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glamrockmonarch · 3 years

Text

The Land That Our Grandchildren Knew (B!Reader x Brian May)

THIS WORK IS PART OF THE ORIGINAL TIMELINE

Requested: NO

Type: SFW, FLUFF ?, ANGST.

Summary: A little glance at life back to normal after Brian and B!Reader get over the cheating scandal.

Warnings: None.

A/N: So this came out of nowhere in my mind. I have struggled with being creative for a while and I just do not know why(?) but here we are! I hope someone out there enjoys reading this one.

*For anyone who does not remember (lol it has been a while): B!Reader (often B!R) is "Brian!Reader", and R!Reader (or R!R) is "Roger!Reader".

“The one thing he did not know was how much I loved him. In a previous life, in a time when things were so much more complicated. When war was splitting us apart and leaving us breathless. Motionless in a world of aggressive turmoil. There was little we could do when everything was amiss. All around us things were blowing up, giving in upon themselves the buildings fell, and the cities died along with their lights and spectacles.

“The love I grew and nurtured for him was the last reminding power of the old Earth, scattered through the cosmos like dust as I searched for him in a ridiculous journey. I did not meet a king in a tiny planet, and I never saw a rose grow on the dry lands of the foreign space countries. We had each other but time made it so that I was here today while he was here yesterday. Today was never ours, today was a promise we believed and ate up and followed with blind eyes until the moment when the sound of truth, deafening and cruel, locked us out of each other’s life. And still, forever, my love for him is true and enduring. Out there, I know he will feel my presence in the air, see me in the clouds, savour me in the smell of rain and grass. He will miss me when the night is cold, and the sound of wind reminds him of my voice… Yes, he will be empty when he hears the silence, the way I will always feel too when I look back at Earth and regret every second spent away from the one who called me Venus.”

The crowd claps and smiles and I see the people in the front look at the books in their hands with expressions of confusion and deep thought. A good reason to write something is to make people wonder, so for B!Reader this one was a success. She had taken so long to finish the manuscript, not that she was being lazy; with the scandal of Brian cheating and the twins taking sides, it was hard to focus on this. This book was not what she intended on writing when she began doing research for it. It started with the Irish War of Independence, she went around Britain meeting historians with much better understanding and knowledge on the topic. It soon turned upside down when the news appeared on every single form of media… Brian’s stunt. She would call it what it was now; he had cheated.

It was hard to get over it. B!Reader took time off with her mother in Scotland, she had taken the kids with her, much to Brian’s displeasure, but he was in no position to complain. When she came back home, she was still defeated by the details. Brian’s lame explanation sounded more like an excuse but even she had to admit that her husband did not have the best track record when it came to women. She was probably the one he had been the most loyal to at that point – even when he had cheated on her once.

So, she tried. They sought professional help. A therapist. First couple’s therapy, and then one-on-one sessions alone. She hated every second of it, which could not have been fun to hear for their therapist. Nothing seemed to be helping, in fact B!Reader talked to a lawyer in secret… but her career was also on the line at that point, and she was desperate for ideas, desperate to reconnect with the only man she ever truly and completely loved. Her manager had the idea, “read some of Brian’s stuff, maybe ask him about his PhD work, maybe he will inspire you and if he doesn’t at least you will have spoken to each other… it’s worth a try”. And so B!R did that, although not in the way her manager had meant. She was stirring her on the direction of reading some of his lyrics not his space dust thesis… Nevertheless, the story began there.

B!R could not understand much, and she wound up spending a lot of time talking about physics and space with her husband. Brian was a patient teacher, she already knew that, but it was now being confirmed to her. He was also happy to be able to go on and on for hours, the topics where his cup of tea, and they had numerous cups of tea too while B!R took notes and began toying with a historical fantasy mix for her next book.

Today she was reading from her favourite chapter in the book. It had been a massive hit; one she could not quite understand. If she was being honest, the book was more like therapy for her than her actual therapy sessions had been. She cried while writing it and poured a lot of emotion into it, which she rarely did. Her writing had always been more …impersonal, presented almost as a sort of biography of fictional characters rather than real moving parts of the imaginary world they were living in.

She had never written such an odd story before, with time skips and a weird space journey concepts implanted in the middle of 1920 Ireland.

“You did great, mum.” A proud Fred wrapped his arm around her middle.

Even though the teen boy was still that, a teenager, he managed to already stand a couple centimetres taller than his own mother.

“Thank you love, did you get anything of that?” She wondered, wrapping her arm around him in the familiar way a mother does.

Arm around his shoulder, soft play of the tender fingers on the dark curls on the back of the head of her “little boy”.

“Nothing at all,” he smiled and shrugged, honesty dripping in shameless glee from his tone. “But that’s the cool part, I don’t think anyone gets it.” The younger of the twins looked at his mother up and down in her bright blue dress. “Except Dad. Was that the point?”

B!Reader looked at her son and inhaled a deep long breath, which she held for a moment. Her brows furrowed and her mouth moved like that of a fish.

“Maybe.” She conceded.

“Hey mum, would you sign my book?” Harry interrupted, bringing along Jazz and a peculiarly uninterested Max.

Harry gave his mother a wide smile and put a copy of her own book in her hands.

“For Harry, please.”

“Dork,” Max rolled his eyes.

He was the only one to admit he had not finished the book yet the previous weekend when Fred mentioned his mother was doing a reading at a local bookstore while they sat by the Taylor’s pool. And he rushed to get through it. Max was not dumb, and he managed to grasp some of the concepts in the complicated plot, although he did not let on to any of his friends.

“Loved the wormhole bits Mrs May.” Max said once Harry had his signed copy reading for Harry with Love. “That dark hole and the speed of dark and light near the end were mind-blowing. I never thought of you as a fantasy writer!”

B!Reader nodded and blushed at the compliments. Max was a lot like Roger in that he did know how to make a girl blush with what appeared to be little effort.

“I am glad you liked it,” she said, a trace of pride in her voice.

“I really wish Darragh and Conor had ended up together,” Jazz voiced from around Harry’s tall lean and awkward teen figure. “They were obviously meant for each other.”

Fred had been in tears when he read the ending of the book. Of course, he would have hoped for his mother’s first queer paring to end together but what that did was echoing life.

“You have to be the eighth person who’s said that to me today.”

R!Reader, Roger and Brian were in a conversation of their own next to the long table B!Reader was about to sit before to meet some fans and sign as many copies of her book as time allowed.

She eyed the silver hair on her husband’s hair, she had been discreet when describing Darragh in her book. A tall, talented, middle-aged, idealist Irish man. A man born in a difficult time. A man who fell in love by mistake, with Conor. A young man described often as immature, who enjoyed a quiet life on board of a spaceship when he got caught up in a black hole and wound up going back hundreds of years and miles into the past. Conor had almost been killed in his attempts of helping his beloved Darragh in fighting what he considered to be hiswar. The battles gave their relationship meaning, although it was never spoken about between them. The adoration was always palpable and present to the last page. Down to the moment when Conor acknowledges that his lover cannot come with him once he finds the way back into his ship, and then it turns into a matter of will. Darragh is revealed to have a similar story, only that… he was left stranded in 1905 with no way back to his ship. “The voice of Venus” was really a metaphor for B!Reader. A complicated one, as her feelings were when she had to love the man who broke her heart. She felt lost the way Conor felt, but she could tell Brian had been lost for a while before the entire ordeal – defeated in the same manner as Darragh. And it was fitting, he was older, he was educated. He should have known better than to play in the physics lab with those dangerous materials. Brian should have known better than to play with that old woman. Conor could have turned his back on Darragh, he knew he was of no help now that he was so invested in the past – now their present. He knew Darragh and himself would never be able to be together if he stayed and they would most likely get killed if they marched on. So B!Reader made them split. She was about to leave Brian when she started writing her book, so it made sense. And when she realised, she did not want to end her marriage, she still wrote it that way because this was the ending she had seen coming for herself before – one she fortunately managed to evade, which still was the ending for many couples.

B!Reader watched the teens as they began discussing the book, Max and Jazz were defending the plot, Fred joined in and the three of them seemed to be getting passionate about proving Harry wrong. The eldest of the group was stubborn about his stance on Conor being right to leave Darragh.

His mother could not help but remember that same stubbornness from the first few weeks after the story broke. Harry had been the one to take it the hardest. When they packed for Scotland, she had to stop him from shattering his project guitar, the yellow guitar he and Brian had been working on for a while. “I don’t want it! I do not want anything from him! He is a liar!” He had yelled, with the side of his face still reddened from a slap he received from Brian. She still could not believe she managed to stay impartial at that moment after the mess that had happened in the kitchen when Harry insulted his father – earning a slap from him.

“It’s alright,” B!Reader placed her arm around the twins’ shoulders. “Conor had to go back anyway. He had a family in the spaceship.”

“What?” Jazz was the first one to open her mouth.

With a laugh, the young writer looked at the confused faces around her. “He could never stay…” She shrugged.

Harry’s expression flashed with a difficult emotion, which both Jazz and his mother noticed.

The short girl flipped her long blonde hair and checked the time on her phone, “no wonder I’m hungry! Who’s coming?” Her blue eyes searched around in an almost innocent manner.

“You got to be joking, we JUST ate.”

Max stepped back from his sister and Fred followed, “sorry, I told dad I’d get lunch with him.”

Blue eyes flipped onto Harry’s figure. B!Reader gave him a squeeze and let go, the sigh he let out being enough of an answer for Jazz to show a large smile, reaching out to grab his hand and pull her to her side. It almost seemed a pass of the baton.

The boy walked taller than Jazz and still, it looked like he was the smaller child. She was sure they had been doing a good job as parents, although that slipdid a number on Harry. The curly haired boy pulled the glass door open and let Jazz go first, only to have her childishly cling on to his arm once they were outside, a smile breaking his serious expression when his young friend told him something – they were too far for B!Reader to make out what Jazz said.

“Where are those two going?” Brian walked up to her.

He had a cardboard cup of coffee in his hand, which he offered to her. With a mumble she took it and had a testing sip – it was too bitter, but it would do. “Nando’s. Probably.” She gave her husband a soft smile.

Brian nodded in silence, a reflective look on his face.

“He needs some time, Bri.” She guessed what he was thinking about.

“It’s been a year,” he said with caution.

“He is getting over it, love.” She took a step closer to Brian and whispered, “he’s picked up the guitar again.” They shared a look before someone called for B!Reader and she left her husband with a peck on the cheek.

#original timeline #about the original timeline #b!reader x brian may #b!reader #brian may #present day!brian may

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snarkwriteswrasslin · 3 years

Note

scary scenario - locked in a doomsday bunker (actual doomsday or not, up to you)

Oh my goodness, I have truly enjoyed writing this one out, first of all. Second of all, I’m so so so so sorry that it’s not posted until now! I’ve been sick and then I just took a lot of time to recharge because it drained me being sick I guess? Anyway, yeah... I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing this.

Spoiler alert, this will have a second part. Because someone else sent me something interesting for Roman Reigns with a similar theme, so I just kinda tied them together, I hope that’s okay??

Anyway, let’s get to it.

Warnings:

Uhh.. mentions of a severe injury? Mentions of a zombie apocalypse... Uhh... ya’ll this one is actually pg-13. Idk how the second part will fare in comparison yet, because I have to figure out just how much time has passed between this part and that one.. But I hope to have it posted soon! Kids can stay for now.

Tagging:

@kyleoreillysknee

@missjenniferb

@rampagewriting

@writertoo18

@thatnerdwriter

@wrestlingismyguiltypleasure

@chasingeverybreakingwave

@waywardwrestlewritingwaif

@sassymox

@hungmanhorsecarriage

@wardl0w

@ryantaylorgirl

@wrestlingthot

@MAFIADADDYPAULHEYMAN

@UNABASHEDWRESTLEFICS

@aewhore

@irish-newzealand-idian-dutch

@hotyeehawman

@gabbynorth98

@bec0m

Other Stuff:

[ masterlist - about page - tag doc ] FROM NOW ON... if you’re not on the tag doc and you haven’t reached out to me to be tagged, you will not be tagged. So.. Be sure to add yourself if you think you might want to be tagged in future things.

I’ve forgotten the last time I felt sunlight or a cool breeze against my skin. This bunker is so well protected that honestly, I can’t remember the last time I’ve even felt affected by the world outside of it.

And honestly?

I could go on without ever going up top. But, my supplies are dwindling and I’ve done all I can to make each thing stretch.

I sighed and started to don all my protective gear, finishing with the gas mask. Given that I don’t know what’s going on up there, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

I’d just grabbed my machete and I was strapping it to my leg when the light by the door went red and my alarms started to go off. In a panic, I froze. Seconds felt like hours. I could feel each shaky breath as it left my body, but I stood there, still frozen, still staring at the door.

Then the knocking started. Followed by a man’s firm commands.

“Open up.”

,, yeah, how about fuck you, nope.” I thought to myself. I didn’t say anything, though. I think I thought that if I stayed silent, my intruder might go away. My silence only seemed to make the man more persistent.

“I know someone’s in there. I’ve seen you comin and goin. Now I’m gonna count to 3…” something about the firmness in his voice had me tensing slightly. I reached down, unstrapping the machete from my thigh and I took a few more shaky breaths.

He tried another tac.

“C’mon, open the door. I swear I’m not going to hurt you, okay?”

,, No, you’ll just nom on my brains. If this new breed of zombies weren’t nearly functional…” the thought that maybe I’d trust him more if the zombies up there were your stereotypical grunting dumb fuckers went unfinished.

The heavy metal handle on the door began rattling and the door was shaking a little. It had me tensing up even more and now, it wasn’t just because of the man’s smooth and calming, yet totally firm voice.

“Okay! Alright! Goddamn.” I shouted out when the alarm and the door being beaten on and nearly rattled right off it’s hinges finally got to me to a point where I simply couldn’t take it anymore. I waited until I was sure if he heard me or not. The rattling stopped but the alarm continued to wail.

With my heart about to pound right out of my chest, I took the three short steps to the door and reached for the handle.

After keying in the code to unlock, I opened the door, just a sliver, thrusting my machete’s tip out of the crack. “One wrong move, fucko and I’ll slice through you like hot butter.”

The giant of a man on the other side stepped away from the door almost instantly, his hands raised and a bit of an amused and curious gleam in gorgeous gray eyes. I bit my lip and opened the door just a bit wider.

“Who the fuck are you and how the fuck did you find the hatch to get into the tunnel and get down here, huh?”

The man stepped closer, a chuckle rising with a rumble from deep within his chest as he raised a hand, dragging thick digits slowly through long jet black hair that looked like something straight out of a shampoo commercial -or, my mind finished, my wildest sex dreams… I shook away the pesky thought and tensed my body, making myself stand at least a half an inch taller.

The machete stayed at a comfortable height the entire time. All I could do was stare at the damn guy and tap my foot, waiting on his answer.

Finally, after allowing his eyes to roam over me almost as if he were assessing whether I was the threat here, which made me laugh quietly to myself at the thought, he answered my question.

“What, baby girl? You think you’re the only one in the end of days with any brains? Me and my family are actually two doors down. In that next panic room. My name is Roman and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t absolutely need your help…”

I eyed him warily, pointing at myself. “Me? You need my help?”

“And from the looks of it, baby girl, you could use mine.”

My jaw dropped. Maybe it was the endless amount of time I’d been down here. Maybe it was loneliness. But almost by default, when he said the last thing he’d said, my mind went automatically down all the wrong tracks.

I mean, not that I’d kick this Roman guy out of bed or whatever, but was he seriously down here… Propositioning me… For a booty call? In the end times?

The thought had me doubled over in laughter and Roman stood there, thick arms folded over his chest, an unamused look on his face. “The fuck is so funny, huh?”

Through my laughter, I barely managed to get the words out. “You’re seriously down here bothering me for sex?”

He eyed me and scoffed, rolling his eyes and smirking. “Interesting.”

“What?” I held his gaze.

“I come down here to see if you actually were a doctor because I need your help getting meds for my group and you automatically think I wanna fuck.”Roman explained patiently, biting his lips as his eyes met mine.

I raised a brow.

“How’d you know I was a doctor?”

“Heard you talkin to that little old lady about three rooms up. You go up about once a month, right? To get supplies and food and medicine for yourself and some of the others?” Roman asked me to clarify. I nodded and my hand settled on my hip as I met his gaze. “Yeah? What of it?”

“Well, my cousin got hurt real bad earlier and we need a doctor to look at the injury… And I got not one fuckin idea what I need to do, let alone what I need to make sure the guy doesn’t lose a limb…”

“Whoa, whoa… First off, was he bit?”

“If he was bit, family or not, I’d have put him down. He is bleeding real bad and right now, we got his twin brother down there, holding pressure.”

“What the fuck happened?”

“Scavengers up above, man… It’s gettin real bad up there. That’s why I thought I’d come down here and see if maybe you’d come help us… Then maybe we could go up… Together. Now, I’m thinkin… It’s been a while since you went up. And you don’t need to do it alone, baby girl.”

“First of all, I have a name.”

“Do you think that matters anymore? Nothin matters anymore. Will you help us or not? Because either way, I gotta get goin.”

I could tell now that I was actually getting a closer look at the guy that the guy was in a panic, even though to his credit, he was doing a fair job at not showing that. I thought it over and took a deep breath. Reaching for my assault rifle, I turned to him. He eyed the rifle and I insisted, “You guys want my help? You’re gonna deal with me bringing protection. How do I know you’re not one of these scavengers up above you’re talkin about, huh?”

“Okay, fine. Just c’mon… Please?”

“Lead the way, Roman…” I grumbled as I waited on Roman to start the trek down the underground tunnels, to his own area.

And the entire time, I found myself wondering if maybe this weren’t some kind of trap...

#roman reigns #roman reigns fanfiction #roman reigns fanfic #roman reigns fic #roman reigns imagine #roman reigns imagines #my spooktober asks; roman reigns #my writing; roman reigns #my fics; roman reigns #part 1 of 2 - maybe more.. we shall see how it fares in notes.#i know for sure there will be a second part though #soonish #// I'm just gonna do these spooky type things year round too bc it's a nice break from the smut thing I have going tbh #you heard it here first... ash is writing spooky things #bc it's fun

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thisweekingundamwing · 4 years

Text

This Week in Gundam Wing 12-18 July 2020

Here’s this week’s roundup!

Remember to give your content creators some love! And join in on the events at the bottom!

~Mod Hel

Fanfiction/Snippets/AU Ideas:

@anaranesindanarie

Man Lion Thing Dude (Ch. 11) https://archiveofourown.org/works/22449241/chapters/61250557

Mature

Trowa Barton/Duo Maxwell, Triton Bloom/Duo Maxwell

Duo Maxwell, Triton Bloom, Heero Yuy, Quatre Raberba Winner, Chang Wufei, Relena Peacecraft, Dorothy Catalonia, Rashid Kurama, Catherine Bloom, Original Trowa Barton, Treize Khushrenada, Zechs Merquise, Lady Une, Sister Helen (Gundam Wing), Maxwell Shinpu | Father Maxwell, OC's, Original Characters, Hilde Schbeiker, Lucrezia Noin, Solo (Gundam Wing), Long Meilan

Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Were-Creatures, Angst, Alternate Universe, Supernatural Creatures, Family Problems, Arranged Marriage, body guards, mentions of torture, Smut, Wizards, Magic, spells

Duo Maxwell is estranged from the last of his remaining family who are demanding that he return home for an important announcement. Meanwhile, Duo has been having strange encounters with 'wild' animals, all of whom seem to be hunting him.

@bobo-is-tha-bomb

Bad Publicity https://archiveofourown.org/works/25358377

M/F, Heero Yuy/Reader

Heero Yuy, Reader, Hilde Schbeiker

Romance, Drama, Reader Insert, Alternate Universe

You stared, eyes wide with horror, at the front page’s headlines. You quickly made your way to the kitchen, sitting down at the table to scan the article’s content.

@chronicwhimsy

Strangers (Ch. 7) https://archiveofourown.org/works/24357013?view_full_work=true

Chang Wufei/Duo Maxwell, Background Quatre x Relena, Background Heero x Trowa - Character

OC - Oliver McGann

Long Lost Twins, this was meant to be hijinks but then I got reminded these boys have Issues, Pining, Duo is a stressed-out jerk who needs a holiday, Post-EW, Frozen Teardrop can do one, sex in later chapters

If you said the word "brother" to Duo Maxwell, he'd think of the other pilots.

If you said, "no, your long-lost brother" to Duo Maxwell, he'd think of Solo and be very confused.

If you said, "no, your twin brother you were separated from at birth, and he's now working with the Preventers as a lawyer" to Duo Maxwell, he would go and punch his doppelganger.

Duo Maxwell isn't good at dealing with things, but unfortunately this particular thing isn't going to go away that easily.

@doctormegalomania

Your Body’s Poetry (Ch. 21) https://archiveofourown.org/works/20438891/chapters/61448776

Mature

Duo Maxwell/Heero Yuy, Trowa Barton/Quatre Raberba Winner, Chang Wufei/Original Female Character(s), Relena Peacecraft & Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell/Original Male Character(s)

Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner, Chang Wufei, Sally Po, Relena Peacecraft, Lucrezia Noin, Zechs Merquise, Hilde Schbeiker

Past Relationship(s), Slice of Life, Post-Break Up, Slow Burn, Developing Relationship, Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence

Long after the wars, long after peace is established the Gundam Pilots discover one immovable fact: Relationships are hard work.

@duointherain

Beneath: Leprechauns and Clovers (Ch. 8) https://duointherain.tumblr.com/post/623591090469191680/fic-beneath-leprechauns-and-clovers-8

Note: I am taking wild liberties with Irish lore.

“I sorry,” Duo said, genuinely sorry he couldn’t give them what they were asking for, “but I don’t speak Banshee. I barely speak fucking proper Earth English and fuck does that piss folk off sometimes. Why can’t I just kill him? He can’t fuck Rey if he’s dead.”

Beneath: Leprechauns and Clovers (Ch. 9) https://duointherain.tumblr.com/post/624032787912114176/fic-beneath-leprechauns-and-clovers-9

Note: I’m doing Google’s CSSI this summer and one of the cool things they gave us was like an hour long lecture by Dr. Adia Gooden on unconditional self-worth. So that’s where the good advice comes from in this chapter. Link at the bottom.

Fingers on his forehead, thumbs on his jawbones, Duo applied pressure and tried to force back the confusion and irritation. For one thing, he was very, very tired of being outside of his body. This shit wasn’t supposed to happen. It wasn’t supposed to be real, but there he lay on the hearth, hair undone like some maiden in a story with the defense rating of an unattended pastry.

@lifeaftermeteor

LAM!Verse https://lifeaftermeteor.tumblr.com/post/624025327508832256/private-island-location-redacted-fiji-south

Private Island [location redacted]

Fiji, South Pacific

12 August 211

“You’re in my sun,” Quatre said with a grimace, his eyes still closed, to the shadow looming over him.

Respite https://archiveofourown.org/works/25361758

F/F, Lucrezia Noin/Sally Po, Sally Po/Lady Une, Lucrezia Noin/Lady Une, Lucrezia Noin/Sally Po/Lady Une

Romance, Slice of Life, Domestic Fluff, Fluff, Post-Canon, Post-Series, Post-Endless Waltz, Non-binary character, Non-Binary Noin, Polyamory

Noin, Po, and Une take some time away from their responsibilities and daily lives to take a much-deserved romantic retreat out into the woods.

Pride https://archiveofourown.org/works/25361545

Duo Maxwell/Heero Yuy

Post-Canon, Post-Series, Post-Endless Waltz, Fluff, Pride, Gay Pride, Short & Sweet, Slice of Life, Asexual Character, Asexual Duo Maxwell

Duo has only recently come to terms with his asexuality. It took him a long time to understand it, and even longer to embrace it as inherently part of himself. To celebrate, Heero takes him out onto the streets for New York City’s Pride.

Yoiko

Ai no Gekisen (Ch. 12) https://archiveofourown.org/works/7947910/chapters/61463575

Explicit

Gundam Wing, Ai no Kusabi

Zechs Merquise/Heero Yuy

Zechs Merquise, Heero Yuy, Trowa Barton

Rape/Non-Con, dark themes, Sexual Slavery, Bondage, this is not BDSM because there is no consent, Spanking, Public Humiliation, Public Sex, Literal objectification, Aphrodisiacs, Chastity Device, Non-Consensual Drug Use, stress positions, Threats, no actual incest happens in this story

"Given your condition," Zechs said, opting for amusement, "I can't really ask you your name. I think I'll name you 'Heero.' "

katopiyo

Answers https://archiveofourown.org/works/25370617

Duo Maxwell/Quatre Raberba Winner, Duo Maxwell & Quatre Raberba Winner

Post-EW

Duo and Quatre try to kill time on the shuttle back from the former pilots’ and the Preventers’ annual Christmas bash.

Fanart/Crafts/Photo Manips:

@bobo-is-tha-bomb

https://bobo-is-tha-bomb.tumblr.com/post/623923080739340288/i-really-need-to-take-up-art-again-gundamwing

WuFei Chang, fanart

https://bobo-is-tha-bomb.tumblr.com/post/623975050404642817/went-in-and-made-a-water-color-version-i-dug-up

WuFei Chang in color, fanart

@cynfinnegan

https://cynfinnegan.tumblr.com/post/623545925500010497/a-couple-more-gundam-wing-memes-this-time

Relena Darlian/Peacecraft, memes

@gundayum

https://gundayum.tumblr.com/post/623787099348402176/here-have-grown-up-hilde-in-a-god-damn-wedding

Hilde Schbeiker, fanart

@gwfrozentears

https://gwfrozentears.tumblr.com/post/623589386981949440/the-others-gundam-pilots-i-love-duoooo

WuFei Chang, Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner, & Duo Maxwell, fanart

@janaverse

https://janaverse.tumblr.com/post/623375597101596672/i-am-duo-maxwell-is-done-and-contains-as-much

Duo Maxwell, edit

@lemontrash

https://lemontrash.tumblr.com/post/622889139332956160/gundam-wing-art-party-had-a-voice-chat-party

WuFei Chang, fanart

Photosets/Gifsets/Screenshots/Manga Pages:

@cuteciboulette

https://cuteciboulette.tumblr.com/post/623474633219424256/cynfinnegan-super-robot-wars-dd-no-relena

@cynfinnegan (for the original game trailer)

Ok so I might have gotten a tiiiiny screen cap heavy here on Heero and most of all Duo…

(Also, the Gundams are so damn cute!!)

Here is Heero & Wing

https://cuteciboulette.tumblr.com/post/623475306697801728/cynfinnegan-super-robot-wars-dd-no-relena

And here’s Duo & Deathscythe Hell (for whom and which I had to make a selection because I took 20 cap of DS, 12 of Duo + all 6 “avatars” variations).

https://cuteciboulette.tumblr.com/post/623628937542680576/i-cant-remember-if-i-ever-own-this-sheet-of-gw

Gundam Wing Stationary page

@janaverse

https://janaverse.tumblr.com/post/623994461266034688/every-activity-in-the-household-is-up-for-grabs

Duo Maxwell, Sims, screencap

https://janaverse.tumblr.com/post/623555650802401280/duo-is-thinking-about-a-what-to-do-next-b

Duo Maxwell, Sims, screencap

https://janaverse.tumblr.com/post/623552160137953280/heero-playing-refuge-and-dodging-arrows

Heero Yuy, Sims, screencap

https://janaverse.tumblr.com/post/623551604048723968/i-titled-this-one-holy-crap-poor-duo-because-it

Heero Yuy, Sims, screencap

Head Canons:

@jinsai-ish

https://jinsai-ish.tumblr.com/post/623456882470928384/random-thoughts-on-gundam-wing-and-coffee-not

Random Thoughts on Gundam Wing and coffee

Fandom Discourse:

@lifeaftermeteor

https://lifeaftermeteor.tumblr.com/post/623926733835583488/worldbuilding-in-the-ac-univere

World building collection on AO3

Quotes:

@helmistress

https://helmistress.tumblr.com/post/623998635640815616/duo-goth-clowns-are-just-mimes-quatre-my

@incorrectgundamwingquotes

Quatre & Duo

@incorrectgundamwingquotes

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/623557208176754688/trowa-i-dont-really-like-this-mission-peer

Trowa & Heero

MoodBoard/Aesthetics/Playlists:

@lifeaftermeteor

https://lifeaftermeteor.tumblr.com/post/623995934438752256/respite-lifeaftermeteor

Noin/Sally/Une compilation

https://lifeaftermeteor.tumblr.com/post/623995413604810752/pride-lifeaftermeteor

Heero/Duo compilation

Calendar Events:

@gwcocktailfriday

Cocktail Fridays!

Post responses on Friday, during Happy Hour between 3 & 5 pm in your own timezone.

Here’s the prompt for Friday, July 24th! https://gwcocktailfriday.tumblr.com/post/623987548985966592/cocktail-friday-post-responses-on-friday-july

In need of SUMMER & FALL/AUTUMN prompts!

@gwoc-october

GW OC October 2020!

Help pick out prompts! https://gwoc-october.tumblr.com/post/621130082429337600/hello-gundam-wing-folks-thats-right-gw-oc

@seasons-of-gundamwing

Summer of Hilde!

Needs more prompts! https://seasons-of-gundamwing.tumblr.com/post/622567839387271168/summer-of-hilde-prompt-call

@thisweekingundamevents

Events Calendar

https://thisweekingundamevents.tumblr.com/post/624053314842230784/event-calendar-update

If you are hosting an event currently, or are planning on one, hit us up with links and dates! We’ll add them to the Calendar and reblog your notices to get the word out!

#Gundam Wing #This Week in Gundam Wing #Weekly Roundup #12-18 July 2020

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100storiesin2020 · 4 years

Text

Chapter 8: Columbia, Part 2

Come read on AO3!

Neil checked the rear view mirror to make sure Ronan's BMW was still behind them before hopping out of the Maserati. He fetched an extra parking pass and handed it to Ronan through the window. "Follow Andrew to the parking lot. Blue, you can walk with them or come in with us." She hopped out as the two cars peeled off.

"So this is Eden's," she said as Nicky began an elaborate handshake with security. "How long have y'all been coming here?"

"Nicky and the twins used to work here," he said. "The staff remembers them, so we are able to get in without ID's and drink for free."

"Nice," was all she said as they entered. He directed her to go sit with the others and headed to the bar.

"Hello!" Roland called when he noticed Neil. He nodded his head over to their usual table in the corner. "I see you have a new face today. Will it be the usual treatment for them?"

"No," Neil said. "No drugs. Do throw in several extra drinks, though. We have another extra coming in with Andrew."

"Oh," Roland drew out, raising an eyebrow. "What's the story there?" Neil shrugged. He didn't really know why Ronan was there, actually. They had only wanted Blue. Roland continued to wait for an explanation, but finally realized it was in vain. "Alright then." He started to pull out glasses. "I'll give you your usual and a few undoctored extras. Do you have any idea what they like?" Roland smiled when Neil shook his head. "Bartender's choice, then. And a soda for you, as usual." He handed the very full tray to Neil. "Have a nice night!"

Neil navigated his way over to the table. Andrew and Ronan had arrived, and the booth was very crowded. Nicky had pulled up a bar stool to sit on, which made just enough space is everyone squeezed in. Blue was looking around interestedly, while Ronan was lounging as if bored out of his mind. Kevin reached for the drinks before they even hit the table, but Aaron didn't look up from texting long enough to notice.

"So," Blue said as Neil took his seat by Andrew, "You did say this was free?" Nicky excitedly launched into the story of how he had worked there. Blue nodded along as if she hadn't already heard. "Cool then. What's the most expensive thing here?" Nicky pointed out a swirly colorful concoction and Blue snapped it right up. "This is mine, then."

Ronan laughed. "You're not going to get drunk on a sissy drink like that."

"Good thing I wasn't planning to get drunk. Go to town, shithead." Ronan immediately kicked back several drinks. "And give me your keys before those give in." Ronan grumbled but handed over the keys. Somehow, he and Kevin were neck in neck for number of drinks consumed. How they were still alive, Neil didn't know. Eventually Nicky dragged Aaron and Kevin off to go dance, leaving Neil and Andrew alone with the freshmen.

Andrew immediately leaned across the table, looking Blue straight in the eye. "You're suspicious."

"You don't know the half of it," Blue replied, sipping her drink. Her eyes had gone tight, body stiff, like she was absolutely dreading this conversation. She didn't back down, though. This girl was made of steel.

"How do you know Mr. Gray?" Andrew asked.

Ronan leaned forward menacingly. "You don't need to know that."

Blue elbowed him before leveling a glare. "I promised to answer some questions about Mr. Gray. He kind of scared the shit out of Josten here. I can handle this. Go dance." When he tried to argue she shoved him out of the seat. He picked himself up off the floor, muttering curses, but did eventually leave. Blue turned back to them. "I believe I told you that he is dating my mother."

"Why is a small-town psychic dating a hit man, then?"

Blue was shocked. "You can't just say that were anyone can hear."

"This is a club. It's too loud for anyone to be listening to us without being obvious. Answer the question."

"He came to her to get a reading when he was in Henrietta... on assignment," she said with a grimace. "They apparently hit it off quickly. I kind of avoided learning the details."

"That leaves out the very important question of why a hit man was in Henrietta," Neil stated.

Blue glared at him. "All you two need to know," she said slowly, "is whether we're a risk. I know about the Butcher and the Moriyamas." Neil flinched. "Mr. Gray explained the situation and dynamics to me when I signed the contract. We aren't a target for them, and it's my understanding that you've got everything settled here. Is there anything else?"

"Can you protect them?" Andrew asked.

"What?"

"If something goes wrong, I will not protect them. That's up to you."

Blue nodded. "I've lost enough of my friends this last year. Nobody will touch them ever again." Andrew leaned back, satisfied, and went back to drinking. Blue sipped her drink for another minute or so and then left to dance.

"I think she'll be alright," Neil said in German. Andrew grunted. "She has the look of someone who isn't afraid to fight."

"She has scars," Andrew replied. "Around her eye."

Neil nodded thoughtfully. "Must wear makeup to hide them. What did you think of the rest of what she said? Nicky says she mentioned a friend dying recently, and she let slip that Gansey has died twice, whatever that means." Andrew hummed. "I think she has plenty of motivation to be on the lookout."

They sat there in silence for awhile, lights flashing on Andrew's blond hair. It still surprised Neil, sometimes, how much things had changed for him in the last year. He still hated crowds, didn't like loud music or drinking, but he liked Eden's. This was Andrew's territory, and with Andrew, he was safe. He was home.

His thoughts were interrupted by the others coming back to the table. Kevin and Ronan eyed each other as they both did more shots. Blue said something about fragile male egos and the two of them flipped her the bird, rather clumsily. They were both pretty drunk.

"Fuckin Gray man," Ronan muttered. What was that accent coming through the slur? "Someday I'll get even with him."

"You're already even with the person who matters," Blue replied. That was interesting.

"Fuckin Greenmantle deserved what he fuckin got." Neil could place the accent now.

Kevin did too. "You sound... you sound like my mom used to," he stammered. "Irish. Are you Irish?"

"Dad was Irish," Ronan grumbled.

"He gets the accent when he's drunk," Blue supplied cheerily. "It embarrasses the hell out of him." Ronan flipped her off yet again.

"My mom was Irish," Kevin said. "I haven't heard that accent since she died. She used to tell me all these old stories..." he trailed off softly. "I wish I could remember them."

"Did she tell you the legend of Finn McCool?"

"The giant?" Kevin asked hopefully. "I think so, that one sounds familiar. I remember a really sad story too. It was her favorite. Something about a girl who was supposed to marry a king but started a war?"

Ronan nodded. "Sounds like Deidre, at least if my mom told me the same stories yours did." Neil listened with half an ear as the two of them continued to swap pieces of folk tales. They had a few in common, and others they did not. Ronan seemed less sharp in those moments, less like a knife and more like a person. It didn't last long. Kevin asked Ronan something about his father, and the sharpness returned.

"That's our cue to go," Blue said as Ronan stomped to his feet.

"But I want to keep dancing!" Nicky said.

"No, she's right," Neil replied. "It's late, even for us. Let's go home." Neil helped a swaying Nicky while Andrew grabbed Kevin, and he saw Blue half dragging a protesting Ronan out to the car. Neil overheard something about pint sized freak and I could take him, but he didn't hear Blue's reply. Whatever it was, it made Ronan laugh wickedly.

Neil deposited Nicky in the backseat with Kevin and Aaron and hopped in front next to Andrew. They watched in the mirror as Blue forcibly shoved Ronan into the backseat and held the door open for the raven to fly back in from where it was perched on the roof. Blue climbed into the car and they all drove the 15 minutes or so to the Columbia house, making sure not to lose her. Neil watched Andrew drive as the drunk ones argued in the backseat. "Staring," was all Andrew said, eyes still on the road. Neil only grinned and kept looking.

They pulled up to the house, the BMW just behind. Neil hopped out of the car and unlocked the house door as the others spilled out of their cars, Nicky and Kevin lurching from side to side. Blue was hauling Ronan by one arm with the raven perched on her head. Aaron was mostly upright; he's started drinking less after Katelyn had asked him to.

"Alright Nicky," Neil said. "Don't forget you gave up your room for Blue."

"An act of pure chivalry," Nicky said with a laugh. "To the couch!"

"Aaron, Kevin is going to sleep in the armchair in your room."

"I remember," Aaron said with a shrug. That may have been the most civil exchange they'd ever had, Neil realized after a second. Kevin stumbled inside, complaining about how armchairs always hurt his back, as if he didn't end up on the floor half the time when he was this drunk.

Then it was Blue. "You're in Nicky's room," Neil said. "Just down the hall, second door on the left. We didn't really figure anything out for Ronan, though there's an armchair in the living room. Please keep the bird outside though."

Blue only shrugged. "I'll take him with me. I'll need to keep an eye on him, anyway. Scram, girl." Chainsaw cawed defiantly but eventually flew into the darkness.

Everyone situated, Neil headed up to the room where Andrew was already climbing into bed. Neil threw on his pjs and climbed in after. "Yes or no?"

Andrew thought for a moment. "No." Neil nodded; there were strange people in the house, and it was hard for Andrew to relax even with the bedroom door locked. He probably wouldn't get much sleep tonight. Neil turned off the light and was asleep quickly.

A few hours later he woke with a start as he heard a shriek and a thump downstairs. It sounded like Blue. Neil and Andrew both sat upright in an instant, hands going for knives but coming up empty. They grabbed the knives from the bedside table and ran down the stairs. Chances were that she had simply fallen out of bed, but after the hard lives they had lived it was difficult to ignore any sound that resembled a threat.

Neil gave a loud knock and called, "Coming in!" before opening the door.

Ronan was in the bed, just barely starting to sit up. He had scratches on his face and arms. Blue was standing over a... creature, her pajamas soaked with blood. The thing resembled a bat, almost, only bigger than a person, and it had wicked claws. Neil watched as it took its last breath before Blue plunged a pink knife into its eye.

She looked up at them, hair wild, eyes untrusting. Neil almost expected the knife to come for him next, but then her face settled, as if she had made a decision she didn't like.

"Do you guys know where we can hide a body?"

#a chainsaw in fox tower #trc #the raven cycle #aftg #all for the game #crossover #ronan lynch #blue sargent #andrew minyard #neil josten #nicky hemmick #kevin day #aaron minyard #columbia #tw: blood #tw: violence #tw: drinking #this is columbia. you know the drill #no drugs though

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hopewritcs · 5 years

Text

the prodigal sister. four.

pairing: familial byers fam x reader, romantic paring tbd

word count: 2.7k

summary: y/n is the middle sibling of the byers brothers. she’s just ten months younger than jonathan, making the pair “irish twins”. except when her father and mother got divorced, lonnie got custody of y/n and took her away from the rest of the family.

notes: okay so i realized that i was calling the tps chapters parts when i was organizing stuff and now i’ve decided that i’m going to use the term chapter for here too. i don’t think anyone but me noticed but it bugged me lol. and here’s part four! here you get introduced to hopper in the fic, and another night at the arcade!

other chapters: masterlist

tps tag list: @irreleventmoonchild, @rockyrocket15, @the-fae-child, @bucky4cap45, @pinklyrium ( most of the tags seem to be broken so, if u wanna be added/readded to the tag list just let me know ! )

It was a cold midwestern mid-January morning the next morning when Y/N woke up. For the local Hawkins school it was already the beginning of the semester, but back at her boarding school in California, the semester didn’t begin until the beginning of February. So now, switching schools, she’d have to play catch up.

Which is why, when her mother insisted upon taking Y/N along to work with her ( Joyce was still worried about anything happening if any of her kids were home alone, and Y/N had seen the slight hint of panic in her mother’s eyes and agreed to go with her ), they stopped at the school and grabbed a packet of what she missed at school. So the scene that Chief Hopper walked into at Melvald’s--Joyce stickering the discounted items and Y/N sitting on a metal stool behind one of the registers, a textbook propped in her lap--confused him briefly, before he remembered that Joyce had three kids. This must be her daughter.

When Hopper cleared his throat both of the Byers women looked up from what they were working on and, at the same time, waved to Hopper.

“Hey Hop, what do you need?” Joyce asked, putting down the sticker gun and walking back over toward her daughter, placing a hand on her shoulders, “This is Y/N, my daughter. I don’t think you’ve ever met her.”

Y/N extended her hand and looked at Hopper with a bright smile, “Hey, good to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Hopper had made his way to where the women stood, taking Y/N’s extended hand and shaking it slowly as he looked between the two. A quick flutter went through his chest which he pushed down as he shook his head and spoke again, “A lot?”

“They told me about everything.” Y/N explained, head going back down to the textbook in her lap as she carefully looked up to the chief of police to watch his reaction.

“Are we just going to tell everyone now?” Jim quietly exclaimed, knowing he could have been louder ( angrier ) in the nearly empty store. He was just worried that the more people who knew about everything would mean more people who could hurt Jane. And they were all still recovering from what happened at the lab back in November. “Where’s Melvald? Let’s let him in too in case you need to take off randomly!” He knew it was a bit of an overreaction, but it was his protective instincts kicking in.

“She’s not just anyone, Hop. She’s my daughter.” Joyce replied defensively, putting her hands on her hips.

“So?”

“So?!”

“She’s sitting right here, she can hear you.” Y/N said, not taking her eyes off of the paragraph she’d intended to read ( even if she wasn’t entirely focused on the context of the words in front of her at the moment ) when she spoke. “You can’t expect them to hide the whole reason why apparently everyone spent some time thinking that Will might be dead. Finding that shit out is kind of a big deal. I mean, my dad hid that shit from me for a whole fucking year pretty much.” Y/N’s eyebrows shot up as she spoke the last bit, finally looking over at the man across the counter.

“Language.” Joyce muttered to herself, shaking her head. She turned her attention away from her daughter to look over at Hopper with a tight lipped smile. “She’s staying here from now on. She needed to know.”

“Fine.” Hopper grumbled after a couple of moments of silence with ( what he thought was a scarily similar ) look from both Joyce and Y/N.

After a couple more moments, everyone seemed satisfied and Joyce and Hopper moved back over to one of the shelves as Y/N continued to work on the homework she had.

A couple of days later at home, the kids were in the living room all working on their respective homework before heading out to their nightly activities. Jonathan and Nancy were going out--Jonathan complaining about the fact that Nancy was dragging him to some party under his breath--while Will and Y/N were going to go to the arcade with the kids. Will didn’t even complain, because Y/N had said she wanted to try for a high score on “that Dig Dug game”.

After the third time Jonathan grumbled to himself, Y/N nudged his shoulder and looked at him out of the corner of her eyes, “This is what happens when you date a popular girl, Jon. She’s got to go to these things with her friends and she wants you to go too because she loves you.” Y/N sing-songed the word love, dragging it out for s couple of notes with a bit of a chuckle both from herself and from Will on her other side, sitting in the chair.

“Yeah, well she knows I don’t like these parties.” Jonathan scrunched his face up as he crossed something off on his notebook paper before writing again.

“Just bring your camera and take pictures if she wanders off with her friends.” Y/N shrugged, going back to her work. The good thing about switching schools was that, in some cases, she was ahead in the work. In California she had already read the play the English class was working on, so she didn’t need to do much except for answer the questions on the reading sheets she’d gotten.

“That’s not a bad idea, I guess.” Jonathan muttered under his breath.

“What was that? Sorry, I couldn’t hear you!” as if to emphasize her point, she cupped one of her hands around her ear as she continued to speak, “Did you say that was a good idea?” she was teasing him, a grin across her lips as she turned to look at Jonathan who just pursed his lips. “Aw come on!” She dropped her hand back down to her sides and looked at her brother.

Eventually, after a couple of minutes of the pair just staring at each other, Jonathan broke and he smiled back at his sister which seemed to make her happy and she went back to her work. She felt like in the short week it had been since she’d gotten home at first, that she was finally reconnecting with her siblings again.

And her heart tugged in her chest. She hated that she’d missed out on the big stuff, sure. But it was the little things too, teasing Jonathan or taking Will around town, that she missed even more.

When she’d think of going home ever, it was these kinds of moments that she thought about. Sitting in the living room, doing homework. Nothing major happening.

Being true to his word, Steve did call the Byers house and let Joyce, who had picked up the phone, know that he would be by in a couple of minutes for Y/N and Will. Of course, Y/N seemed to think it was a bit ridiculous, but wasn’t going to argue. She’d take riding in a car with a heater than walking in the cold air any day.

She and Will stood outside, waiting for the car to pull up and when it did, Y/N watched as Dustin grumpily got out of the passengers seat and left the door open before heading into the back and keeping the door open for Will.

“I don’t get why she gets the front seat. You picked me up first, Steve!” Dustin’s shout could be heard from halfway up the driveway as Y/N and Will made their way to the car. Y/N turned to look at Will with raised eyebrows who just replied with a shrug as he got into the car and closed the door.

“Because she’s older and your friend’s in the backseat. Shut up, Dustin.” Steve exclaimed back as Y/N got into the car and he drove off to the arcade.

“But I was first!” Dustin said a couple of minutes later after the silence, save for the radio playing, got the better of him.

“Not on the planet.” Y/N said, turning to look back at him with a grin, showing him that her comment was simply teasing. “Anyway, we just got the word that I’ll be going to school with you guys on Monday.” Y/N said, turning back to the front and looking over at Steve.

“Cool. Do you have your schedule yet?” he asked, glancing at her as he continued to keep his focus on the road in front of him.

Y/N shook her head, “Nah, I gotta pick it up that morning from the principal’s office. But I have all the homework I missed from the core classes already, I guess it just depends on what electives they give me.”

“I guess I’ll see you on Monday, then. What grade are you in?”

“Junior, with Jonathan and Nancy. I skipped ahead a year back in middle school.”

“You skipped a grade?” Dustin exclaimed from the backseat and leaned forward to look at Will’s sister.

Y/N nodded, “Yeah, it’s not a big deal. I think the principal and guidance counsellor’s words were that she’s not being challenged to the best extent in this grade, she’s already finished all the English and History work for the next month from the syllabus.” She explained, doing her best to make her voice a bit deeper when she explained what the school authority figures had said to her. It had been just a year after her leaving Hawkins too, her parents splitting up when she was just moving into middle school.

“I didn’t know that. Does Jonathan know?” Will asked, his head tilted to the side as he asked, looking at his sister’s reflection in the rearview mirror.

Y/N shrugged, “I think I told him in one of the letters we used to write.”

“That’s cool that you skipped a grade.” Dustin hummed, grinning.

“It’s not that big of a deal, really. I’m not like, super smart. I’ve got a good memory though.” Y/N explained shyly, turning her attention out the window as they pulled up to the arcade.

Their arrival seemed to signal the end of the conversation as the kids immediately got out of the car before Steve even pulled the key out of the ignition and ran to meet the rest of the party inside the arcade.

Steve turned to look at Y/N, “Are you gonna go in with them?”

Y/N nodded, “Yup. I’m either going home with the high score on that one game, or I’ll finish this book.” she explained, pulling the book she’d brought with her out of her bag and shrugged.

“Okay. Cool. I’ll come in too.” Steve said, flipping his keys in his hands and then putting them in the pocket of his jacket. Before Y/N could even ask why, he was already out of the car and headed for the door.

Y/N got out too, closing the door gently and heading toward the door of the arcade when she heard the loud sounds of AC/DC blasting down the otherwise quiet Hawkins street. She turned her head and watched as a camaro pulled up to a quick and screeching halt in front of her, the redheaded Max getting out of the car holding tightly to her skateboard. She gave a half wave to Y/N before turning back and flipping off her step-brother and making her way inside the arcade.

“What are you doing here, Y/N?” Billy called, leaning out of the driver’s side window and looking at her, his hair falling into his eyes as he did so. Y/N just crossed her arms against her chest and gestured with her head to the arcade, where all the kids were standing inside, looking out the window at the scene. A look crossed Billy’s features and he nodded his head. “Right. Byers. Forgot.” he tapped his hand on the side of his car, the other still holding tightly to the wheel. “So you actually hang out with the kids? What are you babysitting them?” He scoffed, shaking his head and turning to look at the arcade for a brief moment before looking back at her. “And with Steve Harrington? Seriously?”

“I’m not babysitting, Billy. I’m hanging out with my brother, which I happen to enjoy. I’m sure that you don’t feel the same way about your step-sister, but some of us like our siblings.” Y/N replied with a quick glance toward the arcade and flashing everyone a smile. She didn’t understand why they all hated Billy. Sure, the Billy she knew back in California could have been a jerk too. He typically played with girls. But she was having a hard time putting the Billy she knew together with the Billy they’d all described and told her about her first night home.

“It’s an arcade, Y/N. That’s not fun.”

“Maybe not if you suck at video games. Is that your problem, Billy? Your kid sister is better than you at video games?” her tone was completely joking, a grin across her face and a giggle passing her lips as she spoke.

Billy just shook his head. He almost wanted to bite back a comment at her, but he’d known her for a couple of years, and he knew that she wasn’t saying that to press his buttons but to joke with him. He almost missed California more in that moment, where he felt more relaxed. He looked at her, a simple, “Shut up, Y/N.” as his reply.

They both stayed in their spots quietly for a moment, Y/N’s hands having dropped to her sides, but one of them holding tightly to the band of her purse and Billy looking more relaxed than he had been when he showed up to drop Max off at the arcade.

“I’ve got to go. I’ve got a date.” Billy said after another couple of moments, turning to look at the clock on his dashboard and then look back at Y/N.

“I’ve got kids to babysit.” she laughed, rolling her eyes as she used what Billy had called it a moment before. She took a couple of steps away from the two cars and headed for the arcade door, where she watched from the corner of her eyes as everyone moved quickly so they weren’t standing right at the windowed front of the shop as if they hadn’t been eavesdropping. A chuckle, more air than sound, came from her as she turned back to look at Billy, still not having moved from leaning out of his camaro. “I’ll see you at school on Monday, Hargrove.”

“See ya Byers.”

As she waved, Billy’s car engine revved as he sped off down the road, the song switching to another AC/DC track. Y/N watched for a moment as the car was quickly out of her sight of vision as she turned to go into the arcade.

“Will said you knew Billy but I didn’t believe him.” Came Dustin’s comment, not looking up from the game they group had begun to play.

“Yeah, how do you know my step-brother?” Max asked, looking up at Y/N with a confused look.

“He went to school around the boarding school in California. He was friends with some guys from our brother school and he knew my roommate last year.” Y/N explained with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Hargrove’s trouble.” Steve said from her left, and she turned to look at him. “‘m just saying.” Steve held up his hands defensively, shrugging his shoulders.

“Billy’s fine. I can be friends with whoever I want to be friends with, guys. Don’t make this into a big thing.” Y/N sighed, sitting up on one of the tables around the machines and shaking her head. She couldn’t believe she was having this conversation again.

“We’re just looking out for you.” Will said quietly, offering his sister a smile.

“Yeah, Billy’s a dick.” Lucas interjected.

“He beat the shit out of Steve, remember!” Dustin said, finally his attention on the conversation as the game he’d been playing had been lost.

“I could have taken him.”

“Sure buddy. How many fights have you actually won, again?”

Y/N rolled her eyes and listened to the conversation they were having before turning her own head and grabbing the book from her bag and letting the rest of them move off of the topic on their own.

#will byers x reader #jonathan byers x reader #billy hargrove x reader #steve harrington x reader #stranger things x reader #the prodigal sister

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truthisgoldenau · 4 years

Text

IT'S PRIDE MONTH

for a moment there I accidentally had Pierce's photo under Marian's name oop

Time to officially confirm some AU canon LGBT stuff! Each character is their own pride flag but I'll add in other stuff that's canon in universe plus some bonus stuff at the bottom.

First up is Freddy Fazbear Jr! Gay all the way.

He's definitely the "move I'm gay" type

Was honestly super freaked out to tell his dad but went with the bold approach of bringing home his first boyfriend and blatantly announcing their relationship as such as a challenge and was honestly surprised his dad wasn't bothered by it

He was around 13 at the time and so the twins and Fred were still in touch with Maddie's parents and brother. All three were incredibly supportive (and still would be)

He absolutely had a crush on Bonnie Burnette even though he had never talked to him. Since the twins and Bonnie went to the same high school he knew of Bonnie, thought he was a dreamboat, but because Bonnie was somehow in with the popular kids (it was the money 100%) Freddy didn't even bother

Frankie Fazbear! My ace son! (The ears are wrong blame the app lol)

Honestly doesn't even know he's ace until much later

He's had crushes before but he's never been in a relationship (part of it is the attempt to communicate since he's mute sort of stops him)

He wasn't even sure it was worth mentioning to his dad so Fred never knew

This boy can hold so much love in his heart but he's not a very physical person that's all

Fred Fazbear Sr! YES. HE'S BI.

Only Maddie even knew he was bi. That he knew of. Some people probably figured it out with his over the top always on personality.

Fred was constantly sure that Pierce picked up on it particularly after the Christmas mistletoe fiasco but if Pierce gave a shit he never said anything.

Frankly it was amazing that more people didn't pick up on it. He was over the top about everything until a point.

While he didn't overreact to his son very blatantly announcing he had a boyfriend, he was very proud of him. It was a very Fazbear family way to come out. Even though he got so distant, he was always proud of his boys.

Bonnie Burnette! Also bi!

Being constantly surrounded by the popular crowd and always being the sort of stand out with purple hair and stupid purple bunny ears didn't do much to make Bonnie feel like he could even tell anyone he was bi.

Really the only reason he was even in the popular crowd was he was rich.

It made him less of a target for bullies at least cause the jocks wouldn't stand for anyone messing with him.

Knew Frankie from math class and honestly wished he could have talked to the quiet kid with bear ears as an alternative to the entirety of the popular group

Sort of in the background of the AU story very quietly develops a crush on Freddy and then thinks "oh God I like the troublemaker NO"

Chandler Cicily! Lesbian!

Would absolutely describe her sexuality as "girls"

She's starting to discover it during the AU (even if it's not a topic that comes up but that's why there's this post about stuff lmao).

She's the baby of the group since she's 16 when the story starts and relationships aren't important to her yet

But the crew still support her when later she's like "maybe I just wanna bake things for a cute girl and let her put flowers in my hair is that too much to ask" (Marian always chimes in with "mood")

Marian Mengele! An absolute bi icon!

Listen, her one goal in life may be to find her lost childhood friend, but that doesn't mean she's solely interested in this one Irish redhead

That said she's definitely only dated redheads

She's not afraid to be open about her orientation. It doesn't bother her. She's seen as weird already what can it hurt.

That said she falls for Finn so goddamn fast when she finds him that she questions herself and then is like "no wait I'm definitely not straight"

She's very upfront with Finn about it. There's no reason to hide this from him (or anyone) and if they're a thing she wants him to know.

Finn being the wonderful human being still loves her and it doesn't bother him. Why should it? He's just happy to be with someone who loves him.

Chetana might be Chandler's fake big sister but Marian is like fake mama when it comes to Chandler finally coming out.

God bless Finn for being the kind of person to sit and let Marian braid his hair with flowers because that's one of Marian's favorite things to do when her partner has longer hair and Finn's never really bothered with keeping his hair short THESE TWO ARE ICONIC I love them

Pierce Graves! A shitty pansexual icon

First off he absolutely knew that Fred wasn't 100% straight he had no idea how it wasn't immediately obvious to everyone

That said Pierce literally did not give a shit who knew about his sexuality

As shitty as his whole personality was he could turn on the charm easily

His parents definitely knew but he was already a punk ass rebellious teen at the time so they have him the "be careful, don't get anyone pregnant" talk and worried from afar. If it bothered them, Pierce never knew because they made sure that he could still count on them (even though at the time Pierce didn't really talk to them much about anything)

Fred absolutely knew though I mean they were good friends

He's not a romantic. He's never really had a meaningful relationship because he's not that type of person. To be honest, there's a piece of him that saw relationships that worked and wondered how that would feel but he knew that wasn't for him. He figured that out way early on when he asked his granddad why he didn't have a grandma and Mortimer Graves didn't sugarcoat the answer. "She wasn't happy with me. I gave her the choice. She could stay and be miserable with my lack of a decent personality even though I was already struggling to not be such an ass or she could go and find someone who actually made her happy. She chose happiness, and while it sucks that she drifted out of my life and your dad's, she's better off."

Pierce could frankly always tell that he was more like his granddad and as much as he sometimes wanted to know if he could even out up with a meaningful relationship, he avoided it. Better to not hurt anyone and wonder than to become the catalyst for someone else to overcome, right?

Fritz Smith! Gay!

The shy bumbling mechanic of the early 90s Freddy's ? Gay? It's more likely than you think

He was still far in the closet in the 90s He was young, living at home still because he had just gotten out of school, and while his parents weren't super conservative, he also didn't know how they'd take it

Found a friend in the day guard Mike Schmidt early on. Mike was looking for a roommate since his last one had moved out and Fritz jumped at the chance

They are like totally boyfriends by the time they cameo in the story though

Mike Schmidt! Another gay icon!

Mostly invited Fritz to live at his apartment because he felt bad that this poor shy mechanic was getting constantly harangued about the animatronics having problems

Was glad to let Fritz complain about it and even cry it was very stressful but Fritz needed the money

Mike liked him. It would be hard not to really. Fritz was a sweetheart.

Mike didn't ask him out till much later though he wasn't quite sure that Fritz was gay and didn't want to ruin their friendship.

Luckily it didn't and as it turns out they worked well in a relationship.

Fritz's parents had to take some time to get used to it when finally Fritz got the nerve to tell them but as soon as they did there was no end of support from them

Mike's parents were the opposite which was mainly why he already lived by himself but oh well he got a cute boyfriend and cool parents-in-law later it was kind of a win

Daniel Hartford-Dunn! Gay!

Presenting Maddie's older brother!

outside universe fact, he's loosely based in my actual cousin who lives in California with his husband.

He's 7 years older than Maddie was. Despite that, they were still close. Maddie's parents wanted more kids but struggled to get the two they had.

He's an accountant for a corporation and his boyfriend (and later his husband) is a pilot.

Last time he saw his nephews in person was at Maddie's funeral. He misses them terribly but over the years less and less contact came from his brother in law

Sometime in 2006 though he ends up getting a call from his nephews and there's this great reunion.

He's just. This chill older guy. Who loves his family. And doesn't care what people think.

Since I can't put anymore photos, here's the bonus content!

-as mentioned last night Dr. Phillip Guy is on the ace spectrum. I don't have anymore details about that at the moment unfortunately.

-Charlie Emily is a lesbian. The Emily twins were born in 1980. They haven't appeared in the AU yet even as cameos but they exist. Considering in AU canon the Emily family is alive and well in Hurricane, Utah without an Afton to be found, Charlie's dating her childhood friend Jessica at around the time the AU events are happening.

-Sammy Emily is trans and bi. Both Henry and his wife (who I know I at one point named but don't remember what it is anymore) love their two daughters to pieces.

That said I'll make a post at a later point introducing the Emily family because so far I've only officially given the design for Henry and not the rest.

In line with canon, Spring Bonnie/Springtrap can be counted as gay.

While Fred kept the shows at the diner pretty simple and straightforward, there was definitely this subtle underlying idea that Spring Bonnie and Fredbear were a content gay couple although if asked it was easy to present them as friends. At least, that was during '81-'82

However!

Fred also had Henry help him program in a special one time only song called Springtime for his and Maddie's anniversary in 1983, which was of course a love song. Fred always thought of that as being mostly for his wife, and partially as a turning point thematically for the two characters.

Henry was on board with this. They still kept it subtle, but there were clear moments where it was pretty much certain that the only way to interpret Spring Bonnie and Fredbear was as a couple. It was either so subtle that no one was bothered or Spring Bonnie's chosen voice was so ambiguously non-binary that no one thought it was odd.

Fred had plans for it to become more "canon" but never got to implement them since Spring Bonnie got damaged before he could.

Springtrap, being sentient and able to later interpret his emotions, is very confused about how he as a machine was meant to feel about this character he knew but the more sentient he becomes the more aware he is that he misses Fredbear and that he loved him. It's the cause of a lot of internal conflict for him. But he can be counted in the category of LGBT characters in the AU.

Happy pride month ya'll! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

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ronanbloomfield · 4 years

Text

After 2 a.m.

by Ronan Bloomfield

I see him. Everywhere. On the kitchen counter, legs dangling off, talking to our friends. His hands, on her waist. His eyes, searching, curious. His laugh, loud but unoffensive. He makes the whole room focus on him. Vash, in all his curly-haired, dark eyes, wide smile bravado, made his way into our circle without so much as dropping a sweat. I should’ve brought more liquor if I knew he’s the one Michelle brought for a date.

New Year’s at cousin Mark’s town house is a huge deal this year. He announced that he won’t let anyone pass inside without bringing a plus one. I brought Patrick. Mark wasn’t so thrilled about that since Patrick happened to be my cat.

At the countdown, everyone seems pretty wasted. A clear sign of Mark’s year-end objective is people making out in the open with careless nonchalance. My job is to take decent snaps of everything indecent that’s happened.

Vash sweeps in and out of the room, towing Michelle, whose neutral expression always seems to be lying across between bright and blasting; a firecracker never running out of sparks. There was phrase in Latin I always use to describe her, in omnia paratus, ready for anything. Standing by the sideline and noticing everything, I made room for the pulsing life of the party, without being in the party.

After the countdown, Vash, the center of this universe, gave a toast to welcome another decade.

“May misfortune follow us all the way through,” he raised his cup. We booed.

“And may it never catch up,” he continued. We drank to that.

Unless they’re Irish, who else makes up stuff like that when they’re only 16% sober?

Mark’s house eventually got quiet as people slumped into couches and the available rooms. Some couple mysteriously disappeared halfway through eating the 2020 cake.

It’s 2:15 a.m. and after drinking booze more than both my fingers can count, I am officially tipsy. It sucks. I just can’t get drunk enough to not mind the empty cups and bottles lying around the living room, the wine spilled on the kitchen floor, throw pillows askew on the couches; every mess I spot seems to loom in on me and vacuum what’s left of my sobriety.

I grabbed the trash bag and made my way through every spot that we partied on. The room is spinning too fast for me so I slowed down and played a soft music from Spotify. I let it travel from the living room to my last destination, the kitchen.

“I didn’t know they invited a Monica Geller!” a voice behind me said a little too loud. I turned around only to find Vash, still standing straight and slightly red in the face.

I continued my work, scrubbing the sink immaculately clean while he sat there, by the kitchen isle, watching. I looked at him once, no twice, yeah alright, 14 times to make sure he wasn’t about to fall off from the high stool he was sitting on.

“Seriously,” he belched, “how can you be cleaning after drinking that much alcohol?”

I ignored him. I am not known to be famous with small talk. Or any talk, for that matter. I’m the silent twin, fluent in the quiet, overshadowed by the loud personality of my other half. I spoke only once, when he asked what my cat’s name is and since then it’s been Vash and his surprisingly loquacious alter-ego. He took it as his job to fill the gap in the air and talked about, yep, SpongeBob.

“He taught me how to handle my autistic younger brother. Man, he’s the best.” I’m not sure if he’s aware that he’s still talking while petting Patrick.

He went on, still talking, and followed me to the front porch where I deposited three bags of trash. I sat down by the stairs because it has been unbelievably exhausting as much as it was satisfying.

“By the way,” he sat right next to me with Patrick on his lap. “I believe we haven’t been officially introduced. Michelle said she would... but you know Michelle.”

I nodded. Of course, I had to share a womb with her.

“Anyway, I’m Vash.” He extended his hand, which is strangely old-fashioned for a guy just two years behind our age.

“Michael,” I said in reply.

We shook hands. And I wished it felt as simple as flesh touching flesh. Instead, it was a Stupefy spell which backfired. I withdrew my hand quickly, not eager to do anymore self-damage.

I believe in deep talks. But most of all, I believe in the deep talks held in the dark. That’s why sitting there by the stairs, the cool air on my face and the stars carefully mapped out above us, it felt easier to say something rash.

“I knew you from college.”

His eyebrows arched upwards. “Oh?”

My throat felt dry all of a sudden. “Yes,” I looked down. “You once slept… on my books at the library.”

His face broke into a grin. “For a minute, I thought you were going to say I slept with someone and you knew about her.”

I laughed with him too enthusiastically.

“Hey, I’m so sorry about your books. I can’t even remember that since I made passing out in the library a habit.”

“Don’t worry,” I said dismissively, “I was just using it for props, anyway.”

He laughed. It was gentle this time, syncing with the soft music still playing. We stayed like that for five minutes during which Patrick transferred to my lap, purred and fell asleep.

“I think I’ve noticed you somewhere around campus, too.” He glanced sideways at me, a smile overstaying its welcome is on his face.

My heart doesn’t know chill. It’s threatening to leap out of my chest.

“Did you give any speech back then?”

I wiped a hand on my face and cursed. At that, he let loose a provocative snicker.

I have been roasted all my adult life because of the drunk speech I gave to all scholars in our university on our senior year, and I still can’t get out of the hot seat fast enough and unscathed.

“Can there be one person, just one person in this world, who doesn’t know that story?”

“Hey,” he said, arms gesticulating, “just fulfilling my character flaw.”

I shrugged, not having anything to say anymore. This isn’t the deep talk I had in mind. The heat on my face is still subsiding when he continued.

“Were you…” he paused as if he’s actually traveling down his memory lane.

“Were you in theatre?”

I nodded.

“You didn’t play any character.”

“Oui.”

“You just directed it.”

“Careful on the ‘just’.”

“You’re right, you’re right. You were THE director.”

“Better.”

“You were the platoon leader first and second year in ROTC.”

I looked at him because now, I just realized he’s reciting things about me from his memory and I thought he just met me tonight.

He bit the inside of his lower lip and thought some more. His eyebrows are knit together in complete focus. I can’t believe this. Michelle, you tattletale.

“You almost drowned in swimming class.”

“You got excellent academic credentials.”

“You’re a good impersonator; your piece of Tyrion Lannister could land Oscars.”

“You’re funny enough and you notice everything it’s almost freaky.”

I want him to stop. This is not helping me get a grip. But he continues, unaware; his face getting sharper in the background as I was starting to get out of the haze that clouded my better judgement. This was a stupid, bad idea. Nothing good happens after 2 a.m., I knew that.

“You think sunsets are overrated.”

“You think feelings are, also.”

“You don’t like coffee or girls. Or—”

“I think I’m falling in love with you.”

He stops talking. I continued.

“I might have already, way, way, way before we met.” I feel really close to vomiting at this moment, but what the hell.

“Seeing you tonight is weird and I know what you are. You’re the boyfriend of this month or this season, depending on what my sister decides later.” My breath isn’t catching up the right way but that didn’t matter.

“I know what I’m not. I’m not really a stranger to you, am I?” I finally had the nerve to look at him. He looked like he hasn’t breathed in since I interrupted him.

“Please say something so I don’t let my cat scratch my face willingly.”

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killingkueen · 5 years

Text

Irish Twins

Previous chapters on AO3

Summary: Aaron Gold always knew, in his own way. Belle Kingston, on the other hand, had no idea. In the end, there really isn’t that much difference between water and wine. A switched at birth AU

Note: Whoops it’s been a long time. I’ve been going through some stuff.

I edited the previous chapters but it’s mostly just cosmetic stuff so don’t feel you have to go back and reread everything. But there is a change I made: Gaston is now a police man. So. That’s a thing.

Thank you to those who gently nudged me and asked after this story. It really means a lot to me that you still care.

ooo

Bae woke up to someone shaking his shoulder.

“Bae,” he heard. Sounded like Neal.

“Mmmpf.” He turned his face into his pillows, pulling up the covers to his chin.

“Bae,” Neal said again, drawing out his name in a whine.

Eyes blurry and half-focused, he stole a look at the clock, where he could make out the numbers 7 and 4 before he flopped back down and closed his eyes. He rolled over again and instead of smacking Neal with his pillow, he pulled it over his head. Bae didn’t care what time it was—it felt too early to be awake. Especially on a Sunday.

Neal didn’t seem to agree.

“Bae, come on.”

“What do you want?” he asked, turning over yet again, pulling the pillow up so they could look at each other. Neal was lucky holding a pillow over his head made it hard to breathe.

“....your papa’s downstairs.”

“So?”

Papa was always downstairs. Whether Bae was going to bed or waking up, he rarely found his father in his own bedroom. He was half convinced he never slept, period (which was actually kinda cool. It sounded like a movie: who wore suits and slept upside down in his study like a bat? Vampire Dad! Yeah, he’d watch that).

“Mom’s not up yet.”

Bae squinted. Neal was still in his pajamas, but under one arm was his new sketchbook and the pack of colored pencils that Bae knew had been left downstairs last night.

“Are you…” Bae sat up, frowning. “Are you afraid to be alone with him?”

Neal scowled. “No.”

Bae kept frowning. He knew Neal was different from him, knew that Belle was different from Gold. He and Belle clicked together like puzzle pieces, but like puzzle pieces, Neal and Gold kept having to be turned and moved about until the right sides matched up. He didn’t get why it was taking so long.

“You know, I failed the spelling test last week,” Bae said, sitting up. “And since it was the third in a row, I had to take a note home for Papa to sign.”

Neal’s eyebrows raised in alarm even as they drew together suspiciously. “What’d he say?”

“He asked if I studied, and I said ‘no.’ Then he asked if I was going to study for the next test, and I said ‘probably not.’”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. He said ‘fair enough’ and signed the paper.”

“Seriously? That’s it?”

Bae shrugged. “It’s just spelling. That's why autocorrect is a thing.” Gold had told him once that he didn’t care what his grades were as long as Bae was okay with how hard he worked

“Yeah, but you failed a test. You failed three.”

“It’s not like I fail every test,” he snapped, the annoyance sudden and sharp. He was trying to explain that his Papa wasn’t scary. “Why? What happens when you fail?” he said before Neal could respond.

Neal shifted his feet. “I don’t know. I’ve never failed a test before.”

“C’mon. There has to be something you didn’t pass.”

“I don’t do that great in PE,” Neal said after a pause.

Bae flopped down on his back, face to the ceiling. Neal was gangly; all elbows and knees, and shorter than Bae was. He bet Neal was picked last when they did teams, and was probably the first one out. It didn’t make him feel any better.

He felt the bed dip near his feet, and heard the swish of pajamas against a comforter as Neal pushed himself up.

“Bae?” he asked.

“Yeah?”

There was a long pause, longer than any before. It made Bae push up on his elbows. Neal was sitting at the end of his bed, shoulders hunched over the notebook in his lap. The colored pencils were beside him.

“What is it?” Bae prompted.

“Is…” he trailed off. Bae saw him grip his notebook tighter, then immediately release it only to hold it tight again.

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell him to ask his question or go away so he could go back to sleep when Neal blurted “Is your papa gay?”

Gay? Bae thought about what Neal had said in the kitchen last night during dinner: but you’re a boy.

“Why would you ask that?”

He saw Neal’s shoulder twitch in something resembling a shrug. “Your house is pink.”

“So?”

“Pink is for girls.”

Bae scrunched his nose. “Emma hates pink.”

“Who’s Emma?”

“She’s my best friend.”

Neal turned to look at him, first in confusion. When he saw Bae wasn’t joking, his mouth set in a half-frown, half-sneer that Bae immediately hated.

“You’re best friends with a girl?” he asked.

“Emma’s cool.”

“Girls are dumb.”

“She’s not.”

Neal scoffed, and Bae hated that, too. He drew his knees up to his chest, the covers following.

“So is he?”

“Why do you care?”

He frowned, his eyebrows drawing down, his head tilting to the side, like he was trying to do a really hard math problem in his head. “I don’t.”

“Then why would you ask me that?”

Neal flinched, but he tried hard not to. “I just want to know.”

(his papa always said that being curious was a good thing; wanting to understand the world around him was a good thing)

Bae stared at him, at his stupid sharp nose and stupid short hair. He wanted to kick him off the bed. He wanted to demand an apology, but for what, Bae couldn’t put into words. He laid down on his back, face to the ceiling so he wouldn’t have to look at Neal.

“So, is he?”

“I don’t know,” Bae said, his chest still feeling tight. His ceiling was white and boring. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Hm.” Neal ran his hands over his sketchbook. He bowed his head a little forward. “Do you think it’s bad? Being gay?”

After a breath in and one out, Bae sat up, kicking his covers off so he could fold his legs criss-cross. “Do you think it is?”

Neal was still looking at his floor (which was just as interesting as his ceiling) and he shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s why I asked you.”

He didn’t say anything for a long time, and Neal didn’t move. They stayed still, like seeds growing roots.

“Ruby has a girlfriend,” Bae said finally. “Her name is Dorothy and she likes horses.”

“She’s gay?”

“Huh-uh.”

“I didn’t know girls could be gay.” Neal hummed, and Bae could almost see everything in his head turning the new information over. “I like Ruby. She’s funny.”

Nodding hard, Be said, “If you like Ruby, then you can’t think being gay is bad.”

Neal nodded slower. “I guess that makes sense.”

“Of course it does,” he said, his eyes sliding down to his lap where Neal’s new colored pencils sat. He remembered what brought Neal to his room in the first place.

“Did Papa see you when you went downstairs?”

Neal followed his gaze to the pencils. He straightened the pack so it sat neatly on his notebook. “Oh. No. I was already there. I heard him coming down.”

As if that explained everything.

“Why were you downstairs at all?”

He shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep last night, so I went back down ‘cause I wanted to keep drawing and I eventually fell asleep on the couch. I don’t think he saw me, ‘cause he went into the kitchen without saying anything.”

“You couldn’t sleep?”

“Someone kept interrupting Mom reading.”

“He can’t live in a cupboard. There’s not enough room, even if it is under the stairs. It doesn’t make sense!”

“It’s a story about magic—”

“It should still make sense!”

“Well if you let her get through an entire paragraph, maybe it would.”

“You’re the one that said the first two books were boring anyway,” Bae said, smiling despite himself. He wasn’t that upset, and neither was Neal judging by the same smile on his face. “Did you finish, at least?” he asked with a nod to the notebook.

“Uhm, yeah, I did.” Neal ran his hands over the cover.

“Well? Can I see?”

Neal opened his notebook, but then he swallowed, hesitating. “Do you bring stuff home? From school?”

“You mean stuff from art class, right? Yeah, sure. Why?”

Neal shrugged, frowning down at his lap. “There’s nothing on your fridge.”

“Oh!” Bae wondered for just a second why it was a thing for every adult to pin artwork there, of all places. “I’m not that proud of anything, I guess. I don’t care.”

“Does he throw them away?”

“Nah, Papa keeps everything. He still has my first baby tooth, somewhere.”

“I think Mom kept mine, too.”

Bae shrugged. “Parents are weird.”

Nodding in agreement, Neal seemed to steel himself. He used one hand to hold his notebook steady, then carefully began pulling the first page from the binding. Bae held his breath as the the paper gave a small fpt with each gentle tug. A part of him couldn’t believe that Neal would rip out a page, the first page even, but he was afraid to say it in case Neal decided to stop.

“Here,” Neal said when he was done, the frayed edges catching slightly in the bed spread as he tried to slide it across.

Before Neal could change his mind and snatch it back, Bae picked it up. First, all he saw was shapeless color, but then he could make out a house.

Neal had drawn his house, lines wobbly but mostly straight, but it wasn’t pink. It had been drawn as shapes that all fit together, each shape a different color. It was like looking at a finished paint-by-the-number page, only if Neal had ignored the numbers completely and colored however he wanted to.

It was kind of cool.

“Can you give it to him?” asked Neal, watching his face with bright eyes.

“He’s gonna know I didn’t draw it.”

“Yeah, I know,” Neal leaned over and pointed to the the bottom of the porch steps (one light blue, one dark green, one a deep maroon). “I signed it, see?”

“That’s not a signature. They’re supposed to be messy and hard to read.”

“I want him to know who it’s from.”

Bae just looked at him, wondering if there was a joke he was missing. “Then you give it to him.”

“No.” Neal’s eyes flitted away from Bae, and to the floor, his ears turning pink.

“Why not?”

Instead of answering, he scooted back on the bed so he was leaning against the wall.

“Do you think he won’t like it?” Bae asked.

His only answer was a shrug. He looked back down at the drawing. It was better than anything Bae could draw, and Gold loved everything Bae made, which meant that he would especially love this.

He said as much to Neal, but again, no response. His chin was resting on his knees, and he was watching Bae with a frown.

Bae resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Come on,” he said, throwing his legs over the bed. “I’ll go with you.”

He waited until Neal had stood up before giving him back the drawing, which he took with clear reluctance. “Maybe after breakfast,” Neal suggested.

“You’ll just chicken out if we wait.”

“Will not,” he sputtered.

“Will to. C’mon,” Bae said again, pulling his door open.

“Hey Bae?”

“Hm?”

“I’m sorry I called Emma dumb.”

Bae paused in the doorway. He wiggled his toes, the carpet soft.

“If she’s friends with you she’s probably not,” Neal said, his voice fast. He was looking at the floor again.

“She’s not. Thanks.” Something deep in his stomach unwound. It felt a lot like relief.

As they came to the stairs, Bae came to a standstill, Neal nearly bumping into his shoulder. He looked behind him down the hall, to Belle’s door, which hung open to show an empty bed. She must have woken up.

“Don’t tell her I failed my spelling tests.”

Neal nodded, his face serious. “Okay.”

With a resolute nod, Bae made his way down the stairs. Neal was going much slower, but at least he was following.

As they neared the kitchen, Bae thought about how best to say I told you so when they finally made it. He knew no one liked hearing it (Emma called it being smug) but Neal clearly needed to be told several times that Gold wasn’t about to unhinge his jaw and swallow him whole (though it would be so cool if he could actually do that).

Bae paused at the threshold, waiting for Neal to catch up. He heard the clanking sounds of dishes and two voices. It was like dinner last night, but better because this time there was the smell of coffee and his mother was laughing at some story his papa was telling, and the sunlight was lighting up the hall and he never knew how good this all could feel. He woke up to Emma’s parents together whenever he spent the night with her, to them smiling in their kitchen and smelling like breakfast. It wasn’t something he’d ever thought he’d have himself, so he never bothered wanting it.

The novelty ended as soon as his stomach gurgled. With a final look to Neal, he walked through the doorway to see Gold sitting at the kitchen table and Belle leaning against the counter, coffee mugs wrapped in both their hands.

Belle saw him first. “Good morning,” she chirped.

“You’re up early,” Gold said, turning. “It’s not even 9 o’clock.”

“Only cause Neal woke me up. Good morning,” he said to his mother, trotting over as if being pulled by a magnet. She smiled at him, holding an arm out for a hug, which he was more than happy to give.

Gold took a sip of his coffee. “You, Neal, have done the impossible.” He winked at him over his mug.

Neal didn’t say anything, but considering he was the closest one to Gold now, Bae considered it a win.

“How about some breakfast?” Gold suggested. “Still interested in eggs in a basket?”

Neal nodded when it became clear no one else was going to answer for him.

“Great. Would you like to help? I promise they’re a lot more fun to make than pizza dough.”

“Okay,” Neal said. His eyes flickered to the fridge, then to Bae, who was leaning against Belle, her arm slung around his shoulders. “I finished,” he blurted, holding his paper up like proof, like a shield.

“Ah.” Gold’s eyes were drawn downward, to where he could only see the blank side. He set his cup on the table. “May I—see it?”

Neal shot a look at Bae again. “Okay,” he said, taking another slow step towards Gold.

Bae looked up at Belle, hoping to share an exasperated eye-roll, but her full attention was on the scene before them. Neal must not share his artwork all that much.

When Neal was finally close enough and holding his paper out, Gold carefully took it from his hands.

Bae watched his eyebrows rise as he took it in. “Well,” he said around the beginnings of a delighted smile. “Look at this.”

“I can redo it if you want. Make it pink.”

“Oh no. No, no, no. Neal,” Gold scooted his chair back slightly, making room for Neal to step closer. “This is perfect.”

“I got to see it first,” Bae said as Neal’s ears turned bright pink.

“Needed your seal of approval, hm?” Belle asked, running a hand through his hair.

“This is an amazing exercise in color theory,” Gold said, and Bae could see every thought of breakfast go out of his head.

“What’s that?” Neal asked.

“See how well all the colors go together? Even though you have all kinds of different shades, they don’t clash, or look garish.”

“Garish,” Neal repeated. “That means ugly.”

“Tacky,” Gold corrected. “But I can say definitively that this is neither.”

Neal shrugged, looking self-conscious even as he pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. “I just didn’t want to use pink.”

Gold huffed. “You’re a natural.” He risked placing a hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong with pink?”

Neal’s shoulders twitched like he wanted to shrug but didn’t want to displace Gold’s hand. “Dumb color, is all.”

“It’s historic,” he said. “Old Victorians like this one were often painted loud colors, like yellow or purple or, well, pink. It helped enhance the details of the building itself. That was before the first World War, though, because—“

“Papa, I’m hungry.” If they didn’t stop him now, they’d never get breakfast finished.

Gold looked over to where Bae and Belle were still standing.

“Ah. Yes. Of course. Let’s get started on something to eat, hm?” His gaze drew back to the paper on the table. “I...may I keep this?”

Neal’s eyes were round when he nodded.

Gold smiled, and giving Neal’s shoulder one last squeeze he pulled himself from his chair and limped over to the refrigerator, where he proudly stuck the drawing to the front with a magnet.

All throughout breakfast, Neal would steal glances at the fridge, the drawing the only burst of color across the steel.

“Can I call tonight?” Bae asked as he watched Neal tie his shoes.

The day had been spent inside, safe and warm in the pink Victorian. Gold had dug out all the pictures he had of Bae, and he and Belle spent the rest of the morning comparing childhoods; the growth spurts and bandages, the obligations, birthday parties and first days of school.

Gold had expected Bae to suggest another excursion out in the town, but he had been quiet as breakfast ended. After helping clear the table and load the dishwasher, he and Neal had retreated to the den and like the night before had stayed close even as they did their own activities.

It was...nice. Familiar. Again, Gold felt how easy it was to be with Belle and Neal, to have them there as if this was what all their Sundays were.

It made Belle’s constant look to the clock all the more sour.

“I’ll call you tomorrow, right after dinner,” Belle said. Her own shoes were firmly on her feet, her coat buttoned, her overnight bag resolutely at her feet.

Neal looped the laces together, pulling on the loops of the bow. He pulled too far, and the ends slipped through the knot. He started over.

“Can we go to Boston next weekend, Papa?” Bae asked, switching tactics. “We can go back to the science museum, and we can show Neal the parts he missed.”

“You have Emma’s birthday party next weekend,” Gold reminded him.

“Oh. Well, Neal can come,” he said, hardly pausing for breath.

“Bae—”

“No, that’s perfect! He can see that she’s really cool and her parties are always fun with lots of—”

He cut off when Belle hugged him. She pulled back to kiss his forehead, her smile sweet. “We’ll see you soon, okay Bae? I promise.”

Bae sighed. Shrugged. Neal pulled his laces tight, the bow finally staying in place.

“Yeah. Okay.”

“Mr. A-Aaron?”

Gold looked to see Neal staring up at him, his backpack slung over his shoulder.

Neal shot a glance to his mom, who was currently locked in a phone call negotiation with Bae. Gold had a moment to admire her will power before two skinny arms wrapped around his middle.

“Thank you for letting us stay,” Neal said, his voice muffled from where it pressed into his waistcoat.

Gold laid a hand on his head, fingers carding through his son’s short hair. “Any time, lad,” he said. He hooked his cane to the stairs so he could hug Neal properly.

“See you next time,” Neal said, ears pink, when he pulled back.

“I can’t wait,” Gold said honestly.

“Tomorrow,” Belle repeated firmly. “And we can talk for as long as you like if your homework’s done.”

“Careful with that promise, Belle,” Gold said as the front door opened. She smiled at him, and with a final wave from her and Neal, walked out.

They were cleaning up the remains of dinner when Bae’s eyes trailed over to the fridge, to Neal’s drawing that was hanging proudly by the magnet.

“You can’t throw it away,” Bae said, nodding to it.

Gold covered what was left of the pasta. “Of course I won’t throw it away.”

“I mean it. You have to keep it on the fridge forever.”

“Forever, hm?” Gold said, raising an eyebrow.

Bae scowled, not appreciating the banter. “I mean it. Gaston throws away Neal’s drawings. You have to keep it.”

Any humor left Gold’s face. His lips pursed, as if he had just bit into a lemon. “He tell you that?”

“No, but Gaston’s an asshole,” he said. “And that’s what assholes do.”

“Language,” Gold chided even as he nodded in agreement, frowning as he studied the picture. “I’m not going to throw it away, Bae,” he said, softly.

“Yeah.” He blew a loud breath through his nose. “Neal asked me if you were gay.”

A short bark of laughter escaped purely from surprise, but maybe he should have seen that one coming.

“It’s not funny,” Bae scowled again. “He asked it like, like, you were sick or something.”

“You’re right, it’s not.” Gold put his hands on the counter. The marble was smooth and clean, cold against his hands. He remembered the hug Neal had given him, and how sweet his smile was at his praise. “I don’t think he meant it like that.”

“Whatever,” Bae said. He walked out of the kitchen, and soon Gold heard his heavy steps on the stairs.

He looked out into his garden. There was an itch in the back of his mind, a thought that he had once pushed very firmly back. Here it was again, though, tantalizing in its underhandedness. Pursuing the thought would likely mean setting aflame the bridge he was building with Belle, or watching it crumble into the gorge. He might lose any chance he had at a friendly relationship with her, intimate or otherwise.

It was either burn that bridge or watch as Neal was poisoned by a man who held no love for the boy.

Really, the choice was easy.

It was a crisp fall evening on a Sunday, and he pulled out his phone to call his lawyer.

#rumbelle fic #two years is the perfect amount of time to let things marinate

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leo-lucid · 5 years

Text

Bewitching Which Monster Chapter 3: The Book

Breakfast was absolutely delicious. The french toast was incredibly sweet and went well with the saltiness of the crispy bacon. It made me wonder how long Zamuel spent practicing cooking. It seemed like he made a wide variety of breakfast items for everyone to cater toward their dietary needs.

My plate was taken care of for me after I was finished eating. I really wanted to at least help with dishes but I was sent to go start searching for those notes. With my coffee cup in one hand and crystal pendulum in the other, I began my search. I closed my eyes and focused my energy on the pendulum, fueling it up so it could guide me through the room. "Did my grandmother leave anything behind for me to read?"

The crystal began to glow and swing around in small circles, signaling that my grandmother did indeed leave something behind. "Are the notes hidden within the Witch Room?"

Once again, it glowed and swung in a circle. I began to walk to the Witch Room but Beofur stepped out in front of me. "Hey, Anise! Can I help you look for the notes? I am excellent at finding stuff if I do say so myself and we may find them faster if we work together. Please?"

Beo really reminded me of a dog than a wolf. His tail was wagging back and forth and his eyes sparkled as I considered letting him join me in the investigation. I couldn't say no to the facial expression he was giving me. I sighed. "Fine. Just please try not to make a mess. The room is already in dire need of organization."

His tail wagged even harder and he grinned. "Of course! I promise to not make a mess."

We headed to the room, my pendulum swinging like crazy as we got closer to our destination. I opened the door to the room and looked among all of the shelves and papers I would have to go through. Beo now had an optimistic expression that actually gave me some courage that we'll find what we're looking for.

I set my coffee cup down on the table that was in the middle of the room. The pendulum stopped swinging and was ready for my next question. "Are the notes in one of the bookshelves?"

The pendulum swung in circles after a couple of seconds. I began to walk around the room, carefully watching the pendulum as we passed the shelves. It wasn't until I approached the biggest bookshelf in the room when the crystal began glowing bright and swung in a large, reassuring circle.

I jumped slightly as Beo placed his hands on my shoulders from behind. I looked to my left and found his head right next to mine. His attention was trained on the crystal. "Whoa! That's so cool! How does it know this stuff?"

"It uses some of my energy to communicate. It can only answer yes or no questions and give directions like this. Circles mean yes and straight lines mean no. The glow tells me how strong the answer is on a scale from least likely to most likely. Based on the glow and motion right now the notes are most definitely hidden somewhere on this bookcase." I explained.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get to searching!" He enthusiastically began to take books off of the shelf and flip through them. As he flipped through them his smile turned into a small frown. "I can't read any of this. It's all in another language."

I took a glimpse at the book he was going through. "It's Irish Gaelic. I don't know how many books are written like this but hopefully there isn't a lot. How about you look at books that are written in English while I look through the Irish Gaelic ones."

His grin returned. "Great idea! I'll set aside any books that you can read while I'll have my own English pile."

I sat down on the table and began to flip through pages, scanning and translating words that may lead to an answer. Beofur took time opening books briefly before putting them on the table, English in one pile and Irish Gaelic in another. Towers of books were balanced on the table for each of us to start sifting through.

I was going to need some more coffee for this.

"Most of these just look like spells, recipes, and other magical instructions and history. It's honestly making my head hurt a little. There's so much information written in these. How did your grandmother manage to write it all down?" Beo sighed.

I shrugged and picked up another book. "Grandfather mostly took care of the mansion while grandmother had a lot more time to write and study. Some of these may be written by past generations from the Devane family too."

"Oh." He simply said. A few seconds went by before he put his book down and asked another question. "What does Devane mean?"

"Devane comes from the original Gaelic form 'O Daimhin' which comes from the word 'damh' which means 'an ox' or 'a stag'. My great great great grandmother had a twin sister but they both fought a lot and decided to split up the family. Generations born under my great great great grandmother are known as Stag Witches. Anyone born under her sister is known as Ox Witches." I said as I continued to go through books.

"But that doesn't make sense." Beo complained. "Everyone is still family because they were born under the Devane name, right? Doesn't everyone have the same kind of powers?"

I set my book down to focus more on his question. "My grandmother ended up having more magical abilities than her twin and because of that she was going to inherit this house, the land and many other things. Her twin sister was very upset and went to find her own land where she can raise her children by her own rules. However, that part of the family is weaker when it comes to witchcraft. They are related but by behavior and ability they are practically disowned."

He still didn't seem satisfied with my answer but he nodded regardless. "Okay. So I'm guessing that you are part of the Stag Witches?"

"Correct."

"Do you know anyone that is an Ox Witch?" He inquired.

I shook my head. "I don't. And I hope I never come to meet one because we're supposed to be enemies. If a witch kills another witch then the one who committed the crime may inherit the dead one's powers. Ox Witches have been known to try to hunt down Stag Witches for more power in hopes that they can become the bigger house. It's like a family war."

"All of that sounds really complicated. Is that why the official name of this mansion is called The Stag House?" He tried to connect the dots.

"Yes." I stated, trying to get back to work as soon as possible.

Beofur returned to going through books, finally done asking questions about my family history. Hours passed by and we still couldn't find anything. I didn't even realize that it was time for lunch until my stomach grumbled, snapping me out of my focus. I looked at the antique clock that hung on the wall. It was one o'clock.

"Beo, do yo-" I stopped speaking when my eyes landed on a werewolf that was fast asleep. I didn't realize that he fell asleep because I was so focused on reading. It seemed like he ended up going through a majority of his pile before passing out though.

I got up from the table, stretching my back and legs in the process, and headed over to where Beo was sitting. His brown ears that poked out his hair twitched. As they moved and his shaggy locks shifted ever so slightly I had the urge to pet him.

His hair looks so fluffy and the fur on his ears looked so soft. I was really curious to find out just how soft it was. So, I quietly hovered my hand over his head, making sure that he wouldn't wake up. I waited for a second before moving my hand closer and closer to his ears.

Gently, I began to stroke his ears and some parts of his hair, marveled over how so incredibly soft it felt. It was so silky and fluffy! I was so wrapped up in petting him that I didn't even notice that his tail was wagging and he was wide awake.

Beo grabbed my arm suddenly, stopping me from petting him. However, he didn't seem angry. In fact, he seemed very gleeful. "Why are you petting me?"

I blushed and tried to retract my hand, but he still gripped my wrist. "I-I just thought it looked so soft and pet-able and I really wanted to know what it felt like! Plus, you have been working so hard for a long time so I thought that this was kind of like a reward."

Dogs loved being praised, right? Beofur resemble more like a dog than a wolf so he would be okay with this, right?

Beo pulled me down and with his other hand began to pat my head. "You worked really hard too. You deserve to be pat as well."

My face grew red as he gave me his own praise. It was embarrassing but it also felt kind of nice. I felt like my energy was being restored. Beo just kept petting my hair while I stood frozen. It took me a couple of seconds to finally stand up straight and move back to my station. "I should head back to work now. There are still several more books to look through."

He flashed a his toothy grin. "No problem! I'll go see if Zam has any lunch ready for us. I'm starving!"

I breathed out a sigh in relief as he left the room. My cheeks cooled down a bit and my attention began to center back on reading. One book after the other, I flipped through them. Still, nothing. I groaned in frustration and smacked my head on the table. Right as I did so, there was a clink sound from underneath the wooden table.

Sitting on the floor underneath the table was a brass key with antlers as the box. I picked it up and dusted it off using my jeans. This key had to be hiding some secret.

I examined the rest of my books and Beo's books for any keyhole that would match my discovery. The books had nothing for me so I stood in front of the bookshelf and shuffled extra papers around for a secret keyhole or lever of anything really.

Finally, behind a mason jar filled with black ink was a little hole for my key. I grew excited and twisted the key into the hole. There was a click and a portion of the wall behind the bookcase opened up like a safe. Inside the little nook was a golden journal with an intricate design of a stag on the cover. I unbuckled the buckled that was holding it closed and read through some of the pages.

I recognized the handwriting to belong to my grandmother. It seemed like it contained personal notes and letters to herself and other people in our family. Most of it was written in Gaelic but there were special pages written in English.

While I turned the pages, I recognized some names pop up. Both of my moms were mentioned, my grandfather and even the monsters living in this house were in here. I sat down find anything addressed to me.

My heart quickened as I approached the last few pages. On the last page I finally found my name written at the top. She wrote an entire letter to me in Irish Gaelic.

Dear Ani,

I hope the move was smooth and you didn't have to clean up after us too much. There were so many things I have left for you to study and read that you may enjoy. It should help you master your witchcraft. There are several empty journals left behind for you as well so you can start your own grimoires and books.

Now, I'm guessing that you have already met your roommates. I'm sorry that I didn't mention them before. I honestly didn't think that they would be living in the house for as long as they did. I tried so hard to find them all a working spell or potion that could return their humanity before I passed away that didn't require anyone's assistance. Unfortunately, that's not how things worked out.

I did find an answer but it involved you. I discovered that the only way any of them can become human again was to earn the love of a Devane witch, specifically a Stag Witch. How old school! Love is the only way they can return back to normal and have the curses lifted. You are the only one that can help them now. Try not to get too overwhelmed. I know you can be shy at times and I'm sure having several (attractive) monsters isn't going to help you get over your shyness but please try your hardest to help them.

And remember, even if you fall in love with only one don't feel guilty or bad for the others. You must listen to your heart. I have taught them that lesson before I passed away. I hope that it stuck with them and they'll understand.

Good luck! I love you!

Love,

Grandmother Rosemary Devane

I settled the book down in my lap and pinched my cheek. My breathing grew more rapid as I realized that this wasn't a dream given how much pain I felt from the pinch. I was flabbergasted.

Oh my gods!

Did my grandmother make me a bachelorette?

#creative writing #novel #romance #writeblr #reverse harem

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garin-the-foolish · 6 years

Text

Close Cut

The story of how Sea Cat got her short hair.

“Well I don’t see why I can’t come along!” Sea Cat said.

“I’m not saying that you can’t,” Garin said. “It’s just that you were wounded last time and should probably allow more time for that leg to heal.”

“Hey, who is the surgeon here?” Sea Cat crossed her arms. “My leg is fine; the stitches have been out for nearly two weeks!”

“Look, Cat, whenever one of us is injured you’re avid about us not movin’ about too much and letting our bodies heal,” Jacques chimed in, following Garin to the boarding ramp. “And no matter how much we protest you’re firm about your decision. Just because the tables have turned doesn’t make the situation any different.”

“But I—”

“No buts!” Garin says, smirking at the blond girl. “Sound familiar?”

“Ugh! Fine!” Sea Cat huffed angrily, throwing her hands up into the air. “I’ll stay put! But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna like it!”

“Alright, that’s fair enough.” Garin said, chuckling quietly. Sea Cat gave him a slight scowl.

“And don’t you dare think that just ‘cause I’m agreeing to stay behind means I’m going soft!” she snapped. “You lot had better be get back in one piece! No matter how much drink you’ve had or who started the brawl!” she said, turning and heading below deck, before suddenly stopping and turning to look at him with an even sterner scowl. “And don’t be late for supper!”

Garin’s smirk faded and he gave a small nod, glancing at Jacques as the Irish hellcat finally disappeared below deck. Jacques snickered at him and just continued down the ramp.

“She’s worse than our mums!” the Kyrii said to his friend.

“Don’t let her hear you,” Garin said back. “You know how she gets when she’s in a mood!”

Jacques laughed aloud and nudged Garin in the shoulder as they left the ship and made their way into town with the rest of the crew. Sea Cat listened as their voices died away, sighing to herself and lightly kicking against a cupboard door as she entered the galley. Deciding what to make for supper that evening was easy enough, the crew had pilfered a ham from a ship they boarded just the other day, and it was large enough to feed everyone on the Pawkeet. But it would be so simple to cook that it would be ready in no time! All she had to do was stick it inside the oven to slowly cook, and then what was she to do with the rest of the evening? Sit and wait for the boys while they have all the fun?

To hell with that idea! Sea Cat threw an extra log, one that would burn slowly, into the fire, placed the ham inside, then turned on her heel and left the galley, heading back above deck. By now, the crew had gone, so the coast was clear, and thus down the gangplank she went. At this point, she could have easily followed them to the tavern, but the first thing they’d do is make her walk back, and maybe even have one of them stay with her to make sure she stayed put. So, instead, she decided to simply walk about the village streets.

If she didn’t find any excitement, then maybe at least the walk would allow her a few moments of distraction from boredom.

She tossed her hair a bit as she turned the first street corner, golden locks catching a single ray of the setting sun for a brief moment as they came to rest across her shoulders once again. The sun would be completely past the horizon by the time the boys got back, possibly even later, when the last of its light was starting to go, thus she had until then to either cool off or stir up some excitement for herself.

The funny thing about excitement though, is that it was often the identical twin of trouble. Both were extremely coy, and mysterious in their ways, so much so that it was often impossible to distinguish between the two… especially if you were Garin, or one of his crew. It was no wonder that Sea Cat stumbled onto something of that ilk, only a few minutes into her walk and at a point where she was starting to calm down.

It was a familiar and alarming face that caused her to immediately stop and step backwards as fast as she could only seconds after rounding the next corner. She paused for a moment, then carefully stuck her head back around, holding her breath with the hope that he didn’t see her and only letting out that breath when she realized that he hadn’t.

It was Nathan, a deckhand of Scarblade’s crew, and he wasn’t alone. He was with three of his shipmates, and though she couldn’t see them, she was sure there were more inside the warehouse they stood outside of by glimpsing a brief shadow moving in the doorway. It had been some time since she had seen their ilk, and they certainly hadn’t gotten any fairer. She still remembered the first time she encountered them, which was shortly before she met with Garin and the crew of the Pawkeet. Remembering that first encounter made her blood run cold, especially when she first met Captain Scarblade himself, and the strange… fascination he seemed to develop of her. Something that she desperately hoped was only in her mind.

She thought of turning back, of returning to the safety of the Black Pawkeet, or of finding Garin and the others and informing them of what she’d seen, but then the curiosity of discovering just what these sea rats were up to entered her mind. She could do that, then decide if it was worth informing Garin and the others about. So, with that, and a quick glance around to find a way in that didn’t take her past the pirates, she made up her mind.

A convenient stack of crates and empty kegs near an open window provided her entry, though climbing them without making them shift and rattle proved a bit of extra effort on her part. Once up at the window, she strained her neck to see inside the warehouse, but could only see the glow of lanterns beyond large towers of crates that blocked her view. She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth quietly, then hoisted herself up through the window, pausing her drop to the floor when she saw that from where she was she could reach the rafters above.

A careful jump to one of the crates adjacent to the window, then a brief scale up another, and she was there. Sea Cat made sure she was balanced before starting to carefully crawl forward along the beam of wood towards the light from below.

Once over the crates that previously stood in her way, she could see more of the pirate crew. A few of them were loitering around the crates, using them as seats whilst they helped themselves to grog that probably came from another somewhere in the warehouse, while others rooted through some that had been broken open. It was starting to look like this was a simple raid, when she spied none other than a purple Bruce, who she knew as Benny the Blade, standing by a table with what looked like a large map or chart laid out across it, a short distance away.

Sea Cat looked down at the pirates below, making sure none of them thought to look up and see her, before standing up slowly and carefully to make a jump over to another rafter that was closer to where Benny was. It wasn’t directly above him, but it was close enough that she could make out the orange freckles on his cheekbones. He was studying the map and jotting things down in a small notebook he was holding, though she couldn’t make out any markings or figures on the map itself to discern what it could be, and from where she was she wouldn’t be able to. She looked away for a moment to see if there were any rafters that would give her a better view, though found none. Instead, Sea Cat spied a tall tower of crates that might just do.

It was a bit of a leap, though she had no doubts that she could make it. She positioned herself accordingly, took a deep breath, and then took that leap, which she made just as predicted.

What she did not predict, however, was the instability of the tower of crates she chose to land on.

As her foot found the edge of the topmost crate and she balanced her landing, her weight rattled the stack so badly that it trembled as though in the midst of an earthquake. She gasped and tried to counter balance to stop the shaking, but too late as one of the crates beneath her slipped out from the tower, sending the rest crashing down.

“What in the--?!” was all Benny could get out before nearly being flattened by two crates, while the rest of his crewmates were alerted by the loud crash.

Fortunately, Sea Cat’s fall had landed her behind the now fallen tower, out of sight of the pirates, and she nursed her lower back with her teeth grit into a wince.

“Ow… Well that was a right holy show…” she grumbled to herself.

“Spread out!”

“Uh oh!” Sea Cat hissed and scrambled up, unable to avoid making noise as she had to shove a crate out of her way in order to get up quickly enough to dart into the shadows. She crouched low just as the first of Scablade’s crew rounded the toppled pile, and managed to move back behind another stack of crates without him spotting her. She watched him intently as he looked around, joined by two of his other shipmates as he started to shift and move the crates around.

With the noise they were making, it was easy for her to slip back further into the shadows and out of immediate sight. Though by this time all of the Revenge’s crew was alerted to her presence and were no doubt searching the entirety of the warehouse. She would have to be careful, and find a way out without being seen quickly.

“Damn it, I should have stayed on board the Pawkeet…” she thought to herself, further agreeing with that notion when two pirates stalked right in front of her, forcing her to duck behind a crate yet again and to hold her breath. Thankfully, their backs had been to her when they rounded the corner, and she was well behind cover by the time they turned around, so they were easily satisfied and continued onward, which allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief.

Her sigh of relief was cut short, however, as her hair was grabbed in a fistful and yanked so hard that the pain forced her to stand almost immediately. A strong, scarlet clad arm braced itself firm across her neck to keep her from pulling away as she reached up to try and stem the pain as her hair was pulled.

“Well now, what have we here?” Scarblade sneered, roughly applying pressure to Sea Cat’s neck with his arm, both drawing her closer and choking her slightly. Then he turned her, replacing his arm with the blade of his cutlass and keeping his tight grip on her hair, forcing her to be still as he looked down at her features through the dim lantern light in the warehouse and chuckled.

“You should know by now that curiosity often kills the cat, lass,” he hissed through his grin of teeth. “And I doubt you have all nine of your lives in tact!”

“W-What makes you think I’ve only got nine?” Sea Cat grunted through the pain. Scarblade laughed in amusement, lowering the blade just enough that it was only tickling the skin of her neck now, warning her that if she did still try to move, she would still be at risk of getting her throat cut.

“That would explain why you and your captain are such a nuisance to me,” he said, any amusement in his temperament vanishing for a few, terrifying moments. “Which reminds me, where is Garin?”

Sea Cat clamped her jaw shut as Scarblade looked around with that question. She didn’t want to admit that she came alone, as it would put her in severe jeopardy, however she didn’t want to lie either, as that would place her in an even more dire situation. In either situation, Scarblade would undoubtedly use her as bait to lure Garin and the others into a trap, or at the very worst, use her to find them and cut them off from the Pawkeet where they’d be helpless.

“Well?” the pressure of the blade on her neck increased again. “Where is he?”

“I’m not his bloody wet nurse!” she snapped, testing his grip on her hair by squirming, which she instantly regretted as he pushed her roughly against a nearby support beam. His grip still on her hair and cutlass still to her throat, she had nowhere to move except inside the small space between that wooden support and his crimson coat.

“Don’t try my patience again, Sea Cat,” he growled, tugging at her hair and tilting the blade up so she was forced to look him in the eye.

“What patience?” she grunted in reply before going quiet again. At this, Scarblade studied her, and she did her best to break eye contact, but one of the things she absolutely hated about that red eye of his was that there was something commanding about it, despite how obviously wicked it was. It was like a flame, and she was a moth. And she hated it.

She was finally able to look away when he chuckled darkly. “I suppose it doesn’t matter either way,” he said. “He’ll rear his foolish head rather than let you lose yours, won’t he?”

Sea Cat opened her mouth and sucked in hair to retort, however she didn’t have the chance to as Scarblade shoved her down onto her knees, the blade moving to the back of her neck. This forced her to look straight up at him, as though she were on her knees of her own will and were pleading with him. She forced her eyes shut before she could make eye contact with him again, knowing at this point she’d be unable to bear the sight of him reveling in her position.

“And it would be an honest shame if ye were t’ lose that pretty golden head of yers, wouldn’t it?” he purred sickeningly down at her, making her shudder, but she wouldn’t open her eyes. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing even the slightest hint in her eyes.

Nor would she let him entertain the idea of her giving up. Not to him.

So, taking a deep, silent breath that she knew very well could be her last, she moved her hands in lightning fashion, back to grab his hand which was wrapped around the hilt of his cutlass, and pulled as hard as she could whilst ducking her head.

The blade sliced through her hairs like a tailor’s scissors through a sheet of silk, and finally free of it, she launched herself forward and dove between Scarblade’s legs.

“What?!” the Lupe barked as he stumbled, trying to turn to catch her again, but in vain as she vanished around another column of crates and casks. He bared his teeth and growled, fist clenching tightly around the hair she’d left behind as he paused to look at it and process what just transpired.

And all he could do was chuckle as he brought it up to his nose for a deep whiff of its scent.

The clamor she had caused to put him as far behind her as she could only brought more attention to her in the form of musket balls flying and angry shouts. She had little idea of where the door was at this point, or what she would do once outside. If she ran back to the Pawkeet, they would without a doubt see it unguarded, and if she tried to lead them away she’d only end up cornered and without reinforcements. Either way was not a good outcome. She thought desperately as she bounded up another stack of crates that was conveniently stacked in a staircase-like fashion and made another leap for one of the rafters above.

“Whoever said that the high ground has the advantage?” Sea Cat growled to herself as she dodged another ounce of lead that flew through the air. She stopped only to duck as one shot came too close to her head, sending wood splintering and skipping across the back of her now exposed neck. Her forced stop gave her enough time to spot the warehouse door and the pirates that guarded it, now on high alert.

Seeing them inside, and the stacks of crates on either side of the door, a plan formed in her mind that would buy her enough time to make it back to the Black Pawkeet, and hopefully prevent them from following. Dodging musket fire, she ran and leapt along the rafters towards the door until she reached the first stack of crates, and remembering her bungle from earlier, she jumped onto the top of the stack.

It teetered and swayed beneath her, but she had the mind to jump and grab the edge of the nearest window, only just managing to as the crates came crashing down, smashing open and toppling the stack across from where they once stood. That stack, in turn crumbled down over the door, forcing the pirates guarding it to dodge away and nearly covering the door in a menagerie of goods, broken pieces of wood, and large boxes. Sea Cat grinned to herself and hauled herself out of the window, bracing herself for the fall on the other side and the rough landing that would follow.

Once on her feet again, she took off running down the cobbled street and took the first turn down the nearest alley. That mess would take them awhile to make their way through, more than enough time for Garin and the others to get back to the ship without being cut off. And even if there was some of the Revenge’s crew outside the warehouse, there wouldn’t be enough of them to go after the Pawkeet on their own.

Sea Cat eventually slowed and stumbled into a stop as her lungs began to burn in a small side street, from which she had a full view of the Black Pawkeet still docked in the harbor. Bent over with her hands on her knees, she looked behind her a few times, still not used to the missing feeling of her hair sagging over her shoulders, to make sure that it was safe. After a few more moments to catch her breath, she was satisfied that she hadn’t been followed, and continued on back to the Pawkeet, not stopping again until she was on the furthest end of its gangplank.

Garin and the crew were still not back, as she had predicted, which allowed her to go back below deck to the galley with no one the wiser. And also, as she predicted, the ham was nearly finished. The slow burning log had done the trick. With that, she sighed and sank down to the floor, back against one of the cupboards. She had wanted excitement tonight, and she’d had her fill of it! So, she was more than happy to simply sit and watch the flames flicker beyond the tiny window of the oven door now.

However, after a few moments of that, she decided to stand up and dice up a few potatoes to go with the ham. With the right seasoning and a few moments in a buttered skillet, they’d be the perfect side dish…

“Smells good!”

“By Janey Mac!” Sea Cat nearly jumped out of her skin as she rounded towards the door of the galley. “Garin, you know better than to do that!”

“Sorry, sorry!” Garin threw his hands up, only a step inside the galley. “Didn’t mean to startle you! Just came down to tell you that we’re back! In time for supper, like promised.”

Sea Cat sighed and relaxed herself before shaking her head at him. “Thank Fyora for little miracles then! Still, you’ll have to be at least a little patient, I’ve only just started the potatoes. I actually wasn’t expecting you boys back this soon, so I…”

She stopped when she noticed Garin looking at her oddly. Like he was studying her, or even suspicious of her. She cocked her head to the side and placed her hands on her hips, doing her best to appear as natural as possible.

“What?” she asked. “Do I have something on my face?”

“There something you want to tell me, Cat?” Garin asked, crossing his arms. Sea Cat swallowed, but rolled her eyes.

“Other than get out of my bloody kitchen like usual?” she asked. “No. Why?”

Garin raised an eyebrow, quiet for a few moments, before shrugging. “Oh, nothing,” he said, and then turned to leave the galley, allowing Sea Cat to let out a long, relieved sigh as quietly as she could manage once he disappeared from the doorway.

“By the way,” Garin popped his back into the galley and caught her attention once more. “The short hair is very… becoming, on you. I like it.”

Sea Cat blanched, stammering, “Uh… th-thanks, Captain.” And Garin smirked, knowing he’d caught her.

“So, what happened to, ‘staying put’?”

#my stories #sea cat #garin #jacques #captain scarblade #pirates

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pinkrocketimagines · 7 years

Text

Of Coffees in Summer ( COLE X READER)

REQUEST: @desicookie - Hey Can you write an imagine where the reader works at a coffee shop, near the riverdale shooting destination and cole comes their frequently. Because he loves seeing the reader, also something where the reader loves talking to cole whenever he comes?

A/N: Basically what @desicookie requested, with a little more add-ons. I’ve also mentioned about the recent clash between Cole and the street musician in the story because I'm a daredevil ;) jk.. Just felt like it. ALSO a Harry Styles’ concert to spice things up a bit ! :)Hope you like it x Requests are still open.

Working at the coffee shop for 4 hours every weekday wasn’t quite how you planned your summer. Ever since Sumer break commenced, you’ve been working here at the coffee shop. Your summer goal was to earn enough money to buy tickets for the upcoming Harry Styles concert. The tickets go on sale in just two weeks and you’re busting your ass to buy the tickets. Your dad already agreed to pay half of it but since it’s VIP seats you’re seeking, you’re still in need of a lot of money.

“(Y/n), there he comes again,” your co-worker/friend Cara whispers into your ear.

Triing, in walks Cole Sprouse. Yeap, ½ of the famous Sprouse twins. He has been coming here for quite a while now ever since his show Riverdale got the permit to shoot some few episodes just few blocks away from the coffee shop.

Since it’s a really small secluded neighbourhood, no one has ever noticed him or approached him so far in the coffee shop. Maybe that’s why he likes coming here.

Sure, when he first came to the coffee shop, which was 3 days back, you and Cara couldn’t stop fangirling like 12 year olds but Greg, your boss, told you that if you couldn’t keep it together he would have to fire both you and Cara. Ever since then, you and Cara have been keeping your cool.

Today Cole looked even more frustrated than usual. He had a very angry look on his face when he walked in. He took the seat near the counter, he seems to have a lot on his mind. Neither you nor Cara want to approach him since he does look quite aggravated.

“It’s your turn today,” she pushes you.

You roll back, “No, no, I can’t take his order, look at his face!”

“(Y/N), you just have to-“ she pushes you really far and really close to Cole Sprouse. Ugh, she is so dead.

“Um, everything okay?” you try to ease the tension,

He looks up at you with a stone-cold face.

Scared, you immediately utter, ”Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. I’ll come to take your order later-“

He sighs,”Uh, I’m sorry,” He rubs his eyes,”I just have a lot on my mind,”

Okay.. you don’t know what to respond since this is your first actual conversation with Cole, other than him ordering an Americano every other day.

“Do you know the musician singing outside?” he point towards a certain lady with a guitar on the street.

You’ve seen her before but you don’t really know her.

You shake your head in response for a ‘no’.

“Nevermind. So anyway, she won’t stop playing her music and now we can’t shoot even a single scene because she won’t budge. We’ve already got the permit to shoot here but she-“

Cole trails off as he notices the blank look on your face since you have absolutely no idea what he’s talking about.

He snickers,”My goodness, you have no idea what I’m talking about”

You’re embarrassed,”I’m sorry. Just here to take your order,”

Cole smiles,”Oh about that, I’ll an Irish coffee today,”

Hmmm, interesting choice.

“Is there something wrong?” he questions

“No, why?”

“I saw your face change when I said Irish coffee”

You snicker, ”Ah, sorry. It’s just that you’ve only ordered Americano so far. I thought you-“

“Wait, you’ve taken my orders before?”

You nod,”Yeap,”

He looks really surprised,”Since when?”

“Since three days back, I’ve taken two orders so far, excluding this one…not that I’ve been counting,” you trail off.

He chuckles,”Interesing. Why have’t I noticed you before?”

You quietly bring yourself closer to his ears and whisper,”I forgot to wear my invisbilty cloak today”

Cole laughs in response, “Good one,”

“One Irish Coffee coming right up,” you smile and take your leave.

“Wait,….” He must’ve realized only now that he hasn’t asked your name yet.

“(Y/n). My name is (Y/n),”

“So tell me, Miss (Y/n), is the Irish coffee any good?”

“Um, I’ve never tried it actually,”

“Ah! Good because you’re trying one now with me,”

“I possibly c-can’t..” you stutter, I mean, C’mon Cole Sprouse just asked you to have coffee with him.

“Of course she can!” Cara peeks in from behind taking off your apron,”I’ll cover. You’re welcome,” She smiles sweetly at Cole and leaves.

Cara, I swear.

Cole chuckles,”You can sit,”

You take the sit across him nervously.

“So, you like working here?” Cole attempts to start a conversation.

You sigh and roll your eyes, ”Don’t even get me started! I’m only doing this because I really want to go to this Harry Styles concert which is due in only few weeks. You know Harry Styles, right? The gorgeous curly haired lad from One Direction. Oh my gosh, I’ve never been to any One direction concert, ever. So when I heard that Harry was going to do a concert in this little town I was like ‘Oh my gosh, if I don’t-“

Cara intervenes with two cups of Irish coffee.

“Thanks,Cara” you take a huge sip of the coffee,”Anyway,as I was saying…”

You pause yourself because you’re not sure if Cole is even listening anymore. You wish you had some control over that mouth of yours but c’mon, when it’s Harry Styles, your mouth runs as fast as a bullet train.

“Why’d you stop?”

“I-I-I’m sorry, I thought I was boring you,” you take another sip,”Gosh, I do talk so much, don’t I?”

Cole laughs. He then rests his head on his hand as he smiles brightly and says, “Go on, I like listening to you,”

“Yay,” you clap your hands, before excitedly taking Cole Sprouse on your fangirl journey .

Two irish coffee and few hours later, Cole had to leave. He was more humble than you thought he would be. You spent the entire evening talking to him about Harry Styles while he filled you in about the commotion with the musician earlier.

You walked him out of the coffee shop.

“Guess I’ll be seeing you around then,” Cole grins before leaving.

“Guess so,”

Ever since that blissful evening where you and Cole bonded over Harry Styles, he started coming more often. Sometimes, even twice a day!

Cara was kind enough to cover for you whenever he came over so that you could have some alone time with Cole.

Some days, he would tell you stories about the set while you tell him about your best friends. Other days, you would just sit in a comfortable silence while he goes through his scripts and you work on the accounts.

Soon, awkward goodnight waves turned into goodnight hugs. Cole was such an easy person to get along with, he was as beautiful on the inside as he was on the outside.

Cole’s schedule kept getting more hectic as days went by but he always made sure to stop by at the coffee shop. Sometimes he’d come in as late as 8pm! But since you lived quite nearby and you knew he would come, you always stayed open for him.

Tonight was just as ordinary as any other night. Cole dropped in tonight as well. You talked about your high school while Cole shared his love for animals!

It’s always a sad song when he has to leave. You’re not sure since when you developed such a liking for Cole and his coffee but anyway-

“Goodnight, (y/n)” Cole smiled, pulling you in for a hug . Before breaking the hug, he placed a small peck on your cheek.

A small peck. An infintesmally small peck but a peck nevertheless.

He chuckled at how red you turned at his sudden gesture.

“Haha, see you tomorrow, shy girl” he teased.

You roll your eyes,”Don’t call me that! Goodnight,”

You get inside the coffee shop to get ready to close down.

“I see things are escalating,”

“Oh my gosh, Cara, you scared me! Thought you left,” you gasp.

“Uf, don’t try to change the subject,”

You blush,” It’s nothing. He’s out of my league, he’ll never like a commoner like me. Besides, I’ve been reading a lot about his relationship with Lili Reinhart. So yeah,” you sigh as you face the harsh truth.

Cara scoffs,”I don’t know what you’re talking about but I know what I see. Anyways, the concert is tomorrow right?”

You sigh even more,”I didn’t even come close to the ticket price! I’ll never get to see Harry Styles. Forget about Cole liking me, I’m never going to see Harry!”

Cara places a comforting hand over your shoulder, ”Aww c’mon babygirl! Let me make you my special milkshake for you to take home,”

You decide to call in sick at work because today is Harry Styles’ concert, almost ALL of your friends are going to see him while you’re not. You had been dreaming about this day all summer and now it’s finally here but you can’t even go; IT’S SOUL-CRUSHING. You just wanna stay in bed all day and not talk to anybody. You don’t even wanna use your phone because all you see are pictures of your friends with their concert tickets and merch! Annoying.

BUZZ, You feel your phone vibrate from underneath your pillow.

You groan as you check the caller id: Cole

Shocked at the sight of his name, you quickly answer,”Hello?”

“Where are you and why haven’t you answered any of my texts?” he asks, sounding a little frustrated.

“Your texts..?” you check your inbox to find four messages from Cole

7:00am

Where are you? Already got my morning coffee. See you later!

8:49am

Why haven’t you come yet?

9:00am

U COMING?

9:04am

(Y/n)?

“Oh my gosh,” you quickly apologize,”I’m so sorry, my phone was on silent, I-“

“Nevermind, get dressed. I’m picking you up in 10,”

“Wait, where are we going?”

“You’ll see . Don’t worry, Cara’s joining us too,”

“OHMYGOSHYOUDIDNT,” you yelp in excitement as you quickly run over to Cole and give him the biggest, tightest hug ever.

He just parked outside the stadium and handed you VIP tickets for Harry Styles’ concert. He got one for Cara too since ‘she was always kind enough to cover your shift so that you and him could have a cup of coffee together,’

“Oh my gosh, Cole, I can’t believe… I don’t know how to..” you wipe your accidental happy tears.

“Ah, thank Cara. She was the one who reminded me of the concert! I’m sorry, I completely forgot about it,”

“Well, we’re here now, let’s go!” Cara excitedly exclaims.

“Let’s go,” Cole smiles brightly as he offers his hand.

You haven’t felt this happy in a very long time. When Cole first walked into the Coffee Shop with a bunch of scripts in his hand, you had no idea that you would be holding that same hand as you run over to see your favourite singer perform. Sure, you had seen him on TV but you never really felt anything.

He was just the guy from Riverdale. But now he has his arms around you while you watch in awe as Harry sings ‘Only Angel” .

The concert, so far, is going so well. Some fans recognized Cole but he kindly requested them to give you guys some space, promising them that he would take pictures with them after the concert.

Suddenly, everybody yelp in surprise and in awe as Harry sings ‘Summer Love’ alone. It’s one of the songs from One Direction’s second album. Hearing him sing it alone was sad and beautiful at the same time.

The screaming and the screeching stopped as everybody put their hands up in rhythm with the song.

“I was hoping that he would sing this one,” Cole exclaims.

You snicker, ”And why is that?”. You never took him for a Directioner.

“So that I could do this,” he immediately pulls you in for a deep kiss.

His hand linger at the back of your head as he kisses you smoothly while Harry sings the chorus.

The guy you’ve been crushing on the entire summer is kissing you while your favourite singer sings one of your favourite songs in the background, LIVE.

Did you just die and go to heaven? Because you swear, you felt like your soul had left your body.

There are thousands of people surrounding the two of you. Many must’ve been taking pictures but you didn’t care. You didn’t care because Cole didn’t.

Cole had the biggest grin on his face after he broke the kiss. You were still very amazed at the stunt he just pulled, ” Whoa, Cole, since when did you-“

“Since the day I heard you talk about Harry Styles. I instantly knew I wanted someone to talk about me like that with that same light and love in your eyes,”

You gush. He pushes your hair at the back of your ear, “I see it, (Y/n). I see the same light every time you tell me about your friends, about your favourite poet and I want to be a part of that. I want to be a part of all the things that keep you happy,”

“You have no idea,” and with that, you pull him for another kiss while Harry still continues to sing Summer Love.

The famous 25 year old heartthrob with the greasiest hair and the stinkiest crown beanie but the most beautiful pair of bluish-green eyes and the best smile was your Summer Love.

With summer coming to an end, you have your classes to attend and Cole has his hectic schedule to take care of, but right now, none of it matters. Because as you kissed, you knew in your heart, that no matter what Autumn may bring, you and Cole were going to be okay.

General Taglist ~ @xbobaaa @riverdrew @desicookie @dandelions-inthewind @ashleyykabob @bernaboredom @thevioletmarkey @punkrockandchemicalx @acidbabytears @ceruleanjones @riverdalemami

PS: I’ve only tagged the accounts which has requested to be in my General taglist. If you wanna get added/removed, do let me know x Thanks for reading <3

#cole sprouse imagine #cole x reader #cole sprouse #one shots #imagine #requests #riverdale #riverdale fanfic #cole sprouse fanfic #fan fiction #jughead jones #jughead x reader

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jac-ama · 7 years

Text

whoo a bunch of questions stuff tag

got tagged by @the-noodles-say-toodles, so leggo fam

Rules: Answer all the questions, add one question of your own at the end, and then tag people.

Coke or Pepsi? Coke, but I like both

Disney or Dreamworks? Disney straight up, but Dreamworks got some good stuff

Coffee or tea? Coffee only because I don’t really drink tea

Books or movies? Depends on my mood? Right now, movies sound great.

Windows or Mac? Meh. Windows bc Macs are expensiiiiveee

DC or Marvel? N/A. I don’t really pay attention to superhero kinda things.

XBox or Playstation? Tfw I’m a filthy Nintendo person. Imma go Playstation since it has more titles that catch my eye.

Dragon Age or Mass Effect? N/A. I don’t know crap about anything.

Night owl or early riser? Leaving the house by 6:15am + A lot of Honors HW and procrastinating = both

Cards or chess? Cards.

Chocolate or vanilla? Neapolitan, wut

Vans or Converse? Converse, but idrc

Lavellan, Trevelyan, Cadash? ??????? Idk

Paragon or Renegade? Paragon bc I ain’t bout that renegade life lol. (tfw i didnt know anything, so i just googled :3)

Star Wars or Star Trek? Star Wars because I haven’t even watched Star Trek (yet?)

One episode per week or binge watch? Binge, unless I’m lazy. One episode a week unless I forget

Gandalf or Obi Wan? Why do I live under a rock?????

Heroes or villains? Lowkey like villains more

John Williams or Hans Zimmer? Zimmer

Disneyland/world or Six flags? I’ve only been to Disneyland once and wanted to go to Six Flags, So Disney by default.

Forest or sea? As much as I like hiking, the sea since I literally grew up by the coast and went to the beach alot

Flying or reading minds? Reading minds

Twin Peaks or Northern Exposure? Nada, I live under a rock xP

Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings? CAN SOMEONE REMIND ME TO FREAKING WATCH THESE SERIES OR READ THE BOOKS???

You’re banished to a deserted island, which Benedict Cumberbatch character would you choose to take with you? Idk how many questions I’ve already skipped bc I don’t know shit

Train or cruise ship? Cruise ship. I want to go on one someday

Brian Cox or Neil DeGrasse Tyson? Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Art museum or science museum? Results may vary

Irish pub or night club? Both sound cool and all, but I feel I’d like Irish pubs more for some reason

Aang or Korra? Aang since I can connect with him a bit more compared to Korra

Swimming in a pool or lake? Lakes are pretty as heck, yet I’ve been in swimming pools more. ??????IDK?????

Classical music or classical literature? Music tbh, I’m a bit too dense to comprehend old English and really understand it. Jack why u in English Honors wtf

Oxford comma or no Oxford comma? Yes, Oxford comma

Digital or paper books? Also depends on mood. I’m in the river of E-Books atm so I’ll go with that

Rainy days or sunny days? Depends, but mostly about that sunny life.

Fantasy or science fiction? I can barely get through both without being lost, but dragons are cool. Fantasy

Poetry or prose? Poetry, but mainly when it’s spoken

Music or lyrics? CAN I CHOOSE BOTH??? IT DEPENDS ON THE SONG

Kissing or cuddling? Both, but kissing, man.

Dancing or movies for date night? Dancing, mostly.

Sea or space? Whichever gives me more existential crises.

MBTI or zodiac? I can get down with MBTI more, but both are pretty cool.

Netflix or YouTube? I’m a lazy bastard. I know I can binge YouTube stuff more, but Netflix has more things I’d like. I’ll just say both.

Plushies or pets? God dammit, who thought this was a good idea

Pizza or nachos? I eat pizza a lot more, yet I love nachos so much.

If you could speak to one person from history and tell them everything you know about the modern day, who would it be? This world is a mess, but either way, I have no idea who I’d like to speak to.

If you could become fluent in a language right now, what would you pick? Filipino. When my whole family is this, but they only ever speak English at home, I wanna learn more of the language of where you’re from.

Favorite Mythical Creature? Something? I don’t think of mythical creatures that often to know?

Vampires or Werewolves? Vampires, they get to fly. Tbh, neither.

Ao3 or ff.net? idek what Ao3 is. FF.net is kinda a mess but I’ve seen more there.

Tagging @mysterywolf119-blog and anyone else down

#a questions tag #thanks #heres some stuff you probably didnt need to know about me #oh well #love yall mutuals #we should talk ;)#bloop bloop #jackie says hi

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badcharacterization · 7 years

Text

A Court of Mist and Fury

This book has appeared on so many “Best of 2016″ lists, and after reading it I wonder how many 2016 releases these people actually read... Strap yourselves in, kiddos, this is like 8 pages of rage in the original Word document. Unpopular opinions under the cut.

Note: I originally took these down as notes on my phone, I’ve edited for clarity and punctuation and stuff, but not everything is properly capitalized because this book has taken enough of my precious time already. I did something similar with ACOTAR, and will probably post that one later (it is on goodreads though). I should have cited page numbers but that would have taken forever so you’re just going to have to guess from context clues.

-time skip time skip

-the mating bond sounds super yucky

-is this foreshadowing, is Ianthe going to steal Feyre’s shitty man?

-look at them sweet gender roles

-“inherent female magic.” no thank you bro

-Feyre is straight up depressed…and it’s actually depicted well…whoa

-I’m already tired of male this and female that though. We gotta make sure that everyone knows that the Fae are “primal” and “animalistic”

-and everyone is super duper straight apparently?

-so basically Amarantha was faerie Hitler? Just in case you didn’t already think she was super evil. There’s still no explanation of why she was so twisted, and I don’t expect the author will ever give one.

-I smell some vaguely Middle Eastern cultural appropriation

-also Feyre hasn’t learned to read after months in the spring court?

-Amarantha banned holidays, like the White Witch. How original.

-Rhysand suddenly has Feyre’s best interests at heart. He must have an identical, nicer twin.

-I’m still not over him drugging her and forcing her into skimpy outfits. That will never be okay to me, no matter how nice to her he is

-let’s have some more foreshadowing about Ianthe. It’s a little not subtle and barely qualifies as foreshadowing

-I know Feyre is depressed but she is passive in an out-of-character way. She used to disobey Tamlin pretty much reflexively.

-what did Feyre think Tamlin did for income? Of course it’s egregious taxes on all his subjects

-it’s almost like the author realized that ACOTAR had problems at some point and is trying to correct them all. She apparently doesn’t really plan or outline any of her books

-it feels like Tamlin has even less self control in this book than the last one, though it was always pretty bad. The author/narrator acts like this is a significant change and a sign of how what happened has traumatized him but it…isn’t? He was always physically intimidating her and manipulating her.

-I appreciate the author acknowledging that Tamlin is an abusive overprotective jerk, but Rhysand has issues too and he hasn’t really apologized or made amends at this point

-I didn’t expect Tamlin to want a domestic wifey but I guess this is a fae thing or an “omg look how evil he is now” thing

-have some awkward writing

-it is kind of a relief when she leaves the Spring Court, mostly because nothing interesting seems to happen there and it’s all a lot of foreshadowing about Ianthe, and Feyre being surrounded by courtiers with no bearing on what happens

-the introduction of Azriel, Cassian, and Amren is kind of…fanfiction-y. There’s something about the dialogue and how you can tell them all apart in an instant that feels like it was once part of a fanfiction.

-if Velaris is so famous for art and has so many artists and its location is supposedly secret…then who’s buying the shit?

-also where are the farms

-if a girl notices a guy’s scent, it’s done.

-have some more pretty fae dudes, as if there weren’t enough already

-I don’t think the Illyrians were supposed to be POC but their portrayal as warlike, women-abusing brutes is still kinda not nuanced. The name also refers to a historical region and people in the real world so…that’s not great

-Also the mating bond seems to be purely sexual, judging by the case of Rhysand’s parents. It’s actually kind of horrifying, the idea of becoming magically bound to someone you’ve just met and may come to hate in time. Why is it so desirable? Does it usually work out fine? What happens when one partner is already married or spoken for?

-Also it’s creepy as per the usual

-Also obvious foreshadowing lol

-Also a great excuse not to properly develop a relationship

-Time to bash Feyre’s disabled father again

-Ellipses everywhere

-“You needed not to be alone.” How about you quit telling her what she needs mmmkay?

-This sentence made me gag a bit, so I’m sharing it: “the voice was at once the night and the dawn and the stars and the earth, and every inch of my body calmed at the primal dominance in it.”

-And she’s using her pet word, primal, again

-There are flushing toilets in what seemed to be a medieval shit-land…okay

-At least this relationship is being built up better, but I still can’t get over the forced drugged striptease shit

-Amren’s back story is cool

-“Deadly bit of flirtation” Feyre needs to stop being so melodramatic, he was just flirting

-The Weaver is exactly the kind of weird, creepy faerie I’ve wanted to see in this series.

-Barbecue is an odd choice of words

-Rhysand feels more like her tough life coach than a potential love interest right now.

-Why is Feyre acting like Ianthe approaching Rhysand for sex was some unforgivable assault, when he had the power to make it stop immediately? It’s not even comparable to Amarantha.

-And how could Ianthe theoretically force herself on Lucien when males seem to hold more power than females in the Spring Court? Are priestesses an exception? Are there rules about turning them down? Does she enjoy some kind of special status?

-Foreshadowing about Ianthe and Tamlin again

-It’s almost like…Ianthe was behaving like literally every male character in this goddamn series. “The ownership and arrogance in that gesture” hmmmmmm…that sounds familiar

-Double standard time: Sexually aggressive men are just alpha males, sexually aggressive women are eeeeeevil

-Feyre complains that being rich and a woman in the human world is restricting but it seemed like she had a lot of freedoms when she went back and her father had his fortune back. Also, when she was poor. Someone had to know she was sleeping with that Isaac guy. Nesta certainly did.

-Almost forgot about the female mercenary, too

-Also apparently there are queens who are in charge in the human lands, though it was only mentioned in this book?

-The whole humans not having holidays thing is still dumb. They would have created new ones after disavowing fae ones. Whenever people abandon an ideology en masse, something usually crops up to fill the psychological void.

-time to reminisce about how shitty Feyre’s human life was

-It’s not like Feyre’s sisters were also kids when they lost their mother and their fortunes fell or anything

-Cassian and Nesta’s hate thing is a little exaggerated; the ship is almost too obvious. “Look, they’re acting like they hate each other” is a sloppy shortcut to “they have sexual tension and they’re going to end up in a relationship.” Because the author doesn’t want to spend too much time fleshing out any of the other relationships in this damn book

-If Amren ends up being a villain, too, I’m gonna lose my shit.

-Feyre’s human life sucked guys, remember? REMEMBER??? ISN’T SHE SO MUCH BETTER OFF IN DOUCHEY MISOGYNIST FAERIELAND???

-There’s an unnamed brown faerie…such diversity. Much wow

-The food is so good and spicy and shit it’s somehow curing her depression a bit…okay

-Feyre pays a lot of attention to Azriel. Begins to feel weird after the first couple of times

-“Yeah, Rhys, thanks for making me dance like a stripper, but the magical disembodied music was great”

-I almost like Cassian now. Almost

-Unless Ianthe is secretly super powerful I think Lucien doesn’t have to worry about her “preying” on him. Chill.

-So Rhysand and Feyre are basically texting…okay

-Rhysand is petty as shit about Tarquin: “I know we’re not in an actual relationship or anything…but I’m mad because you smiled at him.” All the men in this series need to chill

-Varian and Amren makes no sense. It just crops up out of the blue…and is…a thing

-The language around attraction is interesting and gendered. Men are “predatory” when they’re interested in a woman. He gets “lethal focus” on her. Which leaves me wondering…does he want to fuck her or eat her? I honestly can’t tell.

-What does “tattooed panes of his chest” even mean? His chest is a window?

-Have a very vague description of Rhysand’s room

-SJM always writes romances where the characters instantly click or feel attraction, and the only thing keeping them apart is stubbornness

-This part feels like a draft, it’s a summary of Feyre’s training and interactions with Mor, and I actually want to see what that’s like. Mor was supposed to be a less manipulative replacement for Ianthe, but we hardly get to see her interactions with Feyre

-The way Feyre is dressed, she’s basically being presented as Rhys’s partner and she doesn’t seem to mind? Unless Mor gets a crown, too, and the author just neglected to mention it

-So two of the queens are married to each other? Yay! Background token LGBT characters

-How do the mortal lands even work, politically? Two of the queens can be married to one another and not have to worry about producing heirs? Why so many queens? Do they rule together or each govern different kingdoms?

-Most of the queens get a sentence or two of description, but then SJM goes on and on about the beautiful one and treats her as the most important woman in the group

-Also all beautiful women hate each other at first sight y’all

-I thought she only picked Mor’s name because she thought it sounded cool but she’s actually (clumsily) referencing Irish mythology

-So humans and fae can interbreed, like in the Throne of Glass series

-“The Black Land” seems like the author gave up on names. It also resembles the name for Ancient Egypt, and the description of its history confirms that

-Also what is with all the evil faerie queens running around? How can someone be much worse than Ms. Tortures-Everyone, Amarantha?

-If the queens know of the Veritas but have never actually laid eyes on it, how would they know it shows the truth?

-Okay, let’s have entire pages all about the sex lives of Illyrians. Thanks, Sarah, I really needed to know that

-Of course sex stuff is more thought out than anything with the politics, magic system…or like anything else

-Okay, obviously Rhysand is someone she likes now, why is flirting with him still “lethal” and “dangerous”? Is she afraid of Tamlin’s reaction?

-…how would wings make for interesting sex positions? Maybe my imagination is just lacking but…why

-the description of the court of nightmares is super vague

-It feels like YA female protagonists always have to have a female friend or servant who’s more into clothes and makeup to dress them. It’s almost like a main character can’t actually be invested in girly things

-I think this scene is meant to show how much things have changed since Rhysand forced Feyre to dance like a stripper and drink drugged wine Under the Mountain, because now he asked her permission before including her in his schemes…but it rings hollow for me. This romance doesn’t work unless you ignore everything from book 1

-“That primal, male rage” you just gotta gender everything

-also really convenient that the author gets to attribute everything awful Rhysand has ever done to his “mask” or persona as a high lord

-Yeah let’s keep woobifying him and brining up how awful Amarantha was. It makes him look better…if you don’t think about it too hard

-The Starfall scene is kinda vague and doesn’t do much narratively, just like the solstice scene in book 1.

-LOOK LADIES RHYSAD IS A FEMINIST!!! DOESN’T THAT CANCEL OUT EVERYTHING BAD HE’S EVER DONE?!??!?!?

-So the Illyrian blood rite is basically faerie Hunger Games.

-So Rhysand is not only the most powerful high lord alive, but he’s also the most powerful of all time?

-Feyre’s description of him fingering her is ridiculous. “Every point in my body, my mind, my soul, narrowed to the feeling of his fingers…”

-Why does it seem like SJM has a thing for whipping? Also why are they whipping him? Torture for information? Just to show that they’re a bunch of irredeemably evil dicks?

-This isn’t a YA novel. It just isn’t.

-I sense some drama over the whole “you knew we were mates all along” thing

-Yep

-How is this the most important thing in a fae’s life though?

-Feyre has every right to be mad at him, and confused and shit. Jeesh.

-So the mating bond involves the female offering food to the male…gender roles galore

-If he felt the mating bond when she was human, does that mean that high fae can bond with humans, or that she was meant to change?

-So the faeries who tried to assault Feyre on Calanmai are called “Picts”…that’s an actual historical people, just like Illyrians. Kinda icky, even if no one really identifies with those names anymore

-Her descriptions of orgasms are always ridiculous

-“A slow, satisfied male smile” WE GET IT SARAH HE’S MALE JESUS CHRIST

-They sexed so hard they caused an avalanche? The fuck?

-What’s with all the roaring

-Another “male” smile. This is my least favorite phrase

-Post mating bond behavior is not cute. He wants to fight any “male” who looks at or comments on Feyre, including Cassian, who’s just a little shit

-“Feral” returns

-The mating bond makes them act like animals in heat and FEYRE CAN’T SO MUCH AS GLANCE AT ANOTHER MALE WITHOUT RHYS REACTING? HOW IS THIS DESIRABLE?

-And, sure, he’s fighting it, but this is still being presented as a model relationship?

-“Purr” has returned

-oh no the human queens are such awful bitches for not trusting the people who historically screwed humans over a bunch.

-The description of what happens and what Mor looks like when she holds the Veritas is kind of vague

-It’s understandable and logical for the queens to suspect manipulation, the only really bad thing about them is that they’re willing to abandon the humans on Prythian

-Lemme guess, Nesta and Cassian are mates, too? Isn’t it supposed to be super rare?

-So the beautiful young queen is nice after all. Beauty=goodness, kiddos

-How does Feyre know that the other queens betrayed them? The info could have been tortured out of them and they could be dumping the other bodies all over the city for all she knows? It seems like she’s leaping to conclusions [note: she ends up being right, of course]

-How can Feyre see Amren? Are they that close to each other? Cassian and Azriel are airborne but it sounds like city streets are between Feyre and Amren and buildings should be obstructing the view

-Sometimes SJM tries too hard to be a serious writer

-The fight is pretty cool, it just feels a little too effortless and efficient. It’s also frustrating that Feyre has had this vast power and hasn’t really used it much in combat until now

-her skill is made a little more believable by the fact that she doesn’t have a lot of precision, just raw power.

-Rhys is respecting her autonomy! Let’s just forget about book 1 completely

-So…the ring retrieval was a test to determine if she was strong enough to be his mate, too…not a douche move at all

-So convenient that all of the Hybern soldiers/underlings are sadistic creeps, it means the mains don’t have to regret killing them

-Jurian is described as tan, like many of the other characters in the book. But it just makes me think they’re meant to be white people with tans.

-The King of Hybern has no name and is also described as “blandly handsome” like a man in his 40s…wait I thought all fae are super beautiful and look young?

-So…literally all the faeries in Hybern’s court are dead-eyed and evil and there’s no art or furniture. That sounds fake…but okay.

-Just in case you didn’t understand that Tamlin isn’t just a bad person, now he’s super evil and possessive…oh wait he always was

-He actually has a point about Rhysand, how can you ever fully trust someone who could possibly mess with your mind?

-Also kind of messed up how two of the evil humans queens are like the only queer characters in the goddamn books so far

-why would the queens buy the idea that the king of Hybern is on their side? He wants to bring down the wall, unless he somehow hid that part from them

-it’s baaaaad for women to want power and eternal life. They can only have it if men give it to them

-Speaking of which, IANTHE IS EVIL GUYS! WHO SAW THIS COMING???

-So Hybern and Ianthe’s plan is to overthrow the high lords and let the priestesses rule. I know they’re supposed to be corrupt or whatever, even though there’s not any concrete evidence of this, but how is overthrowing the high lords a bad thing?

-While the twist with Nesta and Elain has interesting potential, Nesta and Cassian being mates is boring

-And super obvious

-Weird that Feyre suddenly thinks of her father, out of the blue, after weeks of not giving a fuck about him, when Elain is changed. Also prioritizing men’s feelings…again

-King of Hybern made a creepy comment about Mor and then forgot her, very cartoonish

-THIS SCENE IS DRAMATIC ENOUGH!!! Why add the Elain/Lucien mates reveal? Jeesh

-Gotta demonize that young ambitious queen for looking at fae men

-Sudden convenient powers

-And now a sudden chapter from Rhysand’s POV

-So Amren says mating bonds can’t be broken, but I’d be more interested in the story if it was in fact breakable and if Feyre and Rhysand would have to decide to live and love without it. This book treats it like the end-all-be-all though

-Awww Amren cares about Feyre after all

-Rhysand’s narrative voice sounds like Feyre’s, where I would expect him to sound very different

-GUYS RHYSAND MADE FEYRE HIS HIGH LADY DOESN’T THAT MAKE HIM THE BEST FEMSINIST EVER?!?!? WOMEN CAN STILL ONLY DERIVE POWER FROM MEN IN THIS UNIVERSE…BUT RHYSAND IS A SEXY FEMININST

-this is treated like a plot twist and I wish the scene had actually been shown…although that would only make this godforsaken book even longer.

-Aaaaand it’s totally confirmed after like two pages that the mating bond isn’t broken…just kill the drama and tension…just murder it

-Lucien is obviously suspicious of Feyre

Final thoughts

-Tamlin allying with Hybern comes off as stupid, not evil. Granted, he did not seem all that intelligent in ACOTAR, but you would expect someone who’s lived for centuries to be a bit savvier. He had to have heard of what Hybern was all about

-Women are constantly defined by their relationships with men. Like apparently the mating bond existed when Feyre was still human and Rhysand sent her visions of the night sky to comfort her and she painted it on her dresser drawer. It’s a minor thing but it just keeps coming up

-Feyre just kinda lacks agency in general. It’s supposed to be this cool, “she’s learning how to fight and defend herself” plot in the middle of the book, but Rhysand determines her goals, and his wants and needs drive the plot more than hers. It gets worse after the mating bond sets in.

-Also Ianthe is the only female character who does not have a devoted relationship with one man and she is demonized for keeping herself independent and sleeping around. Mor also isn’t in an established relationship, but it’s obvious that the author is hinting at her and Azriel being a potential couple.

-I would like to see Cassian cope with a disability, one that makes him worthless in the eyes of his culture…but I know that shit is getting cured ASAP, of course after milking it for a bit of melodrama and man feels. Like, there is no way he’ll actually have to go without his wings

-Ianthe’s betrayal of Feyre’s sisters lacks a real punch. Even when Feyre implicitly trusted her, she obviously didn’t like Ianthe much and her sinister intentions were heavily foreshadowed. If that relationship had actually been established as a strong friendship, the betrayal would seem like much more of a betrayal. Instead, it’s kind of like “Oh no, I knew there was a reason I didn’t like her all along.”

-This book seems to call into question the idea that the high fae are superior to and different from lesser faeries, especially if Illyrians can interbreed with high fae. This still doesn’t indicate where things like the Suriel and the Weaver fit in the hierarchy. It’s implied that both are more powerful than individual high fae, though it seems that the Suriel is pretty easily deceived and captured. The world building doesn’t make any sense if you question it too much

-The whole “lesser faeries deserve better” message that crops up once or twice, in between all the feels and sex, also rings hollow because pretty much all lesser fae so far have been demonized or portrayed in a negative light. The Picts, the Naga, the Attor and his dudes, etc.

-If Rhys is so awesome, why let the Court of Nightmares keep existing in its current state? Especially if he supposedly cares about Mor so much?

-In that scene where Feyre is watching her sisters get dunked into the cauldron, it all feels very detached. She’s watching Cassian and Lucien’s reactions, when I feel like she should be very narrowly focused on her sisters and what’s happening to them. The author doesn’t fully commit to the first person POV, because she wants to make it very, very super obvious to the audience that Cassian is Nesta’s mate and Lucien is Elain’s, but it makes the scene lack something emotionally. First person gives you the ability to make the narration emotional and immediate, but that comes at certain costs. One character can’t see or notice everything you want them to.

-Also she’s just always got to prioritize male feels over female suffering. OH LOOK SOMETHING HORRIBLE IS HAPPENING TO A WOMAN AND OH NO A MAN IS REALLY REALLY SAD AND ANGSTY ABOUT IT LET’S FOCUS ON HIM INSTEAD

-The author just seems to care more about men than women, in all honesty, and this is part of the reason I can’t just escape into this world or consider this book even a guilty pleasure. The Throne of Glass books were starting to get this way, too, especially because she keeps killing off the girls of color in that series.

-And basically any woman who’s greedy or doesn’t derive her power from a man is demonized. Especially if they’re sexually active or aggressive in their pursuit of the men they want. Rhysand’s behavior in ACOTAR was even worse than Ianthe’s, it’s such a double standard and it’s laughable that anyone would call these books feminist. There is nothing in Ianthe’s actions to imply that she is violating any of the men she’s pursued. She’s pushy, shady, and needs to learn when to back off, sure, but it’s not like she’s assaulting anyone. Especially when the men she’s gone after are obviously way more powerful than her (Lucien, too, is obviously the heir of the Autumn Court, even if he enjoys lower status in the Spring Court).

-I’m still not over the idea that getting rid of the High Lords would not be bad. Like, Rhysand and Feyre both agreed that the current social system is stultified and deeply unfair to “females” and “lesser faeries”? How is the idea itself so bad and repulsive to them? They react with disgust and shock when Hybern brings it up

-I feel like pretty much every character is more interesting than Rhysand, with the possible exception of Tamlin. This may be mostly because I feel that they have potential and that the author hasn’t written enough about any of them and hasn’t had the chance to ruin them or waste their potential (like Manon in Throne of Glass). She just tries way too hard to make Rhysand seem sympathetic and loveable after all of the questionable things he did in book 1. And it shows.

-Come to think of it, it’s super strange that the Night Court lands are so neatly divided into “sadistic shitty assholes” in the Court of Nightmares and “peaceful artsy people” in Velaris. Like, what nation has ever been like that? People aren’t either irredeemable dicks or good people, every place has a mix of people.

-Amren feels like the kind of character I would love with a different author, but is barely developed. Same with the rest of the inner circle: Azriel is too much of a cipher to really make me care, Cassian is kinda all over the place, and Mor is built up as this amazing female role model who’s been through so much and has great inner strength…but then the author barely pays attention to her. Basically, the author cares about her self insert and her perfect love interest, and everyone else is just set dressing.

-The King of Hybern is so boring, and is just like the King of Adarlan in Throne of Glass. The comparison is even more obvious because neither of them ever receives an actual name.

-There were some moments where ACOTAR was well written/compelling, however fleeting. There were also spots that showed some potential. There are more of those in this book, but as more of the world is revealed, it becomes clear that it’s all built on heteronormativity and a rigid view of gender and gender roles. The magic system is poorly developed, the politics and geography is poorly established, and the plot limps. Instead of tightening these things up, the author chooses to focus on romance and sex, pausing frequently to allow the main characters to have sexual tension, going on for pages about the sex lives of her winged fetish-boys, and demonizing anyone who stands in the protagonists’ way. This story isn’t really about the looming war, it’s about two people falling in love and having a bunch of sex. All of the other stuff is just stuff she needs to put down on the page so she can get back to describing male abs and sex scenes. That’s not to say that this is a bad thing, but I expect more plot, world building, and character development out of something that’s labeled as “fantasy” and about 600 pages long. And the romance just doesn’t work for me. Too much brooding and woobifying, the bond is just boring and too convenient.

-There were a few times I almost quit this book, but about midway through I started hearing about what a shitfest ACOWAR is and that motivated me to finish, because I love a good shitfest, if I’m in the right mood.

#Books #YA #Fantasy

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