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Favorite Male Characters From Each Season
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nfcomics · 7 months
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KNIGHT TERRORS ACTION COMICS no.1 • cover art • Dustin Nguyen [July 2023]
Slipping into the world of nightmares is only the beginning as Power Girl faces off with the scariest dream of all...herself! Paige may have narrowly escaped the grasp of the devious Johnny Sorrow, but all of that was just a warm-up for the real villain inside. Meanwhile, the Super-Twins are lost in a terrifying dreamscape and being hunted by a nightmare version of their own adopted father, the murderous Cyborg Superman. Can Superboy, Kong Kenan, and the Steel family find the twins in time to save them, or will they join his bloody list of victims?
(W) Leah Williams, Phillip Kennedy Johnson (A) Vasco Georgiev, Mico Suayan (CA) Dustin Nguyen
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lakings9 · 2 years
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Credit: LA Kings
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rustycat16 · 2 years
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*throws elaborate magic!au steddie with familiars @ you*
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cheshire-cats-smile · 2 years
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08/31/22: Dodgers arriving to New York Mets’ stadium.
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checkmefromearth-33 · 2 months
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oh-stars · 1 month
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Boring
Love is wanting to tell someone every little detail of your day and wanting to hear about theirs.
a @steddielovemonth prompt | 1309 words | CW: N/A | Rating: G
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Steve isn’t exciting. He knows this, he’s always known this. It’s why he hides behind fake smiles and follows the same beat as the rest of his peers rather than finding his own path like Eddie. He follows the local teams because that’s what everyone else did; he listens to pop music because that’s what’s played at parties and the first thing he hears when he turns on the radio; he wears boring clothes because his mom buys it for him and he actually likes how they look on him. 
It’s not something he put a lot of thought into until he started hanging out with Dustin and his friends, only growing when Robin came into his life and then it became this glaringly obvious problem when Eddie took an interest in him as a friend. Steve likes the mainstream, everyday boring shit that makes him blend into his peers, and fully fade to the background when he’s around his wonderfully eccentric new family. 
And now that he and Eddie are more than friends, Steve feels even more inadequate. 
His date ideas are cheesy and stereotypical. His ambitions in life start and stop at having a family in the future (which has changed since he was a kid – now he doesn’t equate having a family to a wife and 2.5 kids, but rather a cozy little life with his partner, maybe a few pets, and any nieces or nephews the party gives him. As long as he has Robin in his life and a partner, be it a wife or husband, who actually loves him, he’ll be content). Steve doesn’t have any passions he can turn into a career, and the few he did have, it’s far fetched or his body couldn’t keep up anymore even if he had the chance. 
Then there’s Eddie who shines so brightly and takes up so much space with every ounce of his personality. He has so many hobbies that could become actual careers, too many choices for him to pick from that there have been plenty of nights where he’s stayed up and talked Steve in circles over his choices. He has such strong opinions about everything, could rant for days about the lint he found in the dryer if he needed to. Nancy always says he’d be a great Phillip-buster, whatever that is, because he can just keep going without losing steam. 
He’s incredible and Steve is decidedly not. 
It’s something he ponders on his way home, nodding along to the Springsteen song playing on the radio as he heads for the trailer. It’s been a great day, one of Steve’s better ones lately, and he’s itching to revel in its many wonders with Eddie when he gets home. Nothing exciting happened, just a lot of little, wonderful moments that feel perfect to Steve. 
But they’re boring. He knows that. 
When he was a kid, he used to hear his grandparents talk about the most mundane things. His grandmother would fill his grandpa in on all the gossip she gathered from their neighbor or the way the price of milk went up at Bradley Big Buy. She’d have serious conversations with him about whether they should switch grocery stores or if going to one of the farms directly for their produce was a better idea. And in turn, he’d complain about the squeaky wheel on the mail cart at work or would go into detail about how lovely the lunch she packed him was, complimenting the sandwich like it was made of gold. 
They were the perfect couple in Steve’s eyes. He’s always wanted what they have. But his grandparents were so similar, they shared interests in ways that Steve and Eddie don’t. On paper, Steve and Eddie should clash and he knows opposites attract and all, but it doesn’t mean you want a life with them. 
So he holds in his excitement about his day. He’s just happy to have Eddie to come home to at all, that he’s allowed to just walk into the trailer and be a part of Eddie’s life. 
He parks next to Eddie’s van and pockets his keys. 
Eddie’s waiting for him by the door, perched on the dining chair. “Thought you’d be coming home soon,” Eddie says with a grin as he pops up. He loops his arms around Steve’s neck and kisses him, so sweet and soft. Another addition to Steve’s perfect day. 
Steve can’t keep the smile off his face. “I missed you,” he says, even though it’s probably too much, too sappy for Eddie. 
Instead of wrinkling his nose and making a snide comment, Eddie’s arms tighten around him as he beams, eyes crinkling with how wide his smile is. “I missed you too.” Another kiss, this one a little longer and deeper before Eddie’s pulling away with a peck. “C’mon. I’ve been losing my mind being here all by myself,” he laments, hanging from Steve a little. 
“Where are we going?” Steve asks as Eddie straightens up to drag Steve to the couch. He gets pushed onto one side as Eddie takes the other, sitting cross-legged and sideways so he can stare directly at Steve. 
“Okay,” Eddie says seriously, “tell me everything.” 
“What?” 
Eddie nudges Steve’s knee. “About your day. I want the…” His brow furrows as he looks up at the ceiling, eyes glazing over as he thinks. “What’s the sports thing I’m thinking of? With the scripts?” 
Steve cocks his head to the side. “A play?” 
“Yes!” Eddie snaps his fingers and bounces a little. “I want the play-by-play.” 
“Are you sure?” Steve asks, quiet despite the way his heart is picking up. “It was just a day at Family Video. It’s not like I’m a doctor or something more exciting.” 
Eddie leans forward and cups his hands over Steve’s face. “Everything you do is exciting to me, baby. I like seeing the world through your eyes. So yes, tell me everything,” he says, leaning forward with each word as he squishes Steve’s cheeks. He ends it with another peck, then two more like he can’t help himself. 
Steve laughs, but twists his body to mirror Eddie’s. “It’s been a great day,” he admits, eyes drawn to the loose thread on Eddie’s cushion. “Robin brought me coffee from that new shop on Main and her dad dropped off donuts for us on his way to work. Then Mrs. Peterson came in and she wasn’t a demonic she-beast from the underworld and was actually lovely for once,” Steve says. 
“Mrs. Peterson?” Eddie gasps. “The same woman who yelled at me for almost two hours for biking through her yard as a kid?” 
“The very one,” Steve says. “I think Rob and I were both too stunned to speak for a good thirty minutes after.” 
Eddie shakes his head, eyes bright with genuine interest – almost like he’s mystified. “See, this is the shit I wouldn’t believe if it came from anyone else but you.”
“What’s that mean?” Steve asks, softer but not harsh like he thought it would sound. Not that he wants to – he just knows how he comes off sometimes. 
“You,” Eddie says, poking Steve’s chest, “are special. You always bring the best out of people, man. Including grouchy old ladies who sold their souls to the devil for fresh gardenias in their flowerbeds.” 
Steve laughs and tilts forward so he’s practically in Eddie’s lap. They shift quietly so Steve’s laying on Eddie fully, arms wrapped around his middle. “You make it sound like I’ve got something exciting to say. It’s just boring shit.” 
“That’s where you’re wrong. You, Steve Harrington, are so far from boring,” Eddie whispers against his ear. 
And deep down, Steve thinks he may actually believe him. 
Steve lifts his head to kiss Eddie’s cheek. “Your turn. Tell me something about your day.” 
--
Thank you @lady-lostmind for betaing!
Ao3 Link
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itsjustbyler · 1 month
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If the byler actually happens, it will be rushed. The GA won't understand, they should have done this before. They've been building Mileven for so long that they couldn't change everything last season.
Sorry, but it's the truth.
Well hi there... (this is going to be a big one, sorry)
See, I'll never understand this argument that it's going to be rushed and that the last season doesn't have time to build Byler or whatever. You've never seen films or series with a single season in which a couple meets, falls in love and ends up together?
I can give you the example of Eyewitness. Several people in the fandom like to talk about this series and I have to thank the bylers for presenting it to me.
The show has 9 episodes, at the beginning we meet Lukas and Phillip. Lucas suffers from internalized homophobia. This series managed to introduce us to the characters, make us understand them, make us understand the reason for each one's actions with just 9 episodes and still in the middle of a murder plot, with several horrible things happening and other characters developing.
And the series is simply wonderful. I highly recommend it, so that people can learn about internalized homophobia (which we theorize Mike has) and how far it can go. Maybe you even recognize some parallels with Byler. Remembering that eyewitness was on the inspiration board for one of the seasons, i think it was season 4.
"They have been building up mlvn for 4 seasons", well... they also did that with byler. The advantage of Stranger Things over eyewitness is that we already know the characters, we already know the dynamics between them, we know the problems in each relationship, there will be no need to waste time on that. The building up for byler its at its peak by the end of season 4!
The season ended with:
Mike and El not talking to each other after the monologue that was supposed to save the relationship
The truth about Will's painting yet to be revealed
Will confirmed to be in love with Mike
Mike is still oblivious to Will's feelings
Eleven didn't say anything about the monologue and what she thought of it all
Will is already sure that Mike doesn't like him and he tried to help Mike and El's relationship, which didn't work.
Mike doesn't know that Eleven doesn't actually feel what Will said she feels and that those were his words
As I said, we already know these characters. We know Will lied, we know El doesn't feel that way. We know that Mike feels inferior in the relationship because El doesn't seem to like anything he likes and ignores his interests, which is why he thinks he's just a random nerd. Mike only knows how to praise El by associating her with her powers, something El doesn't feel comfortable with. We know about the ambiguous relationship between Mike and Will and that Mike seems to separate Will from all the other members of the party, including El. We know that Will is in love with Mike. Everything is waiting for it's conclusion.
Also, we still have some questions hanging in the air like: Why write Will in love with Mike if he already has a girlfriend? Why not give him a boyfriend in Lenora, which seems to be a freer place with mlm and wlw couples going on public dates in the middle of Rink o Mania? Why not have Mike reject Will in season 3 so Will can move on, like they did with Dustin and Max? Why the painting and the meaning behind it? Why constantly separate Mike and El throughout the seasons while strengthening Mike and Will's bond? Why, instead of having Mike the whole season saying that he needs to find El and telling her that he loves her and that she's amazing, they decided to have Mike complaining about his relationship and how bad he feels about it? Why did this love triangle reach season 5 still without a clear solution?
They just need to pick up the pieces. If you think they can't do that in a single season, remember that St*ncy ended the first season together but we clearly knew something was wrong and in the second season they perfectly managed to end St*ncy's relationship and start J*ncy's even with Jonathan dealing with everything that was happening with his brother and everything else.
And hey... give the GA some credit. I clocked byler without even knowing it was a thing and I had never been in a fandom before. They are not stupid. They just don't engage with fandom disclosure but that doesn't mean they are oblivious to everything that it's happening. They just don't care or have heterormativity blinding them.
Now could the writers just ignore everything they had been building up and send it to trash? Damn right they could. However, we will have to wait and see...
ty for the ask, sorry for the big one <3
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aemiron-main · 2 months
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“byler spicy headcanons” “byler tumblr discourse” “byler tag infighting”
bro… who is philip bradley? how does he connect to the creels & the timelines. like we know he was the district attorney at victor’s trial in one of the timelines but there’s so many references to bradleys and henward (see: the #1 at bradleys sign in s3)
how does he connect subtext-wise to phil callahan who also mysteriously resembles one of the cops from TFS (a cop that happens to be played by the same actor as walter henderson vs dustin’s original last name in the early stages of ST being callahan)
and how does THAT connect to phil larson from s1 who kept getting his garden gnomes stolen vs lonnie stealing mr newby’s baby jesus from the nativity set in TFS but Lonnie also being mistaken for Victor in the scene where Lonnie admits to stealing the baby? Especially, again, with Philip Bradley being the District Attorney for Victor’s trial in the Weekly Watcher timeline? And especially with the stolen garden gnomes vs the stolen baby jesus vs patty being referred to as “the girl he (mr newby) stole)” vs becky ives talking about how “the big bad man stole jane away” vs henward being stolen from victor on the night of the murders vs the whole “stolen child” thing with changelings and walter calling patty a “foundling”?
And how does all THAT connect to Phillip Cunningham (Chrissy’s dad) being so paralleled to Victor?
And how does all that connect subtext-wise to the creels going to st philips church in the indianapolis gazette timeline? Vs Mr Newby seemingly running the unnamed church in TFS but also not being a priest despite being listed as father newby initially?
And how does all of this tie to Hatch talking about bradley vs brantley at pennhurst?
How does it all tie together. What is with all the philips/phils? Whats with the bradleys?
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tricornonthecob · 1 month
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fuck it lets do another one
Grown-ass adults (and the teens, too!):
Reblog for a bigger reach, because surely there are more than approx. 37 people in this fandom. Surely.
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regaliasonata · 1 year
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My ranger OTPs
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MMPR: Billy/Zack, Billy/Jason, Adam/Tommy
Zeo: Adam/Rocky
Turbo: TBD
In Space: Andros/Zhane, Andros/TJ
Lost Galaxy: Leo/Kai, Leo/Andros, Karone/Kendrix
Lightspeed Rescue: Carter/Ryan
Time Force: Eric/Wes
Wild Force: Cole/Billy, Cole/Merrick, Danny/Max
Ninja Storm: Dustin/Connor, Hunter/Dustin
Dino Thunder: Connor/Trent, Kira/Trent, Connor/Ethan, Ethan/Derrick, Connor/Jason(one sided cause Connor likes muscular dudes, Jason is just wondering who the hell this guy is)
SPD: Jack/Sky, Bridge/Sky
Mystic Force: Xander/Nick
Operation Overdrive: TBD
Jungle Fury: Casey/Jarrod, Casey/RJ, RJ/Merrick, Theo/Lily, Jarrod/Camille, Fran/Dominic
RPM: Dillon/Ziggy
Samurai: Jayden/Antonio
Megaforce: Troy/Robo Knight(This bitch really hooked up with a toaster😭)
Dino Charge: Riley/Chase, Ivan/Tyler, Phillip/Koda, Tyler/Riley, Heckyl/Riley, Heckyl/Chase
Ninja Steel: TBD(none really)
Beast Morphers: Nate/Koda, Nate/Blaze, Nate/Ravi, Nate/Devon, Zoey/Roxy
Dino Fury: Javi/Ollie, Aiyon/Ollie, Aiyon/Ollie/Javi, Javi/Zayto, Izzy/Fern, Izzy/Amelia(It's like an endless puzzle with some of these characters😭)
(Doesn't mean I don't like any of the other ships, these ones just really stuck to me)
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kwebtv · 1 month
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Dustin Ingram as Carl Perkins, Christian Lees as Jerry Lee Lewis, Kevin Fonteyne as Johnny Cash, Drake Milligan as Elvis Presley and Kerry Holliday as Ike Turner in "Sun Records"
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Margaret Anne Florence as Marion Keisker, Chad Michael Murray as Sam Phillips and Jennifer Holland as Becky Phillips in "Sun Records"
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lakings9 · 2 years
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Credit: LA Kings
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azurezfiction · 6 months
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Power Rangers ship list
Because everyone seems to be doing it; here is my ship list!
Everything under the read more because it's a ton:
MMPRS1-Turbo 1: Tommy x Kimberly Zack x Trini Billy x Trini Jason x Tommy Billy x Skull (because of augment-techs) Stone Canyon Trio Rocky x Adam Aisha x Shawna Bulk x Connie David Truehart x Trey Tanya x Kat Tanya x Adam Tanya x Zack Aisha x Zack Turbo II - Lost Galaxy: Ashley x Cassie Andros x Ashley Zhane x Andros Zhane x Astronema/Karone Karone x Maya Mike Corbett x Carlos Vallerte Kai x Damon Leo x Andros TJ x Damon Lightspeed Rescue - Wild Force Joel x Miss Fairweather Kelsey Winslow x Nancy Thompson Carter x Ryan Dana x Taylor Taylor x Alyssa Merrick x Cole Eric x Wes Wes x Jen x Eric Katie x Trip Eric x Trip Danny x Max
Ninja Storm - SPD Dustin x Hunter Tori x Blake Blake x Trent Tori x Kira Dustin x Conner x Hunter Ethan x Cassidy
Mystic Force - RPM Nick x Xander Chip x Vida Udonna x Leanbow Leelee x Phineas Claire x Xander RJ x Casey Lilly x Theo Jarrod x Camilla Casey x Jarrod (x RJ) Ziggy x Dillion Flynn x Gemma
Samurai - Dino Charge Antonio x Jayden Lauren x Mia Troy x Jordan Noah x Orion Gia x Emma One-sided Jake x Noah (Jake crushing on Noah). Tyler x Shelby Tyler x Ivan Ivan x Tyler x Matt Koda x Phillip
Ninja Steel - Cosmic Fury Brody x Preston Calvin x Preston Calvin x Men. Sarah x Hayley Devon x Blaze Ravi x Roxy Ollie x Javi Amelia x Javi Izzy x Fern Zayto x Aiyon Zayto x Javi
Comics: Ace x Gent* Trek x Ace* Violet x Zack Ellarien x Remi Nikolai x Daniel Grace x Jamie x Terona Grace x Terona Matt Cook x Billy Cranston Crossover ships: Andrew Hartford x Mr Kelman (1995 Movie) x Dane Romero Fred Kelman x Justin Stewart Cam x Kimberly Conner McKnight x muscular guys Merrick x RJ Chad x Danny Chad x Aurico Delphine x Hayley Ziktor
*I have so many headcanons about these two ships and how it connects to canon, I'm really hoping to get it out soon!
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cheshire-cats-smile · 2 years
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08/30/22: Dodgers : “The best team in baseball had to stop by MLB headquarters.”
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afewproblems · 1 year
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Okay, so I couldn't leave this alone so here is a Stranger Things Pride and Prejudice Steddie AU One shot!
There are two truths universally acknowledged, one being that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a spouse, the second is that Stephen Harrington the third is a bastard. 
However little known the feelings or views of such a man as Stephen Harrington may be on his first entering a neighborhood, this first truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property and target of some one or other of their daughter or sons, despite the nature of his rather frightful personality.
Now, he was not truly a bastard -not in the way that you may be thinking dear reader, no. 
The Harringtons were wed in an opulent ceremony that had not left the lips of the citizens in the surrounding hamlets and towns for nearly a decade. The pair were not particularly well loved, nor were they even reasonably well liked, however, their fortune allowed them considerable influence over the land and much of the people around it. Perhaps, in part, because of the lavish balls and beautiful grounds they were held upon. 
A child had been born to Phillip and Emma Harrington upon their third year of marriage, a healthy boy that grew up in wealth and comfort, becoming the very bastard that had plagued Edward's every waking moment with his arrogant manner and beautiful brown eyes.
It was an opinion not only cultivated by several interactions that left Edward puzzled and irritable, but by a troubling anecdote from the affable Lieutenant Hargrove. 
To withhold a sizable income, hoarding so much wealth all to one's self for what, for seemingly no reason at all? 
When the Munsons survived on a mere two thousand a year to sustain the 7 of them, and with his elderly uncles failing health, he was beginning to worry. 
And perhaps worst of all, that he had been the direct cause of his dear sister's broken heart.
Nancy had been devastated when she received the letter from Caroline Buckley, telling her that both the Buckleys, Caroline and her lovely sister Robin, and Harrington were returning to London with no plans to return. 
It didn't matter how many times Nancy assured Edward that she was fine, it did not cover up the soft weeping from behind the door of the room she and Ell shared. 
William, Dustin, and Ell came to Edward the next day with concerns for their eldest sibling, strong, whip smart, even-tempered Nancy who kept her heart so often sequestered that to hear of her open sorrows left Edward gutted and the youngest siblings morose for days. 
He knew this was Stephen's doing, since Colonel Byers had so graciously told him so. 
It had been at a sermon, not Edwards idea of an exciting afternoon when there were books to be read, stories to tell, or songs to sing, but it certainly appeased his wonderful friend Chrissy to see her so happy and taken care of, despite her bore of a new husband, Jason. 
Byers was an agreeable fellow, Edward was certain there was no reason that he and Harrington should be so close, but the universe was certainly owed at least one mystery, and Byers was good humored enough to find Edward charming - so Edward chose not to examine it too closely.
“So how long do you plan to stay in Kent Colonel?” Edward asks softly, happy for the opportunity to ignore the dry sermon taking place before them. 
Jonathan smiles warmly though his gaze remains unbroken, eyes staring straight ahead of him, “As long as Harrington chooses, I’m at his disposal”.
Edward snorts and leans forward to tip his face into the hand balanced on his own knee at the elbow, “Everyone appears to be at his disposal,” he finds Stephen in the crowd easily, there is no mistaking him,  “It’s no wonder he doesn’t marry and secure lasting convenience of that kind,” he murmurs, waggling his eyebrows at the Colonel.
Jonathan smiles though it's considerably smaller this time,“They would be lucky,” he says earnestly.
“Really?”
Jonathan nods, “Harrington is a most loyal companion, from what I heard on our journey here, he recently came to the rescue of one of his closest friends just in time.”
Edward sits up, dropping his hand away from his face and turning his body further to face both the Colonel and Stephen, “What happened?”
Jonathan whispers, leaning in conspiratorially, “He saved her from an imprudent marriage--”
Edwards' heart rate increases, his palms begin to sweat, “...Who?”
Across the pews he can see Stephen sitting there, dark eyes downcast, long brown hair sweeping over his forehead in gentle waves, but he seems tired, bored, Edward hates him just a little more. 
“His closest friend, Robin Buckley”.
Time slows down, it feels as though the world has been plunged into the darkest depths of the ocean and Edward is swimming to the surface, his breathing stutters slightly as he exhales slowly through his nose, “Did Mr. Harrington give a reason for this interference?”
Jonathan nods again, “There were apparently strong objections to the lady,” he says softly, he glances at Edward once before turning forward once more, his expression betraying nothing.
“What kind of objections?” Edward stammers, “Her lack of fortune?”
“No, I think it was her family that was considered unsuitable,”
No…
“So…” Edward whispers, the words slice over his lips and teeth, “he separated them”.
“I believe so, but I know nothing else”.
It had been luck that Byers had no idea who Edward was, who he was to Nancy and who he was to Stephen.
It allowed him ammunition to arm himself with. 
His fury knows no bounds, how dare he, how dare this scoundrel, this villain! Edward stalks through the hills outside of town, the distant sounds of thunder and the deep gray clouds painting the skies do not deter him from his path. He breathes deeply and sweeps the long curls away from his face where they’ve escaped from the leather cord tying the locks back. He should have allowed Chrissy to braid it for him like she offered to before they left. 
No point now.
Rain begins pattering around him, starting small before suddenly beginning in earnest, he curses under his breath and takes off towards a short stone bridge with a strange monument on the other side, whatever it was, it was at least sheltered. 
Edwards chest heaves by the time he reaches the end of the bridge, he brings his hair around to squeeze out the worst of the water, there is no hope for the rest of his clothes, they will need to be hung to dry when he arrives back at Rosings estate to tell Chrissy what he’s learned.
He raises his hands to his face to wipe away the moisture, the Munson family ring glints in the low light and his chest aches with the sight of it. 
Oh Nancy.
He hardly notices a figure that walks up the steps, tall, dressed in blue wool that has deepened to a near black with the rain. 
Edward gasps and coughs to cover up his short lived fright as he finally notices him, Harrington. 
He stands there awkwardly, his normally perfect hair is drenched, flat against his forehead and ears. His nose and cheeks are pink with the cold and there is nothing endearing about this whatsoever.
“Mr. Munson,” Stephen says, the deep timbre of his voice loud over the gentle hum of the cascading rain, “I have struggled in vain, and I can bear it no longer.”
What?
“These last few months have been a torment,” he continues when Edward presents no argument, “I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you, I, I had to see you…” and here he appears to lose his nerve, his mouth opens and closes until he clears his throat and swallows roughly.
“I fought against my better judgment, my family's expectations, the inferiority of your birth and my rank, the circumstance of all of these things that I am willing to put aside to ask you to end my agony”.
“I don’t understand,” Edwards says, he’s speaking so quickly, it's ridiculous--
“I love you”.
Edward blinks.
“Most ardently,” Stephen says softly, it's nearly indistinguishable from the patter of the rain and the thundering of Edward's heart, “please do me the honor of accepting my hand”.
He was right, it was ridiculous, and rude, it does top Carver’s bumbling attempts at a proposal though which he thought would be near impossible.
“Sir I,” Edward says eventually, haltingly, “I appreciate the struggle you have been through and I am very sorry to have caused you pain,” Edward lies, “believe me, it was unconsciously done”
Stephen’s honey brown eyes close as his expression shutters, “Is this your reply?”
“Yes sir,” Edward bites out. 
“Are you,” Stephen says in a near whisper, “are you laughing at me?”
If Edward didn’t hate him so much at this moment he would pity him, the heartfelt confession disappearing into smoke as Edward burns it down.
“No,” and he really isn’t.
“Are you rejecting me?” Stephen says, he finds his voice once more, the volume climbing back above a whisper as a thread of irritation pulls through the words.
You don’t get to be angry, Edward thinks viciously, you get nothing.
“I’m sure that the feelings, as which you have told me, have hindered your regard will help you in overcoming it”.
Stephen blinks and takes one step forward, they are of similar heights, Stephen just slightly taller than himself but he refuses to let the proximity intimidate him, “Might I ask why with so little endeavor to civility I must repulse--”
“And I might as well inquire why you chose to tell me you loved me against your better judgment--” Edward shouts, 
“No, believe me--”
“If I was uncivil then that is no excuse,” he speaks over him, the words continue to fall out in bursting shouts that would echo over the hills were it for the thunder and rain around them, “but I have other reasons you know I have!”
“What reasons?” Stephen says as his brow furrows, and Edward wants to shake him.
“Do you think that anything would tempt me to accept the hand of the man that has ruined, perhaps forever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?”
Stephen’s shoulders drop ever so slightly, his expression resigned but still determined.
“Do you deny it Mr. Harrington?” Edward nearly snarls, moving in for the kill, “that you separated a young couple who loved each other, exposing your friend to a world of caprice, and my sister to its derision for disappointed hopes, and involving them both in misery of the acutest kind--”
“I do not deny it,” Stephen says softly, his eyes bore into Edwards own, they have not left his face once.
“How could you do it?” Edward whispers, the words are frayed though, jagged as they make their way out.
“Because,” Stephen says, “I believed your sister indifferent”. 
He says it so matter-of-factly, as though speaking the truth.
“Indifferent?” Edward scoffs.
“I watched them most carefully and realized that Miss Buckley’s attachment was deeper than that of your sisters--”
“That's because she’s shy!” Edward blurts out, he won’t have this, this blatant attack on Nancy’s character, she means too much to him while Stephen means nothing, the bastard.
“Buckley too is modest and was persuaded that she didn’t feel strongly enough--”
“Because you suggested it!” 
They’re shouting now, both of them inching ever closer, clouds of angry breath undulate together in the cool air as they share the space.
“I did it for her own good!” 
“My sister hardly shows her true feelings to me, to any of us!” Edwards chest heaves as he realizes what he’s said, he shakes his head and looks away from the stricken expression on Stephens face. 
Edward swallows sharply, the words come out smoother than he feels, “I suppose you suspected her, her fortune had some bearing on the matter--”
“No,” Stephen yells, speaking over Edward as he rears back in surprise, “I wouldn’t do your sister the dishonor, though it was suggested that…”
“What was?”
Stephen hesitates for a moment, his eyes flick between Edwards own before he breathes out, “It was made perfectly clear that an advantageous marriage--”
“Did my sister give you that impression?” Edward hisses, taking a step forward of his own.
“No! No, no, there was however, I have to admit, the matter of your family--”
“Our want of connection?” 
At this Stephen looks away, his chest rises in barely restrained frustration if the clenching and unclenching fingers mean anything, but Edward presses on, “Miss Buckley didn't seem too concerned about any of that--”
“It was more than that”.
“How sir,” Edward growls, his jaw set and teeth nearly bared. 
“It was the lack of propriety shown by your aunt, your younger siblings, and on occasion your uncle”.
“Forgive me,” he says eventually, the words nearly startle Edward after so long with only the quiet hum of the rain around them, “you and your sister I must exempt from these conclusions”.
Edward stops from rolling his eyes, though its a near thing, he takes a deep breath and speaks, “And what about Mr. Hargrove?”
This seems to catch Stephen off guard, he flinches and frowns,“Mr…Hargrove?”
“What excuse can you give for your behavior to him?” Edward continues, leaving his tone sharp and his words biting, he crosses his arms as Stephen strides towards him suddenly.
“You take an eager interest in that gentleman's concerns!” He grinds out, his brown eyes scanning Edwards own with a sneer. 
“He told me of his misfortunes--” 
“Oh yes,” Stephen mutters, “his misfortunes have been very great indeed”.
He shakes his head and steps back, rubbing his hand roughly through his wet hair, tossing it out of his eyes, his face drops to the ground as he refuses to look at Edward.
“You have ruined his chances and yet treat him with sarcasm?”
Stephen laughs bitterly and shakes his head, his hands come up to hold his hips with a white knuckle grip, “So this is your opinion of me,” he whispers darkly, he raises his head to meet Edwards gaze once more, “Thank you for explaining so fully, perhaps these offenses might have been overlooked if your pride had not been hurt--”
“My pride?” Edward shouts.
“--by my honesty in admitting reservations about our relationship”.
Stephen scoffs, whipping out a hand to gesture towards Edward, “Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?”
“And those are the words of a gentleman?” Edward barks out, he steps forward, tilting his chin up just slightly, “from the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, made me realize that you were the last man in the world I would ever be prevailed upon to marry”.
Stephen recoils as though slapped, he takes a step back and then another, his face pales considerably as he raises his hand to pinch his nose briefly before lowering it slowly. 
“Forgive me,” he says eventually, the words so soft Edward nearly misses them, “for taking up so much of your time,” he tilts his head slightly towards Edward before turning abruptly on his heel, stalking down the steps and back the way he had come. 
Edward stands there, breathing heavily, ignoring the sharp sting and heat behind his eyes as he blinks back frustrated tears. 
Damn him. 
***
Hours later once Edward had made his way back to Rosings, walking through the mud and the rain, considering the shouting match that had taken place over and over, the words play on a terrible loop in his mind. 
Chrissy helps him change out of the cold sopping wet clothes, and starts a fire in the guest room, he ignores the diatribe that Jason begins, gesturing with his bible and at the deluge that continues outside. Edward sits numbly at their kitchen table until Chrissy takes him by the arm back to his room. 
He tells her everything, every terrible word, every excuse Stephen lobbed at him while he was gone. Chrissy listens patiently, holding his hand in her smaller ones as he speaks. 
“Once I started I couldn’t stop, the words were coming out like bile,” he mutters listlessly. Chrissy wrinkles her nose and stands up from the end of the bed, she crosses over to the small desk against the wall. There atop the glossy brown surface, sitting in the soft glow of the brass candelabra is a letter. 
She grabs it with soft hands and walks back towards the bed where Edward is perched curiously.
“He came by earlier,” Chrissy says simply, holding out the paper, “said this was for you, hoped it would clear the air a bit”.
Edward takes it, the letter feels heavy in his hands as he smooths shaking fingers over the seam of the paper and the small wax seal. 
“I’ll leave you to it,” Chrissy whispers as she squeezes his shoulder briefly before making her way back to the door, letting it close softly behind her. 
Edward takes a deep breath and cracks the seal, unfolding the papers as he begins to read. 
‘I'm not going to renew the sentiments which were so disgusting to you, but to address the two offenses you have laid against me. 
I had not long been in Hertfordshire before I saw that Miss Buckley preferred your eldest sister. I observed my friend's behavior attentively and I could perceive that her partiality for Miss Munson was beyond what I have ever witnessed in her. 
Yet when I observed your sister, I detected no symptom of peculiar regard, and witnessed only the family's coarse appetite for having their children married favorably. And so in London, perhaps erroneously, I persuaded her of the unfitness of the match, citing your sister's coolness towards her. It would not have been the first time her heart had been trampled.          
It was unknowingly done and though the motives which governed me, may to you appear naturally insufficient, they were done to protect my closest friend. 
Edward rolls his eyes and scoffs but continues reading.
As to the other more serious matter.
As you may not know, my sister, Maxine was adopted as a babe. My parents had always wanted a girl and were not able to conceive a second time. They did, with their wealth and power, manage to find a baby to bring home with no questions asked. 
I loved her from the moment she came home. She was my sister, she was ours.
What I’m sure Mr. Hargrove has neglected to tell you, is that he came to us out of the blue claiming a familial relationship to Maxine. Demanding money for his silence, to continue the narrative that the Harringtons had no skeletons in their closets, nothing to hide. 
My parents would pay him to the tune of $3000 so he could do as he wished, fritter it away on drink and gambling, but silently. 
At first.
Over the years he demanded more money, always more, he was a leach whose thirst was never quenched.
Eventually, at their wits end my parents told him it was over, Maxine was nearly fifteen and they were ready to tell her about her origins. Hargrove would have nothing to hold over their heads if the secret was out. 
But perhaps the worst part was that this man, this stranger, had never really been related to Maxine at all. He had been a records clerk in London and stumbled onto the entire plot, sheer terrible circumstance brought this vile man into our midst.
No, and we had found out this appalling truth upon discovering that he had connived a relationship with my sister whom he had persuaded to be in love with and nearly made her consent to an elopement. All under our noses. 
At this, Edward nearly drops the letter, he quickly scrambles to grab the paper, bringing it back up to the light. Oh Gods.
His prime objective all this time had been to obtain her inheritance of thirty thousand pounds.
Upon this discovery we nearly killed each other, the only thing stopping the whole mess was Maxine. I will forever regret that she had to see such violence. 
I was lucky enough to persuade my sister of her folly. I hope that this goes some way to mitigate my behavior in your eyes. If you doubt my word please have it confirmed by my cousin Colonel Byers.’
The last page falls on the bed, away from Edwards shaking hands. He presses his fingers into his eyes until white sparks dance across his vision. 
He doesn’t know what to make of this. 
How could he?
Let me know what you think! (special shout out to @flowercrowngods for bouncing a few ideas around about this!)
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