#screw forgiveness let people be angry

[rex101111]

yeah sure Across the Spiderverse is about being doomed by the narrative and knowing you’re doomed by the narrative, but also it’s about how different people react to that, and how no one reaction is the right one, like Peter B. has lived as Spider-man long enough that’s gone through most of the “canon events” and he’s in a place where he’s like “yeah, alright, I can work with this” and is afraid of doing anything drastic because after being a screw-up for so long and finally, finally getting it right wouldn’t you be afraid making a mistake again?

And Miguel is angry but resigned because the one time he tried to defy the narrative it spat in his face and beat him to the ground. So now he’s doing what he genuinely belives is to everyone’s benefit. Without a hint of flexibility. He’s even angrier when Miles suggests that fate can be defied both because he’s convinced Miles is wrong and is going to get people killed and also if Miles is right than Miguel has to reckon with the fact that he’s convinced so many Spider-people to just “follow the script” and let their loved ones died because he was convinced there was no fighting the narrative. That not everyone is as doomed as he is.

And Hobie, who knows he might be doomed but is dead-set on spitting in the narrative’s face for as long as he can regardless. A different kind of acceptance. A kind of acceptance that’s covered in spikes and has teeth. If the narrative is gonna take him down he’s taking as much bad guys as he can before he bites it. And he’s isn’t going to be nice or polite about it, and he sure as shit ain’t gonna be quiet. Proper fucking punk, right there.

And Gwen, who is on the fence, but is sad and tired and just doesn’t have the strength to try anymore. She doesn’t have a home to come back to, or at least doesn’t think so, she’s stressed out and angry and she found out that as Spider-Woman that was always going to happen to her. She’s ready to give up, because being doomed is kinda freeing, if she was always doomed to fail, lose her friend, lose her dad, than it takes the pressure off. Sad as it was she could live with that. Until she sees Miles bite and fight and scream when he finds out he’s doomed, and that one little push gives her the courage to try and find out just how doomed she really is.

And Miles!! Free spirit, radical free thinker, “just let him spread his wings, man” Miles Morales. Who is trying so, so hard to figure out what his narrative even is, but is determined that he can figure it out, that he can spread his wings and manage on his own and find his place and be himself. Miles finding out he might be doomed is a slap in the face that he’s completely unprepared for. And he denies it completely. He refuses to lay down and just take it, he’s going to punch and kick and save everyone, no matter that every other Spider-person, Ham and Miguel and Gwen and every one, who’ve been doing this spider thing for much long tell him he can’t. And this radical rejection earns him pity, and earns him enemies, but he’s not backing down. He can’t back down. Because even if he is doomed he’ll never be able to forgive himself if he doesn’t even make an attempt.

 Across the spider-verse is so fucking good you guuuuuysss

#across the spiderverse #across the spiderverse spoilers

[mcflymemes]

AS SAID BY GARRUS VAKARIAN, updated version  *  assorted dialogue from the mass effect trilogy, adjust as necessary

i can't find any hard evidence.

good luck, [name]. maybe they'll listen to you.

i'm coming with you.

sometimes it feels like the rules are only there to stop me from doing my work.

i just couldn't take it anymore.

maybe i can get the job done my way for a change.

if you're wrong, we'll pay for it. but if you're right, and we did nothing, i think we'd regret it a whole lot more.

i thought you were dead.

it sure is good to see a friendly face.

at least it's not hard to find criminals here. all i have to do is point my gun and shoot.

my feelings got in the way of my better judgement.

i'll make you a deal. you get me out of here alive, and i'll tell you the whole damn thing.

nobody would give me a mirror. how bad is it?

don't make me laugh, damn it.

some women find facial scars attractive.

i'm fit for duty whenever you need me.

when i got to the meeting point, no one was there.

kill you? no. but i don't mind slowing you down a little.

what do you want from me, [name]?

i know you want to talk about this... but i don't. not yet.

it's so much easier to see the world in black and white. gray... i don't know what to do with gray.

my instincts are what got me into this mess.

never knew you had a weakness for men with scars.

well, why the hell not? there's nobody in this galaxy i respect more than you.

if we can figure out a way to make it work, then... yeah. definitely.

you're about the only friend i've got left in this screwed-up galaxy.

you don't ever have to worry about making me uncomfortable. nervous, yes... but never uncomfortable.

i brought wine.

your hair looks... good. and your waist is... very supportive.

hopefully that's not offensive in human culture.

i want something to go right. just once.

think you can win this thing, [name]?

i'm pretty sure we'll still need giant guns... and lots of them.

so... is this the part where we shake hands?

the scars are starting to fade. i remember they drove you wild.

i've been doing some more research on human customs.

glad to know my romantic skills made an impression.

let's not go there.

i can afford the good stuff.

what about you? i'm starting to see some wear and tear.

don't forget to come up for air. and not just because all these people need you. because i need you.

if you're suggesting i'm scared... game on.

still trying to make me blush, huh?

i'd be lying if i said i didn't hope it would inspire a certain... mood.

it seemed like you needed time to... figure us out.

the worst part about the galaxy going to hell would've been never getting to see you again.

not saying you don't know how to handle a gun. just saying some of us know how to make it dance.

i've actually seen you dance. no comment.

i know there are other things you're good at.

probably not a lot of air in here. an hour if we're lucky.

so tell me. think a girl would fall for that?

it gets even better when you try it in bed.

you don't lack for places to get lost.

did we break anything last night?

you'll find a way to win. and when this is over, i'll be waiting for you.

if this thing goes sideways and we both end up there... meet me at the bar. i'm buying.

forgive the insubordination, but your boyfriend has an order for you.

come back alive. it'd be an awfully empty galaxy without you.

we're in this 'til the end.

we didn’t kill these people. and we’re going to shut down the bastards who did.

looks like we’ve got a siege on our hand.

if anyone needs fresh clips or a bathroom break, now’s the time.

oh crap!

guess he didn’t like the food.

looks like we got the jump.

pretty extreme, but those were desperate times.

we won’t get a second chance.

that was me, sorry.

nothing like being stranded.

we’ll do more than that.

just the usual minor flesh wound.

what would these people have done if we hadn’t shown up?

i was there when you two had your thing, remember? just get a room and work it out.

stay angry. we’ll need it to get through this.

drinks will be on me.

one of my favorite places to fight!

i’m hard to kill. you should know that.

it’s gonna be bad all over.

for whatever it’s worth, i’m with you.

you’ve waited long enough for this day.

just wait ‘til this war is over.

you came along and warmed my heart with your winning personality.

maybe you’d like to go work for them instead?

how do i not have one of those?

surprise on our side for once. i like it.

brutal, but it makes a certain kind of sense.

#garrus vakarian #mass effect #mcflymemes #rp prompt #rp meme #rp memes #roleplay memes #roleplay prompt #rp starters #ask meme #ask memes #roleplay meme #roleplay inbox prompts #rp inbox meme #inbox prompt #inbox meme #sentence starter prompt #sentence starter #sentence starters

[chrollohearttags]

armin would most def try to squeeze in an “I love you” during sex after he’s fucked up and have the nerve to be mad if you don’t say it back

LMAOOO! i told you, this man is toxic with a capital T. (I definitely need to make a full story for him soon)

armin is very much aware of the bullshit he puts you through. He just thinks that you’re too dumb to realize it. The problem is that this man believes he’s smarter than everyone else so he tries to manipulate people. Too bad, you peeped his game a long time ago. Trying to be slick but you know exactly how to hit him where it hurts. Letting him go out and do his little dirty deeds; make his dumb ass mistakes and even screw up as much as he likes. If you feel compelled, you’ll welcome him back with open arms (and legs if he truly wants to make things right). His most recent blunder? Staying out all night, partying and getting with his homeboys when you two had planned a night in. Normally, you would’ve argued with him for hours on end, wasting good air and energy for his ass to go do the same thing in a couple days. Instead, you issued him the good ol fashion silent treatment…making him beg and grovel like a mutt, which probably killed him inside three times over. But he knew exactly how to get you to forgive him…or so he thought! While he was on his knees, looking so pathetic, he tugs your shorts down to eat that pussy. He figures after giving you a good tongue thrashing between your thighs, you’ll be like putty in his hands. Especially when he just went and got a new piercing to rub against your clit.. “I’m sorry, baby..I hope you’re not too mad at me..” however, he still has more convincing to do. So it’s off to the bedroom..where this man does everything in his power to give you the type of dick that’ll make you forget what you were angry about in the first place. So far, he thinks he’s succeeding. You keep moaning his name, begging him to go deeper, scratching up his skin..doing the most! It’s when you’re biting your lip, eyes rolling back and your body is trembling underneath him does he dare try to say it… “ahh..I love you, (y/n). I love you so fucking much.” spewing out with his last bit of shaky breath as he spills his nut into you. However, he’s not met with the response he’s expecting. Instead, you just moan once more and simply try to regain your senses. A smile of satisfaction on your pretty face but he feels as though every bit of his effort was a waste! “(Y/N)..I said I love you. Didn’t you hear me?” chuckling as you slightly roll over as to avoid the pitiful look on his face, you simply reply.

“Oh, I heard you. I just don’t believe you.”

#armin drabble #armin x black !fem reader #armin x black reader #armin smut #arminarlert #toxic armin apologist #toxic armin #armin arlert #armin headcanons #armin aot #armin x reader #snk armin #aot armin #aot x black reader #black fem reader #attack on titan armin #toxic relationship #black reader #armin imagine #armin artlert #armin attack on titan #armin x y/n #attack on titan smut #aot headcanons #aot imagines

[kxxkiecxre]

ꕥFWM - J.J.K ꕥ

PAIRING: Jungkook x F!reader

SERIES: like a moth to a flame.

SUMMARY: “do you really fuck with me or no? Do you trust me enough? Do you love me like I love you Y/N”

WARNINGS: bit of arguing, self doubts, about forgive cheating, angst, fluff, smut, fingering, cum eating, multiple orgasms, they joined the mile high club lol, mirror sex, unprotected sex (please don’t), tummy bulging. I think that’s it lol.

previously… next…

You had hoped this wouldn’t have happened. You trusted him enough to believe he wouldn’t screw you over like that. That he wouldn’t ever hurt you this much, but, maybe you truly are too naive? Because time and time again, you end up getting hurt. Even by the people you believed loved you.

But doubting yourself like this, comparing yourself to other women because of a man, you truly can’t believe you let yourself stoop so low because of him. Sure you love him, maybe a little too much, and maybe that’s why it hurts so fucking much, but you thought you had your heart wrapped in bubble wrap. Protecting it from breaking again, and here we go, Job failed. Maybe you should slap a ‘fragile’ sticker on top of it as well.

The rain seemed to be pour out of a bucket as you walked the streets of Boston, unsure of where you are or where you’re going. Eventually, you found a small cafe, stopping inside to grab a hot mocha and think.

Perhaps, he wasn’t lying? Was he telling the truth or is that just your wishful thinking? What if he did sleep with that woman? What does that mean?

You loved him so much it was practically suffocating you. Every single inch of your soul ached for his company every minute of every day. If almost burned you painfully when he wasn’t connected to you in some type of way. Everyday that you wouldn’t be with him, was like you’ve been the sickest you could be. Deathly sick. It was nauseating being away from him.

The way he’d touch your skin, his finger tips trailing your delicate flesh so gently, minimally running his fingers up and down. The way his kisses would be so gentle but so rough, leaving purple bruises in the wake of his pillow-like lips. His mouth was dirty, so dirty, he’d tell you all the things he’d love to do to you, while his fingers would be dipping inside of you. He’d edge you closer and closer. Tell you how beautiful you’d look when you were in your most natural state, moaning, sweaty and flushed underneath him. He’d tell you how much he loved kissing you, how much he adored your skin, how good you were. His body would melt into your skin while he’d be thrusting into you so deeply you could feel him in your cervix, and still, he’d tell you how gorgeous you looked while you’d come. He’d tell you how your eyes glisten and how he could get lost in them.

It drove you insane, he drove you insane. He wasn’t meant to ever become this precious to you. This close and personal. You were never meant to fall in love with him, fuck.

Yet here you are, walking back to the hotel. Coming to terms with the fact that you’d push aside your own pain and ego, just to keep having him close. Just to make him yours. Just to keep feeling that ecstatic feeling every time he’d kiss you. It was a drug stronger than fentanyl. Than cocaine, than heroine. Anything. Love, was the drug that truly would fuck you up.

Standing in front of the door, you suck in a deep breath, dripping wet, you enter the room to a disorientated Jungkook.

You’re not sure how you woke up to only argue with him again. Still here you are, with your phone in hand, realising he actually was telling you the truth. He truly was only helping his friend out and for some reason that made you so upset.

But no body was as upset as Jungkook right now. Standing in front of you in nothing more than grey sweatpants. Shirtless and angry.

“I don’t understand how you could just leave like that? You didn’t even have half the mind to text even Minho to say you’re okay, or that you’re taking a walk? You had me going crazy, shit don’t you get it?” He says desperately.

You bite your lip, for once lost for words.

“I love you so much I was about to go out and leave everything behind just to find you. I was going to call everyone I knew around here to help find you, fuck can’t you see that I see no point without you?”

“Jungkook what are you saying? You’re telling me you love but how can you blame? We went from friendly to hating each other to sex, you gave me no clue that you’d even remotely love me. How was I suppose to know?”

“So me spending everyday with you, giving you my entire attention, being mesmerised by you didn’t tell you that I could at least have a crush on you? All the roses the teddies the gifts the fact that no other person had even half of the attention I was giving you, not even my sister, was not a sign?”

You sigh, running your hand through your hair, you really fucked up huh?

“I’m sorry.”

His brows furrow, he squats to your level, forehead against yours his hands cupping your face as he closes his eyes, “do you really fuck with me or no? Do you trust me enough? Do you love me like I love you Y/N?”

You nod, your hands wrapping around his wrists, “I love you even more Jungkook.”

Going back home was depressing. A whole different vibe to when you arrived in Boston. Though you’ve mended things with Jungkook, you don’t particularly think this will be an easy fix. Nor do you think anything will be the same, not after you both confessed to your feelings. It’d be weird to just ignore all that happened and just go back to what you were

Not to mention, you’d have to explain everything to yeji and just that thought makes you feel nauseas.

Jungkook sat beside you in the backseat of the van, black puffer coat on his upper half, paired with a with a black oversized short with a white turtleneck underneath and his baggy cargo pants. His accessories, the silver gun in particular, was your recent gift to him. As well as the rings on his fingers. You weren’t dressed as nicely, a basic white cropped puffer coat that had a hoodie lined with faux fur, underneath though, you wore your baby pink long sleeve but skin tight shirt, your pants were the most general white tracksuits. You wore a beanie on top of your head because you genuinely felt like you were going to freeze to death. Even in your basic outfit, he reminded you how beautiful you looked, and it made you feel guilty, because you didn’t have the trust in him, even if he gave you no reason to distrust him. Your trust issues were getting in the way, and sure, before everything, before this, it used to be a silly little joke. Not anymore though.

You realise now you have a lot of shit to work through. You hadn’t realised how messed up you were, really. This situation opened up your eyes and as you follow him to sit across him for breakfast before going to the airport, you sigh, mentally fighting yourself wether you should bring this issue up now, or perhaps when you get home and get settled, you’re not sure how much more disagreeing both of you can take. You’re really tired of it.

“Look at me,” his voice was gentle, dripping honey as he spoke to you, “no more running out on each other, let’s have a little more trust in each other hm? Let’s hear each other out before we jump to conclusions and work on this together. This wasn’t all your fault either. I messed up to.”

You closed your eyes in a silent plea to stop blaming himself, your heart clenching the more you realise how you must have really hurt him, “the truth is, you haven’t. You did nothing wrong, on the contrary actually, you did everything right. You took care of a friend who needed you, especially a woman who needed someone she could trust to get her home safely and you did just that. And I couldn’t be more proud of you, I’m sorry I reacted like that. Im sorry Jungkook.”

He licked his pierced lip, nodding his head gently, “no biggie, just promise me one thing.”

You nodded immediately, beginning to take your gloves off, “anything.”

“Don’t ever leave me like that again. Don’t just disappear on me. Matter of fact, just don’t leave my side ever.”

Your eyes soften, heart beating faster than a bulletin train, “I promise.”

“Then why are you still sitting there?, come here.” His arms opened wider, welcoming you to his side.

You sat beside him, curling up into his side as his arm dropped around you. If a doctor put a stethoscope to your chest right now they’d be getting a crash cart In seconds. Your heart was erratic, jumping, running, sprinting, cartwheeling around in your chest as his lips connected to yours for a sweet and gentle kiss. Sure, you’re slowly patching things up. But that doesn’t mean everything is alright, nothing is alright until you truly discuss what’s going on between you. What you want to do about it, and finally telling Yeji. It won’t be ok until then.

Still, it’s better than being silent towards each other.

Still your thoughts chased you, even while you were sat beside him in the plane. Your mind never shut off, it was constantly on repeat. Naming things that are wrong with you, slowly realising you’ve been hurting Jungkook without even realising it. The times you’d roll your eyes at him when he’d tell you, that you’re the most important person in life right now along side his sister. The times you’d ignore him protecting you for own good, just like he tried protecting you against Jimin. All the times you wouldn’t trust him. The times you’d always choose Yeji over him.

Fuck, you were so incredibly guilty.

Taking his hand in yours, you bring it up to your mouth, planting little kisses on it a million times, hugging his bicep closer to you as if you could mend the pain you caused him. Realistically, that’s impossible. If you knew sooner, the way your stupid self was affecting him. You’d have apologised sooner. He slept peacefully beside you, nose blushed pink along with his cheeks, eyelashes long and curly, and his lips were a bit dry, but you blame the cold weather for his soft pillowy lips turning this way because yours are also incredibly dry and chapped.

A couple hours in and Jungkook is wide awake, staring at you as you slowly wake up. His hand still in yours, albeit not held onto as tightly anymore. Still his smile widens as you fully look at him now, confused on why he has the mischievous glint In his eyes.

“I’m even in your dreams huh? Was I as good as I am in reality baby?” He smirked to himself as his nose buried in your hair.

Like a deer caught in headlights, your cheeks flushed, eyes round and big “what?”

“Be a good girl and meet me In the bathroom in five minutes hm?”

You watched him walk away, still shocked at what he meant. Well you knew what he meant you were just shocked. Still you checked your watch waiting another two minutes before you went to the bathroom eyes scanning the rows of people in case any of them knew, most were asleep some were too busy reading.

Knocking the door opens and you were snatched inside almost instantly. His lips were desperate on your own, practically bruising. You kissed back full force, back against the door as his hand skimmed the rim of your sweatpants, gentle and ghostly on your skin before his hand followed down, pulling your thong to the side as his fingers dipped between your lips, feeling just how soaked you were, dripping down your own thigh and it drove him mad.

“Fucking hell Y/N,” he groaned, “what am I gonna do with you mhm?”

You whimpered, hands balled into fists around his black shirt desperate to feel him inside of, rubbing your thighs together as your core tingled, desperately looking for relief.

“Please Kook, I need you to fill me up.”

Your pants were down your legs in seconds. And your body was pressed against the sink, the mirror hanging right in front of you showing you just how desperate you were. His body behind you as he positioned your body, your ass sticking out, and his cock dragged up and down between your folds, pulling little moans out of you. Your core practically screamed for him, tingling as if there were a hundred million butterfly’s there.

The tip of his cock stretched you out, and it already had you whimpering, falling apart as he whined a barely audible “damn” under his breath.

Jungkook set the pace rough and animalistic from the start. He wasn’t messing around. He hit that sweet spot inside you over and over, his larger hands tangled with yours over the edge of the skin, his body flush against your back as he fucked you so good, he looked back at you in the mirror, smirking.

“Look at yourself baby, look how fucking beautiful you are.. shit” he groaned as you clenched around him, your pussy throbbing around his fat cock as it pounded inside of you, his hand came up to grab onto your jaw forcing you to looking back at him in the mirror, “do you see it? How fucking perfect you are? That’s my girl”.

You moaned a bit too loud, his hand covering your mouth as he raised you to almost stand, flush against his chest as he began thrusting slower but so fucking deep. He brought the hand that was over yours towards your lower stomach, making you feel him thrusting in and out of you. He was balls deep, hitting every tiny nerve and you knew it was going to be messy, so messy. A few more deep thrusts and you cum around him, forming a white sticky juice around his cock as it dragged in and out, running around his fat dick and it was enough for him to shoot his load up inside you.

“Shit, my perfect little whore hm?”

“Yes.”

You winced as he pulled out, leaving an empty feeling inside of you. And you missed him already, clenching around nothing but rather spilling his cum out of you. He dropped to his knees, watching as it made a mess of your swollen pussy, and he’s not quite sure what possessed him, but he latched onto your cunt within seconds, licking you up and making you gasp at the over stimulation as his tongue lapped around your pussy, sucking and twirl on your clit before dragging his tongue inside your hole and your legs shook as you came down once again, shocked at his behaviour. Your hands tightly wrapped around his black hair.

“What the fuck.”

It was too late for this, but still, just as you entered Yejis apartment she immediately threw herself at you, hugging you as if she hasn’t seen you for years. You hugged her back, smiling from ear to ear. damn the woman’s strong she had you In a tight ass grip you could barely breathe.

As she sat you down at the couch you shared a look with Jungkook, knowing that at some point she’ll need to find out and for some reason it leaves your stomach in a twist. Afraid she’ll hate your guts for falling for her brother.

Still, he smirked at you as he went into his room, and you knew that little rendezvous in the plane was just the beginning to what he had in store for you and it made a shiver run down your back.

Eyes focusing on yeji ranting about something, your mind was on other things though it looked like you gave her your undivided attention and it was kinda mean of you but at the same time, you really didn’t want to hurt yeji.

Anyone, but Yeji.

A/N: sorry the chapters seem so short 😩 enjoy!!!

#bts drabble #bts fluff #bts imagines #bts smut #jungkook x reader #jeon jeongguk #jeon junkook #jungkook #jungkookie #bts #bts jeon jungkook #jeon jungguk #jeon jungkoooook #jeon jungkook #jungkook angst #jungkook sexy #jungkook fluff #jungkook x you #jungkook imagine #jungkook smut #bts jungkook #jungkook icons #bts fanfic #bts angst #btscafe #bts scenarios #bts x reader #like a moth to a flame

[peakyltd]

New Endings - Part 3

Part 3 | Tommy Shelby x reader

A/N: Well this is posted later than I intended but I was struggling with this one and after working a little bit too long on it, idk what to think of it anymore 🥲 Anyway, I hope you'll still like it!

Warnings: Swearing, mentions of injuries, mentions of domestic violence/abuse.

Word count: 5.4k

MASTERLIST | PREVIOUS PART | NEXT PART

Tommy held his aunt's displeased gaze, if her angry tone didn't already gave away how she felt, her eyes would for sure. "Did you forgot who her fiancé is? Who says we can trust her?"

"It's (Y/N), Pol." Tommy's toneless voice objected, not impressed by Polly's words. "You think people won't change? It’s our company that’s connected to the house, it’ll become a fucking target." She confuted.

Tommy had gathered Polly, Arthur, John and Michael for a family meeting in his office in Arrow House. He had enlightened them on the new situation and found details about David. Much doubt arose when he announced that (Y/N) stayed at the old family home, mostly from Polly who questioned her intentions or that from her fiancé.

“Ah c’mon Pol, d'you really think she’d try anythin'?” John turned in his chair to look at his aunt, his eyebrows furrowed. Not believing (Y/N) would have any intentions to screw them over.

“She won’t.” Tommy interrupted them as he leant back in his chair. He hadn't expect the backlash he just received, assuming they would all just accept it. The words of his aunt lingered in his head, maybe he was taking a risk but at the same time he didn’t believe (Y/N) would go against him. Not in the state he had found her in.

“She stays there. I’ll find her a home in the meantime.” He looked at each of his family members, a dominant look in his eyes, a sign that there was no room for negotiation. Something that didn’t work well on Polly. “You’re blinded, Thomas. Remember how it worked out for you the last time.”

Tommy clenched his jaw at her remark, annoyed that she brought up his late wife and the way she had lied to him. Despite the betrayal it didn’t stop him from loving her and forgiving her. Something Polly never did.

“I’m helping her so that bastard doesn’t kill her.”

Michael cleared his throat, the tension between Polly and Tommy was clearly palpable and it made him feel uncomfortable. “With who is David involved with?” He wondered, recalling the information Tommy gave them earlier. “I don’t know yet.”

“We’ll keep an eye on that bloody bastard, right Tom?” Arthur looked at his younger brother, showing him that he got his back. “We do.”

Polly shook her head. “Isn’t this place big enough?" She referred to Arrow House. "You have plenty of space for a guest.”

“She felt safe at Watery Lane.” Tommy directed his attention back to his aunt. Polly narrowed her eyes. “That’s what she tells you.”

Tommy sighed as he kept his gaze on her. “Thank you all for coming.” His brothers and cousin got up to leave the office together, unlike Polly, who remained in her chair with her arms crossed.

“You’re dismissed Pol, free to go.” He bossed her while he put his glasses on his nose and took a folder with documents from his desk.

“You wouldn’t let her stay here, do you?” Polly sneered at him. He looked up over his glasses. “I wouldn’t want to give off the wrong ideas now, do I?”

A humorless laugh fell off her lips. “Please, Thomas don’t-“ Tommy slammed the folder on the desk, making Polly slightly jump at the sudden noise. “Listen to me, eh?! She's no bad news. We’ll go see her tomorrow and you’ll see with your own bloody eyes what happened. I’m not fucking stupid Pol.”

Polly let the silence after Tommy's finished sentence surround them for a moment as she stood up. She walked over to his desk and leaned over it, pointing her finger in his face. “You don’t realize what you got yourself into.” Her eyes were boring into his, showing him that she meant it.

Rays of sunlight streamed trough the small gaps of the curtain, touching (Y/N)'s face in a kind way. The soft light slowly awoke her from her peaceful rest. She snuggled into the blanket as she opened her eyes, carefully taking in her surroundings. Her mind took her back to the events of the day before, just like it did during the night until exhaustion took her into it's arms and gave her the rest she so desperately needed.

The room felt safe and if she could, she would lock herself in there so she didn't have to worry about anyone. Unfortunately things weren't that easy and she had to prepare herself for her new future, something new and unknown.

She sat up and put the pillow against the metal bedframe. While she got comfortable, she looked around the room. It was exactly how she remembered it, the flower pattern on the wallpaper, the chair next to the bedside table and the tapestry that hung next to the bed. It was as if the younger versions of both her and Tommy could walk trough the door at any moment. The sigh that left her mouth was slow as she reminded herself of easier times.

She got up and changed into the dress that Tommy had left for her before opening the curtains. The sky had replaced the somber grey colors for a calm blue one, clouds were dappled here and there. Golden threads of the morning sun directly shined into the bedroom, a smile tugged on the corners of her lips as she looked outside. It felt as if this was nature's way to tell her that she made the right decision. Or well, she would like to believe it was.

She turned away from the window and left the room to make her way downstairs where she got herself a cup of tea. The kitchen didn't offer her the same safe feeling as Tommy's bedroom did, making her feel like some kind of intruder in a place where she shouldn't be.

She looked up at the clock on the wall, no idea on what to do next. Her belongings were not with her, she didn't dare to set a foot outside and she didn't know when or if Tommy came back today.

The sound of footsteps made her snap out of her thoughts as her heartbeat exceeded. "Good morning, love."

"Polly..." She breathed out the visitors name while she tried to keep her composure, knowing her voice had probably betrayed her already. She hadn't expect to see Tommy's aunt, at least not yet. "Good morning."

"It's been a while." The dark haired woman looked at her as a small smile played on her lips. While she eyed the younger woman in front of her, she let Tommy's words play trough her head again. He was convinced that they could trust (Y/N) however there was something that didn't sat right with her.

"It is." (Y/N) returned a small smile. "Would you like some tea? I just made some." She asked Polly, her hands trembled slightly while she put her cup on the table.

"I'll get it myself." Polly answered before taking off her coat and hanging it on the rack. "How have you been?"

"Well..." She let her hands rest on the back of a chair that stood by the table. "I'm alright."

"Alright?" Polly filled a cup and turned to face her. "If you were alright, I don't think you would be here." She pointed out while she sat down at the table. "I-"

"Please take a seat." Polly interrupted her, directing her with her eyes. Her gaze did not leave the woman in front of her until she sat down. "I heard you were engaged."

"I am. For a while actually." (Y/N) confirmed while she twisted the ring around her finger. She felt her palms getting sweaty, unable to tell why she felt so nervous all of sudden. Polly had always been good to her and they got along from the moment they had met.

Polly sipped on her tea, letting the silence linger for a while before she spoke up again. "You're living in London now?" (Y/N) nodded in response. "Yes." She wasn't able to stand the long silences Polly used after her answers. "It's been very different from what I was used to."

"Better?" The older woman asked her. (Y/N) shrugged. "In some ways."

"I think London is convenient for your fiancé's work, isn't it?" Polly's head was slightly tilted backwards as she looked down at her with a raised eyebrow, (Y/N) broke the eye contact and looked down at the table. "It is. Easier for the distribution of the car parts."

"I see." Polly noticed that the behavior of the woman in front of her was different, nothing like she had remembered. She noticed the bruises in her neck and on her arms, which she had tried to cover up with the dress she was wearing. Her confident appearance was replaced with fear and shame. "And now you're here."

(Y/N) felt Polly's gaze almost burning into her skin. Her questions made her wonder what else she knew about her life or David's. She just nodded, thinking about a way to tell her without making it too complicated for herself. "I couldn't take it anymore." Her voice was soft, almost too scared to admit it.

"Tommy told me." Polly's expression softened as she started to feel pity for her. "I didn't expect him to help me." (Y/N) dared to look up at her again as she heard a soft laugh coming from her mouth. "He's full of surprises lately."

The sound of the front door alerted both of them. She felt her body tense as she looked at the opening that led to the small hallway where a familiar man had showed up.

"Did I miss the tea party?" Tommy's low voice filled the room while he walked in, giving his aunt a stern look.

"You did." Polly shot back at him, unfazed by his attitude. "Very eager to come see her, eh?" He sneered, annoyed by the fact his aunt didn't listen to him. "I thought she'd like some company." Polly fake smiled at him, knowing exactly how to push his buttons.

Tommy took his cap off and put it on the table in front of him before sitting down. "Would you like some tea?" (Y/N) questioned, already getting up to get him some.

"No. I won't be here long." He leaned back in the chair, looking at her the way Polly did, waiting for her to sit back down. "Oh, okay." She sat back on her chair. "I guess you've already discussed a few things?" Tommy asked, referring to Polly's early visit.

"We did." Polly answered before drinking some of her tea. "Good." Tommy redirected his attention back to (Y/N). "We might have a house for you, it's not much but it's safe. You'll be able to move there in a few weeks."

"A house? Tommy..." While she was lost for words, she tried to let the new information sink in. Tommy took a wad of cash out of his pocket, shoving an amount of it, her way. "This is for food and clothes. Finn can get you some groceries." He assured her while glancing at his aunt who's dark eyes were almost burning holes into his skin. "And I'm sure Polly wouldn't mind to buy you a few dresses."

"No. No I can't take this." She pushed the money back to him. "You did enough already, I don't even know how I have to pay you back." She was taken aback by his gesture, it was way too much.

"You don't have to pay me back. Just take it." He shoved it back to her way, putting the rest of his money back in his pocket. "I know it's not the same as your belongings but this is what I can do for now."

"Oh no... Please don't worry about it. I'm... I just don't know what to say." It didn't felt right to take his money. She wasn't sure if it was because it came from Tommy or that things just went way too fast but either way it made her feel uncomfortable.

"You don't have to say anything. It's yours." He assured her while he got up, grabbing his cap off the table. (Y/N) looked up at him, shaking her head. "I can't-"

"You can." Tommy put his cap back on his head. "Can I at least invite you dinner for tonight? I can't just take it without doing anything back." She offered, it was the least she could do.

He looked at her in silence while blinking a few times. "If you insist." She nodded. "I insist. 7 PM? "

"I’ll see you tonight."

Plates were neatly put across from each other and the bottle of whiskey was already waiting to be opened. Food was almost finished and even though she was a bit late there was no need to hurry since there was still no sign of Tommy.

Knowing he was always on time, she started to worry. Maybe something had happened to him or maybe he changed his mind about the dinner. But if it was the last thing, he would’ve let her know. Right?

She cleaned her hands after she turned the stove off and peeked trough the window. The streets were pretty calm, except for a few people here and there but none of them was the one she was looking for. She decided to wait a little longer and sat down at the table, opening the book Polly had brought her, along with her new clothes and groceries.

It was a welcome distraction for the time she had to kill because much later than expected, Tommy finally entered the house.

She put her book down and looked up at him. "Is everything alright?" She asked him while he took off his cap and coat and sat down at the table. "Everything's alright." He looked at her when she gazed quickly over at the clock. "A little inconvenience at one of the factories." He added, addressing the fact why he was late.

An embarrassed feeling went trough her body when she noticed he caught her looking at the clock, not wanting to give him a feeling as if she was anxiously waiting for him. "Oh, no don't worry. I already thought that it had something to do with... business." She half lied, leaving out the fact that she was worried.

Tommy nodded as he observed her, noticing her new dress and the make up she was wearing. "I like the dress." He boldly told her, making her smile in response. "Thank you. I like it too, Polly got exactly what I wanted."

"I'm glad." He replied as he watched her get up. "You must be hungry." She assumed when she got his plate and took it to the stove. "I made roasted chicken and baked potatoes with cheese."

"It smells nice." He admitted while she put his plate back in front of him. She opened the bottle of whiskey and poured him a glass. "Thank you."

When she got herself a plate as well and had poured herself a glass of wine, she sat across from him. An uneasy feeling crept up on her, it felt weird to have dinner with him after everything that had happened. The only thing that made her feel better was that he didn't seemed as tensed as he was that morning.

"I hope you'll enjoy your meal." She politely smiled at him as she cut a piece of her chicken. "I think I will." He responded before taking a sip of his whiskey.

"Were you able to get some sleep last night?" Tommy wondered, he had noticed that she looked less exhausted than the evening prior. "Yes, a bit but enough to feel better than yesterday."

He nodded as he calmly ate his food. She eyed him carefully, becoming more aware of the things she had already seen in The Garrison. The tired look on his face and the lack of happiness in his eyes were a big contrast to what she had remembered. She thought back at the words he had said to her in the pub, their kiss and how she hit him after. She had felt a yearning to go back and undo what was done. What she did was equally as bad as the things David did.

"I'm sorry." She blurted out, earning a confused look from Tommy. "For what?"

She looked down at the table, feeling insecure under his intense stare. "Hitting you. You know... at The Garrison. After you-." She stammered, feeling stupid that she wasn't able to get out one proper sentence.

"It was very painful, y'know." He deadpanned. She looked up at him, a hint of guilt in her eyes until she realized he was joking. "I'm serious Tommy." He leant back and took a sip of his whiskey. "Me too, that ring hurts."

She parted her lips to speak up but didn't know what to say. A small smile appeared on his face. His attempts to be funny didn't gave her the chance to explain her feelings. "I felt really bad."

"Don't." He assured her, his way to ease her feelings. "You're not angry about it?" Tommy shook his head. "No, 'm not."

She was relieved that he wasn't mad about what she did although his short answers didn't gave her full satisfaction, wondering if he maybe didn't want to talk about it. While Tommy continued eating the food she made, she wondered if the silence had become a family thing since the conversation with Polly wasn't really flowing either. "So..." She awkwardly started, trying to bend the conversation into a different subject.. "How's the family been?"

"Good." He put the cutlery down. "Arthur got married, John became a father again, Ada and Finn are doing well." Her eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" She marveled with a small smile on her face. "That's great news."

"I guess it is." Tommy filled his glass with whiskey once more. His comment made her wonder what he meant but she decided to leave it. "Finn must've changed a lot."

"He did grew up, yeah."

"I remember I caught him smoking when he was just a little boy." She chuckled softly. "Probably wasn't the first and the last time." Tommy snorted lightly as the corner of his lips turned slightly upwards. He couldn't keep count on the numerous of times he had caught the young boy with a cigarette in his mouth.

(Y/N) shared a little more about her memories of the Shelby's as it seemed to be the easiest way to make a conversation with the one in front of her. While they finished their dinner and drank some more, he attentively listened to her stories.

"Well, I think I'll have to thank you for dinner, eh?" Tommy had turned his chair to look at her while she was doing the dishes. He had taken his suit jacket off, leaving him in his dress shirt and vest. "You're not staying for a drink?"

"I've already had a few." He stated as he saw how her lips turned into a smile. "I can get you a glass of water." Her witty comment made him think of the many she used to make all the time. "I'd rather not."

While she dried the last plate, she turned to look at him. "Then at least stay for one more?" She asked him. Despite their dinner starting off awkward, she ended up enjoying it and she wouldn't mind to chat a bit more. "Alright then."

Once she finished, they both moved to the small living room where they sat across from each other. The fireplace warmed the room and a few candles were spread trough the place, the flames glowing on their faces.

"The whole house is exactly like I remember it." She giggled, the wine had given her a little more confidence but also helped her to feel at ease. Tommy looked around, nodding his head slowly. "Not much has changed."

"It's weird to think about how it looks like time stood still while everyone's lives has changed so much." She concluded as her eyes fell on a picture of the three brothers, Tommy was no older than 19. Tommy's gaze moved to the picture before looking at her. "Everyone's lives or our lives?"

(Y/N) turned her head to meet his eyes and shrugged, not expecting his question as it seemed he wanted to keep a distance in every conversation that night. "Both, maybe." Tommy swirled his whiskey in his glass. "Do you think you'd be still living around here, if you didn't meet David?"

She thought about his question. "Maybe, yes. I don't think London is where I belong." She pulled her knees up and let her legs rest on the sofa she was sitting on. "It's too busy, I guess. The people are different as well."

"How did you meet him?" Tommy asked while he leaned his arms on the chair, curious about how she met him. "At a party, in a club. Also in London." She took a sip of her wine. "A friend invited me. He was there with a group of his friends and he came to the rescue when some Italian was bothering me." She smiled at the memory. "We hit it off pretty well and it turned out the Italian was friend of his who had a few too many drinks."

Tommy nodded once more, replaying the words in his head. This could be information that would help him find the missing link he was looking for, it confirmed his suspicion.

"For how long have you been engaged now?" He continued asking about her relationship. "6 months. He promised he'd do better so I said yes."

"But he didn't." He concluded. "No." She looked at the fireplace as she thought about the past few years. "For how long have you been married?"

"A few months." (Y/N) saw Tommy's eyes change, although his expression remained the same. "Did you love her?"

"I did." He sighed after he finished his whiskey. "Yeah.."

"I'm sorry Tommy." She immediately apologized. She didn't want her curiosity to be the reason behind a ruined night as it appeared to be a sensitive topic. He shook his head, his eyes finding hers again. "No, it's okay."

They both remained silent, thinking about their lives and how things could've ended so differently. (Y/N) decided to get up and get herself another glass of wine. She passed the chair where Tommy was sitting and gently took the glass out of his hand. Their fingers touched briefly, sending a kind of warm sensation trough his body. He looked up at her, her eyes meeting his as they locked their gaze for a moment. His electric blue eyes stared directly into hers, just like they had done many times before. A familiar feeling found it's way in her stomach before she looked away. "I'm- I'll get you a new one." She mumbled before making her way to the kitchen.

Her heart was beating faster as she leaned against the counter, not fully understanding what her body tried to tell her. While she took the time to get herself together, she decided to just blame it on the alcohol.

When she returned with their drinks, she found him smoking in his chair while he let his head rest on his other hand. His eyes were staring at the table. She stopped in front of him, getting his attention as he looked up. “Are you okay?” She asked before handing him his glass.

He blew smoke out of his mouth while he sat up. “I am.” Her hand found its way to his cheek as she gently stroked his skin with her thumb, a way to comfort him. Their eyes finding each other again while she continued. He had missed the genuine and gentle touches of solace. The contact of her skin on his, made him crave for more. Just as he wanted to lean into her touch, she pulled her hand away. Taking the comfort only she could give, with her.

She hadn’t expected to be so drawn to the urge to touch him. Usually she wouldn’t dare and she wasn’t even sure if he was okay with, although his intense stare almost assured her that she was doing something right. The increase of confidence from the alcohol was helping her more than she realized, it could be a good time to use it while it lasted.

“Can I ask you something?” She sat back on the sofa as she watched him finish his cigarette. “You can.”

“Did you mean it what you said? That the ring on my finger should’ve been yours?” Tommy blinked a few times before nodding slowly. “You know I did.”

“Then why did you let me go in the first place?” She let her fingers slide over the stem of her wineglass, the wait for his answer forming an unknown feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Because this life’s not a life where you belong. We'd be better off without each other.”

She remembered the countless arguments that started that last conversation which broke her heart. She didn’t want to give up on him, on them but he forced her to. He forced her out of his life as if it was nothing, as if she was nothing but just an erased memory.

She remembered the evening he told her it was for the best if they didn't saw each other anymore. It was for the best he said but in the end nothing turned out for the best.

She remembered how he told her how life was going to be from that moment, that she had no choice if she stayed but that the exact life within her choice, wasn’t one she belonged to. His words were harsh and his demeanor was cold, as if he didn’t want to understand her feelings or might as well pretended that he didn’t. Only to make it easier for himself.

She remembered how she called him a selfish bastard, how she hated him and how he just stared at her, saying nothing.

“You could’ve protected me and still let me live my own life.” Tommy shook his head as stubbed out his cigarette. “You hated how there were people always watching you, remember the many times you told me it was suffocating you? It only became worse after that, you wouldn’t be happy.”

She couldn’t deny the suffocating feeling it gave her, knowing that everywhere she went, there would be someone watching her. Good or bad, it didn’t matter. But she loved him deeply and a part of her didn't care anymore, as long as she could be with him. “I loved you, do you realize that?”

He sighed softly at her words before taking a sip of his drink. “You think I didn’t love you?”

“No… not the way you left me heartbroken with a shit explanation in the middle of the same fucking kitchen we just had our dinner in. If you really loved me, you would’ve listened to me but you never did.” Her words held the anger she had for years but still came out calmly. "And don't even get me started on how quick you fucking replaced me, that's not love."

Tommy clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I listened (Y/N). I always fucking listened but I knew it would never make you happy. I never would. And talking about replacing, eh? I fucking told you I didn't replace you. Have you forgotten how I went looking for you after you left?"

She scoffed as she listened to him. “Oh yeah, because you were so sorry. So sorry for yourself, that you ended up alone again." Her voice became louder, just like the anger within her. "If you really wanted to find me, you would. Just like a few weeks ago."

"You didn't want to be found." He defended, getting annoyed at her accusations. "Not after what you did, no."

He shook his head as he put his glass on the table, a little harsher than expected. “You wouldn’t be happy but I wanted you to be.” He pointed his finger at her. “I didn’t want to throw away the years we had and I didn’t want to break your fucking heart but I knew how much you loved your fucking freedom and I didn’t want to be the person that would take it away from you.”

She looked at him, his words hitting her in a way she didn’t expect. His voice was strong and determined. She wasn't sure if it was anger or not. “You were always that strong, independent woman. Always out there to do whatever you wanted. Who the fuck was I to take it away from you, eh? You know it would’ve made you unhappy. Love wouldn’t have changed that.”

“I still am.” Her words sounded soft as she disagreed with his statement. “What?” His eyebrows furrowed at her comment. “I’m still the same woman. You said were.”

“Please, have you looked…” Tommy didn’t finish his sentence, instead he took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. Her body tensed and her eyes narrowed as she waited for to finish his sentence. “Have I looked, what?”

“Have you looked at yourself?” He continued his abruptly stopped sentence. He sat up straight, his voice picking up the same tone as before. “You’re far from that. The woman I knew would’ve dared to yell in my face if I deserved it, she would speak up when no one else would and she wouldn’t take shit from anybody.”

(Y/N) gulped at his words, tears brimmed in her eyes as she kept his gaze, listening to the other things he had to say.

“The woman in front of me is a ghost of all of that. The spark in your eyes is gone and all I see is fear. You changed in the worst way and it’s because of him. He fucking ruined you (Y/N).”

She sniffled softly, as she tried not to break down in front him. He was right.

Tommy's eyes did not leave her frame. She tried to take a deep breath, ready to speak up but she couldn't. He moved to the edge of his seat to place a hand on her knee, squeezing it gently.

"You're nothing better." She choked on her words as she watched his thumb moving in patterns over her knee. "I would've ended up the same as I stayed with you." Of course he wasn't the same as David but her life wouldn't have looked much different than from what it did now.

Her mind took her back to David who told her so many times how much he loved her. Who always made it up to her after his outbursts, telling her how sorry he was and that he would do better. He did, even if it only lasted for a few days until he fell back in old patterns. Despite it all, she still loved him, or at least she thought she did. Perhaps it could be the fear speaking, that when she told herself she didn't, he'd come find her.

Tommy shook his head as he felt himself losing his temper. There were many people who held grudges against him and those also brought many accusations however being compared to David was something completely new.

"If you ended up the same, then please enlighten me on the last time I caused this." He grabbed her arm and lifted her sleeve a little harsher than intended, revealing her bruised arm.

She gasped and looked up at him with widened eyes. "Stop, Tommy." While he let go of her arm, she quickly pulled her sleeve down. "I never laid one single finger on you, now tell me again that I'm nothing better than that fucking bastard!" His voice was harsh and full of bitterness. "I don't understand why you keep fucking defending him while nothing like this looks like the love you've been desperately looking for."

She watched him get up and looked up as he towered over her. His words hitting her like he hoped they did, an attempt to wake her up and make her realize what she was doing.

"If you want to go back to him, then please go but remind yourself that if you stay with him, you'll end up six feet under within a year. And he wouldn't even be sorry."

Thank you so much for reading! Please let me know what you think!

Taglist: @cyphah @kissforvoid @liter4ti

#New Endings #tommy shelby fanfic #tommy shelby imagine #tommy shelby x reader #tommy shelby x fem!reader #peaky blinders fanfic #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders one shot #tommy shelby one shot

[blackashbluephoenix]

One of my followers said "The enormity of my desire scares me" and yep, that's how I choose to interpret Mike and Harvey’s season 3 fight.

Okay, yes. Harvey's angry at Mike. Mike screwed up. Mike got scared. Mike picked the wrong thing. But if he looks closely enough, Harvey can see why Mike did what he did. He can see that this is Jessica's move, and Mike got caught in the middle. It's why he's suddenly plotting her overthrow after he eventually forgives Mike. Jessica took Mike away, and now she needs to pay. She made it personal.

But he doesn't want to look closely at it right away. Because forgiveness is dangerous. If he forgives Mike now, there's a chance he'll do it again, and that's a risk Harvey cannot take.

What's worse- if Mike keeps asking, keeps following, keeps saying no to presents, keeps showing how sorry he is- Harvey is eventually going to cave in. He already wants to.

For the first time in forever, he doesn't want revenge. He doesn't want to yell. He doesn't want to he angry. He doesn't want to keep shouting at Mike, doesn't want to keep hurting him.

He asks Mike if he's had enough, and Mike comes back for more. Says that it doesn't matter what he says, how Harvey tears into him. As long as Harvey forgives him in the end.

Harvey desprately wants to.

And that is fucking terrifying to a man like Harvey. Harvey, who would rather feel nothing at all. Because feeling nothing is safer than feeling everything, especially all at once. But he can't stop it now. Mike's slipped past his defenses, crawled under his skin, under the stone Harvey pretended his skin was.

He misses Mike. He wants him. And he's internally freaking the fuck out because this was never supposed to happen. He wasn't supposed to let his guard down, have feelings, care this much. He wasn't supposed to find someone he could care about enough to forgive betrayal.

Because if there's one thing Harvey's learned, it's that if you give someone a second chance, they'll do it again.

Mike doesn't seem like he's going to stop asking, but he's finding other people. He's with Rachel- which hurts, but he's not ready to unpack all the reasons why. But he's going to work for Louis, and suddenly, losing Mike for good seems unbearable. He'll miss him too much. It will hurt Harvey even more to see Mike every day, having a bond with someone else like what they used to have.

And suddenly, he needs Mike back in some capacity. He can't have him romantically, now that he's taken with Rachel. But he can get his associate back. He can get their friendship back. And that's better than nothing.

#marvey #mike x harvey

[bethanydelleman]

Online Discourse, Redemption Arcs, and Jane Austen

There is a story in the Bible where Jesus is brought a woman who has cheated on her spouse. The officials ask Jesus what to do, he knows they are trying to trick him into breaking the law with mercy, so he says, "Go ahead, throw rocks at her until she dies, that's the law, BUT whoever has never done anything wrong throws the first stone." Eventually everyone leaves and Jesus forgives the woman.

This post I shared a while ago really makes me think of that story, because online commentary of characters seems to so often break into two groups:

People so unforgiving, so unwilling to allow a single misstep in a character that they would start throwing stones immediately

People who will twist themselves into knots to prove that everything the character did was justified (and since we have zero backstory for the unnamed woman in this story, it would be easy to give her a sympathetic one. She did it because of trauma!)

Let's apply this to Emma Woodhouse. At Box Hill, she mildly insults an older woman, it is a poorly timed and placed joke:

“Oh! very well,” exclaimed Miss Bates, “then I need not be uneasy. ‘Three things very dull indeed.’ That will just do for me, you know. I shall be sure to say three dull things as soon as ever I open my mouth, shan’t I? (looking round with the most good-humoured dependence on every body’s assent)—Do not you all think I shall?” Emma could not resist. “Ah! ma’am, but there may be a difficulty. Pardon me—but you will be limited as to number—only three at once.”

There are basically two reactions to this insult: BURN EMMA AT THE STAKE and Eh, not that bad. Now I think with this particular insult, it really wasn't that bad and we are told about the surrounding extenuating circumstances that caused Emma to slip up. However, I'm probably wrong because Emma does feel guilty and she does make amends. While she does not directly apologize, it's clear in the novel that what she did was a relationship repair.

What makes me feel like a crazy person is how many people throw first stones! How many people are SHOCKED by what Emma said and they could NEVER imagine insulting Miss Bates in such a cruel way! Get over yourself! I feel fairly certain that every human being on earth over 25 had insulted someone to the same level as Emma has insulted Miss Bates. That doesn't mean it is excusable, Emma should apologize and so should we, but I'm left amazed by how many people feel blameless in the face of this extremely human and relatable error.

And yes, it makes me wonder about forgiveness in their real lives. There are some things that I believe could be hard and fast "never forgive" rules, like your SO should never hit you, but people make mistakes. We should have room for forgiveness, we should understand circumstances. People get tired and sick and angry and overwhelmed and sometimes they screw up. It makes me wonder if this is an online persona effect, where we never show our negative sides, or is this a true opinion. Do people forget their own mistakes?

There also seems to be this idea that once someone has done something once, it's already a pattern even if the novel is full of counter-evidence. Emma is very polite throughout the novel, she endures people that annoy her a lot, she is endlessly accommodating with her father, but a single insult to Miss Bates and people start retroactively making her worse. When she visited that poor family she must have been insulting them! (Nope) Suddenly she becomes a villain through and through, instead of a normal girl who made a few mistakes.

That's not even getting into the real "villains" of Austen's works. The amount of people who tell me that Lydia (16), Henry Crawford (probably 24), Mary Crawford (22-24), Willoughby (25), and so on and so fourth ARE INCAPABLE OF CHANGE and will never improve. Like excuse me? Have you not changed and improved since you were 16-25? How early do you give up on people? Do you really think a young adult is fully formed?

Is this how you think of people in the real world too?

#redemption #jane austen #mostly about emma #emma woodhouse #emma #It terrifies me the lack of forgiveness and understanding that I see online #And it makes me wonder what happened to the concept of forgiveness.

[chaoticbardlady99]

I Took All This Love I Found and I Hope That it's Enough (Astarion x GN! reader)

Part 2 to “Yesterday I Was Dancing”

Author note- thank you for all the love on my last mental health fiction! I am so glad I could make so many people feel heard and loved during a difficult time :) WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS PEOPLE!!!!!!! Also I wrote this with my experience with CPTSD in mind and how my boyfriend is with me.

Title from the song “Only Love” by PVRIS

I leave you with this quote by Jamie Tworkowski:

“We’re all in this together. It’s okay to be honest. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to say you’re stuck, or that you’re haunted or that you can’t begin to let go. We can all relate to those things. Screw the stigma that says otherwise. Break the silence and break the cycle, for you are more than just your pain. You are not alone. And people need other people.”

I promise I tried to keep it as reader friendly as possible by keeping description to a minimum- please scroll with your mental health in mind. I don’t care that I’m telling you ‘not to’ and now you ‘want to’- save it for later and before therapy. Please call 988 if it becomes too much- the world still needs you.

CW: C/PTSD symptoms, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, torture

Likes, comments, and reblogs are greatly appreciated :) thank you to all of you who have helped me find my love of writing again!

*picture is not mine and does not belong to me. Please reach out if it’s yours so I can give you credit.

Astarion knows what he’s feeling is not necessarily normal- he should not be this outrageously terrified that you are talking to your other companions around the fire.

Laughing. Joking. Touching.

You could have anyone you like and Astarion had managed to sweep you up first. In spite of telling Astarion you only want him (after he observed an interesting discussion between you and Gale), he knows eventually you’ll discover that Astarion is only good for one thing- sex. Astarion’s chest tightens at the thought and then he feels that wave of fear that sits and rots in the pit of his stomach.

You laugh brightly again.

I’m going to lose them.

Astarion’s recent onset of agitation and anxiety has become all consuming. It hasn’t been this bad since the beginning of your sordid adventure (sordid to him anyway). His paranoia- specifically towards you- had caused him to, in his opinion, act bizarrely.

While you had been in a brutal fight with the Githyanki earlier that week- Astarion had been cornered by the Inquistor and he froze- checked out, if you will. Unfortunately, Astarion has been checked out ever since and when he does check back in- Astarion feels terribly uncomfortable and like the world is caving in on him.

What’s making it all even worse is that Astarion just wants to talk to you about it and wants to ask to be held or have you gently play with his hair like you do. Anything to make this horrible disgusting feeling towards himself- his own skin- go away. If he could just feel loved for five minutes…

No, that is not the plan. The plan is NOT to depend on them for anything other than physical protection.

But honestly? He really could give a shit less about his ‘masterfully crafted’ plan.

Astarion feels desperately alone in the world right now and he needs you. Only he won’t bother you- Astarion wants you to want to be with him and that means he needs to show off his assets. You couldn’t possibly want him like this- a sniveling, fearful mess.

Astarion knows he’s been giving you emotional whiplash ever since the Creche. He’s been fighting every decision you make, breaking things when the urge arises (nothing valuable, just some plates he’s stolen), been so angry at you that you have cried 5 different times, begs you to forgive him, runs away from you, and then freezes all over again. Today is one of the first days he’s seen a genuine smile on your face all week.

Astarion had also kicked you out of his tent- his skin crawling from the nightmares plaguing his trances all week. He regretted it pretty much instantly, but didn’t know how to ask you to come back.

His lack of rationale is ruining his plan entirely.

The dreams- they are always about Cazador. How he’s tortured him; physically, emotionally, and sexually. Last night, Astarion relived one of the more recent times Cazador had brutually raped him and then proceeded to let a couple of his politician friends go at him too. Cazador wanted him to remember what he was- is- only good for because Astarion had neglected to bring home someone for the Vampire Lord to consume.

The other nights, he went back to being flayed, being buried alive for a year, and receiving the carvings in his back. Astarion always wakes up feeling small, alone, and terrified- completely paralyzed and stuck in his body.

Through it all, you have been nothing but kind to him. You have attempted to understand why Astarion has been acting this way and, because he’s his own worst enemy, the more you give to him- the more he pushes you away.

Now Astarion is facing the very reality he was trying to prevent by pushing you away- you leaving him for someone else. Halsin gives you light brushes with his fingers, Karlach bumps your knees together, Gale gives you adoring smiles, Lae’zel has given you her undivided attention, and Shadowheart whispers into your ear just a little too close.

You are a bright light in camp- everyone has immediately been taken by you and that’s actually probably the only thing this group agreed on for a while. Even Astarion has come to genuinely care about you and doesn’t want to share you with anyone else.

As everyone begins to go to their respective tents- you hesitate by the fire and look at him. Astarion feels shame course through his bones when he notices how nervous you are as you slightly shake and the weariness written all over your face. He had just been taking care of you- you had let him in, why can’t he let you?

Astarion smiles brightly and feels successful when you beam- practically skipping over to talk to him.

“Well hello, Darling,” he purrs, “to what do I owe the pleasure?”

You shift uncomfortably, “I just…. Astarion- are you okay? You’ve really not been yourself this week.”

Astarion feels every alarm bell in his body go off. He needs to save this quickly. Astarion can’t make you think he’s too much effort to be with or too much work. He doesn’t want you to realize that with as much pleasure as he can give you- he will never be someone you love long-term. He is far too messy. Astarion is a temporary camp for your heart right now and he needs to make sure it’s a long rest- despite how much he doesn’t really want to have sex right now. Astarion would actually prefer to be entangled with you and just talk- no sex, just intimacy.

How silly of him.

“My dear,” he says pulling you in close, his lips hovering over yours, “wouldn’t you rather we be doing something more… exciting with our mouths than talking? You are far too enticing for me to just talk to you right now.”

Astarion can tell from your eyes that you are frowning- he can fix this.

Astarion presses his lips to yours in a crushing, possessive kiss. He walks backwards into his tent, pulling you in by your hips, and pulls you down with him to the bed roll.

When you go to speak, Astarion flips you over on your back and begins kissing along your neck, grinding into you, and pressing your body down with his.

“Astarion,” you whisper.

He ignores you and keeps going.

“Astarion,” you say a little louder this time.

Astarion isn’t even in the building anymore- he’s fighting the walk down memory lane his brain wants to take. Whatever he needs to do to keep you near him. Astarion nips at the skin on your neck.

“Astarion!” You exclaim, gently pushing him off you causing him to jump back.

Astarion feels himself snap out of whatever dissociative prison that he was in and begins to have a surge of panic even worse than before. Now he misses that stupid, angry fog that’s been shielding him from whatever the hells this is!

“I’m sorry- I ruined it didn’t I? Fuck,” Astarion practically shouts, then begins rambling“ I’m so sorry Tav. I’ll do anything to make it up to you. I know I’ve been terrible and I don’t deserve your forgiveness or you but-“

A choked sob interrupts Astarion’s sentence. He’s crying now, the emotions are whirling around, bouncing from one side of his brain to another. Images of terrible experiences flashing by and he’s already imagining every worst case scenario. Maybe you’ll flay him? Or lay him back down and ride him until he’s begging for you to stop or until he can’t cry anymore? Bury him alive?

“Please be gentle,” Astarion sobs into his hands, trying to cover his shame while pleading with you, “just don’t leave me- I’m so sorry. I’ll never do it again- I’ll be better.”

Astarion curls in on himself, his head hiding between his knees. Astarion is mentally preparing for the first act of violence towards him tonight- he imagines there is more to come after.

“Oh my Star,” you sigh sadly, “I could never ever hurt you- emotionally, physically, and I certainly won’t allow you to hurt yourself by forcing yourself have sex with me.”

Astarion feels his mood switch in an instant- now he’s hostile, digging his hands into his calves.

He chuckles bitterly before looking at you with angry eyes, “so this is where you tell me you’re done right? I can’t do the one fucking thing I’m good for so now what? Gale more to your taste? Or what about Shadowheart- you were quite keen on letting her whisper in your ear all night. Better yet, I bet Halsin will fuck you until you are fucking screaming like the whore you are under the Gods damn stars!”

Astarion’s words feel like venom coating his throat. He hates himself right now- he doesn’t know why he is saying what he’s saying- why he’s so hostile. You are you- wonderful, amazing you! Why can’t he just tell you he’s struggling?

Your expression is unreadable and you are studying him- Astarion can see the gears going behind your head. He puts his head back into the crook of his legs- not wanting to witness you leave him once and for all.

“I love your voice,” you say quietly, “and the way you talk- despite how much the words being used are hurting me right now. I love how brilliant you are and you are single-handedly the funniest person I’ve ever met.”

Astarion is looking at you, tears threatening to spill again. The way you are smiling at him is insane- you should be institutionalized. You are looking at him as if he’s the sun, the moon, and all the stars. Maybe even the whole galaxy- if he’s actually this lucky.

“I have missed being around you so much this week,” you continue talking in a hushed, gentle tone, “but I know that this is not you and that you are really really scared. You must know though- my affection for you, my adoration- to hells with it- my feelings for you is not fragile- it is not conditional. I will not be withholding it from you or leaving you because you need time to heal. I will continue to be here- in whatever way you need me-for as long as you will have me.

“I like you a lot Astarion. I really do- it has never been about what you can do for me. You’re my favorite everything. You don’t ever have to return my feelings- we can just be friends if that’s all you ever want. I am not your Master, Astarion- and neither is Cazador. You are your own person.”

He feels overcome with emotion- relief, joy, shock. Astarion never thought he could care about someone this much- let alone have them reciprocate those affections. Astarion practically tackles you into a bone crushing hug- knocking you flat on the ground. He feels warm when a pleased giggle shakes your body. Astarion inhales deeply- your scent squashing every negative emotion he is feeling temporarily.

Astarion feels instant comfort when your arms wrap around his torso and you adjust so that his head is laying on your chest. You stroke and play with his hair absentmindedly in the way he’s been craving for the past several days.

Astarion lays there and just listens to your heartbeat. Every thump that echoes inside your body relieves some of the pressure in his chest. Astarion’s back and shoulders still feel tight with nerves and rage, his legs are taught and ready to run, but at least now he doesn’t feel like he’s dying. Again.

“I’m sorry Darling,” Astarion sniffs, “I promise I’m not always this high maintenance.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for Star,” he can hear your sweet smile in your voice, “I’m right here when you’re ready. The maintenance isn’t hard for me- I’m here and I care.

“And like you told me- I am here to help you when you lose to yourself and need someone to just stand with you in the storm. We’ll get through this together from now on- no more hiding.”

“No more hiding- for either of us,” Astarion quietly agrees.

For the first time in a long time- Astarion has hope. Maybe he is more than just a body to enjoy in bed.

Tag-list: @spacebarbarianweird @domainoflostsouls

#baldurs gate 3 #astarion #astarion x reader #baldurs gate astarion #astarion x you #bg3 spoilers #astarion romance #astarion x tav #bg3 #astarion x gn!tav #Astarion x gn! reader #astarion acunin #BG3 hell #bg3 companions #CPTSD #trauma

[15minlatewithbatbucks]

Bats usually keep an eye on large gatherings in Gotham, but in this case Bruce literally can't pay them enough to do their jobs.

---

In Gotham, large gatherings are always risky business. With half a dozen big name rogues with half a dozen screws loose, things can get out of hand FAST.

So yes, forgive Bruce if he likes having at least two bats or birds on the scene when people group together and make themselves easy targets.

His rag-tag group of children, adult or otherwise, usually agree with him. But in this case-

"I'm not going out of my way to help anti-gay protestors," Tim says before Bruce even let's himself think about which of his partners in anti crime he would like at his back. "I'm the one that green-lit the Wayne Enterprises gay agenda that they're protesting."

"That's... Fair."

And it was! Bruce was hardly going to force his bisexual son to save people that would tear him down if given half the chance. He'd demanded far too selflessness of Tim already.

It was just... No one else was volunteering either.

---

Dick, alerted by Tim about the group of anti-gay protestors planning their little event on Facebook, takes one look at Bruce approaching and shakes his head.

"I've heard what they said about my baby brother," he cautions before Bruce can say anything.

Tim, out and secure in his identity, doesn't care what any civilians have to say about him. Dick, deeply angry and protective, cares very much what slander people sling at his little brother.

Bruce, understanding that maybe his eldest was getting better about managing his anger, but deeply unwilling to test his resolve, nods and backs away.

---

Damian is his next choice, though he doesn't hold very high hopes for him either.

"Father, I will not be responsible for the safety of fools willingly endangering themselves," Damian says, reasonably and Bruce is glad to hear it. He has a whole speech about protecting civilians even if they act in defiance of their own safety. It's blown to pieces when Damian explains further. "I've already taken the liberty of inviting Jon and his paramour to heckle them."

"No metas in Gotham," Bruce says before his brain can catch up to his mouth. "This is already a tense situation and-"

"No metas in Gotham," Damian repeats, pitching his voice lower as he mocks his father. "What do you propose Duke is, Father?"

This is an argument he isn't willing to have. Not right now. He puts a pin in it and reaches out to Jon to politely request that he doesn't make an appearance at the protest. Jon concedes in exchange for his permission to come to Gotham's pride event next week. Bruce gives it under the stipulation that Jon and Jay let him give them a full primer on Gotham rogues and how to counter them.

---

Stephanie is somehow warned in advance and texts him before he can reach out to her.

"sorry not sorry, if doctors in Texas can choose to let people die then so can I. ask someone else to help w your homophobe problem"

Bruce wants to point out that is a gross simplification of the fraught political state of Texas. He also wants to point out that they are nowhere near Texas.

He wonders about the feasibility of sponsoring abortion access and trans healthcare in another state if only because it is GENUINELY funny when bigots with talk shows get into a tizzy over Brucie Wayne.

He lets the thought lie for the moment.

---

Duke hears him out, at least, before telling him that he's really sorry, B, but he's gonna be sick that day. It's all very sad, has he tried to talk to Jason?

---

Cass looks at him. He looks at her. They both know she won't be his backup.

---

He hates to say it, but Jason WAS his last choice in this situation. Not for lack of trust or faith in his abilities, but because-

"I'm asking Aunt Harley to have Poison Ivy start a pollen induced gay orgy," he says bluntly when Bruce asks if Jason would be busy on the day of the protest.

"At the-"

"At Wayne Enterprises, for the protest. Yes. Stay away if you value your heterosexuality, old man."

Bruce, remembering his college days and the types of things he's gotten up to in his own time, doesn't correct his son. Revealing that his father was intimately familiar with gay sex isn't a conversation Bruce ever wanted to have with Jason. Or anyone else.

Bruce, wisely, lets the police handle the protest.

#tim drake #jason todd #dick grayson #bruce wayne #damian wayne #stephanie brown #cassandra cain #duke thomas #dc pride #batfamily #long post #my writing tag #once again this is coming to you live from my phone rip to everyone

[ranchthoughts]

Manipulate, Mansplain, Manwhore, Manslaughter: Ray confronting Boston, ep. 6

I've been loving watching Neo play Boston, and the scene when Ray comes to Boston's house to confront him about sleeping with Top stuck out to me in particular, so I figured I would ~dig~ into it a bit. This conversation felt like Boston cycling through various approaches as he tried to gain the upper hand and hit back at Ray, so I've tried to pinpoint when those approaches start and what distinguishes them.

"Ton, you son of a bitch." "Ray. What the hell?" "How could you be so filthy. Will you do filthy shit to all of your friends?" "What shit are you talking about? What did I do?"

Ray walks into Boston's weirdly shabby chic house and doesn't waste time laying into him. Boston is not unfamiliar with confrontation so he knows better than to volunteer details- better to ask questions and find out what Ray knows (or thinks he knows) before getting defensive or fessing up to something. Boston likes collecting information, he likes knowing where people stand.

"You hooked up with Top! What a douchebag." "How did you know that? Who told you?"

Ray doesn't notice because he's too furious, but Boston is genuinely taken aback. He freezes then shifts side to side, he looks like he did in the shower when Mew came in looking for Top; this is a moment of real panic. Boston is too surprised to play dumb or deny it. Crucially, he doesn't even try the "yeah sure, before Mew and Top got together. what of it?" strategy Top tries at the end of the episode. Instead, Boston is more quiet than we've ever heard him before when he asks, "How did you know that?" and then, quickly, almost frantically, "Who told you?".

Not only is Ray's information good, it's something he should have NO way of knowing. Ray doesn't have the wherewithal to get this information himself, so he must have gotten it from someone else. The fact that Ray, of all people (drunken, incompetent Ray), knows something Boston tried hard to keep on the down low is not good. Boston's used to being the one who holds all the cards, so being out of the loop is disconcerting and alarming.

"Doesn't matter how I knew it! He is your friend. Mew is your friend!"

Ray is preoccupied with not revealing his sources and being angry (he steps closer into Boston's space and shoves him) and gives no indication that he caught Boston's little moment of weakness. This gives Boston some time to pull himself together and pick a course of action.

Approach #1: Manipulate

Downplay.

"So? Top and I screwed before they even started dating. Is it so weird to screw again? I just wanted more. Then I let them love each other all they want. Everyone is filled."

Caught off-guard, Boston has confirmed Ray's accusations. But Ray hasn't accused him of sleeping with Top recently, just at some point (unless there is a nuance in the Thai I am missing). In Boston's panic he now confesses to sleeping with Top after he got together with Mew - Ray already knows that, so it doesn't change the interaction, but this is information Boston gave up without being pressed. He's rattled.

Boston's first approach is to downplay the situation. He and Top have already had sex, what is one more time? At the end of the day Boston's hasn't tried to steal anyone's boyfriend, it didn't stop Mew and Top from falling in love, bing bang boom everyone is content. Boston tries to position Ray as the weird one for not understanding why this is fine. He even pulls out the puppy dog eyes - how could a man with these eyes do anything truly harmful?

Note also how Boston says, "I let them love each other" -> Boston sees himself as the one pulling the strings, he is the one in control. Even when trying to minimize his impact he can't help but drop a little reference to his own superiority.

Probably not Boston's best play in this situation, given how mad Ray is and how emotional he is about Mew, but Boston did just have his world rocked so we can forgive him the sub-optimal initial strategy.

Approach #2: Mansplain

Admit some fault, but smooth it over.

"You're selfish. Damn it, he's your friend. What did Mew do to you? You know that Mew and Top love each other!" "Hear me out, okay? I don't hate Mew at all. I was just needy. The timing was just wrong."

Boston hasn't convinced Ray this is nothing to get worked up over so he needs a new strategy. Ray is sensitive about Mew, so it would be good, would help defuse the situation, if Boston can convince Ray this was not about Mew specifically. To do so, Boston assures Ray he doesn't hate Mew* and takes a little bit more of the blame ("I was just needy!"), but he attributes most of the issue to the timing.

*Note how Boston says "I don't hate Mew at all". Ok Boston... Ray just asked what Mew did to you. You were the one who brought hate into this... Yet another case of Boston telling on himself. While Boston is hung up on Top, he's hung up on Mew too and their comparison war of ideologies they have going on.

Ray has escalated the conversation by stepping closer and even shoving at Boston, so Boston changes his body language as well. He goes from neutral and shrugging to more engaged, leaning in closer, making direct eye contact, and raising his hands in surrender. Boston signals that he is being sincere and non-threatening, just explaining logically.

Approach #3: Manwhore

Ok. Now it's personal.

Gifs by @chickenstrangers

"Timing, my ass. The point is your slutty ass just sleeps with anyone." "Not anyone. I picked him."

Ray isn't backing down - he takes a step forward and escalates it to a personal insult. Now Ray has insinuated that Boston is slut who will sleep with anyone, when Boston takes pride in being a slut in such high demand he can afford to be choosy, he can pick whoever he wants. Boston ducks his head briefly and absorbs the hit, widening his eyes like "did this bitch just...". When he bounces back up, his demeanor has completely changed. Ray didn't listen to logic, and Boston is done playing around. He is a manwhore, and proud of it, and now it's time to go for the jugular.

Boston immediately switches to a cocky, confident tone. He's unapologetic for his actions (look at that little shrug!!). Boston could have his pick of anyone and he chose Top. He doesn't actually care what Ray or Mew or anyone else thinks of that choice; Boston gets what Boston wants.

"And how are you involved in this? Oh! You're playing a good friend who is always so protective of Mew. Honestly, I think you're glad that that happened. You've always waited for your chance. This is in your favour. You're waiting for them to break up and be his rebound when he's weak. You will get that, man."

Thus far Boston has been on the defensive, reacting to Ray's accusations. Now he's on the offensive: Boston loosens up, gets fake casual, and leeches manufactured concern into every syllable. He's not trying to be convincingly, disarmingly sincere anymore, he's being snarky and he wants Ray to feel the contempt dripping off each syllable. Boston leans in, pats Ray condescendingly on his shoulder. Now Ray is off kilter, watching Boston warily. Boston uses Ray's feelings for Mew against him again and smiles like he did in Sand and Nick's apartment that night, the satisfaction of knowing he's hitting hard and causing damage.

Approach #4: Manslaughter

Scorched earth.

Gif by @chickenstrangers

"Ton you motherfucker! What a scumbag. Say that again." "If you tell him, then you're as evil as me. Don't act like you mean well while deep down you hope they will break up. It's disgusting! You should even thank me big time for getting you out of the friendzone."

Boston has dropped almost all his masks now. He's done trying to convince Ray it's nothing, or justify his actions, or defend his slutty honour, or attack Ray with faux concern. He's smiling, even after being punched in the face and knocked to the floor. He hit a nerve, like the night at Sand and Nick's. He's turned this around, now it's Ray hurt and reeling. Ray looks nervous, like he's just seeing Boston for the first time, as the latter sits on the ground and grins up at him.

Eyes locked on Ray, Boston gets back up and advances right into his face, smacking him on the shoulder, barely able to hold back the fury in his voice. Now he's being threatening: if Ray says anything, he's the evil one (or, at least, as evil as Boston, as evil as everyone thinks Boston is). Really, Ray should be thanking Boston for this opportunity, not coming into his house and accosting him, but maybe Boston will be lenient and let it slide this time.

I think that it is telling that Boston's last move in this confrontation is "if you tell him you'll be as evil as me"- out of options, he makes a blatant threat. He's been insinuating that Ray revealing this information is self-serving, trying to make Ray feel bad by bringing up his feelings for Mew; now the gloves are off and Boston serves it to Ray straight: it's evil, it's disgusting. I think it's interesting that Boston doesn't go for a strategy he's tried before with Ray at Sand and Nick's house, when Ray was horrified that Boston took photos of him and Mew kissing and Boston said "What? I just want to keep track of my best friends' romantic moments. Was I wrong?" Contrast that with Boston here, where he says he's been "evil". I don't think Boston thinks there is anything wrong with his actions in either case, but he's not pretending to be ignorant of how other people feel about his actions and he's not goading Ray playfully. Boston is spitting mad and lashing out and I think that reveals how rattled and out of control he feels. At Sand and Nick's he had all the cards, he could afford to be playful and antagonistic. Here he's been confronted with information he never intended to get out and he's trying desperately to shut it down and regain some control.

The Aftermath

Gifs by @chickenstrangers

"You asshole! Fucking jerk." ... "Damn it!"

Ray leaves, having lost this battle, and Boston allows himself a moment to gloat, satisfied in his victory and the pain he caused, before dropping his last mask. He sinks down into the chair, hits out, and swears. Ray might have left and Boston might have had the last laugh, but Ray knows about Top and Boston and Boston is pissed. I imagine that conversation felt like a fight for his life, especially after he started off so wrong-footed (allowing cracks to show in his armour, revealing freely he and Top slept together after Mew and Top were together).

Boston is the Hunter, he is the voyeur, he is the one who knows everything (or at least, he thinks he does - see @wen-kexing-apologist's brilliant post). He doesn't like being wrong, he doesn't like being weak, he doesn't like when he isn't the one in control. Now someone has information on him, information he worked hard to keep quiet. Boston doesn't mind scrutinizing other people for weaknesses and blackmail material, but he draws hard boundaries around himself and gets mad when they get crossed (think of how he reacts to Gap taking videos of him without his consent, or sending him messages, or finding him in person - all things Boston has done to his so-called "friends"). I imagine there's an element of "it's Ray of all people" who caught him out going on too - Boston is supposed to be the one with the read on Ray, Ray is supposed to be the drunk one who doesn't know what is going on.

What was Boston's end goal here? I think he wanted to defuse the situation because an angry and vindictive Ray is unpredictable - if Boston can calm him down he can better control Ray. This is why he went for manipulating and explaining and smoothing things over first before bringing up Ray's feelings for Mew. He tried to get Ray to drop it and when that didn't work, he turned Ray potentially sharing the information into a selfish and cruel act, trying to make Ray feel doubt and shame.

Boston doesn't want this information out yet. I think it's partly because he wants to be in control, he wants to be the one who decides when, where, and how Mew gets told... if he intends to tell Mew at all. Boston's been stealthy this whole time - he told Mew to be wary of Top at the beginning, but after that he's kept his comments out of it. He even was supportive of Mew when he phoned right before having sex with Top the first time. I've been chalking this up to Boston wanting to "beat" Mew "fairly": Boston and Mew have pitted their respective ideologies about sex against one another and while Boston has been trying to undermine Mew and break his heart the whole time (choosing Top, someone Boston thinks would never have interest in a long-term relationship, especially one without sex; seducing Top, etc.), he doesn't want this to be known. Boston doesn't want it to look like he rigged the game, he wants it to seem like Mew failed organically his approach to sex and relationships (and by extension, Mew himself) really are inferior (and because Boston's are superior), but Boston needs to be in control so he can't just leave it up to chance. I wonder if it has something to do with Top as well: if Mew finds out about Top and Boston hooking up, Top will be pissed at Boston for messing things up, and Boston will lose any chance of hooking up with or having control over Top again.

@waitmyturtles says Boston is the most honest character on the show, brutally so. I think that if he had had his wits more about him at the beginning of this confrontation he wouldn't have confessed to sleeping with Top recently, at least until Ray brought it up himself, but that's withholding information not lying. Throughout this whole conversation, even when he is trying to downplay or justify, Boston doesn't lie, or at least never quite:

"Then I let them love each other all they want. Everyone is filled." -> I don't think Boston is HAPPY that Top and Mew continued to be together after he slept with Top, but they are, and Boston is either trying to convince himself that it's because he "let" them (gave up on pursuing Top, not that Top shut him down) or he's somehow internalized this as true.

"I don't hate Mew at all. I was just needy. The timing was just wrong." -> Boston doesn't think it is weird for him to want or have Top again, but he's willing to concede that some people might have a problem with his timing. I also don't think he's quite lying about not hating Mew, there's definitely SOMETHING going on there but is envy/jealousy/insecurity perhaps the better word?

"Honestly, I think you're glad that that happened. You've always waited for your chance. This is in your favour. You're waiting for them to break up and be his rebound when he's weak." -> Boston doesn't lie here either: Ray has loved Mew and wanted to be with him, and I think Ray's reaction (going quiet and still, losing his momentum in the argument and settling for lashing out physically and swearing) proves there's a grain of truth there. I wonder if Boston framing telling Mew as something Ray would be doing for himself, a hurtful act for selfish reasons, is why Ray at the bar is so insistent on telling Mew he wants only the best for him, even if it isn't Ray.

#only friends the series #ofts #ofts meta #ranch thoughts #long post #I love love love getting into Boston's brain

[novasdarling]

Hello! Can I request something for yan Uvogin? I absolutely love how you write for him. I was thinking something like he gets too rough during sex (whether the sex itself was a punishment or just regular sex is up to you!) and he ends up hurting his darling? (For example he breaks a bone or ends up choking them out)

He would, he really would. Just break something of yours when he's angry or super into it and be like "oh shit... well anyway"

TW: Kidnapping Implied, Noncon, Broken Limbs, Blood Mentioned, Death Mentioned and Sorta Depicted, Crying, Yandere

Begging Won't Help

It was foolish to think you could have gotten away from him. That you actually had a shot at getting far enough that he wouldn’t have found you. Though, on the other end, you would also been an idiot to pass up on this chance, to just not run when you had a clear path. Had someone willing to offer. A kind citizen who just wanted to help, who pitied the poor battered and bruised you left alone in this abandoned building. It was their own kindness that landed them in Uvogin’s hands. They had prompted you up, holding you so you could walk, most of your energy going. Helping you get out faster than you could have on your own. Things had been going so well, how were you to know he would be back so soon? You could have sworn he only left a day ago. That should have given you more time, yet, here he was. Peering down at the both of you. The man holding you up, with his hand under your arm, by your chest and yours over his shoulder. You knew how it looked to him. It wouldn’t just be running away from him, no he would see it as also cheating. Getting help from another man, he would over react and see it as more. The look in his eye told you, you were right.

He was fast, throwing you to the side so he could focus on the man. Uvogin grabbed him, crushing his arm that was previously on you. Squeezing tighter and tighter until you heard that familiar crunch of bones breaking within seconds. The man screamed, but it was cut short when Uvogin threw him against the wall. You assumed he was dead when he went silent. Even if he wasn’t, he’d be dead shortly. Uvogin never let people live. In his eyes, they didn’t deserve to live. No one who couldn’t fight him adequately should get any mercy, but you and even that was subjected to appeal. 

The man was left there, blood pooling from his mouth and nose. Cuts littered his body adding to the puddle of blood he was now laying in. A scene you had seen from him before when he decided to let you come with him for work. Scenes worse than this, ones that still haunted you.

Uvogin’s attention was now on you. A burning fire behind them, fueled by anger. This was the worst you had ever screwed up, worse than any other attempts you made to get away. At least those times he took it as a game of cat and mouse. A hunt he greatly enjoyed. This time, it was different. You weren't alone, you weren’t out there waiting to be caught by him. You had someone helping you. It didn’t matter you didn’t know him, that he just so happened to find you here. All Uvogin saw was red. His hands were now on you, grabbing and dragging you out of the room. Back further into the building, back to the room he kept you in. Seemingly uncaring when your feet couldn’t keep up, letting you fall multiple times until he finally picked you up and threw you over his shoulder. Carrying on with his walk. All there was to do was fall limp in his arms as you watched the room where the man’s body was still laying leave your vision. There was nothing to do, nowhere to go, and no way to get out of his grip. Once Uvogin had his hands on you, there was no easy way to get out. All you could do was cry, beg for mercy, and ask for forgiveness. 

You were thrown on the bed, Uvogin not bothering to let you down gently. Clearly not caring about your safety or feelings. Forgetting you were still recovering from the last time he lost his temper. You knew how he could be, blinded by rage and a need to attack. There was no way you were getting out of this, his eyes were staring down at you. Holding an emotion that you were all too familiar with. The only choice was to submit and tell him how sorry you were. Before he could speak, yell at you for running away again, for seeking help from another, a man. You began to cry, telling him how sorry you were, that he was some random guy. He offered you help and you should have said no. Get your story out so his mind didn't have time to wander. Didn't have time to create a fake narrative in his head, but as he spoke. You realized you were too late. He was far too gone.

“You’re telling me some man just happened to stroll by? Just happened to offer you help?” 

As unbelievable as it was, it was true. You had no idea who that man had been. Or even how he got here. The building was falling apart, some old factory that had been abandoned for probably over a century. Buried deep in some forest, according to Uvogin it wasn’t on any map. It was on the outskirts of some town that had been long and forgotten. It made no sense why he was here, this logic would harm your excuses. 

“How fucking dumb do you think I am? What was he? Your past boyfriend? Huh, were you going to run off with him?” 

Uvogin was now on you, holding you down to the bed while he yelled in your face. There was no logic in what he was saying, you knew that. Even if you did know that man, how were you able to communicate? Logic that escaped him in his state. Another thing you'd have to pay for.

You continued to cry. Worrying about what he had planned. You never got off without punishments, when you were lucky it was just him making you beg. Pray for forgiveness, kiss his feet, anything to make you look like a pathetic little creature appealing to a god for mercy. But most of the time, you weren't so fortunate. He tended to favour a harsher way of teaching a lesson. One where it involved spreading your legs to him. As his eyes began to wander your body, it was obvious he was leaning towards his favoured method. 

“I think” One of his hands wandered down to your legs, caressing your thigh before pushing your legs apart. “I know a way to make me feel a bit better though.” 

Your legs were spread, allowing him to settle in between them. Making himself comfortable. His grip stayed on your thighs, making sure you didn’t attempt to close them or fight when he began to remove your clothes. The last bit of resistance you had was to shut your eyes. Block out the sight of him as he continued to remove any barriers between the two of you. Trying to ignore the feeling of his hands stroking your bare skin. After a while you could, you were able to pretend his touches were from a lover trying something new and not from the monster who took you. His hands were down stripping you, deciding to push your legs up, placing them over his shoulders. A position he favoured when he wanted you to feel everything, when he desired to get as deep as possible. You pictured him as your old celebrity crush, pretending he was the one you could feel against your entrance. That it was him naked between your legs, not Uvogin.

“Hey! Open your eyes.” His grip was getting firmer on your thighs. Both hands now squeezed them as he kept them in place. “Look at me.” 

Wavering your options, determining it was best to listen to him. To not dig yourself into a deeper hole. You looked at him, trying to ignore how he gazed at you. As if you were no more than something of his, his toy to do with however he pleased. You had no power against him, you both knew that. You couldn’t even close your eyes and escape that way from him now. He wouldn’t allow it. He needed you to look at him, watch as he punished you. 

“Were you thinking of him? Thinking of him saving you, of him fucking you?” 

He squeezed tighter and tighter on your thighs, making you squirm and thrash against him. It was getting worse, his grip was getting worse, and he wasn’t letting go. He had riled himself up with the idea of that man, of what he thought was true. Delusions were taking over, becoming true to him. Believing his own thoughts no matter how ludicrous they sounded. You couldn’t get through to him, Uvogin was glaring at you as he squeezed. Eyes not leaving yours. Ignoring how you cried, begging him to stop. It wasn't until he heard the sound of one of your thigh bones being crushed that he looked away. Letting his grip on your other leg loosen as he stared at the broken leg.  Ignoring your cries as he examined your leg. Seeing how bad it was. You cried for him to stop, to just let you be. To not touch you, but he wasn't listening. Uvogin slowly lowered your leg as he moved. Placing it straight as can be next to your other leg. As gentle as he was attempting to be, the pain was still agonizing. Worse than when he snapped your ankle or arm.

"Shit"

It wasn't what he had planned, sure he wanted to break something of yours, but he knew he was going away in a week and leaving you unable to move properly wasn't a good idea. You were barely recovered from when he sprained your ankle a month ago. All he wanted to do was fuck you over and over again. Possibly even show you the dead body again and gloat until you were in tears and trying to hide your face in his cheat. This wasn't what he wanted, your broken leg meant work for him. It meant he had to be more careful when he played with you. Something he hated and clearly wasn't good with. As Uvogin went off to get something to help set the wound, leaving you on the beg crying and caressing your leg. All he could think about was how annoying this was going to be.

#yandere #yandere uvogin #yandere uvo #yandere hxh #yandere hunter x hunter #yandere uvo x reader #yandere uvogin x reader #yandere hxh masterlist #yandere hunter x hunter x reader #hxh #hunter x hunter #uvo #uvogin #hxh uvogin #uvo x reader #hxh uvo #uvogin x reader #yandere x reader #yandere blog #reader insert #nova writes

[coraniaid]

That scene in Sanctuary is so funny.

I mean: it was back in Consequences (over a year ago!) that, at Buffy's urging, Angel started telling Faith that she was just like him [and so suggesting, by symmetry, that he was just like her]. And maybe he didn't persaude her of this idea at the time [they really weren't objectively that similar yet, since she'd killed exactly one person, by mistake, and he'd killed ... a few more people than that] but it seems he definitely persuaded himself. Because if he could help her become a better person and steer her away from the temptation of doing fun, addictive things like murdering people then he too might be a "thing worth saving" [answering the question he first asked Buffy in Amends].

And equally, ever since breaking up with Buffy for her own good (or so he tells himself) back in The Prom (and then doing it again in I Will Remember You) Angel has been increasingly focused on this entire idea of redemption through sacrifice and good deads and "helping the helpless" and in the broader aim of defining himself through something other than his [more than slightly obsessive] love for and guilt over Buffy Summers. And then suddenly, without any prior warning from anybody in Sunnydale, one day he turns around and there is Faith again -- the angry teenage girl who was Just Like Him -- and she is more murderous and more like him than ever and yet, against all odds, his spiel to her from Consequences seems to be working this time and he takes her home and he is going to help her get better; "maybe you've got a shot at being free" he tells her [meaning maybe he does as well]...

And then, still without any warning, the girl who he has persauded himself is Just Like Him starts breaking down because of all the terrible things she did to Buffy and telling him how Buffy's the most important person in the world and the only person who ever showed her true affection [until "I screwed her"] and asking him how will Buffy ever forgive her for what she's done?

What Angel says: "Faith, this isn't about Buffy." What Faith hears: "[white noise] Buffy."

And then without even knowing she's doing it Faith accidentally lets him know that Buffy's moved on to someone new, just after reminding him how much he really hasn't.

#ats

[legless-fish-on-rollerskates]

I think one of the big problems* in Ted Lasso is that Ted doesn't always understand/realize that his experiences aren't universal.

(*by problem I do not mean a criticism of the show or the writing, I mean it's a realistic character trait that causes well-meaning mistakes and conflict that makes the story richer)

Ted's a great guy with a lot of genuine empathy. He wants to help people because he cares about them (and because he has trauma-related guilt about not being able to help his dad). But he hasn't quite figured out yet that What Ted Needs is not always what everyone else needs.

Ted's arc in 3x11 was SO important to me. We know he represses a lot of stuff, especially about his dad. Ted Lasso, supreme overlord of pretending he is fine, saying "fuck you" to his mother, saying "you know what? no, I'm not fine," saying specifically "you fucked me up and yeah actually I do blame you," allowing himself to be angry? He's likely only recently even acknowledged to himself that he's mad at his mom, possibly even for the first time within the episode. This scene was vital for his growth. Ted needed to express and own that anger so that then he could let go of it and move forward. It's become a defining character trait that Ted Lasso forgives everyone except Ted Lasso. Forgiving his mother allows him to start down the path of forgiving himself, which is one of the things he needs the most.

This was necessary for Ted. Crucially, Jamie is not Ted.

Ted's relationship to his mom is not the same as Jamie's relationship to his dad. A parent who screws up and damages their child because they're a flawed human being who doesn't have all the answers is not the same as a parent who physically, verbally, emotionally, and sexually abuses their child in an intentionally malicious way for years. The advice Ted needed is not the same as the advice Jamie needs.

And Ted doesn't realize this, which I actually think is pretty in-character! He means well, he wants to help, he tells Jamie to forgive his dad because Ted forgiving his mom helped him and he's not the best at separating his needs from the needs of the people around him. He sees himself in Jamie, relates to him because they both have complex relationships with their fathers, and even though he knows that their situations are different he doesn't always realize he's treating them like they're the same. So in Ted's mind, the best way he can help Jamie is by giving him the advice Ted would have appreciated himself. And in this context, this is wrong!

Anyway, Ted is not a magical genie who always does the right thing, and I think this is interesting to look at from a character perspective because it's less frustrating than assuming the writers are just telling everyone to forgive abusers

#ted lasso #ted lasso spoilers #jamie tartt #cw abuse #cw csa #james tartt sr #dottie lasso #ted lasso meta

[macsimagines]

I'd like to request Souya, Hanma, and Shion handling their partner giving them the silent treatment, like they've been ignored for a few days at this point.

OOOOOO I hate the silent treatment.

Yandere!Souya

Angry? More like sad-baby. You won't talk to him ever since he and his brother went out all night and he hadn't bothered to even text you.

He didn't think you'd be mad! He said sorry a billion times... He's gonna cry if you don't tell him you love him soon.

Everything he says or does is met with an indifferent grunt from you. Finally breaks down. "Why won't you talk to me!? What do I need to do? I can't take it anymore, honey please!"

Finally you look at him and tell him. "I'm not allowed to go hang out with my friends past 8, but you get to go out all night? Screw you, Souya."

That makes something in him snap. He doesn't hit you. Never would lay a finger on you. But he's throwing items and breaking glass all around the house.

When everything is said and done, he looks down to see you shaking in fear on the floor. Without thinking he embraces you. "Sorry, baby I'm so sorry."

Yandere!Hanma

Dosen't care at first and ignores you right back. He didn't do anything wrong. You were acting like a bitch and he told you as much. Ok so you didn't like it when he called you that but if the shoe fits!

Weeks goes by though. And finally he shows up at your place ready to forgive your bullshit but then he opens the door to find. Some other fucking guy.

"What the hell is this, Y/N?" He asks his voice low and dangerous, "None of your business Hanma. Now leave." You spit ready to throw him out.

But he doesn't budge just looks at you with something in his eyes that you don't recognize. "I don't let you throw a fucking fit and you think you can cheat on me?"

Oh? Fuck that. He called you a bitch you'll show him a bitch. "You don't get to cuss me out in front of all your douchey friends, not apologize or talk to me and then still think we're dating! FUCK YOU. I'm moving on and I want you gone!"

Wrong answer. Good for you growing a pair, too bad it's gonna cost this other guy a few broken bones. And when Hanma is done with him he turns to you, Grabbing you by your hair and dragging you out of the apartment. Looks like someone neeeds a reminder of what happens to people who cross him.

Yandere!Shion

Didn't know you ignoring him. Didn't really care either. It had been a month since you hit him up. Usually you're up his ass. Finds you with some douchebag at a cafe and loses his shit.

Makes a total scene. Flipping the table and throwing the guy around like a rag doll. Grabbing you by the forearm and dragging you back to his place.

"The fuck was that huh!?" he screams tossing you onto the bed. "You just up and cheat whenever you get bored, bitch? IS THAT IT!?"

You're in tears, shoving him away trying to crawl further up his mattress to get some distance. "You're the one that got bored! I was the only one ever trying! I thought you'd at least reach out to me but you never did! You didn't want me!"

He thinks about it. Ok so maybe he wasn't the best boyfriend. He didn't know how to be a good one alright? But he'll learn. Eerily gets calm.

"Ok. I get it. I need to try harder." Congratulations. You could never get the guy to give you attention now you'll never get him to leave you alone....

#i didn't want to do this tbh #it was VERY similar to another ask i got and they came one right after the other #ive got this thing about doing the same request but someone tries to disguise it as a different one... #peeves me off #i did it anyways though and im hoping my requesters have some integrity and KNOW NOT TO DO THAT #yandere tokyo revengers #yandere angry #yandere souya kawata #yandere hanma shuji #yandere shion madarame

[blueicequeen19]

Part two to this and timed 6 months later…

@fiction-is-life @haven247 this one’s for you

Warnings: none, just angst

You’d hidden it as long as you could. You’d cut off your friends. You hid from your parents. You stopped partying. You blocked certain people on your phone. You even wore baggy clothes. Thankfully, it was winter time so no one really questioned that. But two people were very persistent. They both showed up everywhere and you did everything in your power to avoid them.

Rafe knew about JJ but JJ didn’t know about Rafe. And god help you when he does. But he’d soon figure it out. Everyone would now that you were showing and would continue to only get bigger. The secret was out and you were waiting for one or both of them to corner you and demand answers. It didn’t take long.

“Is it mine?” Your hand froze on the handle of your car and you saw his reflection in the glass, his face hard as he waited for your response. You slowly turn and face him, your emotions threatening to bubble over. You expected this but not this sudden.

“No.” You said softly, your chest tight with anxiety. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, hurt written all over his face. You wanted to cry and beg for him to forgive you. You didn’t want this.

“It’s Rafe’s, isn’t it?” JJ asks, his voice cold and his expression blank. You don’t answer. You don’t have to. Word spread pretty fast on the island and it only took one person witnessing how many times you had to run Rafe off.

JJ shakes his head, his hands trembling as he scratches the scruff on his chin.

“I wish it was yours.” You blurt, blinking back tears. He chuckles humorously. His rage washed over him and you knew there was no use trying to talk to him like this.

“Do you?” His words are laced with malice and you flinch. “Seems like to me that you’re going to be set for life. Cameron won’t let his kid grow up a Pogue. You sure as fuck won’t be one anymore. We all know how he is with his toys and now you’re one of them.” Your eyes fall closed as tears stream down your cheeks. His words hurt but that didn’t mean they weren’t true. You were relieved your child wouldn’t have to go without. If Rafe decided to step up.

“How could you do this to me?” JJ steps towards you, his angry eyes full of tears. Your own anger blooms and you plant your hands on his chest, shoving him.

“Me? I did this? You broke up with me!” You cry, your vision blurry with tears.

“That doesn’t give you the right to fuck the one guy I hate more than my dad!” JJ yells back.

“We weren’t together anymore!”

“And yet you found some way to make sure you hurt me. Good for you.” JJ turns to leave but you grab his arm, not ready for this to be the end.

“You left me. You don’t get to be mad over what I do when I’m single. I didn’t plan on getting pregnant. It only happened once and we were both drunk and I felt like shit afterwards. I wanted you back but I knew you wouldn’t have me after what I did. Especially now that I’m pregnant by someone else.”

“It’s not even that you’re pregnant by someone else. It’s because of all the guys on the island you could screw, you chose Rafe. You were trying to get back at me. You wanted to hurt me.”

“Well you hurt me too! Doesn’t mean I stopped loving you!” Everything seems to freeze at your words. Minutes seem to tick by as your eyes remain locked. So much time passed that you opened your mouth to beg him to speak when he takes a step back, his head hung.

“It’s not enough.” JJ turns his back on you and heads back to his truck, leaving you broken more than you already were.

You got into your car and drove with no real destination in mind. People stared at you as you drove with tears streaming down your face. One person even tried to get your attention at a stop light but you ignored them.

It wasn’t until the white mansion came into view that you’d realized where you’d ended up. You hadn’t even exited your car when Rafe appeared. He opened his mouth to speak until you pushed the door open and stepped out, letting him take you in.

Rafe was genuinely shocked but he wasn’t angry. His hand immediately went to your bump and you wanted to back away, wishing it was someone else but it didn’t matter what you wanted anymore. You had to do right by your baby. He or she deserved a father.

You thought he’d be angry that you’d ghosted him for the last 6 months but whatever he had wanted to say had dissolved and he only wanted to talk about you and the baby. He seemed to want you both taken care of and he wanted to be the one to do it.

That night, he introduces you to his father and step mother and although you can tell they’re both faking their happiness for the two of you, you have no doubt that they will be there no matter what. Rafe seemed to crave his fathers attention and approval so you went along with whatever he told him. Plans for the baby, plans for you, plans of being a couple. Whatever he said, you agreed with.

If only you’d taken the time to return home before dinner. You’d have found a defeated stubborn blonde with a bouquet of flowers and your favorite chocolates waiting on your door step.

#smutwarning #outer banks smut #jj maybank smut #jj maybank fic #jj maybank imagine #obx2 #jj maybank fluff #jj maybank x you #jj obx #rudy pankow

[xsoulxsilencex]

There is almost something funny in seeing how most people on tumblr are really upset about what Yuamu and Yuga are doing and then I check other places where people are actually happy about what's going on?

One side is angry at Yuga, hates Yuamu's decision, call it bad writing, nonsensical etc. while the other side says stuff like "girl boss Yuamu", "Go Rush is cooking/peak" and "this is what Yuamu's character needed".

Ngl, I'm somewhat in the middle:

I really wouldn't call the recent events as "peak fiction" and I still feel like this is a weird way to involve Yuamu in the arc final + potentially explaining why she's not on the season 3 poster. I don't buy her being Otes at all. At least not the one we saw in Sevens. I don't even really see what would be so great about her being Otes? Like is it only cool because a girl could potentially be the previous show's central antagonist? Also Yuamu empathising with Yuga could've been done better imo. Just saying that the ep where they landed in Goha City as cats was like the "starting point" for her feels random and not really like it was built up properly. At least to me. Also not sure how people seem to easily forget/forgive Yuamu's irrelevance over the season just for what she's doing now. The writers do nothing with her until now and suddenly she's cool again because she sides with Yuga?

But I will also say that I don't hate Yuga for doing what he does. I mean, Yuga experienced what bad shit Monster Reborn caused in his time. He doesn't want a repetition of that. And I think for us it's easy to say "well, screw the future kids, the Velgearians matter more" since they don't exist in GR. They aren't characters we saw interacting with Yudias and co. We got to know the Velgearians so their deaths hit us harder and we want them back since what happened to them was just not fair. But it's not like Yuga is happy about letting the Velgerians stay dead. He would've gladly helped reviving the Velgearians if he knew a way that doesn't involve the use of Monster Reborn. After all, why would he have helped Yudias, given him a deck and duel disk and even dueled at his side if he didn't care at all? Even Yudias and co. don't think he's just evil by doing what he does rn. And well, Yuga is just 13. A 13yo saying he will become the enemy just to save the future is kinda crazy. Yuga actually cares a lot up to the point he wants to solve everything on his own so others don't suffer/get hurt. That's how he was in Sevens too. And ngl, that annoyed me a little even back then. (Luke called him out for that once too) He means well but needs to understand that it's okay to take help. Btw: I've seen people angry at Yuga and Yuamu only caring for the kids and implying that adults are bad? Tbh, I don't think they really believe that since in both, Sevens and Go Rush, we had some adults playing Rush Duel and having fun with it. I think it's more about adults influencing the game so much up to the point it's only fun for them but not the kids anymore. So when Yuga wants dueling back in the hands of children, he probably means that they should have fun too and not just the adults. Maybe he and Yuamu could've phrased it better but I never took it as "kids are cool, adults are evil so RD should just be played by kids".

I still believe that in the end, both the future and the Velgearians can be saved so I don't feel like arguing with any side here. Both make points I can understand but I also feel like some get either over emotional or just blindly call everything awesome.

#yugioh go rush #ygo go rush