#embarrassing of you to act like kate on main

[nightghoul381]

Ellis Twilight~ Main Route Chapter 1

Disclaimer for route warnings | Masterlist

Additional Content Warnings: None

This a fan translation so it is definitely not 100% accurate. I do not own anything related to Ikemen Villains. Support Cybird by buying their amazing stories!

Part 1

--What is happiness?

It’s like a twilight sky that changes color the moment it burns into your eyes…

Even though it holds my heart forever and never lets go, I can never have the same one again.

Time, stop—don’t let this happiness fade away.

(From today onwards, my life will be monitored by the members of the assassin organization “Crown” that controls evil with evil.)

As a ‘fairytale keeper’, it is my duty to record their sins—my only lifeline.

Getting ready in front of the mirror, I try to re-energize.

(Honestly, I’m scared to face ‘sin’ again…)

(Up to this point, I’ve only had to deal with complaints at the post office or handling deliveries in crazy busy situations.)

(I’ll be okay, I’m sure it will work out somehow.)

Kate: “Okay, only one month. If I try, I can do this…okay.”

I repeat this to myself like a mantra, opened the door and took a brisk step forward--.

???: “Woah.”

Kate: “Kya!?”

I accidentally bump the tip of my nose into the chest of someone who was standing in front of the door.

Kate: “I-I’m sorry…!”

Ellis: “I’m sorry too...are you hurt?”

(Oh…this guy--)

--Flashback—

Harrsion: “…So what are you going to do now that you’ve explained everything so thoroughly, Victor?”

Victor: “Hmm…That’s right…”

Ellis: “Shall I kill her?”

(Eh--?)

Ellis: “She doesn’t look happy at all, but I’ll take the job.”

--End Flashback—

(He was the first to suggest killing me.)

(But, after that…)

--Flashback—

Ellis: “I’m Ellis.”

Kate: “Ellis… Nice to meet you.”

Ellis: “Mmhmm… likewise. Jude and I are often away on business.”

Ellis: “While I’m here, I’ll make you as happy as possible.”

--End Flashback—

With the same mouth, a line that sounded like a marriage proposal was said without hesitation… what an odd person.

(Why is Ellis in front of my room?)

Part 2

(Ah, I see. Surveillance has already started.)

If I misbehave, I might be killed.

(I can’t just keep acting like everything is the same.)

(I’ve already stepped into a different world.)

Kate: “Mr. Ellis, right…? I look forward to working with you from today onwards.”

Ellis: “Yes, Ellis Twilight, nice to meet you… no need to be so formal.”

Ellis laughed lightly and looked into my face with concern.

Ellis: “…your nose is getting red.”

Ellis: “Sorry, the door opened just as I was about to knock, so I couldn’t avoid it.”

A long, slender arm holds the door.

Behind his curly hair, as his name suggests, are twilight eyes.

I gasped when I notice how close we were and hurriedly apologized.

Kate: “No! I’m sorry I got anxious and jumped out…”

Ellis: “Are you anxious? Why?”

Kate: “What!? Um…”

(“I was getting anxious because I was scared of living with all of you.”)

(I can’t say that…)

Kate: “It’s like I was transferred to a new department that I don’t know at all…”

Kate: “It’s like… Gaahhh!”

Ellis: “Gaahhh…”

Ellis blinks in surprise.

(Ah, that was too weird…)

Ellis: “… you’re a cute person.”

Kate: “Um… it’s okay, you don’t have to follow me…”

(I should have been able to make up and excuse, but I feel so embarrassed.)

As I avert my gaze, looking for a place to move to, Ellis returned to a straight face and spoke in a whisper,

Ellis: “ I’d like to give you your first job in the ‘new department’… is that okay?”

Kate: “---Wow…”

(What a beautiful garden.)

I was taken to the courtyard of Crown castle…

There was a beautiful English garden that had been carefully maintained down to the last detail.

Seasonal flowers are in full bloom, and it smells like paradise.

(Last night, I could only feel the majesty and dangerous atmosphere of the towering castle…)

(But there are places where I feel so at ease.)

As I followed Ellis down the path, admiring the beautiful garden, a gazebo came into view.

Tea and scones are set on the table, as though a tea party is about to begin.

Ellis: “Please sit.”

Kate: “Oh…uh, thank you.”

Ellis pulled out a chair and was waiting for me, so I sat down in the chair, confused ,and he sat in the seat across from me.

(You said earlier that you wanted to give me a job, but…)

Kate: “Is this where I’ll be working my first job?”

Ellis: “Yeah… your first job is to eat breakfast with me.”

Part 3

Ellis: “Yeah…your first job is to eat breakfast with me.”

(…hmm?)

Ellis: “Tell me about yourself while eating delicious food, I’ll tell you about myself too.”

Ellis: “If you record it, it will count as your report as fairytale keeper, right?”

--CHOICES---------------------------------

That’s honestly helpful/ That honestly helps +4 +4

Isn’t that a nuisance? +4 +4

Why would you help me? +4 +4

----------------------------------------------

Kate: “Why are you helping me?”

Ellis: “I thought it would make you happy.”

It seems like he’s seriously trying to help me.

Ellis: “I’ll also tell you about the other members of Crown.”

Ellis: “I think it’s a little scary to live among people you don’t know.”

Kate: “…!”

(I never expected this ‘first job’ to be…)

Kate: “Did you invite me just to relieve my anxiety?”

Ellis: “…That’s a little bit correct.”

Kate: “A little bit?”

Ellis: “It’s also for me to talk to you… that’s the bit that was incorrect.”

A faint smile appears on his lips.

(Maybe my first impression of Ellis last night was a misunderstanding.)

Just being near him made me feel like my temperature dropped instantly.

It felt like something was peeking out at me from the gaping darkness--.

I’m sure I felt that kind of anxiety last night…

(I don’t feel that way from Ellis in front of me now.)

(Maybe it was because I had just witnessed the murder scene.)

I gently pushed aside the strange feeling in my chest and decided not to acknowledge it.

--In hindsight, that turned out to be a mistake.

Part 4

(Anyway, Ellis took the trouble to arrange this for me.)

(I’ll take his word for it and listen to various stories.)

Kate: “Thank you, Ellis.”

Ellis: “I haven’t done anything to deserve your gratitude.”

Ellis: “Do you like sweets? These are scones Victor baked this morning.”

Kate: “Eh? Victor baked…?”

Ellis: “Yes, it’s like his hobby. Al is also a good cook.”

Ellis: “The clotted cream is something I learned from Al and made myself.”

Ellis: “Liam recommended this jam, so he bought it for me.”

Ellis: “Perhaps he knows a lot about what’s trending because he’s a stage actor.”

Ellis: “This meat pie is from the restaurant where Roger took me to lunch the other day. He treats me to drinks often.”

Kate: “W-wait a minute. I want to write down what you just told me…!”

When I take out my notebook that I had kept in my pocket,

Ellis told me a lot about the people in Crown--.

Kate: “Oh, I know about the shop that sells this apricot crumble too! There’s usually quite a line there, right?”

Ellis: “I bought it with Harry. Harry apparently has a sweet tooth and is obsessed with delicious sweets shops.”

Kate: “Hehe… Everyone in Crown is good friends aren’t they?”

(I felt like I was living in another world,)

(I feel relieved to know that we are all people living in the same London.)

(Thanks to Ellis.)

With a big smile on my face, I spread cream on the scone in my hand.

Ellis: “Kate.”

Kate: “Yes…?”

Very naturally, the palm of Ellis’ large hand reached up to the side of my face.

Ellis: “You’re going to get cream stuck in your hair.”

Kate: “Huh? Oh…”

(That’s true, I didn’t notice.)

Ellis scoops up my hair with his fingertips and gently tucks it behind my ear.

Kate: “Thank you.”

Ellis: “You’re welcome… It was so good you went crazy for it didn’t you?”

Ellis, resting his chin on his hand, looked at me and smiled.

Kate: “…Yes, it’s delicious.”

Ellis: “Good.”

(If Ellis can do something like this so casually… he must be popular.)

Realizing that my heart was pounding, I tried to calm down my erratic heartbeat.

Kate: “Preparing a seat, caring about me like this…”

Kate: “Why are you being so kind to me?”

(I don’t remember doing anything to Ellis yesterday that would make him treat me so kindly…)

Ellis: “Kate, you haven’t looked happy since last night.”

Ellis: “I want the people around me to smile as much as possible.”

(That’s all…?)

(Even though I’m a complete stranger to Ellis… I don’t know anything about him.)

Kate: “Do you do this for anyone? Even if you just met for the first time?”

Ellis: “Huh…? Yeah… is that wrong?”

The simple question, in turn, made him look confused.

(Ellis is a bit of an odd person after all.)

(But…)

Kate: “…I’m happy.”

(I’m sure I feel better thanks to Ellis.)

Ellis: “I see… If you don’t hate it, good.”

Part 5

By the time the peaceful breakfast was over, my wariness had completely subsided.

Ellis: “Is going to the theater your hobby?”

Kate: “Yes. In fact, last night I took on an unfamiliar night shift because I wanted money for tickets…”

Ellis: “Heheh… you’re quite passionate.”

I chatted endlessly with Ellis, as if we were new friends.

Then, the sound of another set of footsteps echoed.

Victor: “Hey, hey! This is exciting!”

Ellis: “Victor.”

Kate: “…! Good morning.”

Victor: “Oh, you don’t have to stand up! I don’t want to interrupt your pleasant conversation.”

Victor: “Since Ellis offered to do so, I left breakfast to him… Do you feel a little less nervous?”

Victor kept smiling and looked at me searchingly.

The shadow of the unfathomable feeling I felt from him last night has faded, and I can feel the warmth of concern in his jewel-like eyes.

(Maybe it’s because I enjoyed my first job with Ellis and it relieved my tension.)

Kate: “Yes. Thanks to Ellis and the delicious scones you baked for me.”

Victor: “…”

When I smiled gratefully, Victor seemed a little surprised.

But soon a smile appeared on his face, like a flower blooming.

Victor: “Yeah, yeah. Your smile says ‘I’m so happy to be Crown’s exclusive fairytale keeper!’”

Ellis: “…Did it really say that much?”

Kate: “…hehe.”

Victor’s eyes narrowed as he watched my shoulders shake.

Victor: “Well I had two requests for you as fairytale keeper, keeping our secret and recording our sins.”

Victor: “The former is fine, but the latter I would imagine has you at a loss as to what to do specifically.”

Victor: “May I give a little explanation?”

Kate: “Yes. Please.”

Victor: “It’s not difficult. I want you to carefully observe the people of Crown and write down what you feel is a sin.”

Victor: “I’ll leave it to you to figure out how.”

Victor: “You can have multiple people watch over you on a rotating basis or you can choose one person to work with.”

(Observe the members of Crown carefully. I am free to choose my methods and partners… I see.)

Kate: “I understand, um, how far does my surveillance extend?”

Victor: “Even though I say surveillance, I don’t mean to restrict your freedom of movement other than going out alone.”

Victor: “I may ask you to accompany us on missions, but you can spend the rest of the time however, you like.”

I was a little relieved as I had expected to be under much stricter surveillance.

Kate: “Understood. Thank you for your explanation.”

Victor: “…Honestly, I was a little surprised just now. I didn’t expect to see your smile so soon.”

Victor: “You witnessed a terrible scene, and we are an evil organization that cannot be said to be safe.”

He gave me a joking wink…

Then Victor squinted his eyes as if looking at bright sunlight.

Victor: “I hope that the darkness that will inevitably touch you from now on won’t take away your smile.”

Strangely enough, I didn’t believe what I was told was a lie.

(The people of Crown are definitely dark and terrifying people who don’t mind harming others.)

However—I thought that if I looked deep into my heart, there were feelings that I could understand.

Victor: “Then I’ll excuse myself. The Queen’s Aide is quite busy.”

Victor seemed to have just come to see what was going on and immediately left without coming to the table.

(To record their sins, first I’ll have to take a good look at the members of Crown.)

In that case—I’d like Ellis to be the first one I want to know more about.

Such feelings come naturally.

Kate: “Um, Ellis…What are your plans for today?”

However, my question was interrupted by a harsh voice.

Jude: “Yer supposed to be workin. How dare ya slack off.”

Ellis and Kate: “!”

I jumped at the sound of a loud voice.

(That voice is--)

When I hesitantly turned around, I saw Jude standing in the garden with his arms folded, looking irritated.

(Oh, you’re angry…!)

Ellis: “Sorry. I’ll go now.”

Without even standing up, Ellis leisurely turned his gaze toward Jude and answered.

(Such carelessness….)

Jude clicked his tongue, quickly flipped his cloak with a flourish and left.

Ellis: “…As you can see, that is today’s schedule.”

Kate: “You work for a trading company right?”

(Jude is the president and Ellis is the president’s assistant...right?)

(I was thinking of observing Ellis, but maybe I should try another day.)

Kate: “Thank you for making time for me. Good luck with your work.”

Ellis: “……”

Ellis was staring at me, thinking about something--.

Kate: “Um…?”

Ellis: “If you don’t mind, would you like to come with me?”

Kate: “Why are you helping me?”

Next Chapter

#ikemen villains #ikevil #ikemen villains translation #ikevil translation #ellis twilight #ikevil ellis #ikevil ellis twilight #ikemen villains ellis #ikemen villains ellis twilight #ellis twilight main route

[wallylovesfood]

Is it just me or was the whole batfam theater kids?

So I did the honours of 'rating' them/saying what they were like.

Dick: the main character theater kid. Dated everyone in class. The teacher probably had a crush on him too. Very expressive/dramatic and always got the lead role.

Jason: secret theater kid and was actually pretty good. Once played a main role but mainly got small one line roles. Has never told anyone because no one ever asked but would be happy to talk about it if you did ask. Had a crush on one person in class and holds them dear to his heart but never told a soul who it was.

Tim: would only tell you if you asked but doesn't like to talk about it. Was pretty good like suspiciously good with certain roles but only took minor roles because of stage fright. Met Steph in this class.

Steph: was there because she needed a curricular class. Only talked in class and was there for the people. Met Tim in this class. Never got any roles.

Duke: hated the class cause he was bullied by the jocks. Deep down liked it and had fun. Was kinda good. Major stage fright. Was given a lead role one time but turned it down.

Cass: Bruce signed her up. Dreamed of having a lead role. Was too shy but once she got home she'd act out scenes to her hearts content. Only got backgrounder roles for not being able to speak.

Damian: only had this class because his father signed him up because his father was a theater kid. Hates everything and everybody there. Would drop out but can't because his father would find out. One girl had a crush on him and he threatened her.

Bruce: only ever brought up he was a theater kid because he signed up Damian. Didn't like the class but was suspiciously good. Would get bullied for being rich. Always had the lead role because his parents paid the school. All the girls crushed on him.

Selina: only joined the class for the guys and dated a couple of them. Eventually dropped out.

Kate: loved the class. Was pretty good. Is proud to say she was a theater kid but pretends to be embarrassed. Only got smaller roles but was great at them. Dreams of being on Broadway one day.

#dick grayson #nightwing #batfam #jason todd #red hood #red robin #tim drake #dc comics #bruce wayne #batman #dc incorrect quotes #dcedit #dc headcanon #batfam headcanons #duke thomas #kate kane #batwoman #stephanie brown #batgirl #cassandra cain #black bat

[kitmoas]

Lamb to Slaughter

Summary: You can't get the voices in your head to shut up, and you refuse to ask a certain group of people for help.

Pairing: Kate x Reader, Wanda x Reader, WandaNat, Kate x Yelena (mentioned)

Genre: I never know what to call it when the smut isn't the main genre lol, but there is smut :)

Word Count: 8.1k

Warnings: Dark Fic (involving blood, illegal acts, murder, etc), semi-public sex, weapon use, degradation, strap-on, Mommy/Daddy kink, if you squint a bit of stomach bulge, lots of intrusive thoughts

*As per usual, let me know if I missed anything important*

A/N: We won't talk about how I haven't updated this since like...March.. BUT I'm very excited to put out the next installment! We get to see a little bit more of the personalities of the group here, and we finally get to see some progression with Wanda and Kate with Wipsy.

Gentle Sin Master List

The loud clattering of dirty plates and people talking cut the slightly awkward silence between you and the boy sitting in front of you. For the past few days he had been showing up around campus, awkwardly asking if you wanted to hang out. It usually only took a few minutes for the two of you to relax and have fun, but for some reason he seems different today. You can visibly see the tenseness, even after you guys ate an entire lunch, and you can see the subtle beads of sweat pooling around his collar and hair line. 

You watch as he scrapes the last bite of chocolate ice cream, but his eyes are flickering towards you every few seconds. “Okay Peter, what’s going on? What crazy thing is happening?” Reaching towards your own cup of cookies and cream, you just barely avoid the boy’s hand shooting out towards you. A look of inquietude spreads across your face as your entire body shifts into fight mode, suddenly aware of every single exit and person in the room. “What the fuck? Did Bishop finally get to you?” Your hand is already hovering over the concealed blade on your thigh, ready to leave as soon as he makes another move. 

The anger in his eyes is quick, intense but fleeting, as he shoves the heels of his hands against his forehead. “No, I- Fuck.” He abruptly stands up, his chair clatters to the floor as the entire room turns to look at him. You’re on him before he can panic, a tight grip around his arm and both bags in your open hand as you drag the two of you out onto the quad. The moment you release him Peter is ripping his suit jacket off and he throws it up into the air, a shout ripping from his throat as he rubs his eyes aggressively. 

You easily catch the garment as it floats down, and you just stand there silently as you wait for the freak out to stop. A few people look over at you curiously, but most people give you a sympathetic look; probably thinking that he failed an important presentation. It takes a few minutes but he’s finally slumped on the ground, chest heaving as he stares blankly at the grass. Swinging your foot out, you gently nudge his foot, making sure he doesn’t attack you. “So, you want to tell me what that was about or are we going to play a guessing game?” You try your hardest to be understanding, the boy has been nothing but good to you, but this nice thing was never your forte. 

He shrugs as his blank stare shifts to you, and you notice his muscles twitching constantly. It’s subtle but it’s almost like his body is vibrating. “I should go, I have already been an embarrassment enough for the day. We shall reconvene another time?” He shakily stands on his feet, using the tree trunk behind him to steady himself as he reaches out to take his suit jacket. “Yelena wants to meet with you soon, so be on the lookout for her.” He’s walking past you now, swiftly grabbing his briefcase that was tossed on the grass. 

Watching as he walks into the distance, you’re aware of eyes on you but you can’t quite place them. You’ve been aware of eyes on you every day, all throughout the night, but you never can find them. The tension in your stomach makes you want to shoot every person who looks at you, get rid of the feeling, but instead you swing your backpack onto your shoulder and stalk off towards your apartment. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Kate goes flying backwards, sliding to a stop as she snaps her head up to look at Peter. A manic smile spread across her face. “C’mon little boy, is that all you got?” The deranged laughter drips from her lips, piercing the ears of everyone in the room. “Again Spidey Baby with some bite this time.” 

The two clash violently, Peter’s first attempt not landing at all as he’s kicked directly in the mouth. He stumbles back, his eyes black as he glares at the cackling woman. Spitting out the blood pooling in his mouth, he scales the walls before wrapping his legs around Kate’s neck and flipping her. His hand wraps around her throat, squeezing tighter the louder her laughter gets. “Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!” 

He’s getting sloppy now, slamming her head into the ground over and over. Kate uses that to her advantage, slipping an arrowhead off her waistband and stabbing him in between the ribs. Before the two can get any farther, mists of magic slam them both apart as the door opens, “If you two are done, we have things we need to discuss.” The two slide into their chairs, taking towels from the henchmen flanking their positions. “I see the new serum is taking well to our young Peter, yes?” Wanda reaches over, taking the towel from the boy’s hands. Shushing him she begins to blot the blood dripping down his torso, sighing as scans the rest of his body. 

Kate sighs as she rubs at the blood dripping down the back of her neck, pushing the hand of a henchman away as he tries to help. “He’s stronger, faster, and he’s not bleeding out right now so I would say he’s looking better already.” Pulling out a tablet, she’s typing quickly before she swipes so that her screen is projected in the middle of the room. “The annoying scientists believe that we need another dose soon. I get to go first, so yippee for me. Other than that my workers at BS&T have moved over three hundred more subjects to Andorra, though with our recent fascination that number suffered some.” Ocean blue eyes flash for a moment at the thought of you, of her Wipsy, and she shrugs at the loss of money. You are worth it. 

Wanda grunts angrily, as she stands, pacing around the projection. “Good, now we not only have to tell Natasha that this little shadow is causing us trouble but also losing us money.” The boss’s jaw is clenched tightly, eyes flashing red as she tries her hardest to keep her anger under control. 

Perking up, the young archer leans forward. “Trouble? What kind of trouble are they causing?” She’s bouncing in her seat slightly, a complete give away to how excited she is to hear about her little whisper losing control. 

Peter chuckles as he stands, patting his newly healed stab wound. He picks up Kate’s blood soaked discarded towel, handing them to the henchman near the door. “You won’t be happy about who your Whisper gave trouble to.” He’s walking out the door, whistling happily as a few workers stumble to follow him. 

Kate’s head whips around to look at Wanda who is now leaning against a pillar, smirking at the younger girl. The redhead raises an eyebrow at her, waiting for her outburst. “What did they do?” 

The witch just rolls her eyes, lazily pointing towards the door. “I know your whole dumb innocent girl trick works for some, but your intelligence rivals the best of the best. Go find your little girlfriend.” Low chuckles break up her sentence as she watches the archer run out of the room, pushing one of their new workers when he tries to help her. “Call a meeting with Romanoff, and prepare two lunches. One for us and one for the rest of the house to share away from the garden.” An exhausted sigh leaves her lips as she watches the workers scramble to go do what was asked, sliding down the pillar and wrapping her arms around her legs.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The wings that you were carrying were making your mouth water, the spice tickling at your nose, but you were still over five blocks from your apartment. You try not to flinch when the blonde steps up next to you, immediately falling into step with you. The silence is loud as you two dodge the rushing people around you. Only when you turn onto your block do you finally stop, watching as she takes a few steps ahead of you. “So, what? You want to have dinner or something with me? Usually people ask, maybe go out to a nice restaurant. They at the very least don’t dress like an extra in a gym commercial.” You’re chuckling to yourself, leaning against the red brick building you stopped by. 

The blonde was on you before you could really react, just your free hand landing on your blade concealed on your thigh. “Here I thought you were quieter than Bubbles, but you are just as annoying as she happens to be. Pretty though, I can see the appeal she has for you.” Her dark eyes flit down to where your hand shakes, snorting as she stares expectedly at you. “What? You are going to try to stab me? Who would share their french fries with you?” She backs away, a taunting smile spread across her face as she turns around and starts up the stairs to your building. 

By the time you finally catch up to her, your door is left wide open. Yelena is leaning against your table, eating fries out of a takeout box. She’s watching you, almost like prey, as you shut the door. It doesn’t make a sound, regardless of the anger behind the force. “What is it with you people and leaving the damn door open? Do you have no manners? Did your mother not raise you right?” The snippy tone is like nails down a chalkboard, and you don’t have the patience to be kind right now. You wanted to sit alone in your room and eat your food, but these people can’t take no for an answer. 

You’re pulling the box of wings out of the bag, grabbing a glass for a drink, when you feel a tap on your shoulder. Dramatically sighing you spin around to come face to face with the older woman, her nose almost touching yours. Her eyes are bright as she stares at you, a smirk making her face look sharp. “If I kissed you, would you finally shut your obnoxious mouth?” She watches your eyes widen, her own hooded and darkening with each second. Her tongue flicks out, running slowly across her bottom lip, her smirk turning devious. 

You know your eyes are stuck on the action, and the shine it leaves there afterwards, but you can’t help but stare. “Now be a good girl and give me what I want.” Her voice is low, dark and eerily calm. The confusion must be evident on your face because she’s rolling her eyes, annoyance dripping from her. Her eyes drag down your body, making you hyper aware of yourself, before she looks up at you through her lashes. “I want you, little shadow. You will be ours. You will join us. It is inevitable.” Her voice is rough, accent heavy, and it makes you shiver. 

For a moment you can’t breathe and you aren’t quite sure why, the blonde in front of you is pretty of course but she wasn’t someone who had been showing up in your dreams lately. Her proximity made you squirm and you couldn’t separate your thoughts. You wanted to lean forward and kiss her, get the upper hand, but at the same time you also wanted to let the low boiling anger outwin everything else. When she chuckles, mocking and dry, at your silence your mind is made up for you. You’re spitting at her, a manic smile forming on your face at her disgusted shriek, before whipping out a shiny dagger. She’s wiping her face when you lunge towards her, the blade just barely missing her. Her movements are quick, a blur that you can’t track as she slams you onto your back with a bored expression on her face. She’s dangling your blade in front of your face, laughing. “Really, you are proving to be much more trouble than you must be worth. You will stop fighting those pretty voices in your head one day, shadow. Sooner rather than later would be in best interest of you.” 

She’s standing now, twirling the dagger as she brushes off non-existent dirt from her clothes. The blonde is walking away when you hear a snap. You roll onto your stomach, watching as she drops your blade without even looking back. Leaving the door open, and the two pieces on the floor, as she disappears into the night. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clicking of heels gets Natasha's attention, head snapping up as she watches Wanda walk towards her. Her gaze drifts towards the multiple workers carrying food behind her, “How romantic of you to ask a measly worker to request me to the garden for lunch.” She’s teasing, but the smile on her face says otherwise. 

Wanda smiles at her, the tension that has been running high in her body seemingly easing as she comes to stand in front of her widow. Playing with the tips of her braid, relishing in the moment of calm with birds singing in the background. “Would you like the business before or after you get to eat your sandwich?” The witch slowly sits down across from the older woman, rolling her eyes when she notices she’s straightening up and pulling out her tablet. “Business first, got it.” She snaps her fingers, waving towards the glasses for a worker to serve the wine. “Everything is going fine with Kate’s serum, she isn’t having too many side effects. Besides the ones we already knew of, and it looks like Peter isn’t having any side effects yet; at least none worth mentioning.” 

Natasha is staring directly at the younger woman, irritation evident on her face. “Wanda, you know this isn’t what this meeting is about. I live here, yes? I speak to Peter daily, and miraculously Kate and I interact. Get to the point. What trouble is your new play thing causing?”

Wanda’s mumbling barely reaches the widow’s ears, but the moment that she deciphers what she is saying she’s swiping her hand across the table. The glasses filled with untouched wine and cutlery went flying, shattering against the brick walkway. “You will not let this infatuation tear the entire empire down. You will not lose everything over a simpleminded little kid! That idiotic shadow is worth nothing, and it sure as hell isn’t worth the feds even slightly getting close to us. I will not stand by and watch you be foolish. I will not let you bring our lives into danger. I will not let you bring danger to our family. I forbid it Wanda.” 

The Sokovian could feel the anger radiating off of her girlfriend, reaching for the bottle of water a worker offers her. She takes a slow sip, letting the erratic breathing across from her slow down. “You know, Natasha, this entire empire was built by me.” She cocks an eyebrow at the widow, an all knowing smirk gracing her lips. “I worked my ass off, and I rose above everything by myself. The empire you speak of is the Maximoff name. Now, my love, you brought something different to this thing we do and I appreciate that.” The witch watches as the ginger across from her swallows roughly, her anger dissipating as she realizes her mistake. “I am in charge here, and every single one of our henchmen works for me. If you need to be reminded of that, I will gladly teach you that lesson but I would much rather you remember your manners and respect me.” Wanda watches the Russian’s eyes divert, a show of submission, and it makes her snicker. “You brought out a different side of me, and I adore that, but if you ever question my ability to separate business and personal again I won’t hesitate to show you my true power.” The younger woman leans forward now, elbows on the table, as she tauntingly smiles at her partner. “Understand?” The infamous head tilt makes the widow swallow down her pride, nodding slowly.  

This settles the two of them, their lunch finally being served to them, but they barely get halfway through when a worker announces that Wanda has a visitor. The witch sighs, setting her fork down as she tries to gain her composure. She lets the worker escort her to the foyer, after leaving Natasha with some stats and work that needs to be done. 

The witch isn’t surprised often, but when she sees you leaning against the back of a couch there is a bit of shock that travels through her mind. “Y/N, I didn’t expect you to show up here this quickly. Have you been offered any type of refreshment?” You turn slowly, a blank expression on your face as you just stare at her. “I’ll have a couple vodka sodas made and you can decide as we talk if you would like yours. You take it with a twist, right?” She’s walking away now, into some den type of room, and you follow silently. She’s nodding towards the comfy looking couch across from her, smiling as you slide into it; your body relaxing at the smooth leather. 

You roll your shoulders, cracking your neck, as you try to prepare yourself. A young man leans down, offering you a glass, flinching slightly when you almost lunge at him for coming up behind you. Tensely smiling at him you take the offered drink, watching the ice melt slowly. The silence is awkward for you, but you can tell that the ginger across from you is not bothered at all. All the muscles in your body scream at you to move, to run from the place you felt the least comfortable. “You need to stop sending people after me.” Your own voice startles you, and you can’t believe the terse tone that fell from your lips. 

Coming to the realization that Peter nor Yelena wanted to be friends with you, just wanted you to join their weird cult, hurt but you never wanted to show that to their boss. It went against everything you needed to do, it showed a weakness you didn’t want to show. 

Wanda lets your statement float in the air for a while, watching your body tense up and your knee bounce. She’s softly smiling at you, an action that just heightens your awareness. You can’t tell if your heart is pounding because you need to run from this place or if maybe you really like her smile. 

Staring a hole into the rug in front of you, you miss the glimpse of red flashing in her eyes and you miss the cocky smirk that follows when she hears your thoughts. “What makes you believe that I’ve sent people after you, Y/N?” You sit back, watching as she takes a slow sip of her drink. 

You want to move, you want to run. Trapped inside this house that you willingly put yourself in this time, but you couldn’t run. This had to stop, once and for all, the stalking needed to be done. Letting your gaze follow the worker as he leaves the room, you take note of the dozens of workers in the big hall. Clearing your throat, you try your hardest to not let the ginger across from you see your unease. “I know that Peter and Yelena only want to spend time with me so that I will say yes to joining this mad house. I can only guess it’s your doing because we all know that Kate wouldn’t hesitate to show up anywhere I happen to be.” Your eyes roll at the mention of the bubbly brunette, who invades your space entirely too much. 

You hate that you actually miss her, and it makes you skin crawl that you wish you could hear her annoying laugh right now. “It’s honestly hilarious how hard you guys are trying. Is your little organization that pathetic that you need a barely passing college student to make it thrive?” Finally letting your annoyance win over, you gulp down half of your drink as you snicker quietly at the woman across from you. 

The confidence you feel when you notice her jaw clenching makes you smirk outwardly now, cocking your eyebrow at her. Tapping your glass slowly as the two of you have a bit of a stare down, you wait knowing you struck a chord. You want her to break first, to show you a sign of defeat for once. Her demeanor doesn’t waver, even as she begins sipping at her second drink or you slamming the glass down on the wooden center table. You stare stubbornly at the cup, the liquid still sloshing, condensation running down the sides. 

The silence is deafening, even where you usually find solace, it makes your stomach lurch. The longer she sits, casual and settled, it makes you want to fight. The muscles in your body are practically vibrating, energy needing to be let out. You can feel the weight of the blades hidden across your body, the sting when you move your body just right so that a point pushes into you. You sit there, shamefully, as Wanda gets to see you squirm. 

Screaming at you, the voices speak the words you wish you could say. The windows let too much light in, just a little bit too much that it shined against your watch and made you want to break every single pane of glass. The grandfather clock ticking, slow and strong, makes your neck twitch with each beat. You want to tear out the pendulum and use it to smash holes into the impeccably vacant walls. The eyes along the mantle, the few pieces of artwork that line the room, stare into your soul. It makes the stygian creature within you want to tear at the thin stretch of skin desperately trying to escape the penitentiary you locked it in. You want to see the workers around you bleeding slowly, staining the incredibly too pristine floor. Your nail tapping at the shiny glass gets more aggressive the longer you are in your own head, listening to the thoughts that you spend most of the day trying to drown. 

Chugging down the last of your drink, you sigh for what feels like the hundredth time during this conversation. “If you want me that badly, maybe you should just come get me yourself.” Biting your tongue as you try to shake off the growing anger, the growing darkness, you aren’t aware of the ginger across from you standing. 

By the time you finally turn your attention back to her, she’s standing directly in front of you. Her finger lifts your chin slowly, letting you drag your eyes up her body. “Don’t you worry my маленькая тень.” Her lips are on yours before you can even blink, soft and unmoving for a moment before she pulls away. “I’ll always come get you.” Her hand cups your jaw, thumb rubbing your cheek, as her shining emerald eyes meet yours. She doesn’t let you answer, your thoughts swirling together and for the first time the angry violent thoughts silence. Her mouth meets yours again, but this time it’s forceful as she pushes you back. Teeth clashing, a gasp falls into Wanda’s mouth as she uses the opportunity to slip her tongue into your mouth. She’s nipping at your lip, her tongue just barely swiping across to soothe the sting.

Wanda’s kiss is more than you ever dreamed of, it’s intoxicating and it makes you feel at peace. Her hand on your jaw grounds you as she asserts her dominance over your mouth easily, you’re too stunned to even try to fight back. She’s straddling you as she pulls away, an all knowing smirk plastered on her face as she stares down at you. Her thumb is dragging across your bottom lip, chuckling as she realizes she split it. Smearing the dribble of crimson, she pops her thumb into your mouth; a moan falling from her lips when you mindlessly start sucking on it. 

Her eyes are bright red, a devious smile spread across her face as she stares down at you. The scarlet glow is memorizing and it makes it hard to think about anything but the weight of her on top of you. You miss the way her free hand hovers over your temple as she searches your brain, gleeful of the lack of fighting. The whimper that tumbles from your lips as she pulls her thumb away surprises you, but it just makes her mockingly snicker at you. She leans down, letting her lips hover over yours. Pulling away slightly when you chase her, chase the swirling in your brain that her kiss causes. She giggles at you, “Don’t worry маленькая тень, Mommy won’t ever leave you waiting too long.” 

It’s the pathetic whine tearing through your throat that finally snaps you out of the haze in your mind, eyes widening when you realize the wetness between your thighs and the predatory look in the green eyes above you. What were you doing? You came here to get these psychos to leave you alone, to let you be a normal person like you were always told to be? 

It’s against your nature, but you begin to panic. Squirming and trying to get out from underneath the redhead, who just rolls her eyes at you. The moment you are no longer trapped, you’re awkwardly scrambling off the couch. Barley giving Wanda a second to say goodbye, you’re running down the hallway towards the door. She watches you as she waves over two workers, “Send the children to follow them. They are a little unstable right now, we need to keep a close eye on them. ” Her eyebrows lift in surprise when she sees you push one of her guards over the banister when he tries to get in your way, panicked frenzy as you finally make it out the front door. “Have a few cleaners sent to clean up whatever mess they just caused too.”

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Her feet resting on her desk with the door closed and all meetings on hold, Kate stares at the phone in her hand. Jaw tense as Wanda sends message after message recounting her moment with you, ocean blue eyes darken with blinding jealousy. The CEO knew that trying to share with the witch was going to be almost impossible, but she didn’t realize the level of possession she already felt over you. Knowing that someone else got to touch you first made the young girl furious, she had claimed you. You were hers, hers to play with and hers to share when she wanted to. 

When she stands she watches with delight as the two silent workers flinch, slipping her gray suit jacket on as she heads out her door. “Madaline, I will be out of the office for the rest of the day. Only let my mother know I left if it’s important, if not then just let everyone know that my doors are not to be opened under any circumstance.” Kate doesn’t even look back as she swiftly enters the elevator, sighing as she leans against the glass. Turning her eyes from the blurred city skyline to her phone, she grits her teeth as she re-reads about how Wanda got to touch you. 

She doesn’t realize the moment she leaves her office building that she's scaling a building, but she feels more at ease once she’s on the first roof. The archer is running, jumping from roof to roof, unsure of where she’s really going. It’s not until she takes a minute to breathe and hears whistling that she knows where she is. The large man is swinging a blender cup as he walks down the street, a gross torn t-shirt soaked with sweat hangs on his body and it makes Kate gag. He looks familiar, and a burning anger starts filling her body, and it only gets worse when the archer finally puts together who the man is. Peter had shown her a photo of him while he told her about how this disgusting brute tried to touch you. 

Every single person keeps getting to touch you, and it makes the brunette’s blood boil. Everybody thinks you belong to them, but who else keeps an eye on you at all times? Who else protects you no matter what? Who else is working to get rid of every bad thing in your life? Who else is risking their entire lifestyle to make sure you get the opportunity to be happy? No one. Just her. So why is everyone else getting to put their hands on you? 

Kate’s eyes are twitching as she watches the man enter your apartment building, and it’s her bone chilling cackle that echoes throughout the alley as she chases after him. When she slips up the stairs she scoffs seeing the man leaving a note on your door, he looks over his shoulder giving her an arrogant smirk. “Wassup sexy?” He raises his chin, letting his eyes scan down her body. She doesn’t say a word as she slips behind him, letting her hands run up his torso. “Love me a straightforward type of girl.” The moment he starts spinning around to look at Kate is the moment he made the biggest mistake. The smile on her face is just a little too wide, pulling her face into a manic looking sneer. 

Slipping an arrowhead from behind her ear, the CEO starts giggling. It’s loud and high pitched as the guy starts panicking, flinching as the sound pierces his eardrums. The tip of the arrowhead slips effortlessly into his sternum, and he freezes. Babbling like a baby that he doesn’t want to die but none of it is even registering in Kate’s head as she stares at the steady line of blood already streaming down his torso. Her hand is covered in blood as she shoves her beloved purple arrow deeper. She watches as his movements get slower, his jaw struggling to form words, and she finally makes eye contact with him. His eyes wide, fear evident, as they flicker around trying to find help. 

“You like that too baby?” Her voice is sweet, too sweet, as she mocks him. She takes a step back as he starts falling, losing all control of his body. “It’s a little invention of my own. You see, baby, you have been going after something that is mine. So my friends and I spent some time in their lab, and now I get to see just how fun it is to play with a worthless boy like you.” Slipping a bright purple dagger from her waistband, she kneels down to drag the tip along his exposed torso. Her darkened eyes twinkle, like stars in the dark of night, watching as lines of crimson start leaking. 

The more Kate thinks about his hands on you, and his eyes undressing you, the more aggressive she begins slicing at his skin. It’s completely silent except for the brunette’s heavy breathing as she focuses on his eyes’ reactions, smirking at each tear that falls. 

By the time there is another person standing at the end of the hall, Kate is too far gone. She doesn’t flinch when a cup softly thumps against the floor, just slowly looking away from the body. Lazy annoyance floods her system at the thought of dealing with a nosy neighbor, but the blazing rage freezes over when she notices who is standing at the end of the hallway.  

You had raced home, wanting to try and forget all the feelings you were having about Wanda. Only stopping at your favorite smoothie stand to try and relax your tense muscles and nerves, but the sight in front of your apartment was anything but relaxing. You knew that people were randomly disappearing from your life, and after the sight in the crazy cult’s house you knew who was at fault. 

Surprise shouldn’t have been the first emotion you felt when you stumbled up your stairs to see Kate covered in the blood of the pig of a neighbor, and the arousal flooding your system really shouldn’t have been the second emotion you felt either. Your mouth opens and closes trying to form a sentence, trying to come up with some to say that makes you sound normal. Mind scrambling to find a way to fill the silence, a snarky comment or some reprimanding, but instead you choke on air as you watch the brunette slowly stand up. 

Her fingers are dripping with blood and her eyes are completely black as she stalks towards you, and while you should feel fear as if you were her prey you can’t help but feel adrenaline. The moment she’s an arm’s length away from you, her hand wraps around your throat and she pushes you up against the wall. Her mouth clashes with yours quickly, not letting you have a moment of hesitation as she claims her lips as hers. It’s almost the complete opposite of your first kiss with Wanda, but you’re gasping and your brain spirals as it tries to keep up with everything that is happening. 

Her free hand is tearing at your hoodie, clawing as she digs underneath it. The moment her bare hands touch your stomach a guttural moan tumbles from Kate’s mouth, and her sharp nails are leaving bright red lines down your torso. Her tongue has forced its way into your mouth and each time you try to reciprocate the kiss, she’s pulling away just slightly. Nipping at your split bottom lip, joyfully drinking each pained whimper falling from your mouth, Kate teases you each time you try to do anything. 

The hand around your throat is tight, nails scratching at your pulse point, as she holds you against the wall. When she finally pulls away to look at the mess she’s made of you, she laughs a full body bright howl. Your face is completely flush and your eyes are glazed over, chest heaving as you try to gain control of your body. The brunette finally lets you breathe as she tugs the hoodie over your head, her mouth attaching to your collarbone. “You’re safe now, my whisper.” Her voice is muffled against your skin, teeth sinking into the softest parts of your body as she leaves marks all over you. “He can’t look at you ever again, no one will ever look at you like that again. Only me because you are my Wipsy.” 

You let your head fall back, hitting the wall, trying to put your thoughts together. Kate’s hands are all over you, and it’s making your vision blur. You need to stop this, this isn’t supposed to be happening. You couldn’t give in this easily just because a pretty girl was on her knees sucking possessive marks in your torso, but the moment her hand slipped up your thigh you knew you were a goner. The moment she slipped your leggings down, biting into the soft of your lower stomach with a growled “mine”, you knew that she had you. A soft moan escapes your mouth, through pursed lips, and it makes Kate’s eyes snap up to you. 

She’s standing quickly, pushing her body against yours, and claiming your mouth with a different vigor. She’s dragging you away from the wall and tears her lips from your, smirking as she pushes you towards the ground. It’s almost natural as you kneel before her, squirming in your spot as the overwhelming wetness between your thighs only intensifies. 

“You look so pretty like this, on your knees for me. I bet your brain is all quiet for once too, isn’t it. All you can think about is me, and how nice it feels to be owned by me.” She chuckles softly, watching you slowly nod. “Look around you Wips, look around at what you could have.” She leans down, cupping your jaw as you let your gaze travel to the blood stained wall where you can see the ghost of your first moment with her. The calloused fingers smear the sticky liquid on your cheek before she leans down leaving a soft kiss on your cheek, a smile spreading across her face before she licks a stripe across your jaw tasting the rapidly drying crimson liquid. 

When a whimper leaves your lips, you're roughly pushed on the ground. Your hair landing in a puddle of scarlet, and she’s dragging you towards her. Directing your legs around her hips as she looks down at you, her hair falling around the two of you as if it was a curtain. She’s giggling at your wide eyes, and for a moment you can see a glimpse of those ocean blue eyes through the dark black. It’s fleeting for as soon as her fingers slip past the waistband of your ruined panties, an arrogant smirk pulls at her lips when she realizes just how wet you are. She lets your legs fall to the floor, spread open for her as she drags the tips of her fingers through your folds. “You’re so messy, so wet. From what? Just from being shoved around a little and rolling around in a bit of blood?” Her tone is incredibly cocky and taunting, making you clench around nothing, hips moving to try and direct her where you want her. She swipes her thumb roughly across your clit, spreading your wetness. 

Kate’s eyes are glued to the way her fingers glisten, biting her bottom lip roughly as she lets two digits slide inside you. The way you gasp as you feel her slightly stretch you makes the woman smile widely, finally taking her eyes off of your cunt to watch your mouth hang open. A high pitch whine escapes you as her palm comes to lay flush against your clit, a breathy “please” makes the brunette chuckle. “Dripping around just two of my fingers? Just you wait until Daddy is stretching your needy little cunt out with her cock.” Her pace is brutal, the sounds of your wet pussy filling the hallway as she pushes you quickly towards the edge. 

Your hips are moving as much as possible against the crimson drenched carpet, the sting of rug burn already evident. Your body is completely betraying you as it tries to take as much of Kate’s fingers, but your mind is still telling you to not fall for her tricks. You have spent so much of your life trying to conform, but you can’t deny the attraction to the brunette and the lifestyle she was offering. You can’t deny how much seeing her splattered with blood might be the most amazing thing you’ve ever laid your eyes on, and you would do anything to see it again. 

The thoughts in your head start getting so distracting that you weren’t aware of the older woman smirking down at you, rubbing the tip of her dark purple strap through your dripping folds. Kate is staring down at you, her eyes rolling at the distant look on your face. She leans down spitting on your clit, giggling as it twitches, before pushing the thick head of her cock into you. When a broken moan leaves your lips the archer can’t help the excessively wide smile, watching as your pussy works to take her large cock. “At least we know your brain can’t ignore your Daddy’s cock.” She sends you a haughty grin, winking as she slowly starts thrusting into you. 

Her arrogant tone and the way she’s so blatantly staring directly at your center for some reason pisses you off, and you can’t control yourself as you angrily pull yourself up on your elbows. “You’re not my fucking Daddy.” Your voice is dripping with venom, but when your eyes flutter as the brunette bottoms out the sharpness in your sentence loses its power. 

Kate’s hand shoots out, fingers gripping your throat tightly as she forces you back onto your back. “Don’t be a disrespectful little whore. Maybe your statement would hold some truth if your slutty cunt wasn’t sucking my dick in, if you weren’t dripping onto the floor making even more of a mess.” She’s rutting into you forcefully now, uncaring as you try to bite at her arm. Her free hand is holding your hip, a bruise already forming from the pressure there, as she lets her thumb rub at your lower stomach. A dark chuckle leaves her mouth as she looks back up at you, “Tell me you don’t love this. Tell me that your needy cunt wasn’t made for my cock.” 

The closer to the edge you get the more irritated you feel, it wasn’t supposed to go like this. You had woken up confident today, confident in your ability to get these people to leave you alone, but the weight of Kate’s cock as she slides into you is intoxicating. A glance down and you can see a slight bulge where her thumb is rubbing your stomach, and just the sight of it makes you clench around her. You want to prove her wrong, tell her that you hate everything, but you can’t. The most obnoxious person you have ever met has you dangling over the edge by a thread quicker than anyone ever has. You’re opening and closing your mouth, trying to gain the pride to not beg but as usual Kate is somehow one step ahead of you. 

Letting her hand press against your stomach, her thumb dips down to rub a harsh circle on your neglected clit. “I’ve always liked when my fucktoys had a bit of a mouth to them, makes them more fun to break.” She’s hovering just above you now, teeth biting painfully at your neck as she marks you. Her position makes it easy for her to start pounding into you relentlessly, the sounds of your broken moans fill the air. “You’re Daddy’s little cock slut. Mine.” The harder she ruts into you, the more she chants mine. 

As your moans become louder and more frantic, Kate starts to giggle. She gets louder the more brutal her movements become, and she forces your head to the side. “If you want to cum, you have to tell me the truth, my little Wipsy. Tell me what you really want. Let those pretty thoughts run wild, you don’t need to pretend around Daddy.” She’s leaning her forehead against your jaw and with each thrust she forces your head into the carpet repeatedly. 

The special harness she’s wearing rubs against your clit with the new angle that she’s at, and it makes the coil in your stomach extremely rigid. You can’t tell if it’s the pain in your cheek or the struggle to try to hold off your orgasm, but you can feel tears starting to build up in your eyes. Not even quite sure why you’re listening to the brunette, you try to speak but your voice completely cracks and it makes you whimper pathetically in embarrassment. The mocking laughter tumbling out of her lips vibrates through your body, and it makes you even more frustrated. 

Kate lets her mouth fall to your neck, freeing your jaw, as she works to leave more marks on you. “I- I want this. I want your life, I hate the idea of being normal.” Your voice is shaky, broken by gasps and whimpers, but you can feel the smile on the older woman’s face. “I want to give in so badly. I wan- I need to give in, but I’m so scared. I can’t lose anyone else, but I want..” Your voice trails off as Kate starts rutting into you almost painfully, your hands begin to frantically cling to her suit jacket hoping to ground yourself. 

The archer above you grunts as she slams into you, letting one of her hands slip between you two to rub sloppy circles at your clit. “C’mon, say it, say it like the good little hole you are.” The giggle in her voice is prominent, almost a taunt to push you to say what she wants. 

You can barely speak, can barely breath, but with each merciless thrust you know you need to find your words quickly. The volume of your voice is barely over a whisper, stuttered and cracking, “I want you…Daddy..” The moment those words fall from your lips you can sense a difference in the brunette on top of you. 

Kate’s hands force yours above your head, heavily leaning on her hand that is holding yours. Her dark sapphire eyes are staring at you with an entirely too sweet smile on her face, “You’re mine and you will get everything you want, I’ll make sure of it.” Her voice is entirely too steady for how hard she’s thrusting into you, your wetness leaving a puddle below you two. “Now, be a good little slut and cum for your Daddy. Show me you just how much you want me.” Her thumb is tracing your bottom lip as she watches you, watches your eyes struggling to stay open. 

A particularly rough thrust rubs the harness perfectly against your clit, and it shoves you over the edge. Your eyes rolling into the back of your head as the coil in your stomach shatters, and you’re mumbling around the thumb that popped into your mouth. “You’re so pretty when you cum for me, my little shadow.” Her hips are slowly moving, helping you calm down from your high. Your entire body feels like it’s vibrating as you lay there, muscles sore and random stinging all over. 

Only flinching when Kate’s pulls out, immediately feeling empty and missing the stretch. You lay on the ground, paying no attention as the archer rolls around to get comfortable between your legs. Her head lands on your stomach, rocking around as she starts getting bored. She’s dipping her finger in the puddles of splattered blood, and the muscles in your stomach jump as she starts drawing along the sensitive skin there. You don’t have enough energy to even roll your eyes as she starts giggling and humming to herself as she paints in crimson.

Nor do you have energy to panic when you hear heavy footsteps approaching, but when you weakly let your head roll to look at the newcomers you realize there’s no need to stress. Yelena and Peter stand along the wall, unimpressed looks on their faces, as they wait for what looks like dozens of workers to line up.  

The blonde rolls her eyes, kicking Kate’s foot. “Get your ass up, we have to clean up your annoying mess.” You watch as she starts mumbling out what seems to be orders but you can’t understand her as she’s speaking Russian. “Petes, open the apartment we need to move. Also look away since bubbles cannot cover up her hookups.” The two shuffle around you, the boy diverting his eyes respectfully. “Get moving Bishop, we will not wait all day for you.” 

Kate sighs heavily, pouting as she watches her workers start to clean up the puddles around her. Standing slowly she looks down at you, a smirk on her face as she observes your state. Eyes still unfocused, blood splattered and painted all over, bra pushed up and pants barely hanging onto one of your ankles, her marks all over your body- you look completely fucked and she loves it. Pulling out her phone she takes a quick picture, before slipping her arms under you and picking you up. You grumble some, annoyed at being moved, but she just shushes you. She carries you into your apartment where Peter, with his eyes shut tightly, awkwardly covers you with a blanket. 

She sits next to Yelena, letting you lounge against her and your legs laying in the blonde’s lap. You sleepily watch as the boy closes your door before spinning around, a charming smile on his face as he smooths out his jacket lapels. “Well it looks like we have a lot to talk about, yes?” He smiles widely at you, crossing to your small kitchen to grab a bottle of water out of the fridge. You take the cold drink thankfully, too tired to put up a front. “First part of business though, welcome to the family Shadow.” 

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[hellokatzchen]

Day 1: Amma, Appa, Mama

Mary Sharma was not in the habit of eavesdropping on her daughters. In fact, if asked about the possibility of doing so only one day earlier, she would have laughed at the absurdity.

And yet, when she walked past Edwina's door, conveniently cracked open, and heard Kate exclaim, "He humiliated me, bon! Do you not care at all?" she stopped in her tracks.

Surely, she had misheard. When Edwina and Kate returned from the Royal Ascot, they said nothing of any issues arising and claimed it was a lovely afternoon. Edwina even gushed over Kate's pick winning the main event.

Although… had Kate smiled when Edwina mentioned that? Mary was embarrassed to admit that her focus was much more on her younger daughter, so effervescent as she described their afternoon. Kate had not spoken at all until she suggested, in a manner that was less suggestion and more instruction, that they retire upstairs for some rest. That was not an unusual occurrence, so Mary had not given the directive a second thought.

Perhaps, she reflected as she heard Edwina huff petulantly, she should have. "And what alternatives did you leave him, akka?" Edwina countered, sounding surprisingly sulky. "You practically barred him from entry–"

"His lateness barred him from entry." Kate's defensiveness was evident in her tone. She softened her voice as she continued, clearly trying to reason with her sister, "He is wholly unsuitable for you. Surely you must see that."

Edwina's tone held firm. "I do not see that. He assured me that he only wished to spend time with me, something you have tried to prevent. I think that most romantic."

"Romantic?" Kate's cry was filled with incredulity.

Enough. Mary was their mother and this argument did not appear to be resolving itself. She pushed her way into the room to find her daughters facing one another with matching stubborn expressions– not an unusual sight for Kate but for Edwina a bit less in character.

Almost in unison, they turned to face Mary and adopted innocent expressions. It was a little unsettling, truth be told. Kate spoke first, as she always did, "Mama, were you seeking an audience with Edwina? I can–"

"Stay, Kate," Mary said, firm but not unkind. "I believe there is more to today's outing than you shared with me earlier, and I should like to hear about it."

Kate remained in her spot but inclined her head toward Edwina, deferring the spotlight to her younger sister… as she always did. (Had she truly not noticed this?) And Edwina did not question it as her right or privilege; she simply opened her mouth to speak.

Mary was quicker. "No. I should like to hear about it from Kate."

Her elder daughter's jaw clenched and she averted her eyes. "It is of no consequence."

"I shall be the judge of that," Mary insisted firmly. "Tell me what occurred, please."

Where she expected anger or frustration, Mary instead found hurt in Kate's expression, in her glistening gaze. "A Mister Dorset requested an introduction. He pretended at an interest in me but it was a trick. Lord Bridgerton wished to distract me from my duties as chaperone." She looked at the ground. "I was humiliated."

"He had no choice, Mama!" Edwina objected, eyes wide and pleading. "Kate has–"

Kate's gaze remained on the floor but there was a new tension in her. Mary could not recall the last time she saw her eldest so distraught. "Edwina," she scolded, not hiding her disappointment, "there is always a choice where the feelings of others are concerned." Her younger daughter pouted and Mary frowned deeply. Had they protected Edwina so much she could truly not see how upset her sister was?

Kate cleared her throat. "It need not be of any consequence," she repeated, trying to sound unbothered. Trying but not succeeding for Mary could hear the undercurrent of pain she could not mask.

Edwina looked hopeful but Mary shook her head decisively. "I disagree. An underhanded act such as this does not speak well of Lord Bridgerton's character." She looked at her younger daughter. "You would throw over the feelings of your most beloved sister for a man you have met but twice?"

For the first time, Edwina looked less certain. "I– she has said–"

"I heard what your sister said," Mary interrupted, "but look at her. Do you not see how these thoughtless actions have hurt her?"

After a moment's hesitation, Edwina nodded. She looked appropriately chastised, so Mary returned her attention to her elder daughter. "Kate," she drew closer and put her hands on her daughter's shoulders to ensure she held her full attention, "I am sorry that Lord Bridgerton behaved as such. It is unconscionable."

It took several swallows before Kate nodded and said, "Thank you, Mama."

#kate sharma #edwina sharma #mary sharma #bridgerton #kateweek #regency au #show au #random excerpt from longer fic #no beta

[bunky-writes]

Chapter 4:

“The Rise”

After that incident, Pax and I started hanging out a lot. He was friendly, humorous, and naturally a good guy. He was cute as well but that’s not something I wanted to act on. I already had a difficult time gaining friends, I didn’t need to get a crush on a developing friendship.

“I’m telling you, there’s gotta be some zombies out there, like in Fallout!”

Pax has been debating the existence of zombies and other mutated creatures after ‘The Incident’ and to be honest, I’ve only been half listening. It kind of gets repetitive after the fifth time.

“Pax, my buddy, my pal, my comrade, please quit it already.”

“What, too scared?”

“No! There’s no way there are zombies. If we go outside, it would simply be a wasteland. Dead stuff everywhere.

“You don’t know that! The closest thing we have to a biologist is my mom and she hasn’t disagreed with my statement.”

“Well, she hasn’t agreed either.”

“Hush!”

We were currently in the main room, eating breakfast. It was a miserable one but filling. Glue-like oatmeal has become a ‘delicacy’ in the bunker. In the middle of Pax‘s debate, Harvey had joined with his bowl of oatmeal and a cup of black coffee. He merely raised an eyebrow at Pax’s passionate one-sided discussion though.

“Come on Harv! You have to agree with me, wouldn’t it be cool with zombies?”

Harvey only scoffed and continued eating, he was most likely a coffee-before-talking person. Soon Joseph and Mrs. McCarthy joined as well, Jo didn’t seem that thrilled about the glue-like meal.

“So what are we doing today?” Pax asked.

“Well… the water pump is giving us trouble, but Harvey said he’d look into it. Right?-“ Mrs. McCarthy glanced towards Harvey, who only grunted and nodded “-But we’ve still got some cleaning and sorting to do. We need to figure out how much food we’ve got left, we might have to start finding other means for food, maybe a farm?”

I perked up at the mention of a farm, my mother used to grow vegetables and potatoes in our garden. I remember helping her, so I might be of use.

“Uh, Mrs. McCarthy, I used to plant stuff with my mom. Maybe I can help?”

Mrs. McCarthy smiled and nodded.

“Sounds great, hun! And how many times have I told you, you can just call me Kate.”

“Ah, sorry. I’m used to being polite.”

Harvey scoffed, almost chuckled, at that.

“A real gentleman, polite to the ladies, but not the old man, huh?”

I felt my cheeks grow hot, I was probably the color of a tomato.

“Now now, Harvey, don’t tease the sweet kid.”

“Nah, seeing Six all red and nervous is cute.” Pax chimed in.

I thought it was impossible, but somehow it got even hotter in the room.

‘I’m going to die of embarrassment.’

Jo just laughed.

The day went by rather quickly, Mrs. Mc-, I mean Kate and I found a few seeds and big, long pots for planting. We had found a small room in the kitchen perfect as a ‘farm-room’ The UV lamp in the room was flickering, but somehow working. Kate and I both agreed we’d had a productive day.

“DAMN PUMP!”

Harvey wasn’t as fortunate, the work on the water pump was going slowly. He was very stubborn about accomplishing it himself. The boiler room was on the opposing side of the main room, at the end of the hallway uniting the bunkrooms.

I decided to peek into the boiler room, just to check up on Harvey. I had brought a snack, a sandwich. Pax and Joseph had calculated that we had enough food for at most six months so a small snack was all we could do for lunch.

“Erm, Harvey?”

I apparently spooked him, because as soon as I spoke up, Harvey jumped and hit his head from under the pump’s water container.

“Ow, fuck!” He exclaimed.

I put down the tray with the sandwich on a reasonably clean and mess-free surface and rushed forward to check up on Harvey.

“I’m fine, just fine!” Harvey put out a hand towards me, stopping me in my tracks.

“Sorry” I practically whispered.

He sighed and nodded. “It’s fine kid.”

An uncomfortable and awkward silence surrounded us. But Harvey soon spoke up.

“What’ya want, kid?”

‘This will be an interesting mission; trying to help Harvey without hurting his ego.’

“Erm, I’m done with my chores so I just… I thought maybe y’know, you could teach me how to fix the pump?”

‘Smooth dude.’

Harvey eyed me, looking up and down, with narrowed eyes. He could probably see right through my lie. He grumbled and hummed.

“Okay, kid. Only this once.”

I let out a sigh, not realizing I had held my breath. I kneeled next to Harvey and started listening to his teaching. He might’ve seemed annoyed and frustrated by the fact he ‘HAD’ to teach me but he explained vividly and answered any questions I had, he even seemed to enjoy teaching me. Although I’d never tell him that, I would like to live for my 20th birthday.

Before we knew it, it was dinnertime, and Harvey and I had fixed the pump. I was happy to help, and Harvey was happy to relieve his back and knees.

“You did good, kid.”

Harvey’s comment circulated in my mind. When was the last time my dad praised my work? It gave me an uneasy feeling, but I tried to ignore it and think of Harvey’s statement. It had been full of fondness, he seemed… proud. It warmed my chest, I never thought such a half-assed and simple compliment could make me this happy.

After dinner, it was time for bed, and for the first time in weeks, I didn’t wake up due to a nightmare.

#apocalypse #my ocs #ocs #original character #original story #post apocalyptic #world past six

[silverhallow]

🎭Fortunes Fool🎭

Chapter 10: For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

⭐️Masterlist⭐️

Prev | Next

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x Sophie Beckett

Chapter summary: Romeo and his Juliet start their happily ever after the families meet.

Warnings: The End!

Word count: 2383

Confessing your love to someone had a profound change in a person Benedict was sure of. He wasn’t sure if he felt more alive now than he had on the day he told Sophie he loved her and she returned that love because of that declaration or because his entire life seemed to click into place.

His entry exam to Cambridge was three days after their declaration to one another and if he was being honest with himself, Benedict was sure it couldn’t have gone better if he had tried.

Sophie had a harder task, English was a coveted course at Cambridge and a lot harder to get onto than History of Art as it wasn’t as niche but Sophie did seem to be bouncing happily as she made her way into rehearsals the day, she’d bounced straight over to Benedict, kissed him happily before running over to Kate and the two girls had started talking so rapidly Benedict had missed every single word they had said but he did hear Sophie squealing excited and hugging Kate.

Anthony strolled in at that moment in his Friar outfit “if you’re wondering why they’re like banshee’s…” Anthony grinned at his brother who had the look of a happy puppy on his face as he watched the two girls “I actually shot my shot and asked Kate to be my girlfriend today”

“I’m guessing from the excited squeals she said yes?” Benedict asked

Anthony chuckled “surprisingly yes she did… she’s nothing like anyone else i’ve ever met. She’s a huge pain in the arse and she’s so bossy but I can’t get enough of her and nor can she me”

“I’m happy for you Ant truly” Benedict said with a smile on his face “and it looks like Sophie is as well”

“Well little bro… you were onto something the other night with your advice” Anthony said as he reached up and ruffled Benedict’s hair.

“Dude… you’re like 10 minutes older than me… and I’m taller than you” Benedict whined

“Still makes you the little bro”

“And it still makes you a tosser” Benedict shot back.

“Boys… behave” Sophie said walking over to them with a grin on her face

“Sorry Soph” they both said together automatically.

Sophie turned her attention to Anthony as Kate made her way into the seats to watch the rehearsals “If you hurt Kate…” she said sternly

“I have no intentions…”

“Just be warned… What I did to John will seem tame compared to what I will do to you if you hurt her in any way, shape or form. Do I make myself clear?” Sophie said, cutting him off, her green eyes glittering with seriousness.

Anthony gulped but nodded “good now come on. Mr G is going to end up killing us if we’re late again” Sophie said

“Again?” Anthony asked but Benedict whacked him as Sophie blushed and the three walked off for rehearsals. Sophie was sure she heard Anthony say “tell me later” and then a yelp of pain as Benedict kicked him in the shins.

The last rehearsal before opening night went really well, Mr Granville actually cried at the death scene between Romeo and Juliet stating “you can just feel the love and the realness of the moment… like you’d rather die than not be together…” he said wiping his eyes “I knew it wasn’t a risk to pick you two… the chemistry is just… magical ” he said sniffing mightily and walking off the stage leaving the main cast just standing there blinking.

Sophie and Benedict were rather red and embarrassed by the comments and how much praise Mr Granville was putting on them so by the time opening night came around, they were both a complete bag of nerves.

Sophie had never done a school play before, Benedict had done a few but never one as the lead or in so few clothes or acting across from the woman he loved, who he couldn’t get off his mind and every time his brain thought about Sophie, he would automatically start to get hard and despite the fact he hated the codpiece Mrs Gibbons was making him wear, it did sort of help him hide his embarrassment.

By opening night however Benedict’s nerves were nothing to do with the show, or spontaneous erections in the middle of the stage, it was Sophie’s dad meeting his family. Sophie hadn’t been sure if her father was going to be back from his business trip to Manchester in time for opening night but he’d arrived back home to surprise her…

Thankfully they had just redressed otherwise Benedict was sure Mr Granville would have been using Phillip Cavender as the spare Romeo… and no one wanted that. Benedict had literally just pulled his socks, jeans and jumper back on when the door opened. Sophie had just pulled her dress over her head when they’d heard his voice wafting through his home.

Benedict was sure he’d just aged 10 years. Sophie was giggling madly and had thought it was quite funny. She’d not found it quite as funny when Violet nearly walked in on them when they’d gone home early when they had a double free class over lunch and Sophie had been lying on her back with Benedict’s head between her legs. Sophie had gone six different shades of red over the entire situation.

But the thought of Richard Gunningworth meeting his mother and siblings, filled Benedict with dread.

Sophie had been quite calm about the entire thing “Ben, if he knew your father…”

“Soph, you’ve met my lot… they’re a pack of wild animals. Colin was nearly crying with laughter when he saw me and Ant in costume… Eloise was making some smart arse comments…he’s honestly going to hate me by the time he’s through with an evening with them”

“If it makes you feel any better Kate’s meeting your mum for the first time that night, and Ant’s meeting her parents for the first time at the same time… it’s just a full on love fest” she giggled.

“Not helping Babe! Ant could literally charm an eskimo into buying Ice…” Benedict said in a mild panic.

“You're charming too,” Sophie said, running her hands through her panicking boyfriend's hair.

“Soph… it’s not me that's the issue here” Benedict said “it’s my family”

“Ben, I adore your family. My dad is going to love them, I am sure if I offer to take Hyacinth out for Ice Cream she’ll be able to win my dad over and keep him busy for the entire time he won’t have a chance to complain about the rest of the family” Sophie grinned.

Benedict grumbled “Hyacinth might work but you’ve met them…”

“I have Babe and I know them… I know my father is going to love them. Stop stressing out” Sophie said as she crawled onto his lap “Now are you going to believe me or am I going to have to distract you from your nerves?” she asked, her hands fiddling with the buttons at the bottom of her blouse.

Benedict’s eyes followed her fingers and saw her slowly unfastening her top “well… a distraction would be good” he grinned wickedly.

Sophie’s eyes flashed with lust and love and she brought her lips to his and by the time they were done, both were feeling a lot better about opening night.

The day before opening night was a busy day with deadlines for projects which would count towards their exams results, everyone’s conditional offers for University started coming through and Benedict and Sophie both got Conditional Offers for both Oxford and Cambridge so they had been really happy and excited and they’d spent the night before opening night apart as Violet had wanted to celebrate with the family as Anthony got an unconditional offer for Oxford, meaning he was guaranteed a spot, but given his grades Benedict was not jealous, he was proud of his brother and to get in to study law was quite an accomplishment.

Sophie and Benedict had been forced to part and it was only during dinner when Colin and Eloise had started teasing him about meeting Richard the following day that he started to panic. Anthony was as cool as you like about meeting Kate’s Step-Mum. They knew her sister though Eloise and Fran who were in the same school year as her and Eloise and Edwina were friends. Eloise knew Mary Sharma as did Fran so Anthony had very little to worry about, whereas Benedict…

The conversation about Richard being a Gunningworth was playing heavy on his mind and about how he would likely always feel inadequate and not worthy of Sophie. The Bridgerton family had a long history of respect but the Gunningworth family… hell that went back even further than the Bridgerton line. 

They would only have 5 minutes with their family before they had to take their seats and Benedict felt incredibly self-conscious as he made his way out in his rather revealing costume. Sophie looked radiant in her white dress, standing there like an angel waiting for him.

When he walked out, he saw Richard and Violet chatting away to one another, both with smiles on their faces. “Hey Kids” Richard called chuckling as he watched Sophie’s face go red.

“Dad… i’m eighteen. I’m not a kid anymore!” Sophie whined.

“I am sure you will always be his little girl Soph” Benedict said as he quickly let go of Sophie’s hand and readjusted his codpiece.

Colin and Eloise both came around the corner at that very moment and saw his costume and burst out laughing and Benedict went bright red, even the tips of his ears going red and he grumbled “I’m going back in…” when Sophie grabbed his hand.

“Soph…” Benedict said softly, wanting the ground to swallow him whole as Richard looked at the two laughing siblings.

“I’d like to see you pull that outfit off Colin…” Richard said, which caused the third Bridgerton son to stop short and look at the man in front of him “I'm assuming that is Colin…”

Violet nodded “and that’s Eloise”

“You remind me a lot of your father actually like this… “ Richard said “when we were in third year at Eton we did a Midsummer’s Night Dream and he was Lysander… his codpiece was a bit smaller than this…” 

Violet chuckled “Oh I remember! My mother took me to see the play since my cousin was in it as well!”

Colin and Eloise just stared at the man dumbfounded “he decided by the end of the night he didn’t want to wear the codpiece anymore and threw it into the crowd”

Benedict smiled gratefully “I am not sure I could get away with that as Romeo but it’s good to know i’m not the only one in the family to look like an idiot in front of hunderds of people”

“I am sure Colin will end up doing it before he’s older” Eloise chimed up “and at least you’re not meeting your girlfriend’s parents dressed like a friar” she laughed pointing at Anthony who was stood across the hall

“Ohhh I didn’t realise Anthony’s girlfriend was Mary’s daughter!” Violet said 

“You know Mary?” Sophie asked

“I was in school with her, her first husband died not long after they married, I heard about her second husband… if you’ll excuse me… Richard we must go for dinner after this, it was so lovely to see you” Violet said

“We should, that would be lovely Violet, Invite Mary, Kate’s like a second daughter to me, let’s make it a big family affair” he grinned as he looked at his daughter who was staring with her mouth open and at the big family comment she went absolutely bright red, Benedict’s red hue returned to his face as he remembered his conversation with Anthony a few weeks earlier.

“Can all the actors make their way backstage please!!” Mr Granville called from the door “the show will start in 20 minutes or so please take your seats!”

Sophie, Benedict and Anthony disappeared back-stage to take their places. Sophie and Benedict stood there holding hands as they waited backstage, taking strength from one another, the smiles on their faces as they took their places.

Their performance was seamless. The crowd were enthralled by the story of Romeo and Julliet. Benedict and Sophie were unable to take their eyes off one another and they channeled their own feelings into their performance, at how they would feel if someone or something tried to keep them apart.

If something was to stop them from being together, circumstance, social class anything, they knew the pain they would feel in their hearts should someone try. As they acted the wedding scene, both could imagine their own wedding, not 5 years from now as they stood their as man and wife.

They couldn’t even be embarrassed as they acted out their wedding night, knowing full well how it felt to be with one another and then the pain of someone trying to rip them apart.

They both knew as Romeo made his way into Juliet’s crypt that should they be parted, death would be preferable as neither Benedict nor Sophie wanted to endure a world without the other by their side. The screams that Sophie let out as she saw Romeo lying, dead from the poison across her bosom gave chills to everyone and as she spoke her final plea and Juliet claimed her own life. The audience believing the entire thing to be true, their feelings of the star crossed lovers.

As Benedict and Sophie lay there, the lights around them faded, he was able to open his eyes and looked at Sophie who was staring at him, as they whispered their “I love you’s” in the dark.

The end of the show came with a standing ovation and rapturous applause for the star-crossed lovers and as they held each other’s hands and took the applause, watched Mr Granville sobbing from the side of the stage they knew their story would not end in tragedy.

And whilst there never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo… for this Juliet and her Romeo… their story… was just beginning.

#fortune's fool #beauty and the geek au #bridgerton #benedict bridgerton #sophie beckett #benophie #benedict x sophie

[petalsmooth]

When you read a long thread about how they dislike Polin and if up to them Penelope would be "independent" alone etc. etc (pretending they want this because they care about the character)...and how they hope another storyline overshadows their story like the Featherington's overshadowed Kate/Anthony and end up with tags for Kanthony.

Way to prove what everyone thinks of your fanbase as being true and invalidate EVERYTHING you said about Polin.

The Featherington's did NOT overshadow Kate and Anthony. Kate and Anthony had the most screen time. The damn triangle overshadowed your precious couple. That isn't Charithra's fault either, she did her job. It's the former showrunner and others who signed off on the plot.

It will never cease to amaze me why that fanbase continues to embarrass themselves claiming the Featherington's impacted in ANYWAY their storyline. They were around in season one you know and Daphne and Simon's story did quite well. Luke, Nicola and the Featherington characters had nothing to do with the mess that was Anthony proposing to the wrong sister while the sister he actually loves denies her feelings most of the timeline and then insists he keep the engagement when he is looking for a way out.

As for a story overshadowing, it isn't going to happen. As bad as that story was, it still was the main plotline. As will be Colin and Penelope. Nothing will overshadow that. Except maybe a Whistledown reveal to the ton but that is part of their story too soo...

However if people enjoy other stories that cool with me because I'm hopeful I will too. Unlike these nutcases, I actually like the Bridgerton's and Will and while I don't love Portia and Prudence (because their characters thus far haven't been lovable) they serve their roles as antagonists/villains/comedic relief well depending on what they are given to play.

When I say I don't love them btw, mean the characters. I LOVE the actress playing Portia. But like with Marina, she hasn't presented herself yet as a person I could like. I can understand certain motivations driving choices made, but that doesn't mean I have to LIKE you. There are some other characters that do things I may not agree with, but show more conflicted feelings about what they've done. Portia and Marina for the most part never rarely have done so and usually just when caught out. It isn't the same thing.

The first time I felt anything actually real from Portia was the last episode of season 2 when she makes it clear Lord Featherington trying to ditch her daughters was a line not to be crossed. Even if she doesn't always (often) treat well, you did finally see her a mother for one.

And I want Francesca to marry John because I personally like her story with Michael and you can't get to that one without the one with John. Which may sound horrible as means he dies, but this is fiction. Not real life.

And I like seeing Cressida constantly upstaged given the way she acts and Lady Danbury although really I hate the sl from Queen Charlotte for her with Ledger so I'm less enthused because of that....and I love Queen Charlotte and so forth. Personally I think some people need to get over themselves, realize you can love all the characters and otherwise shut the hell up about their narrow view of a Kanthony hour only. Because you will never have that. No "couple" fan ever will.

[heydorovee]

(3) 22-4-2022

This week was a stock market, expect feelings don’t generate money. Did a bad audition, cried my eyes out, went to school with (almost) all my classmates for the first time in three months, cried my eyes out (happy tears). Still feel like I’m going nowhere with acting, all the usual but not the usual. Got accidentally stuck in a harry styles obsession, he is so good what the hell??? He might be one of my creative stimuli.

I read Summer and Smoke, the play by Tennessee Williams, I did not do that in time which is why this journal is late. Kate gave me two plays and I was immediately drawn by this one more than the other one. The story reminds me of the books I read on Wattpad (very embarrassing past of my teen self), but I was reading, and I thought to myself “this is oddly like good girl, bad boy books”. The main girl very tied down by family responsibilities, and then finally lashing out at them, attempting to escape her own life by crushing on the next-door bad boy neighbor. The difference is that the girl changes the guy, and he went off and married another good girl while the main girl went on to live the past life of the bad boy. Alma, the main character slightly reminds me of myself, wishes to be acceptable by society’s standards, is somewhat tied by her family responsibilities. Sometimes I forget that plays and books are so different, because the time skip from the climax of the play to the resolution gives the audience a lot of space to interpret, and I just really want to know more of Alma’s self-discovery journey, but I guess that’s the good thing, it’s up for interpretation. While with books the journey of the character is spoon fed to me.

I would imagine Alma was detached from herself for the most of her life, from her wants to what she always says her “soul”. That’s why she always had “heart problems” where I would interpret as, she probably has anxiety, and bipolar. She knew what she “should” do- marry a responsible gentleman, be a good daughter, have men out the door by 10:30pm. And she poured everything she secretly desired into the male main character, John. And she thought she could change him for good, believed him to be confused and misunderstood by the public, while his actions would prove otherwise. She was so blindsided by him until she wasn’t. I feel like I need more time to think about the journey of Alma from the good girl to the girl who threw away every thought of being a lady and went to explore physical passion.

I don’t know, I really liked this play. I thought the characters were very surprising. I think some people may interpret the end as Alma illuding herself into happiness and covering up her failures by talking pills whenever she felt failure approached, or she needed a boost, and hanging around casino and men all night. I don’t think so though, I think it would probably be quite liberating for Alma to be breathing in fresh experience.

Here are a couple of lines from the play I absolutely adored.

“And each of those times—we seemed to be trying to find something in each other without knowing what it was that we wanted to find.” –John

Plays never go out of style, right? This line is just golden, practically sums up their relationship. Two lost souls. Also practically sums up modern relationships, both romantic and platonic ones.

“But now I have changed my mind, or the girl said “no” –she doesn’t exist anymore, she died last summer –suffocated in smoke from something on fire inside her.” –Alma

I don’t know this line just does something to me.

“It wasn’t the physical you that I really wanted. You didn’t have to give that to me. You had something else to give. You couldn’t name it and I couldn’t recognize it. I thought it was just a puritanical ice that glittered like flame. But now I believe it was flame, mistaken for ice.” –John

Again, modern relationships whaaaaaat.

“I won an argument this afternoon. It wasn’t the argument that I wanted to win.”

—Alma

I love irony and I love the writing here.

And finally, the song I’m currently obsessed with and I think fits this play very well, especially Alma –As It Was, Harry Styles.

[parcai]

y r u still up

where's ur hubby i don't need to be nagged by a mother 🙄

#where's the other phan half #donnacha needs to reel your ass back in 🤧 #why can't you just neglect me like my real mother 😌 #AHHDJSJAKAAK #maybe i shouldn't say that #😎 lowkey funny tho #anyway #hi 🤩 #i am your problem child #the rebellious teenager (tm) ahhhh 😭😭 #logan tag #you've brought this upon yourself #answered #honorary mom tag #embarrassing of you to act like kate on main #kate tag #donnacha tag #kinda

[justagirlsearchingforamuse]

Unpopular Opinion: As much as I like Warren as a character, I truly believe that he deserved more screen time and time to be fleshed out if he was going to be a romantic interest. I like the good things about Warren, he’s sweet, goofy, protective, sensitive, and just overall has a lot of good traits imo but I feel he should’ve had more flaws and a life outside of Max, yes he has friends and stuff but I’d like the hear that he has more and other problems outside of school. Possibly insecurities or not being very happy with himself, I wouldn’t mind it if instead of the humor that he has with Max, maybe we mix in some self-deprecating humor, maybe even having it in which he struggles with depression of the sorts that Max barely sees.

He has parents who have high expectations for him which would make sense considering how he says his parents will be mad he got a b on his chemistry test. Because Chloe is fleshed out and developed, given complexities and time for you to grow to like her and enjoy her as a character including her flaws and more. I would also add in a possible day in which you would be able to hang out with Warren, Kate, Chloe, or possibly Victoria (if you get her to like you). It would give us more time to have these characters fleshed out especially Warren and Kate who imo have not much character outside of the plot or Max. I like Warren and I want him to be taken seriously as a character, not treated like a creep or that he’s uncomfortable to be around, and for him to be fleshed out more.

I like Chloe a lot and giving her a lot of time to be fleshed out is good but as a result a lot of other characters fall into limbo and aren’t developed much outside of the plot. Yeah, this story is about Max and Chloe but imo in order to make your main or center relationship strong, you also have to strengthen the world and the relationships around them and give them complexities. Imo we don’t see much outside of Chloe’s world and that’s fine, I just want these other characters to be people and just as complex as Chloe even if they don’t get much screen time. If I had to add more to Warren, here is what I would add. Now this is my version or possible redesign of Warren’s character, I am in no way shaming his original version, only adding upon what I would personally enjoy in his character.

First of all, I would give Warren the same positive traits as he has above but just a few more flaws such as being insecure, clingy, self-deprecating, and awkward. I want him to be the opposite of Chloe in most ways, but I want to add depth to him and like someone Max can genuinely like flaws and all.

He has parents who have high expectations of him due to him excelling greatly academically, he spends a good bit of his time studying and trying to live up to these expectations. I’d make him more of a loner but he aspires to have more friends but he’s quite busy with school.

But he manages to keep in contact with Max and they actively help each other, studying together, watching movies together on the weekends, and just cute student things they do together. He’s a fan of sci-fi, action, thriller, and romance movies (a bit embarrassed about his love for chic-flixs as well but don’t tell max.)

We still have Warren wanting to go to the drive-in and he’s heavily excited about it especially after getting his new car as a new gift for good grades, he comes off as very excited about it, having raved about the drive-in to Max weeks prior. When he’s not studying, he’s quite friendly and a goofball, he’s often worried if he’s too clingy towards Max in texts.

Brooke has a one-sided crush on him and only really goes to the drive-in in hopes of getting closer to Warren, I would have her act cold and maybe distant towards Max but nothing more. Warren doesn’t have or expresses any interest in her at first but if Max doesn’t show any interest in him as a friend, he will hang out with Brooke more often.

He also deals with depression possibly or at least has suffered from it in the past as well as maybe anxiety, Max can find things such as anti-depressants or we can find texts of Warren anxious whenever exam periods come up despite trying to be cool about it.

He can hang out with Max if she chooses to spend one of her days with one of her friends, he and Max can choose to watch movies in his dorms or go a nearby arcade. In which we get cute moments of them bonding and Warren opening up more to Max about the things that have been happening in Arcadia Bay. You can friendzone him as well and you don’t have to consider it to be a date.

I honestly feel that Warren and a lot of the characters deserved more time but I understand that Life Is Strange is mostly about Max and Chloe and their deep friendship and love for one other. I just feel that the other characters deserve to be characters and not just tools to help the plot or forgotten in Limbo because the game isn’t about him.

#warren graham #life is strange #life is strange warren #grahamfield #lis warren #lis

[ladyloveandjustice]

Spring 2021 anime overview: Quick Takes

Now for my Spring 2021 anime thoughts! I’ve decided from now on if a season’s like, 20- to-24 episodes I’m just going to wait ‘til it’s done to review it unless I feels super passionately, so though I watched To Your Eternity (it’s good!) and MHA (eh), I’ll comment on them next time. Also, for the record, I watched the first eight eps of Joran: Princess and Snow of Blood but I dropped it because it had clearly crossed the line from entertainingly dumb to boring dumb. 

I will probably give Supercub and some other stuff a shot later, this was a stacked season! May give updates on all that later, but this is what I have for now.

ODDTAXI

Quick Summary: A mild mannered middle-aged walrus taxi driver is drawn into a case involving a missing girl, yakuza, Youtube clout-chasers, manzai comedians and idols with big secrets.

It’s rare to walk away from media and be like “that is a singular experience I will definitely never see repeated again” but ODDTAXI is definitely one of those. A tense noir thriller murder mystery starring cartoon animals that spends an entire episode detailing the one (cat)man’s very fall into darkness triggered by addiction to gacha games and an online auction for a novelty eraser? Also there’s a porcupine Yakuza who speaks entirely in rap? Also there’s tons of meandering conversations about stuff like manzai comedy and the struggle to go viral on Twitter?

Admittedly, I had a hard time getting into the first episode, the dry meandering humor not being enough to hold my attention while I was sitting still, but once I watched this while I was working out at the end of the season, I found it an easy binge. A ton of characters with dark secrets or dangerous ambitions, each with their own part to play in a tableau of intersecting events- and it all actually comes together really well.(As for the female characters, it’s a pretty dude driven story, but they do get nuanced characterization and even some good heroic moments from one of them.)

 It’s a great example of a carefully planned narrative paying off, with all the twists appropriately seeded and foreshadowed to reward viewers who paid attention. Even when it ended on a perfect “OH SHIT” moment and denied me closure, I couldn’t help but respect it. If you that all sounds interesting to you, definitely check out the first couple episodes and see if you like it- you’re likely to have a memorable, satisfying experience!

Shadows House

Quick Summary: Emilyko is a ‘living doll’ who’s told she was created to act as the ‘face’ of her shadow master, Kate. The shadows and their ‘dolls’ all reside on the mansion and are required to pass a ‘debut’ to prove they’re a good pairing. If they don’t pass, they might be disposed of. And so the mystery of the Shadow mansion grows...

This slice of gothic intrigue was my favorite of the season, tied with ODDTAXI. With an interesting premise, slightly tense undertones and a strong focus on character building and relationships, it kept me hooked the whole way through. And for any squeamish fans put off by the hype about it, don’t worry, while there are some suspenseful elements, I wouldn’t qualify it as horror. I thought the relationship between Kate and Emilyko might end up being a completely sinister one, but it’s thankfully a lot more complex than that and it’s really interesting to follow how both their characters and relationship grow. The focus of the show is, unsurprisingly, on the “dolls” slowly discovering their autonomy and personhood as they struggle under the rigid system imposed on them by the mysterious elders of this weird Victorian mansion. Can they develop a more equitable relationship with their shadow “masters” (who are also shown to suffer under this system)? There’s a lot to dig into there, and the show has the characters develop through learning to understand and appreciate each other, which is pretty heartwarming. Our hero, Emilyko, is the typical plucky ball of sunshine (they even nickname her sunshine), but she’s also shown to be clever in her own off-the-wall way and she bounces off the far more subdued and cynical Kate well, not to mention the other ‘dolls’ she ends up befriending. 

What’s more, the show spends plenty of time to developing several other character pairings and combinations, and they all have their own interesting dynamic that makes you want to see more of them. Same-gender bonds are at the forefront of this show, and many of them are ripe for queer readings (I definitely appreciated the healthy helping of ladies carrying ladies), but even outside that it’s nice to see a show where a strong, complex bond between girls is at the forefront. My only real complaints about the show are the anime original ending is noticeably a bit rushed (though it’s not too bad, and leaves room for a season 2) and I wish the animation used the whole “shadow” theme more strikingly (like the opening and endings do)- instead the colors are a bit washed out which makes the shadows blend into the background sometimes. The “debut” arc also drags a bit in places, but it makes up for it by having a lot of good character integration.

I hope to check out the (full color)! manga soon and see more of this quirky, shadowy story. There’s some physical abuse depicted, sad things happening to characters and naturally the whole “oppressive familial system” thing, but otherwise not much I can think of to warn about. I give this one a big rec, especially If you’re a fan of gothic fairytales and stories of self discovery.  

Zombie Land Saga Revenge

Quickest summary: In this sequel season, everyone’s favorite zombie idol group must claw their way back into prominence after a disastrous show- the fate of the Saga prefecture LITERALLY depends on it!

This was a fun follow-up to the first season- if you liked the first zombie-girl romp, you’ll probably enjoy this one. In fact, there were a couple areas it improved on- namely, Kotaro failed, ate crow and embarrassed himself a lot more this season, which made him more likeable (as did the fact the girls gained a lot of independence from him). This season also shed more light on what the ‘goal’ of this zombie raising project is and what kind of shit Kotaro got involved with to make this happen, and it’s appropriately off-the-wall and ridiculous. We finally got some backstory for Yugiri too! I wish it had focused on more of her interiority, but she got to be a badass in it, and it was a treat to see this zombie idol show turn into a period piece for a couple episodes (also her song ruled).

 Tae also got a cute focus episode and there was a particular SMASHING performance early on! Also That revelation last season that had the potential to turn creepy hasn’t yet, and hopefully never will. The finale was heartwarming with big hints of more drama to come- I’m definitely down for more zombie hijinks!

Vivy: Flourite Eye’s Song

Quickest Summary: A songstress AI named DIVA (nicknamed Vivy) is approached by another AI named Matsumoto, who says he’s from the future and they must work together to prevent AI exterminating all of humankind 100 years from now.

This show is absolutely gorgeous visually with some really nice action scenes, but when it comes to the story my feelings basically amount to a shrug. It’s fine! I guess! Vivy starts out as an interesting layered character- and I guess still is by the end- with her stoic but stubborn determination bouncing off her fast-talking bossy partner Matsumoto well. She never listens to him, which is delightful. The way the show took place over the course of 100 years was an interesting conceit as well. However, it bought up a lot of themes and then sort of... dropped them. For instance, Vivy interprets her mission (PRIME DIRECTIVE if you will) as protecting humans at all costs, no matter how destructive said humans are or what their fate is supposed to be, and is perfectly willing to murder her fellow androids to do this, showing she inherently thinks of androids (herself and her own people!) as less worthy. Which is a little alarming! There’s a very dramatic point in the show where they bring this up as a potential conflict for her character but then it’s sort of...dropped. Pretty much.

Actually, despite the premise, the show doesn’t dip into the “AI rights” as much as you think it would with the main theme being more about Vivy’s search to find her own creativity and discover what it means to ‘pour your heart into something’. Vivy herself doesn’t actually care if she has rights or anything. Which is in some ways fine, because ‘AI as an oppressed class’ has been done to death, but IT’S ALSO KIND OF IN THE PREMISE, so that means that the show just shrugs really hard at a lot of the questions it brings up  basically just going “humans and AI should work together probably” and that’s it. There’s a lot that feels underexplored. The antagonists in the show also either have motivations that don’t really make sense or have boring hackneyed motivations. In the finale in particular, it feels like a lot of things happen “just because” and it falls a little flat.

I also have to warn that one of the arcs focus on a robot ‘pairing’ where the dude-coded robots actions toward his partner are straight up awful and rob her of her autonomy, but it’s played like a tragic love story. I suppose you could read it differently too, but it definitely made me go ‘ew’ the story seemed to want me to sympathize with this robo dude,

Overall, I wouldn’t anti-recommend this show, it’s an all right little sci-fic romp (and definitely SUPER pretty). My favorite element was definitely the episodes where Vivy develops an entirely new (an loveable) personality, because it played with the idea of of an AI getting “rebooted” really well and interplay between her two “selves” was done really well. But there are a lot of other parts of the show that just feel...a little underexplored and empty, making me have an ‘eh’ feeling on the show overall. It’s definitely an ambitious project, and while it didn’t quite stick the landing, there’s something to be said for a show that shoots for the stars and falls short over a show that just languishes in mediocrity.

Fruits Basket The Final

Quick summary: The final season of that dramatic drama about that weird family with a zodiac curse and the girl who loves them.

It’s very weird that after not cutting a lot out, they kinda sped through some material for, you know, the finale. I guess they thought they couldn’t stretch this final arc to 26 episodes? Or weren’t cleared for another double cour? However, though there were a couple places that felt awkward, despite being a bit condensed it mostly held together pretty well for a D R A M A T I C and ultimately heartwarming conclusion. I was really disappointed they kept the part where Ritsu cut their hair for the ‘happy ending’, I thought  their intro episode not showing them in men’s clothes meant the anime had decided their presentation didn’t need to be “fixed” but WELL I GUESS NOT. That was the only big upset for me though, otherwise the adaptation went about how I expected, sticking to the source material. Furuba has a lot of bumps, from weird age gap stuff to ...gender, but it also has a lot of important feels and great character arcs. It was a gateway shoujo for many and has its important place in animanga history, so I’m glad it finally got a shiny, full adaptation.

#anime overview #spring 2021 anime #shadows house #oddtaxi #zombie land saga #fruits basket #vivy: fluorite eye's song #zombie land saga revenge #fruits basket the final #anime #my reviews #long post

[ratingtheframe]

10 Films to watch this Valentine’s Day if you’re single as hell.

If anyone or anything is making you feel worthless on the Capitalist Holiday that is Valentine’s Day because you’re single AF, then don’t fret because it means one of two things;

You’re happy enough with yourself to not need anyone else.

You’re allergic to people.

Though mine is both the former and the latter, I can still get down to a good romance movie now and again. Now I’m not talking about those horrendous rom coms that Netflix seems to be churning out every damn minute, but those emotionally invested, earthy and well written dramas that has you ugly crying into your bathrobe for 17 minutes straight (me at the end of Her.). Here is a compiled list of some of the best romance films I’ve seen over the years and how each one doesn’t showcase an abundance of clichés and brands them as “acts of love”.

A Star is Born (2018 or 1953, take your pick)

I’ve found that both the 1953 version of A Star is Born with Judy Garland and the 2018 newer version to be a perfect and well rounded love story. What makes this love story so fierce is the vulnerabilities and downfall of its characters, which even though there are many sad moments, it perpetuates and strengthens the acts of love shown in the film. Both versions are similar in that they follow a woman who’s rise to fame as a performer becomes overshadowed by her jealous partner, who is also a notable celebrity. In the 2018 version starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Gaga’s character Ally is helped by a country singer, Jackson Maine to become a successful singer and icon amongst the music industry. As she rises, Jackson falls and the character dynamics and intensity between them is a fitting love story. I was thoroughly bawling at the end and I guarantee you will too as Lady Gaga’s rendition of Love Again was the true scene stealer of the film. 

Call me by your name (2017)

I have an incredible bias towards this film and it has nothing to do with the film’s context or characters or even Timothée Chalamet The reason why I feel so connected to this film and proclaim it as my favourite film of all time is because of when I watched the film. It’s almost like seeing a film about a political event right after it's happened; you have this rush and connection towards something that’s actually affected you in the real world. I had the same feeling with Call me by your name after going through a rough and confusing patch whilst trying to get over someone I thought I truly loved. Turns out I didn’t (thank god) and yet Call me your name was almost like a shoulder to cry on. It’s a film that’s taught me to love and love hard but most importantly, not beat yourself up or try to distinguish the pain felt by true love. If you haven’t been fortunate to catch this beauty of a film, it follows two men, Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and Oliver (Armie Hammer) and their brief relationship in the summer of 1983 in Northern Italy. 17 year old Elio lives with his parents and his father (Michael Stuhlbarg) is a scholar who invites students from outside the country for the summer in hope of passing on his wisdom to them. This is when Oliver arrives, a handsome twenty something American who becomes the infatuation of Elio. 

I’ll never forget the first time I heard the monologue that Elio’s father gave his son at the end, explaining to Elio why he shouldn’t feel embarrassed by the pain he felt after loving Oliver:

“We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster, that we go bankrupt by the age of thirty and have less to offer each time we start with someone new. But to make yourself feel nothing so as not to feel anything - what a waste”

That, ladies and gentlemen and all in between, is what love is.

Her. (2013)

Once again, another film about love that had a profound effect on me because of when I watched it. Her. follows the story of Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) and his search for a story using an A.I to help him write. However, after getting to know this A.I named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) and hearing the way she adapts and shows emotions, he soon falls in love with it. Some may deem this as rather sad (which it is) but I think it speaks to bigger constructs like internet dating and letting go of people you loved thus diminishing the fantasy and world you created for the two of you. This part of the film got to me a stark way as I felt the pain of letting go of not only a person, but a fantasy, just like Theodore had to do in letting his past partners go. Her. is truly beautiful, with some great production design, cinematography and acting.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

The absolute queen of love stories would be Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire, a film about the romance between two women in the late 18th Century. Definitely not a narrative you see every day or one that’s been painted in such a way (pun intended). Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is commissioned to paint the beautiful and stubborn Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) and the portrait is to be gifted to a suitor of Héloïse’s from Milan. But instead of getting the painting done and sending it off, Marianne and Héloïse unexpectedly fall for one another at a subtle and well timed pace that had me gawping at the screen the entire way through. Slow, sensual and moving is Portrait of a Lady on Fire and I would definitely say is one of the best LGBTQ plus films ever made to date.

Broke Back Mountain (2005)

Ang Lee scooped up a BAFTA, Golden Globe and Oscar for his direction on his adapted screenplay of Brokeback Mountain. Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) form a romantic bond after shepherding alone together on the side of a mountain. Once their time herding sheep comes to a close and they return back to their respective lives, it's clear that their bond is stronger than they had anticipated. They live in constant fear of their relationship becoming apparent to those around them, which leaves one of them taking matters into their own hands. A controversial yet extremely successful film of its time, Brokeback Mountain does a fabulous job of showcasing the consequences and despair of love using two of Hollywood’s finest actors.

Carol (2013)

It’s difficult to fully appreciate LGBTQ plus films set in the past as they mostly focus on the persecution of homosexuals as opposed to the love they wish to express. However, this was pretty accurate of the time and it's only very recently that we have begun to accept one another’s sexualities and genders fully so much that we play these stories out on screen without the persecution part. Carol is a film directed by Todd Haynes and stars Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett. I found them to be an extremely intense pairing whilst they unravelled as their characters on screen. Therese (Rooney Mara) works in the toy department of a department store when one day she lays eyes upon Carol Aird, a beautiful and elegant married woman who becomes the infatuation of Therese. Therese throws all caution to the wind in order to be closer to Carol and because of this and the 1950s society they live in, their relationship is doomed from the beginning. I was in complete awe of the way Carol had been shot and created into this sensual and rich drama set in the 1950s. From the costumes, to the lighting to the acting, everything about Carol held weight to it showcasing the devotion of a truly talented director.

Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind (2004)

Usually I’d pass on a Charlie Kaufman film, seeing as they make no sense, however I felt that it was time I delved into this cult classic starring Kate Winslet, Jim Carrey, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo and Elijah Wood. It’s a really well made film with a clear and distinct message to it that’s represented in some phenomenal filmmaking techniques. The plot line of this film follows a man trying to erase a past lover and his memories of her get wiped away physically before your eyes on screen. It made me wish that I could do the same with people I’ve liked in the past, but the contradictory of this would be the trauma of eventually ending up with someone you had already met in another life. I haven’t experienced a break up nor felt the pain of one, though I could judge that this film tells that experience really well.

Moonlight (2016)

Moonlight is one of few films that I would genuinely worship if it were a religion. It's also one of the films that I outwardly shame people for not having seen, as it is truly a masterpiece and film lover’s film. Deep, emotionally connected, colourful, harsh, moving and eye opening, this film takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through the eyes of Chiron and the three stages of his life that have carved out his essence as a human being. Not only that, but he falls in love with another boy at his school, and when he does, he’s hurt rather badly. Literally. Moonlight is the definition of profundity and was awarded the top prize of Best Picture at the 2017 Academy Awards. 

Loving (2016)

When I think of a truthful and honest testament of love, the film Loving comes to mind which is a fitting title for such a delicate yet strong story. The film is based on a true story of an interracial couple, Richard and Mildred (Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga) being banned from Virginia in the 1950s for choosing to be together. If that ain’t a true sacrifice of love, then I don’t know what is. Choosing someone you love over your own home is an unfathomable thing and certainly shows the strength that this couple had in facing the judgements of others whilst remaining emotionally truthful to themselves. 

The Shape of Water (2017)

The Shape of Water is a strange yet enlightening love story between Eliza, a deaf woman (Sally Hawkins) and a creature being tested on in a laboratory. Awards season went mental for this back in 2018, winning four of the THIRTEEN Oscars it was nominated for. I would categorize it as quite the niche film and wouldn’t usually think that such a film could be garnered with Oscar success. However everyone who worked on this film really pulled out the stops in creating an entire new world and perspective that has many layers to it, as well as an abundance of conflict and dynamics for audiences to lull over. The relationship between Eliza and the feared swamp monster that’s being cruelly tested in the laboratories where she works, is heartfelt and honest, which is strange seeing as Eliza’s virtually in love with a monster. The casting in this was outlandish yet it really worked as all actors in this melded well into the story as their prospective characters. It also has one of the most touching endings to a film I’ve ever seen.

And there you have it, ten Romance films for you to enjoy this Valentine’s Day. Watch them all at once, or maybe just watch one. Whether you watch it alone or with someone, it doesn’t really matter!

Lots of love

Ang x

#valentines #valentinesday #astarisborn #lady gaga #bradleycooper #call me by your name #her movie #joaquin phoenix #scarlett johansson #timothee chalamet #armie hammer #armie and timothée #portrait of a lady on fire #broke back mountain #jake gyllenhaal #heath ledger #carol #cate blanchett #rooney mara #eternal sunshine of the spotless mind #kate winslet #jim carrey #Moonlight #barry jenkins #loving 2015 #the shape of water #guillermo del toro #oscar #love #romantic films

[newtonsheffield]

Ok so I agree with you and the other anon abt Sharmas financial situation. Mainly my theory comes front the fact that Bridgerton tells many stories so they like to differentiate them. With the Featheringtons going almost broke in the show and Pen being a wallflower, I think they’ll try to give the Sharma family a different financial situation just to get more variety between them. Especially since the Featheringtons financial story is gonna likely be a focal point next season. Also I think it’d make more sense for the viewers to learn about the desperation and sad truth abt ambitions mamas from Lady Featherington cuz she’s so stereotypical. Mary’s not so I feel like she cld be brushed away as an anomaly but the truth is women like Lady F exist because they have to. So humanizing her to me wld be more important. She’s not the nicest to her daughters and that’s an issue. But she’s a flawed character who was made this way due to society. I kinda hated her but I also understood her desperation 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Okay!

Totally see your point and yeah, the Fetaherington's financial situation is going to have a big impact on the season, and I think we're definitely going to learn a lot about society mother's through her this season but I would add a counterpoint to that.

We see three Mothers closely in the Bridgerton Series (I have excluded Araminta because I don't think she acted in anyway motherly towards Sophie and the Stirling Mother because their situation is different having sons) . Violet Bridgerton, Mary Sheffield?Sharma, and Portia Featherington. Violet is a league of her own essentially. Her family is rich enough that her children can afford to choose whomever they want to marry, and despite the fact that they seem intent on embarrassing her: (Daphne having duels fought, Anthony groping a girl in her tulip garden, Benedict defiling his sister's maid, Colin being blind, Eloise eloping, Gregory tearing down a society wedding like it's his JOB because he's slept with the damn bride) she doesn't really have any main concerns. The two mothers we see in similar positions are Mary and Portia. Both of them are widows. Both of them have multiple daughters to marry off and provide for. But really, they're almost opposites.

And while I do think that seeing the reason why she needs to be ambitious with the matches for her daughters, would go a long way towards humanising her, I think it's more likely that we'll see Mary and Portia juxtaposed. The Sharmas are not in such dire straits as the Featheringtons it's true, but in the books the Featheringtons weren't either. And while I don't doubt that when Mary found Anthony and Kate together in the garden she was shocked, and essentially told Kate that it was done, she would ave to marry Anthony now, I also don't doubt that had Kate gone to Mary and told her that she couldn't marry Anthony for some reason, Mary's desire to see Kate happy probably would have won out. And she would have found some way out of it. Do we think Portia would have done the same?

So yeah, I get your point, but I think Mary Sharma and Portia Featherington are going to be juxtaposed a lot. Not rivals necessarily, but almost two sides of the same coin

#bridgerton season 2 speculation #peppers and opinions #molly's asks and answers

[mermaidsirennikita]

So I know that Chris van dusen’s favorite book is book 4 and it’s generally the most loved book with 2, so I do get it why he put penelope so much in the series but I don’t get why they made her do those shitty things actually. About the sex scenes I would love to have a bantery sex scene between Anthony and Kate where they talk and maybe laugh during it, and then cuddle afterwards. Maybe you are right, I think that the sex scene in season one are similar because they don’t have a real purpose apart from the first one and the one the stairs that are the ones that actually takes the story forward. The others are just fillers and are nice and they are an attractive couple but I don’t know I think poeple overreacted about it. Personally I find Anthony and Kate a more suitable couple and actually more attractive. Sometimes daphne looked like too childish to me so I have expectation for season two but I think I have to lower them because surely they are going to ruin something ahahahaha

I agree that Daphne sometimes looked kind of childish.... Which was especially noticeable because RJP is very much like a maaaaaaaan. It didn't help that Daphne is as a character childish, right? So she both looks younger and acts younger. It's a bit much.

I would love for them to have a bantery, fun sex scene--there's a lot of humor to be mined from the fact that they're presumably going to be living with his mom and sisters sometimes, though Anthony also as his own home. Have them visiting the main Bridgerton hub and he pounces on her and they're having unintentionally loud sex when Violet or one of the little siblings is like knocking on the door all "ANTHONY!!!!!!!! THERE IS SOME RANDOM SHIT FOR YOU TO DEAL WITH". Have Kate get embarrassed because Eloise is like dude what happened to your dress and the dress is like, ripped somewhere because Anthony fucked it up lol.

My personal goal is for him to finger her at the opera so that the opera can be, like, psychically cleansed. An orgasm in time with a high note that some chick is hitting? High comedy, methinks.

[megandzane]

You know British Media like to portray Kate as the second coming of Mother Teresa combined with a Victoria Secret model probably. But it is actually Meghan about who we've heard real stories of kindness. Not just her child/children but her husband, family and all her friends, she's always been so thoughtful, and here's the main part of me - it's not just saying kind/caring/nurturing, but instead we have actual physical proof of her small acts of kindness to everyone around her. With Kate we've never ever heard anything like that. She's good to her sister and her mum - that's all - literally, like does she even have a relationship with her Dad or brother, like...I don't know man, I just find everything about Kate and William just PR.

The most people have to say about Kate is that she’s classy or a good mom.

WW love Kate because she’s non threatening and they can project onto her. It’s always comments about Kate’s looks or what she’s wearing and never any actual initiatives. I know there was a lot of talk regarding the price and appropriateness of Meghan’s clothing , but during those tours there was never in depth reports about that , because that wasn’t the only thing there . There was enough substance that they didn’t need to only write fluff pieces about hair and clothes. Instead there was talk about Meghan’s speeches and the way she was connecting with people.

I’ve never heard one negative story about Meghan prior to her marriage with Harry. And people in the industry do talk, there would’ve at least been rumors. If Meghan was anywhere near as bad as tabloids and kp would want us to believe , there’s no way she would’ve been on a tv show for nearly a decade . There’s actors who are more famous who’ve been blacklisted.

As for William, he’s just a miserable old guy. These PR stunts from both him and Kate are embarrassing.

#i trust the recollections of those close to meghan #EDIT Meghan was paying for all her own clothes

[smolbeandrabbles]

Come What May - Ned Kendall x Reader (Beautiful Kate)

Soulmate!AU

GIF CREDIT: X 

@wltz-bby​ @happyskywhale​

Author’s Note: For @severalmiles​‘s Mendo Nation Secret Santa - I know you’ve already read this, but I still wanted to tag you and thank you for letting me post it on here of New Year! 😁💜

Alright guys, this is it! Your last fic of 2020! And it’s my very first Soulmate!AU

I hope you enjoy - I got a little creative with the whole AU idea..!

@mandy23b​ - thank you so much for your Soulmate discussions with me, they were SO helpful 💕 Now you get to read mine! 😁

Disclaimer: Beautiful Kate characters not mine / it is my own Soulmate!AU idea / lyrics not mine / gif not mine

Premise: Soulmates are rare; and to have one you need to meet a specific set of criteria. Ned Kendall does. The Soulmate trend is known in the media as ‘New Years Day Phenomena’, and the end of year is far approaching... 

Words: 8380

Warnings: sexual content (but not too explicit) / Swearing / Drinking / AU (obviously!)

______

Never knew I could feel like this, Like I've never seen the sky before. Want to vanish inside your kiss; Every day I love you more and more.

Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing? Telling me to give you everything. Seasons may change, winter to spring; But I love you until the end of time.

Come what may, come what may, I will love you until my dying day.

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place, Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace. Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste It all revolves around you.

And there's no mountain too high, No river too wide. Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side, Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide, But I love you Until the end of time.

Come what may, come what may, I will love you until my dying day.

--

There's glitter on the floor after the party Girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor You and me from the night before…

You squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi I can tell that it's going to be a long road I'll be there if you're the toast of the town babe Or if you strike out and you're crawling home

Don't read the last page But I stay when it's hard or it's wrong or you're making mistakes I want your midnights But I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day

Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you And I will hold on to you

---

The only noise in the room was the scratching of pen to paper, the clock ticking the seconds of the day away - and, as it was late evening, there were precious few of those left. The still burning cigarette lay regretfully forgotten in the ash tray as his writing hurried across the page. The final draft of his latest novel was due in a few weeks, but he was hardly bothered by that now - something was pulling his attention and it was infinitely more pressing. Ned ran a hand through his hair: it was like writing while possessed, that was the only way he could describe it. When he’d look back the morning after and hardly remember a word of it. And the writing calibre too… so far removed from the trashy smut he seemed to be pretty into these days. They sold copies; he wasn’t bothered by that… but this kind of blacked-out writing often made its way into novels of its own. His darker, more serious work; and hopefully not the kind that his family would be embarrassed reading. He flipped another page and continued - always the same… it always started the same. Soulmates. Usually Ned Kendall scoffed at such a word. It was banded around far too often, and made everyone far too excitable. But it was a rarity to actually have one. Someone out there hardcoded into you, someone made just for you. But he’d heard the news reports - the ‘miracle’ of it all. Seeing the same person all your life; compelled to do everything you could to make them real by any medium necessary. Until you finally found them. It was known as the New Year’s Day Phenomena - because all the reports of this ever happening around the world occurred on New Year’s Day. Everyone seemed to find each other on this magical clock strikes midnight evening. New Year, New Beginnings. The beginning of forever, it seemed. Ned Kendall was sceptical. This wasn’t like those soulmate universes he’d read before, countdown clocks embedded in your skin… timer running out when you met, or first words exchanged tattooed on your wrist… In those universes everyone had a soulmate. In the world he was living in, they were rare. And when a new couple appeared, they were treated like celebrities. The problem was, ever since he could remember, Ned had dreamed of the same woman. At first she scared him, she haunted him, like she was there in his veins and he couldn’t get her out of his head, no matter how hard he tried. No matter how much he covered her with other women, no matter how many times he thought they might be the one and would laugh in the face of the whole notion of a Soulmate, these relationships always fell apart. And she was always there in the back of his head. Even when Ned was sleeping with them, it was her he got flashes of. It was almost like she was real, like if he imagined hard enough, he could reach out and touch her… and yet she always remained just out of his grasp. So he wrote her. Ned poured her into every single one of his novels, somewhere. Even if she was a bit part character with no dialogue, her image was there. She had been his main character a few times: when he got this urge, as he had right now, and a force he couldn’t explain compelled him to write her in such a way. She was the worst muse he’d ever had. And what Ned Kendall hated most of all was that he was falling for her. And hard - for this past few months she’d been nearly his every waking thought. Pages and pages, and reams and reams of writing covered his apartment and it was all her. And what scared him most was the year was ending. It was nearly New Year. He’d spoken quietly with Sally about this a few times. Because he didn’t want to believe it, because it felt crazy and Ned needed her to set him straight. To let him know that he was crazy, because Sally definitely would. Instead she looked at him, amazed, and then laughed: “Oh my god, Ned… Do you… Do you have a Soulmate?” “Sally, stop, it’s not funny!” “You! Part of New Year’s Day Phenomena!?” She cleared her throat, trying to act serious as she apologised, “Of course the most disbelieving person in the world on Soulmates would have one…” “This is so stupid. There’s no way, I’m just a writer and she’s…” “Ned. I know you’re just a writer - but all the tells are there. Aren’t you excited? You’re going to meet the person you’re meant to be with. And you know what she looks like already… Finding her will be so easy..!” He exhaled, tipping his head and body back to look at the sky; “What if I don’t like her-!?” “What part of Soulmates don’t you get, you were made for each other!” “What if she doesn’t like me?” Sally sighed, “Then she’s crazy.” “With how fucked up my life’s been?” “Geez…” She shook her head at him, and placed her hand over his, “Just give her a chance… Ned. Whoever she is.” He quirked his eyebrow at her, with a smile, “It doesn’t exactly sound like I’m going to have a choice-!”

 Usually the holiday didn’t mean a thing to him, it was just another year. Maybe he’d go to a bar, swallow all his sorrow with an expensive tab and take someone home. But something was changing. It wasn’t just the way she looked anymore; he was so used to flashes of her body, her face, her smile, those pretty eyes, the kind of person who - if Ned was totally honest - had walked straight out of his fantasy. But he was starting to get a feel for her personality and the way she sounded; her laugh, her voice, the way she flirted, her tells when she was shy or bending the truth just a little. And the closer the end of the year was, the stronger her presence became: now when he dreamed her he could feel her touch, how it felt to hold her, to run his fingers through her hair… He didn’t even know her name, but Ned knew what it felt like to pin her beneath him, heartbeat flush with his… He shook that thought away and dropped his pen, leaning back in his chair. This was all getting a little too much. This woman was driving him insane. Ned swallowed hard, and looked to the clock. He had but one conclusion for the whole thing, and how much it all scared him. He was exhibiting every sign of a crazy person, so utterly paranoid and obsessed with the thought of finding his ‘Soulmate’. What if she was just a muse his thoughts had dreamed up? What if she didn’t even exist…? Was it all too real for that? Could Ned bear to find out the truth. But Ned had all the tells; even when whining ‘give me a breaaak’ as previous girlfriends had forced him to watch these ‘romantic’ interviews, he’d been listening. And this was what happened, everything got stronger and you became more fixated with them until you finally found them. 31st December into January 1st. 

He couldn’t risk it; Ned just couldn’t risk the excitement that rushed through him becoming anguish and devastation. Ned Kendall would be staying in this New Year’s Eve. He didn’t even want to stay up to welcome in the New Year.

***

Soulmates - wasn’t that everyone’s dream? To find the one person they were destined to be with. You had always found the prospect to be exciting whenever you’d heard talk of it. Every time those interviews came up on TV - you believed in the idea of pre-destined partners and kindred spirits… two halves of a whole, before you’d become aware that you had your own. And you still believed in that notion even for people that didn’t have visions like yours. Afterall, didn’t most people end up with that one person. How could that not have hinted at something meant to be? Yours was just a little clearer than everyone else’s. You knew who that person would be. Even if you didn’t know the how, or the when, or the where… or even the why you? At first you hadn’t even really put two and two together, his was simply a face that had occurred to you in dreams. But one that you had latched onto and interested you. Intelligent, mischievous blue eyes, a little smirk that hinted at exactly what he was thinking, dark curls that you just wanted to run your fingers through, his cheek bones were accented but he wasn’t overly skinny. He had one of those faces that told a story, and every so often when you’d get flashes of him you could see all those troubled emotions. He must have been a fan of dark colours; at least, that’s always what he was wearing… but you liked that, because it just brought out the blue in his eyes even more. And that was what you focused on most when you drew him. Your apartment and your artist’s studio were covered in drawings, paintings, sketches of pieces of a man you’d never known. And you really meant pieces; sometimes you would just get his hands, the kind of motions as if he were explaining something to you (and he was left-handed, by the way he held a pen) you might get nothing else, but you knew they belonged to him. At first he was simply a muse, and your best friend used to laugh - when you said you had no idea how he popped into your head - that you must have just been drawing your perfect man. You couldn’t say she was that far off, but you could have done something similar without the need for his image in your head… and it was the emotional depth of the pieces that had you wondering exactly who he was. Maybe he was a face you knew, maybe he lived around here or you’d seen him on your travels to work - and yet when you started actively looking for him, he was still nowhere to be found. You weren’t one to dare to hope to believe in him being your Soulmate. Your clientele always asked about the works, but none were for sale. Sometimes you thought you’d put them up in the hope that someone would recognise him, and tell you who he was. Or that he might just up and walk in here one day: like he truly had just walked out of your dreams. But you always liked having the familiarity of his presence around, and drawing him just came so naturally to you. There was a particular centre piece - almost life-size - of him sitting at a desk. A vision; with the light pouring through the window behind him and hitting all his features just right. He was adsorbed in the papers in front of him, all handwritten; you wondered if they were letters - perhaps love letters. You liked to imagine that they were. That either he was writing them, or reading those words from the heart of the person who loved him the most. You got visions of him pouring over paper like this often, and he always looked so relaxed… it was when he looked his best to you. When you thought he most looked like himself; if you even knew what that meant. How could you know? Even when you felt like you did. Whenever clients asked who he was, and why he was so special (after you’d told them the piece wasn’t for sale) you would always give a bashful laugh and look to the painting: “Oh, I… I don’t know. I just dream about him. He comes to me in dreams…” Almost all of them got wide-eyed and then turned to you - knowing the stories everyone was becoming obsessed with - “A Soulmate!?” You would always shrug, because you simply didn’t know. “Well, perhaps. But I don’t think so.” Besides, you knew as well as they all did - you had to more than just envision your Soulmate. You should be able to feel them, to know their touch, to hear their voice. This man had been coming to you in dreams day and night, and you’d never got anything physical from him - just his body. Whether in still images or kinetic energy. Perhaps it wasn’t the right time for anything more, or maybe you were just insane for believing that something so rare could really happen to you.

 As this year started to trail off, things began to change. And it made you too excited - you made him your every waking thought - because somehow that heightened the experience. And sometimes you weren’t all that sure these dreams were dreams; waking up surrounded by sketching paper and drawings you hadn’t ever remembered doing yourself. All of this guy… and sometimes a little more risqué than you’d ever display. Sitting there trying to recall the why - were you having sex dreams about him now? You knew sometimes you felt him pinning your wrists back, how he’d bite his lip and the distinctive way he called you a ‘good girl’. You knew how it felt to entwine your fingers with his now, and the warmth of his body as he embraced you. Sometimes you would get his distinct scent and you’d spent far more time than you’d ever care to admit in department stores trying to find whatever brand of cologne he used, to no avail. His voice really got you though, that beautiful Australian twang had just a touch of way out there - not a natural city boy. You realised you were quickly falling in love with him. And you hoped against hope that this wasn’t just your mind overthinking it, or playing tricks on you. That this was the real deal. That whoever this man was, he was really your Soulmate. And perhaps, with New Year fast approaching - this would be the year you met him. Still, sitting over a cup of coffee with your friend, in front of yet another painting you were mid-way through, you voiced your concerns. She only rolled her eyes, “Girl! Have you seen your face-! LOOK how happy you are!” “But, shit-! What if they’ve all been right?! What if he is my Soulmate!? Am I crazy, tell me I’m crazy!?” “Girl. He’s EVERYWHERE in all your artwork. No, you aren’t. We gotta FIND this guy.” “But what if I’m wrong!?” There was something scary about the whole thing too, and how foolish you’d feel if you were so sure that you’d find him, and it turned out this wasn’t what you felt it was. “Stop thinking you’re wrong, and start thinking about HOW you’re going to find him. It’s all New Year’s right!? You gotta be out there looking! You’ve gotta take fate into your own hands.” She pulled out her phone, “I’m going to find out where all the big parties are - with the way you draw him, I’m sure he’d be up for getting into some trouble at one of those.” She had a point, he didn’t exactly look like the stay at home with a cup of tea type. Maybe he’d stay at home for other reasons though… You felt a gentle heat stir in your stomach on that thought alone and had to curse yourself. “...What if he doesn’t like me? Or… I don’t like him.” “You’re worrying again!” She looked up from her phone when you didn’t respond; you were starting to look a little disheartened as you stared at the floor, fingertips tapping your knees. She wasn’t about to let you spiral on something that was so exciting, and so important. New Year was just around the corner and she was determined to make sure that you got the opportunity to meet this guy, and have the best night of your life. “He’s a looker, I’ll give him that…” She raised her eyes back to your painting and then around the room, making you turn back, smile on your face at how right she was, “but if this Soulmate of yours doesn’t treat you right after all this, I’m gonna kick his ASS!”  

***

It was the week of New Year and you almost couldn’t sleep these days. You’d spent most of the holiday with your family, but you just couldn’t ever get comfortable. Couldn’t ever shake the feeling that something huge was coming. This felt bigger than just your brain playing tricks on you though, it felt like your body and soul were being dragged towards a force that you had no way of resisting. And there was no way you even wanted to fight it, you just let it carry you. Heck, you knew that you’d spent most of your time distracted, and were glad that everyone else was so relaxed and you didn’t have a client deadline to adhere to, because if you thought you were being driven crazy by him before… When you were able to quiet everything for just a moment and slow the world down to concentrate, you began to formulate a plan. No-one had ever been specific enough on whether it was New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, or that funny moment of Midnight when a New Year officially came. Your friend had the good idea of scouring New Year’s parties - if it was meant to happen you weren’t going to find him cooped up in your house, that was for sure. And you had the little list she’d painstakingly laid out with a walking route, so you caught all the bars in the most populous area of town. But you still had no real idea of how this was going to work; would it be like a chance encounter? Would neither of you have any idea until you finally beheld each other for the first time? So your aimless wandering would still lead you to him - just like fate? Or would this feeling inside you that kept building just guide you straight to him - like a homing beacon that only got stronger as you got nearer? You didn’t know. And you wondered how he was feeling, wherever he was in the world right now. Was he just across town? Was he elsewhere in the same country? Was he halfway around the world..? The only thing you hoped, was that he was just as excited as you were to finally meet. To finally find the person you belonged with. You’d got it wrong plenty of times before… so you had to admit, you were ready to get it right. 

  ***

It was gone 11pm on December 31st and Ned Kendall was still sitting at home slow sipping a drink, finding it surprisingly easy to ignore that nagging feeling in the back of his head. Whoever she was, she wouldn’t meet him tonight and - in his opinion - she’d be a lot better for it. Why the hell had whatever it was that decided to allocate people Soulmates, decided to stick this poor woman with him. ‘She musta done something really wrong somewhere along the line!’ Ned took another sip. If she was out there looking for him, she would be disappointed, Ned knew; but she could move on. In fact he wasn’t even sure how that worked… had anyone ever ignored this call before? Did the bond just break if he did? No-one had ever talked about that… His phone buzzed, and at first Ned thought it was an ignorable text, but it was a call. And it was from his editor. He’d finished his master draft by now, and he’d let his editor know he was ready to hand it in, but Ned had said there was no rush and he’d simply drop it in next time he passed the office. Besides, it wasn’t due until mid-January, so he was ahead of schedule. ‘What the hell…?’ Knowing he couldn’t exactly not pick up, Ned answered. “Hello?” “Yo. Ned, I’m in town! Get the fuck down to Campari’s now, and give me your draft.” Ned glanced at the clock again, sounding a little incensed; “On New Year’s Eve?!” “YES. NOW.” “But-” “No buts, except yours, get it down here, N O W.” “Are you fucking-” What was the rush? There was surely no need for this? Okay, so his editor wanted the manuscript in person, fine, but it was New Year. Everyone had better things to be doing than worrying about work! Ned sighed, knowing that arguing would get him nowhere, given how persistent his editor was; “Okay…” “Okay! See you soon!” Ned groaned as he hung up and ran his hands through his hair; looked like he wasn’t about to get away with staying in all night after all. He stood and picked up his manuscript. How likely was it this thing was about to get lost in a bar somewhere-!? At least he had copies. Ned was determined to keep his eyes on nothing and no-one for too long; just drop the draft with his editor and get out of there. No loitering. No chance for this Soulmate thing to come off. Although the second he stepped out of his apartment the uneasy feeling he’d been able to keep at bay up until now hit him full force. “Aw man…” Ned shuddered, as if some invisible presence was watching him. He could do this… He could do this and still save this poor woman from the fate of him. He rushed to the bar, and although it was crowded, his editor was looking for him and waved him over. Ned didn’t trail his eyeline anywhere else and almost immediately dumped the manuscript on the bar. “Couldn’t you have waited like 2 days!?” “Nah, I was in town, thought it’d be easier to get a head start on all the deadlines in case of revisions.” “Man, I dunno, Mike… In the middle of a bar on New Year’s Eve?!” “It’s okay!” Mike produced a case from beside him and tapped it, “I promise it’ll be safe; I’m not even drinking a lot.” “Well on your head be it, I have copies!” “It’s safe!” Ned held his hands up – whatever - and backed away from the bar, ready to take his leave. “Uh, no! Ned, stay, have a drink it’s almost midnight!” He was painfully aware of this fact and didn’t need reminding. “I’d rather not-” Mike yanked him back to a bar stool, flagging the bar tender down for Ned’s favourite brand of whisky; “What are you so desperate to leave for?! What else is there to do in the city tonight? You got someone waiting at home or something?” “Not exactly.” Ned kept his eyes on his drink as he sipped, disgruntled. The uneasy feeling was pushing down on him like a ton of bricks and he wished he’d told Mike to fuck off and stayed back at home where he felt safe from this. Or made up any lie really; that he was celebrating with Sally somewhere… Why didn’t he think about that!? The countdown to midnight came and went, and Ned felt this one was just as unimportant as all the others. He didn’t even count the numbers as everyone else yelled them. But as the clock struck 12 Ned downed the rest of his drink, placing it decisively on the bar as everyone cheered. He turned to Mike as everything began to lull into friends hugging and lovers kissing: “Can I go now?” Mike huffed, arms folded. “Wow. You’re a real kill joy, I thought you loved a good party?” “Yeah, New Year never really stuck. Thanks, though. Enjoy reading!” “Thanks Ned, I will! Happy New Year!” Ned smiled but didn’t really mean it, just glad to be leaving. He scooted out of the bar and into the street, where everyone now seemed to be spilling. ‘Thank god I can go home and breathe now. What a waste of time.’ It wasn’t so easy to hurry home, however, as the crowds of people outside were mostly still - either watching the fireworks now adorning the sky, or couples sharing their New Year’s kisses, or groups going from bar to bar… and those who, just like him, were heading home. And - as much as he despised having to be out - Ned was politely navigating these people. As he looked at them now, he couldn’t help but shake his head. What was so great about New Year anyway? In his experience he’d never had one that particularly stood out against any of the others. It was all just days blending into days. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and kept walking slowly through the crowds of people, smiling to himself at the ridiculousness of it all. But it wasn’t until far too late that he realised the uneasy feeling had left him completely. So really Ned should have been jumping about in the street for joy that he was finally rid of it, only this time as he looked up to dodge around some more people watching the bright colours crackle across the sky, he froze. Standing on the other side of the square, one eye on the fireworks and every so often looking around herself, was the woman from inside his head. Someone yelled a New Year’s greeting at her, and she became distracted by them, laughing and calling back with a sweet smile. Ned wanted to make a break for it, but he couldn’t, almost like he was rooted to the spot: his mouth went dry and his heart began racing. He felt a million things; unbridled joy the likes of which he didn’t think he’d ever felt in his life, he felt sick, fearful, that dread from before panged in him for just a minute at the knowledge that any second she was bound to look his way and her life would be over… She turned back to the fireworks, via sweeping the crowd once more and Ned knew she’d spotted him by the way she immediately froze as he had. But she’d missed him because she was looking at the sky by the time this happened. He watched her swallow hard, and say something to herself. Ned wondered if she was feeling all this emotion as he was; and he definitely saw the fear cross her face as for a moment she turned sheet white, before she blinked and turned herself slowly back to him. When his eyes locked with yours Ned Kendall felt his breath leave him - and he struggled to take a new one. He thought he knew what love felt like; he’d fallen in it before. But that feeling suddenly ran through his body multiplied exponentially. Your lips parted, and you smiled gently. How long had you been waiting for this moment? Even before you’d figured out he was your Soulmate… you’d been waiting for the man who was staring at you from across the square to walk into your life since you’d first brought him to life on paper. And suddenly there he was. Real.   

***  

Ned blinked hard to snap himself out of the trance before, looking both ways to check he wasn’t about to crash into anyone, he took a deep breath (that it hurt slightly to take) and crossed to you. He was taller than you’d expected, though you didn’t really have that much comparison or frame of reference. Built exactly like you saw him in your head, and - apparently as customary - his shirt was very dark navy, top few buttons undone; as if he wasn’t already pretty easy on the eye. And you realised that you were about to find the answer to the biggest mystery of all: what his name was.

He stopped just in front of you, not exactly sure how close he should get. If you were both having the same sort of visions, then there was already a comfortable level of familiarity you should have with each other. And yet, this was the first time you were meeting. Which was the most appropriate? He immediately laughed, scratching the back of his head and then running a hand through those curls. You paid attention to this, to how large his hands really were; you���d not really got a good idea of that in images either. How your hands were going to look so tiny in his. “I guess you’re her… The girl of my dreams.” And you weren’t sure if he meant that literally or, just because he’d been dreaming about you the way you had him. You blushed gently, but he smiled sincerely, “Oh. Well. I’m Ned Kendall and this is really awkward-!” You giggled a little, responding in kind, “I’m Y/N. This is amazing - you’re… you’re real!” Ned too chuckled, and his eyes traced your body, damn near respectfully, as if he was checking that you were every bit as faultless as he remembered you. This was beyond something like a fantasy come to life: “You are too… I’ve written you for so long and you’re standing right here.” You gasped gently, “Oh, you’re a writer?!”  Clearly you’d never heard of him. Ned wasn’t sure he wasn’t actually glad of that, now he could guide your reading a little! Introduce you to his best work first. His nod was fairly confident, although his smile was a little bashful, “Yeah. And you…?” You rummaged around in your bag for a moment, and produced a fairly small sketchbook. It wasn’t that you thought you’d forget what he looked like, but almost that you could prove to him this was meant to be. You flicked through the pages to one of your favourites, even with how quick it was and turned it around to him. “I’m an artist.” He held his hand out, blue eyes wide and curious, “May I?” You nodded, relinquishing it to him, and Ned began to scroll through your work. Drawings they might have been, but it was just like looking in a mirror. “Wow… I’m as in your head as you’re in mine, huh?” “If you’d ever set foot in my gallery then…” You trailed off, “Wait, if you write - about me - then?” “Oh, yeah, you’re- you’re out there on bookshelves right now.” He shut your sketchbook and handed it back over, “You’re… an incredible artist.” You immediately blushed, “I mean I wish I’d have read your work before now. So then I could return the compliment. But now my visions make sense. You’re not… looking at love letters, you’re writing… novels.” He nodded slowly, but grinned, “Love letters is romantic though - and I could do that. If that’s what you wanted!” You laughed, that sound he’d heard so often but now got to experience in real life, “I’m… somewhat of an idealistic romantic. And I guess you can tell that by the way I’ve been looking for you all evening.” Ned didn’t dare tell you that his notion was the exact opposite, “Well. We found each other. Exactly like they say in all those interviews.” “Yes!” Then your eyes widened too, “YES! Oh my goodness, it’s just- it’s just like they say-! That’s crazy-! This is really happening and… it’s all true!” That excitement was back on your face, and Ned found it unbelievably adorable. His head tilted, and you caught that mischievous glint in his eyes: the one you liked so much. You wondered what was coming. His teeth sank into his bottom lip for a second as he mulled his question over, eyes flicking to your lips; “Well I feel like this could be too soon, but if we’re Soulmates then… I don’t know about you but, I kinda… I feel like I know you.” You nodded, absolutely knowing exactly what he was feeling; in fact, you were literally the only person in the world who knew precisely what he was talking about right now. “And I’d like to kiss?” Ned watched your expression change to intrigue, from fairly soft to sly, your eyes narrowed and you almost gave him a smirk. “Well, I’m glad one of us voiced it first.” Ned was curious, that wasn’t an expression he’d ever seen from you in his dreams, you were always happy sure, but this smile was new to him. Even when his visions were at their sexiest this wasn’t a look on your face. He realised there was still so much to learn; but with the rush that almost-smirk made him feel, he knew he was looking forward to learning. Ned didn’t move particularly slow, but he supposed you’d both been waiting for this for roughly the same amount of time, arms sliding around your waist he pulled your body into his, leaning down and closing his eyes to capture your lips. He already knew what you looked like: now he wanted to experience you for the first time. The taste of your kiss was exquisite and he didn’t even notice liquor; heck you really had been out here trying to find him all night. There was the faint hint of something - but he thought that might just be your lip balm. You wrapped your arms around his neck, fingers tangling through his curls and both of you made the same hum. Synergy, perhaps? He wasn’t exactly sure if there was a *click* and the world stopped spinning and this weird feeling went away - why did the people on TV never talk about the important things? He wondered if the kiss was so good because you were his Soulmate, or because in reality he really had been waiting so long for this. Ned’s tongue ran yours teasingly and you weren’t about to let him be the only playful one here; drawing him closer and carding your nails over his scalp; Ned shivered. And all he could think for a moment was kissing you like this with you beneath him in the sheets - where he could trail these kisses all over your body. To hear more than just a gentle hum out of you. The kiss was certainly confident - and you supposed neither of you had to hold back; there was no need to ask where this was going. You knew exactly where this was going - to the end of the world. But that didn’t mean there wasn’t a keen rush of excitement through you. This was beyond finally finding someone; this was finding the someone. But his lips were soft, and he was gentle even when he was playful. You wondered what Ned Kendall was thinking; and you wondered a lot of other things too - you’d certainly need to pick up a novel or two of his… You wanted to know him. You wanted him to know you, better than you knew yourself. There was no thought in your head of slowing down. You didn’t have to think like that anymore. You both pulled back, taking deep breaths. The fireworks were still going, and the illuminated colours on his face highlighted all those smooth lines and those cheekbones that you loved drawing so much. Much better in person… You bit your lips together, savouring the feeling of his still on them. You were a little flushed, but your eyes were bright as you looked back at him - loving that confident little smile on his face. Ned had been the first one to voice the kiss, and you wondered if he would mind you voicing taking this further than that. What he might think of you for doing so. As if you were moving too fast? There was only one way to find out, and you mirrored the smile you saw; “Whaaat if we did more than just kiss?” Then, to make sure you explained why you’d be the kind of person to jump into bed with a man you’d just met (because you certainly weren’t that type and didn’t want to give that impression.) - “Ned, I feel like I already know you better than if we’d been on a bunch of dates.” Your eyes were almost pleading him, “I would never normally do this but… this isn’t normal. Is it? I just- Of course this feels right, but it feels so right. I have never felt like this and even though I know why… I want to follow what I feel. And I… I want you.” There were a few seconds pause as his bright blue eyes looked between yours, but there was absolutely no hesitation in his gaze. He was perfectly happy with following your suggestion. In fact, Ned chuckled a little as he nodded; “Ha, funnily enough I was just heading home. And we would literally only have to walk.” He waved in a vague direction. You couldn’t help but grin, so he had been in the city all along, “Sounds perfect!” Ned held his hand out for yours and you couldn’t help but eagerly take it, then wrap yourself around his arm. This seemed a little crazy and reckless, even if he was The One. But it was a New Year, that old ‘new beginnings’ cliche. And you’d found yours - why not get a little reckless? Ned couldn’t help but look at you as he began walking you back to his apartment, he liked you already. After all the worrying he’d done to Sally, Ned saw he’d needn’t have done any of it. But part of him couldn’t believe that you were up for this already. As you walked plenty of people also heading home from their New Year’s parties wished you a good night, and yelled holiday greetings. From couples who looked seriously loved up, to groups of drunk friends spilling all over the street, to couples who looks a little nervous to be together - Ned would reckon they were as new as you. And yet, also realised that it was highly unlikely any of them were what the two of you were - and certainly didn’t realise what they were witnessing. There was no neon sign. No giant arrow to say ‘They’re Soulmates!’, not another person on earth knew you’d met up tonight - even if you’d both talked about each other before… Ned held your hand a little tighter; no-one was taking you from him now - that only made you snuggle a little more into his arm. Suddenly he smirked in realisation; ‘Holy shit, this is going to be a normal New Year’s for me… A normal night out!’ His eyes flicked to you, ‘I’m gonna end up with a gorgeous woman in my bed, only this one is destined to stay.’

 ***

As you entered the lobby of his apartment building your heart was threatening to beat out of your chest. You’d never felt desire like this before, but you also felt so nervous. There were still so many ‘what ifs’ and you were supposed to spend the rest of your lives together. What if Ned didn’t like what he saw, what if you didn’t? What if when you told him all about you, he pushed you away… What if he had so many secrets, one that matched the haunted look on his face you saw once too often in your dreams. You shook the thought away - you couldn’t think like that. One step at a time. You could worry about your forever in the morning, right now you kinda wanted him to shove you against the back of the lift; to hell with making it to his bed. He weaved you through those leaving the penthouse parties, carrying their heels and half-finished bottles of champagne. Shaking his head as he pushed the elevator button. “Typical New Year, huh?” “I guess not for us.” He laughed, watching them shriek as they stumbled over each other. “Well, I wouldn’t be opposed to making this a typical New Year.” You giggled, “Me either. But hopefully I won’t only find you at midnight next year.” His eyes flicked to yours, “Whatever’s meant to be.” You both laughed at the shared joke as the elevator pinged and more leavers spilled out. Ned dragged you in and pressed the button to his floor. The doors slid closed and, as the lift began moving, you were left in the quiet at last. He closed the gap between you; grabbing your chin between his thumb and his index finger Ned kissed you again. This one far harsher than the first, and you squeaked in surprise as he did push you against the wall. Oh, okay, this was going to go just the way you wanted it. And be far better than any fantasy. Ned’s hands roamed your body, and up into your hair as the kisses became hot, passionate, teasing. Every so often his touch caused you to groan into it, and you could feel him smirk - at least that gave you a good gauge of what he might like. Mind you, you were probably helping him on that front also. By the time the elevator slowed to a stop at his floor you were already halfway through the buttons on his shirt. He was reluctant to release you, and yet eager to get you back to his place, and lacing his fingers with yours once more, Ned ran you down the corridor. You couldn’t help but laugh - this felt so teenage romance, the same rush, the same quick whirlwind of no patience. Of wanting everything to happen right then and there. A little too excited Ned had to fumble with the keys a few times to actually get in, but once the door was open it was closed just as fast. His shirt didn’t take long to find the floor as once again his lips found yours. You ran your fingers over his warm, supple skin and received a few delightful hums of your own to keep. Your clothes didn’t take long to find the floor either, as he guided you back towards the bedroom, and you both left a trail. Your body threaded with his - and dare you say perfectly? - and your nervousness wore off. Only excitement remained, and the feeling that this could only be right. This was fate. It had pulled you together, and now you were getting your first opportunity to be one. Ned entwined your fingers, head tilted, he searched your face. He had all the time in the world to get to know you, to get to know your body, to be so in tune with you that all he could ever give you was pleasure. That might take a little bit of time - but it started tonight. And skin to skin, your body beneath his, Ned already knew you were gorgeous, and he was going to get lost in you. You’d found your ideal weight - that old joke of ‘him on top of you’ - but as you let your eyes glide down his body you noticed his chest was awash with freckles, and you wanted to kiss every single one of them before the night was through. Ned’s exploration of your form didn’t last too long, right now he only wanted to be inside you - and the desperation of it was his only thought. He had time, he’d apologise and he’d do you right, just not right now. He was compelled otherwise, and you didn’t seem to mind that - possibly because you were feeling the same thing. Damn Soulmates... Ned nearly chuckled, but was happy he could at least pull delightfully sinful sighs and moans from you as he tested that you were ready for him. As he pushed into you Ned realised that he was still looking into your eyes. Normally by now he’d have turned his bed mate over. But you… you he wanted to see, wanted to watch your emotional responses as they crossed your face. It’d never been like this… not with any girl. But here he was, and Ned actually wanted to look into your eyes… If he wasn’t careful, he’d be spilling I Love You’s before he was ready.  

***  

Ned woke naturally to the sunlight streaming through the window. Glancing at the clock, he was glad it wasn’t really that late in the day. His arm was still around your bare waist and he pulled you closer to him, you moaned gently still not awake and cuddled yourself into his warmth as he kissed your shoulder. With his free hand Ned moved locks of hair out of your face and lay there quietly admiring you. How many times had you had sex last night? It all felt like a weird (magically induced) blur. So, he’d just call it innumerable, with a smug little smirk. Eventually you stirred, and you appreciated how much you were going to enjoy this when you woke up looking into his pretty blue eyes and realised that he wasn’t just a dream. Ned would never be just a vision in your head ever again. You couldn’t help but pull him into a delicate morning kiss. Sighing blissfully, you stretched your body out, propping yourself up on the pillows and smiling at him, your body ached a little - but it was a sweet ache and you didn’t mind too much at all. You spoke softly, almost dreamily, as you continued to stare into those beautiful eyes: “I know you’re made for me. And that I would feel like this no matter what, but… I’m glad he’s you. In my wildest dreams I didn’t ever think he’d be like you.” Somehow he was not only your Soulmate - the person you really had no choice but to be with; and you wouldn’t have thought that would happen if you weren’t at least compatible - Ned was still ticking all your boxes.  And you could threaten easily that you loved him for it. Ned bit his lips together, even though he’d been smiling. He still needed to confess to you, he wasn’t sure he could put you through this without beginning on the right foot. Even if it took a while to confide the whole truth, you had to know. He sighed gently, fingertips stroking down your back; “Look I’m not perfect, and you have a lot to learn and I kinda want to apologise in advance… if we’re really meant to be Soulmates. If this is really… THAT.” You tilted your head slightly, but all you did was smile mysteriously; “Well… so do you. But we’ll get though it together. We’re meant to, right?” You took his other hand, and kissed all his knuckles, and then his fingertips, “You’re not going to scare me away, Ned Kendall.” Besides, you’d seen what your future held. You wondered how much you should keep to yourself… you wondered how much he’d seen himself. How much Ned already knew without realising… diamonds and wearing white… You chose to believe these things could come true. Your time together could still only be measured in hours, but you already wanted these things with him. He chuckled, running his thumb over your lips, “I guess. But I do have one request. Unlike all those other Soulmates out there that share our fate… Can we please not go public with this thing?” At the look on your face Ned changed his track, “Not yet. I’m kinda ‘A Big Deal’.” You found that understandable, as a writer people knew his name and his work. You weren’t sure you wanted the world to know that you were part of the New Year’s Day Phenomena either. But it would be a little hard not to tell some people about it - your best friend already knew. And if your clientele saw him kicking around your gallery… You nodded in agreement, “Well Mr. Big Deal, I can’t wait to read... about me.” Ned continued to stroke his fingers down your back, with a smirk, as he rolled onto his side pressing his lips to yours, you accepted his kiss and stole another: “Well, I want to see how you draw me… and maybe I could pose for you. Like Rose and Jack.” You couldn’t help but scoff, before cackling, “Holy shit, a Titanic reference? I can’t believe you’d do that-!” “Terrible, I know. You’ll have to get used to this.” He grinned, affording you another kiss. “Mmm.” You hummed in agreement, “That doesn’t sound so bad to me.” You looped your arms around his neck and let Ned pull you back on top of him, tangling your bodies together once more as you continued to deepen your kisses.

Right now it might only have been hours, but you could both see your future, soon it would be days, months, years… And maybe eventually you’d tell the world, and join all the Soulmates that came before you. Or perhaps you’d stay quiet, and just smirk at each other knowingly every time you stood and watched the New Year’s fireworks, or as another couple made the announcement on TV. Whatever it would be, it would be a joint decision. Once you were both ready. For now, you had the whole world in front of you. And you had to learn each other’s. But you couldn’t wait to explore together. Good and bad; and perhaps there was a lot in both your pasts… but you were Soulmates and now bound together by a force bigger than both of you. You would make it through. You weren’t sure you were going to give Ned Kendall the choice either way. And he certainly wouldn’t be giving you one. You belonged to each other now.

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Thank you!!! Thank you for reading the final fic of 2020! Here’s to 2021! 🎉

#Ned Kendall #Ned Kendall x Reader #Beautiful Kate #Ben Mendelsohn #206 #Linzi Writes #Smol Bean Drabbles #Soulmate!AU #First AU fic! #Woo hoo! That's worth a celebration-! #A giffffffft #I can't take this with Jessika or even AU!Jessika because she doesn't look like her in my head. so that is that on that!