#don't even MENTION shakespeare near him | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

izbelross · 2 years

Text

Chapter 1 of Por la vida que soy libre

A/N: SO!! Here it is, the first Chapter, it will set us on the plot, be careful with the little chats between our protagonists 'cause they might make you believe something will happen but... are you sure it will happen how you expect it? 😏🥰 Btw I am in love with Sam and Bucky being in a relationship and no one can take me out of that fucking ship, thank you 😘 There are gonna be mentions of more characters in the future and appearances, beware. Tell me what you think my unknown friends of the deep fandom internet hole I'll love to read you as well.... and I tried doing reader gender neutral, forgive me if I failed that task.

My first taglist!! ASDFGHJKLÑ

Taglist: @scoliobean 😌🥰

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Black Widow!Reader x Frank Castle Soulmate au!

Warnings: angst ( i think all of my works have angst fuck) / fluff and fluff / enemies to friends to lovers (kinda) / violence, torture ( not that graphic) / character death / happy ending / drama / Very harsh language

Word count: 6,4K

Summary: everyone is born with a soulmate (a/n: wouldn't that be mental?) Soulmates can hear their thoughts since childhood, some others up until they're older. This connection only becomes stable when soulmates meet, but as it can be nourished to bloom into something solid it can also be stopped. Soulmates come with a free choice, you don't die without them, you can learn to live with the one of your choice, free will no matter what. Although those who chose their destined ones can coincide in one thing: "You could never regret it". But when you are raised like a puppet of violence, your free will in every aspect of your life seems to have never existed. Along with your chance of meeting the ones destined for you.

Prologue

Chapter 2

Chapter 1

"What is it they say about destiny? Do you remember? No matter the path, it always ends at the beginning."

.·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·

The deafening sound of the London streets was a common occurrence at this hour of day. You were pretty sure that even if half the population left, the sound will still be as irritating, just as in every other city with busy capitals actually.

Vendors were trying to lull you to their little shops and a few street singers and dancers were giving life to the dull weather. Some of them wore capes, others barely any clothes to cover them up as how the play required it of them and thankfully for you, this was playing at your favour.

Dressed like one of the actress, you stood --as once did the lover of Shakespeare-- knee length boots, black trousers, white chemise and a long red cape that when you turned it over it became yellow. It was a decent outfit, meanwhile you stood aside the play, watching as a replacement of one of the actors and scanning the crowd in search of your next target.

Was a sad day when one of your lasts contacts betrayed you, selling your name and letting you down in the mud, meanwhile they took what you earned with your own sweat and time, your plan and your ammo.

Second chances were never given from you and nothing else could be say out of it. So, even if they had begged for your understanding, payed you the exact amount and more of what the contract said, you weren't near to trust them again nor let them free of punishment.

They could call you revengeful or a piece of shit that had no compassion. But you had learned by bad experience that not everything could be rose gold and shining and forgivable.

So here now you stood, watching as the crowd stared at the actors, laughing, tearing up with them.

You counted the seconds away from the Restoration of Trust plan. And at exact 3 o'clock, the piercing scream coming from one of the bystanders rippled through everyones ears.

You watched amused as a very drunk man was thrown out of a car by two men that started screaming at him, followed by a beautiful woman -- who you had payed earlier-- that looked beaten and traumatised. They three, started the new spectacle once the taller man spotted your red cloak between the greys and blacks of the crowd. Suddenly, the play wasn't as important to everyone as the poor girl that was crying so loud even some of the workers from the surrounding buildings took a peak outside.

The culprit still trying to come back to his senses, looked from here to there, not understanding what had happened, but as soon as the people around got the point of it the morality kicked in.

It would be a miracle if the man didn't die from all the pushes, kicks and punches from the enraged crowd. Honestly, it was amusing to watch, but you didn't have the time.

Waving a hand at the woman that was now being protected by... well, everyone, you took your leave at her slight nodding.

~~~~~~~o.o~~~~~~~~

Being alone in what was left of this world, after Thanos, after Stark passing away, Rogers choice and- well, Natalia's' dead, meant that the family you made along the way, the family you found after being ripped from your biological one, would never get over the loss of such important members. And it was there, at the eyes of the entire fucking world, that the Avengers were no longer a group to reach, they became more a group to remember.

You would be lying if you said it didn't hurt, that it didn't pain you.

Even more at knowing that for five years your existence had been reduced to nothing and that when you returned, everything had changed, the people had grown, the time had passed and you still were wearing the combat suit in which you dusted away.

"Attention passengers, we'll be arriving soon, please take a seat and fasten your seatbelts"

Upon arriving to the States, the entire point of your travel lost meaning for a moment while you basked in the expanse of the difference between cities, the white of falling snow welcoming you. America would always be an exciting place to visit and wander, from South to Centre and North.

The memories you made plagued your mind. The people still alive that you cared for was still in the surroundings, trying to do good. Helping others that still needed them and guarding each others back. Yelena, Bucky, Sam, Sharon, Wanda, Strange. These were names that warmed your heart with only imagining what they could be up to, if they remember you as well as you did them.

Indeed, America was your home, even if you had been born in any other place, it became your home because your family was still here, waiting for you to come back.

Giving a long, long sigh you waited until getting out of the plane to call your sister.

~~~~~~~~o.o~~~~~~~~~

"Hey красивая" you greeted Yelena just as she answered the call. "I'm on my way home, call the Captain and the Sergeant and tell them not to-"

Suddenly the sound of rustling and 'what the fuck dude!' Followed by more struggling cut you out of words. You rolled your eyes, already knowing who it was making the mess at the other side of the line.

"Hello sweetheart! How's been the most annoying being on the planet?" The purring voice of a man reached your ears and the chuckle hidden on his words made your smile widen.

"Hello to you too Barnes and well, you probably have been sucking Wilson's cock, right?" A snort of amusement and a hearty laugh rumbled all the way to your side of the line, a faint 'Oh yes, he has' made you laugh as well.

Bucky screamed at the voices and then he was back to you "And you shut up too, you leave for ages and the first words you tell me are those? Rude. Here, you deal with them..."

"Wait! Bucky! C'mon, don't be like that! I was joking!" You screamed between your wheezing but he ignored you and Sam's own laughs were your only answer.

"Now I have missed you (y/n)."

"Big Sam! Mi hermano! I have missed you so fucking much too, you all. How's Yelena? She wants to punch you in the face already? Or she waiting for you to give back the phone?"

"Bucky is trying to hold her back with those Mexican candies you sent." You smiled a little at that.

After being away for almost two years with little to non communication, you made sure to at least send two times a year enough presents for them that you bought along your journey, from space --which was a little hard considering you had to leave early given your poor stomach not adjusting to the extraterrestrial food-- and the comings and goings in your sweet, sweet Planet Earth. One of the presents were a lot of different Mexican treats and candies and pastries. Accompanied with carefully detailed instructions in how to cook Mexican food without getting poisoned in the process.

The shipping had been expensive, but you made sure that all the goodies would last them for the entire year or year and a half that you were away. And it had to be enough for the two soldiers, your sister and Sharon, that were the only ones who still had more contact between each other.

"I'll be there soon, I'm actually like two blocks away from home so-" Sam's screamed pierced your ears and you heard a thud before Yelena's voice greeted you with more enthusiasm than normal. She had knock out Sam without doubt.

"(Y/n)! You better get here right now or I fucking swear I'll shoot them- No, Bucky! Those are mine, you metallic slut!" You covered your mouth with a hand so your struggle to not laugh couldn't be heard. "Please (y/n), I can't deal with these monkeys alone and- Oh my god! What the fuck- Just hurry up!" Then she hung up and finally, finally you let out a long string of laughs that made your stomach and cheeks hurt.

The cab turned around and you were relieved to finally see your little home four houses away in the long, long street.

Even if Bucky was tangled with the fairy lights and a big wired deer, both hanging from each side of the chimney that had black smoke coming out in big exhales.

Sam was filming the tries of Sharon at disentangling him without letting him drop or the deer.

And Yelena at the side of the sidewalk and about to cut the string that made weight with the big ass looking deer.

"You sure is here?" Asked you the driver and the feeling of warmth ran through your entire being at answering that yes, those are my idiots.

~~~~~~o.o~~~~~~

"Castle, are you there?" The gentle thud of snow making contact with his large window accompanied Matt tonight. Not many thoughts were in his head but a headache. A constant reminder that last night patrol wasn't entirely healed.

"What'ya need Red?" Answered the man to his head, voice a strong baritone, sign that he wasn't even close to sleepy.

Matt stayed silent for a few seconds, there were a lot of things he needed. Starting for a black coffee that could erase the taste of blood in his mouth or the feel of silk behind his fingers after having to put his hands through broken concrete in search of a girl that was almost buried alive.

But in the meantime, "Tell me 'bout your day."

Frank let out a knowing sound, "It wasn't so different from the others." Murmured, a tinge of shame and tiredness on his voice.

"Didn't expect otherwise."

And so with a long sigh, Frank told Matt the entirety of his todays adventures. From the trail all the way to Canada he had to follow right to the empty radio station on the woods where a man was waiting for him and offered him a hint into one of the helpers for his family's murdered.

"You sure about trusting him?" Said Matt, a frown etched on his injured face. "Doesn't sound like a reliable source if you ask me."

"He knew about Cerberus and The Hand. 'Bout Russo and... and 'bout you, like Daredevil."

The stillness that overcame him was enough to make him forget his injured ribs. "How did-"

"'S'a mutant."

Matt knew what this meant. Frank was going to hunt down these people, whoever they were. And once he found them, then death would be the last thing in Franks mind.

For what seemed like hours neither of them spoke, but on his mind, Matt could hear the soft music coming from Castle's. It was their way of communicating.

Neither of them were good with words, being romantic or sensibles was something that got lost with time. So do the encouraging gestures or speeches they used to say to one another back to when Matt was a student and Frank wasn't a marine. Back when the world seemed to have value or a well drawn line into what they wanted.

But now this was what they could rely on. The soft sound of a ballad or the rhythm in a rock and roll song. The only kind of understatement that they could listen to all day long, while doing their jobs, while going out at night at vigilantes activities. Before going to bed or when the time to visit the cemetery was up to date.

Matt had never spent an entire day with Frank in another way but fighting against bad people. Villains and monsters that lurked the dark. Both of them having become the protectors of those that were in danger. And in those moments, with their soul-bond sighing in relief at their closeness, they never spoke about sensible topics or made a move to touch in a comforting manner the skin of the other.

It was an unspoken rule between them and something they were comfortable at following.

A few seconds of silence passed before Frank spoke again.

"I felt it again," Frank's voice startled him, but before he could ask what, Castle continued. "The pull."

There wasn't needed an explanation for that. The memory was still fresh on their minds, like it was yesterday, when they felt their souls being ripped apart, not from each other but from a third one, a third connection that was calling them with such desperation that they almost got mad with worry and rage and fear.

They couldn't do anything but try to reach that little, tiny cord that was almost broken but persisted, buried deep inside their minds and whoever their third part belonged to.

"I felt it too." Matt cleared his voice, suddenly a dry throat and a heaviness on his mind that mirrored Frank's. "I was at the courthouse when- I felt it more vividly this time, like it almost wanted me to notice."

"Ya think they're closer? Perhaps they feel us too. Pulling to get them."

"I hope so, Frank."

It wasn't of them to talk about their feelings or share opinions about each others lives. But there was a common ground were they two step at the same time, where both Matt and Frank wouldn't venture without the other. They could spent entire nights and days plotting about it, trying to get to a point of understanding and researching non stop until their heads gave up. And it was about their third soulmate.

Back in that day, when the pain radiated out of you and seeped into their minds, they lost all sense of control over their already fallen lives. They had no way of reaching to you, your mind wasn't open, your soul wasn't ready to be with theirs, and from that day on they doubted that it will ever be.

They couldn't search for someone they had never known or talked to or seen. They didn't know the sound of your voice, the world you lived in, your name was a mystery up until today!

"You think they're fine?" Matt's question was one that Frank wanted to say yes to, he wanted to believe with all his heart that whoever their soulmate was and whatever they were doing, they were better than the other times he felt the bond nip at him in a painful way.

But Frank Castle knew better than to wish upon dreams. Frank Castle knew that pain could come in more than physical ways. And not ever once had The Pull being without pain or sadness.

"I don't know, Red." Answered The Punisher, worry lacing his tone, a new heaviness settling in him.

"I'll go with you. To see this man and help you find with the target he gives you."

Castle scoffed "And then what, boy? Ya gonna stop me from getting to them? Think 'bout how it go last time, Murdock."

"I said I'll help you find them, whoever they are. What you do to them is really not my problem, Castle. I've learn that there's no power in this world to stop you from doing your will."

Frank almost laughs at that, there was a very strong power that could stop him from killing those mother fuckers and Matt not knowing it was him, the fucking Daredevil, that had many times unconsciously convinced him to do better was very, very amusing.

"Then better get'ya ass ready, Red. We're leaving in a week."

~~~~~~~~o.o~~~~~~~

Christmas dinner was spend sharing stories of the past, that even if they still hurt, they were welcomed in the tiny living room, lit with candles and warm golden lights. The champagne Sharon brought and her own home made recipe of sweet potatoes and orange turkey was devoured by all of you.

She told you about the entire new team at her disposal and the also new vigilante that everyone called Spiderman and asked you many questions from London, your last stay, the vigilantes from there and if you ever met them in person or worked with them.

The only one that you had contact with was Strange and only in one occurrence. The rest you heard only gossiping; a white masked man or something like that.

Sam and Bucky had an entire drama to tell that lasted almost up until midnight, between Yelena cutting in once or twice to tell you about last year encounter with Clint and Kate, she spent Christmas and New Years there and she confided in you that having a family like that made her tear up a little. It was a home away from home, siblings that treated her like a sister, making fun of her without fearing her, complimenting her looks without wanting anything in return. It was refreshing. It was new and something she wanted you to experience as well. For the New Year you two would call Clint to go there for the upcoming celebration.

And you, you had not much to say that wasn't depressing.

You had been away because Erik needed you. You both wanted to make the world a better place for mutants, but first you needed to make sure the people that were still hunting your fellow sisters and brothers were taken care of, and so you two went on a killing spree all the way from Asia to Africa to Central Europe.

The betrayal wasn't planned but it was expected that, at some point, one of your teammates would fall to the lies of those in power. So you had taken care of each one of the liars and everyone involved.

At the end, Erik thanked you and got to his own way, back to Asia.

You didn't dare speak about all of this at such a happy reunion. They didn't need to know that and you weren't about to ruin the night by confessing that the travel, in search of mutants to aid, had become a hunting for bad people that wanted your entire mutant fellows dead.

That was the end of the night, with you all opening presents and basking in the special little moments of happiness.

~~~~~~~o.o~~~~~~

The morning was cold when you step in your porch, the sun hadn't come out and the lights on the large street were still on, barely giving light to a peaceful white, grey and black morning. The snow ha covered almost every exit at the garage of the houses including your own and you would have to make a new shopping trip in case of a snow in.

You relished on the quite stillness of no one around you, only the cold, cold weather and the occasional chirp of a bird far away.

It was in moments like this when you wondered what would Natalia be doing right now? You liked to imagine how life with her still here would be. Her soulmate was a brilliant person, a truly loyal friend that used to shine upon everyones minds and made the days lighter, even for people like the Avengers.

Natasha adored her soulmate to the point of marrying in secret and gaining the ire of the one and only extravagant Tony Stark. That was an act of love that not even you were sure back then to have accomplished without ending fearing the revenge of the billionaire. You still can remember how Tony didn't stop pestering them both even in their "secret" honeymoon, which he casually invited all of you at the same place where the newly wed couple was celebrating.

Her soulmate, you thought how are they?

Yesterday you didn't dare to ask anyone about them for fear of downing the mood and the fear that came of knowing you haven't cared that much for them since you came back. It wasn't because of a lack of empathy, it was because seeing them and coming back to their shared home where you had been many times hanging out... it pained you.

You still hadn't say your condolences to them or showed up to their doorstep or even asked about them and-

A sudden whisper from a gruff voice made your head rise from the white grass.

You waited in silence just to hear it again. It was a man's voice, you could almost swear you heard someone saying something but you didn't quite catch up the words!

Taking a few steps further, your eyes tried to accommodate to the darkness in front of you. No one was there.

The movement from a bush startled you, but you kept your ground, quickly grabbing the first thing that was at your reach. A pot with a gardenia on it. You kept your gaze steady, your stillness making your other senses come into action, you could almost see the figure of someone right there... between the darkness, the silhouette of long legs and broad shoulders that started to move towards you, a hand that-

"What the fuck are you doing out here?" You let out a scream while turning around and throwing Yelena the pot, which she dodge slapping it away and making a mess of dirt and broken mud all over the front door. "What the hell (Y/n)!"

"You scared the shit out of me Yelena! What the fuck!"

She only grumbled in response trying to clean herself from the dirt on her pyjamas and saying something that you completely ignored, instead turning around and trying to focus again on the spot where the shadow appeared.

There was nothing there.

"Are you even listening? Hell, (Y/n), let's get inside. Jeez."

She turned and entered the house, leaving you alone with her grumbling fading inside the place and your heart still hammering in your chest.

"The next step for us is Clint's home and from there we should be okay with the enormous amount of canned food you bought." Sharon picked one by one the said cans and started placing them inside the cabinets. "You should eat more organics, you could get cancer with this things you know?"

"Talking Bucky out of processed products is like trying to make a dog fly." Said Yelena entering the small kitchen. Bucky smirked, he was in an unusual good mood for being nine in the morning.

"Talk all you want, doll, but the serum would never allow something like that to happen. Besides, I don't like cooking."

"But Sam does like cooking." You said from the stool at the counter. "I can't imagine him eating all this crap, Buck."

"Well, he does have Barnes for snack every day." Sharon mumbled while trying to read the nutrimental values from the pack. Bucky went deep red on his cheeks.

"Okey, that's it. I'm going upstairs."

"No! Bucky! I just came back, don't leave me!" Getting up from your seat you almost begged for him to stay, it was a fun sight; a man so big and feared by many, blushing with the teasing like a teenager. But with him coming from a year where it was uncommon from women to speak like that and he still getting used to it and all, it was actually endearing and understandable.

The teasing came back and forth, Yelena trying to help him understand all your jokes meanwhile Sharon and you tried your hardest to make him blush, giving specifics in how to please men.

Sam entered a little while later, when breakfast was ready and the tone of red in Bucky's cheeks made him arch a brow, Buck only shrugged and send him a wink before continuing eating.

"Sit down, man, Sharon cooked some bacon and pancakes." The Captain looked at you first, trying to gain your attention but you were too lost in your food to notice.

"First there's something you need to see. All of you."

At that, you did locked eyes on his and suddenly it felt very much like when you were all part of the Avengers and a debriefing was given by him, you being told what was the mission and your part on it. That gaze of you probably won't like it but he don't have a choice was one you knew very well.

"What is it?" Sharon took a seat beside you, looking less stressed, just as Yelena. But Bucky knew this man even better than himself and so, he knew that this joyous morning had ended, probably the rest of them as well. You two glanced at each other for a second, returning naturally to Sam's commanding voice.

"Strange sent a message for you (Y/n)" Sam put the envelope on the table, right in front of you.

"For me?"

"It's about Erik Lensherr, he's come back to America."

The air between you and the soldiers turned ice cold in a minute. Even if you haven't told them what exactly you did this past two years, they did knew you were alongside Erik, and he wasn't known for his moralistic tactics.

"He told me he wasn't coming back, not until Charles called him." You took the envelope, opening it with the other, inside were pictures of Erik leaving the airport and going inside a black car, each one of them was taken with a span of few minutes between the ride he made from the airport to the train station, then there were no more photographies. "He said he was going back to Asia."

"Perhaps he changed his mind." Commented Yelena, taking one of the pictures while munching on a piece of well toasted bacon.

"That's not all. He was last seen with a lawyer and his secretary Karen Page, the three of them where seeing entering 'Nelson, Murdock and Page', a law firm at New York. They stayed there for three hours and then only Erik got out. The rest stayed until their normal hours of work."

Sam sent your mobile the information about the entire visit to New York that Erik had made. Apparently he not only didn't tell you about his abrupt appearance but he didn't even let Charles know. He was wearing the helmet all the time, under a very weird looking hat, but yeah, you would recognised that big ass head of his while wearing his helmet at any perspective.

"Strange told me that he went to see him as well and asked some pretty interesting questions about specific people."

"Who did he asked for?" Sharon beat you to ask.

"For (Y/n), although he didn't specify exactly what. Then for some 'The Punisher' and 'The Hand'."

"What kind of names are those?" Sam gave Bucky a pointed look. "What? Its always "The" and whatever it comes next."

"Dude, you were "The Winter Soldier"" Yelena joked.

"And it was embarrassing! Honestly I think HYDRA at least could have come up with something shorter, or at least not as fucking boring." Whined Bucky with energy, Sam was pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You could have been called The Hand." Sharon added.

"More like The Arm, I think." You snickered.

"We are not discussing that!" Shouted a very annoyed Sam, and your entire group tried to sniffle your giggles. "You," he pointed at Bucky that stopped cackling and gave him a seducing grin. "Go to your room and get ready for a mission." Bucky stoped grinning at him.

"What? Excuse you but- I'm the victim here, between these two," He screamed pointing at you and Sharon.

"Barnes, I swear, if you don't move your ass I'll make you." That was a actually the wrong thing to say because the ex-assassin only smirked and was about to give Sam a witty comeback when he started speaking again. "And because if you do not, then you'll sleep on the couch for an entire season."

"YOU WOULDN'T!"

Sam only crossed his arms and the pinch on his brows grew deeper, seconds tick by with Yelena still eating and enjoying the spectacle. Sharon and you were containing with a lot of effort the giggles.

After a few more seconds Bucky finally broke."Fine! But don't expect me to forget your alliance with the little gremlings!"

Bucky left the kitchen and his steps could be heard all the way to the guests room he shared with the Captain.

"He's so wiped." Murmured Sharon and instantly Sam's attention was on her. The blonde went rigid.

"Now you and you," he pointed at Yelena as well "need to get information about the firm that Erik went to. Don't get caught." They shared smiles with raised brows, it was kind of insulting for Sharon and Yelena, but at the heaviness in the air when Sam's attention shifted towards them, they let it slip and abandoned the kitchen. Murmured "see yas" and "byes" left at their path.

Now with you two alone, the entire weight of the situation started to make you sweat. The implications this would have with them and your new re-gotten life.

"Why you didn't tell us? Or at least one of us?" Your gaze dropped to the kitchen counter, hands fidgeting on the cold marble. "Why is he going around asking about you?" A barely heard "i don't know" came out of your lips but even for your ears it was obvious it wasn't an entire truth.

"We're family, (Y/n). We are the only ones left and we have to trust in each other. We need to trust in each other. If not... then- if not then we're not better than before and we all know how that went."

Sam's voice never raised an octave or got lower to a threatening level. It was soft like always, with that tint of understanding even if it was hurting him knowing you hid your real motivation. That was the worst part of it, the trust that he put into his words, behind the thinking that you knew this and understood, it didn't matter that you didn't took it into practice, but the thought that he trusted in you with this ideal, that he believed in you as if you didn't just hide such an important part of your trip to them, that was what cut deep through your chest.

"Sam's right, doll." You took a quick glance at both men, Buck crunched down on the doorway, trying to strap correctly his boots, Sam taking a seat in front of you, sipping from the coffee Yelena surely didn't finish. "We made that mistake many times for us not to learn from it."

Bucky stood up and send you wink, not giving you a chance to say something. "Just think it through, it's hard letting yourself be aid by others, trust me, I would know 'bout it." You smirked at that. "But we all gotta learn somehow, right?"

"Yeah"

Sam looked at you with the hint of a smile, the conversation finally settling in with the calming presence of this two, only disturbed by the sound of your ringtone. Taking your mobile, you arched a brow at the unknown number shining from the screen.

"Who's that?" Asked Bucky.

"No idea" was your murmured response right before taking the call "Who's this?" On the other side of the line the sound of wind got your attention. The soft spoken voice of a woman was soon to greet you.

"(Y/n)?" You didn't dare to answer, her voice sounding alarms in your head, you recognised that voice, you had heard her somewhere, but... the memory just didn't come at you. "Am I talking to (Y/n/ln)?"

"That's me. Who's this?"

"My name is Karen page," your eyebrows rose and Bucky, blessed his enhanced hearing, looked at you in surprise and whispered rapidly at Sam, letting him know who exactly was calling you. "I'm a secretary at Nelson, Murdock and Page's firm, I'm calling for the recent change requested by Erik Lensherr who has come to acquire new documentation in which we will need your assistance for the fulfilment of the last procedure. Can you confirm your assistance for December 28? Or if you wish to reschedule, can you let me know of the date best suited for you?"

You stared off into the distance for almost two minutes, Sam, fearing you were having an attack, kicked your leg under the counter, making you yelp in pain. " (Y/n/L/n)?"

"Yes, yes, I'm here."

"I'll really appreciate if you could give me-"

"I'm sorry, Miss Page," you interrupted "but what exactly is the last procedure? The new- uh, new documentation?" The woman on the other side didn't hesitate when she answered.

"His will, (Y/L/N), you are to sign as the first beneficiary of Mr. Lensherr's will."

~~~~~~~o.o~~~~~~

"It's not funny, Barnes."

Bucky sitting beside you on the back of the car groaned in annoyance. "C'mon, doll, it's fucking hilarious! Now all we have to do is kill the bastard."

"Ugh."

You turned your head, ignoring all the different ideas for the "Getting granpa's will" operation that Sharon, out of the good of her heart provided you with. Sam was driving in the front, the copilot seat banned from everyone, including Bucky, after some pranks that almost got all yourselves into a massive crash on the free road.

Yelena went to the her secret dungeon, where she could easily find the right people and dig further into the lives of Nelson, Murdock and Page. Every little detail that could help in case of... well... it's not that you and the soldiers were paranoids or something, it's just that every thing needs to come with a plan B.

Now you were reaching the building of the firm, a little cornered place need the river, tiny and between more bigger buildings that surely stopped the sun to reach it, but you imagined, since it's kinda new for what little information you scraped, it's obvious that it wouldn't be as big as other firms.

Sam pulled up in front of the door and shutting off the car you all headed inside.

The first glance at the short stairs was like a living nightmare for Bucky and you, flashbacks of- of a very tortuous past coming back. Still you kept climbing until a door welcomed you with the names written on the glass. "This place needs maintenance." Said Bucky.

"All this neighbourhood, you mean." You raised your eyebrows at Sam who knocked on the door, apparently very amused with his little joke. "Shut up, children, and you better behave or else no going to the park later."

Bucky's shoulders slumped and he send you a look , "Are you pretending to talk to dogs or kids?" "Bucky, shut the fuck up, will ya?" The Captain snorted and you could swear you heard someone laughing inside as well.

There was some thrashing behind the door that now the three of you heard before the door swung open revealing a pretty blonde with a soft smile and there goes your heart running, you just couldn't function in front of beautiful people, and you thanked for the first time in your entire existence that your training as a widow helped you remain stoic and gentle. "Good afternoon, I'm Karen Page, we spoke on the phone."

She extended her hand looking at you "Miss Page, I'm (Y/n/l/n) and they are Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes." Karen obviously recognised the two man standing with you, if she was scared or amazed, she didn't show, instead made you come in inmeadiatly being greeted with no other than the man from the previous photographs. "Foggy Nelson," said the blond man, shaking your hand, he was really cute and seriously you should stop ogling people.

He gave you a professional smile and you walked aside to the second lawyer standing behind the table, with his hands on a cane and that told you everything you needed to know about his condition.

He as well extended his hand and you took it, giving a firm shake "I'm Matthew Murdock, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Like being dragged by a wave at the ocean you felt your brain being turned over and thrown to the rocks, with multiple ideas, so many memories trying to resurface, hidden behind your soft "Pleasure's mine" and calm movements while taking a seat. In front of you, Matt was fidgeting with his hands, minimal gestures that no one noticed, not even you that were about to have a mental breakdown for some unknown reason.

"So," Foggy clapped his hands, getting everyone's attention. "Let's get down to business."

The lawyer started talking about the papers in front of him, signalling some to which you nodded, without paying attention and noticing this he started talking to Sam.

You didn't know what was happening, what you were feeling. This pressure in your chest and a longing that dragged you into the ocean, more into the deep waters, it was just like that day, when you were screaming internally, without voice.

The room felt too small, the air coming from the windows not enough to breath.

"Matt?" Foggy's voice didn't even faced you, but still your eyes traveled to said lawyer, sitting still, hands under the table clenching and unclenching and his eyes hidden behind those red glasses, glazed over. Foggy's mood change, not giving a single fuck that you, their new clients, were sitting right in front of them. "Matt, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

His friend blinked once, twice and suddenly he got up on his feet looking at the three of you intently for a few seconds. When his eyes found yours the turmoil inside your chest wanted to combust you alive but you tried to will it to stop. "Matthew, what is it?" Asked him Page this time.

He didn't answer, just shook his head and stormed out of the room, not even daring to look back or apologise.

The five of you were silent for a long time, that continued into and awkward laugh of Karen "Uh, heh- He, uh, he does that sometimes. Don't worry." Chancing a quick look at her you she cleared her throat. "Foggy?"

"Yeah, right, uhm... we should continue."

Bucky turned to look at you, hearing a little the change in you breathing and letting Sam handle the situation at hand. "You okay?" Your gaze found his eyes and suddenly you were back with Natalia and Yelena, three teenagers locked up on the limits of the world, surrounded by chaos and not knowing what to do, how to react. "I don't know."

#frank castle x reader #matt murdock x reader #daredevil fanfiction #frank castle x matt murdock #matt murdock x frank castle #soulmate au #fratt x reader #frank castle #matt murdock #frank castle x reader x matt murdock #matt murdock x reader x frank castle #Por la vida que soy libre #izzi works

141 notes · View notes

kimyoonmiauthor · 2 months

Text

36 Dramatic Situations by Georges Polti (1895)

Free version found here:

The outline on Wikipedia is wrong. (no big surprise there) Not once did Polti argue for conflict. He does not use the term. He looks at these as situations. We've covered conflict language at length.

Things of note (for me, so read it on your own):

This is during the French Third Regime (His president while he was publishing this is Jean Casimir-Perier) during stable democracy. You can feel it in the work oddly enough as he celebrates Polish and French freedom sticking it to Gustav Freytag who called French Theater inferior. (Believe me, Gustav Freytag spent long, long chapters on this. Unhinged chapters.) It is really hard to name someone not German that Gustav Freytag didn't hate as a contemporary... but he really did hate French theater a lot, so I don't blame Polti. BTW, this is near to his introduction.

I can feel him pushing back on Gustav Freytag a bit because he mentions Polish people, French, Chinese, and goes to great lengths to defend Hindus (Indians of the time--remember Indian history with British occupation.) He also names English plays that Freytag would have known. Of course Shakespeare and Greek plays as well. All groups that Gustav Freytag went out of his way to say were inferior to Wagner's Opera, going on and on about Shakespeare and Aristotle. Gustav Freytag isn't mentioned, but the odd admixture kinda of argues to me, that he wanted to try to say no to Freytag. This is before WWI, so maybe said a bit early to boast, but also ahead of his time. Thumbing his nose about Polish and French freedom feels like indirect confrontation with Freytag, especially when he goes out of his way to not argue for superiority or inferiority. AND he definitely knows German and makes several broad statements to that effect, naming German plays as well. It's not likely he missed Freytag.

This is AFTER the advent of Francis Boaz, the social scientist who went to create Anthropology--you can feel his influence when Polti tries (maybe in vain a little) to do some cultural relativism, which is kind of refreshing to be honest. Does he do it well? Ummmm... not really. But I give him the effort. I should note here, that a lot of Early anthropology theoretical work was in France.

He DOES list Chinese plays and tries his best to be international, but mostly lands on France and Italy. The Chinese plays he lists, I can't find, though, so I might have to ask some Chinese people for help on that.

The Avenging of a Slain Parent or Ancestor:–"The Singer," an anonymous Chinese drama; "The Tunic Confronted" (of the courtesan Tchang-koue-pin). I want to know which these are. And what the original Chinese names are.

Some of the reasons why he did it was because he thought it might boost? creativity. He even says he can hear your cries about limiting creativity, but energetically says that's not his purpose. He wants to have some organization, not put down the budding creativity of the time between various movements of writing, such as naturalism, etc. (I cover that elsewhere, Early 19th century story drivers, etc are fascinating).

19th century France was still considered a hotbed of cultural influences and ideas. Works from all over were being translated into French. (This is something that Lit professors go over a lot, and you get this from Art History as well... but this is easy to find) Modernism and other cultural ideas flourished. So when he references all of these different cultural texts, it's because people all over the world--Korea, China, Japan, Germany, English, etc often did go to France. And France also benefited.

He does use the word Denouement, but it's not used in the same way as the later usage. I think the translation might be a bit faulty, but I think he means mounting plot (nouement, according to some) and then the Denouement (dismount) is the deescalation of the tension.

He does abuse Aristotle by making a thesis, and then not backing his thesis. Can we stop doing this? No? Never?

Can I get a quote from Poetics please? He did argue for simplicity. That it should be long, simple and easy to remember. No subplots. But the overstatemets after that I'm not quite sure about.

The majority of his story theory and the reasons why he did it are at the end. Read the conclusion will help more than the categorization.

He never cites the work that he took it from, beyond one name TT Cue me crying in a corner as I blind stab and try to find the original source and hope that it has a translation. He cited Carlo Gozzi. Of which only five of the ten plays quoted are translated as theoretical works.

Later people who cite him use him for structuralism purposes, but if you read his treaties carefully, he's not quite pro structuralism because that doesn't come as a thought pattern until later (early 20th century). He's not arguing for structure or for a particular story theory--he likes the diversity actually and goes to great lengths to state so before, during and after his treaties. He wants the pluralism, but he wants organization too.

He actually cites people knowing they are of other races than white and bends over backwards to try to do it. Not always well, but you can feel his intentions are good, so you can't hate him for the effort. (Keep in mind this is before the big push on sociology and Anthropology, so he's kind of ahead of the curve.)

There is some sexism in it... but I'm willing to give a pass since he doesn't really disparage women as writers directly like some of the other authors on this list. And he's willing to paint men as just as bad as the women in his scenarios to fill out the lot. Victim of his times might apply here, since it's late 19th century and there was the "damsel in distress" type of plot prevalent at the time.

If I were to rank, he's not the worst of the lot. But his energetic enthusiasm, even when wrong spills over onto the page. He really does think he's doing the world a favor, but not in a holier-than-thou way so I can't quite hate him for it. Brecht is still the most fun to read Followed by Selden Lincoln Whitcomb, who really did know what he was doing with his pluralities. And then maybe I'd put this one third for the semi- (proto)-structuralists.

Let's be honest, Percy Lubbock is kinda oppressive to read because he's so convinced of his self-worth and that he has a horrible solution to a problem he should not see with literary discourse. And as much as I like EM Forster pushing back on Lubbock, some of his story theory ideas don't hold water well. (Forster isn't a structuralist though).

So yeah... Not the best to read and entertaining, but you can't quite hate him, even if his exact information is a bit off...? Ya know. But still some of his information is off, so you can't quite reward him. It's like the eager student who means well when they raise their hand, but somehow are only 80% correct. What do you do with them?

Anyway, you can see him in time and space with this contextualization, I hope. I have 3 good candidates for the Antigone diagram. If it's who I think it is, then we have a super awesome figure to cover.

#Polti #Georges Polti #story theory

6 notes · View notes

clavissionary-position · 2 years

Text

☀

It's a rare day when all the residents find time in their hectic schedules and individual dispositions to gather for a shared meal.

Though Vincent is the one who has your undivided attention this morning. As ever, your boyfriend fills the secret spaces between the seconds of every day with his buoyant, blooming presence.

I K E M E N V A M P I R E

theo vs. the world

☼. CONTENT WARNING : fluff . mentions of sex female reader . mansion bros being bros FEATURED CHARAS : All 12 residents WORD COUNT : 636

18+ blog . minors/ageless blogs DNI

"I've never been, but I would really like to!" Vincent normally has an ability to light up an entire room with his everyday smile, but when he gets excited, the effect is near-blinding. He is all but jumping out of his shoes, and if he shakes your hands any harder they will fall right off.

Comte gives a thoughtful hum from the head of the dining table. "The Moulin de la Galette tends to run cheaper than other establishments. If that's what's stopping you from staying within city-limits, then—"

Leonardo cuts him off with a sigh that’s somewhere between annoyed and playful. "It's not always about money, Comte. Maybe he just wants a night out with a couple of drinks under open stars. With his special lady of course."

“Indeed!” Dazai says as he finishes the last of his Dazai-made tofu. “There is a right way and there is a very right way to make love for an audience of—”

Theo interjects: "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't speak of Broer’s extracurricular activities."

“‘Extracurricular’, he says.” Arthur snorts. "Is there any time when you appreciate others speaking about Vincent?"

"If it's positive things," Theo begins swirling his pancakes around on his freshly-syrupped plate, "they can speak about him to their heart's content."

"And you wouldn't get jealous?" Napo asks as he steals a cube of cheese off Jean's plate.

"Why would he be jealous?" Mozart answers before Theo can.

Theo turns back to Napoleon. "Exactly. Why would I be—"

"I follow what you are saying, Mozart," Jean cuts in. "If Theo carefully hides himself in the shrubbery as he usually does, he will be able to moderate any discussion of Vincent and step in as necessary. Napoleon. Please stop touching my cheese."

"What do you mean 'as usual'!?" Theo angrily stuffs a forkful of pancakes into his mouth, though even he isn’t above expressing awe at how deftly Napoleon parries Jean’s swatting fork.

Mozart shakes his head. "That's not exactly what I meant, Jean." But his words are lost to the backdrop of Theo's furious chewing.

"I don't" —Theo gulps before reaching for another forkful— “stalk Broer as he goes about his day. And that bush thing only happened once!"

"Twice," Isaac says, retrieving a plate of sandwiches from Sebastian and leaving the dining room with no further comment.

Dazai stands up,checks his kimono sleeves for spare apples, then scuttles after Isaac.

Sebastian nods thoughtfully in the wake of Isaac's departure. "I would have to check my records, but I am fairly certain it has happened on at least four occasions."

"Records?" At least three people ask.

Shakespeare produces an elegant laugh over the rim of his morning alcohol. "I sometimes forget how humorous you all can be whilst distracted from your inner troubles."

Theo sets his fork down. He slowly slides his chair back, stands up, fixes his scarf, takes a deep breath—

The entire time that this conversation has been going on in the background, and even while Theo chases Shakespeare from table to window, and even after Shakespeare picks up Lumiere and chases Theo from window to door, Vincent explains to you about the unique amenities at the Moulin de la Galette.

"I'm really interested in painting that kind of lively atmosphere," he finishes. "Oh, you have some food—" He thumbs something off your cheek before sticking it in his mouth and continuing without missing a beat. "And I'd really like it if you would come with me."

~ fin

🥐 m a s t e r l i s t . txt

#ikemen vampire #ikevamp vincent #ikevamp comte #ikevamp leonardo #ikevamp dazai #ikevamp theo #ikevamp arthur #ikevamp napoleon #ikevamp mozart #ikevamp jean #ikevamp isaac #ikevamp sebastian #ikevamp shakespeare #ikemen vampire fanfics

122 notes · View notes

harryleatherfit · 11 months

Text

Upper East Side || A.U||

Frankie Morales

Chapter 5: Audition

word count: 4355

warnings: fat shaming (i’ve been bullied severely so i can write one pretty fucking mean bitch, middle school was not for the weak), alcohol consumption, age gap, mentions of student teacher relationship, anxiety, trauma, emotional parent abuse

pairing: frankie morales x f!reader, soulmates, slow burn, slight angst (maybe)

🪩Main Master List🪩 Series Master List🪩

—-

You couldn’t believe him the other night. You didn’t want to hear him out. You felt drunk on him from the other night still it sickened you. It was so bad to the point you almost couldn’t go to your first shift, but you had to go. Money was the only thing that was going to keep you alive.

You walk into the bakery and Matilda is excited to see you, she preps you for the cash register and how to greet customers.

“It gets busy around noon,” she reassures you, “Don’t worry though, you’ll be fine. You’re a charmer honey.” As she walks into the kitchen to make the pastries.

“It’ll all be okay.” You reassure yourself. In the past you worked food jobs in high school, but that was a small town. This is a bakery that could get filled up for hours with no break, almost like starbucks but prettier.

A couple hours go by, you’re going steady and chatting with your customers. Occasionally having a few slip ups with orders. Getting tipped here and there.

As you're talking to a customer, you look behind him and see Mr. Miller. You give him a friendly smile.

“Hi Mr Miller! Nice to see you today.”

“My favorite student,” He looks a little shocked seeing you, “I can’t believe you work here!”

You guys have small talk about voice class and he asks, “Are you auditioning for Lady Macbeth? I’d only suppose so…”

“Yes I’ve prepared for it, I’m a little nervous but I’ve searched up on Shakespeare the best I could.”

“Well the only thing you can do is your best, I know you can do it, I see your work ethic in my class and it can only excel for the show, what role would you like?” He asks.

You haven't thought about that, were you even talented enough to get that kind of lead here? “I mean I’m shooting for an ensemble at the very most, there’s no way I’ll get Lady Mac.” You look down, handing him his food and coffee.

“Oh no, don’t say that, I’ve heard around how well you are at acting and seeing you as Sally in Cabaret made the whole department decide that we needed you, don’t tell yourself you won't get Lady Mac because you have a clear shot at getting it. And if you don't, you have the musicals in the Spring.” He finishes.

“Mr. Miller, the fact you went all the way to UNCSA just to see me perform is mind boggling, thank you for giving me a shot and just seeing the potential in me. I appreciate it so much and I’m beyond honored to be one of your students.” You say to him.

“No trust me it’s my honor, I’m very excited for this year, I promise we picked you for a reason. I’ll see you in class.” He finishes and gives you his regards to have a good day.

Maybe your first shift wasn’t going to be as bad as you expected.

------ +Frankie POV+

Benny walks out of Matilda’s and calls up Fish, “You’ll never guess who I ran into while getting breakfast.”

“Who,” Frankies rough voice says over the phone.

“I ran into Her. She works at Matildas, she just started working there. We talked about Lady Macbeth and my voice class, we never mentioned you though.”

“Well yeah because, she probably doesn’t think that most of her teachers know that we almost kissed, and that you guys are my best friends and I confide to you guys for everything.”

Ben could hear Fish stiffen in tone over the phone. Fish was tired from thinking about you all night. He's lost sleep and his body is weak from not being able to be near you. It physically pained him that you left him on that stage. If he was quicker with his words, you would've gone off with him to have a night together.

“How did she look? Did she look happy? Sad?” He asks.

“She looked fine, a little tired, probably stressed, but you need to fix this so she doesnt fuck up that audition you blistering idiot.”

The other night Frankie decided to call over all the boys for poker, and to ultimately tell them about you.

“Fish, who's about it now? You’ve never been like this. You’re acting weird and you’ve been off for weeks now” Pope says.

They all were a couple drinks and rounds into the game, Frankie masking the feeling of missing you.

“Yeah what’s got you dick all in a knot fish?” Ironhead yells out.

“You can tell us man, we're here for you.” Benny reassures.

“I’m afraid to say, it’s not gonna get the best reaction.” Fish mumbles.

“Ok so go on you old bloke, we can pretty much take anything.” Ironhead laughs, getting agreement from the rest of the guys.

“It’s the actor transfer from North Carolina.” Frankie finally says out loud.

Pope and Redfly both spit their beer out into the air, “What?”

“Guys I know,” He slurs his words.”This is really risky to even say, I don’t even know what I’m saying. But I saw her in that show in North Carolina and she was so pretty on stage I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. It was like I was suddenly tied to her and this constant reminder was this ticking bomb in my head until I finally got to be with her alone. And when we finally were alone, my head was silent from everything, she calmed it. And I fucking managed to mess it up like I always do.”

Fish was the technical director of the whole school, so he was the most respected and well known out of all 5 of them. He had an image to uphold, but at this moment he didn’t give a shit if he was fired for you.

“I know this is fucking dumb and I shouldn’t be doing this. But I don’t know how to replicate this feeling in my heart when I’m around her. I don’t know how to not be around her. We almost fucking kissed other day and I blew it. And I know I’m her teacher and were all her teachers, but fuck I get this feeling and it makes me sick, and she’s the only person that can calm it down.” He finishes.

“So please don’t tell me to not pursue her because I genuinely don’t think at this moment I can hear that. I went up to her after Cabaret and just introduced myself and met her. Without even knowing her guys… she hugged me and thanked me! for telling her a good job. She didn’t even remember me when I saw her again for the first time. I've been waiting for so long…” Fish trails.

“Fish, man, if you like her this much what can we say?” Pope asks. “If I’m talking for all of us, yes she’s a student but she's a senior, you're an old dick yeah, but we all collectively brought her to this school because she’s going to give our department that maturity and thinking that it needed.

“Yeah I mean, you know the risks that come with this, but if it’s been for this long and you feel this strong, don’t you think it’s worth it? And if you almost kissed, you can make it up to her, you can tell her how you feel, you know.” Redfly says.

“Yes but I was mean to her, I hurt her feelings, she performed for me and I was cruel to her and she ran off from me, I didn’t know I made her so nervous.” He chokes through his throat. Frankie proceeds to pour more whisky in his cup.

“I’ve worked so god damn hard for this school and I’ve worked my way up, am I really going to ruin that all for how I feel for someone.” Fish outwards his inner thoughts, he wanted to be realistic with himself. “What would happen to her if people found out? Would the dean make us both leave? Would she be hated on by everyone in this whole fucking school because I ‘played her a favorite’?”

“Dude get your shit together man, do you think people would care that much? If you love her that much you have to be there for her. Imagine how scared shitless she is right now? Almost kissing her teacher and technical director, you’re gonna make her leave this damn school before she graduates! Imagine how hard it’s been for her?” Iron head pests at Fish.

He was pondering in his head. If his friends were okay with him liking you, then are all his fears gone?

“Fish? You okay?” Benny says over the phone. Fish was thinking about that night and how he wants to talk to you next. Would he talk to you before your audition?

“Yeah man, thank you.”

“No problem, she’s a good one, so seriously fix this.”

———

Your audition was in a couple hours and you were prepping with Hannah, Rose and Laylah. You all woke up and had a beautiful breakfast in your suite, letting the windows open and playing Fleetwood Mac. It only felt right to set the vibe and ease your mind.

“What theater is your audition in?” Hannah asks.

“It’s in the Abe Burrows theater.” You reply.

“Ah that's a good one, it’s intimate and you’ll have enough space to creativity do your monologue, trust me you’ll be fine.”

“What do you feel like wearing? I’ll get it out for you and you can give us a little fashion show before we walk you there.” Laylah says with enthusiasm, trying to make you feel better.

“Something light, but professional, something appropriate for the judges but something that screams me.” You say.

“Ok give me a second.” Laylah disappears for a second and comes back with the most beautiful outfit, you've never thought of this combo.

The tanktop was a gift from Laylah, you only wore it on special occasions, as it cost a lot of money. It was longer, but dressy and cut down to a v perfectly above your chest for modesty. It was a meshy material with gold, dark blue and white beading patterns. It reminded you of going off to Greece and living there forever in the sun.

She paired it with tan linen shorts that weren’t too baggy or see through, the perfect material. The perfect outfit for the perfect day.

“You know me so fucking well Laylah.” You smile ridiculously.

You decided to not wear any jewelry, you didn’t want to stick out or draw attention to any areas of your body. Your shoes were simple free people wedges you had thrifted and you felt ready to go.

-----

You arrive at the theater with your friends, “We’ll be just outside once you're done, and you can tell us all about it, have a nice dinner somewhere and be distressed. Get ready for the rest of the school week, and worry about the cast list when it comes out, okay? Rose says. “One last group hug!”

“Thank you guys, I genuinely couldn't ask for better friends.” You couldn’t they've helped with everything through this process, helped you with your anxiety intermixed with your audition anxiety. “I’ll see you guys on the other side.” You smile with a wave as you walk in.

It's a big place, you look at signs to figure out where to go and there's a big audition line. You sign in your name and wait through the 30 minute line.

As you do, you go through the monologue in your head, what movements you want to do. Your pacing, what words to stress on more. How you want your face to look at certain parts, the scream.

Once it’s almost your turn to go into the theater, you see someone walk out. It’s Nina.

Once she sees you she immediately scoffs. So far so good, you think, you still have time to ditch and leave if you wanted to.

You angle your face down, pretending you’re picking your nails, leaving your phone with Laylah to take any distractions away from you, but of course she comes up to you.

“You think you’re getting Lady Mac country bumpkin?” She gives you a dirty look. “I’ve put my whole life into acting and singing and you come along thinking you’re gonna replace me? Good luck.” She looks you up and down. “You’re too fat for it anyways, you think you’re going anywhere with that face shape and nose? Please, you think you can make it without any plastic surgery, nothing to be ashamed of sweetie, you need it the most!” She laughs.

In this moment, you feel like shutting down, running into someone's arms and crying. You feel like heaving. You’ve never met someone as mean as your mom, and here you are, being taken back to the years of humiliation and crying.

You're reminded of the constant years of having pain in your chest and not being able to breathe. The thought of moving almost made you throw up. You couldn’t speak or stand up for yourself, you just had to take it and accept her words. If you tried to speak for yourself, she’d only find another crevice to bury herself inside of you.

“Oh honey you think this is bad, watch what happens if you get in my way, wanna be slore. Not will I only make your life hell, I’ll make sure you get kicked out of this school. I’ll go on every social media website, platform and podcast show, saying how you bullied me, and I’ll have every bitch in this school backing me up. I promise.” She glares at you with her slithering hazel eyes, yellow snake eyes. You have tears in your eyes, not sliding down your face, but your sockets so full you can’t see. You would not give Nina the satisfaction, “Maybe after this audition you should go run 5 miles, I’ll get you an equinox membership and maybe that will make you realize your not meant to-

“Ladies, ladies, is everything all right?” Mr. Garcia came out of the theater interrupting Nina mid sentence, realizing you still had an audition to go to.

“Yes Mr. Garcia, everything’s alright. I was just cheering her on, she’s gonna do amazing!” Nina pats you on the back and you wince, her walking away and you’re still frozen, you can’t move. Begging yourself not to have a panic attack right now.

“You can come in now if you’d like?” Mr Garcia says, “It’s okay if you’re a little nervous, it’s pretty frightening to perform somewhere like this, walk with me?” He offers his hands to you.

He was being so nice, when did he even come and interrupt Nina?

You follow him through the theater, “You can sit here for a second, I’m going to prep the judges and give you a second to calm yourself” He smiles. “I hope Nina wasn’t a distraction?”

“Oh not at all.” You gasp out to him. You felt like your chest was going to collapse on itself saying that.

You’re left alone and you burst into tears, holding your hands over your heart and mouth. You couldn’t do this, you couldn’t embarrass yourself in front of those judges. You gasp for air and your heart is racing a million miles per second. You had to clear up the tears, you couldn’t draw attention to yourself.

And suddenly you hear Frankie's voice, you hear all your teachers voices and that immediately brings you back to reality.

Ground yourself, listen to his voice.

It almost made you more worried that he was there, he was going to be judging you and inspecting how you act, even when he’s already seen you perform this monologue, but now you needed to pretend no one else was in this room, you were still so unsure about everything after the other night with him but that didn’t matter. You are you, you are Lady Macbeth.

You hesitantly walk onto the stage and take in your surrounding, the judges are at their tables and you’re looking directly at all of them

Ms. Rolance, both Mr. Millers, Mr Garcia, Mr. Davis, Ms. Cheot, and finally Mr. Morales.

You give your best smile and give your slate. You give your name, year and what monologue you will be performing, they give you a second to start.

You look down and draw a star over your heart. You look up and start.

Immediately you start to quiver your voice and hands, feeling the blood all over your body again. “Yet here's a spot. Out, damned spot: out, I say.” You shout it across the theater, showing that you can project without a microphone.

"Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?” You look around the stage, and your pacing, it feels like blood is pouring off your body for this imaginary old man, almost making this your body. You’re rubbing your hands together like a maniac.

“The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands ne’er be clean? No more o’that, my lord, no mo o’that. You mar all with this starting.” You feel like you are sleepwalking, with this gibberish Lady Mac is saying, you feel her pain and sorrow.

“Here the smell of blood is still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.” And you drop to the floor and scream until your head feels numb. You scream the pain of womanhood away, you scream for your lost childhood, and you scream for peace in your head. Not only for Lady Mac, you scream for yourself. You struggle to get up, tears are dropping at a rapid pace and snot coming down your throat.

“Wash your hands, put on your nightgown, look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on’s grave.” You shiver and manipulate your head quickly,”To bed, to bed; there's knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come, give me your hand,” You read out, shaking violently hard,” What’s done cannot be undone,” You walk off dazed and pacing, “To bed, to bed, to bed.” And you finish.

A sudden applause erupts from all the judges and you snap back into yourself. You’re still crying so you wipe the tears and bow.

“Honey, can you walk over to us? We'd all like to ask you some questions.” Ms Roylance calls from her god mic.

You walk up to them, and they’re all heavily taking notes of your performance on their notepads, the things you would do to see what they were saying about your deliverance. You catch Frankie at the end, scribing down his thoughts.

“First off, are you okay?” Ms. Roylance asks. “Those tears kept rolling.”

He looks up from his note taking and looks at you.

“Oh yeah, I’m fine.” You respond.

“What made you scream like that?” Mr Miller looks up and asks.

“Huh?” You’re confused.

“I mean, something inside you made you scream like that,” He smiles. “What took it for you to scream like that?”

“Oh I guess there are many factors. If I can speak freely, just thinking of my mom and childhood.” You shrug. “Women suffrage for many years, I mean this show is for Lady Mac, not Macbeth.” You say Macbeth because why should a man's name be so important.

Frankie study’s how you respond, flinching when you talk about your mom.

They all take what you’re saying and write more.

“What was your focus point for your monologue?” Mr. Garcia asks.

“My hands, I vision them covered in blood as if I killed the king. I think the more crazy I feel inside, the more I can portray it on the outside. It takes mental preparation, but that part is easy.” You answer.

You think about his hands on yours, how strong he felt.

“How do you think Lady Mac would fill the space in this show?” Ms. Cheot asks.

They were going down the line, each asking you a question you’d guessed. Every answer was still a fast scribble, eating every word you had to say.

“With there being no dancing in the show, I think she would walk with correct posture, not because she wanted to but because she felt if she didn't her husband would have scolded her and hurt her. If I’m not mistaken the time period where women were killed if they didn’t obey their husbands. She’s quick with her decisions, as she’s quick with her feet. She’s not easy to please, but she can conceptually please people easily in her own way.

“Did that scream kill your voice?” Mr Miller, that’s your voice teacher, he asks in a humorous way.

You laugh, “No actually, I think screaming can make someone who sings, sing better actually. If you scream correctly from the chest, it won't damage the vocal cords.”

Mr Miller applauds you on your answer, because simply this is what was taught in musical theater for belting.

“When wearing makeup on stage, do you think this would affect your character no matter the drastics?” Mr Davis asks.

“Honestly, stage makeup is stage makeup. It has to be drastic. For Lady Macbeth, I think she would wear anything to show that she is slowly losing herself, if that means she has to look solemnly dead on stage, then so be it.”

“I don’t have any questions for you sweetheart, a great job seriously, Mr Morales, any questions or comments?” Ms. Roylacne says.

He looks up, and you meet those sweet deep set eyes.

He looks tired. You miss his lips. You miss his hands. You miss his smell. But he’s at a table in front of you and you can’t do anything about it. You forgot about everything on stage and finally being in front of him reminds you of everything you want in your life.

Him.

“I’d like to ask, what made you pick this monologue out of the selection you were given?” He asks. He leans forward an inch to watch you respond.

You think on it for a second, at this moment he’s your director and you have to be honest, “I picked this because it resonated with me the most. She feels guilty for the things that she wanted to do to make her husband more powerful than King Duncan. I don’t feel like she wanted to do it, she felt forced to do it by so many components. But in the end I think she killed herself because she couldn’t save herself. She could never live her own life because there was always going to be this burden weighing on her heart. Her husband was the cause of her death, now my interpretation is completely different but if I felt commanded in that way to kill a man for my husband, then I would have lost the will of life. I would have lost myself.”

Frankie just stares at you and the words are at loss from the both of you. You yourself can’t believe that you just said that to all the judges, but mostly to him.

Did he save this question for himself to ask you? This seemed too personal. It felt like it was only you 2 in the room and you couldn’t let yourself look away from him.

You didn’t feel violated by him, you only felt understood. You wanted to just kiss him and be held by him, after everything Nina said to you, you felt weak.

“I’ve never heard of that interpretation, I’ll take that in mind when I read it again.” He says.

You feel like if you look away, your oxygen will stop. You’ve barely had 5 conversations with him but you feel seen, an invisible string between you two.

“You’re free to go, excellent performance again.” Ms. Roylace says. “The cast will come out tomorrow, we had men audition earlier. You were our last performance of the day.”

You give them all your thanks and walk out to your friends. Before leaving the theater you check for any signs of Nina staying back, and she had thankfully left.

You couldn’t do anything about it, but the moment she jeopardizes your safety that’s when you would have someone interfere.

You walk out and your friends bombard you with hugs and cheers, they hand you a cute little muffin and you cheer, walking back to your dorm.

“I saw that girl Nina storming out of the theater about the time of the audition. Did she talk to you?” Laylah says.

“Yeah she threatened me before I walked in. She was saying if I replaced her she’d get me replaced.”

“That Nina girl? She’s fucking crazy, her freshman year she genuinly pulled a girl by her hair and it was all over social media. Before the dean could even talk to her, every video was wiped off the internet.” Hannah says.

“I’ve had a few classes with her and if you stayed out of her way you didn't have a problem but she is evil to the people that do. She’s degrading and will make your life hell. I don’t know how she still has friends.” Rose adds.

“I do, it’s because of daddy's money and he can pay for everything. He’s paid for her training when she was younger and now her way through this school. She just wants to make him proud.” Hanah replies.

“Who’s her dad?” You ask.

“This stock broker, real estate agent that has like a million assets. He’s a gazillionaire and Nina never fails to mention that she has money.” Hannah says. “Anything Nina does, gets covered up by her dad and no one has been brave enough to stand up against the both of them.

“We’ll see about that.” You end the Nina conversation.

She would not have power over you.

—-

previous || next

authors note: i promise they’re relationship is on the way. i honestly can’t believe i’ve written 5 chapters with no smut, i thought i would screw the story line and immediately jump in but. next few chapters are getting good 👀👀 happy mother’s day<333

let me know what you think!! anything i should add or what you’d like to see for this fic!!

14 notes · View notes

mistwraiths · 6 months

Text

2 stars

I feel like I'm in the minority here because I really didn't enjoy Foul Lady Fortune. These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends was a really good duology despite the fact that I don't love Romeo and Juliet. I loved the writing, the action, and even enjoyed the characters and ending. Foul Lady Fortune has everything that sounds like an amazing book. Spies forced to work pretending to be married in undercover, a historical background filled with tension, and some characters we already know, set among the backdrop of As You Like It. It's just a shame that the execution is poor.

For a novel about spies, this was awful. Not a single one of these characters had any discretion or professionalism. They've been apparently spies for several years and they're talking about important information and things in the OPEN with people around them?? The fact that they should keep secrets so things don't get tortured out of them is constantly stated but EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER KNOWS ABOUT ALMOST EVERY OTHER CHARACTER'S MISSON or name or whatever. There's also like maybe two characters that ACTUALLY believe their cause because everyone else doesn't and it's hard to care about what's going on when no one else does???? There's so many little things that just doesn't make any sense. Too many simple mistakes! Rosalind and Orion hardly work together at all until the near end.

Speaking of, I didn't buy the romance and I found myself not really warming up to Rosalind or Orion. I do love that Rosalind is demisexual. But honestly I don't understand how they even like each other that much they didn't have any chemistry in my opinion. It honestly felt like a trope checklist sometimes but nothing meaningful seemed to ever happen between them. Him falling for her like bro how?? When?? Why??

Rosalind being an immortal didn't even have much to do with the plot here? Also I don't believe there's that much of a visual difference between 19 and 24? Orion's reveal was lackluster because there was not even foreshadowing. How did he not realize there was gaps in his memory??? His super strength not even mentioned until the moment of discovery. I did guess correctly on Phoebe's reveal but I couldn't stand her as a character, she just came off as entitled, childish, and annoying. The ONLY two characters I liked were Celia and Oliver. They had chemistry! They had presence. Sadly, their plot was boring as hell and they were sidelined a lot.

Maybe it was because I had two days I struggled to read that put a damper on this book, but I almost couldn't follow much of what was going on in this book. It felt like way too much half the time with too many characters, too many different sides and interests and what not. But what really didn't help was that almost nothing big happened until nearly 80% of the book. That's when everything happened. The reveals, the come togethers, the love part, etc. I was skimming by then and desperate to be over with.

In the first duology, I loved the omniscient POV chapters but they didn't feel useful here.

At the end, there's a reveal of JM but there's been hints. Personally, I absolutely hate that Juliette and Roma are alive. Destroying the tragically beautiful end of your duology AND the fact that its Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Why are authors so reluctant on killing their characters and keeping them dead.

I did like Alisa and Celia and Oliver. There are some really great lines in the book. The part where Rosalind remarks that while she lives she still feels like one of Dmitri's casualties was a beautiful sentence.

I'm kind of bummed I didn't love it more.

#foul lady fortune #chloe gong #steph reads #steph's book review #book review #2023 reads

1 note · View note

worstloki · 4 years

Text

the funniest thing when watching Avenger cast interviews is seeing everyone else give one word answers while Tom Hiddleston monologues for five minutes while explaining his answers to the exact same questions in detail with factual evidence and quotations

#this has been happening since Thor 1 #Avengers Assemble interviews too #its hilarious #''what classic movie would you put this cast into''#everyone else: *names the movie maybe even suggests a few characters/cast members to fit the roles*#tom hiddleston: *plans out the entire movie and gives everyone a role and explains why they get those roles and how it'll be filmed and--*#don't even MENTION shakespeare near him #he recited stuff from ancient greece one time for a play... in ancient greek #its wonderful #perfect embodiment of Loki energy #''do you want to explain what a stan is'' ''well around 2001 eminem released a video where..."#seriously

803 notes · View notes

mcytcares · 2 years

Text

MODERN & HUMAN HEADCANONS ━ FAMILIAL SBI (+ RANBOO) & Y/N

Type - Headcanons

Familial

Foster AU, Human & Modern AU

Note - These involve the DSMP characters only. Also this is written with a gender neutral reader in mind :]

Warnings - Mentions of Smoking (Wilbur)

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

GENERAL HCS

• You were fostered by Phil at 13, being the youngest in the family. You were officially adopted a year later, with Tommy being a few months older than you, Wilbur being 16, and Techno being 17.

• Tommy is elated to know that he isn't the youngest anymore.

PHILZA

• Crowfather!!

• Quite literally father of crows, as there's a flock of them that gather on the backyard each day

• Phil explains that he feeds them, and in return they bring back nifty trinkets or dead animals, but that's neither here nor there.

• The best cook there is

• Every meal tastes like it's been sent down from heaven

• He teaches you some of his tricks, and even encourages you to cook on your own

• Admittedly, your first meals aren't great, but with a lot of helpful tips and a bit of constructive criticism, you eventually become a cooking pro!

• Always helps out with homework when you're struggling

• If he can't help, he gets Techno

• He never yells, and rarely raises his voice, but him being angry is still quite scary

• Has that quiet, more-disappointed-than-angry look

• Uses the Stern Voice when you've (or the other siblings) done something really stupid

• If you panic, he feels really bad

• He makes it up to you by taking you get get your comfort food/favorite food the next day

• Bad with technology, mostly smartphones, since he can work a computer pretty well

• "How do you turn it on?"

• "The button right there, Phil."

• "Oh."

WILBUR

• Protective big brother!!!

• Very touchy- totally the type to always have a firm hand on your shoulder or back, and gives lots of hugs when you need them

• Or, if you're not the touchy type, he's just near you- enough to give breathing room, but constantly talking or just doing something.

• He is very much alive and animated, and his ramblings and unrelated digressions include lots of hand movements.

• Dude just talks with his hands- with his whole body.

• If you're musically inclined, you'll spend nights in his room, helping him brainstorm lyrics or chord progressions

• You do duets together, whether it be just instrumental or vocal

• If you're not musically inclined, you'll still hang out in his room. He'll sing to you or just play a couple tunes on his guitar.

• He loves it when you hang out with him, regardless of what you're doing.

• Total theatre kid, and drags you into it.

• Makes you listen to the entire Hamilton soundtrack, and belts out every song in his car.

• He knows the lyrics by heart- unfortunately.

• Quotes Shakespeare at you at random.

• You're eating breakfast one morning, all is normal

• Wilbur comes downstairs, pours himself a bowl of cereal, then stands parallel from you across the counter, and says:

• "We know what we are, but know not what we may be."

• ??? Literally what.

• "Wil, it's too early for this. What even was that?"

• He seems offended. "Shakespeare, of course."

• "... You're such a nerd."

• He squawks and grows flustered. (He'll then protest wholeheartedly and say Well, Techno is the nerd of the house, not me! Jokes on him, all of SBI are nerds.)

• If you're stressed out or panicking, he'll sit by you, giving you the space you need, but ready to help out.

• Though he's not the best at comforting others, and might devolve into panic himself.

• Let's be real, dude probably listens to The Smiths on repeat.

• Very occasionally calls you his Champion

• Smokes a lot, but don't tell Phil

• He probably smells really nice though

• Collects perfumes and candles

• Type of guy to have like 3 different candles lit at the same time- makes for a weird but pleasant smell

TECHNO

• Nerd Supreme, in the flesh

• Dude's huge yet wears lil' grandma glasses with the chain.

• Makes you help him dye his hair monthly.

• Somehow ropes you into learning how to knit, despite Tommy teasing that you were both like grandmas

• Techno says that Tommy just can't see real art

• He's surprisingly good at knitting, and even knits you a sweater!

• Dude gives the best hugs, which are a luxury that is not often offered

• Literal human furnace

• Reads you history books or Sun Tzu

• Regales Greek epics and myths to you

• Randomly gives you pop quizzes on Greek mythos just to keep you on your toes

• You're not forced to answer, of course, but like, brownie points for getting the right answer

• Definitely knows his history, and gives you a nickname after a Greek deity

• Plays Minecraft with you, Tommy, and Ranboo. Beats you every time you PVP

• Scarily good at Mario Kart

• Sometimes you steal his coats, just because they're so large and fluffy

• Man loves his coats

• Also loves to garden!

• Plants gardenias with you, to symbolize that he considers you part of the family :]

• When his hallucinations get bad, or the voices get too loud, he'll let you sit with him and soothe him

• You make him some warm tea and help distract him, making sure not to get too loud or touch him

• Once it passes he just leans on you for a while

• Then afterward you eat ice cream, because he is a secret ice cream fiend.

• Long silences while sitting together that aren't awkward or uncomfortable

• Occasionally, he takes you to the library, so you guys can read together and just hang out some place quiet

• Crafts you a paper crown, identical to his own!

• Totally a big dog person

• Absolutely willing to beat the shit out of someone for you, alongside Wilbur

TOMMY

• You two are either entirely similar, making for a loud and chaotic duo, or opposites.

• Whichever it is, Tommy somehow finds a way into roping you into his mischief

• You dare each other to do stupid stuff all the time

• You nearly broke your leg after sliding down the stairs

• Fell flat on your face during a sled race in the winter

• Totally didn't get sick at the state fair after daring each other to eat as many sweets as possible

• Still, you two have a lot of fun

• He swears up and down that he will one day beat you (and everyone else) in Mario Kart

• Comes in last every time

• Has a lot of nicknames for you

• "Y/N! Big Y/N, Lil' Y/N, my buddy, my sibling, my frieeend!"

• Boasts about being older than you 24/7

• Loves making things

• Arts and crafts are his shit, even if the color palette isn't great on the eye

• Gifts you some of his creations just to see your face light up

• He soaks up all the praise he gets, and bounces back with a fuckton of energy in return

• All nighters spent with Tommy, Ranboo, and Tubbo playing video games or binging shows- mostly video games

• Has two moths, named Clementine and Clara, respectively. He likes letting them fly around his room, and sometimes they'll land on you.

• Or if you don't like moths, he gets two ferrets!

• Absolutely chaotic, and says that he will be a raccoon in his next life, a luxurious fate of digging through trash cans and not giving a shit about arbitrary rules

• So much bickering, most of it lighthearted

• You guys have competitions with each other all. The. Time

• "Bet you can't eat all your cereal in a minute!"

• "You're on, asshole!"

• He wins, and you blame it on his tall, scrawny ass

• "I'm a growing boy, Y/N! Can you blame me?"

• "Oh, so no more Big Man?"

• "That's not what I said-"

+ BONUS RANBOO!

• Ranboo is adopted when you're about 16.

• He's super quiet and awkward at first, like Techno when you came to the house for the first time

• You offer to play Minecraft with him one day, and he accepts wholeheartedly, seeming super excited

• You grow closer from there

• He indulges in his love for baking

• You help him bake all sorts of sweets

• You have fun decorating cakes and cookies, though most of them are jokes

• They're tasty, though!

• He infodumps all about his love for horror and ARGs, and eagerly tells you about the history of VHS and cassette tapes

• He has a walkman of his own, and makes you a mixtape on a cassette

• You treasure it, of course

• He wants to make his own little horror series one day

• He also has a fascination with space, particularly stars and constellations

• Stargazing is a constant activity

• He points out all the different constellations

• He has a star chart pinned up on his wall, alongside posters for old horror movies and indie rock bands

• When his birthday rolls around, you surprise him with a record player he's long sought after, a constellation chart tapestry, and a whole slew of stim toys

• He nearly cries, and gives you a big hug, telling you he loves it.

• You help him dye his hair, since his natural hair color is black- the white half is dyed.

• Also, dude lives off of soda. He hates water, so it's soda or coffee or juice, really any drink other than water

• You try to get him to drink some water but it usually hardly works

• Also!! You help him set up a little aquarium in his room

• A tank where he keeps a pet axolotl

#why is this nearly 2000 words lmaoo #- 📼#mod polybius #headcanon #dream smp x reader #dsmp x reader #technoblade x reader #wilbur soot x reader #tommyinnit x reader #ranboo x reader #familial #familial x reader #dream smp x familial reader #dsmp x familial reader #modern human au #foster au #christmas hcs coming soon!!!

418 notes · View notes

am-i-ourple · 2 years

Note

I return with more fluffy stuff!

I think Michaels love language is touch and acts of service. He loves being able to hold his partners close and just not let go. If you do stuff for him he's gonna be head over heels but also the "hey no you don't gotta do that for me" because of a bunch of crap William would put him through, but you can't do that to him when he does stuff for you because he'll have a whole Shakespeare play on why you and Jeremy deserve it

Jeremy's is absolutely quality time, just existing in the same room as him he loves it cause it's like "yes my partner loves me and wants to be near me". He also likes gifts but not usually the big fancy like gold jewelry, get him a cool rock from the side of the road and he'll cherish it

Yesssss 1000% true

You mention needing something from some other part of the house, Michael is already jumping up and getting it for you

If Michael is driving and you're in the passenger seat, hes either holding your hand or has his hand resting in your lap.

If you aren't feeling well, Michael is running to the store to get all kinds of medicine and vitamins, plus he's grabbing things that he knows will make you happy (ie chocolate, a stuffie, your fave drink, ect.)

Michael just loves being able to help/provide for his partner, so doing things for you and taking care of you makes him feel complete in the relationship

Jeremy and quality time fits so freaking well

like we've established this man is an attention whore, so having you around him, whether its watching a movie or talking or doing separate things but in close proximity, just makes him giddy

The best though is when Jeremy is talking about his special interest/current hyperfixation his ADHD has him obsessed with and you just sit and listen to him, maybe even ask questions

During the fall, Jeremy is 100% bringing you the prettiest leaves he finds outside, and the same goes for spring, he will fully steal flowers from someone's yard because he thinks they're cool and you need them

The whole painting and hiding rocks thing has Jeremy obsessed, he loves finding ones with things painted on them that he knows you like, because that means he gets to run home and give it to you

#these boys are cute and sweet and I love them so much #michael afton x reader #jeremy fitzgerald x reader #jeremy x reader x michael

45 notes · View notes

redarsenal · 3 years

Text

The Story of Icarus

A summary of the story of Icarus!

Greek Mythology

TW: Imprisonment, mentions of drowning and mentions of death.

Request for: @tarotbee

~The Legend of Icarus~

The legend of Icarus is a very famous story but only a very small amount of the story is wildly known.

Daedalus (Icarus’ father) was a very talented Athenian craftsman who build the infamous Labyrinth for King Minos of Crete near the kings palace at Knossos to imprison the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull monster that was born of his wife and the Cretan bull.

Daedalus was imprisoned by Minos in the Labyrinth after giving Ariadne (Minos’ daughter) a clew (a ball of string) so that she could help Theseus, an enemy of Minos, to survive the Labyrinth and defeat the Minotaur.

To escape the Labyrinth, Daedalus managed to create two sets of wings for himself and his son, that were made of feathers glued together with wax. Daedalus tried his wings first and taught Icarus how to fly before warning his son to not fly too high, which would cause the wax to melt, nor too low, which would cause the feathers to get wet with sea water.

Too excited to fly, Icarus flew too close to the sun, resulting in the wings to melt, leaving Icarus to flap his wingless arms. This caused Icarus to fall into the sea, resulting in his death by drowning.

Daedalus wept for his son and called the nearest land Icaria, an island southwest of Samos, in memory of him. Today, the location of his burial on the island bears his name, the sea near Icaria in which he drowned is called the Icarian Sea and the island’s airport is named Icarus Airport.

~Medieval and Renaissance~

Icarus’ story has been interpreted by major writers including Chaucer, Marlowe, Shakespeare, Milton, and Joyce.

In the Orion Fountain at Messina, Icarus is one of many figures associated with water; but he is also shown on the Bankruptcy Court of the Amsterdam Town Hall – where he symbolizes high-flying ambition.

The 16th-century painting Landscape with the Fall of Icarus, was the inspiration for two of the 20th century's most notable English-language poems, "Musée des Beaux Arts" by W. H. Auden and "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus" by William Carlos Williams.

Other English Poems referencing Icarus are "To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Triumph" by Anne Sexton; "Icarus Again" by Alan Devenish; "Mrs Icarus" by Carol Ann Duffy; "Failing and Flying" by Jack Gilbert; "It Should Have Been Winter" by Nancy Chen Long; "Icarus Burning" and "Icarus Redux" by Hiromi Yoshida; and "Up like Icarus" by syllabic poet Mark Antony Owen.

The Norwegian Axel Jensen used Icarus as a metaphor for troubled modern young men, in the 1957 novel Icarus: A Young Man in Sahara.

~Modern~

There has been many studies on Icarus’ myth and there has been many interpretations.

In psychology, there have been studies of the Icarus complex (first used by Henry A. Murray to describe a particular type of overambitious character). Icarus complex symptoms in mania can be seen as being fond of heights, fascinated by both fire and water, narcissistic and observed with fantastical or far-fetched imaginary cognition.

Seth Godin's ‘The Icarus Deception’ points to the historical change in how Western culture both propagated and interpreted the Icarus myth arguing that "we tend to forget that Icarus was also warned not to fly too low, because seawater would ruin the lift in his wings. Flying too low is even more dangerous than flying too high, because it feels deceptively safe."

This myth is mostly known due to its coined term: “don't fly too close to the sun".

Jacob Peter Gowy's The Flight of Icarus (1635–1637).

#greek mythology #mythology #greek #icarus #the story of #the story of series #arsenal explains #story #summary #myth

8 notes · View notes

chocolate-parfait · 4 years

Note

Hi! I hope you're doing well, I recently found your blog and straight up gobbled up all the Ikevamp content XD. I saw that your askbox is open, do you think I could request headcanons for Shakespeare, Mozart and Dazai with a suicidal reader? I completely understand if you're not comfortable with that, It's just that this year is really hard for me and Ikevamp boys are my coping mechanism. Again, I understand if you don't want to do it. Have a nice day!

Suicidal MC - ikevamp headcanons (Shakespeare, Mozart & Dazai)

TW: MENTIONS OF SUICIDE

This is a pretty sensitive topic for most but I'm willing to write for it in case there's even a slight chance of bringing comfort to people who are in this situation. I wrote everything based on my experience with my best friend, but if there's anything wrongly portrayed please tell me and I will fix it.

Also, if you ever need someone to talk to, know that I'm here whenever you want! I hope you'll be able to get better as soon as possible. Don't worry and take your time!

Shakespeare

When you mention it he turns to stone. He looks at you straight in the eyes and then takes your hands in his. "My dearest, what hath brought thou to form such dreadful thoughts?". In a way he can't understand why you feel that way towards yourself, but if his presence can be of consolation to you then be prepared for him to be glued to your side 24/7, never letting you out of his sight

Will some fresh air help you clear your head? Then he's going to take you into town and show you the most breathtaking locations of 19th century Paris while holding your hand the whole time. Would you perhaps prefer staying inside and rest? He'll gently hold you as he softly converses with you the whole time, his archaic way of speaking giving everything a dream-like vibe and lulling you in a peaceful sleep

You're his muse and he absolutely can't stand seeing your eyes clouded with self-hatred. Sometimes he's a bit at loss and doesn't know what the best course of action is, but if your feelings stem from something someone has said or done to you, William will make sure to take action against this fool who dared hurting you

As a writer he's very good at reading people's feelings, despite being a bit inexperienced when it comes to dealing with his own, but he knows when he's about to step his boundaries and worsen your state. He'd never forgive himself if something were to happen to you so he gives in to your every wish in order to keep you satisfied and happy. Nonetheless he corrects you whenever you speak out of self-deprecation, reminding you how important and perfect you are to him

Everyone is so different there isn't any way of being "right" or "wrong", we're just the way we are. People measure us depending on their own personal standards, and despite Shakespeare trying to be as objective as he can, as a narrator of his own story, he can't help but find you utterly beautiful in every form and moment and he makes sure to remind you of this often

Mozart

At first he can't wrap his head around the thought, but when he catches up, for the first time in his life he's afraid of not being enough. He's always been praised for how good his music was, but he certainly wasn't all that good when it came to words. What if he said the wrong thing at the wrong time? What if he wasn't convincing enough and he couldn't help you feel better about yourself? Words suddenly gain a completely new weight, and he's constantly measuring them on the most sensitive meter his mind can muster

He knows he can be a bit rough around the edges, but he'll abandon his sarcastic facade whenever he's with you. Physical contact will also increase immensely. He'll try to spend as much time as possible with you, neglecting even his piano, to keep an eye on you and to try and work the situation out at the same time. Your life is what's most important to him, to a degree he's willing to forsake everything just so that you could chase those terrible thoughts out your head.

In a way or the other he's always touching you, and you notice he's started smiling more. He thinks that if he showed you a more lighthearted side of him, then maybe you'd unconsciously feel better too. For this reason he also composes cheerful songs especially for bettering your mood, and plays them with you sitting in his lap

When he holds you close, he whispers every little reason he loves you so much as he gently caresses your hair, planting a kiss on top of your head every now and then

"You don't have to do this alone, you know. I'll always be here for you."

Dazai

The moment you tell him, he feels his heart tightening and a seemingly endless moment passes before you actually hear him release the breath he was holding in, a flurry of emotions passing through his golden eyes

Everything you're going through, he's endured it countless times, and he'll use his experience to help you deal with it. He can tell whenever one day is worse or better than the other and he'll act accordingly, changing his words and actions based on how you feel on that specific day. Wordlessly embracing you in his arms or taking you out on a date depending on your mood

If you like drinking then be prepared for having to sober up for some time as Dazai won't let neither you or himself near a drop of alcohol. During his life as a human, he tried multiple times to drown his sorrows in that sweet nectar, but it only made matters worse making him feel even more miserable. If you look closely enough you can see how serious he is about this whole issue under his usual chirping appearance

Despite having been held in many women's embraces, your love is completely different from any other he had ever experienced before. He'd never be able to suggest you a double suicide with him as he's disposed to live for you, by finding strength in your relationship. He wants you to be able to do the same, and he can promise you that even if things seem helpless now, there's going to be better days in the future, because nothing stays the same over time

#my writing #answered #ikemen vampire #ikevamp imagines #ikevamp headcanons #ikevamp scenarios #ikevamp shakespeare #ikevamp mozart #ikevamp dazai #william shakespeare #wolfgang amadeus mozart #osamu dazai

160 notes · View notes

our-chaotic-beginnings · 4 years

Note

Hello~ Can I have Zora hcs for find out that his s/o was royalty please. I don't mind slight angst or fluff at the end (?) write it on what u think it would be~~ Thanks! XD

Thank you so much for the request! Zora’s a bit of a tricky character for me to write as he doesn’t resonate as well as some others do, but I hope I captured him in a light that’s still Zora but with a bit of creative interpretation. I also hope you don’t mind me including a little backstory on how they met as part of the headcanons, but I think it makes it all flow very nicely together. While I personally couldn’t see him with a soft-hearted royal, I definitely could see him and a royal s/o as a counterpart to Shakespeare’s Benedict and Beatrice with all the delightfully vitriolic wordplay leading to a blossoming romance. I hope you enjoy, and feel free to give me any feedback!

Zora knew you were a noble the first time he laid eyes on you. The way you carried yourself gave it away easily. Your powerful presence easily took over a room, even if the strongest of mages surrounded you. You were never seen with your head facing the ground before you, nor were you seen dropping a serene half smile from your face. Confidence cascaded down you with each level step you took, whether it be in heels or your most trustworthy boots. However, he didn’t piece together that you were a royal until he came across you performing a spell in private.

After seeing one of the traps he set in the capital foiled by magic revealing the trap’s presence, he sought out who could’ve possibly done that without setting it off. Days of research found him near the balcony of a noblewoman’s room with streaks of light periodically bursting through drawn curtains. Distracted by the plot of a better trap to annoy this lady, he didn’t notice that someone had spotted him until a small ball of light popped inched from his nose. He peered below him to the source: the girl he could have sworn was in the room with the curtains drawn. As he had been caught, Zora leapt down from his perch in a tall oak and confidently strode up to his visitor only to find himself caught in a cage of light faster than he could reach for his grimoire. He was left prisoner to this crafty woman, giving her tit for tat in conversation as she interrogated him and critiqued his trap magic spells. This conversation lasted from early afternoon till near dusk. While she released him from her magical cage, Zora was never able to escape the snare, unknown to both parties, that had captured his heart.

Hidden letters and visits turned into what anyone could call the most basic level of a courtship, if a courtship could be defined as dancing amongst each other’s traps. He and you toed the line between casual and risqué, with he and you entering a battlefield of words upon eyes meeting. It wasn’t long before you slipped up, giving him the advantaged he wanted and needed.

An official statement of your romantic status was never mentioned but whispers of a midnight rendezvous with a Magic Knight captured the social circles of your ladies in waiting, leaving nothing to the imagination of to whom your heart resided with. Although no one expected that a relative to the king would be absolutely smitten with a commoner, especially not of the trickster Black Bull with a grudge against the ruling class. Your relationship was not the most believable, appearing to most that you openly loathed one another; however, the truth was evident only to those wise enough to their cat and mouse game. His crass bluntness and your flowery responses holding hidden thorns were a language of all your own and no one else could match.

Zora never withheld his disdain of nobility and of the foolish from you; he never expected you to hold back any snide remarks of your own, respectively. He was one to playfully poke and prod you, anything to get a reaction that would break your calm mask that you wore around your royal family and around other nobles. While never the soft, gift giving lover that comes along with fairy tales, Zora did have a sweet side to him; he left messages hidden in traps and often gave surprise gifts of books and sweets he knew could get you to crack a compromise between a smirk and a grin. He was the man to give his lover a constant challenge, knowing that she’d surpass him and more. He was a challenging man, and you were just the type to give him a challenge of his own.

“I never expected a royal to have so much bark to back up her bite. It’s no wonder that you wanted me to steal you away from those pigs. Better buckle up, princess; I’ll show you things that noble bastards couldn’t dream of.”

#zora ideale #ideale zora #zora black clover #zora ideale x reader #black clover headcanons #black clover imagines #black clover imagine #black clover scenarios

106 notes · View notes

cto10121 · 3 years

Text

8. Romeus finds out, stumbles upon an apothecary, goes to Juliet, ACTIVELY SEARCHES FOR SIGNS OF LIFE, drinks the slowest-acting poison ever, Juliet wakes up, offs herself

So Romeus' unnamed servant (Balthazar in the Shakespeare) sees Juliet get buried and hastens to Romeus in Mantua and tells him of her death. Romeus responds with "woop, it's suicide time" but then is like, wait…

But earnest love that will not fail him till his end, This fond and sudden fantasy into his head did send: That if near unto her he offered up his breath, That then a hundred thousand parts more glorious were his death.

Here's a thought...why don't I die...when I’m near my love??? That's better than just offing myself now, isn't it? Brilliant, Romeus, brilliant!

Meanwhile the first words out of Shakespeare!Romeo's mouth after the iconic "Then I defy you, stars" line are instructions to Balthazar to get him ink, paper, and horses because he will be leaving this stupid town tonight. Act 5 Romeo is going to whoop this Romeus’ ass, I can tell.

And then fro street to street he wand'reth up and down, To see if he in any place may find, in all the town, A slave meet for his sore, an oil fit for his wound; And seeking long--alack, too soon!--the thing he sought, he found.

So Romeus in his profound grief takes a walk (as you do) and sees the apothecary, taking advantage of his poverty to get the poison. Shakespeare!Romeo showed much more initiative; he actually remembered seeing the apothecary from earlier.

Romeus then goes to Verona (or ˜Verone...beautiful) and instructs his servant (Peter!!! Shakespeare switched the names).

"Help, Peter, help," quod he, "help to remove the stone, And straight when I am gone fro thee, my Juliet to bemoan, See that thou get thee hence, and on the pain of death I charge thee that thou come not near while I abide beneath, Ne seek thou not to let thy master's enterprise, Which he hath fully purposéd to do, in any wise."

Romeus is much less desperate here. Shakespeare!Romeo not only threatened Balthazar with dismemberment, but went into detail. I’m amazed the servant even stayed close to the tomb.

His fearful hands he laid upon her stomach cold, And them on divers parts beside the woeful wight did hold. But when he could not find the signs of life he sought, Out of his curséd box he drew the poison that he bought; Whereof he greedily devoured the greater part, And then he cried, with deadly sigh fetched from his mourning heart: "O Juliet, of whom the world unworthy was, From which, for world's unworthiness thy worthy ghost did pass, What death more pleasant could my heart wish to abide Than that which here it suff'reth now, so near thy friendly side?"

Romeus actually seeks for signs that she is alive. Louder for the people at the back, fam!!!

But seriously, this is much lamer, and not just the fact that the poison is in a literal box instead of a cup (don’t you mess up the sexual imagery, yo #letRomeodrinkfromJuliet'scup2k). Romeus actually takes the poison first and has breath to speak his speech!!!! Perché Brooke, perché?

And whilst his busy eyne he threw about to every part, He saw, hard by the corse of sleeping Juliet, Bold Tybalt's carase dead, which was not all consuméd yet;

And even he has time to notice Tybalt and talk to him!!!!! He should demand the apothecary his money back, this is the slowest acting poison ever.

So Romeus dies (fare thee well, cock), and the Friar comes and he along with Peter enter the tomb and find Romeus dead and made "piteous plaint." Very well. Again, as in the Shakespeare, Romeus had been there "half hour."

An hour too late fair Juliet awakéd out of sleep; And much amazed to see in tomb so great a light, She wist not if she saw a dream, or sprite that walked by night.

Interesting mention of an "hour too late." In this poem it is not mentioned exactly how long the potion lasts, while Shakespeare explicitly says it's 48 hours. Also: Is it an hour from when the Friar and servant discovered her or just an hour, period?

But lo, as soon as she had cast her ruthful eye On Romeus' face, that pale and wan fast by her side did lie, Straightway she did unstop the conduits of her tears, And out they gush;—with cruel hand she tare their golden hairs But when she neither could her swelling sorrow 'suage Ne yet her tender heart abide her sickness' furious rage, Fall'n on his corpse she lay, long panting on his face, And then with all her force and strength the dead corpse did embrace. As though with sighs, with sobs, with force, and busy pain She would him raise, and him restore from death to life again: A thousand times she kissed his mouth, as cold as stone,

This is...a nice description, actually. On the other hand, Shakespeare!Juliet's boss move of discovering the cup and trying to drink it is not yet surpassed. Had some poison remained, she would have been dead.

Also, um, the Friar and the servant Peter is still there in the poem. It doesn't actually say they left. So they must still be there. Awkward.

And when our Juliet would continue still her moan, The friar and servant fled, and left her there alone; For they a sudden noise fast by the place did hear, And lest they might be taken there, greatly they stood in fear.

Oh so now they leave???? When Juliet is going postal and making speeches about death????

And then past deadly fear, for life ne had she care, With hasty hand she did draw out the dagger that he ware. "O welcome Death," quoth she, "end of unhappiness, that also art beginning of assuréd happiness, Fear not to dart me now, thy stripe no longer stay, Prolong no longer now my life, I hate this long delay;"

And then she goes on to declaim for 12 more lines. -.-When Shakespeare!Juliet said she was brief, my girl wasn’t joking!!!!

And from her corpse the sprite doth fly;--what should I say?--she dies.

Quick, someone lay down hot clothes on her breast!!!!

#romeo and juliet #cristina reads #romeus and juliet #shakespeare #arthur brooke

6 notes · View notes

greatsweet98 · 4 years

Text

Ajimli On the Run (Part 2)

[10:30PM, at their classroom of Arcadia Oaks High]

Aja & Jim read the message written in the first page of the 50-blank-page-book (supposingly it's 49-blank-page-book) Jim found on Eli's seat.

Jim: It says....

Jim: What? I can also use this book as a "note" book.

Aja: Probably, just in case we can have all the clues hidden here in the place. Do you have a writing instrument with you?

Jim: Um...I don't know.

Apparently, he has his backpack under the seat he's sitting and sleeping at earlier.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th

--- --- --- --- 1st (front)

--- --- xxx --- 2nd

--- --- --- --- 3rd

--- --- --- --- 4th (back)

After a few seconds of sightness of him to his backpack under his seat, he finally notices it.

Jim: Wait, (goes to his seat to grab his backpack under it) I don't remember bringing it here or holding it on my back. How did it get here?

Aja: I don't know. Probably you already forgot that you brought your backpack here or someone gave it you before this happens when we woke up.

Jim: Nevermind, we'll just have to keep going.

Aja: *🤔* Hmmmm...the only way to get out is to find a picture of a groom?

Eli: *tries to get out of his seat through chain links, but can't* Ugh! How am I gonna get out of this??!!

Aja: Don't worry, we'll just get you out of there. *looks again at the yellow padlock to examine and hold it* Hmmm...if this is a yellow padlock, i bet it needs a yellow key to open it.

Eli: (shrugs with raising his shoulders up and down) Possibly.

Aja: But to find it, possibly as you said, me and Jim have to find a picture of a groom. And what's a groom? A girl broom?

Eli: *chuckles softly* No! A groom is the "partial-husband" in a wedding.

Aja: Woah, how did you know that? And what's a wedding?

Eli: Well.....you'll get know what a wedding is when you become an adult just like your parents.

Aja: Uhhhh....okay. But I have to find a picture of a groom first. (to Jim) Hey Jim, where we can we find a picture of this thing called a "groom"?

Jim stands near the teacher's table trying to think what to do significantly. Forget to mention, the classroom they're in is the one with the chalkboard, not the one with the whiteboard. But the classroom has that "projector screen" and of course, the projector (which is put on the teacher's table). When Aja goes to Jim to get along to find the first clue with him, she notices there is a writing on the chalkboard, which apparently neither of three didn't notice since they woke up earlier until now.

Aja: Hang on, *softly points at the writing on the board* what is that?

Jim: (now facing at the back of the room) Huh? *then turns around to the writing*

Eli: Wait, none of us even NOTICE THAT?!

The writing on the board turns out to be a clue, two rather! A part of a clue and a RIDDLE.

The three of them (even though Eli's still tied to his chair) examined/viewed/observed the two clues.

Jim: Hmmm.....I believe the question written there is....well, probably, a riddle.

Aja: What's a riddle?

Jim: A riddle is a type of question that's created as a problem to be answered or guessed? But it's more of a mystifying & misleading question that links to answer, that *makes a quotation mark gesture* makes sense to the riddle. And sometimes, riddles can hurt people's brains when they get the explanation of the answer to a riddle.

Aja: Ohhhhhhhh, so a riddle is like *points again to the riddle* that question written on the board?

Jim: (nods) Uh-huh!

Aja & Jim read the riddle written there, and thinking for a bunch of seconds for the answer.

Jim: Hmmmm...*🤔*...what comes once in a minute?

Aja: Twice in a moment, a MOMENT?

Jim: But never in a thousand years?

Aja: Never in a thousand years? You're right, Jim. Sometimes, riddles are misleading.

Jim: *swings his left finger to the air* Exactly! Now we just have to find out the answer to that question!

Eli: Uh, guys? If I were one of your right now, I bet you should now find a picture of a groom.

Aja: *gasps* Oh no, I forgot about that!

Jim: Don't worry, Aja. I'll think for the answer to that riddle while you find a picture of a groom somewhere here in the room.

Aja: Ok, thank you.

Aja finds a picture of a groom, around the big classroom (hey, that rhymes) while Jim has to think of the correct answer to the riddle. Aja looks at the top of the teacher's table, nothing there, just the projector. The bookshelves? Nah, just the books only. The bulletin board? probably. Hotel? Trivago. (nvm, that last two words were just a joke xD) Anyway, Aja checks the bulletin board with a bunch of pictures & posters & brands w/ taglines. After 8.67 seconds later, Aja finally found a picture of a groom! Good news! Surprisingly, it's a picture of Romeo (that character from the William Shakespeare play)

Aja: Hey guys, (turns to both Jim & Eli, raises the picture of a groom in the air) I found a picture of a groom!

Eli: Nice!

Jim: Oh yes!

Jim goes to Aja to examine the picture.

Jim: Uh, it's Romeo.

Aja: Who's Romeo?

Jim: That character from the William Shakespheare play. Actually this school has a William Shakespare play, held in the basketball court, as if it were a theater. I played as Romeo in the play, while Eli played as the narrator.

Aja: Wow, I think I didn't see the play because I wasn't here at Earth at that time happened.

Jim: Yeah.

Aja: And I have heard that there was supposed to be a Juliet in the play. Who played as Juliet?

Jim: Claire.

Aja: Oh ok. So that means, are two a couple now? *squeals in excitement and meddleness*

Jim: *sighs in relief* Yeah, I think. *smiles and blushes* Anyways, (checks again the picture) I think there's a clue hidden in the picture.

Aja: (checks back at the picture) Hmmm....(turns the picture over and finds a clue written on the "backspace" of the picture)....oooh, here it is.

Jim: Where?

Aja shows Jim the clue behind the picture (I mean, the "backspace"). It's written, "C3R4".

Jim: Hmm.....C-3-R-4?

Aja: I wonder what it means.

What does the next clue of "C3R4" mean? Will Jim find out the answer to the riddle written on the chalkboard? Are they be able to find more clues to escape the classroom and the entire school place just to find if Arcadia is "completely normal" or very empty? Find out (❔)! Let me know in the comments 💬!

TO BE CONTINUED....

#trollhunters #trollhunters tales of arcadia #3below tales of arcadia #3below #jim lake jr #eli pepperjack #aja tarron #dreamworkstrollhunters #dreamworks #tales of arcadia #ot3 #aja #jim #eli

11 notes · View notes

sirius-lune · 5 years

Text

Current event in Chinese server (Love Potion Event). Took Vincent vs Shakespeare route. Chose Vincent (because I can never reject him). Translations below.

MC: Vincent! Are you feeling alright now?

Vincent: Yes. I am sorry... letting you witness me acting strange yesterday.

MC: Don't mention it. About yesterday, I wanted to thank you. All that happened is because of the effects of that strange love potion, so please don't take it to mind.

MC dialogue: Actually, I was the one who minded about what happened yesterday the most, so after telling him my thoughts, I masked it with a smile. Vincent went silent for a moment.

MC dialogue: As if wanting to share a secret, Vincent positioned his lips near my ear.

Vincent: For me... even if I drank the potion... I will not mindlessly do that to anyone.

MC: Eh...

Vincent: Because, the person in question is you, which is why my desire is so intense.

💘

#cybird #ikemen series #ikemen vampire #ikevam #ikevamp #ikevam vincent #ikevamp vincent #vincent van gogh #this is diabetes #i am drowning in all these glucose

29 notes · View notes

shaylybaby2032 · 5 years

Text

Foolish Hearts

Rated: NSFW/18+

Fandom: Supernatural

Pairing: Gabriel x OFC

Warnings: Smut, fluff

Word count: 9,511

A/N: Please do not copy my work to any platform without my permission, even if giving credit.

Summary: Audrey stops in for a visit with Sam, Dean, and her favorite Archangel on April Fool's Day. Pranks backfire and feelings are called out. Will Audrey and Gabriel be able to come out on the other side of this holiday with each other or will they foolishly let love slip through their fingers?

Audrey had known the Winchesters for years, and the friendship she had built with the two men meant the world to her. When Castiel, Gabriel, and Jack had joined the family it just seemed to make things complete. She loved each of them dearly, however the life of a hunter kept her time occupied. She didn't get to see them anywhere near as much as she would have liked, save for Gabriel, who liked to pop up to check on her often wherever she may be.

Those times when he would randomly show up and jump into whatever it was that she was doing, whether it be a hunt or just hanging out in some no star motel watching bad TV, always made her smile. Aside from some playful flirting, that she knew was just Gabriel being Gabriel, he had never shown any interest in her other than friendship. Still, she couldn't help the flutter that happened in her heart when he looked at her with those mesmerizing golden eyes of his and smiled at her with that turn of his lips that showcased his dimples. She couldn't stop from melting just a little when he called her one of the pet names he had seemed to reserve just for her.

She always made sure to keep those feelings locked down deep. Her friendship with the Archangel meant way too much to her to ruin it by revealing her feelings to him, especially when she knew he did not feel the same way about her. How could he? Why would an Archangel have any interest in her whatsoever?

Audrey's dark blue eyes lit up as she pulled up to the front of the bunker the Winchester brothers called home. The younger of the two was standing outside waiting on her with an excited smile on his face. She placed her vehicle in park and shut off the engine as she tucked a few errant strands of her chestnut brown hair behind her ear. A bright smile overtook her face as she turned to see Sam already opening the door for her.

“Sam!!!” Audrey squealed as she jumped from her seat and wrapped her arms around his midsection.

“It's great to see you, Audrey!” he replied as he returned her sentiment, winding his arms around her tightly.

As they pulled away from one another, she shut her door and he slung his arm around her shoulders.

“So what brings you our way?” Sam asked as he guided her toward the bunker’s entrance.

“Had a case in Colorado. Couldn't resist swinging by to see my boys on the way out.”

“Well, we are all really happy you're here. Though, you may have picked a bad time.”

She looked up at him with a furrowed brow. “What do you mean?”

“Tomorrow is April Fool's Day,” he stated simply. “You know how Dean and Gabe get.”

“Oh, Gabe is here?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant about the subject.

Truth be told, she knew exactly what day it was, and that it meant her favorite Trickster Archangel would be around plotting out his pranks on the eldest Winchester.

“Yeah, he's here,” Sam confirmed, an annoyed look taking over his features. “They are both already paranoid of each other. Cas took Jack on a road trip to get away from it.”

Audrey laughed happily as she took in her friend's expression. “We'll get through it together, Sam!”

“Yeah, you say that now. But wait until you get pulled into one of their pranks!”

The two continued chatting as they entered the bunker and made their way to the kitchen where Dean was taking a beer from the refrigerator. When he turned and saw them he smiled widely and crossed the room to hug Audrey.

“It's been too long!” Dean said as he pulled away and started toward the fridge again. “You want a beer?”

“Sure, that would be great!” Audrey said as she moved to lean against the counter in the middle of the kitchen and rested her elbows on the surface, clasping her hands together.

Sam mimicked her actions, placing himself next to her as Dean retrieved two more drinks from the fridge and brought them over. The three of them stood gathered around the kitchen island catching up on what had happened in their lives since the last time they had seen each other. As Audrey was telling the brothers, rather animatedly, about her last hunt, Gabriel quietly walked into the kitchen.

The Archangel had had every intention of greeting her when he walked through the doorway, that was, before he saw her fully engrossed in the conversation she was having. He loved how expressive she was when she was talking about something she was passionate about, and he could watch her do so all day. The way her eyes sparkled, how her body moved with the emotion she was conveying, and the grin that stayed on her lips always had him transfixed. He recalled the last time they had been together, less than a week prior, when he had listened to her talk for two hours about her love of theatre, egging her on with questions when it started to look like she was second guessing herself on talking about the subject in the first place.

Gabriel leaned his shoulder against the door jam with an adoring smile etched into his features as she mimicked stabbing the wraith she had been talking about with a silver blade. The action had caused her to turn and catch a glimpse of the Archangel watching her intently. She stopped mid sentence as her eyes lit up and her smile grew. Seeing how happy his presence had made her made his heart stutter.

“Gabe!!!” she cried exuberantly as she ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him like she hadn't seen him in a year.

“Hey, Sugar!” he greeted as he wrapped his own arms around her middle.

The display of affection lasted much longer than the quick hugs she had given Sam and Dean, long enough that both brothers turned to each other with knowing grins on their faces. Both knew that the two of them had ceased to exist for the moment in their friends’ worlds. They let them continue for a bit more before Dean cleared his throat, causing them to break away from one another and reluctantly turn their attention back to the brothers with both of their cheeks holding a tint of pink.

“Geez you two, get a room!” Dean teased, not being able to resist furthering the embarrassment in both of his friends’ posture.

“Dean!” Sam half scolded, failing to hide his smile.

“Sam, do you think you could take a look at my laptop?” Audrey said quickly, nervously trying to change the subject. “It's been acting kinda screwy lately.

“Sure,” Sam replied with a chuckle. “Where is it?”

“In my car. I'll go get it!”

She hurriedly turned and almost sprinted out of the room with the younger Winchester following her, still quietly laughing to himself. Gabriel watched as they left, trying to bury his annoyance with Dean for his remark.

“So,” Dean started, pulling the Archangel's attention to him once more, “are you finally going to tell her?”

“Tell her what?” Gabriel said, raising a speculative eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest.

Dean rolled his eyes as he took a sip of his beer. “That you got a thing for her.”

Gabriel's mouth dropped open in surprise. He had thought he had kept his feelings for Audrey on the down low, burying them deep so they wouldn't interfere with their friendship. He loved being able to come around her whenever he wanted to see her. She was always so happy to see him and they always had fun together. No sense in ruining that by telling her he wanted more than friendship with her when he was certain she didn't feel the same.

“What?!” he stammered. “Dean, I don't...that's not...we're just friends!”

The Winchester barked out a laugh at his lame attempt at deflection. “Is that the best you got?”

Gabriel glowered at him.

“Come on, Gabe! You are so not subtle! You hate hunting. Hell, we have to practically beg you or be near death for you to help us on a case. Yet, you are willing to walk into any hunt with her. Not to mention, she told me about your date.”

“What date?!” Gabriel demanded. “We didn't go on a date!”

“Yeah, she claimed it wasn't one either,” Dean said with a sly smile. “But what else do you call sitting through a four hour performance of Hamlet for a girl in a tiny little black box theatre when you don't even like Shakespeare? Oh! And then there was the dinner you took her to beforehand when you don't even eat. Sounds like a date to me, man.”

“It wasn't a date!” The Archangel exclaimed defensively. “Hamlet is her favorite Shakespeare play and she was having a really bad week! I just wanted to see her smile!”

Dean's grin widened in triumph. “Exactly my point. You should tell her how you feel. She did come all this way to see you. Least you can do is meet her half way.”

“She didn't come here to see me! She's here to see you and Sam!”

Dean's brow raised in disbelief. “You really think she didn't know you were going to be here given our traditions with April first? I'll admit that Sam and I are a bonus, but she's here cause she knew you would be here.”

Gabriel didn't even want to think about what the possibility of her being at the bunker just to see him did to him. He pushed down the fluttering in his stomach and scoffed at the edler Winchester. “Whatever, Dean. It's just not like that.”

Dean pursed his lips, contemplating his next move. “So...you won't mind if I make a move then?”

“WHAT?!” A turbulent mix of anger, jealousy, and anxiety had the Archangel's stomach turning.

“Well, I mean, you're not interested and Audrey's hot. Besides that, she's just an all around awesome chick. Might be fun.”

Gabriel's mind was racing so fast he wasn't sure what to say. Was Dean serious?! He wouldn't! Would he? Would she? No! She wasn't interested in either of the brothers like that! He was sure of that! Well... mostly sure. She had never mentioned any interest at least. Of course, Gabriel tended to avoid the topic of her being with anyone like the plague. The thought of her hooking up with some random guy shot feelings through him, much like the ones he was feeling for Dean right now, and from the self satisfied smirk on the Winchester's face, he knew exactly what he was doing.

The Archangel and the hunter stayed locked in their staring contest until they heard the steel door of the front entrance open and close. Audrey and Sam’s muffled voices filtered through to the kitchen. Dean's grin suddenly turned wicked and he took off in the direction of the library where he knew his brother would take Audrey's computer to work on it. Gabriel was quickly on his heels and they both skidded into the library almost stumbling over each other. Sam and Audrey looked up from the table they were seated at to look at the pair quizzically. Dean quickly recovered from his almost fall and sauntered over to the woman sitting with his brother.

“Hey Audrey,” he started, flopping down in the chair next to her, “you wanna go out and grab a drink with me tonight?”

Audrey's brows knitted together in confusion, her shoulders tensing a little at how he had phrased the question. “Just you?”

“NO!” Gabriel bit out before Dean could answer. When three sets of shocked eyes turned his way, he reeled in his reaction. When next he spoke, there was a much cooler exterior to his tone. “I mean, he's asking if you want to go with us...all of us.”

Audrey turned to Sam, who seemed to have as much of a clue about what was going on as she did. A thought finally occurred to her and she turned to look at the two with stern eyes.

“I swear to God you two!” she warned. “You better not be pulling me into this dumb prank war! Sam told me about the glitter breathing dragon in the bathroom Gabe snapped up last year!”

“Gabriel is under a strict no Archangel powered pranks rule this year,” Sam chimed in, narrowing his eyes at the now grinning angel.

“Oh, lighten up!” Gabriel said. “It wasn't real, and you gotta admit: Dean's face was priceless.”

Audrey couldn't help the laugh that bubbled from her mouth as she thought about Dean walking into the bathroom for his morning shower and coming face to face with a dragon that looked like it was plucked straight out of the movie Dragonheart, thinking he was about to be roasted, only to be hit in the face with a shower of brightly colored rainbow glitter. However, she missed the swell of bashful pride that washed over Gabriel at her appreciation for his prank.

“Yeah, yeah,” Dean said in dismissal. “It was a good one. Even I have to admit that. Either way, there are rules this year that Sam and Cas made us both agree to, one of them being that the war can't commence until it is officially April first.” Dean moved to put an arm around Audrey's shoulders. “So, whaddya say? You game for a night out, Sugar?”

Gabriel had to fight back his grace from flaring in his eyes as anger coursed through him at Dean using one of his pet names for her. He desperately wanted to go over and rip his arm from her.

“Don't call me ‘Sugar,’” Audrey chided as she narrowed her eyes at the elder Winchester. “Only he's allowed to call me that.” She inclined her head in Gabriel's direction as she spoke.

“Sorry,” Dean replied quickly as he slipped his arm away.

Audrey relaxed at his apology and stood from the table. “Yeah, I'm up for going out. Just give me time to shower and change.”

Dean nodded and she moved to exit the room with Gabriel smirking in triumph as he watched her leave.

Continue reading here:

If you've read this far, THANK YOU! Also, if there is a well versed Tumblr fanfic author that knows their way around posting to here and wouldn't mind talking me through a few things, I would really appreciate it. I'm having a few issues.

#gabriel fanfic #gabriel smut #gabriel x ofc #gabriel #supernatural #spn #fanfic #spn fanfic #gabriel spn #gabriel supernatural #gabriel fanfiction #gabriel oneshot

18 notes · View notes