

'And for the record, the name's Gavin. Suits me well considering how many homophobic, misogynistic pricks like you I've been gathering up to stop my friends being harrassed' I explained. By now the guy's face had melted into the back of my head and his screams became more and more muffled. Eventually he was fully sunk inside me, his added mass stretching me out and I began jerking my own dick, getting off my bed and spunking a few heavy loads on the carpet, excising myself of him. I looked at the pool of cum as it began to dry into the carpet.

'That's all you ever were, just a stain on society's carpet. Thanks for the muscles though' I said, cracking my neck and massaging my new muscleculture, reaching for my clothes. Though I thought to slip on the guy's jeans, they fitted me pretty nicely.

Making my way back over to Janice's place, most of the partygoers were filling out of the house. I went back in and found Tina and Janice, their faces lit up.

'Gav! Did you take care of that bastard?' asked Janice hopefully.

'Hey, I'm wearing his jeans aren't I?' I asked, turning to show them off 'Plus he filled me out a bit'. Janice shook her head, but smiled.

'I don't know how you do it, but thank you' said Tina, bowing her head. I pulled them both into a hug.

'Forget about him, he won't be bothering anyone anymore. Nobody messes with my friends' I said, looking to them in admiration.

'You're definitely gonna be the Best Man at the wedding, you know that right?' asked Janice. I folded my arms and rolled my eyes.

'And here I was hoping to be Chief Bridesmaid, oh well!' I sighed, shrugging. Janice and Tina began chuckling as I turned my attention to cleaning up the empty bottles and beer cans that the guests had left.

#male tf #transformation #gay #merging

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ghosts-bandwagon · 1 year

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can we have a headcannon of y/n (female) thats throwing dark humour around everytime and have 141 + Rudy, Alejandro nd konig react to her lmao 🤣

Can we have that? 💜 Thank you

Girl. Literally me. (I give my coworkers whiplash but they dish it pretty good too lmao)

Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley:

Might actually get a decent laugh out of him, we’ve all heard his horrendous hilarious jokes, so we all know he can dish it, but can he take it? Depends on the type of humor

If it’s self-depreciating, probably not. Doesn’t really get it? Like he does but he sees you too positively for the humor to click.

Unalive jokes? Definitely not. Hates hearing it from you even if you’re laughing about it, so if you want to make them, you better be cheeky about it (“Head down, sergeant you’ll get spotted.” “Aw sweet, you think so?” You don’t have to be near him or even see him to feel his glare)

Jokes about your traumas? Not super keen on it but if you’re at a point in your life that you feel ok enough to laugh about it, he’s not one to take wind out of your sails (“Damn, this drink hits harder than my dad.” “Sweetheart. Please.”

But if your jokes are similar to his, then your chances of getting a laugh out of him went up exponentially (he thinks he’s so god damn funny and he’s right. king.)

“How do you turn a salad into a Cesar salad?”

“How?”

“Stab it 23 times.” Soap audibly groaned,

“That’s my girl.”

All in all, you’ll get a deep sigh with pinching the bridge of his nose for every joke you make, and maybe you’ll get a pretty laugh from him (god I bet his laugh is so nice 😭)

John ‘Soap’ MacTavish:

(laughs nervously) what the fuck?

He’s heard Ghost’s jokes firsthand, so the dark humor isn’t new to him. He might even laugh with you and crack a few of his own

Honestly, as long you’re having a laugh he’s not really that worried (still a little worried tho)

He trusts that if you’re feeling particularly bad about something, you’d talk to him about it and he’s here for that

He kind of enjoys the theatre of it, the dramatic reactions to something so seemingly mundane,

“So when are you gonna take me out?”

“To dinner? We just ate, bonnie.”

“… not what I meant but I love where your heads at.”

“Not in a million years.” He laughs kissing your temple and squeezing you against him

“So you’re saying there’s a chance? It’s just a matter of when, got it. Thanks babe, I owe you”

John Price:

He’s not thrilled about it but he’s worked with Ghost so he’s somewhat built a tolerance

He knows you sometimes use dark humor as a coping mechanism but he’ll tease you saying you should come with a warning label

He’s definitely choked at hearing some of the things come out of your mouth, at least the jokes relating to your own traumas, those always give him whiplash

He finds your situational dark humor much funnier than anything you might say that involves you being harmed, even if it is a joke that’s kind a nightmare scenario for him

Those will definitely get a chuckle out of him, just please stop making jokes about yourself, he loves you a little too much to stomach them

“What does my dad have in common with Nemo?” He refuses to answer, he knows, he fucking knows

“They both can’t be found.”

God damn it, sweetheart

Kyle ‘Gaz’ Gerrick:

He’ll join you for sure lmao

He’ll see you sparring on the mats with Soap and he sees you land a particularly rough kick that he managed to block

“Damn babe, that was clean. Now do it right here.” He’s pointing at his temple, you laugh and throw your sweaty towel at him

You’re out on recon and you’re making your way towards the targeted area,

“I’d be terrible if I was discovered, sure hope there aren’t any snipers to take me out. That’d be awful.”

Price groaned even as Kyle stifled a chuckle,

“Come on, love, we’re a bit too good to let that happen to you.”

“That’s the real tragedy, honestly.”

“Enough, you two.”

König:

He thinks you’re funny but low key a little worried at how easily the jokes come to you

But if you’re laughing and having a good time, then so is he!

Sometimes you really do say some crazy things and he doesn’t know whether to laugh or to hug you

He likes the jokes that have nothing to do with you much better, you’d be sitting at a briefing in the far corner when you lean in and whisper quietly,

“Köni, what’s red and bad for your teeth?”

“Hm?”

“A brick.”

He stifles a laugh and shakes his head, you can see the corners of his eyes crinkle as he tries to hide the smile.

Alejandro Vargas:

Honestly, he kind of gives me the vibe of “telling a joke becomes receiving a lecture”

Like you’ll make a joke and look at him and he’s deadpanned,

“Mi amor, that’s no laughing matter.” And then he goes into a full lecture about why what you said was out of pocket and a little hurtful

It’s not that he doesn’t understand the humor he’s just concerned

But, he prefers the goofier jokes I feel like,

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away, or at least it does if you throw it hard enough.”

“Mensa.” He pushes your shoulder playfully with a laugh.

Dumb jokes like that get a good laugh out of him, just don’t make them about you please he loves you so much and he will lecture you

Rodolfo Parra:

Mortified in Spanish

“Mi vida, please don’t make those jokes.”

They break his poor little heart :( he loves you so much it makes him sad to hear make such harsh jokes about yourself or even see such awful things

He sighs every time he hears one of your jokes and gives this look 🥺

He doesn’t like that you joke about yourself or the things that have happened to you like that

He understands that humor is sometimes a coping mechanism, but he’d much rather talk through the things you’re joking about

He just cares about you so god damn MUCH

But if they’re nonsensical, then he’ll chuckle quietly,

“You don’t need a parachute to go skydiving.”

“What? Amor you definitely-”

“You need a parachute to go skydiving twice.”

“Dios mío, amor.” He chuckles.

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pommedepersephone · 7 months

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Buck up, Hamlet! or how Aziraphale and Crowley's blocking helps communicate the evolution of their relationship

Can we talk about the blocking?

Specifically, I have been rewatching S1E3, one of my favorites. I love how the development of the relationship between Aziraphale and Crowley is shown through these little vignettes. There have been some great explorations of the costuming and dialogue, but what always strikes me is the BLOCKING. The way their placement and movements add such depth and tell the story of living as a queer person, having to communicate in coded language.

Through the episode, we get 4500 years of history - Eden, Mesopotamia, Golgatha, Rome and Wessex - to see Aziraphale and Crowley standing on their opposite sides. Aziraphale always on the right, Crowley always on the left. But after the Arrangement, their blocking changes drastically and becomes much more fluid and nuanced. Each scene after this is distinct but the scenes in at the Globe and the Bastille have the most development, and I find myself rewatching them A LOT. Here is what I see.

All the World's a Stage

This is the first meeting we see that isn’t a chance encounter, though the two try to stage it as such. It takes place in a theatre - and they are acting, playing their roles as demon and angel. Even the humans are complicit in this performance, with Shakespeare stepping in to address the two "in your roles as the audience." Oh, delicious.

But once it's been firmly established for anyone watching that they AREN'T friends, they DON'T know each other (cough cough) the following moves are clearly choreographed and have been played out many times before. Crowley sashays to the right, opening the dance, and Aziraphale accepts the invitation to dance with: “What do you want?”

“Why ever would you insinuate that I might possibly want something?” Crowley is just playing his role as cheeky demon offering up a temptation - but his position to the right of Aziraphale speaks to the fact that they are both very complicit in this performance.

“You are up to no good.” “Obviously. And you are up to good, I take it? Lots of good deeds?” Just standard character establishment, here.

“No rest for the, well, good." Ah, this line, the inversion of the well known idiom. Because the line between good and evil (and between angel and demon) maybe aren't so distinct, and Aziraphale acknowledges this with his words. We are moving into negotiations now. "I have to be in Edinburgh at the end of the week. A couple of blessings to do, and a minor miracle to perform. Apparently, I have to ride a horse.”

“Ah hard on the buttocks, horses. Major design flaw, if you ask me. I’m meant to be headed to Edinburgh too this week. Tempting a clan leader to steal some cattle.” The way Crowley moves AROUND Aziraphale here, intimate but also careful, watching for his reactions.

“Doesn’t sound like hard work.” Said with a little sideways look, because Aziraphale can see where this is going. And he's open to suggestion temptation.

“That was why I thought we should… well, bit of a waste of effort. Both of us going all the way to Scotland.”

“You cannot actually be suggesting what I infer you are implying?” A little bit of pretense, because Aziraphale has to pretend to be tempted, right?

Crowley presses. “Which is?” Because he is willing to play the part of tempting demon, but only if it is clear this is a farce, that this is indeed mutually agreeable. He is making sure they are doing the same dance.

"That one of us goes to Edinburgh and does... both. The blessing and the tempting."

Yes, they are doing the same dance, and what is left is the formality of concluding the dance - a moment of Aziraphale expressing his concern for Crowley, the coin toss - they both know how it ends. It's a ritual, an act of give and take.

But if it were ONLY the Arrangement, a simple quid pro quo, it would have ended there. It doesn't. Instead, the two offer each other a more intimate exchange - "It'd take a miracle to get people to come and see Hamlet."

Aziraphale doesn't even have to ask with words, just a look, and Crowley happily agrees. That is the final part of the dance, a small acknowledgement that this isn't just about making their jobs easier.

A Free Man in Paris

Paris is something else. This is a HUGE step beyond making sure that audiences like a show your angel is particularly fond of. This is a stolen dangerous moment, an OUTRAGEOUS flirtation that takes place outside of time, conducted in clear view of others but beyond their understanding. Isn’t that how their entire relationship is now conducted, hidden in plain view and so clearly affectionate?

And look, Aziraphale is BITCHY in this scene. Peak That Bitch. He's just purchased a bookshop, he's creating a very permanent place for himself here on earth - Aziraphale is feeling quite proud of himself. In fact, he's preening a bit that he has figured out how to exist, even in some small limited way, as himself within the confines of the system of Heaven. Buuuut he may have gone just a bit too far, and gotten himself in a spot of trouble. He has landed in a prison, threatened with "death" and stuck because he's already gotten a warning about being frivolous with his miracles. Oh jolly good that Crowley is here to save the day!

There is something raw being communicated here here, where both Aziraphale and Crowley are presenting themselves to the world in ways that are dangerous. Aziraphale's reaction tells us that Crowley's look is doing things to him, but also in a way that it is NOT socially appropriate. Aziraphale may have showed up in all the trappings of an English aristocrat, but here is Crowley as a French royal sympathizer. NEITHER of these are safe choices in the middle of a revolution. The costuming is so critical to fully appreciating this scene, so check out the amazing clothing overview with @cobragardens.

When Crowley arrives and stops time, he and Aziraphale find themselves situated facing one another, but angled so they aren’t facing straight on. Interestingly, from Crowley’s perspective, he is where he is supposed to be - the left of Aziraphale. But Aziraphale, from his perspective, is also to the left of Crowley. It was Aziraphale after all who initiated this situation, who put himself in danger by being too… Aziraphale. It’s dangerous to be yourself when you don’t fit into heteronormative social expectations, isn’t it? Still, the two keep up a very flirtatious banter as they discuss the situation, and Crowley maintains his very-intentionally-unbothered sitting position up until Aziraphale goes too far and thanks him for coming to his rescue.

While Crowley is also flirting with danger in the way he is dressed, he also didn't just pop over for a nibble dressed this way. And whatever he might have been up to was interrupted so he could rescue Aziraphale from the consequences of his own reckless authenticity. After removing the chains, Crowley pushes Aziraphale to reconsider his honest expression of himself in this exact place and time - for the sake of survival.

Aziraphale, willing to risk himself alone, rather quickly adopts a more acceptable appearance when it might impact Crowley. It is only after Aziraphale is safely disguised and returned to his proper place to the right of Crowley, ONLY then does Crowley restart time. They can go enjoy lunch now, with the proper precautions and masks in place.

For these two particular human-coded occult beings, this is also such an honest moment. They both showed up damn authentically - Aziraphale so fabulously ostentatious, focused on chasing down some pleasure (in this crepes) and Crowley wrapped in a clear protest against the current violence. Just as Aziraphale indicated with his "Oh good LORD" as he looked the demon up and down with obvious thirst, Crowley's request to Aziraphale to change his appearance and mask better is done in such a way that affirms that Crowley LIKES who Aziraphale is without the mask.

The scene is so playful on the surface, the body language and dialogue flirtatious. It's something so familiar to the queer experience, making light of the absolute danger that we must sometimes navigate just to exist. The more I watch it, the more obsessed I become.

A Spot of Bodysnatchin'

It is worth remembering that we didn't get this scene in S1.

I am going to go through it soon, because again they dance back and forth beautifully in this minisode, but suffice to say we all know... it didn't end well for Crowley.

No Walk in the Park

The moment in St. James Park is brief, and it wasn't until S2 and the meeting at Edinburgh that we got the full context for this meeting. But even without this, we can clearly see that things are weighing heavily on Crowley. The scene in the Bastille took place in a prison, with the threat of execution over their heads. The juxtaposition of this conversation taking place in a park - a place that is not only NOT inherently dangerous but looks lovely and welcoming - only highlights the change in Crowley's attitude. He still attempts to be playful, but he's afraid. Look at that paper, it's a bit crumpled, he's been carrying it around for a while.

They are firmly entrenched on their assigned sides for the entire conversation, both very stiff. It feels uncomfortable to watch. When Aziraphale refuses his request, and indicates whatever is between them is just "fraternizing" with the enemy, we get a glimpse of how fearful Crowley really is. In none of these flashbacks has Crowley ever spoken to Aziraphale with the anger we see here. When they part in anger, it feels wrong.

Take Me to Church

So there is a long break between meetings now. But then, ah, the church. The place Aziraphale realizes his feelings. (Look, if Michael says this is where Aziraphale realized he'd fallen in love, I am not here to argue.) What I love is that again we see Crowley and Aziraphale swapping sides. Crowley is here to save his wayward angel, AGAIN. Despite feeling the ill effects of walking on consecrated ground, Crowley is here to save his angel and defeat Nazis. It's definitely not remotely evil intentions.

It isn't like the Bastille, but some of the parallels exist - Aziraphale failing to grasp the risks of his actions. And the silliness of his little dance coupled with just how deadly serious this situation is harks back to their flirtations in the prison.

Crowley is to the right of Aziraphale from the time he arrives until the bomb drops. Then in the rubble, with the danger past, we see them on their assigned sides again. UNTIL Crowley hands Aziraphale the books he saved with a "little demonic miracle of my own." He then crosses Aziraphale, and we see the look of absolute adoration as the angel watches him walk away to the right.

Sweeeeeet baby Jesus, baby girl has it BAD.

Always Crashing in the Same Car

This extremely heartbreaking scene has been dissected, chewed over, breaking our little hearts with it's sharp pieces.

But it is purposeful that this scene took place in the Bentley. Being in the car is symbolic because Aziraphale is here making an offering to Crowley, in his space, something that he Aziraphale feels is WRONG which is highlighted by his placement to the left of Crowley. He is scared, acting against all his own desires, but he does it anyway because he cares for Crowley. It's simple, powerful placement. Need to hurt more? Yeah, thought so. Take a deeper look at the dialogue with @zionworkzs.

#good omens meta #look the blocking has me feeling things #just brilliant #i am very normal about them #neil gaiman #good omens #just theatre kid things

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rotten-pup · 3 months

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18 + Only, minors will be blocked, you are not welcome here

☆About Me☆

You can call me Rot. I'm 21, he/they, transmasc and this is my horny blog! This will be my general horny content blog where I'll post/reblog the stuff I like however I will separate some of my interests and kinks onto other blogs. I am pre-t and pre-op. Generally just queer but I like people of any gender however I do lean more t4t

My asks are open for anything! Send me stuff!!

My dms are openish. At this time I'm not looking to sext and heavily flirt. I'm going through a lot and will be slow to respond most times. I really only have the brainpower to hold conversations about my special interests or if someone infodumps to me and I get to ask questions.

I'm comfortable with most masculine or feminine terms when referring to the parts of my body, I don't usually have a preference. I'll update this when I find something I don't like! I should probably add on that I'm a switch/vers in theory, mostly a sub/bottom in practice as I'm not confident enough to fully dom/top quite yet.

(rest of this post is a work in progress, bear with me please)

Without any further ado; list of content/kinks I like that you may find here(list incomplete):

Absolutely Yes: Petplay, Degradation, Praise (giving) Bondage, Impact play, Breeding, Somno, Edging, Overstim, Oviposition, Humiliation, Primal Play, Intox, Light CNC, Mommy kink??

Sometimes/Maybe: Choking (receiving), Praise (receiving)

Hard Limits: Scat, Death/Slob Feedism, Inflation, Raceplay, Feet

Kinks that will be mostly likely on a separate blog that I still like: Hypno, Knife play, Heavy CNC

Outside of all that, I'm going to list my sideblogs and tags down below and any other information I see fit so this intro isn't too long! (ps: if you know me from my previously deleted blog, feel free to say hi, I'd love to talk to y'all again, I was going through a really rough patch and honestly I'm so sorry I just disappeared)

My tags:

- rotposts: original content

- rotbarks: answering asks

- rotspeaks: non horny, rambles, or unrelated content

My sideblogs:

- @barkandbarkandbark : vent blog, rambles, literally anything just me talking to the digital void

Just a little more about me:

- @boymommy-brainrot : Mommy kink blog, a mostly gentle softer vibe, pics of me will also be on here

*Mommy is mostly a title, I like taking care of people and being gentle with them and just making them happy through acts of service. My kink is in no way an incest thing and as much I may use certain terms/words it is also not a ddlg thing either

Major theatre nerd, musicals, plays, plays with music, don't matter I love them all! I've acted in a few local shows, I've ran lights, I've staged managed, done a few other things. I'm really into dungeons and dragons and other ttrpgs and board games, and card games like magic the gathering. I love to draw and I love my silly little ocs I've made. If you upload your ocs or your fursona on your blog, there's a chance I might draw them, I like making art for others when I have the time.

Uhhhh, idk what else. I'm currently playing palword, this war of mine, overcooked 2, lethal company, escape the backrooms. However I do have many other games and if you ever wanted to play, just dm me, I'm down to find sometimes as long as we've talked a bit first and we vibe! I have major brainrot for Dead by Daylight right now so so badly

Oh yeah I fucking love robots I absolutely love robots and puppets I'm surprised I'm not like into fnaf more but man I just want to scream they're so cool.

I'll probably think of some other things to put here idk lol

#rotposts #rotbarks #rotspeaks

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jadedwolf18-blog · 2 months

Text

Joke’s on You!

Hi! Don’t shoot! I have gifts!

I put Jokes on You on AO3 so you can find the full fic there, if this is the first time seeing this fic, otherwise you are welcome to try and find my original chapter posts by combing my Blog Archive. Here’s the latest two chapters if you’re up for if you’re up to date. Otherwise I recommend clicking the link to get all the chapters in on place!

Ok, enjoy you Beasties(affectionate)!

🤍🖤💚💙💚🖤🤍

Chapter 8: Bats and Stalkers

Red Hood watched as his newest subordinate flittered around their current base, the kid had shown up two weeks ago and had slowly integrated themself into his gang. Hood still didn’t know if he should trust the kid or not but other than a strange buzz whenever they were near, he had no reason to mistrust them. The kid was… strange but seemed to genuinely want to help despite having admitted to practically stalking him for weeks before approaching. He huffed as he thought over their first encounter.

*****

Jason sighed as he leaned back, legs dangling over the edge of the abandoned theatre's roof. It was a slow night and the semi-peace had him on alert, calm in Gotham almost never bode well for anyone. He'd removed his Hood, Domino in place as he looked over Crime Alley, smoke trailing from his lips as he took a drag from his cigarette.

The usual Gotham smog clouded the sky, obscuring the stars from view. It was nearing early morning when a scuff from behind had him instinctively grabbing his guns as he got to his feet and spun around to face the intruder. Pausing to take in the figure in front of him. They had their hands up in a show of peace and remained calm under hoods scrutiny. "who are you?"

Instead of a verbal answer, they slowly began to sign. "I want to join you. I'm new in Gotham, been following the bats and rogues the last few weeks. Thought my skills and goal lined up best with yours"

'Huh, that's knew.' Jason leaned down to pick up his Hood and put it on before replying. "Why'd you think that? If yah know who I am, what's your goal?"

The kid? they looked about Duke or Tims age, not that he could tell much from the full head and face mask they wore. Similar to Black Bat. 'A copy cat?'' He took the chance to look them over more thoroughly as he waited for a response. Their outfit covered every inch of skin and was mostly black with thin hacker green and screen blue lines running along the seams and crisscrossing their chest, almost resembling the motherboard of a computer, the area covering the eyes glowed faintly and was the same screen blue, there was also a neon red X over the mouth area that looked to have been painted on rather aggressively over a silver grin.

The boots they wore were strange, they were similar to Nightwing's skintight suit but in place of the thin flexible soles, they had thick heavy silver platforms that resemble combat boots. 'how'd they sneak up on me in those?' he wondered. Tucked into the boots was a pair of loose cargo style pants, held up with a silver belt. The top once again bore resemblance to Nightwing's skin tight suit with the sleeves continuing on to cover the hands, each finger tipped in silver claws.

Movement from their hands caught his attention, he paid keen attention as they signed. "1-Personal investment in taking down the Joker. 2-Need help, you were the best bet in letting me get my shot, others would try talk me out of it. 3-Don't feel like being a Rogue. 4-I'm good at gathering info unnoticed."

They let their hands drop to their sides but kept them in sight, head cocked to the side as they waited for a reaction. Hood thought it over. "Prove the last one and I'll let you in on a trial run. Once you do that we can go over house rules and the types of jobs you'll get."

Jason had fully expected the kid to agree and leave to gather information on some gang or something. He was not expected for them to slowly reach behind them and pull out multiple folders, from seemingly nowhere and toss the stack onto the floor between them. Giving them another once over, he saw nowhere they could have possible hid the stack. Looking from the stack to the kid in question, he tilted his head in silent inquiry. They gat the message and began to sign. "That's all the info I gathered on the other Bats during my time observing them, as well as information I gathered on various Rogues and factions in Gotham"

Jason's brow rose under his hood as he slowly moved to pick up the files. flipping through the stack, he could feel his brows clime higher and higher as he did before farrowing when he got to the folders on the Bats. The files were incredibly detailed, describing each of their patrol routes, rotations, preferred routes, habits, favourite rest stops and they even went into detail on their relationships and who paired best with who for fights and recon missions.

He glanced up at the kid, who was currently staring up at the smog filled sky. 'I'll have to leave soon, the sky is already started to turn pale.' He quickly skimmed through the rest of the files, almost snorting as he came across a picture of Nightwing face planting a window at Wayne Enterprises Tower. 'It's a good thing Bruce had all the windows reinforced'. His humour quickly turned into a scowl when he came across a picture of Red Hood dangling from his ankle after being caught in a trap set by Spoiler. "What's your plan if I say no?"

"Black Mail you into letting me join." Jason's brows shot up at that.

"And if that fails?" Jason was curious, what would this kid do?.

"Help you any way. You just wont see me." Jason resisted the urge pinch the bridge of is nose.

"Fine Kid, I'll let you in for a trial period of a month, if you double cross me in any way you're out. Got it?"

Jason received a nod and salute from the kid. "Alright, come here tomorrow at 9pm and I'll lead you to the warehouse we use for debriefs. We'll start on one of the gangs we've been onto for awhile, you got some good tips here. From there we'll test your skills. Now, What do I call you kid?"

"Not a kid. 18. You can call me Hex." With that the kid stepped back, spun and made a running leap to the next roof top. Quickly disappearing into the distance.

"Hex, huh." He'd have to keep an eye on them, they were good, if they could keep tabs on the Bats without being caught. he bit his lip as he looked through the files again until he found the one on Black Bat. 'I really hope this kid doesn't turn out to be a budding Rogue... this is Tim level of fuck all stalking and the fact they manage to make a file on Black Bat... She hadn't mentioned anything, so either she felt there was no threat or she did not detect them at all.' With a heavy sigh, Jason gathered the files and stuffed them in to the bag he used for collecting shit from the dealers or thugs he came across during patrols. Stretching out, he slung the bag over his shoulder and made his way down to his bike. it was time to get back to his safe house and sleep before tackling whatever the hell that encounter had been.

*****

Danny yawned as they stretched out on their couch, it had been two weeks since they got themselves an in with Hoods gang, things were going well so far. They were still doing grunt work being a runner, but Danny found it fascinating. It reminded them of watching his sperm donor's operations but at the same time it was the complete opposite. Where before they were always wary, now they were at ease and confident in their safety. Back then there was always screams, crying and fights in the background, with the current Red Hood? There was a camaraderie, a deep understanding that they work to help those in Crime Alley.

Hood ruled by respect, fear and protection. It settled something in Danny to see the Red Hood title so far removed from their childhood memories. It was also a surprise to find that Red Hood was the source of the Angry/Hurt tugging they had felt here and there since entering Gotham. Red Hood was a Revenant, a sick one at that. Danny had slowly been filtering the corrupt ectoplasm via proximity and was happy to feel the Anger slowly drain away. They couldn't do much about the other emotions but the Anger was defiantly a direct result of the corruption.

"Oomph!" Danny's thoughts were interrupted by a weight landing on their back. "Hello to you too. Why are you trying to suffocate me, this fine afternoon?"

"I Know" There was something smug in her voice.

"Know what?" Danny gave a half hearted attempt to dislodge the Little Shadow but she only readjusted and they gave up with a huff.

"Hex." Danny stiffened and made to sit up, Cass easily slid off them and sat next to them.

"How?" Danny observed her, she was calm and didn't look or feel upset, they were rather confused about the Happy/Smug/Mistchief she was unknowingly giving off.

"Was following Red Hood, He was acting strange. Good strange but strange. Saw Hex use Sign for Me. Only you use Swan sign but Hex used Swan and Hood say Black Bat!" She really looked proud of herself. They had figured out the Bats were the Waynes almost immediately after seeing Nightwing do a quadruple flip and Black Bat's Liminalty gave her away as Cass.

"Ok, fine I'm Hex... What now?" They looked at her curiously.

"Keep secret. Not tell Bats, yet." Danny watched as she seemed to hesitate before continuing in sign. They froze as they watched her hands. "Bats found the Ecto-Act, Big bat is not happy and is investigating how no one found it before. He also wants to know why he was not told and if calls to the Justice League was made."

Danny sighed and flopped back into the couch. turning to look at Cass they decided to tell he the parts of their story they left out the last time. Seems help was coming sooner than they expected. This changed a few things but over all? It was good. They felt Cass snuggle into their side. Danny glanced at her and smiled before grabbing their phone and ordering takeout. Seems they were having a stay in day. They might ask for the nigh off from Hood if Cass doesn't have patrol, they could watch movies and dance. Yeah, that sounds good.

Chapter 9: Stalker meet Stalker

Hex hid in the shadows, ever observant as they waited for their chance to make an appearance. During their observation and information gathering, in order to guarantee a way into Hoods gang, they had noticed the source of the main reason they were in this Cursed city was coming from the Red Bird. So every chance they got, Hex would go out and follow the Red Bird to figure out if the tugging was coming from him specifically or from an object he was carrying. The Red Bird was currently wrapping up an attempted robbery. Hex leaned back on the ledge, rubbing a hand over their chest where they knew their core rested. The tugging was more frantic now that they were so close to figuring it out. A click got their attention and they realised all the thugs had been secured and the Red Bird was getting ready to continue his patrol.

'There!' Hex jumped to the next roof, landing just as Red Robin swung over the ledge. Hex watched as the Bird paused and settle into a well hidden ready stance as he took notice of the fact he wasn't alone.

*****

"Who are you?" Tim kept his focus on the unknown as he subtly clicked the alert on his belt. It would let the others know he had encountered an unknown but to hold back until they are confirmed to be hostile. The unknown tilted their head to the side as they slowly lifted their hands, Tim watched as they began to sign.

"They call me Hex. You have something I've been looking for." Hex leaned against the large vent, hands still visible.

Tim waited but when they didn't continue, he shifted into a more relaxed stance. "And what would that be?"

Tim watched as they slumped slightly, giving the impression they were sighing. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" Tim raised a brow at that. "Then how do you know I have what you want?"

Hex straitened a little before signing. "Something... Something lead me to this city, something was tugging me here. If it wasn't for that feeling, I never would have stepped foot in this Cursed City. But... certain circumstances left me a lot of free time and the tugging grew near painful. So, I followed it, it lead me to this city, it lead me to you. I had no idea if it was an object or a person." Tim watched as they stretched and straitened fully, shifting to face Red Robin straight on. Tim tensed, as he straightened up himself. "Now standing so close, I can tell the pull is coming from you, you directly, not something on your person. Now, I'm left with the question. 'Why?'."

Tim flinched at the sudden sound of Hex's voice. It was distorted and sounded like it was overlayed by static. He was quick to fall into a more ready stance. "So what now? You going to try capture me to figure it out?"

"No." Red Robin watched as Hex took a step back. "I know what, or rather who, the pull is coming from. Now, I need to figure out Why and How but it's clear you know nothing about it."

With that Red Robin watched as Hex flipped back and over the edge of the roof. Tim gave chase slamming into the roof top barrier and peered over the edge but there was no one there. Hex had vanished. A click from his comms had him snapping to attention. Tapping his comm once he connected to the private channel. "Red, Report."

"The unknown has left, they are apparently in Gotham because something lead them here. They were following it and, according to them, it lead them to me. They don't appear hostile, just someone searching for answers." Tim unlatched his grapple hook. "I believe it would be best to observe but do not engage in case that changes."

"Hn, can I leave this to you Red? Or should I put one of the others on this?" Tim took aim at the next roof.

"I'll be involved either way." Tim shot his grapple. "But I'll take a back seat on this one, do the paperwork and research, if they make contact again, then I'll put it on a higher priority. O.G.J.J. takes precedence."

"Don't push yourself Red. I'd rather you stepped back from anything involving the Joker." With a tug to insure it was secure, Tim stood on the ledge and swung through the Gotham night, landing on the buildings gravel top.

"I know B. But it's my case, I'll see it through." Silence fell on the comms. Aim, shoot, check and fly. Red robin soared though Gotham, watching out for any petty crimes or signs of trouble as he did a final lap of his patrol route.

"We're here, I'm here if you need help. Don't forget that Son." The Comms clicked signalling Batman had switched back to the main channel.

Tim's breath hitched as he drew in a deep breath. "I know Dad, I know."

Tim shook himself before making his way through the city and towards his bike. His thoughts on his current case and the new mystery. It would seem he'll be needing a new Pin Board.

*****

Danny narrowed their eyes as they watched the Red Bird fly away. Their Core gave a particularly hard yank as they watch him disappear behind the taller buildings. 'Just what is your connection to me Birdie.' Danny sighed as he thought of just Who the Red Bird is behind the mask. Slinking further into the shadows, Hex vanished into the night.

*****

"And just where have you been?" His tone was light but the hint of accusation was clear in Hoods voice. Jason watched as Hex slipped into his office and made themself comfortable on one of the couches, stretching out like a particularly satisfied cat. Giving the kid a once over, he gave a mental nod of satisfaction, noting they had no visible or obvious injuries. The kid sat up and began signing.

"Here and there, I got the information you wanted." Hex once again pulled a file out of nowhere and tossed it at him. Jason caught it and was quick to open it and go over the information. Remnants of the Black Mask gang had been seen gathering recently and Jason didn't feel like waiting for them to become a problem.

"What else were you up to?" Jason looked up from the file to pin Hex with a look. Though the Hood hid it. Hex sat up and pulled their legs up to sit cross-legged, staring right back at Red Hood.

"Bird watching, the red one has caught my interest, seems he has a connection to what I'm looking for." Hex sighed and slumped back into the couch. "After observing him and having a little chat... I have an idea as to what it is but not the how or the why he is connected."

"Whatever it is, it's not gonna cause trouble or put the Bird in danger." It wasn't a question, the threat was clear.

"I don't know. I hope not but with the way my life is going..." Jason observed the way Hex had hunched in on themself. The kid was good at what they do and Jason new the kid truly wanted to help more but something was haunting them, following them from wherever they came from. Jason waited for them to continue. "I have a few theories but I'm not liking any of them or the tapestry they are threading because if I'm right. Then if it weren't for my mother dumping me on my Donor My life could have gone so differently. And I would never have wished my life on another I would have died of guilt if I ever found out."

"Just let me know if you need help, or at least give a heads up if you think things will go south. I may be on the fringes but the Bats and Birds are still allies, nothing better happen ta' Red, yeah hear." Jason turned and headed for his desk, he had plans to make. As he sat down he heard a scuff and looked up. Hex was standing in front off his desk, rocking on their heels. "Ya' need something?"

"I'll be taking the next two nights off, I'll be out of town for a date" Jason felt his brow raise at that. The kid has partner? Huh, would you look at that.

"Oh? Where ya' goin' and who's the unfortunate soul?" Jason smirked at the offended huff he received from the kid.

"1st, None of you business Boss and 2nd, Black Bat." Before Hood could react, Hex had vaulted over the couch and slipped out the door. By the time Jason had gotten up and to the door, Hex was gone.

"Get back 'ere ya' Rat!" Hood yelled down the hall, even knowing it would be useless. "Damn Brat!"

*****

Cass paused in her packing when her phone started blasting 'I'm a Barbie Girl'. Tilting her head in curiosity, she set down the shirt she was folding and went to pick it up. Jason? Why's he calling so late? Sliding her finger over the screen to answer, she quickly held it up to her ear, only to yank it back as Jason's voice blasted through. She stared down at her screen until silence returned before holding it back to her ear. "Done?"

"No, but I've calmed down enough to talk." She hummed as she moved back to her bag. "Are you dating Hex?"

Cass blinked, Did Danny tell him? "Yes."

"Okay, okay. So how do you know my informant?" She could hear Jason shuffling things around and the faint clicks of mental against each other. Probably cleaning his guns.

"Met them first. became friends." She picked up the shirt and another, as she held her phone to her ear with her shoulder, and held it up to compared the two. "Followed them, learned about Hex. Went on date. Been together 3-4 weeks, more if you count hiding feelings."

"Does anyone else know?" Cass thought about it, she hadn't told anyone, neither had Danny, until now, as far as she knew. she shrugged and packed the green shirt. She noticed Danny liked seeing her in their colors.

"No." Silence fell and she went about packing the last of her things, just as she was zipping up her bag, Jason spoke up again.

"They treating ya' good?" She smiled at the very obvious and familiar tone of protectiveness in his voice.

"Yes, very good." She bit back a giggle at the resigned sigh. She fell quiet for moment before whispering. "They are good. Grew up like me, like you. They are hiding but fighting. They are strong."

She could hear Jason's breath hitch. "Okay, I won't ask. I'm happy for you Cass. You think they'll open up more and start interacting with the other Bats and Birds?"

"Yes, they are searching for something. Something will happen but we will be on their side." They were silent for another moment. "They are willing to ask, to trust but need time."

"No pushing, I got it. Bye Cass, have fun on you date!" The line went dead as Cass blushed only for it to deepen as she felt arms wrap around her and fluffy black hair tickle her neck.

"Big brother being over protective?" Cass nod, a shiver ran down her spine as Danny's lips brushed the skin off her shoulder. "You think he'll try to kill me when we get back."

"No. Make you work more." She felt their breath as they let out a groan but giggled as she felt their lips tilt up in a grin.

"It's worth it." Danny spun her around and started leading her into a dance as 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' began playing softly from her speakers. She let them twirl her around her room before pulling them onto her bed.

"Shouldn't be here." She giggled at their pout. "Brothers, dad, grandpa Alfred and Steph are here. Steph doesn't knock. Dick knocks but will get suspicious if I take too long to answer.

Danny sighed as they flopped back onto her bed and stared at the ceiling. "Hood knows, the others will find out eventually."

"True." She flipped over so she hovered over them."Brothers will give chase if they find you here. Damien is stabby, Dick will hunt. Tim... depends on sleep level. Dad will try to lock me away and will hunt. Alfred will be disappointed."

"So they are fine with you being at my house but not me being in your room?" They raised a brow at her in amusement and she huffed before letting her full weight full onto them. "Oompf! Oi! There’s nothing to worry about. I'll just turn invisible until they leave."

Before she could reply her door was flung open and she found herself face planting her bed. "Hey Cass... What're you doing?"

Cass rolled over and sat up to see Steph in her doorway. "Resting."

"Ah-huh... I was gonna ask if you want to watch a movie and hangout. Since you're leaving tomorrow?" Cass watched as Steph looked around her room, poking at random things as she went.

"Ok, be down now." Cass made a show of picking up the things that didn't make it into her bag, Steph made a sound of agreement and left, swinging the door shut behind her. A minute passed before Danny blinked back into visibility.

"You weren't kidding when you said she doest knock." Cass thew a shirt at their face, which they promptly phased through. "OK, ok. I'll see you tomorrow."

Danny pulled her towards them and places a kiss on her forehead before drifting to the window and fading into invisibility with a wave. She shook her head, a small smile on her lips.

*****

Tim stared at the fifth board, then at the other four and groaned as he slumped into his chair. Hex was an unknown but asking around and looking up sightings he found they're working with Red Hood and showed up a few weeks after Daniel Napier. Tim stood and dragged the new board over to the others. It would seem that Hex was just another identity for one Daniel Napier.

"Just who are you? And what do you want?!" Tim ran his hands through his hair in frustration and sighed. Looks like he's going to be more involved than he thought.

#dc x dp #dp x dc #dpxdc #dcxdp #dead silent #joker is Danny and Tim’s bio dad #Danny and Tim are twins au #twins au #dc x dp au #cass x danny #Lots of angst but also fluff

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padfootagain · 4 months

Text

Something Good (XXV)

Chapter 25 : Mending

Alright, here is the end of the crisis!

Hope you like this new chapter, tell me what you think!

****

Pairing: Ben Barnes x Reader

Warnings: Fluff angst, Slow burn, professor AU.!

Summary: Coming out of a divorce and trying to get used to being a single mom, while teaching your classes at University, you thought your life could not get more complicated than it already is. But when you are asked to take care of the theatre club with the colleague that you really can’t get along with, you realize that everything can still get ten times more complicated in your life. And when you start actually liking Professor Barnes, the troubles only grow exponentially…

Word Count: 3950

Masterlist for the series – Ben Barnes’ Masterlist – Main Masterlist

It was past midnight when you called Ben. Sally was finally asleep, even if she was still upset when she surrendered to slumber. She refused to tell you why she was so upset about all this, and you didn’t want to push her. Ben had left a couple of hours ago, you had argued that you needed to handle your daughter on your own. And if he had claimed to understand, he was still worried sick when he put on his coat and left for the night.

“Is Sally asleep?” he sounded tired, but you had no doubt that he was still wide awake when you called.

“Yeah. She’s still upset though.”

“Did she say anything?”

“Nothing… I don’t know… I thought she could have questions, that she might be a little stressed for a while. But I wasn’t expecting a full-on outburst like this.”

“Yeah, me neither. I don’t understand, I thought… I thought she liked having me around.”

“She did. She talked about you all the time.”

“I don’t understand what we did wrong. Do you think we should have just… shown her. Like hold hands and stuff?”

“She would have asked herself questions, it might have stressed her a lot.”

Ben heaved a sigh.

“What are we going to do now?”

You remained silent, feeling tears come to your eyes again. And on the other side of town, Ben was wiping his cheeks.

“I don’t want to lose you,” he confessed in a breath. “I know that you’ll take the decision that will be best for Sally, and I’ll never blame you for that. But I don’t want to lose you, Y/N. Can we… can we try to fix this before I have to be pushed away?”

Your voice was low and raspy when you answered.

“Of course, Ben. We’ll talk to Sally again. First, we need to figure out what got her so upset. I’ve never seen her like that. And we’ll try to fix this. I… I don’t want to lose either. I won’t leave unless there is truly nothing else that we can do.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll try to talk to her tomorrow. You can come see us in the afternoon, as planned.”

“You’re sure it’s a good idea?”

“Yeah. We need to try again. Together.”

“Alright. Do you think I have a chance to bribe her if I bring ice cream?”

You chuckled at that, feeling a little better thanks to him and his soothing voice.

“It might not be enough, but it won’t hurt.”

Sally was staring by the window at the falling rain.

She had barely spoken a word in the whole morning, which was threateningly unusual for your buoyant girl.

You looked at her tiny frame, at her Stitch t-shirt and the mess of her hair. How could such a tiny human hold so much love and space in your heart?

“Sally, do you want to prepare the pasta sauce with me?”

But she shook her head, eyes still fixed on the blurred world beyond the window. You heaved a sigh, walking closer.

You had left her alone this morning, thinking that she would need some time to process what had happened. But she was still cold and distant and just… apathetic. She was like that when her father left…

“Angel, about what Ben and I told you last night…”

But she turned further away from you, a silent way to show you that she didn’t want to talk about this. It needed to be done, though.

“Angel, you know I love you more than anything in this world,” you went on, voice soothing but with a tinge of vulnerability through a tremor. “Ben and I being together… it won’t change anything. It won’t change that. Nothing can ever change that.”

You reached for her, and Sally didn’t push you away when you ran your fingers through her hair.

“I thought you liked Ben.”

“I did,” the girl quipped.

“But?”

“But I don’t want that. Why do you want that?”

You held her against you, and she let you gently press her head to your stomach.

“Because he makes me happy. Because he’s kind, and he’s willing to take care of us. Because he’s taking good care of you. Because I trust him. And because he’s sillier than me, so you and I can team up against him and make fun of him.”

Sally chuckled at that, and you grinned at the sound, still running your fingers through her hair.

“I don’t want things to change again,” Sally said, breaking your heart.

You remembered the mess you were in after your break up with your ex-husband. You were just now finding your footing in all of this. And despite your best efforts to protect your daughter, no one could leave such a change unscathed.

“I understand. But that’s what life is, Sally. Things change all the time. And sometimes, they change for the better. We have to seize those when we can.”

She finally turned around to encircle you in her tiny arms, pressing her face into your belly.

“Will we still have tomato Tuesday?” she asked, her voice muffled in your clothing, and you chuckled fondly at her.

“Of course! And we’ll still see grandma every Thursday. You’ll still go to your dad’s the same. We’ll still do the same things, only… if you want, Ben can join us too.”

She didn’t say anything, and you didn’t push her. A few minutes later, the doorbell rang, and you went to open for Ben.

He gave you a warm smile, although the dark circles under his eyes betrayed his worry and lack of sleep.

“Hey. Brought ice-cream, as promised!” he said, showing you his bag, making you smile.

You kissed him before he could take off his coat, letting his soothing presence slow your heart as you breathed in his perfume.

“Hi, meerkat!” Ben greeted your daughter as he took off his shoes, the same warm smile on his lips.

She was looking at him with an unreadable expression, her bunny Mr. Carrot pressed against her heart.

“How are you today? I’ve brought ice-cream for dessert!”

But she didn’t say anything, merely looked at you and Ben with wide eyes, and she ran off before you could hold her back.

You could feel your throat tightening as you stared at the space Sally had just left empty, tears coming back to your eyes, but Ben’s hand on your arm made you turn to him at last.

“I’ll go talk to her.”

“I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

“I’m the problem. I need to fix this.”

He didn’t let you reply. He knew that you would claim that he wasn’t a problem, but he was. He was always the problem. He was never enough…

Ben strode to Sally’s door instead, leaving you behind. The door had been left open, but he knocked anyway. She was sitting on her bed, looking at Mr. Carrot as if her plushie held the answers to everything. And Ben wished it could be that simple…

“Hey… can I come in and talk with you for a second?”

Sally didn’t look up, but she nodded, and so Ben came to sit beside her.

When he spoke again, his voice was gentle, barely more than a whisper.

“Look, Sally… I understand that it might seem like a lot to take in, and I get that you might need time to wrap your mind around all this. But… you were very upset yesterday, and you seem to still be. Can you tell me why you’re so upset? So we can try to fix that?”

She slowly looked up at Ben, with those eyes that looked just like yours now drowning in tears. Her lips trembled, and Ben wanted to abandon everything. As long as Sally could stop being sad, he would have done anything…

“You can tell me. You need to tell me,” Ben went on, blinking his own tears away. “Because… if you don’t tell me, then I can’t make it better. Do you understand? I need to know what’s wrong to make it better again.”

She went back to looking at her bunny, but she spoke this time. Voice a little hoarse, but holding the blunt honesty of childhood.

“I don’t want you to be with mummy like that.”

Ben’s heart broke in a thousand pieces. Still, he nodded, dried his cheeks with the back of his hand as he sniffed.

“Why not? What bothers you so much about that?”

She vehemently shook her head and started crying again.

“I don’t want a new dad!”

Ben frowned at that.

“I don’t want not to see my dad!”

“Sally, of course you’ll see your dad…”

“Jeremy… at school he said… that his mummy had a new husband, and then he never saw his daddy again… I want my daddy!”

“Hey… hey…”

Ben dropped to the floor, kneeling before the crying child, and held her face in his gentle palms so she would look at him, drying her cheeks.

“Hey… what are you talking about, huh? No one is going to replace your dad. You already have a dad, you don’t need another one. And you’ll keep seeing him, just like you do now. I don’t want to be your dad. I’m just ‘Ben’.”

“But then, what will you be?”

Ben blinked, taken aback and looking for the right words. What would he be if this worked out? If he could stay with you? If he was pulled into your life? If he stayed?

He smiled.

“You know what… I would be very happy if in a few years I could be… like your uncle. But a cool uncle! A fun one! Cause I’m super cool!”

He made a funny face, making her giggle.

“You’re not so cool,” she replied, and he faked outrage.

“How dare you! I’m super cool! I’ve brought ice-cream!”

But she blinked, and looked at her plushie again.

“So… you’re not gonna take daddy away?”

“Of course not, meerkat. No one is going to take your dad away. I’ll be whatever you allow me to be to you, and nothing more.”

He gave her an encouraging smile, and he thought the look in her eyes was calmer now. But she stood without warning, and headed to the living room in search for you.

“Mummy… I want to go see daddy.”

You looked at her in surprise.

“Right now, angel?”

“Yes. I want daddy.”

You heaved a sigh, picked up your phone. That wasn’t a good sign. But if she wanted to see her father to process all this, then so be it. You couldn’t say no, anyway. She was too upset for you to refuse her anything.

So, you grabbed your phone, threw a questioning glance at Ben but the distraught expression on his face spoke volumes. You listened to the beeps of the phone with a lump in your throat.

He answered on the second call.

“Everything alright, Y/N?” he asked in a neutral tone.

“Hey, Liam. Yeah, huh… Sally wants to see you, can we drop by?”

“Now? It’s not my week.”

“I know, but she wants to see you.”

“I’m working right now… can we talk over the phone? I thought we had agreed that we needed to respect the planning.”

“No, she…”

You turned around and lowered your voice to hide your words from your daughter.

“Ben and I talked to her, and she’s upset. She’s asking for you. I think… I think she doesn’t want to see me, right now.”

You hated the hurt in your voice that you couldn’t quieten, and you hated even more Liam’s silence.

“Can she come?” you asked again.

“Of course, I’ll be here in twenty.”

“I can drop her to your place…”

“No, I’ll pick her up. You’ve done enough as it is.”

He hung up, leaving you shocked with the violence of his words.

“Is daddy coming?”

You blinked your tears away, turning to Sally again and forcing a smile.

“Yeah, he’s coming. He’s leaving his flat right away, angel.”

She nodded, turned to go back to her room.

“I love you, angel.”

She slowed her steps, but didn’t turn around. As soon as she had disappeared, Ben walked over to you to hold you tight.

Liam was enraged at this point. That this Ben would try and take you away was one unbearable thing, but that he would hurt Sally in any way? He was ready to smash his skull.

As he pulled away by your home, he was already picturing himself punching Ben in the face. Breaking his fucking nose.

But then, you opened the door, all red eyes and dry lips and dishevelled hair. The looks you had when you separated. When he fucked up. The looks of sadness he had wished to never see again.

And it was this Ben’s fault…

“Daddy!”

“Angel! Come here!”

He picked up Sally without a word to you, or to Ben, who he had spotted by the end of the corridor, looking sheepish, the bastard. How dared he still be here? As if he hadn’t caused enough damage already.

“Where are your stuff, Sally? You want to sleep at daddy’s place tonight?”

The girl hesitated, looked at you.

“I don’t know. I just wanted to see you.”

“Well, let’s pack a bag, just in case. Come on.”

He walked to Sally’s bedroom without another word. Put down his daughter on her bed and shut the door.

“Alright, which pyjamas do you want? The rainbow ones? Or the pirates?”

“I don’t know.”

When he turned to her again, she opened her arms, silently asking to be picked up again, and he obliged. Holding her tight, in a reassuring, constant embrace to show her that he was here, that everything would be alright. That nothing bad would ever happen to her, he would make sure of it…

“Ben is mummy’s boyfriend,” she said in a tiny voice against his shoulder.

“I know. She told me.”

Silence for a while, even the air was still.

“How does that make you feel, angel?” he asked gently, rubbing her back.

“Scared.”

“Scared? Why?”

“Jeremy at school said that his mummy replaced his daddy. And that his daddy didn’t want to see him after that.”

Liam felt his heart shatter at her words. He looked into her eyes with something offended in his expression. Sally’s eyes, your eyes, the ones he adored above all in the world…

“Sally! Don’t be silly! I’m not going anywhere. I’ll always be here for you, angel.”

“But you weren’t sometimes.”

Liam clenched his jaw at that, but held her gaze despite the tears that gathered in his eyes. Your voice rang in his head then, your warnings that he had to prioritize his family over his work, that this was the important thing he needed to fight for. And that if he wasn’t careful, Sally would resent him later.

He forced a reassuring smile.

“Look, angel… It’s been a bit hard for me at one point. But I’m still here. I’ll always be here. I won’t leave you, angel. No one is going to push me away, or make me leave. Okay? I love you, more than anything. And it will always be the case.”

“So… if mummy and Ben are together, you won’t leave?”

“Of course, I won’t leave. And I won’t let Ben replace me, okay? Did he say that he wanted to replace me?”

“No,” Sally shook her head. “Mummy and Ben said the same thing. That you would always be my daddy. Ben said that… he would be happy if he could be a cool uncle.”

Liam nodded, unsure of his feelings at this answer.

“And… would you like that? For him to be a new uncle?”

Sally pondered the question for a while, holding Mr. Carrot close. And then she nodded.

“Yeah… He’s fun! I think he could be cool too! That could be nice.”

Liam nodded.

“No matter what happens between Ben and mummy, you’ll always be my little angel. Okay?”

She nodded, holding him tight for a while longer.

“Can I stay at mummy’s tonight?”

“You don’t want to come to daddy’s?”

“No… I like my bed here better.”

He laughed at how blunt she was, but nodded, kissing her hair, breathing in her cherry shampoo, his favourite scent in the world.

“Alright.”

“Are you angry because I made you come just for a little while?”

“No, you were upset. You can always call me when you’re upset. I’m you dad, that’s my job. It’s alright. Do you want to play for a bit before I leave? I can stay for the afternoon.”

“YES! Can we make tea for Mr. Carrot?”

“Sure thing! Get everything ready, I’ll talk to mummy for a moment, and then I’ll play with you.”

Sally was happier again, although she wasn’t fully back to her bubbly self. Liam left her to find you and Ben sitting in silence on the sofa. He was holding you close, his arm around your shoulders and your head on his chest. And Liam wanted to break everything in this room…

You blinked up at him as he entered, and then you were on your feet.

“Is everything alright?”

But Liam nodded, surprising even himself.

“She’s just scared, she’ll be alright.”

“She’s packing for tonight?”

“No, she wants to stay here. She just wanted me around. I’ll stay for the afternoon, we’re making tea for Mr. Carrot.”

“She hasn’t eaten lunch yet.”

“We’ll see about that later. I’d like to talk with Ben first. Let’s step outside.”

He didn’t wait for Ben’s approval, or yours. He merely strode towards the door, and waited then in the cold air. The rain had stopped, but the sky was still dark and threatening. The street was quiet, no one was around.

Ben remained silent stepping outside the building. He waited for Liam to speak first. And he wasn’t disappointed.

“Give me a reason not to punch you right now, Ben.”

But he didn’t rise to the provocation. Instead, he remained silent again, forcing Liam to turn towards him, at last.

And Liam hated what he saw. The dark circles over his cheekbones and the red in his eyes that told that Ben had been crying for hours, barely slept at all last night. The exhaustion on his face, the fear in his gaze, the worry in the lip he had bruised after biting on it too much. And Liam hated him because Ben was clearly not a bad guy. He loved you, it was obvious in every of his movements, all of his gazes aimed for you. And he cared, clearly. He was a good man, and Liam hated him for it, because now… why would he punch him in the face?

“Is Sally alright?” were the first words Ben spoke, voice hoarse with sorrow, and Liam’s hatred only deepened.

“She will be. She thought you would replace me.”

“I don’t want to replace you…”

“No?”

“Of course not. I’m not her father. You are.”

“And yet, you are taking my place.”

Ben narrowed his eyes, and Liam withstood the challenge. He was more hurt than he thought he would by Ben’s earnest words, though. They were lethal in his ear…

“I’m not the one who was stupid enough to let Y/N go.”

Liam let out a dry laugh.

“And you’re so much better than me?”

“No, probably not. But it’s not my fault if you’ve lost her. You’ve managed that on your own. You can’t blame me for falling for her. And you can’t blame her for loving me either…”

“You think she loves you?”

“I know she does.”

“Has she told you that?”

“Yes. And I’ve told her the same.”

Love… you couldn’t love another man… infatuation, perhaps, but…

“Look, Liam, I… I know that you don’t like me. And if I’m being honest, I don’t like you either, so we’re even. But I love Y/N. And I love Sally. And I don’t want to hurt them in any way. And I don’t want to replace you, I’m not Sally’s father, and she doesn’t need me, she needs you. I’m well aware of that…”

“But if you settle with Y/N what will you do? If the two of you have children, will you push her away?”

“God, we’re not there yet…”

“But if you are?”

“Of course not. She has a father, and the best I can be for her is some weird uncle figure. And I’ll be more than happy if I can be that for her. She loves you as a father. It doesn’t mean that I can’t love her as a daughter.”

Ben shook his head, heaving a sigh, pinching the bridge of his glasses before pushing them up his nose.

“Liam, if we manage to do this, if… Sally accepts me enough for me and Y/N to be together… we can’t be enemies. I don’t like you, you don’t like me, but we can’t show it. Can we call a truce?”

He offered Liam his hand, but he didn’t take it. Instead, he walked past Ben, bumped into his shoulder for good measure, and went back to his daughter, walking before his wife.

Ex-wife.

God, he hated Ben. He hated all this.

Still, as he settled with Sally to play, he was smiling, and gentle, and when she asked about next weekend, he reassured her about their plans to go to the museum, and promised her nothing would change between them and that everything would be alright…

Ben gave Sally and you some space during the following week. He didn’t drop by after Liam’s visit, arguing that Sally needed time to think and process what was happening. You tried to argue, because you missed him; but not too much, because you agreed.

Still, after over a week, on Monday evening, Sally spoke about Ben again for the first time.

“Why is Ben not coming anymore?”

“He was just busy. And we thought that perhaps you didn’t want to see him that much…”

She nodded over her bowl of soup, but frowned when she looked up at you again.

“Daddy said he was always going to be here, and Ben said he wanted to be my cool uncle.”

You couldn’t refrain a chuckle at that.

“A cool uncle… that sounds nice. Not sure he can be cool though.”

“He is cool, I think.”

You hummed in agreement, swallowing some soup.

“Can we invite him to tomato Tuesday tomorrow?”

You blinked away your tears at your daughter’s words.

“Sure. You want to call him to ask him if he wants to come?”

“Yes!”

You grabbed your phone, and called, not waiting for the end of the meal. You usually didn’t interrupt dinner, but you were too happy to wait…

Ben grinned as he saw you and Sally appear on the screen.

“Hello, ladies!”

“Hi, Ben! Sally wanted to invite you to tomato Tuesday tomorrow, do you want to come?”

Your heart was warm and full as you noticed that he was blinking tears away.

“Of course! I’d love to! Thanks, meerkat!”

“But, Ben! This is serious business!” Sally warned him. “Because on tomato Tuesday, we make the BEST pasta sauce in the world!”

“The best, really?”

“Yes! So you have to peel the tomato, and then have to boil, and to smash and mummy won’t let you eat any piece of tomato, because she’s mean… and…”

And Sally babbled away about tomato sauce, and the pasta that you cooked every Tuesday with her.

And perhaps things would be okay, after all…

***********************************************

Taglist: @reg-arcturus-black @sergeantbuckybarnes @wolfmoonmusic @idek-what-to-put @kpicard @rhapsodyonthethames @friendly-philosopher @squirreljoe

#ben barnes #ben barnes x reader #ben barnes x you #ben barnes x y/n #ben barnes x female reader #ben barnes x fem!reader #ben barnes fanfiction #ben barnes fanfic #ben barnes series #series #fanfiction #fanfic #writing

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ninadove · 22 days

Note

Hi Nina! Why transmask Felix and not transfem? Or you are fine with transfem too?

Hi Anon! Hope you’re having a wonderful day! 💖

I do like transfem Felix! In fact, I originally leaned more towards this option. The Senti-lore is extremely queer by nature, and I think it’s wonderful so many people can see themselves in the kids.

Really, it comes down to personal interpretation. Some notes below:

1. Colt Fathom is a massive douchebag.

Nothing groundbreaking here. We been knew. At first glance, you’d assume he would want a male heir for Toxic Masculinity Reasons™; but I think he would prefer a daughter, also for Toxic Masculinity Reasons™.

Colt is the kind of person who wants to elevate his own status in the world, and the solution he resorted to is marriage. This kind of alliances is frequent in the spheres he navigates, as seen in S5 with the Adrigami plot: as such, he would likely see his child not as an heir, like the GDV lineage would, but rather as something he could trade for even more power. A daughter of noble pedigree and born into considerable wealth would undoubtedly be a catch, and give him a leg up in his race against other rich jerks.

Additionally, we’ve seen how he acts around Felix — how he perceives him as a threat and a reminder of his own mortality. Peacock curse or not, asking for a son would have forced him to face the prospect of eventually being overpowered by his own progeniture every single day; but a little girl? Surely, there’s no threat there, right?

2. Felix’s first appearance gives us lots to think about.

Firstly, when it comes to Adrien’s reaction. When Amelie explains that she decided to drop by “so [they] could all be together” on the anniversary of Emilie’s fridging, this is the (adorable) face he makes:

Because he understands! If his aunt is here, surely his cousin must be here too. “All together” means all together.

Yet, when Felix actually appears, draped in dramatic lighting like the theatre kid he is, Adrien still looks strangely surprised:

Which Amelie immediately follows up by highlighting that they look “just like twins”. The characters should not need this comment — they were here the whole time the kids were growing up! Of course, there’s a doylist explanation to this line: we, the public, must understand that Identity Shenanigans Will Ensue (and they did). But what could this mean in-world?

I propose that the cousins did not always look exactly like each other — that they were perfect twins as young kids, but became more and more different as time went by. Perhaps one developed more feminine features, while the other grew up to look more masculine. If the Agrestes did not witness the early stages of Felix’s transition (probably started right after Colt’s death, so only a few months before canon), it makes sense they would be taken aback by the newly recovered resemblance between the kids.

And, of course, it adds some depth to the Identity Shenanigans. Especially if you read Adrien as genderqueer or transfem.

3. Felix exhibits stereotypically masculine behaviours every chance he gets.

This goes from wearing what is basically the Official Rich Boy Uniform (waistcoat, tie, black and white palette):

To certain mannerisms, like putting his feet on Gabriel’s desk to assert dominance against the guy who could literally snap him out of existence:

To the way he perceives himself: a cursed prince from a twisted fairytale, who systematically places himself in the role of the protector (even if it’s not always appreciated by the people in his life).

To me, this sliiightly over-the-top behaviour is very reminiscent of a child who just figured out something huge about their identity and is exploring it to the fullest — to find out what it truly means to them, and which aspects they want to incorporate into their life.

Which leads me to the most important point:

4. The Peacock Miraculous! 💜🦚

Deeply associated with Felix’s reclamation of his safety, freedom and bodily autonomy. And when we think about peacocks, what do we think about?

Colourful feathers. Panache. Ostentation (this is literally what groups of peafowls are called). A conception of masculinity that is different from social standards in most of the Western world, but is there and bold and unapologetic.

We don’t get to see Felix using the brooch for the first time — even his mum, who he trusts with everything, is absent. He needs this privacy to come to terms with his powers and make them his.

But then, when we do get to see him transform — everybody else witnesses it too. Felix goes from hiding behind Adrien’s face, ergo disguising as someone he is not, to revealing his identity to both the audience and the entirety of Paris.

This is Argos embracing who he truly is, even if the world might call him monstrous.

And finally, one more point:

5. Why would Tomoe prefer a model over a quasi-prince as a potential match for her daughter?

I get it — she has a partnership going on with Gabriel. But the woman is leagues smarter than him (What? Like it’s hard?) and could most likely find another way to turn the world into her own little dystopian dream, should she want to. Not to mention, even if Adrien is a catch by most people’s standards, he is still the bane of the GDV lineage.

Felix is the heir. Felix is just as wealthy, if not wealthier than the Agrestes. Felix is the best at everything he does (chess, horse-riding, karate) and as such should be a perfect fit for Kagami, even by Tomoe’s insanely high standards.

Yet, she keeps referring to him as this corrupting influence: not because he is a supervillain (she hangs out with them on the regular), but because he might whisper dangerous ideas about ✨ freedom ✨ and ✨ bodily autonomy ✨ in her sweet daughter’s ear while they make out dressed as Adrien’s parents. We know how important femininity is to the Tsurugi lineage: Duusu forbid this monster talks Kagami into rejecting it in any form.

So, there you have it, Anon. I’m sure there’s a lot of evidence to support other interpretations, but this is the one that resonates most with my brain! 💜🦚🏳️‍⚧️

Can’t believe I almost forgot:

“Felix” literally means happiness and luck: a weird choice from Colt, and it’s unlikely Amelie had any say in the matter. So when Argos says:

“Isn’t it great? We have everything we need to be happy!”

It very much sounds like his first name could be a conscious reclamation on his end!

#miraculous ladybug #felix graham de vanily #argos #flairmidable #feligami #senticousins #graham de family #random ramblings #Transmasc Felix Propaganda

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prideoftheknights · 8 months

Text

WINTER TROUPE 10TH PLAY: NOMADIC BARTENDER 【CHAPTER 1】

MASTERLIST | NEXT CHAPTER

translation under the cut!

Customer A: One gimlet please.

Guy: Understood.

Customer B: ...The way he mixes the drinks so masterfully is clean.

Customer A: Ah, you're right. Each and every movement he makes is really smooth.

Customer B: Whenever he makes cocktails, it feels like he's doing some sort of magic...

Customer A: Even just watching is fun too.

Guy: Thank you very much. Sorry to keep you waiting.

[Bell ringing SFX]

Syu: ......

I think I'll have a gibson today.

Guy: Coming right up.

Syu: Winter Troupe's next play should be beginning soon, right?

Guy: Yes. We'll be having a meeting about the contents of the play soon. I'll be happy if you're able to come see our play again.

Syu: Seems like the Spring, Summer and Autumn troupes all had the last member to join playing their second lead roles this time, so Guy will be next right?

It'll be a big day for the master who's always serving me delicious drinks, so I'll definitely be watching.

Guy: ...Thank you for waiting.

Syu: The bar's always crowded but strangely, I find it relaxing here.

That reminds me, I was thinking of bringing an old friend here next time. I might've told you before but this man used to be my dad's assistant.

After my dad passed, he left the group and we lost contact. But the other day, I met him by chance.

Guy: Since that is the case, do feel free to meet up at the store. I'll be waiting for you both.

Tsuzuru: To start off, we've decided the lead will be Guy as planned before; so next up, we'll have to decide on what the theme will be...

Guy-san, do you have anything you wanna do?

Homare: Since our fourth plays, Guy-san has racked up a lot of experience; he's even become a prominent theatre nerd. Wouldn't anything be fine?

Guy: Actually, since I'd known I would be the next lead for quite a while now, I've already thought about this in advance.

Do you think you'd be able to write a story about a job again, a bartender theme?

Izumi: Bartender?

Guy: I started my bar because I wanted to promote Zafra's culture in a different way from Citronia, but now it's become a big part of my life.

That's why I wanted to face it again through a play.

Tsumugi: If our play is set in a bar, there'll be a mature atmosphere that only we can create as the Winter Troupe!

Tasuku: And it suits Guy-san, too.

Izumi: But the job theme overlaps with our previous play Sunny Blanc though, so we need to make sure to differentiate the two properly.

Tsuzuru: How about we mix the bartender profession with something else?

Izumi: Something else, huh... Like a bartender who works in a market stall? I think there's a manga that has a story like that.

Tasuku: How about mixing bartending with battle?

Hisoka: Come to think of it... Earlier, customers were saying that Guy's cocktails looked like magic.

Tsuzuru: Magic... How about a bartending wizard?

Homare: Indeed, winter troupe has not performed many plays with a fantasy genre.

Azuma: I think the wizard aspect will suit Guy's mysterious image.

Tasuku: Sounds good.

Tsumugi: There'll be a clear difference between the florist theme of Sunny Blanc, so I'm in favour of this idea too.

Tsuzuru: I'll be moving forward with the script in this direction, then.

Izumi: We'll be counting on you!

Guy: I'm looking forward to it.

Izumi: (It's been a while since his last lead role, so Guy-san's all fired up now. I wonder how this next play's gonna turn out~)

Guy: ......

Azuma: I haven't seen that charm in a while.

Guy: I'm reporting to my father about me being the next play's lead.

Azuma: ...I see.

Guy: It's impossible right now, but I hope there will be a day where I get to tell him this in person.

Azuma: I'm sure your feelings will reach your father.

Guy: ...Yeah.

MASTERLIST | NEXT CHAPTER

#a3 translation #a3!#act addict actors #a3! translation #guy nishiki #a3! guy #azuma yukishiro #a3! azuma #tsumugi tsukioka #a3! tsumugi #tasuku takato #a3! tasuku #homare arisugawa #a3! homare #hisoka mikage #a3! hisoka

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jgroffdaily · 7 months

Text

Your intrepid team of JGD-ers are currently in the Big Apple, the home of Broadway, New York City! And, as if that wasn’t exciting enough, tonight we got to watch our very own reason for (online) existence, Mr Jonathan Drew Groff, strutting his (*frank*ly awesome) stuff in Merrily We Roll Along, at the Hudson Theatre on 44th Street, NYC!

For those who are unaware, Jonathan Groff Daily is made up of a team of two who live on literally opposite sides of the world - one in Australia and one in the UK. And while that allows for excellent coverage of breaking news (there is always at least one of us awake!), it has somewhat hindered our attempts to meet in real life - not helped by the pandemic that was raging at the time that we first “met”, three years ago.

Until now! In fact, until Wednesday of this week, when we both checked into the same hotel (all meticulously planned; not serendipity), into rooms directly above/below one another (that bit was serendipity), and began our NYC adventure together!

After a great deal of chatting, and far too much walking (and one inadvertent trip to Long Island City - nobody should ever leave me in charge of navigation!), tonight was the night for us to see the show together (in fact, my partner in crime had already seen it, last week, but this was our first time as a team).

First I should mention the theatre (this particular one is spelt that way, despite being in America - I’m not 100% sure why). It is so beautiful and elegant, and provides a wonderful setting in which the show can unfold.

And oh my goodness, what a show it is! As you will have all seen from the various glowing reviews online (with more surely to come next week, once the press embargo is lifted) this is an absolute tour de force and it was a such a privilege and a pleasure to watch this fabulous cast being utterly and completely fabulous.

First, of course, our boy. Well, we knew he could act. We knew he could sing. We knew he was prone to spit a little while doing both of those things. And all of that was also 100% true tonight!

I won’t include any spoilers in this review/ramble, as I hope that many of you will also get the chance to see it in person.

As you may have noticed, we try to keep this account relatively sober and professional (well, as sober and professional as a fan account on Tumblr can truly be, I guess!). However, as the more emotional one in our pairing, and in deference to this very special occasion, I don’t mind admitting that when Jonathan first came on stage I was all a-flutter. I haven’t seen him live and in person before, and I think I spent the first 8-10 minutes with the knuckles of my left hand in my mouth.

As you will all have seen in the press photos, etc, he spends almost the entire show wearing black trousers and a white button down shirt, and it’s a great look on him (but then, what isn’t?!). Without getting too excited here in “public”, on this jointly-run account, I will just say that his legs go on for miles and miles, and his giant hands stand out beautifully against the monochrome outfit.

And, again without spoilers, as he walked down to the very front of the stage and stared out, unseeing, over the heads of the audience, the drama behind him crescendoed and tears glittered in his eyes. At less than ten minutes in, I knew then that we were in the safest of safe (giant) hands, and yet, at the same time, our emotions were going to be played like fiddles.

(Speaking of which, the orchestra, tucked away in an “upstairs room”on the set, were absolutely sublime.)

The show rocks along really well, with honestly no weak performances at all. The ensemble are incredible and one thing that we really admired about this version was the way in which they all seemed to have been given permission to allow elements of their personalities to shine through. Although most of the supporting actors play multiple characters, and those are by no means interchangeable, I still felt that, to a good extent, I was also watching individuals who I knew and cared about from the start.

I must confess that I found that I couldn’t take my eyes off Lindsay whenever she was on stage (which did feel a little like a betrayal, when I was literally wearing a “Jgroffdaily” pin badge 🙄!) - she is just mesmerising: funny, sad, expressive, sympathetic and just a tiny bit broken by life and love. For those who have seen the full London version of the show on YouTube, I felt that this Mary was far less brittle, even from the first scenes, when she could otherwise come across as hard to love. The warmth, humour and humanity of the character came out in spades in Lindsay’s performance, and I was truly floored by her - to the extent that, during the whole of the one song that she sings with Jonathan and Katie Rose, I got to the end and realised that I had been watching solely her throughout, despite the fact that my reason for leaving my family behind (for five days, not forever!) and flying 3,000 miles to NYC, was 12 feet to the right of her on stage. (We are going again on Saturday - I need to make sure that I keep my eyes on Jonathan next time!).

Daniel is also just so good. His American accent is (to my British ears) impeccable, and he has great comic timing and physical comedy. His voice is fantastic, too, and he does an outstanding job with Franklin Shepherd Inc. All in all, I was incredibly impressed by Dan and thought that he more than held his own in the show.

My only slight criticism of the show (which is no reflection whatsoever on the actors) is that I would have liked a little longer to sit with one particularly tragic moment in Act One. Despite being a person who is shaky, giggly and butterflies-in-the-stomach-y at the simple sight of her hero stepping onto a stage, it takes me a few minutes to build up to proper crying, and I felt that I was jolted out of that feeling a little too quickly by the friends’ singing in an attempt to cheer up their heartbroken friend.

Katie Rose and Krystal Joy both had really difficult jobs to do, particularly Katie who is dropped into the show immediately before having to act in a very challenging, emotional scene. Both were stunning and their voices just soared, although Katie’s also cracked with emotion when it needed to, which was incredibly effective and moving.

The little boy who played Frank Junior at tonight’s performance was excellent, and got a lot of love from the audience. As the parent of a seven year old myself, I can only imagine how difficult it must be for him and his family to be juggling these late nights and, to be honest, quite a bit of sitting around during the show itself - and all at the age of only just five. They are all doing a great job.

And now for Jonathan. My (our) lovely Jonathan. Well, he absolutely smashed this whole performance right out of the park and over the East River. His voice was impeccable. His acting, as always, was moving, deft and brilliant - and that in a show where, although he is undoubtedly the “lead” character (whatever the order of the names above the title may suggest…), he spends a lot of time staring off stage or standing, stunned, as various other characters shout at him / flirt with him / cry hysterically over him. He does that so well (and if that doesn’t sound like damning with faint praise, I don’t know what does - in my defence it is now past 1am and my body clock thinks it is 6am!).

Potentially controversial point here: I felt that, during a-song-that-will-remain-nameless-for-spoiler-related-reasons (in Act One), Jonathan was not playing the piano himself (ie it was being played by the orchestra, and other instruments then come in behind it), but during Good Thing Going and Who Wants to Live in New York in Act Two, it *was* him playing. It is, however, incredibly hard to tell due to the placement of the piano on the stage, and I would be very interested to hear what others think on this topic.

Overall the show was just stunning. The audience seemed very engaged throughout, and it seems that they were also paying attention, judging by the gasps and laughs at later call-backs to earlier scenes. As he was signing autographs after the show, Dan said that it had been a great audience tonight (he might say that every night, of course!).

I am so glad that I will get to see it again at Saturday’s matinee, as I am sure that there were so many details and nuances (and entire performances of beautiful songs - sorry, Jonathan!) that I missed this time around.

Just a note on the stage door situation. It was all very organised and calm; much more so than I had expected. Dan came along the line to his waiting car, autographing playbills and taking selfies with people as he went, and he seemed just adorable and so pleasant and friendly with everyone. From what I could see, everyone was very respectful and polite, and everyone who wanted something signed seemed to get it. At one point someone shouted out that Merrily is their favourite ever show, and Daniel took time to pick her out of the crowd and thank her personally, saying that they all find it a privilege to be in the show.

Jonathan and Lindsay did not stage door tonight, but apparently “sneaked out the front” (as, of course, they are fully entitled to do). As I don’t think he is likely to come to see the fans at the stage door following a matinee performance, I suspect that I won’t now get a chance to show Jonathan my “jgroffdaily” pin badge - which he may think is for the best!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, Steven Sater was in the audience tonight, sitting behind and to the right of us. I’m sure that he was bursting with pride, to see Jonathan shine as bright as he does.

#merrily we roll along #jonathan groff #daniel radcliffe #lindsay mendez

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ace-and-ink · 2 months

Text

the other day

(i almost called it yesterday)

i wrote a poem after class

called it a warm-up

called it cards

i did everything my professor said i shouldn’t

took advice from my writing professor

who said

“here are a list of writing rules

go break every single one of them”

i’ll take this one slower

because my theatre class got out early

and i got to eat this time

the soda fountain was busted

the cherry coke wasn’t that

we read of those who wrote

with inspiration of art

i’ll never write like

the way orphan made me feel

i hear i song

and i cry

and i steal half their lines

want me to do it again?

i’ll list what i’m listening to

“take it from me

i’m not looking for anybody

i’m sick of car rides

you lied while we lay back to side”

my friend (?????)

[for our audio listeners

if you’re ever out there

there’s a series of question marks

because i don’t know

what i want her to be]

said goodbye to me as she left

and i couldn’t catch her

i had to fix my desk

i sat with a pretty girl today

she reminds me of my old friend

the one i’ve written about before

the one i’ve compared myself to with a dying moth

i wish she’d look at me like she did

she smiled at the end

before fumbling her papers

and i almost relapsed on the spot

i saw a pretty girl in my building

she lives a floor above me

i think about how my elevator sometimes

doesn’t say what floor it was going to

and i always have to double check

i wonder what system it uses

or if it just didn’t want to say it

if it skipped a line on accident

if it just had too much going on at once

i don’t think i can call this a poem

what if i call myself a moth again?

i use dogs too often

my hair looked decent when

i left the bathroom this morning

i saw my reflection when the poem wouldn’t load

and i think i almost lost three years of progress

that girl was from here

in this city i’m familiar yet foreign to

i reread my own poem

and i’ve suddenly never used a metaphor in my life

i talked about rocks

and i wrote about moths

i’ll only be a hit online

- by online i mean i’ll get clicks

from my one online friend -

my roommate always keeps the door open

the same friend from before had her room rekeyed

i don’t know how to make this a poem

my professor would never take this

i keep getting snapchat notifications

of my old teammates from home

celebrating each other’s birthdays

i almost don’t even go home for mine

so should i use a simile?

should i add a metaphor?

i can’t say i agree with holly in that song right now

i can’t drive

but they’ve lied while we laid together

and they’re still going on about getting high

let’s see

what can i say here?

i feel like a fish in a fishbowl

- there’s my vehicle -

i can see everything i want

but i can’t get to any of it

- there’s my tenor -

my writing class made me feel

like i at least have a chance

so far poetry

has made me feel like i’ve been fooling myself

i can’t call this poetry

i can’t say i’m good at all

which isn’t the problem

it’s that i don’t feel like i can be

i’m laying in bed

the brain killer

and now i don’t want to go to geology

which isn’t for another hour

i’ll call this a warm-up

like i do

being the fraud artist i am

saying every piece i don’t like

was a practice sketch

so i don’t have to claim it

hey if i add a period here

can i call this all enjambment?

ah shit nevermind

there it goes

i’ll end it on this

anyway.

— warm-up: tenor

#the patron saint of asexual poets #poetry #poem #poems #original poems #original poetry #original poem #original writing #creative writing #poets on tumblr #writers on tumblr #lgbtq poem #lgbtq poetry #lgbtq poet #lgbtq poems

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luvhughes43 · 1 year

Text

diamond girl | jamie drysdale x reader

Summary: jamie surprises reader with learning one of her favourite songs on the guitar<3

word count: 0.9k

Yours and jamies schedules finally lined up and you two were able to spend an evening together. So it was no surprise you found yourself sitting on his roof watching the sunset. Your head was resting against his shoulder, and you had never felt happier than in that moment.

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” jamie mumbled as he pulled away from you. “Just give me one second and i'll be right back” he got up and climbed back inside his house.

A few minutes later he climbed back out onto the roof with his guitar in hand. You couldn’t help the grin that made its way onto your face as you saw him sit with his guitar on his lap. You knew he had been practicing by the texts trevor would send you telling you to make him shut up. Trevor hadnt minded his playing, but the singing… apparently it was awful. “What are you doing?” you giggled as jamie started to strum on his guitar. He reached over and grabbed your hand, placing a soft kiss on your wrist. He smiled back at you as he let go of your hand. “You’ll see” he replied, and the soft look on his face made you want to reach over and kiss him for real.

He began playing the intro to diamond girl by seals and crofts, and you swore you could die happy right that instant. The sun reflecting off his face, plus the fact that he was playing your guys song… you couldn't believe you could be this in love with a person.

Diamond girl

You sure do shine

Glad I found you

Glad you're mine

You and jamie had met by pure coincidence. you were taking a different route to work than usual because you decided to try out some new coffee shop one of your coworkers suggested… not that it really mattered because everything was new to you. You had just moved to anaheim for your job, and you were completely lost. Lucky for you though, you weren't at all nervous to approach a random man on the street to ask for directions.

“Excuse me!” you said cheerfully as you walked up to a cute dark headed boy. “Do you by any chance know how I can get to Sinclair street from here? I’m totally lost and my GPS won’t sync to my location”

“Yeah of course” jamie replied, looking down at the google maps you had opened on your phone. He told you which streets you should take, and even helped you fix your GPS.

Before you set off for work though, you made sure to get his number.

Oh, my love, you’re like a precious stone

Part of earth where heaven has rained on

Makes no difference where you are

Day or nighttime, you’re a shinin’ star

Since that day, you and jamie had spent plenty of days and nights together. You would go watch his home games, and he’d go to every movie you’d want to see in theatres. Your friendship had quickly turned to something a little bit more, and before you knew it you were whispering your i love yous.

How could i shine without you

When its about you that i am?

Diamond girl

Roamin’ wild

Such a rare thing

Radiant child

jamie would always go on about how he loved your care free nature. You were always ready to try new things and to cheer him on whenever his team lost. He needed you and you needed him.

I could never find another one like you

Part of me is deep down inside you

And can’t you feel the whole world is turnin’?

We are real, and we are burnin’, hey

I love you jamie whispered one evening as you two laid in his bed. You turned up to look at him, the sun shining in his face caused butterflies to float in your stomach.

"I love you too jamie". You both couldn’t contain your smiles as you stared into each other eyes, quickly leaning into each other so you could trail soft kisses all over jamie's face.

Diamond girl, now that i’ve found you

Well, its about you that i am

Diamond girl

You sure do shine

Diamond girl

You sure do shine

"jamie..." you felt like crying. you couldn't believe he would learn how to play an sing on of your favourite songs. jamie wore a proud smile on his face, and his eyes where shinning with love and adoration.

"i've been practicing for awhile and i just-" he started but you were quick to cut him off with a passionate kiss.

"i love you so so much jamie" you said while holding his face in-between your hands.

jamie.drysdale

Liked by y/nuser, treverzegras, and others

jamie.drysdale: My diamond girl❤️❤️

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y/nuser: i'm so in love with you it's crazy

jamie.drysdale: i love you so much❤️

trevorzegras: uhhh what about me?

y/nuser: im his diamond girl! youre his himbo know your place !

trevorzegras: wow… i just learnt A LOT about you.

jamie.drysdale: she didnt mean it baby come back to bed❤️

fan01: damn… so hes taken taken

fan02: WHEN IS IT MY TURN OMG!!

trevorzegras: sooo that's what all your practicing was for… a little serenade on the roof! It should've been for me😪💔

jamie.drysdale: next time i'll serenade u dont worry darling❤️

trevorzegras: yaba daba doooo🥶👽

y/nuser

Liked by jamie.drysdale, bestiegirl, and others

y/nuser: he learnt how to play a song for me😭💗

Load more comments

jamie.drysdale: and i’d learn a hundred more❤️

y/nuser: ohmygod im giggling so hard rn🤭💗

bestiegirl: i need a jamie

trevorzegras: …sooo🤣🙏

y/nuser: trevor u literally don't know how to play the guitar

bestiegirl: yeah trevy get on jamies level🙅‍♀️

trevorzegras: gross🤮🤮

fan03: i need him so bad this is ridiculous.

#jamie drysdale #jamie drysdale x reader #jamie drysdale fic #jamie drysdale blurb #nhl fanfiction #nhl imagine

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forgodsgoddamnsake · 2 months

Text

Belly Dancer - Prologue

Hey beauties! This is my first fic and I may be too old for this idk but I thought I need to get this freaking idea out of my system. I’d like you to know that English isn’t my first language so mind me. I’d like you to know that the character which is you in this case is not weak, I read my fair share of fanfics and most of the times if not all the character is a weak little thing, but that’s not gonna be the case here. You’re gonna be a badass bitch!

Idc what your culture is, all I want from you is to have an open mind and get yourself out of where you are and convince yourself that you are the one in this fic. Get yourself out of your body, out of your culture, out of color, out of whatever the fuck. NO MATTER WHAT.

So, shall we start?

Summary: Belly dancer and an arms dealer, how's that gonna go?

It was one of those days that you had to bust your ass to get the job that had you be here in this country. You had been here for a long time enough for you to get used to the mess you're in. You had to get this job; someone has to believe in you. You got to take this chance, this is your culture after all, how can anyone beat you in something your culture is known for?

You took off your hair tie and let your hair fall down your shoulders and back, you got it be so long, so it fits your soon-to-be job. You stand in front of the mirror in the small room of the theatre and take in how you look after you put on your body suit.

This is your shot; you take it, or you leave the country cursing every day you suffered here. You're not gonna let this go.

You look at the golden colored body suit that beautifies your body even more, your cleavage is out there, not so modest, but enough for you to catch eyes. This is what this art is about after all.

You squat and put on the golden anklet and then stand again and take in how beautiful you are. You know that you're beautiful and that your beauty is different from all girls here, that's not something new to you, but it doesn't only take beauty. You also have the skills, and oh you're going to use every bit of it.

A knock on the door and a voice shouts, "Y/N, are you ready?"

You take a deep breath and take the last look of yourself in the mirror.

"I am."

You take your black mantle and wear it on top of your suit. Man, you're here to blow them away, at least this is what you thought.

The path is lightened enough for you to know where the stage is. You stand and see the brown stage in front of you, waiting for you to stand on it.

"Go!" You hear a man says. You breathe and take your first step on the stage and stand right in the middle. There is a light right above you and you can clearly see that there are four people sitting where the audience should be. Three of them are the club and theatre owners that your determined to work at. The fourth one is your friend Jessica, and she's sitting away from them and giving you a smile and a thumbs up.

You hear the woman of the three people asks, "Your name is Y/N, right? Quite a unique name."

You smile and raise your chin in pride, "Yes, I think it kinda is."

"We've heard that you want this job so badly, what makes you different?" A man asks.

"Belly dance is something my country is known for, this is something all women there are born with, it's one of the sexiest things you'll ever see in your life. I think it's even sexier than pole dancing, and I'm here to prove that I'm worthy of it more than anyone else who just learned this art when they were like 20 years old." You answer, confidently.

"Oh, then when did you learn it?" The woman asks.

You smile to yourself and remember when you were five years old and had your mother's scarf around your waist and danced to a really old song.

"From the day I was born." You answer with a smile.

"Well then, let's see." The last man says, looking at his wristwatch.

You hear the rythm of the Egyptian song you asked for, so you give them your back with your body still covered in the mantle.

You start by slowly swaying your waist and you know they can't see shit with this mantle, but you keep swaying your body slowly. Until the beat hits, you throw the mantle violently on the floor, then give them your face with a smile, swaying your belly and waist, not forgetting to use your hands and arms just like any good dancer. A VERY good dancer.

You don't stay where you are, but you also go everywhere on the stage, to keep them attached to looking at you. You smile to yourself when the men look at your beautiful legs and take in the sight of your anklet, your belly is not flat. It has this bump every belly dancer should have to stay as sexy as possible.

You shake your hips, then your breasts, then your waist enough for your ass to shake with it. For the last couple of seconds you use your hair taking it in one hand and raise it to sway it in the air with your back all the way back while standing.

When you're done you hear Jessica scream, "Oh my fucking god! that was incredible, y/n!"

It was the first time she sees you dance, and it blew her away. A smile crept on your face after you looked at the three left, their mouths are open.

One of them stands up, "You're in."

It wasn't the first time for Harry to go to this club, but his friend told him that they had this new dancer that shocked people every time she was on stage.

He needs something different, so maybe drinking couple of shots and dancing could do it for him. He knows that the VIP lounge in this luxurious club will be quieter, and girls won't throw themselves at him as much, he is sick of it actually.

His job is dangerous, he is sick of it, too.

He has cut his hair short, he had to. He had to keep his looks as manly as possible, and the long hair wasn't doing a great job.

Harry coughs and sits on the stool at the bar in the VIP lounge, raising his middle finger to Michael, his friend who sat on a leather couch with a couple of girls. He asks the bartender for vodka, It's not his best option but he wants something strong enough to knock him out.

"Oh my god, it's become nuts in here." He hears the bartender huffs.

"What are you talking about?" Harry asks lighting a cigarette.

"The club has been more crowded every day since this new girl came in." The bartender explains, pouring the vodka for Harry.

"What new girl? Is it the dancer Michael talked about?" Harry asks, taking the cup from the bartender and pouring it down his throat.

"Mhm, not gonna lie, she's sexy to the point I get a boner just hearing her name." The bartender laughs.

"What kind of dancing does she do?" Harry asks giving back the cup of vodka.

"You're gonna see for yourself, better watch out your dick when you see her. Anyways she's gonna be on stage in about half an hour."

"What is her name then, the one that gets you a boner?" Harry smirks and takes the new cup of vodka.

"Y/N" The bartender answers.

#harry styles #harry styles smut #smut #harry #fanfic #fan #fic #aethestic #belly #bellydance #belly dance #dance #styles #harry x reader #harry styles fluff #harry imagine #harry styles one shot #harry styles fanfiction #harry smut

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dreamwritesimagines · 2 years

Text

Enamored [25] - The Maze

A.N: Thank you so much for your amazing feedback my loves, you’re amazing!❤ I hope you’ll like this chapter as well, and please let me know what you think, thank you! ❤ And as always, thank you @theskytraveler for helping me with the chapter and the story❤

Summary: Midnight decisions come with consequences.

Warnings: Regency era society and social rules, angst, implications of sex

Word Count: 5700

Series Masterlist

It seemed as if everyone else was having fun but you.

It wasn’t that surprising, considering your heart was broken to pieces and every single thing about this wedding retreat just reminded you what you had planned for your own future, not to mention how in love you had been—

How much of a fool you had been.

You were supposed to enjoy these two days, especially now that the rest of the ton was here. At every corner there was a different entertainment, some had gone into the woods to hunt, some were playing games in the garden, there was a theatre company at some part of the yard setting up their stage, and there were many people promenading.

Yet, none of those options were appealing to you, so you ended up exploring the house in a desperate attempt to stay away from the person who refused to leave your mind, despite the heartbreak.

Elias had told you there were certain rooms in the house that were locked so that no one could get in, apparently they had been that way ever since the divorce so you were adamant on finding those rooms. You had always been good at unlocking since you were a kid, successfully getting into the pastry cabinet much to your cook’s displeasure, so you were sure that you could in fact get in those rooms, you just needed to find them first.

You turned a corner that led you into a deep hallway and tried a door, but it opened very easily, making you scrunch up your face and you closed it again, making your way to the next one, deep in thought. Pierre had told you he wanted to promenade with you in the afternoon and you were planning on accepting his offer, but first you needed to see Cecily and help her pick a gown for tonight’s dinner party. The engagement ball was coming tomorrow night, and you really wanted to make sure there were no flaws in her gown or accessories—

Your train of thought was cut off as soon as you opened the next door and your gasp caught in your throat, the two figures in the room separating from a kiss in a haste. You gawked at Hugh and Kenneth who both seemed out of breath as Hugh did his breaches while Kenneth got into his shirt, but before anyone could even say anything you heard Penelope’s voice from the end of the hall.

“Y/N?”

You turned around and slammed the door shut behind you, leaning back to it, holding the handle quite tight.

“I was exploring the house and thought I saw you,” Penelope made her way to you as you tried to fix your breathing, your heart pounding in your chest. “Are you alright?”

“Oh—yes of course I am!” you said, still leaning back to the door. “I’m also exploring the house, we can do it together! Just not this room, maids must have forgotten to clean it. It’s all dusty and dust makes me all breathless.”

“Oh I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” you said, clearing your throat. “But I can’t let my beloved friend and guest see this room in such state, so we’re going somewhere else.”

She let out a laugh as you pushed yourself off the door and linked your arm with hers, pulling her towards the end of the hallway.

“Have you had a chance to see the art gallery?” you asked, desperately trying to distract her and yourself, and she shook her head.

“No, where is it?”

“Downstairs, I found it by accident when I first got here,” you said. “I must admit, Cece was right. I really will need a map—”

“Lord Bridgerton?” Penelope cut you off, looking at the hallway you had just stepped into.

Oh Jesus Christ, you really should have gone outside and spent time with Pierre.

Anthony looked almost frozen and he straightened up from the wall he was leaning against, stealing a look behind him into the hallway before bowing his head to you. The mere sight of his handsome figure was enough to send that familiar pang of pain through your chest but you swallowed thickly and willed a smile on your face.

“Ladies,” he said, his gaze wandering off to you before he forced himself to focus, taking a deep breath. “How are you on this fine day?”

“We’re exploring the house,” Penelope said. “What are you doing in the hallway alone, Lord Bridgerton?”

Anthony cleared his throat. “I uh… I am waiting for Benedict.”

“Right here all by yourself?” you asked and he nodded fervently.

“You know how artists get. He is getting ready to go on a ride but knowing him, he got distracted by a painting on the wall or something.”

“Oh,” Penelope said and looked between you, then squeezed at your arm. “Come on, Y/N. Let’s go get distracted by the paintings as well.”

She pulled you out of the hallway so that you two could reach the staircase to go downstairs, and you let out a shaky breath. She offered you a small smile.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes,” you said. “Yes, why would I not be?”

“Because he broke your heart terribly, Y/N,” she stated “I may not know the details, but everyone knows something happened between you two.”

“Nothing happened.”

“No one believes that,” she scoffed. “You two were courting.”

You heaved a sigh as you two made your way into the art gallery, “We were not courting,” you said. “He’s a rake. He’s unable to love or commit to anybody, and I want a husband who can meet the responsibilities of matrimony. Courting with him just would not make sense. I know what Lady Whistledown writes but no courtship took place.”

Penelope raised her brows, making you smile slightly.

“You don’t believe a word I say, do you?”

“No,” she admitted, coaxing a small laughter from you and Penelope turned her head when she heard Colin calling out for her, “But do let me know if denial somehow starts working for you.”

With that, she walked away from you and you shook your head, then approached a painting. You dug your palms into your eyes for a moment, trying to pull yourself together and just how close it was to be seen by Penelope, then lowered your hands and clasped them behind your back, looking up at the painting.

It took you a moment to recognize the figures and as soon as you did, you scoffed.

Venus and Mars.

How fitting.

Out of the corner of your eye, you could see Hugh entering the painting room and he made his way to you without sparing any glances to any other person in the room, and took a deep breath.

“Y/N I know you have questions but first,” he said breathlessly. “I ask you not to tell anyone, if this got out in any way—”

“Why would I tell anyone?” you cut him off, confused and that seemed to make him pull back for a moment.

“I just assumed…” he trailed off, at loss for words and you bit down on your lip, then looked around.

“I grew up in Paris,” you reminded him. “It is not the first time I see um, men in love,” you lowered your voice into a whisper and he tilted his head.

“Oh,” he said after a beat and you licked your lips.

“I was under the impression that kissing was how a lady came to be with child, which apparently is not but back then I just assumed when it happened between two men, there couldn’t be the proof of a scandal so in a way it was allowed because my mother had this friend who had an arrangement and also one of my friends back in Paris said—wait, why was Kenneth shirtless though?” you got distracted by your own train of thought and Hugh pursed his lips.

“I’m not answering that question. How do you know?”

“Hm?”

“How do you know kissing is not how a lady comes to be with child?”

You shot him a look, ignoring his grin, then took a deep breath

“Is that why you don’t want to get married? Because you have no desire for ladies?”

“I have desire for ladies and lords,” he corrected you in a whisper and you nodded slowly.

“I see. And are you in love with Kenneth?”

“I’ve just met him, Y/N,” he said with a small smile. “Thank you by the way.”

“For what?”

“For being you,” he said. “I assumed many things but I did not assume the hardest question I would get from you about this would be whether I am in love or not.”

You shrugged your shoulders. “It’s the most important question after all,” you said. “Everything else is a detail. Does Cecily know?”

“She’s the only one who knows, and now you. I’d like to keep it that way.”

You nodded again. “Of course. But Hugh, are you in love?”

He looked around to check if anyone was watching, then bumped his shoulder with yours. “We’ll see. How’s the rake? Is he still following our lovely nymph around with that tormented look in his eyes?”

“Please don’t call me that, I think Mr. Sinclair is around.”

“So is the Parisian with the mustache,” he said. “And your many other suitors. Is that the plan then? You’re going to avoid all of them?”

“No, I’m going to be promenading with Pierre this afternoon.”

“Hugh!” you heard Cecily’s mother, and Hugh heaved a sigh.

“It seems that I’m needed,” he said. “I’ll talk to you later if my mother lets me go, hm?”

“Alright,” you said and watched him walk away from you with a sigh before you forced yourself to gather your thoughts and turned your gaze to the painting once again.

You spent the next hour walking around the huge gallery, admiring the artwork all over the walls and just when you were about to leave, you saw Cecily enter the room.

There was something different about her.

She was almost glowing, a huge smile lighting up her face. Her eyes held a happy glimmer in them and she made her way to you, bouncing on her steps.

“Hello!” she said, making you smile. “I couldn’t see you the whole day!”

“I was exploring the house,” you said, letting her hug you from sideways before she pressed a kiss on your cheek. “How about you?”

“I was…um,” she stammered. “Elias was—Elias was showing me around.”

“Really? Because I’ve been inside the whole day, I didn’t see you two.”

“Well it’s a big house,” she said, averting her gaze from you and you frowned at her gown.

“Cece, your maid missed a loop.”

Her head shot up, “Hm?”

“Your maid missed a loop while she was lacing the front of your dress,” You pointed at the laces over the cleavage of her dress and she looked down at them, then cleared her throat.

“Oh that escaped my attention,” she said, quickly putting the laces into the correct loops and tying them up. “So you’ve been exploring the house?”

“Mm hm.”

“What are your plans for the afternoon?” she asked and you shrugged your shoulders.

“I’ll be spending time with Pierre,” you said, making Cecily scrunch up her face, “What is that expression?”

“Why would you want to spend time with him?”

Well, Cecily and Elias didn’t need to know about your plans after all. It was their weekend and you weren’t going to take it away from them.

You had a feeling that Elias would disagree with you planning on saying yes to Pierre when he asked.

“I enjoy spending time with him,” you said. “And I haven’t seen the half of the yard yet, I’d like to explore outside as well.”

“Have you seen the maze yet?”

Your eyes widened. “There’s a maze?”

“Yes!” she said, “There’s a huge maze right behind the Storm Shelter. I was there yesterday with my mama but didn’t go in.”

“Oh God I want to see it too!” you said. “Do you think I’d get lost?”

“Well apparently Elias got lost there multiple times so the Duke planted white roses leading to the heart of the maze and outside,” she said. “You would just follow the roses. Elias says there’s a fountain at the heart of it!”

“That sounds absolutely beautiful.”

“Promise me you won’t take Pierre there,” Cecily said. “I don’t want you to get influenced by the romantic scenery and find him romantic as well.”

“I’m not taking him anywhere,” you said. “We will just walk around the yard, and Lucie will be with us. At least she will be if I can find her.”

“You haven’t seen her today?”

“No I have, Iona was talking to her and they seemed to be having a fun conversation so I just let them be,” you said. “They’re by the garden, they said they’d stay there—anyway, would you like me to go over what you will wear at tonight’s dinner party?”

Cecily pressed a hand over her chest. “You’re an angel, you know that?”

“Far from it,” you pointed out and linked your arm with hers, making her giggle. “Let’s go then, future duchess.”

It was only by the afternoon that you and Cecily decided on her gown and you could go outside. It was such a clear sunny day that you couldn’t help but smile, and watched Lucie and Iona who seemed to be having a conversation by one of the trees before you turned your head to catch the sight of Pierre talking to his aunt. You lingered there for a moment, trying to decide whether you should go there or not but before you could make up your mind, someone cleared their throat behind you, making you spin around.

“Lady Danbury,” you said, dropping a curtsy, “Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon Y/N,” she said and motioned at one of the maids carrying a tray of lemonade. “You weren’t going anywhere, were you?”

“Um—“ you took a look at Pierre who was still talking to his aunt and turned to her, then smiled. “No.”

“Great. I was hoping we could talk.”

You took the lemonade glass from the tray and cleared your throat.

“You seem to feel better,” she stated and you nodded.

“I do,” you said. “Thank you again for your visit. I do wish I could’ve been a better hostess—”

She waved a dismissive hand in air. “You were just perfect, considering the circumstances. Your mother raised you well.”

You offered her a small smile. “It means so much to me to hear this Lady Danbury, you’re very kind.”

“So,” she said. “You have gained a lot of new suitors since I last talked to you. What was it, Lady Whistledown called you? Shooting through London’s marriage mart like a comet?”

“I think I’m among the lucky few that managed to get a praise from Lady Whistledown,” you joked and she nodded.

“But the last time I checked, your heart belonged to one suitor only,” she said, making your smile fade. “Has that changed?”

You looked down at your glass and her eyes found someone over your shoulder before she turned to you.

“Y/N?”

“I was very naïve when I first got here, and afterwards,” you managed to say before lifting your glances at her, “I’m proud to say I’m not anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was a childish dream to hope that I would have a love marriage,” you said. “Now I know I must have other expectations and I’m glad to say that I have a suitor in mind that fits those expectations.”

She frowned. “What expectations?”

“An adequate life partner,” you said. “Someone I can build a life with and raise children with. I’ll be…I’ll be busy with my family after I get married and I’m planning not to drag it out, I’ll marry this season.”

Her frown deepened. “But Anthony…”

“I think I will always be in love with Viscount Bridgerton,” you admitted with a sad smile, making her pull back slightly. “But that makes no difference, unfortunately. My feelings cannot change the situation, or him.”

That seemed to make her fall silent for a moment and you shifted your weight.

“I’m sorry, was I not supposed to say that?” you asked and she shook her head.

“No,” she assured you. “No, your honesty is very welcomed. You merely took me by surprise, and not many people can say that.”

You took a sip of your lemonade and her eyes searched your face.

“If you’re in love with him, and seeing that he loves you—”

“He doesn’t.”

Lady Danbury tilted her head. “You believe he does not love you?” she repeated. “My dear girl are you blind?”

“I was,” you said. “When I thought he could love me, when I thought we could have a future. I don’t have the luxury of hoping for that anymore, and I see no point in wasting time.”

She took a deep breath.

“The worst mistake you could do in your life is to get married to someone when you’re in love with another,” she said. “Don’t do this. Your mother would’ve never wanted that sort of misery for you. Don’t…” she trailed off. “Y/N, don’t condemn him and yourself to that torment.”

You bit inside your cheek but before you could say anything else, you heard Pierre’s voice.

“Lady Danbury,” he said, “Mademoiselle.”

“Monsieur Allard.”

“I was hoping I could steal you for a walk?” he asked and you smiled at Lady Danbury.

“Thank you, Lady Danbury,” you said. “Really. Your advice is always precious for me but I’m afraid it’s about time I acknowledge what is possible and what is not.”

She heaved a deep sigh, shaking her head.

“Where’s your father?”

“The duke is inside with aunt Lavinia, they’re in the ballroom if I’m not mistaken.”

“Very well,” she said. “Have a good afternoon Y/N. Monsieur Allard.”

“Lady Danbury,” you both said and you watched her make her way into the house. You waved at Lucie and Iona and Lucie immediately approached you before Pierre offered you his arm.

“Shall we, mademoiselle?”

The dinner party was a success in so many ways, and it wasn’t just because you and Anthony were seated far away from each other. After the dinner party, everyone seemed to be having fun but you had excused yourself to the safety of your room, away from the crowd.

The sun must have been heavy on you in the afternoon because you had fallen asleep almost within the hour of getting to your room, which meant that you woke up in the middle of the night with a gasp, the dream –the memory swirling in your mind, making you press your palms over your eyes.

There was no way you would be getting any sleep now.

You kicked off the covers to get out of the bed and started pacing in your room, your heart still pounding in your ears. That image of Anthony and Siena separating from a kiss was still flashing in your eyes but you shook your head at yourself, then went to the window to open it, letting the fresh air fill into the room. You stayed there by the window, keeping your gaze on the scenery.

Stormview Park was really beautiful, and the yard was no exception.

With a strange timing, Cecily’s words about there being a maze echoed in your head and you pulled back slightly, trying to decide whether you could explore it now or not. It was the middle of the night, which meant there would be no one around, which meant—

It would be peaceful, and maybe focusing on something else would help you get rid of these unwelcomed thoughts.

You hesitated only for a moment before you grabbed your dressing gown off the chair and put it on, then peeked your head out of the door, taking a look into the hallway. It looks completely empty, all the guests were sleeping in their designated rooms so you stepped outside, then made your way downstairs and out of the house as quietly as possible. You went to the backyard, rubbing your arms at the chilly weather, then took a deep breath and grabbed the long skirt of your dressing gown along with your nightgown, lifted it a little and started running towards the Storm Shelter.

Cecily was right, there was a glorious maze standing right behind it.

You could feel your heart beating in excitement before you stepped into the maze, the first white rose greeting you by the corner and a smile you couldn’t stop pulled at your lips.

“Thank you Elias for being terrible with directions,” you murmured as you followed the path to turn the corner, running your hand over the green hedges.

It took you some time to reach the heart of the maze because you kept getting distracted, but when you reached there, the view made you gasp. The marble statues of the maze looked almost mystical, luring you in while the sound of the water sent a calmness over you, making you let out a breath. You stepped closer to the fountain, staring at the statues before you recognized the center piece, and stepped back, a whisper leaving your lips.

“…Mom?”

Cassandra of Troy.

Even under the moonlight you could see how the doomed princess of Troy looked exactly like your mother, standing beside what looked to be the Trojan Horse. You covered your mouth, approaching the statue as that burning in your eyes came back.

You knew about the story. Cassandra was the beautiful princess of Troy, beautiful enough to get Apollo’s attention. Apollo wanted her and gave her the gift of prophecy but upon rejection, he twisted his gift so that no one would ever believe Cassandra.

You shook your head, trying to shake off the thoughts as you approached the fountain to trail your hand in the water, but you were distracted when you heard footsteps. Your heart leaped to your throat as you turned around, but the panic disappear instantly when Anthony entered your sight.

“What are you doing here?” you asked and he stared at you for a couple of seconds, then swallowed thickly.

“I uh… I saw you run here through my window.”

You raised your brows, “And you thought you could just join?”

“I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t get lost,” he said, motioning around. “I don’t know if anyone told you but—”

“Follow the roses, I know.”

He nodded slowly and your heartbeat got faster as your eyes fell upon his handsome face under the moonlight. He still had that stubble and it did nothing to hide his handsome features. Every single muscle in your body was urging you to go to him, to stop this torment as Lady Danbury had said but—

But you couldn’t. You knew you couldn’t.

He took a trembling breath. “I saw you promenading with Allard today,” he said. “Has he asked you yet?”

You didn’t even have to think twice to understand he was talking about Pierre’s upcoming proposal, and you stuck your nose in the air.

“I don’t see how that’s any of your concern.”

The sky lit up, making both of you look up as the sound of lightning reached you and soon the rain started.

“Has he?” he asked again and you shrugged your shoulders.

“Not yet,” you said. “But he will. He keeps implying it. I just hope he waits until we get back to London because I don’t want to distract anyone from this wedding, it’s Cecily and Elias’s weekend—”

He cut you off as if he was in a haste. “Don’t marry him.”

You let out a humorless chuckle, wiping the raindrops off your eyes as you tried your hardest not to look at his white shirt clinging to his body, sending tingles through your lower stomach.

“Right,” you said, forcing yourself to focus. “I suppose you have a reason for—”

“Marry me instead.”

That was enough to make your head snap up and the sound of lightning echoed over the yard as the rain started to pour heavier than before, but all you could do was stare at him, your heart pounding in your ears. Disbelief took over you so suddenly that you were at a loss for words for a moment but you managed to repeat the words as if they weren’t stabbing you in the chest.

“Marry you instead.”

He nodded, his dark gaze searching your face but you just stood there frozen, making him shift his weight.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

This wasn’t—

This wasn’t how he was supposed to do this, none of this was right.

Still, a small part of your mind, the one that always seemed to make your heart lead your decisions made the simple question spill from your lips.

“Why?”

Despite everything, despite your every single claim to be otherwise, you were still naïve. Even you could tell, because deep down you could feel the hope sparking to life inside of you.

Even after he had broken your heart beyond repair, you still wanted his love, desperately. You were almost consumed by the need, and if he was in love with you the way you were in love with him…

It could change everything.

You kept your gaze on him, your expression completely unreadable as though your heart wasn’t slamming against your chest when he took a step towards you.

“Because I—”he trailed off and paused for a moment to swallow thickly, his eyes darting over your face as if he was searching for words.

But when he found them, you wished he hadn’t.

“It’s the logical thing to do, for both of us.”

…Oh.

Of course.

Of course this proposal was based on logic, rather than emotions. It would be foolish to think Anthony would ever propose to you for love.

Of course it had to be logical.

He took a deep breath and threw his shoulders back, as if trying to get rid of some tenseness.

“As my wife you will have access to my fortune and name, and everything that comes with it,” he said as your throat tightened. “I can provide better financial security for you than he can, and as a Viscountess you will have a permanent and influential standing in the ton.”

You could barely feel the rain on your skin, but you felt the icy shards making their way through your veins into your heart, making it harder for you to breathe through the pain.

“And it’s clear that we already have a very strong desire for each other, so having heirs will not prove to be challenging. In fact I think it will be very easy, considering the undeniable attraction.”

Somehow, every single sentence that left his lips managed to make this whole disaster even worse and you gawked at him in complete silence, blinking a couple of times.

“Not to mention, our children would have uncontested places in the ton and they would want for nothing,” he said after a pause. “It’s the perfect union.”

Right.

He wanted you for the easiness of having heirs who would have uncontested places in the ton. That was the logic behind this so-called proposal. Not love, not an ounce of affections, not even remorse over how he had treated you all this time while you were in love with him.

You had been deemed worthy to have his heirs within matrimony, much to his generosity.

You blinked back the tears and shook your head, then walked past him to follow the roses, making him rush after you.

“Y/N—”

“Shut up,” you gritted out, wiping at your eyes and turned the corner without sparing so much as a look at him but that didn’t discourage him from coming after you.

“I don’t understand—”

“No,” you managed to say. “No you don’t understand, that much is clear.”

“But I thought—”

“What?” your voice rose as you spun around to glare up at him, “What did you think, hm? That I would just stand there and accept this humiliation?”

“Humiliation?” he repeated and you turned another corner, making your way through the maze as he rushed after you. “How am I humiliating you when I’m asking you to marry me?”

The lightning crackled through the sky again and you stepped out of the maze, then wiped at your eyes, sniffling.

“Oh is that what you’re doing?” you asked as you turned around to look at him better. “You’re asking me to marry you?”

He looked almost exasperated. “Yes!”

“Then my answer is no,” you said, making him pull back. “I reject your proposal.”

He stared at you for a couple of seconds as if he was in shock.

“…What?”

A hysterical laughter climbed up your chest and you wiped at your face to get rid of the heavy raindrops blurring your vision, but at this point you couldn’t even tell if it were tears or the rain.

“You don’t even see it, do you? You just,” you stopped yourself. “Forget it.”

“You told me yourself that you wanted—”

“I’m not taking this bait again,” you said. “And I’m not going to let you do this again. I’m not.”

He pulled his brows together. “What am I doing, exactly?”

“You’re trying to drag me into this game!”

“Oh I’m dragging you into this game?” he repeated. “You’ve been announcing how you would only marry for love to anyone who’s listening ever since you arrived, you looked me in the eye and told me you loved me and now you reject my proposal but I’m the one playing games?”

“I’m going to marry Pierre,” you said as you turned to walk away from him but he grabbed you by the arm and spun you around, making you shove him back by pushing at his chest. You tried to ignore the warmth spreading through your fingertips, and gritted your teeth.

“I’m going to marry Pierre,” you repeated, your accent shifting as you raised your voice and he shook his head.

“You can’t marry him, you don’t even love him!”

“That’s exactly why I’m going to marry him!” you cried out as you wiped at your eyes. “God, you really don’t understand it, do you?”

“What?” he sounded nearly out of his mind at this point, like he had lost his grip on any control he had. “What don’t I understand?”

“I would rather marry him than you,” you said, making him pull back slightly.

“Y/N—”

“No, I listened to you so how about for once you listen to me?” you cut him off. “How about for once you actually pay attention to what I have to say? I would rather marry him than you, because at least with him I know what to expect. But with you? If I married you? Every night I would go to sleep hoping that by some miracle you would wake up in love with me the next morning, and every morning I would find my hopes shattered. Again and again, every single day, Anthony.”

That seemed to have rendered him speechless and you sniffled, tears falling freely from your eyes.

“It might be marriage for you,” you managed to say. “But for me, it would be a lifelong torment. That’s what you offer me. You offer me a life full of despair and I will not…I can’t condemn myself to that torture willingly. I already feel as if I am dying every time I look at you, and I do not even know what fault I’ve committed to be subjected to this.”

“You’ve committed no fault—”

“Then why do you keep treating me this way?” your voice cracked before you let out a teary chuckle.

“You treated me like a shameful secret,” you told him as he shook his head fervently but you didn’t let him talk. “You didn’t court me, you didn’t give me any promises, you didn’t tell anyone about me and now what? I’ve been finally found worthy of…” you trailed off and let out a painful chuckle. “This is too cruel, even for you.”

He looked almost frozen and you took a step back before darting for the house, climbing up the marble stairs, desperate to get away but of course he wouldn’t let you. You stepped inside with him following you in mere seconds.

“Y/N—”

“I will not marry you,” you said through your teeth as you turned to look at him. “I would never marry you. You don’t have a heart, Anthony. Go find some other fool to make you feel like you have one.”

A silence fell upon you both as he stared at you, pain written all over his dark eyes but before either of you could say anything, a voice reached you.

“What on earth are you two doing?”

You spun around to find Cecily by the staircase, holding a candle and staring at you. For a moment you became overly aware of how both you and Anthony were drenched and were standing there unchaperoned, in your nightgown clinging to your skin to make the situation even more scandalous but thankfully it was Cecily, and there was no way she would ever say anything to anyone.

“Are you trying to end up married?” she asked. “If anyone saw you here like this…”

Anthony’s chuckle was bitter.

“Don’t worry,” he rasped out. “She already said no.”

You turned to frown at him, letting out a breath of disbelief before you tried to offer Cecily a smile.

“Good night Cece,” you murmured, and climbed up the stairs, barely hearing Cecily telling Anthony to accompany her to the map room. If it were any other time, you would’ve realized just how strange it was but you could barely focus on anything other than your heartbreak. You wiped at your eyes as you entered your room and closed the door behind you, then leaned against it and slipped down.

You sat on the floor completely quiet for a moment.

Then the sobs started.

Chapter 26

#anthony bridgerton #anthony bridgerton x reader #bridgerton #bridgerton x reader #regency fic

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