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#there was never going to be peace you stupid sl*
guzhuangheaven · 2 years
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Something that's off for me about dramas like Ruyi (which comprises most anyway) is the idea that all these people had only one real loved one in their lives. Like the emperor ONLY loved this empress, the others he simply accepted or endured or lusted after. Granted, women were more confined in the roles (the ones in the harem in this case) but it mystifies this belief they couldn't have their fancies, even if not acted upon. AND if they do, they are treacherous sl*ts. Like what? It's just. People can love more than one time what's up with that lol. I understand of being more dramatic for the story but long term in a drama it just doesn't make sense. Not to throw this around but I'm a major in History, and there are many gaps between what's proper and what actually happens. So following this thin line is very boring actually. (Of course Ruyi had many interesting storylines, but the great love that got shattered between them is just ugh... People move on.
I don't not agree with you, but I guess I'm just not as frustrated about it as you because there are constraints to these dramas both in the scenes and behind the scenes.
In reality Ruyi did move on, long before she cuts her hair or dies. In the last third of the drama, emotionally she probably cares a lot more about literally everyone else around her than Qianlong. But as you said she’s also confined in her role. Any attempts she makes to curb/disapprove of Qianlong’s behaviour after a certain point is just because she’s still the empress and in this culture there’s still a certain expectation that women should be able to influence their husbands into good behaviour. (It’s stupid but it exists.)
You can also no longer be in love with somebody and still mourn who they once were and what they could have been, especially when you’re still trapped in this life together.
As for physically moving on, you could make a strong case for the women in harem dramas getting together, but it’s never going to be explicit on screen because it’s China. It’s not like Ruyi could leave the palace – and in the end, her cutting her hair is as much peacing out as she could manage under the circumstances.
If you want someone who moved on both emotionally and physically, and it’s not condemned in the narrative, there’s Zhen Huan.
Even Qianlong, at the end he’s not really in love with who Ruyi is at the end. He’s in love with an idea of who he thinks she should be. Honestly I read the scene at the end of where he’s still mourning her long after she died not as romantic or anything that you should be supportive of. He’s mourning a Ruyi as the person she once was that he wants her to still be, so he’s not treating her as an actual human being who changes through time, but as this symbol or idol. He might think it’s love but it’s more of an obsession with the past where things were less complicated and when he probably was happiest. It’s a very unhealthy mindspace that was probably made more clear in the novel where towards the end of his life, Qianlong favoured Wang Zhifu who looks like Ruyi.-h
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llycaons · 10 months
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ep10: and then there's THIS asshole
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THAT BITCH. sitting on roofs is wangxian's thing!
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xxc looking SHARP. the very very obvious exposition here is so funny
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see I don't even think the fans are exaggerating when they talk about him being a kinky bitch I think it's heavily implied in the canon text
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SO DRAMATIC LMAO
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oh! people write xxc and sl as traveling together but actually before this scene they were doing their own thing and just knew each other as friends
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aww, younger jc had some principles after all. along with hopes and dreams. the ability to empathize with other human beings. a chance at getting married someday
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they keep talking about xy being so young but wwx and co. are only like 16 here and xy is clearly around their age so??? how young could he possibly be. he was younger in the novels but the timeframe is different anyway
WHY IS HE TIED UP LIKE THAT
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LOVE this response. it could be him saying "I have no shame and you can't scare with with your implications because I don't care about my reputation' OR it could mean 'I'm already gay and everyone knows it, you bitch. your move'
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huaisang they are literally surrounded by corpses. why do you think
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wwx latching onto this and them smiling SO big at lwj...jc getting mad at him...ough
side note I think that we can assume that he's at peace with his sexuality and any resistance he has to being into lwj is much more about his hangups around commitment and being loved, and about his embarrassment over being attracted to someone so strict and unfun (and maybe also he feels like he's not allowed to want/have things in his precarious role in the family and therefore ruins his own opportunities reflexively)
lwj I think does have some internalized homophobia to work through but a lot of HIS resistance is related to feeling shame over having desires/emotions esp romantic/sexual ones (father issues, also maybe his upbringing and personality too) and also embarrassment that he likes someone as wild and unconventional as wwx. anyway
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nhs waxing poetic about handsome gentlemen for the second time in two episodes and people still write him as straight?
wwx looks so fucking miserable watching xxc walk away with no more info on his mom and jc SEES that oughhh
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BIG SEXY IS HERE!!!!! I am of course referring to both nmj and baxia but I couldn't get a good pic of baxia and there's a limit on the number of images per post anyway
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jc and wwx looking so pleased at the praise is ADORABLE. I actually think a fun hc is that nmj is the reason wwx knows he's into dudes
also, nmj being the ONLY person to call lwj 'wangji'! he's such a big brother...
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oh shit I forgot this. wwx is the one to save xy's life here! honestly this was for the best. despite all the horrible things xy did later, I don't think it would have been okay if nmj personally killed a defenseless man in cold blood just because he was angry
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WHAT A DICK I know I just said killing xy in cold blood out of a personal sense of anger would be bad but honestly I don't even begrudge jgy for taking his chance and murdering this guy
he's also SO stupid for letting prejudice and his ego get in the way of doing his job and carrying out his SECT LEADER'S orders
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iirc this is literally the only time jgy and wwx are alone in a scene together and it's just a very polite exchange and wwx thanks him for all his hard work while everyone else is feasting after the commander was a dick to him aww. flash forward 20 years and wwx is like 'I never hurt you! Why did you ruin my life!" and jgy was like 'well SOMEONE was going to and it may as well have been me!' insane
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this line is more romantic than "'l'll sleep on your roof tonight" imo
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ah the gentle longing of first love, unceremoniously doused in the cold water of the realities of war. one of the more background tragedies of this show
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OH FUCK THERE'S WZL!!!!! MY GUY!!!!! IN THE CORNER!!!!
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fun fact: apparently this is a very famous shooting location and it's used in a ton of cdramas
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despite this action I don't think he genuinely cares about nmj, honestly. appreciated, almost certainly. but I don't think he truly respected or cared about many people. it's just that he could see his death right there in nmj's eyes and this choice was a last-ditch gambit to preserve his own life by risking it in the most performative way possible
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isn't it wild that wen chao and jiang cheng have the same advice for wwx which is: stop interfering in the affairs of other clans?
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even the ego-blinded wen chao can tell that wwx is into lwj
honestly wwx's crush just makes me so sad in this arc. so delicate and new and he's so young and so many terrible things will happen
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see I think lxc valuing jgy and publicly supporting him and praising him earned him one of the only spots on the list of people jgy genuinely cares about. I don't think he respects him, at least not enough to not use him to murder his friend, but I will argue that jgy feels genuine affection for lxc and BELIEVES he never hurt him/never wanted to hurt him. this dialogue is mental, it's not a performance
this is also why jgy/lxc is more emotionally true to me than either of them with nmj (even tho I obviously don't support it or thinks jgy would be a good romantic partner), sorry nielan fans I appreciate your perspective but I think this is the more textually supported one, even if it ends much worse
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jgy is so fascinating to me like the way he'll twist himself into whatever he needs to in order to survive. he defends himself saying 'he said horrible things to me and beat me' then 'he insulted my mother' then 'he took credit for my accomplishments' and each one seeming to flow naturally to the next as nmj rejected those reasons…very interesting that nmj criticizes jgy for wanting praise and credit, contrasting characters like lwj, who are widely praised for not caring about credit or glory
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this last shot of nmj IS haunting tho. jgy may not have cared about him but I think nmj really cared about and trusted jgy, and this betrayal of someone who values justice and loyalty was very hard to take
personal highlights:
wwx comparing himself and lwj to xxc/sl
nhs complimenting xxc and sl in a gay way
wzl in his first appearance!!
wen chao noticing how much wwx likes lwj, which is kind of horrifying but also it's a good measure of just how obvious he is and people do not talk about wwx being hopelessly in love enough
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kagesdumpsterfire · 2 years
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He, for real, read it guys!
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urlocalllama · 3 years
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Bitter Tea
Possessive AU by Emily aka @urlocalllama
Sun Wukong and Mk have been cured! They both waste no time thanking Macaque for going the extra mile for them, having procured a vital part of the antidote and all, and Macaque starts realizing that he… he might have a family. But then Wukong finds out what he had done to get that key ingredient…
Author’s note: In this fic, Macaque uses the pet name ‘Mei Houwang’ for Wukong - it’s how you say ‘Handsome Monkey King’ in Mandarin Chinese!
Wukong leaned into Macaque’s hand as he stroked his hair and face, the bags under his eyes starting to disappear. They were sitting on the couch, enjoying a small peaceful moment as the antidote’s effects were becoming much more noticeable.
Macaque used his other hand to adjust the blanket around Wukong’s shoulder and make sure his hand was still properly gripping his teacup, then pushed against the bottom of the cup to encourage Wukong to take another sip.
He did so, giving Macaque a warm look over the edge.
“Feeling better, my sweet peach?”
“I want to say something cheesy like ‘it’s always better with you around’, but the problem is that… it’d bee a little too genuine. Cheesy comments are supposed to be funny and heartfelt, but not real…”
“Hm?”
“Because… it was really you who pulled the antidote together. And I can’t make stupid jokes about it. I just can’t! You’re why I’m feeling better right now.”
“Peaches, my love, it’s okay. You’re starting to cry a little, we can talk about this later…”
“S-s-sorry, but I’m just… overwhelmed. By you. But in a good way!”
Wukong calmed himself down by guzzling the rest of his tea. Macaque gently took it from him and set it down on a nearby table before pulling him to his chest, tenderly kissing his forehead… then his nose… then both of his cheeks… then right on his lips.
Mm, mm, mm… never got old.
Wukong pulled away, frantically covering his face as he coughed.
“Sorry, sorry… I didn’t want my nasty cough to get in your mouth…”
“I appreciate it, but if you ever do accidentally cough in my mouth I’ll get over it.”
“It’ll taste terrible.”
“You taste so strongly of peaches that it kinda masks other flavors. How many immortality peaches have you eaten?”
“Far… far too many.”
They giggled, rubbing their noses together.
“MAAAACAAAAAAAAAQUE!”
“Wh-wha- OOF!!”
Mk had bounded into the room, revitalized, and flung himself into Macaque’s arms.
“Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou-“
“Sl-slow down! Slow down! I can’t understand you-“
“Thank you so much!!” Mk burst out, hugging him even tighter.
“H-huh? I mean, you’re welcome?” Macaque stuttered, awkwardly hugging him back.
“M-Mei told me everything!” Mk leaned back to look at his face, “You… you’re the one who figured out what got me sick, went out of your way to find a sample, then you found the most important part of the antidote! And-and-and… you did it for us! For Wukong! For… for me!!”
Mk thanked him using his whole heart, and Macaque felt something change in his own.
“Of course I did…” Macaque started, “Why-why wouldn’t I?”
“I… you do care,” Mk said quietly, “You really, really do care!”
Macaque paused.
He really hadn’t thought about why he went through all that effort… until now. But Mk was right… he really did care. Mk saw the love… he felt… even when he himself was blind to it.
Mk saw the best in him.
Macaque was starting to get why the brotherhood loved this kid so much.
“Shouldn’t you be resting, bud?” Wukong asked, reaching out and caressing Mk’s face.
“I mean… yeah? But like… I didn’t want to wait to say thanks. I could’ve died! But I didn’t!”
“Well then c’mere, punk,” Wukong dragged Mk into his lap, enveloping him in the blanket, “Now you’re stuck resting with me!”
“Nooo, fatherly affection!” Mk gasped in fake horror, “Anything but that!”
“Too bad, bud! I’ve always had fatherly affection for you, and it’s not gonna stop now!” Wukong joked back, but Macaque could tell he was only half-joking.
“Well, normally I’m not a cuddle-r,” Macaque said as he lounged back on the couch, “But I can make an exception if you two want a third person.”
As soon as he finished his sentence, he found Wukong wedged between him and the back of the couch and Mk draped on top of his chest.
He wrapped his arms around them, and drifted off to sleep…
Nightmares tried to plague him, but right now he could just brush them off and guide his dreams to much more pleasant things, like swimming in mountain streams or jumping through the trees…
“Macaque…” someone whispered.
“Five more minutes… good dream…”
“Macaque!”
“Whaaat?”
Wukong shushed him, pointing at the still sleeping Mk on his chest. Somehow, while they were sleeping, Wukong had pulled himself out from where he was wedged and was now standing at Macaque’s head looking down at him.
And he was not happy.
“Uh oh. What did I do?”
Wukong held up the small note that Macaque had taken from the corpse, the one he had used to track down Wang Kunhuo…
UH OH.
Wukong gently slid Mk off of Macaque, tenderly laying him down where he had been before, and pecked a little kiss on his forehead. Then he grabbed Macaque by the arm and dragged them off to his cabin, closing the door behind him.
“What. Is. THIS?!”
“We found it on the not-zombie, r-remember? I thought it looked important so-“
“Is this how you got your hands on the antivenom?!”
“Y-yes. Maybe… uh… what’s the right answer to the question?”
“The truth! The truth is the right answer! Macaque, this is serious! Did you or did you not meet with the Demon King of Confusion?”
“I…” He started, then the memories of the creepy, skin-crawling lust that was in Wang Kunhuo’s eyes when he thought he was the Monkey King came to his mind. He answered honestly, “Yes. I did. I pretended I was you, tricked him into one of my shadow traps, made fun of him as I always do to my enemies, and left.”
Wukong made some unintelligible frustrated noises, jerking his hands around in said frustration, then he pinched the bridge of his nose and asked, “Do you have any idea who that is?”
“I… I could tell that he was an asshole who’s been trying to court you, but he’s been a real skleezebag about it.”
“That was the first enemy I had ever faced,” Wukong explained, “I had left Flowerfruit mountain to seek out answers. A way to protect my people. And I took classes under a master who requests that I not name him.
“When I got back, my mountain had been conquered. By the Demon King of Confusion. He had hypnotized and confused my people, enslaving them to his will… he then tried to convince me to marry him, claiming that my free spirited people were happier as mindless slaves.
“As you can imagine, I said no. But ever since then, he’s just been showing up in the background of my life, trying to take me by force.”
“I… I had guessed on that last bit. He was really getting his hopes up when he thought I was you… did not like it at all when it turned out to be me, instead.”
“YOU TOLD HIM IT WAS YOU?!”
“…and that I was dating you…”
“YOU- YOU WHAT. WHAT?!”
“He was being a pretentious dick!!”
“He’s far more dangerous than you realize!!”
“I didn’t understand that at the time! Tricking him by pretending to be you was easy! But-but I’ll follow your lead from now on… I promise.”
“You’d better! He’s already threatened Mk, I can’t have him after you, too…”
“He’s already threatened Mk?” Macaque asked sharply.
“Yes! He has! The farther away I can keep now all three of us from him, the better!”
This situation was gravely more serious than Macaque had thought.
Macaque gently placed his hands on Wukong’s hips, pressing is forehead against his, “I understand better now. I apologize for anything I may have done that could hurt us.”
Wukong blinked, then reached up and cradled his face, “You really didn’t know… you didn’t. Besides… that was clever. Only Buddha can tell us apart, so pretending to be me? Ingenious. I don’t think that trick will technically work twice - if I know Wang Kunhuo, he’s already setting up ways to trap and destroy you personally - but it really was smart…”
“I knew that I couldn’t send you to him. One, because you were sick. Two, because when the revealing spell was triggered and Mk spat out Kunhuo’s name as the originator of the poison, I had a bad feeling when I saw that he had requested you personally.”
“Revealing spell? Him?! He was the one who- y’know what, I’m not even shocked anymore. In fact, I won’t let myself get shocked. Nope. Not happening. We’ll just eat from here from now on, inspect every piece of food we buy… it’ll be fine…”
“Relax, my Mei Houwang…” Macaque purred, “We’ll deal with these things as they come. It’s always good to be prepared, but I don’t want to see you stressing out too much.”
“You’re right, you’re right…” Wukong nodded, “Geez, we should’ve at least become allies before now. We really do compliment each other…”
Macaque laughed, then pulled him into a quick but deep kiss.
“Uh…” Mk was heard outside of the door, still sleepy, “Where’d you guys go? Are you in there…? Should I… should I come back later…?”
“No, it’s fine. We just needed to talk about something…” Macaque assured him as Wukong reached over to open the door, “Just some monkey business, nothing to worry about.”
“Well, I’m a monkey. Sort of. What’s the business?”
They hesitated, and Mk glared at them.
“Oh no you don’t,” He insisted, “Wukong, you’ve already promised to keep me in the loop about these things. And I’m holding you to the same promise, Macaque! Spill it.”
“Oh alright. Come in, we’ll explain…”
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ningningsplushie · 3 years
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Hobiday
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Pairing: Hoseok x reader
Word count: 2020
Genre: self-care night, domestic Hobi??, fluff galore, comfort fic
Summary: Y/N visits her boyfriend Hoseok after a stressful day. Once she steps in his presence, the waterworks start and from there, he takes care of Y/N.
Warnings: Angst on the reader’s part, naked ppl ;) but nothing seggsual, sad emotions :( but it’s okay because Hobi is here to comfort you
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Y/N had just finished her shift at work after a gruelling study session at the library. Exams were coming up and work was kicking her ass. As hard as she was working, it just didn’t feel enough for her. Fears of not graduating with the degree she wanted, along with potentially getting fired from the newspaper agency, were eating her up. What Y/N really needed right now was love and a bit of coddling from her boyfriend Hoseok. 
The minute she stepped out of the building, she had texted Hoseok if it was alright for her to visit him and due to them not seeing each other for two weeks, he of course agreed. 
Standing right outside of his apartment’s door, Y/N holds the handle of the door in a death grip, trying her best to push her tears down as best as she could, not wanting Hoseok to see her in such a vulnerable and messy state. Opening the door ever so slowly, she creeps in, setting her bags on the floor. 
“Hobi, I’m here!” She calls out, taking off her shoes at the entrance. 
Hoseok walks out of his bedroom in a baggy shirt and a pair of grey sweats hanging low on his hips. He looks so good all the damn time. How does he do it? It’s taking Y/N everything in her power for her not to burst out crying, but the minute he flashes his dazzling smile and says, “Hey flower, how was your day?” she loses it. 
The emotions she’s been bottling up for the past few weeks let loose, her vision becoming increasingly blurry as she starts to bawl, falling to her knees on Hoseok’s hardwood floor. 
Hoseok guessed this would have happened sooner or later, judging from how distant but hardworking she’s been but upon seeing her tears track down her face, her body huddled into a small ball, his heart breaks into a million pieces. He rushes over to her, picking up her frail figure, and carries her to his couch. Hoseok caresses Y/N’s head, allowing her to nuzzle her face into his long neck as she sobs and sobs. 
“It’s alright flower, let it out. You’ve been so strong for me, don’t keep it in any longer.” He consoles, giving her a chaste kiss atop her head and gently patting her bum, rocking her in his arms like a baby. 
They stay like this for ten minutes as Y/N continues to cry, her body racked from her crying and face now puffy and red. She stops and no sound can be heard, leading Hoseok to assume that she’s fallen asleep. 
Carefully, he tries to get up from the couch to carry Y/N to his bedroom but is met with a meek, “Hobi, I’m so, so tired.” 
Pouting at her tiring claim, he replies, “I know, baby. We’re gonna go to bed right now so you can rest up.” 
“No, I’m not tired like that. I’m just...mentally exhausted.” 
Hoseok’s frown deepens. “You work so hard, flower. You’ve got to let yourself rest every once in a while.”
Y/N shakes her head, locks of her hair falling into her eyes. “You know I can’t do that. I’m so busy and-and I’ve got to keep track of all my work. If I stop to rest for even a day, I’ll fall behind.” 
An idea pops into Hoseok’s head. “Alright. Since you so willingly came to me, I’ll just have to force some relaxation into you.” 
“It’s not very relaxing if you have to…”
Hoseok interrupts his girlfriend with a sweet kiss on the mouth, careful not to stray the kiss into something not so deviant. “shhhhhh. Just trust me.” He mumbles into her mouth. 
With Y/N still clinging onto Hoseok, he carries her into the bathroom, carefully setting her on top of the sink. He rummages through the cabinet behind Y/N’s dangling legs, and from below her, she hears, “Lavender or Chamomile?” 
“Lavender or Chamomile what?” She asks, puzzled at her boyfriend’s odd behaviour. 
Hoseok pulls back from the cabinet and jeers, “Bubble bath, duh.”
“Oh...uhhhh lavender please.” 
Hoseok gets up from the floor, plugs the bathtub, and waits for the water to fill it a generous amount so he can dump in the bubble bath. 
Hoseok leaves and returns with an arm full of candles, placing them all over the bathroom and lights them one by one. Once he’s done, he spreads Y/N’s legs apart and stands between them, giving her another passionate kiss. “I love you so much, flower. Let me take care of you. Arms up, angel.” 
Y/N listens to his command and he begins to peel off her sweater, trailing soft kisses up her arms, shoulder, and collarbones. “Bum up, please.” 
He takes off her jeans, leaving even more kisses and caresses on her thighs and ankles. 
He draws back from Y/N and says, “Alright, I'll let you have some peace and quiet now. Call me when you're finished.”
He turns to leave but before he can do so, Y/N calls out, “Hobi, wait! Can you ermmmm…” she begins to trail off, shaking her head. “Nevermind.” 
“What is it, flower?” 
Y/N, sitting in her bra and underwear, looks down at her feet and shyly whispers, “I just...I was wondering if you could...bathe with me.” She looks up at him, her eyes sparkling with hope and a little bit of embarrassment. 
They’ve been intimate before but they’ve never showered or bathed together. Y/N, as busy as she is, treasures her moments of peace so hearing her ask this, Hoseok it elated, wanting nothing more than to comfort and sit skin to skin with the girl he loves. 
“ahhhhhh, is my little flower shy?” He teases, creeping between her legs once more. 
“Hobiiiiii!” She giggles, burying her face into his neck. 
“You don’t have to be so shy, you know. Not when you want me to be with you.” 
The two strips off all the fabrics on their persons and Hoseok takes hold of Y/N’s hand so she can safely step inside the bathtub. He trails in after her and the two sit down, Y/N sitting in front of her boyfriend, her back glued to his chest as she leans her head on his shoulder. 
“You wanna talk about it?” 
“I don’t want to burden you. It’s a lot, really.” She objects, basking in the warmth of the water and the scent of the bubbles. 
Hoseok places his hand under Y/N’s chin and turns her head so she’s looking at him. “Look at me. Don’t ever think that you’re burdening me.” 
Y/N nods her head, burrowing her cheek on his chest. “Everything is so overwhelming. I feel so stupid in school even if I’m studying hard. I feel like I’m not doing enough at work even if I’m working my ass off every day. I’m working and working and it’s just not worth it. I’m so close to dropping out of university. My dream of becoming a journalist doesn’t feel like a dream any longer. It’s more like a chore.” 
Hoseok wraps his arms around Y/N and tuts. “I hope you know you’re the only one who sees that. I know, trust me Y/N I know that school is stressful but you’re passing and all your professors love your papers. You may feel like you're working a dead-end job but it’s only the first step to you achieving your dream. Your hard work isn’t going unnoticed, alright? If you were doing anything wrong, your boss or professors would call you out. You’re doing amazing. Don’t give up, flower, not when you’ve gotten this far.” 
“It’s too much, Hobi. I can’t handle it anymore.” She retaliates, trying to squirm free from his grasp. 
He holds her tighter, kissing her head. “You can and you will. I’ll be with you every step of the way, cheering you on and picking you up when you fall. I’m not going to sit here and watch as you give up your dream. I’ll support you and make sure you get to where you want to go. You just need to find a nice balance between life and work.” He smirks, pressing a long kiss to her lips and softly brushing his thumb over her cheek. “That’s where I come into play.” 
Y/N pulls always and playfully slaps his arm. “You creep! Can’t you keep it in your pants for once?” 
“That’s kinda hard to do when I’m sitting naked in a tub with my beautiful girlfriend.” 
Y/N flushes into a deep shade of red. “Jeez, way to ruin the moment.”
“I’m kidding...for now.” He purrs, hiding his devilish grin in their kiss. “What I'm not kidding about is making sure you’re getting rest and relaxing once in a while.” He puffs his chest out, forming his lips in a pout. “One day a week will be a certified Hobiday where I get to baby and cuddle you. Ah, ah, ah, no objections. I won’t listen.” He urges, pressing his hands over his ears. 
 Y/N turns around to face Hoseok in the tub so she can force his hands away. “Alright, alright. There’s really no point in fighting you about this.”
Hoseok perks up. “There really isn’t. Just you wait. Hobiday will be your favourite day of the week. Let’s get out before we prune up, hmmm?” 
Hoseok helps Y/N out of the tub and pats her dry with a towel, careful not to let his hands wander. 
“I can dry myself, Hobi.” Y/N whines. 
“I know you can. I just want to take care of you tonight.” 
The two get dressed and relocate to his bedroom, Y/N sitting on his bed and Hoseok standing in the doorway, drying his hair. 
“Have you been eating well?” He inquires. 
Ashamed, Y/N twiddles with her thumbs and replies, “Just instant ramen. I’ve been too busy to eat a real meal.” 
“You’ve been eating instant ramen for two whole weeks?!” 
Y/N shrugs her shoulders. “There’s nothing wrong with that. At least I ate something, right?”
“Uhhhhhh wrong??? That’s it. We’re ordering in tonight.” 
“It’s fine, I’ll eat something when I get home.” Y/N defends, hopping off the bed. 
“Home? You’re not going home tonight. We’re having a sleepover and don’t even think for a second that I’ll let you have another cup of ramen.” 
“It’s late and I’m exhausted, Hobi. I’ll see you tomorrow.” 
Hoseok shakes his head, walking towards Y/N and tackling her in a bear hug. Y/N struggles to roll on top of him, trying to break free. Instead, Hoseok pins her arms above her head with him straddling her hips. 
“Yeah it’s late, you dummy. I’m not letting you go. You can sleep here. We’ll eat good food, watch Netflix, and cuddle. Doesn't that sound nice?”
Y/N falters, eyes glueing onto Hoseok. “I don’t want to intrude.” 
He groans, brushing his hands over his face. “You’re not intruding. You know why?” He leans down to Y/N’s face. “Because. I. Love. You. So. Much.” He enunciates, peppering kisses across her cheeks after each word. “Now shut up and take my love.” 
Y/N stops fighting and gives in to Hoseok, allowing him to cuddle her and cover her face in kisses. 
“Thank you for making sure I don’t make any stupid mistake...and thank you for taking care of me. I love you to no end, Hoseok.”
He grins at her, replying with, “Of course, angel. That’s what your sunshine has to do hmm? I’ve got to make sure my beautiful flower grows strong. And in return you make me shine brighter.” 
The two touch foreheads and Y/N whispers once more, “I love you so much.” 
“I love you too, flower.” 
This was it. Y/N knew at this moment that Hoseok was her home, her comfort and that she’d always find her path back to him.
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ameliarating · 4 years
Note
Since you brought the topic of Untamed/Hogwats houses I have to ask: do you have opinions about how other Untamed characters would be sorted into the Hogwarts Houses? (because I love how you put XXC into Ravenclaw and SL into Hufflepuff and I want others too)
Absolutely! Here comes a nearly-but-not-quite comprehensive list!
So we have Xiao Xingchen, the Ravenclaw who acts like a Gryffindor. Xiao Xingchen is primarily driven by a need to understand things and find a higher truth. It's why he left the mountain to begin with. He was sure he was missing something, something wasn't right in that philosophy, because truth is found among people. It's why he travels. It's why he attaches himself to people. 
But that manifests in very Gryffindor way, because he assumes (I'd like to think correctly) that the way to understand the world and universe is through compassion and helping people, which is why he found fault with staying on the mountain. How could that be the right thing to do, how could that be the truth, when it meant leaving people to suffer? 
And then when he encounters people who lie, who are hypocritical, who serve themselves when claiming to serve others, he’s deeply frustrated. Since his view of the truth is that it is found in compassion,  he has no patience for the structures that lie and keep people down (cough cough JGS). So he wants to change the world and make it better for everyone which makes him look like a Gryffindor, but at its base it comes from very Ravenclaw values. 
He’s also the least nerdy Ravenclaw ever, is not at all into texts, and believes that truth, like the Dao, can never be really put into words, but only acted. Though he’d say that there is no truth apart from the Dao, and that to distinguish things, to separate them, is missing the point completely.
Then we have Song Lan, the Hufflepuff who acts like a Gryffindor. Unlike Xiao Xingchen, he's not driven by any grand goals. He's not interested in uncovering some new truth or in changing the world in any big way. He just sees people suffering around him and knows that's wrong and believes that the right thing to do is alleviate suffering in all the small ways he can.
Except that as a powerful cultivator, it's often actually not that small. He doesn't think he can change the world, he certainly doesn't think he has any major effect. (He actually agrees with Xue Yang that it nobody really can), and he was taught since childhood that it was better to follow a more passive path than to try to shape the world into a new image.
But he does believe it's his duty to help the people around him, to make little things more fair, to save lives, to lay suffering ghosts, all of that, because it will effect individuals and individuals matter. He wants to start a new sect with Xiao Xingchen not because he is disgusted with the politics of the sect world (he just doesn't care about it, he's not Xiao Xingchen who is ready to argue with full on sect leaders), but because it will help more people in the surrounding area and it sounds like the right thing to do
But because he's a powerful wandering cultivator, and because he's attached himself to Xiao Xingchen who does have more vision, he comes off as a Gryffindor. - just because the way he operates as a Hufflepuff ends up looking very Gryffindor.
He’s also a very nerdy Hufflepuff who is very much into studying the texts he’s been memorized since his childhood at the temple.
To continue on the Yi City theme, we have Xue Yang, another Ravenclaw. He’s just straight up curious about everything, and since he has no ambition, no desire to change the world, and no loyalty to others, his only real motivation (outside that sweet, sweet revenge) comes from that curiosity.
He wants to know how things work. He’ll spend years studying Yiling Laozu’s notes because they’re fascinating. He’ll teach himself cultivation. He’ll torture someone into revealing themself. He’ll mess with people to learn what their nightmares are and he’ll then he’ll make their nightmares come true, just to see what happens.
He’ll spend three years with his enemy just to learn who he is and what makes him tick. (At least that’s what he’s telling himself... stupid feelings got in their way a bit there.)
If there’s nothing more to learn, he’ll get bored. He needs stimulation. He’s creative. And beyond that, he doesn’t really care. 
It’s actually interesting that, like Xiao Xingchen, he is fascinated by so much in the world and wants to learn and learn and learn. And that, like Song Lan, he doesn’t actually think anyone has the power to make a big difference in it.
Rounding off Yi City, we have A-Qing, a Slytherin. She’s goal oriented and protective of the people she decides are worth protecting, and pretty dismissive of everyone else. When we first meet her, her only goal is to get ahead herself. Then she adopts her daozhang (it goes both ways) and she would do anything to get them both ahead.
It’s just that Xiao Xingchen doesn’t really care about getting ahead, or having money, or running away from Xue Yang when he’s going to kill them, which is an issue because he’s become her goal and she won’t abandon him. 
I think that if we’d gotten to know her longer, we would have found her to be a pretty ambitious person, but it’s possible that she might have turned out to be a Gryffindor instead. She was just a kid and ghosts don’t really change or evolve. Even in the showverse, where she’s not a ghost but someone living with a sort of slow acting corpse poisoning (??? it’s not clear), she remains frozen as who she was when we last saw her in Yi City. 
Wei Wuxian - the Gryffindoriest Gryffindor ever, but if he’d lived in more peaceful times, he would have been, like Hermione, someone with very Ravenclaw tendencies, who uses curiosity and scholarship to change the world for the better. Honestly, not much more to say about him beyond that. He’s just. So Gryffindor.
Jin Guangyao and Nie Huaisang are both pure Slytherins. Jin Guangyao classically so. He’s ambitious, he wants power, he wants to protect what’s his, he’s cunning, and he’ll do just about anything to reach his goals. His eye is on the prize, and that prize is the sort of power that means he can live without shame, except that the more power he gets, the bigger the potential for shame gets too. Poor thing never rests.
Nie Huaisang is less classically a Slytherin, in that he’s not actually all that ambitious, but oh man, is he goal oriented. What he wants, he’ll get, even if that means people have to suffer, either if they’re in the way, or if their suffering is part of his plan itself.
Lan Xichen is a Hufflepuff. Like Song Lan, he is primarily motivated by helping people around them and alleviating their suffering. Even if a part of him wishes he could make drastic changes to the world and how it’s run, he doesn’t believe he has the means to do so, and if he tried, he’d only hurt his own ability to do anything at all, as well as others under his protection. 
So instead of fighting the world, he moves within it, being quietly but unusually kind to others, using his position of power to lift people up and protect them, and doing what he can to make the lives of individuals that much better and easier. Sometimes it even works. 
He’s trying. The world is set against him. He just doesn’t have the freedom to set himself against the world. 
He’s hardworking and he’s loyal and he believes in giving people the benefit of the doubt when no one else will. He has a very clear sense of honor, and it’s all based on what is the right way to relate to others. Like Helga Hufflepuff, he opens his sect up to people others would reject.
Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing are both Slytherins, for similar reasons, but it comes out in different ways. They both believe that their primary loyalties must be to their own blood (Jiang Cheng more expansively to the entire Jiang sect, Wen Qing to her branch of the Wen Clan) and that as leaders, they have to do whatever they can to protect it, even if it means letting others fall by the side. 
They don’t think of themselves of heroes. Jiang Cheng is bitter about that and Wen Qing accepts it more easily. They have their own protect and that’s all.
Jiang Cheng is more obviously a Slytherin in that he’s very ambitious (he’s been taught to be, by his mother, it’s unclear to me if he would have been so otherwise), he wants to be on top and be an incredible sect leader, though he won’t use all means at his disposal to get ahead. Like Jin Guangyao, he feels inadequate in second place. Unfortunately for Jiang Cheng, he’s never going to get higher than second place - and often not even that. Wen Qing is not so ambitious herself, and in more peaceful times, might have been more of a Hufflepuff. 
Jiang Yanli is a Hufflepuff. She also wants to help the people around her without dreams of changing the world. She’ll alleviate the suffering of others one bowl of soup at a time. Whatever grand dreams she may have had, she’s set them aside for her to nurture Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng which is upsetting, but also, and I mean this very seriously, the people (often women) who spent history quietly feeding the heroes we read about should have made history. 
It’s actually enough to be kind.
Nie Mingjue is a Gryffindor, I think? He has a very strong view of right and wrong, and it’s less driven by individuals and more about what the world should look like, even if it’s not what it looks like now. But that’s very hard for me to reconcile with his super-strong views against the Wens, but then again, I don’t want to be all “no-true-Gryffindor fallacy” and claim that real Gryffindors can’t be bloodthirsty to wipe out entire sects.
He, like Lan Xichen, has a very stark view of what it means to be honorable, but for him, honor has less to do with relating to the people around him and more to do with what sort of actions are ever appropriate to take. 
Mianmian is either a Hufflepuff or what happens when a Gryffindor is so disempowered as to just give up. She cares very strongly about doing the right thing by others and by setting a good example in the world. She looses her patience with the hypocrisy of the sects but rather than try to tear them down or change things, she leaves and finds her own place to be honorable. 
So my question is, is she driven by the needs of the individuals around her (a Hufflepuff), or is she more idealistic and thinks the world should and can be drastically different (a Gryffindor)? Gryffindors work best when they are given the means to change things. Mianmian never really had those.
Jin Zixuan is that kid who sits under the hat and the hat is all, hmmmm, I’m not sure, and he’s all put me where my family is, and the hat is like, really? you sure? not sure you’ll thrive there, and Jin Zixuan says, I’m positive, and then ends up in Slytherin and his father is proud of him, so what could go wrong?
(Jin Zixuan is Regulus Black)
Jin Guangshan is a Slytherin. I mean. Obviously.
Wen Ning is a Hufflepuff. I mean. Obviously.
Su She doesn’t make it to Hogwarts because he’s a Squib, and the evil he ends up enabling says as much about the ills of the magical world as it does about him.
Jin Zixun is a Dursley. I’m taking comments and criticisms on everything else on this post but this.
Lan Wangji ... ???
Like, I dunno! Sometimes I want to say Gryffindor. His early dream was to make the world a better place, at least in the show, I don’t remember in the novel. To protect the innocent and have a clean conscience. He goes where the chaos is. He protects people others overlook. He’s Huangang-jun. 
But I suspect he, like Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen, is someone who acts like a Gryffindor but isn’t necessarily, and part of that is because his primary motivation is surrounding one person. Protect Wei Wuxian. From himself, from others, from the world. That’s not a very Gryffindory motivation. Gryffindors tend to have more expansive drives. They want to make more of an impact. 
Is he a Slytherin? He’s willing to do just about anything in service of his goals. (His goals are Wei Wuxian.) And he has a narrow group of people that he has claimed as his own and wants to put ahead. (His people are Wei Wuxian and Lan Xichen.)
Is he a Hufflepuff? He is desperate to do right by people and be kind to them and figure out how to alleviate their suffering. (People are Wei Wuxian.)
I’m pretty sure he’s not a Ravenclaw, because while he’s scholarly and does want to learn and open his mind, I don’t think he’s driven by curiosity or a need to attain truth. But even with Ravenclaw, I’d be open to it. So. Yeah.
Soooo, that’s not everybody, obviously, and if people want my sorting thoughts on other characters, feel free to send them my way! But that’s a taste of what goes through my head.
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Text
I’m gonna try to get the rest of the chapters I’d written for this posted before the end of the year.
Life is Never what you Expect Chapter 9 Word Count: 2823
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As Jackie was getting himself ready to leave his thoughts went back to what Anti had said. Jack had wanted Anti to come here. Jackie was so unsure. Nothing felt right. Maybe he was paranoid and Anti was just a reclusive weirdo. Cause otherwise Jack would know. Right? And Jack would never put them in harms way like this. Not purposely. It's been three full days now; there was no sign of Anti hurting any of them... Nothing. Was... would that be normal? Three days without food. Humans can last... what was it? Two weeks? Jackie sighed and rested his hands on the bathroom counter as he leaned against it. Maybe... maybe he should find some common ground between them. Looking up at the mirror, blue eyes greeting him. Jackie let out a sigh and turned away. Shutting off the light, he left the room.
Marvin exited their laundry room. It wasn't that he didn't want Jameson to wash his dirty clothes. He actually didn't mind, since the two of them had done each others laundry countless times back when they were roommates in university. Marvin just didn't want him to be busy doing everyone's laundry if it could be avoided, since he knew he would. “Hey, you ready to go now?” Chase called over to him.
“Yeah, yeah, let me grab my keys.” Marvin listened to them joke around, taking a jab at Marvin, who shook his head with a smile. Finally, he started over to the door, where his friends were waiting, and couldn't help notice Jackie's eyes. It wasn't his business, or anyone else's for that matter, but sometimes he couldn't help think that it was a shame that Jackie didn't feel comfortable with how he looked. When he was here at home he was fine, but once he would leave the house he always hid his green eye behind a blue colored contact.
“You're finally leaving?”
Marvin looked over at Jameson. “What do you mean finally?”
Jameson gave a smile as Jackie spoke up. “Yep. You sure you don't wanna come?”
“Mm. Yes I-” There was a pause that didn't go unnoticed. “You guys are busy. Getting the housework done is the least I can do.”
“Sorry. I know we usually clean house on Sundays but-” Chase barely finished the word 'but' before Jameson motioned for him to stop.
“There's no need to apologize. I understand that this is important.”
Jackie rested a hand on Chase's shoulder. “Yeah, exactly. This is more important then housework. I'm gonna make sure you get to have your kids no matter what.” Chase glanced between the three of them. Marvin and Jameson both voiced their agreement and Chase nearly started crying on the spot.
“I couldn't have asked for better friends than you guys...” Chases voice cracked slightly by the end of his statement.
“Damn right,” Jackie stated as he pulled him into a hug.
“You don't have to do any of this alone. You've always got our support,” Marvin told him. Jackie reached out to him and, barely catching his shirt, tugged him over to join in for a group hug.
That's when they heard the sound of an old-fashioned camera. Pulling away they looked to the source of the sound to see Jameson holding up his phone. He smiled. “I apologize. It was such a candid photo opportunity.”
Chase laughed then rubbed at his eyes for a second. Taking a step back towards the door, he said, “You sure you don't wanna join us?” Jameson nodded and told him he was sure. “Send me that picture, alright?”
Jameson chuckled. “Will do.” He waved them off as the group of three headed out the door before looking down to his phone to do what he said he would. Afterwords, he finished cleaning up the living room before heading upstairs to get his clothes in order. When he was done tidying up his room, Jameson carried the clothes hamper out into the hall before he paused and glanced over to Anti's room. He set it down, then walked over.
The door was cracked open. Even so, Jameson knocked and waited for an answer. “...What?” the response sounded tired.
“I'm sorry. Did I wake you?” Jameson asked, his hand resting on the door frame.
“No.”
Jameson paused for just a moment before asking, “May I come in?” The other man gave an answer of indifference. He hesitated for just a moment, before slowly pushing open the others door. Anti was seated with his back against the armrest in the corner of the futon looking at his phone. He lifted his eyes to Jameson. “Is there anything you need washed? I will have space with mine if you don't mind if our clothes are washed together.”
Anti shifted his gaze to the hamper sitting next to the dresser. It was a cloth one that could be folded up and put away when not in use. Each of the rooms had one identical to it. Anti got up and stuffed his phone in his pocket. “I guess I don't care.” He picked up the pair of jeans, which were carelessly deposited on the floor, and dumped them in the hamper. Pulling it off of its stand he left the room with Jameson.
The curtains were open, Anti noticed as they got back downstairs. Barely any sun managed between the clouds so it didn't really bother Anti much. The two lingered in the laundry room and talked as they waited for Marvins clothes to finish in the washer. Jameson told their guest about some of the households usual routines. How Sundays was the day where most of what they did was pre-decided. If nothing else came up, they would get together for breakfast before cleaning house and, in the afternoon after dinner, they would all hang out in the living room and watch movies. “...That's why Marvin was the only one I saw cleaning?”
Amusement shone on Jameson's face. “He likes to keep his work space clean. I can guarantee you his room is not nearly as neat as the kitchen.” Jameson nearly missed the faint smile that touched Antis lips as amusement shone in his eyes. Though both were temporary and quickly hidden away.
“I bet he's happy I'm here then.”
“I'm sure. He can take a break with the work divided between the two of you.” There was a slight dip in their conversation. Anti opened his mouth to speak but stopped and instead muttered something about taking care of the dishes. Jameson, curious, watched him walk over to the sink before glancing over at the dial for the washer and concluded it wouldn't do to just wait for it to finish. So instead he stepped into the bathroom attached to the laundry room to start cleaning there.
Stupid. That's what he was. Why was he even thinking about asking for his phone number? Potential friends? It wasn't going to happen. It's pointless to make friends; especially with normal humans. He should have just stayed home. There was technically nothing Jack could have done to force him to come here. Just like there was nothing stopping him from leaving and going back home. He could just walk back at night. It wouldn't take that long. “You don't have a certain way you wash your clothes do you?”
Anti paused, his train of thoughts stopping as he looked back. Jameson was emptying the washing machine. “...No.” The man looked back at him. Anti shook his head. “It doesn't matter.” He turned back to the dishes. “Wash it however you want.” It wasn't long before he heard both the washer and dryer running. Anti worked quickly to finish the dishes.
“...Shit,” he muttered when he realized he finished in less than half the amount of time it should have taken. Grabbing half of the clean dishes he dropped them back into the soapy water. Anti sighed, frustrated with himself. He was getting complacent around Jameson. That wasn't something he could afford to do around people who didn't know. Who he didn't want to know. He leaned over the sink exhausted. All he wanted was peace and quiet. Especially right now...
“Anti?” He blinked a few times before he turned around. Jameson set the window cleaner down on the counter-top. “Are you alright?”
Anti turned away and for a moment didn't answer. Since the answer wasn't something he wanted to discuss. Finally he told him, “I'm just tired,” as he turned back to the dishes.
Jameson was quiet as Anti got back to work. Though his silence didn't last long. He stepped up next to him and lightly touched his arm to get his attention. “Maybe you should rest. I can finish these.”
“I don't want to sleep,” he told him knowing well enough what he meant.
“...May I ask why?” Antis silence was enough of an answer. He hesitated, wondering if there was something he could do without being intrusive. “Do you want to be alone?” Jameson asked him, almost cautiously.
Anti opened his mouth to respond but stopped. He stopped his work as well. After a silence not quite uncomfortable, he said quietly, “I don't know...” Without another word on the matter Jameson picked up the dish towel and proceeded to help with the rest of the dishes.
During the next few hours, Jameson stayed close by Anti as they worked through the rest of the house. Other then the music he put on, Jameson offered small talk. From the responses Anti gave him, he learned a few things. It seemed his initial impression of him was pretty accurate. Being alone a lot and not caring for crowded places. And from how he seemed earlier, Jameson suspected that something must have happened in his past. Something that still hung heavily over him. That made him want to isolate himself. But it also seemed like he was trying to get past some of that. Or just having a couple people around was helping him out of that. Either way Jameson hoped that he would decide to join them in the evening for their weekly get-together.
By the time the others came back Anti was sitting on the corner of the couch wearing headphones playing the Last of Us. Jameson was seated on the two seater, closest to where Anti was, with a book. Looking back, Jameson asked, “How did it go?” Chase eagerly told him about one of the apartments they went to. Jackie glanced over at Anti before leaving to the bathroom. Marvin took off his shoes and lingered joining in the conversation.
Anti had sent a slight glance their way but otherwise was quiet, pretending not to hear them. It was difficult for him to sit there when all he wanted was to leave the room. He'd saved his game not even a half hour ago so he wouldn't be repeating much if he quit. “I agree that the first one was nice but you need to keep in mind how much it would be,” Marvin spoke up.
“I mean, yeah, it's a little more expensive but it has more space for my kids. And you remember what the lady there said about...” Chase trailed off as Anti took off his headphones and got up. Dropping the headphones and controller onto the couch, Anti ignored the stares as he headed for the stairs.
Jackie stepped out of the hallway just in time to see Anti heading upstairs. He glanced after him for a second before looking back to the others. Opening his mouth to speak, he hesitated for a second before asking, “Did, something happen?”
Chase let out a sigh. “No. He's just avoiding me,” he muttered. Jameson looked back to Chase for a moment before turning his attention to Marvin.
“Marvin.” Marvin, relieved with the break in the awkward tension, turned to Jameson. “I've taken care of your laundry and dropped it off in your room.”
“Let me guess, it's neatly folded on my bed.”
With a hint of a smile Jameson told him, “It might be.”
“And they call me the house-wife.” Chase snorted and tried to refrain from laughing at Marvins response.
Jackie, however, didn't try as hard to hide his amusement. “That's because you do the most housework.”
Marvin turned to Jackie. “I have to if we ever want clean dishes.”
“You really don't though.”
“Yeah,” Chase said jumping into the conversation. “You only let me take care of them a few times since I've been here.”
Sending a glance between them, Marvin stated, “In case you forgot, it's my job to take care of the kitchen.”
“I thought it was your job to do the cooking?” Jackie asked.
“Yes, the cooking,” Jameson stated. “Marvin, I do understand, but try to keep in mind that you do not need to tend to everything in the kitchen. Let us help from time-to-time.”
“I just...” his voice drifted off as he swallowed and turned his attention anywhere other than them. Marvin gripped the hem of his shirt as he spoke again, though in a quieter voice than before. “I just, want to feel like I'm useful...”
Jackie stepped over and lightly rested a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, I didn't mean...”
Marvin shook his head and looked up. “It's okay. I'm fine. I just- I'm gonna-” He just motioned aimlessly towards the kitchen before stepping out of Jackie's touch and ducked out of the room. Jackie opened his mouth to object only to turn to Jameson and Chase silently asking for help.
Jameson had already gotten to his feet by the time Jackie had looked over. He hesitated, at first unsure, before he gave Jackie a reassuring smile before following Marvin. The man knew his friend has self-esteem problems but hadn't been aware it was so bad. It wasn't something either of them went out of their way to discuss. Marvin stood aimlessly looking for something to do when Jameson approached him. “...Marvin?”
“I'm fine, really. I just-”
“I'm sorry.”
Marvin looked at him fully. Part of him wanted to laugh. Wanted to force one out and tell him that there was no reason he had to apologize. Tell him it was fine and he didn't mean how it sounded. He couldn't quiet manage the laugh. “Why are you apologizing? I was just... I didn't mean to make things weird.” His voice drifted a bit at the end as he shifted his gaze away from his friend.
“...I didn't mean to make you upset.” Marvin opened his mouth to speak but refrained himself when Jameson held up a hand to stop him. “I do understand Marvin. I know saying it is not true does not help. We did not mean ill of you. We were teasing and just wish to help so you can rest from time-to-time.”
“... I know.”
Stepping the extra couple steps over, Jameson rested a hand on his arm. Marvin looked up at him. “I think you are doing a fantastic job. And I'm not the only one who thinks so.” Marvin's lips twitched and a hint of a smile touched his lips for a second. Jameson silently offered a hug which Marvin accepted.
They were quiet for a minute before Marvin took a deep breath. He swallowed after then pulled back. “Um... I'm gonna get started on some of the prep for dinner.”
Jameson nodded then told him, “Let us know if you need some help.” Marvin offered a smile before Jameson turned and left him to his work.
Though it didn't take long before Chase entered the kitchen. Chase hesitated for a moment then asked, “Hey, uh, Marvin?” Marvin's motions faltered. “Sorry, I can ask later if your busy.”
Marvin turned to face him. “No, it's fine,” he told him, not really wanting to admit that Chase startled him. “What's up?”
“Well... could you, teach me how to cook?” Marvin blinked, confusion and surprise clearly showing. “I mean, I know how to cook. But just the easy stuff. And I can't just make my kids mac and cheese everyday.”
His expression softened and he smiled as he told Chase, “I'm sure they'd like that though.”
Chase chuckled. “Yeah, I don't doubt it.”
Marvin hesitated, wondering if he was good enough to teach someone else. “...You want to help me with dinner tonight?” Chases expression lit up and, really, that was all the answer Marvin needed.
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sunsetsover · 4 years
Text
hello i know i’ve been gone for a couple of weeks and i disappeared without a trace and originally that was because ben’s deafness storyline was bringing back a lot of my own personal experiences that i dealt with when coming to terms with my disability and it was (and still is) really really hard to see what he’s going through and how shitty it is and how badly he’s handling it both because it genuinely is a tough thing to see but also because it reopens all these wounds and gives me anxiety and stresses me out bc reminds me of what i went through and what was easily the toughest and darkest part of my life and obviously that’s no fun to relive lmao
however at this point i’m just staying away bc every time i poke my head in to check what’s going on i’m seeing the most fucked up opinions and takes on the whole thing that it’s actually genuinely making me really angry and upset because the way some of you talk about ben’s disability and situation and specifically the way he’s handling this massive petrifying change in his life speaks volumes about how you view disabled people in real life. because yeah, this is a tv show and ben isn’t real, but things like this happen to people. it happened to ME. and guess what!! i did the exact same fucking thing ben’s doing!!! i isolated myself and felt miserable and got angry and acted out and did stupid shit and hurt the people that cared about!!! and i did that because i was terrified and suffering and hurting and angry!!!! and i’m fucking real!!! i’m a real person and i know for a fact i’m not the only person out there who’s dealt with this kind of thing and reacted in this kind of way. so yeah, you might be sitting behind your fucking keyboards saying all these things about ben being selfish or dramatic or unreasonable or whatever else and think it’s ok because ben’s not a real person but you forget that there are real disabled people reading this shit and potentially internalising those things and feeling like THEY have to deal with their situation in a certain way or that they can’t feel certain things because some able bodied dickhead on tumblr dot com feels like they’re entitled to give their shitty fucking input on how disabled people should react to or deal with their disability - and this apparently means we’re not allowed to break down or be upset or act out because that’s too dramatic!!! ben should just shut up and have his operation right!!!! he should just stop misbehaving and causing so much trouble because it’s inconvenient!!! it’s not fair on callum right!!!!!!
like for some reason some of you cannot see beyond the end of your fucking noses to see that this has absolutely NOTHING to do with callum!!!!!! what the fuck does callum have to do with the fact that ben is having a fucking break down!!!!! what does callum have to do with the fact that ben is scared and acting out in the only way he knows how because he’s desperate to prove he isn’t different and that nothing’s changed and that he can still do the things he’s always done!!!!! callum has so fucking little to do with what ben’s going through at the moment and yet some people cannot look at this horrible situation that ben’s dealing with through anything other than a ballum lens and it fucking REEKS
ben lost his fucking hearing, he’s isolated, he’s feels like he’s lost so much of his self, he’s angry, he’s scared, he’s upset, he’s petrified he’ll never hear his daughter’s voice again - his daughter who got hit by a fucking car because he couldn’t hear it and now he feels like he’ll never be able to look after her or keep her safe the way he should - and yes he’s acting out because of all of that!! that’s what happens when you can’t accept your disability!!! you’re determined to prove you can do what you could before no matter what it costs you!!! and yet i’ve seen MULTIPLE people reduce that to ‘well he shouldn’t do that because it’s unfair and inconvenient for callum’!!!!!!!!!! or ‘ben isn’t putting enough effort into his relationship with callum/thinking about callum’!!!! or ‘this is just angst porn that serves no purpose’!!!!!!!! do you not have a brain in your fucking head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! his brother’s just died!!!!! he’s just become deaf!!!!!!! he can’t fucking hear!!!!!!!!!!! he might never hear again!!!!!!! and is facing major surgery that might not even work!!!!!!!!!!!!! like hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! of course he’s struggling and acting out!!!! the fact that so few of you seem to be able to comprehend what’s going on is genuinely worrying
the fact of the matter is that some of you are upset that you don’t have your able bodied ship being all cute and domestic anymore. YOU are the ones who feel inconvenienced or slighted, and you’re projecting that onto callum bc that’s how you can get away w saying this bullshit. bc - and i know this might come as a shock to some of you - when you care about and love someone, you support them when they’re going through such a difficult time. you try to be as understanding as you can. also just look at who callum is as a character. you think he wouldn’t understand ben’s behaviour rn??? like come on!! so maybe it’s YOU that has the problem. maybe it’s YOU that doesn’t like it bc ben’s struggling through this in an ugly (but COMPLETELY valid) way and that’s inconvenient for you bc, whether you’re even aware of it or not, being disabled is an inconvenience. disabled people are hard work. this is just how most able bodied people see disabled people. if you’re reading this and you’re able bodied, you’re not immune from this. you’re not special. like any other prejudice, it’s something you just subconsciously learn and you might not even be aware of. but i’m telling you as a disabled person, the way some of you are speaking abt ben/this storyline tells me everything i need to know about how you view disabled people. so maybe take a step back and ask yourself why you’re saying what you’re saying and why you may feel the way you feel regarding this particular sl. bc for a lot of you, whether you wanna admit it or not, the answer is ableism. 
i didn’t want to make this post bc i don’t LIKE being confrontational!! i wanna be polite and kind and fair!!! but some of you have to understand that when you’re saying some of this shit you’re basically disregarding/making light of/taking the piss out of disabled people and their experiences. maybe you’re not even aware you’re doing it, but that’s exactly what it is. that’s exactly what it comes across as, and that’s exactly what it feels like to read some of the things you post as a disabled person (and it’s not just me - i know for a fact this stuff is affecting other disabled people in this fandom too). it’s upsetting, it’s invalidating, it’s HUMILIATING. and i’m fortunate enough to be a point in my life where i’m at relative peace w my disability, but if this were 5 years ago?? you have no idea how reading some of this shit would have fucked with my head. so the fact that i know there are other disabled people out there reading this stuff and it’s affecting them is more important to me than not starting drama on tumblr dot com. their feelings mean too much to me for me to just sit here and not say anything bc i don’t wanna upset people. some of u need to be upset. it’s the only way you’re gonna learn.
literally all i’m asking is for you to think about the things you say before you post them. ask yourself why you feel a certain way about things. ask yourself if what you wanna say is potentially gonna hurt or upset or insult a disabled person who might be reading it. ask yourself if you just wanna say some bullshit abt ben bc you’re just mad callum isn’t getting more screentime. bc if the answer is yes i promise you your opinion is unhelpful, unneeded and unwanted. so maybe just u know. keep your mouth shut.
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maree-ff · 4 years
Text
How Could You?
CAMILA
I carefully took a seat on the couch, sinking into the material, feeling my body expand against my clothes. Bringing my hands to his back, I used the song in my head to guide the motion of my hands to keep Jorden at ease. He’s working through his second nap of the day and I’m doing everything I can to keep as still as I can. I want Jorden to catch up on his sleep now that the house is quiet again. With the girls at school and Andre working in his office, this is the perfect time for him to sleep. Dre and I have both been waking up at random times throughout the night for the past two weeks. Jo has been waking the house up screaming his head off. Each night is worse than the last. 
Our first taste of this when Jorden was around six weeks old. Back then we found a quick method to soothe him while he was resting after the third night. Now, exactly two years later, we’re going through the same thing. Again. This phase of his bad dreams are on another level. His cries and screams are bloodcurdling. With me still adjusting to being at home mom as my full-time job, I’m at rock bottom. Not working and making my own money is a foreign aspect of life for me. I don’t like this change. I hate this. I love being with my son everyday, teaching him new things, being able to monitor what he’s eating, drinking, and involved in. Honestly, it’s all a blessing in the midst of the madness. 
My feet have been sore for a week now, I have knots in my muscles and joints, my migraines have kicked up a notch, and my hair is shedding. Andre has been paying very close attention to my behavior and he’s about to figure out that I’m hanging on by a thread. I’d say that I’ve done a pretty damn good job of keeping myself composed but I don’t know how much longer I can hang on. At a time like this I’d love nothing more than to hug and talk to my mother. The memories of finding about her accident and death have come back full circle, with a vengeance this time! 
Around the time I lost my mom I was almost full term with Jorden so I never got to grieve properly. I had to keep myself together as best I could so I didn’t go into early labor, have a nervous breakdown, etc that would’ve harmed my baby. 
A tear rolled down my cheek just getting too deep into thought. 
“Pull it together.”  I whispered aloud. 
I speedily reigned in my emotions, focusing on ensuring my baby is relaxed. He shifted within my hold, turning inward so I can see his face. Cuddling him closer to my chest I re-situated his blanket to keep his back warm. His forehead began to  pinch but I intervened at the perfect moment. Touching my lips to his hairline I closed my eyes, swaying gently from left to right. 
“I promise we’ll get through this bubba.” I spoke quietly to him. “I wish you could tell me what’s scaring you so badly. I wish you would talk to me.” I sniffled feverishly beginning to weep in silence. I’m losing myself in motherhood. Not knowing how to stop Jorden’s bad dreams and not knowing what causes them is taking a toll on me. Combined with the other changes in my life, I feel like I am about to crack. 
The floor shook slightly as Andre came closer to this room. It took two seconds for me to stop crying only to start up again. That first step he took into the room I shielded my face in Jo’s hair. This way my demise won’t seem so obvious. 
“Mmph..” Jo squirmed and fidgeted, raising his hand to tug at his hair. Easily I stopped him before I felt Andre looking in our direction. 
“How’s he doing?” He asked first. 
“Okay so far. He’s still squirming and pulling at his hair but no crying yet. You still have work to do?” 
“Yeah. Yeah I’ll be done in a couple of hours.” 
That was the end of our conversation. For now at least. We usually keep conversation brief until Jorden is further into his naps. I continued to clear my head of all negativity and remained focused on my baby. With only my ears I picked up on Andre cleaning our room and folding the laundry I washed this morning. 
For a two year old who comprehends extremely fast, Jorden still has trouble talking. He always tries but his words come out jumbled together. I’m in shock that at this age, my son isn’t speaking in at least half sentences. Andre is a little more patient when it comes to teaching Jo new words and phrases which is why he volunteers for the task. I on the other hand get frustrated because I don’t understand what’s going on with our son on a chemical level. 
I have bombarded Denise with many rounds of twenty-one questions as to where I went wrong in my pregnancy. She’s told me at the end of every hospital visit that I did nothing wrong. None of Jo’s learning abilities make any sense to me. Why is he struggling? How can I help him? How long will this last? 
“Look at me..” 
Turning to meet the eyes of my best friend I averted my sights down to his lap. I can’t keep this up much longer but the last thing I want to do is fight with Andre over the same subject. 
“Why are you trying to hide from me? I know you Camila so why don’t you just talk to me?” He advised.
I shook my head as a sign of disagreement, rubbing Jorden’s bareback. “There’s nothing to talk about. I just wish we knew why he keeps waking up in the middle of the night, screaming at the top of his lungs.” 
“You must think I’m stupid or that we just met yesterday.” 
“I’m not thinking either one.” Switching Jorden to my right side I watched him go back to cleaning. He left the room for around five minutes and returned with Jo’s laundry. We resumed our conversation and I decided to open up more about what’s going on within me. 
Together we discussed different scenarios that could be behind the reason Jo keeps having nightmares. A few explanations started making sense to me and ultimately we decided we have to monitor what Jorden hears and sees a little more. He can’t be around when we’re fighting, we have to work on our issues in private and do better at keeping the peace in front of our kids. 
“I’m just scared that he won’t make any progress within the next year. I’m scared he won’t want to talk.” Breathing out through my mouth I threw my head back in the couch. 
“He will. We have to be patient and let him talk when he’s ready, Camila. The more we force him the more he pulls back.” Andre fought. 
“I know that but he’s already two years old. You don’t wonder why he’s not progressing? You don’t wonder why he’s not at least showing more interest in using his words?” 
“Camila..” Andre huffed. Our eyes met and in this moment I can sense how agitated he’s becoming with me.  “How many times are we gonna go over this? Let him be. I don’t understand why you’re trying to put this pressure on him to do something he doesn’t seem to be ready for. Denise said that he will start speaking in his own time. The only thing we need to be doing is prepping and teaching him. The rest is up to him.” He argued boldly. 
Peering down at Jorden wiggling around in my lap I watched him turn his face up to me. His lips squished together, the tips of fingers resting against his cheek and tiny lines etched on his forehead. I kissed each individual crease to help soothe his mind from whatever he’s thinking. 
“Lo siento mucho, mi amor. I must have done something wrong to cause you all of this trouble.” I whispered against his cheek. “I should’ve read to you more, played better music and spent less time stressing so you wouldn’t be progressing so slowly.” Hugging him tightly I ran my fingers through his hair. 
“Excuse you?” 
Glancing up from what had my attention I looked at Andre seeing this strong look of disappointment in his eyes. 
“What?” I retorted. 
“What did you just say to him?” 
“I was apologizing to him for all of the things I didn’t do while I was preg-“ 
“Nah don’t do that. Don’t try to cover it up now.” 
Not understanding what Andre is upset about I went back to talking to Jo. 
“So you’re just gonna ignore me? I asked you a question Camila.” Coming to stand in front of me Andre used his feet to support the weight of his body. He crouched down before me, appearing defensive and ready to strike. 
“Can you stop staring at me? I didn’t say anything wrong.” I defended myself. 
“So now you think it’s okay to call our son “slow”? Are you out of your goddamn mind? What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you say that?” He rambled off. His eyes bounced between Jorden and I, seeming to get more and more riled up. 
“First of all, you need to watch your mouth. Secondly, I did not call him slow. I said that he’s progressing slowly. Sl-ow-ly.” I broke down each syllable so he can hear exactly what I said. 
“And now you want to speak to me like I’m stupid. Alright.” Standing to his feet Andre moved in, taking Jorden from me. 
“Wow, this is what you’re resorting to? Why are you taking him from me?” Rising from the couch I followed him down the hall. “How old are we, Andre? Can you stop for a second and talk to me?”
“Enough!” He barked. He spun halfway around and to my surprise Jo did not wake up at the volume of his father’s voice. We had an intense stare off. After I came to my senses, I looked around our house trying to figure out who this man thinks he’s speaking to like that. 
“Put him down.” I said. Andre didn’t even flinch. He stands strong, holding our son, with hard eyes and an even harder face. “Put him down, right now.” I said again. 
Andre hesitated for a quick second and took Jo into the girl’s room to lay down. When he shut that door I charged toward him, closing all space between us and shoved him with all my night. He lost his footing for a quick second but his reflexes saved him from falling. 
“I don’t know who the hell you think you are talking to me like that but you need to get your shit together!” Composing myself I pulled down my shirt and stood my ground. 
“Don’t put your hands on me like that.” He warned sternly. 
Huffing like an angry bull I shook my head. “And you will not talk to me like you’re god or that you own me like I am property. I am not your child so I do not have to listen to you.” 
“How dare you? How dare you talk down to my son like that! How could you have sat there and labeled him like he’s some sort of science experiment? How could you talk badly about him to his face?” Andre stormed past me and headed back to our room, pacing back and forth. 
I followed suit to continue this debate once the door was cracked. “He is my son too! He is ours together! I carried him, I nourished him, I gave him life and is still to this very day nursing him myself! Don’t you ever again in your life come for my role in our son’s life. Don’t you ever twist my words around to make me sound like the bad guy. I would never say such a thing about our little boy. Never! I am the only person to blame for why he’s not where he could be. You have NO  idea what it’s like to adjust to a new baby, take care of two children, fill your shoes and still take care of myself.” 
“That doesn’t give you the right to say that he’s progressing slowly. That’s fucked up and it’s even more so that you’re trying to cover it up! I’ve apologized for being absent for as long as I was. How long are you hang that over my head? Huh? You think I purposely set myself up? You think it was easy being a prisoner? That was hell for me, Camila! Absolute hell and after all that I’ve done to try and makeup for my mistakes, you still blame me!” 
“Because I needed you, dammit! I needed you like plants need sunlight and water.” Pausing momentarily I shielded my face and let it all out. My mom and Divya have both warned me about holding things in, especially for long periods of time. “Andre, I have never said or believed that what you went through was easy. I’m sure being in prison is extremely difficult but I had to take your place. I had no choice but to be everything and more to our kids to keep us going. No one is diminishing your pain and suffering but take a second to think about how hard it was for me to play both roles.” 
I sat down ready to explain myself more. “I love you and our kids with all of my heart but I’m miserable. Jorden isn’t talking, he’s not sleeping well, I’m not working to provide for myself, and I-I feel like I’m losing it. I blame myself for why he is this way and my mothers gone. I wasn’t allowed the chance to grieve how I needed to because I was keeping it together for Jorden. The anxiety that I felt going back to work immediately following my maternity leave was so challenging for me. You’re back to providing for us all and while I’m so very grateful and appreciate, I miss making my own money. That feeling of providing for our kids just as much as you is gone and I’m lost on how to get it back.” Sharply exhaling I curled up in child’s pose, staring blankly at this new bedspread. 
“Why are you bottling your feelings up until the last second? You never used to do that with me.” His caring tone matched the voice in my head that sounds like my mom. I can hear her speaking to me and it’s bringing forth a lot of mixed emotions right now.
“I don’t know. I never thought I’d be this exhausted, Andre.”
Sitting next to me Andre turned me on my back so that we’re face to face. “Do you need to getaway by yourself? I can make that happen if you feel that you truly need it.” 
“I don’t want or need that.” I simply declined.
“Then what do you need?” He countered, laying beside me.
“For you not to pick fights with me. We’ve got too much at stake to-”
He  motioned for me to stop talking which means that he knew where I was going with my statement. “I know. I don’t like fighting with you either and I’m sorry for getting you riled up. I took what you said out of context and I apologize. We’re in this estranged and unfamiliar place but that’s no excuse for us to go at each other. Our relationship has changed baby but I don’t love you any less.” Andre lifted my left hand and ran his thumb pad across the tan line that hasn’t faded from my where my ring used to be. He softly kissed my hand, released it and left the room.  
I sat up in bed, sniffling my heart away, drooling at him undress at a snail's pace. Quietly exiting to check on Jorden I felt my tears amplify. Reviewing our petty yet important debaucal I stood in the doorway watching our little boy sleep soundly. His soft snores give away that he’s going to get a great nap this afternoon. The rising volume from the bathroom caught my attention again. My feet picked up speed before my brain could tell them to move. I stumbled a bit as my heart raced from within watching my man in the shower, all alone. 
Even though we have called off our engagement, he’s still my lover. He’s my everything. He’s part of the reason I live and breathe. Going backwards to shut our door I retracted yet again, discarding my own clothes. Discreetly yet using some noise I joined him with tears still rolling down both cheeks. With ease I shut the door feeling the temperature inside my body rise.
I snaked both hands up his back, up and over his shoulders.getting lost in the muscle mass and definition. “Lo siento mucho..” I exhaled, going in to kiss his left shoulder blade. 
“You don’-” he began. 
I silenced him abruptly. “I do.” Carrying on with my antics earned me the secure feeling of knowing where I stand within his heart. We are apart but we are one. We always will be. He is my better half as I am his. 
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imaginedanganronpa · 5 years
Note
How would DR2 boys react to waking up their s/o that’s in the middle of sleeping and suddenly they shout some random nonsense that make no sense? Like ‘I DIDN’T USE JUZO’S TOOTHBRUSH TO BRUSH MY DUCK’S TEETH!’
I read this over and over, and I eventually just assumed that ‘they’ meant their S/O so that’s how I wrote it. I hope that’s what you meant!~
SDR2 Boys Waking Up Their Sleeping S/O & They Shout Some Random Nonsense!
Hajime Hinata
He’s a pretty peaceful sleeper. It’s normally pretty easy tosleep beside him because he doesn’t really move and remains calm; he’s still and quiet when he’s finally out.
Hajime finds it harder to fall asleep, though. Typically staying up longer than you do, but he finds comfort in having you beside him. He loves listening to your light breathing by his side.
You’ve been having some episodes lately where you blurt out random things in your sleep. 
More than once, you’ve woken up while saying somepretty questionable things. But you can’t help it, it’s always the strangest dreams that end up slipping out!
He never really complains; he actually finds it pretty amusing and will help lull you back to sleep afterwards.
It happened when you were both falling asleep, the two of you were completely still. You were facing one another with yourforeheads pressed together. Hajime had his arms wrapped aroundyou lovingly and your legs were a tangled mess under the blankets.
All of a sudden, you began shifting and turning in the bed. You ripped away fromhis grasp which is what woke him up. Hajime sleepily opened his eyes and staredat you.
Immediate concern flooded his body. Were you having a nightmare?Concerned-Boyfriend Mode Activated. 
He started shaking your shoulders softly and stared down at your twitching body. Then, you shot up and gasped; your eyes opened quickly and stared forward, expressionless.
“The Amazon people printed the wrong face on my blanket, that’s not my face!”
He watched you, confused. “What blanket?”
You finally came to your senses and a bright pink blush formed over your cheeks. “Oh, I said that out loud, huh?” He couldn’t hold his giggles back as you roll your eyes and Hajime pulls you back down to cuddle once more.
Nagito Komaeda
Nagito is a very loving boyfriend and one of his favoritethings to do was sleep beside you. He also loved just watching you as you sleptbecause you looked so peaceful and serene.
Normally, you aren’t the kind of person to move a lot in your sleep – it rarelyever happened. And generally speaking you didn’t sleep talk, or you were nevertold. 
But honestly, if you did, Nagito probably wouldn’t tell you - he’d just laugh quietly and use it against you, teasingly, in the future.
He couldn’t sleep so he took comfort in watching you instead. He was flipping throughchannels when a particular episode caught his eye; he knew it was your favoriteshow.
Your head was resting in Nagito’s lap and he was running his long, slenderfingers through your hair. He slowly stroked the side of your face and placedbutterfly kisses here and there.
Gently shaking you awake, he was trying to get your attention - knowing you wouldn’t want to miss this. You’d get upset if he watched it without you!
You mumblesomething he cannot quite make out and he leans forward to place his ear byyour soft lips.
Still shaking you, he isn’t getting much of a response. Not until you leapforward and your heads collide, Nagito retracting himself in shock. “Sorry, Ipushed you into Hajime’s sprinkler system!”
He’s rubbing his head where you had accidentally hit him with a faint smile. The pain wasn’t thereat first but then a massive headache caused you to fall backwards on the bed,groaning in agony. You placed your hand on your forehead and didn’t even seemto realize you had said anything.
“Hajime? He doesn’t have a sprinkler system, (Y/N).”
You draw your brows together. “What are you talking about?”
He explains what you had said; you didn’t even hear yourself. You’d justbeen blabbering nonsense in your sleep the whole time, apparently.
Now Nagito was chuckling, curious as to why you pushed him in the sprinklers.
All you could do was fall back asleep, embarrassed and knowing he’d never let you hear the end of this one.
Gundham Tanaka
You loved sleeping beside him – it was always so loving andcomforting; you felt at home in his arms. Gundham sleeps with his limbs entangled in yours, embracing youclosely.
Every night, he tells you that he’ll see you in your dreams; it’s supposed tobe sentimental. Typically, you don’t have nightmares when you’re with him however you do have some pretty odd dreams.
But you had been tossing and turning so much beside him on this specific night. You kicked him awakeand he sits up, slightly agitated at first.
Realizing that it was an accident and you were still sound asleep, he props himself up and just watched you, wondering what you could possibly be dreaming of.
He always wondered what went on inside that head of yours.
Gundham was concerned because he didn’t want any demons troubling you while youslept; all he wanted was for you to get a good night’s rest.
He shakes your shoulders with no response, wanting to make sure that everything was okay. 
Mumbling something he can’t quitedecipher, he puts his ear beside your lips and listens. 
Shaking your shoulders, much rougher this time, you jolt awake.
Jumping forward as you woke up, your eyes don’t have time to adjust to the darkness.Gundham stumbled back and lets out a cry.“Father, fetch me my overlord’s cape!”
He stares at you silently. “Did you just call me Father?”
Slightly perplexed, it takes you a moment to come to your senses. Once you finally do, you become flustered. “Oh, no. I must sound really stupid.”
Gundham gently pulls you closer and examines your face. “Was I the overlord you had been dreaming of?”
You’re blushing, a bit confused and dazed still; but you can sense a tinge of cheerfulness in his voice. There goes his superiority complex again. 
Gundham’s grip tightens around your hand and a smile spreads across his lips. “You have no idea how joyous that makes me, (Y/N)! If I am an overlord, that must mean you’re my second in command…”
And here comes one of his rants about ruling the world together. You were too tired to process his strange words at this time of night, so you simply agree with a smile and he kisses your forehead, insisting that rulers need a good night’s sleep before tucking you in bed once more.
Kazuichi Souda
You two loved taking naps together. Whenever you were havinga rough day, that was your solution. 
You’d been nuzzled into Kazuichi’s chest and he wrapped a strong arm aroundyou. He was half-asleep himself, still somewhat dozing off. Today was especially long for both of you, so your remedy seemed like the best possible solution. 
Kazuichi was in the limbo where you aren’t completely asleep but aren’t awakeeither, just conscious enough to somewhat understand your surroundings. He wassnoring lightly, whilst you were in a deep sleep.
Who knows what you were dreaming about? Your dreams were always strange and uncalled for.
You jolt awake and shout, “Just follow the jellybeans!”
Kazuichi stumbles awake as well, now fully-aware of what was happening. He letsout an intense scream and nearly falls out of bed, hitting his neck on theheadboard as he did so. 
His natural reflexes were really working against him this time. 
He’s desperately scrambling to readjust himself, his heart-rate slowly declining again whilst breathing heavily. You knew your boyfriend was easily spooked, but you didn’t think it was that bad.
“What the fuck, (Y/N)?!” He asks, clutching his chest with one palm. You feel bad for scaring him like that, but it couldn’t be helped.
You frantically apologize, a bit of a giggle escaping from your lips. Seeing him become so flustered was actually pretty adorable.
“Also… uh, jellybeans?” Kazuichi is scratching the back of his head and cocking a brow. Your face turns red and that smile gets wiped off your face as soon as he questions you.
“I-I can explain!” You say. 
Now he’s the one laughing at you, “Please do.”
Trying to retrace your dream and put the missing pieces together, you impishly smile at him. His smug grin reappears and you can already tell he’s going to tease you for the nonsense you spill while sleeping.
“You know what,” he says slowly, “let’s never talk about this again. Deal?”
He pokes out his pinky-finger and you nod, accepting his deal and letting the embarrassment melt away.
Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu
You fell asleep beside him and he doesn’t want to disturbyou so he lets you stay there, peacefully just like that. He was a bit of arestless sleeper anyway.
He was trying to do something but he can’t now: it’s like when an animal falls asleep on you and you don’t want to move and disturb them. That’s how Fuyuhiko felt right now.
Fuyuhiko stays up, mindlessly scrolling through his phone or minding his ownbusiness.
He loved when you passed out on his chest like this, secretly. Although, he’d never admit it - you are his weak spot and the only person who can bring out the softer side of him.
Fuyuhiko finds a strange sense of comfort in listening to your steady breathing.
He’s placing kisses on top of your head and admiring your beauty from above, stroking your hair and faintly grinning.
You started tossing and turning, and Fuyuhiko was finding it harder to payattention to anything but you, sound asleep on top of him.
“Hey, (Y/N)!” His voice is raised and you suddenly mumble something. Hehesitates and then gently shoves your shoulder, enough to wake you up. 
As tough as he acts, he hates when you have nightmares. He sits up, knowing it will wake you up, causing you to tumble down and off of him which immediately stuns you back to reality.
Almost instinctively, you blurt out, “Just put it in the washing machine, all your wishes will come true…”
Fuyuhiko is staring at you, completely taken aback. “What the Hell did you say?” He’s shaking his head, slightly judging you in his mind.
He can’t help but to crack a smug smile. Your eyes widen and all you can do is hide your face in the covers.
Fuyuhiko pulls them down, his face now inches from yours. “You know, you’re lucky that you’re cute. Otherwise, I might make fun of you.”
He pecks your forehead and returns to scrolling through his phone. Your half-asleep mind is still trying to figure out what happened, but you feel your face heat up as you blush.
You go back to curling up beside your boyfriend, although now hyper-aware of the nonsense you say when you’re sleeping.
Nekomaru Nidai
Nekomaru is like a big teddy bear, he loves cuddling andgenerally falls asleep before you do. Once his head hits the pillow, it’s allover.
He was curled up with you, enthralled in whatever he’d been up to. Your head was resting in his lap and he was running his fingers through your hair, as you quietly snored beneath him.
His arms were wrapped around your shoulders, holding you close. You knew youwouldn’t be able to break free from his grip. All he could do was stare down at you lovingly and listen to the cute little sounds you made while sleeping.
You began tossing and turning beneath Nekomaru, causing him to raise abrow and stare down at your sleeping body silently. His first instinct was that you were likely havinga nightmare in which he wanted to console you. He gently began to shake you, trying to stir you awake.
“Hey, (Y/N)!” Even his booming voice couldn’t seem to bring you back.
Running his hands over your shoulders, nothing seemed to do the trick. He was growing increasingly frustrated and desperate.
Suddenly, you shift and lean forward. In a half-sleepy daze, you shouted something peculiar. “Where have you hidden the cheese-wheel?!”
He stared at you blankly, and you turns to meet his perplexed expression; he looked completely dazed. You’ve never seen him look so uncertain or confused before.
“Oh, hello hun! Did I say that out loud?” He scratched the back of his headwith a light pink blush on his cheeks, not entirely sure how to answer.
“What were you dreaming of?” He asks with a bit of a shaky voice. You giggle and shyly snuggle back into his large chest, insisting that he shouldn’t worry about it.
He shrugs, still pondering your dream. Nekomaru is stubborn so he’ll bug you about it for a long time to come.
Teruteru Hanamura
He’s had a really long day. His restaurant was particularlybusy this evening and he couldn’t seem to catch a break.
Normally, you stay up later than he does but tonight,Teruteru was completely wiped out.
He drags his feet underneath him. Rushing towards your side comfortingly, he snuggles into bed beside you and feels his eyes grow heavier; still, something kept bugging him awake and he can’t place a finger on why.
You have talked in your sleep before, even had full-on conversations withhim, but this night was stranger than normal.
The television plays quiet background hums as you begin to mumble something, and Teruteru’s ears perk up. He glances over his shoulder, realizing that you were talking in your sleep again.
“Kiss the cook! This seat’s taken.”
His eyebrows immediately raise. Well, that was different! 
He slides closer towards to you and placed a gentle touch on your shoulder. You blink awake, a bitaggravated at first before realizing that it was only your boyfriend.
Is his nose bleeding?
Your eyes widen, not expecting to see him so close to your face, and jump backwards. Teruteru asks you to repeat that, and you shake your head. “Huh?”
His mind was racing, curious as to what that could’ve meant. He leans closer, “You did say kiss the cook~”
Typical of your boyfriend. You sigh, admittedly realizing that you sleep-talk sometimes, and then peck his lips so he can go to sleep peacefully. 
You turn and pull the covers back over your head, smiling to yourself. Teruteru was still trying to figure out the second part, though, but that’s not something he wants to worry about now,
Byakuya Twogami (Imposter)
This boy is a very avid cuddle-partner, and he absolutely adores when he’sable to just pull you close and embrace you.
It happened one night when you both stayed up a lot later than you probablyshould have.  
You are both well-aware of your sleep-talking problem but it’s something that just… happens. You’ve never been able to figure out why.
Luckily, he doesn’t mind too much. Although, he sometimes has some snarky comments about what was said but you don’t let it bother you too much.
His eyes were just beginning to flutter close when he hears you beginning to mumble something.
For the most part, your dreams were pretty innocent. But in a rather suggestive voice, you spit out, “Sooo~ are any of your seedlings early bloomers?”
He turns and looks at you, but all he has to do is scan your face to realize that you were sound asleep. His face turns bright red and he swears he saw a smirk on your lips.
Stammering and puzzled, he wakes you up by pulling the covers off of you. Your eyes shoot open and you repeat the strange sentence all over again. 
Being as prideful as he is, he shook his head. “(Y/N)… what was that?” He squints at you in the darkness.
“Did I do it again?” You ask, referring to the sleep-talking. He nods slowly and you bury your face in your hands, apologizing promptly. 
He starts drilling you about what you had on your mind but you couldn’t seem to recall. He’ll just have to live with the bruised pride and confusion. 
To this day, he swears that you had to have been dreaming up something pretty sensual but that’s not something you’re willing to admit. 
- Mod Rantaro
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strechanadi · 5 years
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Swan Lake Wolfgang/Siegfried overthinking no. I-refuse-to-count-how-many-times-this-stupid-ballet-and-this-even-more-stupid-characters-did-not-let-me-sleep!
Dear @spinmelikeyoumeanit ... this is yet again yours and yours fault only.
(And yes, once I start I physically cannot stop myself, which leads to... err. THIS!)
(I sincerely apologize. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Truly.)
Well, I promised, didn’t I? And it literally took me just about a lifetime! (On the other hand – academic life happened. Don’t do postgrad, kids, it’s just not worth it…) (Or maybe just dont try to write a dissertation in a MONTH! FFS!)
  One would think I would be over it. That after so many Swan Lakes nothing would have the ability to shake me. That after so many sleepless nights spent thinking over every little think here and there, I would know almost everything, therefore would be prepared for anything thrown at me. And yet here we are! Once again, blown away by Swan Lake of all ballets. I mean… could there be anything more cliché?
However, I already made peace with one thing (and you should probably too, saves lives and all that) and that’s the genius of Nureyev, of his Swan Lake and of the duality of Wolfgang/Rothbart.
As many of you remember, I’m sure (and slightly horrified), even recording of Nureyev’s SL is more than able to put me out of service, to prevent me from living what even the tiniest group of people would call a normal life. Or something. So, what the hell was I thinking when buying the ticket to see the ballet in question live, I have literally no idea. (Well. I have, actually. He may even have a name…) But yes, I did saw Swan Lake with POB live on stage. From the first fucking row, because that’s how extra I have to be. (Yes, my diet consists solely of bread and water since… seems like forever now.) I saw it, I died and that’s about it. However, my being dead is not something anyone would be particularly interested in, so let’s just move to the only thing you (the whole lot of exactly one person) are here for.
 I did write a review on said performance. And usually I’m trying to translate them (even though I’m not exactly sure why, because it causes me almost physical pain and at the end I feel endlessly stupid, since I have to search every second word in dictionary, which is slightly pathetic, also I love my Czech sentences too much and with my pitiful knowledge of English I simply cannot make them justice, so they look utterly weird in the end and they deserve better than that), however unlike with my first POB SL review 3 years back this time I’ve decided to just don’t give a shit and dive into the story head first consequences be damned, so I think with writing this thing here I would have everything important covered (i.e. no need for the actual review) (the first half was basically just me showing off my endless knowledge on SL music score, which is plain boring, let’s be real, plus I wrote all that in my first review).
/AN - This is actually longer than the review itself. I think I feel a little bit sick…/
So. Right. Swan Lake.
I’m not gonna pretend there’s anyone else in whom I am more interested than Siegfried. And it’s not just because Nureyev made him a main character of the story. It’s because it makes sense. Who is on stage from start to finish? Through whose eyes we are watching the whole story? We should be able to sympathize with Siegfried, we should be able to see his point, to understand him, to get what he’s doing and why – sort of at least. And that’s probably why I am so annoyed with traditional SLs where it mostly looks like the choreographers/dancers/ballet masters/whoever don’t even try and go with some bland hero, because whatever, we are all waiting for the 2nd act and the Swan anyway.
So, it’s clear I love Nureyev’s story with passion (you wouldn’t tell, would you!) and the moment the curtain raises I’m drawn to Siegfried no matter who’s the dancer. And, OK, if it’s Mathieu Ganio, I’m kind of helpless, I admit (it would be cute, I guess, were I not be way over 13 yo).
I will try to stay as reasonable as I could and not to embarrass myself. Too much. So I would not write about the stupid little things that nobody in their right mind would (or could!) notice (or at least not at the first sight), because, dear god, literally no one gives a damn about the way his fingers twitched during his Prologue‘s nightmare in perfect synchrony with the music and action on stage… Can I get to the point?! Preferably on this day!
  Normal person would be probably unable to talk about Siegfried without Odette/Odile. But I think we have already established I’m by no means a normal person. So, I am not able to talk about Siegfried without Wolfgang. (Yes, we are finally getting somewhere!)
I love their relationship in any shape and form and I would gladly watch every single cast and every possible combination of dancers in those two roles as I’m sure each time I would get something new (you cannot stop my brain, believe me, I tried). There was the oddly depending, blurred, yet intense José/Karl take. The terrifyingly creepy, what-the-fuck-happened-or-is-still-happening-behind-the-close-doors Mathieu/Francois one (that still makes my hair stand whenever I think about it, because… holy shit, that one moment between 1st and 2nd act!). The clueless puppy/slightly perverted, obsessed mastermind vibes from Germain/Francois. So what about Mathieu/Jérémy this time, hm?
  /AN – I’m gonna probably end up mixing dancers‘ names with their characters‘, so… Yeah. I have no excuses, it’s just going to happen anyway, no matter how hard I would try to prevent it./
  It was clear from the very first moment, Siegfried was much more mature this time, much more the young adult than barely 18yo adolescent. He looked reasonably confident, sure of himself, a true aristocrat, a crown prince ready to be a king (almost to the point where I was thinking – oh, where’s my lost, Asperger’s child? I want my lost, Asperger’s child! Spoiler alert – I got my lost, Asperger’s child eventually, do not worry. Just wait for it). However, watching him during the opening dance scene it was becoming more and more clear everything’s not so smooth as it may seem. He grew impatient, the whole situation slowly but surely becoming unbearable, and he was fighting against it with all he had, trying to stay calm, trying to play the role he was expecting to, his nervous, involuntary fingers tapping against his throne the only thing out of place. But there was always Wolfgang for him in those moments. Wolfgang, who was the constant, never-changing presence. Wolfgang, who could be standing on the other side of the room and the connection between him and his prince almost palpable, magnetic, electrifying. Always there. Always sure.
They look like best friends, no matter their different social status. Wolfgang casually showing Siegfried one girl or another (funny how he didn’t need to bring Siegfried’s attention to men, since he was happily watching them on his own accord), whispering something to his ear (A court rumour? An inside joke? A reassurance to keep Siegfried in his right mind?), hand casually on his shoulder. When they were walking together, Wolfgang was positively hugging Siegfried with his arm around prince’s shoulders. And then you saw him standing side stage, watching Siegfried being crowned, watching him dance, watching his inner struggle started by queen’s mention of marriage, watching him trying to act all casual and „oh, it’s nothing, I’m all right“ while knowing his autism and insecurities and all the good stuff is kicking, trying to break free and took over his mind and soul again. Because Siegfried may be more in charge now, but once autistic, always autistic… The mental issues were there. Waiting. As well as Wolfgang. Watching, waiting, calculating, manipulating without anybody knowing, using the Machiavellianism to the point.
And I wanted to scream, because hell, Siegfried, you look like a reasonable, mature human being. You are not the lost child with puppy eyes, you have to know something’s off! Tell me, what do you know! But then they were together and it was painfully clear he simply believed they were at the same page, he had no reason not to think so, they were in this together. Take the moment at the end of the „dance lesson.“ José himself leant towards Karl, believing him implicitly, automatically, without question and on top of that he actually looked him in the eye, and there was the brilliant moment where Karl looked away like – “oh no, stop, this is too much, that’s not right” and also “I’m not affected by this at all.” Francois just grabbed Mathieu’s arm and pulled. The gesture strong, harsh, leaving no doubts and literally no space between the two of them, because “oh no no, my prince, you have no personal space, no free will, I am the one who will tell you what to do, I am the one in charge, don’t forget that, I certainly not let you forget, ever.” With Mathieu and Jérémy the movement towards each other was mutual. Mathieu leaned back, Jérémy went slightly forward whispering into his ear.
However just a few seconds earlier, during the actual dance lesson, was a moment that couldn’t be more out of the realm of things OK even if it tried. I remember someone did something similar in one of the older videos I saw through the years of my healthy social life, I, however, do not remember it being quite like this time. I’m talking about the moment nearly at the end with Siegfried kneeling on the floor with Wolfgang walking around him. Some Wolfgangs simply put their hand on prince’s shoulder and squeeze, some let their hand stay there for a bit (too) long, some doesn’t touch Siegfried at all for one reason or another. And then came Jérémy. He did touch Mathieu’s shoulder. Let his hand there. Heavy, grounding. And then, slowly, intentionally, almost proprietary traced his chest from one collar bone to the other. Touching the bare skin. Not in some delicate, subtle, almost-not-there motion with fingertips barely touching. This was open. Possessive. Claiming. I inhaled so sharply people on the balcony must have heard it. I almost gave myself a brain concussion. Or got high on oxygen overdose. Or something. Being at home alone (or maybe even with my family around) I would be screaming myself hoarse and/or swearing profusely. But since I was sitting in a theatre with 2,5 thousands other people completely clueless of my inner battle, I had to… just keep breathing and acting cool. Not that I was particularly successful or anything.
How the 1st Act was going, it was more and more clear Siegfried depended on Wolfgang. And what was even more painful, it was his own decision. Surely, he was manipulated into it to some extent and at some point, but with this prince I believe if one asked him, he would say he believes Wolfgang. “Because he’s a friend. Because he’s helping. He’s good. Stop asking stupid questions, I’m not an idiot!” You had to admit this Wolfgang did a fucking good job without actually showing it (and showing off, looking at you, Francois). Because at the end of Act 1 all he had to do to stop Siegfried from following the running boys was turn his head. He didn’t step to stay in his way, he didn’t cross his arms or shake his head disapprovingly. He just stood there, then looked slightly over his shoulder and Siegfried stopped. Like that. And then, just before he was about to start his andante sostenuto variation (during which I most definitely died, because there was simply no other option, since this monster of a man, while doing his manege of jetés entrelacé, decided to turn the palm of his front arm up to make the landing pose in arabesque a cry, with his arm desperately reaching towards something, to fill every fucking detail of his movement with intention and meaning and who the hell asked this from you?! I can scarcely cope even while you are just dancing and feeling the music in ways that are too close to mine, could you please tell me, why you had to even do THIS to me?! Am I not dead enough?), he looked back at Wolfgang. Like if I could forget about their connection…!
But what was between the two of them exactly? I don’t have a clue. I know what I see in José/Karl interpretation. I know how I understand Mathieu/Francois relationship (because I am a bad person, my mind is poisoned and my brain is sick!). But Mathieu/Jérémy? There’s so much going on but I for the love of all that is holy cannot put a finger on it. (And that’s probably one of the reasons I almost went to the stage door to tell them I love them. I didn’t. I am an adult. I do not fangirl. I just go home and deal with all the feelings like the emotionally repressed person I am. I would make an excellent posh Englishman.) Let’s just say it was for the first time that Wolfgang was taller than Siegfried. Significantly taller. So whenever Siegfried wanted to looked him in the eyes, he had to look UP. And this stupid, tiny, little detail made me feel so many things, it’s not even funny anymore (which falsely indicated it WAS funny once, which most definitely was NOT). But just imagine the Siegfried/Wolfgang duet between act 1 and 2 with Siegfried coming to Wolfgang, to looking up to his eyes, and try not to see the vulnerability in it. Try not to see all the cards changing. Because it should have been Siegfried over Wolfgang because of their social status. During act one they were at the same level – because Siegfried wanted so. And now, suddenly, it was Wolfgang over Siegfried. And when he put the prince on the ground in the end, Siegfried looked yet again completely lost, devastated and abused… You just didn’t know how exactly this time. Or you did, but it was still just a wild guess, you couldn’t be completely, absolutely, 100% sure.
What was sure – Siegfried was broken. He took the offered crossbow as if not knowing what he is doing, as if not knowing it’s his hands that is holding it.  And then he stood up, turned and wanted to go to Wolfgang, because obviously. He made two steps, and Wolfgang was just standing there, centre stage, looking (not with the arms dismissively crossed as Francois, mind you) and Siegfried stopped, tripped over his feet, looked and promptly turned back. And there was something so unbelievably hurt in him. Because he knew what the crossbow means, figuratively. And that’s what hurt him most. Seeing Wolfgang with it. Seeing Wolfgang pushing him towards the edge, knowing he’s helpless, knowing that it would be him who would jump, he himself, nobody would actually push him, just bring him so near the edge, there would be no other choice. It was like an accusation. Because “I believed you. I trusted you. I thought we were friends. I thought you would help me. And you pushed me back towards my illness, pushed me into those dreams that we both know will be the end of me.” You could almost touch the moment, the last flicker of consciousness, the hurt creeping from the deep of Siegfried’s soul but it was too late already. It was late the moment he took the crossbow. And you were watching him losing the somewhat sane part of his mind, the part that knows, and falling to his dreams, to his forbidden world. Because giving the poor Asperger’s little prince a bit of schizophrenia is a way to go. Hello, this is me, nice to meet you.
Yes, partly this whole mess of a situation was the Queen’s fault. Her mentioning marriage and crowning and you know, the adult stuff, made Siegfried quiver in his so painfully hard-won stable mental state of sorts, that seemed more stable than in other SLs, but was still too fragile. But Wolfgang was the one who made it happened, who was the vital help, who was the final cause. Because who else could have been more successful? Who would have been better for such job? Who could have managed such thing if not him…?
 I’ll give you a break and am gonna talk about 3rd act for a bit. Because Mathieu Ganio’s Siegfried in act 3 is a fucking piece of art and someone give the man an award for it!
There was an achingly apparent difference between Act 1 Siegfried and Act 3 Siegfried. While during the 1st Act he was able to hold himself together to the point one would not tell he had any mental issues, in 3rd Act he was loosing his contact with reality from the start. And of course he was, with no Wolfgang behind his back whispering to his ear, keeping him in check, distracting him while things become too tedious and tiring, calming him by his mere presence. So his standing up and leaving the stage during character dances made so much sense. He refused the princesses with pleasure and right then he threw everything, his control, his mind, his consciousness out of window, and just jumped, leaving his illness in charge and Odile with Rothbart appeared. And if Odette and the lake was a dream, this was much more a fantasy. I’m going to repeat myself, but I stop when there would be more than one Siegfried like this in 3rd Act. Because this Siegfried was not dragged across stage by Odile, he was not simply following her with heart eyes, smiling and thinking rather stupidly she’s Odette, the pure, fragile girl from the lake even though she’s acting almost completely different. This Siegfried was confident, self-assured, constantly trying to convince Odile of his power and to prove himself. He grew impatient with her constant escaping, there was anger and sharpness in some of his movements. We all know the moment when Siegfried is standing behind Odile and she’s taking his arms to hug herself, right? So Mathieu Ganio leaned in and kissed. Her. On. The. Neck.
(I let that information sink.) (And while it would be sinking, I take a little walk to ease some of the tension and calm my inner voice that is screaming profanities, cause HOLYFUCKINGSHIT, can you imagine the dreamy, pure, innocent prince from previous act to do such thing?!)
I would also like to mention the black adagio. You know, the one where Siegfried is supposed to be fascinated by Odile who is seducing him? The one, during which this time was not quite clear if the prince was watching the enchanting black swan or Rothbart with the same intent, with the same intensity in his eyes and tension between the two of them…? Yeah.
(Also – Jérémy before his Rothbart variation, sitting on Siegfried’s throne like it belongs to him. Good grief!)
The end of act 3 wasn’t as much of a mad scene as it was in 2016. However Siegfried fell down on the floor completely unceremoniously, lying on his back and while the curtain opened and we were in the 4th Act he lied there in the exact same position and it looked almost like he’s in his bed. Like he completely lost it during the ball (and lost it he did) and was escorted to his chambers, put to his bed and now his poor, tortured mind sent him yet again to the woods, to the lake side.
Odette in act 2 was a complete figment of Siegfried’s imagination, appearing suddenly from nowhere, made from thin air, sharing Siegfried’s pain and deep grief. (Yes, even in act 2, because this time there were no heartfelt love confessions, no big romance, no sunny smiles and promises of happily ever after. But there was a bond. Strong and deeply felt.) In 4th Act she was resigned. She knew she’s about to die and there’s nothing she could do about it. Because Odette is Siegfried. In this performance and interpretation more than ever. She was his innocence that was somehow betrayed and violated by the act 3 fantasy. She was his integral part, she was his childhood, she was his hope, she was the last piece of his sanity, she was him. And Siegfried came to her guiltily, ashamed of himself, afraid to look herself in the eyes and see what became of him. Because he was dying. And he knew it.
And then Rothbart appeared and took Odette from Siegfried. Took his hope, his mind, his soul - like the mental illnesses, Siegfried’s ultimate bane and his final doom. And then came the last moment. When Siegfried turned around and there, in the middle of the mists stood someone. With arm held forward, palm up as in an invitation. And then… magnificent, ethereal Wolfgang spread his arms wide. Opened them for his prince, to let him jump into. And Siegfried run and jumped with his last breath and last desperate cry of arched back to the arms of death. That is nor evil, nor kind. That simply is.
And it makes you wonder – what if this was in the end the best option for Siegfried after all? What if Wolfgang was doing what he was doing having his prince’s good in mind? Was it something he himself believed in? That he was helping? Or was it just something he would say, if anybody asked? And was he ever even real?
 Hello. This is Nureyev’s Swan Lake for you. Causes many questions. Answers none. Gives you bunch of other instead.
  Please, do feel free to tell me I should find a professional help.
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janiedean · 5 years
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Really quite terrified they’ll have JB fuck just to have Jaime run to KL in an attempt to save Cersei for the baby’s sake, even though that would be a hopeless task that would make him look fucking stupid for even trying and against how they characterised him in episode 2 as being done with her. They can still fuck this up! They never bothered reading AFFC! I’d hoped he’d just stay North with Brienne but there’s still that Bronn side plot to be dealt with
anon honestly bronn killing either of those two is out of this world ridiculous he’s just gonna change sides again, also listen as dumb as d&d can get ncw is legit the only cast member who liked his ending and has gushed about it openly, ncw has openly disliked his sl since what S5 without too many issues, they made 8x02 all about them, d&d in the featurette were all about how they love each other and like they’re usually incoherent but not within the same season and like... he’s done. maybe he can have some conflict about the baby but from 8x02 it’s obvious he doesn’t care as much. they saved each other ten times during 8x03 and d&d wrote that episode (sadly for all of us) and it was the only good thing about it and tbh if they want the shocking plot twists j and b aren’t really the good candidates for it.
and like...... guys honestly I know I’ll regret saying it, but: this is not a good month. not show-wise, irl. it’s really Not A Good Month. I don’t wanna say that the jb storyline looking like the only thing decently written in this show is actually one of the few highlights I have going on right now, but as sad as it sounds it actually is, so can you please not share extra negativity here? like I know we’re all worried and I know being optimist isn’t easy in the face of the lack of coherence but like since 8x02 happened I’ve had this question idk how many times and it’s a week until 8x04 and I can’t keep on saying the same five things over and over" and over about how the jb storyline is really the only one that looks like might wrap up nicely. I tag all of my posts so if you go back you can find more detailed lists of reasons why I think it’s happening. I’m not gonna change my mind based on leaks or gut feeling and I appreciate that you’d think of asking me for anything but...... can we stop here? thanks? because I really can’t do this until next sunday/until 8x06 airs and we finally see the cursed/not cursed beautiful last scene of ncw’s and our hearts are in peace whichever way it ends.
thanks.
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ainomica · 5 years
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And Rey was never and will never be more important than Skywalkers in this saga. This is their family story. And ST is Kylo's story through and through. He makes all the hard choices like a protagonist that impact the story and characters the most. Like killing Han, Snoke, becoming SL etc. He's carrying the entire emotional weight of ST at this point. Its all about what will Kylo choose to do now that he is SL. While Rey's actions hardly impact the plot much. 2/?
Her choices don't hold much weight or dramatic tension. For the plot and other characters. She just goes from one point to another without much character development or impact just becomes the savior. I still don't get what exactly did she learn in TLJ. She still believes the Jedi and Resistance are awesome. And on her parentage issue we didn't see much of her reaction to it. It's like Kylo told her the truth, she cried and again became the savior forgetting all about her issues. 3/?
All the important scenes involve Kylo. Han, Luke, Snoke's deaths, ReyFinnKylo fight, Reylo PG fight, HanLeia and LukeLeia reunion(they talk about Kylo), Rey's awakening is because of Kylo, she's so powerful because she's Kylo's equal, Rey's skills are downloaded from Kylo etc. The whole story is built on Kylo's fall to the dark side. He fell and everything went to shit. And now it's about his redemption. He is the central character in ST. Everything revolves around him. 5/5
Ayi!  this stupid website i tell you it just ate away your part 4 of the ask and is not spitting it out Nonny. Anyway i think i somewhat got it what you are trying to say...
I think there is a lot to unpack here. Of course i agree, as a character and as a prospective Skywalker, Rey won’t be more important than the marquee brand or their myth just like Padme and Obi Wan are important but not beyond Anakin. However i disagree on calling the story Kylo’s through and through because his narrative momentum is intimately entwined and dependent on Rey and Finn and his family too. I agree the major plot tension and momentum of the plot has come from Kylo’s decision to spare Finn, awaken Rey, kill Han or save Rey to become Supreme leader etc. However we cannot ignore the fact if not in TFA, TLJ definitely has Rey drive 50% of the plot along with Kylo. If Finn didn’t decide to leave, SKB wouldn’t have blown up and Rey would never have met Kylo so soon. Snoke and Luke could do major plotwork but if Rey hasn’t decided to grow from her presumptions and expand her worldview to even disregard Luke in the first place to pursue her own wishes, she wouldn’t have been tempted to the Dark and Kylo and his whole truth which landed her in the Supremacy in the first place. 
Herein lies another point of disagreeing on Rey having no character growth. Flaw it might not be but she grew from someone who was skeptical and scared of responsibilities of   of the Higher forces , her own life and power to someone who embraced her powers, who believes in the Force, who wants to take charge even if a little of her own happiness and how to achieve it ( or whom to seek to achieve it) somehow rather than depend on a delusions which was just self sabotaging her entire life. She could have been someone or could have fulfilled her any wish to be a Han like smuggler or a Republic worker or anything she ever wanted if she let go of her mental coping mechanism to stay in Jakku years ago. She has grown up from that part of her psyche at least.  She went from someone who wouldn’t ever EVER dream of defying a potential father figure to giving Luke the metaphorical middle finger and openly being disappointed  in his methods and philosophy. This Rey would be grimacing at Han and Leia when she finds out how much they mishandled Ben when he was little and would be a little shocked that she and they could even do something as make war on him when talking to him would have sorted out problems years ago( she in a place of regression but it won’t last long) . She is in a place where she is willing to accept newer morality and truth rather than lash out to protect her black and white worldview to protect her psyche. 
I mean if only Rey realized that Parental figures are humans and can be assholes she would have let go of the idea of having her family back and forgiving them ages ago. Who waits for people who have “forgotten” her in a slave planet for decade and a half?? even the story Rey has concocted for her coping has horrible backstories for her parents( and Reysomebody theorists would rather have their fav beloved characters be that people..Y.I.K.E.S) 
I think we aren’t supposed to get from the movie, and even Rey that Resistance and Jedi aren’t awesome. Because they are but the fact that these institutions while having very beautiful philosophy have extremely flawed execution and in case of Jedis extremely harmful execution. Peace and Purpose are beautiful but if you achieve it at the cost of suppressing vital emotions in the name of Darkness avoidance then what is the point of Force and living? why shouldn’t any man just jump in front of a Tiger and die because Fear is a path to the Dark Side??Fear fuels survival instincts, anger makes you work, Passion keeps one motivated.  I think Rey is supposed to have that level of maturity in EPIX and not TLJ.
I am also baffled with what impact does her parentage reveal was supposed to have on her post-TLJ to be honest. It seems by the time she got out of the Cave, she has given up her quest to keep going back on Jakku with some important detours so is the impact of the revelation in EPIX?? i hope so. They build it up so much it would be shame for it to be just a case of how it was a superfluous Forth wall breaking revelation.  .I think Rey knowing her parents just threw her away in her subconscious already had an impact on how she almost killed Kylo, getting captured by Kylo  and used Luke to get the means to find out about them but what impacts does it has on her consciously and hence on the plot remains to be seen beside regression.   
What i believe is that in order to execute Rey and her Journey as important as Kylo’s in the movie, they as i said before should have created a stake. We can see Rey’s journey is important for Kylo’s story but what are the stakes attached to it?? should i be afraid that Rey could not choose Light for one second?? By looking at the cues left by AoTC and ESB. In both of the movies, the Lights side protagonist had a crisis of faith and had showed proclivity to fall to both Light and Darkness- Luke by trying to commit suicide , falling into despair after he knew the Truth and then answering his Dark Side father with all his desperate want . Anakin by reacting to Shmi’s horrible death my not just killing the perpetrators but innocent beings too followed by his heroic fight for Republic in Geneosis. 
The Stake should have been should Rey choose Ben and saving Ben should have been saving the Galaxy or should she choose something else and derail her growth and go Dark ?? Because the movie assures me Rey not concentrating on Kylo is a good thing for now first by singing Force theme when Rey tried to kill him, then having keep Rey’s face blank when she left Kylo and making her look genuinely hopeful to be with Leia and Resistance( her smile with Poo might be exaggerated by her tiny smile with Leia is 100% genuine)  . The added scenes of Force theme of their hand touch gives me immense hope but i can tell how confusing it must be for audience to understand that should we be happy when Rey unites with Kylo or should we be happy if Rey tries to harm Kylo( plus Leia being not that concerned about the fact this women almost killed her son and hugging the crap out of her..??) 
Its a subjective matter what you find more compelling , a Heroine’s Journey, very straightforward more or less or a Multilayered redemption arc but i would really prefer if the movies did the former for Rey well to at least the choice harder for the audience. 
Agreed on the last part Nonny!
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hypnofur1 · 6 years
Text
Captivated in Kansas City (Ch.1)
By Hypnofur
Tuesday at 11:30
Hudson Dark had performed before sold out crowds for over twenty three years. At no time during any of those performances had he in any way shape or form flubbed a word, or even misspoke. He was always so eloquent and confident. It was the root of his talent in fact. But now, as he sat across from the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, he found himself completely tongue tied
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“It’s the house I live in with my parents” the man in his mid forties told the beautiful woman in front of him. “No, I don’t. I mean, they lived there, we lived there. But now we don’t…” Hudson stammered, for the first time since his teens.
Hailey was trying to look like she wasn’t embarrassed for him. She had seen this before with men. God, she had seen it too many times. She had learned how to be nice about it, but it never became not awkward. Men always became stuttering piles of jelly around her.
“Was this property your child hood home, Mr.Dark?” she asked politely, trying to throw him a lifeline.
“Well, not even. My parents purchased it about twenty years ago. My father died shortly after that, and my mother passed away about five years ago. I only lived here for a year or so after college. Then I got my own place, right away.” He said, trying desperately to make this woman think he didn’t live with his parents for any longer than what was considered normal.
“I see, well, I am sorry for your loss” Hailey said.
“It’s better that she’s dead” Hudson said, before he immediately realized how that sounded. What was wrong with him?!! This had never happened. “I mean, it was a long illness. She’s at peace now” he said, trying desperately to recover.
“Well, Brookside has seen huge growth in the property values over the last ten years.” Hailey said, getting back to business. “We’ve sold six homes in that neighborhood already this year.”
Hudson couldn’t believe she smelled so good too. What was her perfume? It was intoxicating. She was intoxicating.
Hailey was getting annoyed. He was just staring with that lovestruck puppy dog look she had seen so many times since Junior High. She prodded the conversation along “I’d love to see the house?”
Hudson pulled himself together, and arrangements were made for her to come out on the following Thursday. He shook her hand professionally and the meeting ended. By the time he walked out of the door of her Real Estate office, a plan was already forming in Hudson’s mind.
Thursday
“Fuck!” Hudson yelled to himself from inside the house. He watched as a Mercedes SL 500 pulled up his driveway. Yes, the beautiful Hailey was inside, but so was some other guy. He was driving. Hudson was fuming. He figured she would come alone. Who was this guy? Was he going to come in too? That would ruin the entire plan that Hudson had spent the last forty-eight hours carefully concocting. Then he saw the man lean over and give Hailey a kiss on the cheek before only she got out of the car. Hudson’s spirits lifted as he realized that the man was going to stay in the driveway at the very least. He was quite pleased to see the car pull away from the house at the same moment Hailey was ringing the doorbell.
Hudson’s stomach flip flopped, the plan was on!
“Hi Hailey, come on in, it’s open!” Hudson yelled. He knew she would be able to hear him through the glass storm door. The actual front door was left wide open. Hailey entered the house through the living room.
“I’ll be right with you, I’m just changing my shirt. I spilled my lunch on it” Hudson lied from behind the door the down stairs bedroom he was in.
“No problem.” Hailey answered as she looked around the house, judging the bones and envisioning how it could be remodeled and updated. “I’ve had a clumsy morning myself. I drove up on to the curb at The Filling Station Coffee. I damaged my tire. My husband had to give me a ride here. He just went to go check on the car. It’s down the road, he’ll be back in fifteen minutes or so.” She said.
Hudson cursed under his breath. That was not a lot of time. Should he abort? Maybe this whole stupid thing wasn’t meant to be.
“Are you a hypnotist?” he head Hailey ask. She had clearly seen the posters and show memorabilia that filled the house. Of course she did. She was meant to.
“I am, yes” he said, still through the door. He resolved he was going to do this. He could make it work in a shortened time frame. He just needed her to take the bait…
“This piece is beautiful, is it one of those things that musician’s keep time with?” Hailey asked, trying to make conversation as she wondered how long it was going to take this guy to change his shirt.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Hudson celebrated to himself. The three hours he had spent carefully lighting the metronome so that her eyes would be drawn to it had paid off. This was going to work.
“Why yes it is. It is called a metronome. That one is especially precious. It was made by the finest Belgian craftsmen. They are known for making exquisite pieces. The weight on the tip of the pendulam rod is actually encrusted with 24 carrot diamonds. That is why it sparkles like that as the metronome ticks back and forth… back and forth.
Hailey noticed he was right. Her husband’s gifts over the last few years had taught her a lot about diamonds, and she could see from the way those stones caught the light that they were at least 24 carrot.
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Hudson continued speaking from the other room. “ I use it in my therapy work. The beauty of a metronome is that not only does it give the subject a motion to follow with their eyes, but the rhythmic sound of the clicks also keeps a perfect, hypnotic beat. The subjects listen to the sound of the metronome as it keeps the perfect beat. This is a special beat. A beat of sleep. The subject focuses on the metronome as it swings back and forth, back and forth. They notice the brilliant twinkle of the beautiful diamonds as the metronome swings back and forth, back and forth. They follow the swinging motion with their eyes, but don’t look away. Never look away. Listening to the beat. The beat is so powerful, because it is the same beat as sleep. Listen to the beat as you follow the swinging motion.” Hudson said to her, slowly changing the POV of his words from that of the theoretical subject, directly to Hailey. By this point, he had slowly and quietly come out of the bedroom and had silently move to the doorway of the room she was in.
He was both delighted and aroused by the sight of Hailey standing in the center of the room, completely transfixed on the swinging metronome in front of her. He could tell it was working.
“With every click of the beat, you begin to notice your eyelids getting heavier and heavier. Heavier and heavier with each click of the beat. Every time you hear the beat, your eyelids feel heavier and heavier. Very good, you are following my instructions and hearing the metronome go back and forth, back and forth. The twinkling lights of the diamond beginning to blur in between the slow blinks of your heavy eyes.”
Hudson noticed her beautiful blue eyes slowly blinking as he suggested. He knew how he wanted to pull her under, there was really only one way…
“Isn’t it pleasant… to sleep…. to sleep… deeper and deeper in sleep.” he said, copying the cadence and tone of his all time favorite movie hypnosis scene, from the “Hypnotic Eye”. In fact, this whole induction, putting her under by focusing on a hypnotic device while he was in another room inducing her was all inspired by the “Hypnotic Eye”. It had been one of Hudson’s greatest fantasies for almost 20 years, since he first found the clip on the internet.
Now he had done it, he had induced the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in the same way that Anton had done it in that movie. Her head was slumped down and she was deep in hypnotic slumber. He felt like a king. He wanted to take her right there, he had never been so hard in his life.
But of course, his victory was short lived, as he heard the Mercedes pull up in the driveway. The husband was back. Hudson held his breath for a moment, so nervous that he may come in. Much to the hypnotist’s joy, he saw the husband pull out an iphone and start checking it. It seemed he was going to be waiting in the car. That bought some time. Not as much as Hudson had originally hoped for, but enough to keep the game alive….
About ten minutes later, Hailey smiled as got into the Mercedes. She gave Henry a kiss on the cheek. “You are the cutest Uber driver in Kansas City.” She joked.
“We Uber drivers don’t accept tips, so you’ll have to buy me lunch instead” Henry quipped to his wife as he backed out of the driveway. “How was the appointment?” he asked.
“Fantastic!” Hailey said exuberantly. “The house is amazing, so much potential. The client is fantastic too. I’m so excited about this transaction!” she oozed.
That surprised Henry a bit. He knew she had been wanting to do less residential work, and more commercial/retail kind of stuff. However, he didn’t pay that weird twist much mind. He was starving, and wanted to get a table at Bella Napoli for lunch.
Thursday evening
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“Hey, we don’t have anything tomorrow night, right?” Hailey asked Henry as he was brushing his teeth. She was on their bed, surfing on her laptop. They were always together in the same room when they were home at the same time. They truly enjoyed one another’s company.
“No, I don’t think so. Why?” Henry asked.
“I have a tip on a property that is potentially going to be hitting the in the Power and Light District. It’s one of the venues that hasn’t been updated in the area. It’s a comedy club. Anyway, I was thinking it might be a perfect opportunity for the right investor.”
“And who might be the right investor?” Henry said with a smile.
“Well, he’d have to be handsome…” Hailey said. “And good with wireless technology….”
Henry laughed as he looked in her eyes. God she was gorgeous. Even just sitting there on the bed, she was so beautiful. The slightest look she gave him could get him instantly hard. She noticed now was one of those times. She smiled at him and nodded, as if to say “now is a fine time”.
Henry crawled onto the bed and kissed her. She kissed him back. They both laboriously took off her panties. It wasn’t smooth or easy. He lifted up her skirt a bit, and stuck himself inside her. She gasped a bit, and he started bucking. He came within about 30 seconds.
He instantly apologized. She smiled and kissed him, telling him it “was nice”. He dismounted and laid next to her in the bed, pulling his boxers back up as she got her panties back on. Then they continued their conversation about the property and the plans to check it out on Friday night. This was very typical for the couple.
Friday night
They had a great dinner at Yardhouse, the best of the restaurants in that area. Of course, the young twenty something male waiters were completely infatuated and flustered with Hailey there. Henry and his wife were quite used to this, though it always made them uncomfortable. Hailey hated being the center of attention in a room, despite the fact that she usually was.
After the meal, they strolled around the building a bit, checking it out in detail. Hailey had a fine eye for architecture, and Henry only had eyes for her, so he was perfectly happy watching her do whatever interested her.
It was an older building, probably built in the 1930’s. It needed a tremendous amount of work, but had good bones. There were apartments on the second and third floor, and a theater that was now being used as a comedy club on the ground level. As the couple got around to the entrance, Hailey grabbed Henry’s arm.
“That’s my client!” she said excitedly as she pointed at the poster on the wall.
“Hudson the Hypnotist?” Henry asked.
“Yes, that’s him, the one from the other day in Brookside. Wow, that’s so cool. I can’t believe he is performing tonight. Let’s go watch!” she said excitedly.
Henry was a little taken aback by her sudden exuberance, but he was fine with it. The evening was free. They purchased their tickets and went inside. As they waited for the show to begin, Hailey started going on and on about how much hypnosis had always fascinated her. Henry was quite surprised to hear this, as it had never come up in conversation before, despite her new claims of a lifelong passion for it.
The show began and Hudson came out. He was a very average looking middle aged guy. Balding, slightly pudgy. He explained what hypnosis was, and how it worked. Henry noticed Hailey was on the edge of her seat during this explanation. Hudson then asked for volunteers. It was at this point that Henry became absolutely shocked. Hailey gave him a kiss on the cheek, and then left her seat, heading for the stage.
While Henry had been previously in the dark about Hailey’s interest in hypnotism, he was well aware of her disinterest in being in the spotlight. He couldn’t believe she was going up on stage. This was like her number one fear. What was going on?
Henry could hear the murmers in the crowd as Hailey was taking the stage amongst a bunch of slacker looking twenty somethings. Hudson the Hypnotist of course had his eyes glued to the gorgeous blonde as she took a seat on the stage with her brilliant smile. Henry noticed there wasn’t a hint of nervousness or self consciousness in his wife, even as the dorky guy in the Blink 182 sweatshirt next to her gawked and stared. In fact, Hudson had a hard time getting the attention of the volunteers on stage back to him. Hailey was that distractingly beautiful.
She stuck out like a sore thumb on that stage. Her clothes spoke of wealth, while the t-shirt and jeans of the rest of the volunteers spoke of the awkward years after college. For his part, Hudson knew that he had to regain control of this situation. As a very experienced performer, he knew how to do just that. The spacy, new age music played, and Hudson expertly induced his volunteers into a deep trance. Removing the two or three fakers that were easy to spot, Hudson was left with ten deeply hypnotized volunteers on stage. Not that it mattered, as the show would clearly just be about one of those ten. Most eyes were on Hailey, who was now slumped over onto Mr. Blink 182.
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Hudson went through all the standard routines, making the volunteers feel like they were freezing cold, having them talk to Martians, and the whole someone farted routine. Henry was shocked to see his beautiful wife up there on stage, clearly, actually hypnotized. There is no way she would have been going along with this if she hadn’t been.
Henry’s stomach was turning. It was unnerving to see his wife in front of all these people, clearly not in control of herself. His stomach knotted a little more as Hudson asked the crowd if they want to “spice this show up”. Of course, the loud applause confirmed they wanted exactly that. That’s when the hypnotist started describing to the people on stage that they were watching a very sexy porno that was playing in the back of the room. He started saying it was the sexiest porno that they had ever seen, and that they would get so, so turned on watching it.
Henry knew for a fact that Hailey had never watched a porno. She had told him in the past that porno’s creeped her out. And sure enough, as soon as Hudson said this, Henry saw Hailey get all jittery, and try to look away from the back of the room. Hudson noticed it too, and he started saying “the film is too interesting to ignore. Even if you don’t think you want to watch it, the sounds and the visuals are just too interesting. You can’t resist checking it out..”
That was enough to get Hailey to sort of peek over with one eye. Just for a second, then she looked away again. But in another brief moment, she looked towards the screen with one eye again. Then two. Then she watched for a moment. Henry was shocked. Soon she didn’t look nervous, or creeped out by it. She had a look that Henry had never seen before. She had this incredible look of erotic interest on her face as she slowly licked her lips. Then her hand touched her neck. She squirmed a bit in her seat. Henry had never seen it before, but it was the single most beautiful, sexy site he had ever seen. He had never seen Hailey so overtly turned on, so sexual. In fact, he had never seen Hailey turned on at all…
Six years earlier
Breaking into the real estate game had certainly proven to be more difficult than Hailey had intended. In fact, as she sat there, locked in a steam room, she actually had decided to quit real estate and get a job at a retail store or something. She hadn’t realized that the steam room would lock like that.  Her cell phone was getting no service for some weird reason. She was trapped until someone came into the house. The problem with that, was that her showing wasn’t for another 24 hours. She had come to the empty mansion in the hills a day early to do a dry run. Frankly, she was starting to freak out.
That’s when she heard someone in the house. It took a lot for her to decide to alert the other person to her captive presence. Being alone with some stranger in a house when her phone wasn’t working was not a safe idea. However, she was getting really scared being trapped in there. She was finding she was kind of claustrophobic. She finally yelled for a help and a man responded. She had really hoped it was a woman…
“I’m stuck in here and my cell phone isn’t working” she said through the steam room walls.
“Yeah, that’s why I am here. There is a small tower at the base of the hill that provides services to these homes. I overloaded it. I saw your car and came to alert you. I’m really very sorry.” The man said. His voice sounded kind at least.
“Do you do work on the tower?” she asked.
“Well, kind of.” He said.
Ok, she thought, I’m trapped here with a not so good cell tower repair guy. “Can you let me out?” she asked. She heard him trying the door.
He jiggled it and jiggled it, but it just wouldn’t work. “I’m sorry miss, but the door isn’t working. I could go and try to find some tools or something.” He said.
“You don’t have any with you?” she asked in almost a panic. She was really freaking out now that she knew she was really trapped in that room. The teak walls seemed to be closing in on her.
“No, not on me. Umm, I could go drive for some help?” he said. He could tell this lady was losing it.
“NO!” she blurted out. “Please don’t leave!” she heard herself say. She had never had a panic attack like this before.
“It’s ok Miss, I’ll stay with you until help arrives or they fix the tower. My name is Henry.” He said.
And so from there, they started talking. Hailey calmed down. They actually talked for hours and hours. They laughed a lot. They really hit it off. In fact, they started falling for each other.
However, there were two things that were not divulged in those hours of conversation. Hailey did not reveal that she was drop dead gorgeous, and Henry did not reveal that he sold his first wireless amplification company for 30 million dollars, and had since started building another, even more successful amplification system. (The testing of which had blown the tower).
Hailey’s beauty and Henry’s money had always been the most attractive thing about each. Both were fairly shy in their own right. Hailey had been turning down men’s advances for as long as she could remember, and Henry had only been attractive to women once they found he was rich.
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But when that steam room finally got opened, and Hailey looked at Henry for the first time, he could tell she liked him for who he was. It didn’t matter to her that he was a little bit scrawny, and clearly about fifteen years older than her. She had gotten to know his kind spirit. He stayed with her, laughed with her, and helped her before he knew what she looked like. This was the first man ever that got to know her for more than just her looks. Hailey knew full well that she benefited from her unique beauty, but for the most part had always seen it more as curse.
Henry’s jaw hit the floor when he saw her. She was clearly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in real life. Or on tv or in a movie for that matter. The locksmith that had opened the door thought so too. Henry, couldn’t believe his luck, until he looked down and saw a wedding band on her finger. His heart fell…
“It’s not real!” she said quickly as she saw him notice it. “I just wear it to keep from having guys…” she started.
“Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?” Henry blurted out.
“Yes!” Hailey said with a smile.
Henry knew that she had mistakenly assumed he was a cell tower repair guy. He had carefully not lied about that during their conversation through the steam room wall, but had also not corrected the assumption. In fact, it wasn’t until he picked her up the next day in his Ferrari that she started realizing he was more than he seemed.
Dinner that night was not in Kansas City, it was in Paris. Six month later, they were married.
Their love was true, and their love was pure. People of course accused Hailey of being a gold digger. That wasn’t the case. She certainly benefitted from the trappings of wealth, but she truly loved Henry, and he loved her. The suggestion that Henry only was with her for the sex couldn’t have been more off base. In fact, the sex wasn’t that great.
Hailey had always been self-conscious about her looks, ironically. Every guy had wanted to jump in the sack with her for as long as she could remember. That made her a little uncomfortable about the whole concept of sex. She wanted to enjoy it more, she just couldn’t really relax and get into it. She always wondered if she was living up to the fantasy, the expectation. Henry, for his part, was a shy man that never felt comfortable with the ladies. He knew he wasn’t much of a lover, and he always wondered if he could live up to the type of lover Hailey deserved. Their mutual insecurities always made their love making tepid at best.
Friday Night
Henry had never been able to drive Hailey wild with lust as this hypnotist had done on stage in front of him as the participants on stage got “really, really into the porno”. Henry had never been more aroused than he was watching his beautiful wife respond to the erotic, hypnotic commands of the maestro. He was jealous, but also rock hard as he watched it.
After the “watch the porno” bit, Hudson carefully segway’d into a “you are in a porno” bit. He told the participants that they were starring in a porno with the sexiest person they have ever seen, and that this person was on their chair and they were to basically fuck the chair. The people on stage were in such a state of arousal at that point from watching the imagined porno that they got right into it, Hailey included.
However, Hudson sensed an opportunity for both a laugh, and a little something for later. He smiled widely to the crowd, and then put his hand on Bethanny’s shoulder. “And to the woman I am touching right now. You’ll find that the sexiest, most irresistible man you have ever seen or known is… Hudson the Hypnotist!”
The crowd went wild! There was laughter and cheers. Hudson played it off to the crowd like a raunchy showman would. “Can you blame me?” he yelled loudly. “I mean, seriously.. can you blame me!?”
Henry could blame him! And he couldn’t believe that Hudson had said that to her. He also couldn’t believe how Hailey was moving. Her hips were slowly and sensually rolling with a sexual fluidity he had never seen. Her head was tilted back she was grinding on the chair, she was clearly lost in a sexual bliss. It was like nothing he had ever seen, and she looked even hotter than he had imagined while doing it. Part of him wanted to stop this, as it was wrong on so many levels, but he had a raging boner that he was quite sure could be seen through his khakis. He couldn’t exactly stand up and approach the stage like that.
Hudson of course knew who Hailey was with that night. He paid careful notice to the fact that the husband hadn’t stormed the stage when Hudson had told her that he was her new sexiest man alive. The feeling of power over the subjects on stage, and the awareness that Hailey thought that she was currently fucking him on that chair, emboldened the middle age hypnotist. Again, he put his hand on her shoulder, “and to the woman I am touching right now. Not only is Hudson the Hypnotist the sexiest, most irresistible man you have ever seen, but he also has the biggest, most powerful, most perfect cock you have ever come across in your life! And that cock is fucking you now! Fucking you now and making you cum! Hudson the Hypnotist is a sexual god who is fucking you and making you cum like no man has ever done!” he said, to less cheers. Some people in the crowd could see he was going too far, but the majority of the group was so turned on by watching the beautiful Hailey orgasm on the chair that they couldn’t laugh or applaud or anything. They were completely transfixed by the scene in front of them.
Henry was horrified, but his heart was beating a million miles a minute. He was so angry, scared, and turned on. There was nowhere else for the performance to go after Hailey’s show stopping orgasm. Hudson got all the parictipants back in line in to their chairs and dropped them into a deep sleep. He told them they would awake refreshed and happy. He also told them that they would find the experience of being hypnotized by him one of the most wonderful of their lives, and that they would desperately want to be hypnotized by him again in the future. With that, he made a joke to the audience about “job security”
When Hailey heard the phrase “…and wake”, her eyes fluttered open. Her hand instinctively ran through her thick blonde hair as she sat up. Her blue eyes took a second to focus with the bright stage lights in front of her, but she soon saw Hudson looking back at her. It was like a jolt of electricity went through her as she lost her breath for a moment. “He’s so gorgeous” she thought, before immediately chiding herself for being attracted to a man that is not her husband. Unaware of the post hypnotic suggestions that were driving this, she found herself quite surprised at her intense attraction to Hudson. She had never gotten like that over a guy before. They always threw themselves at her, but she had never been so magnetically drawn to a man before.
She smiled at him demurely as she walked by him while exiting the stage. She desperately hoped that was not the last time he would hypnotize her. She had loved the experience so much. Stepping down back into the audience, she could feel most of the eyes in the room on her. She was used to that. As per usual, it made her feel uneasy and nervous. As per usual, she focused on Henry to calm her down. However, this time she noticed that Henry looked uneasy and nervous. He was pale and clammy.
“Babe, what’s up?” she said to him. Henry didn’t know what to say. How could he tell her that she was just up on stage acting like a total slut? What would she do if she knew she had just given every single guy in this room a massive boner as she acted more sexual on stage than she ever, ever had with him in the bedroom? Henry panicked.
For the first time ever, he lied to his wife. “Nothing. Nothing’s up. That was really funny. How are you? How are you feeling?” he said, putting on his best game face.
“Oh my god, it was amazing!” she gushed. “I loved being hypnotized by Hudson!” she almost squealed.
Henry looked around and noticed the room was still very much focused on Hailey. He knew he should get her out of there before she realized the state she had the men in. “Do you want to go get some desert or something?” he asked. Hailey never passed up desert. If other women knew how much she indulged in sweets with that body, they’d hate her even more.
Hailey leaned in close and whispered in her husband’s ear. “I’d rather go home. I need you inside of me.” It was the first time she had ever said anything like that to him.
Henry, who was of course so horny already after watching that show, didn’t need to be asked twice. He raced his beautiful wife home and up to their bed. Within minutes, he was thrusting himself inside her. Ramming as hard as he could. He didn’t last long, having been so turned on by the show. However much to his surprise, Hailey actually orgasmed. She had never orgasmed during their love making before.
Henry loved the sounds she made beneath him. He loved the feel of her convulsing in his arms. What a wonderful experience. He knew her mindset was largely due to the hypnotism. He was actually grateful for Hudson’s hypnotic hijinks. In fact, he wondered if the performer could help him experience this sort of sexual intimacy with his wife again. He decided he needed to pay Hudson a visit.
What Henry didn’t know, was that for the first time in her marriage, Hailey was thinking of another man during sex. She was thinking of Hudson. Sexy, powerful, hypnotic Hudson. The sexual god with the biggest, most powerful cock she had ever come across in her life.
Trouble was ahead….
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hithelleth · 6 years
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The Originals 5 x 06 “What, Will, I, Have, Left”
I went into it already hating it. Justifiably.
Let’s get away with the few good things first.
Klaus and Caroline (who went after Hope and Roman on a road trip) were cute and great, but it’s hard to be happy about it, considering.
(Though, there was also that BS about Caroline never feeling safe, when Caroline was the only one who was safe around Klaus to the point that the gang sent her to distract him because he would never hurt her – except that one time... you know, these writers and their inconsistencies started long before now in TVD S4.)
As always, loved Vincent and Freya’s friendship.
I also loved Ivy and Vincent and her asking him when he was last happy (poor guy, before Sabine even) and telling him keeping things away from people is also taking away their choice and not knowing is sometimes worse than knowing (re: telling Declan about the supernatural, since he was worried about Hayley.)
Oh, and BTW, Declan is Camille’s cousin? (Okay, he’s Irish, fine, but weren’t the O’Connells the last of their line or something? IDK, my memory is faulty. And I don’t give a fuck either way.)
I also loved Hayley and Hope (Hayley is really such a great mother!), but that is where the pain starts.
We’ve all known this would happen since last year’s SDCC and I can’t even cry; I’m just beyond pissed off.
Okay, so, Roman brought Hope to Hayley, believing Greta just wants them to bind their hybrid side and then they would let them go and everyone would live in peace. Stupid naïve boy. Though, I guess him having his family slaughtered twice, once by werewolves and then by Klaus (Although, wait, Klaus didn’t do it, did he? (I guess he meant ‘extended family’ or something’?)) explains his devotion to Greta, but still.
Greta, meanwhile, went to Antoinette to lie about being worried about Roman’s involvement with Hope that required Elijah protecting him from Klaus and they fell hook-line-and-sinker for it. Antoinette was clued in that it wasn’t like that when Roman called with the true version, but couldn’t go after them before nightfall.
Hayley agreed to the binding so she would break the cloaking spell (because Hope cloaked her as a hybrid) and so Hope could escape – because Hayley couldn’t due to being just a vampire now and it being daylight outside.
Unfortunately, Greta arrived just then, backed by Elijah who snapped Caroline’s neck and fought Klaus who arrived at the same time.
Greta tried to convince Roman to kill Hope, then a fight with Hayley ensued and since Hayley was impeded by sunlight, Greta got the upper hand and almost ripped her heart out, but Hayley broke her hand at the last moment and lurched both of them outside to burn in the sun.
And all that time, Elijah was repeatedly staking Klaus, so he couldn’t have helped.
Yeah, what a great fucking idea this train of events was.
And for what? For what?!
But before I get to that, this whole SL doesn’t make sense.
For starters, where was Marcel the entire episode? Yeah, I know CMD was directing, but he is more than capable of doing a great job of both directing and acting in the episode, as proved by 4x07 (not to mention all the eps directed and acted in by his co-stars and countless other actors on other shows.)
Are you telling me Marcel wouldn’t be the first Freya and/or Klaus called for reinforcements? Are you telling me he wouldn’t be doing everything he could on his own, anyway, to find Hayley and Hope and worrying every single moment? Are you saying he wouldn’t jump at the first possible moment to help when he learned where Hayley is? BS.
So, Marcel was just inexplicably non-existent.
That’s one, and far from stupidest writing decision.
Two: the whole Elijah is the only one who can stop Klaus thing? Are you kidding me? Did we forget how in S2 of TVD the only way for Elijah to get to kill Klaus was catching him when he was vulnerable during the moment of transformation when breaking the binding? And that was even before he was a hybrid! And ever since then, the only couple of times that Elijah one-upped Klaus was when catching him unawares and even that not for long.
But never mind. Let’s give that a pass, Elijah caught him by surprise and Klaus was perhaps not giving 100% because it was Elijah and he was also distracted by wanting to help Hayley (but wouldn’t he achieve that by incapacitating Elijah the fastest? And wouldn’t Klaus in a rage fit to help the mother of his child be even stronger than normally?) But, fine, let’s leave it.
Three: we also forgot about the Hollow and two Originals being in proximity for more than a second brining all the signs of doomsday around, let alone two Originals being in proximity to each other AND Hope. No, nada this episode.
So much sloppy writing.
(Three/II: Elijah’s memory loss/compulsion. Why didn’t it wear off by him having burnt himself in the sun? That could count as a temporary death even for an original? (Speaking of, even an Original should need some time to recover from that, but it’s been a few days at most and he’s as good as new.) Also, apparently Elijah put his daylight ring back or had a new one made? For the greater cause, right? Or did we just forget the burning in the same line that we mentioned taking the ring off? Shoddy writing galore. Okay, whatever.
Also, I’ll grant them that since Vincent and Marcel compelled Elijah for his own good/per his own request, they maybe wouldn’t want to decompel him and/or they couldn’t have done it on such a short notice when seeing his being compelled is actually detrimental to everyone. Just let’s not forget that per universe canon people can be decompelled by whoever compelled them.)
Four: Rebekah and Kol haven’t existed since 5x02/3, either. No need to at least mention them by a line of them being worried about Hayley and Hope or anything, nope.
Five: I get that Vincent might not want to help, as he doesn’t, but why wasn’t at least Freya there? Maybe she was still on the way? Because you’re not telling me she wouldn’t think that maybe they would need a powerful witch to help? She broke up with Keelin for her family’s sake, FFS, and now she would just idly sit by when finally finding Hayley, not run to her aid? Please.
And, lastly, but not the least important reason why this doesn’t make sense: I’ve heard a lot of people saying the writers chose to kill off Hayley to free Klaus for Caroline, and I don’t know what the writers were thinking, but as much as killing one ‘love interest’ to make space for another is shitty, it’s even shittier in this case (if that had been their reasoning), because it was completely unnecessary.
Because, as per canon, Hayley and Klaus weren’t even a thing. Ship and fanon them as much as you want, but in canon Hayley and Klaus had a one-night stand resulting in pregnancy that had them gradually become friends and amazing co-parents, but Hayley was no obstacle whatsoever for Caroline.
So, Hayley died for nothing.
(I mean, her dying so she could free up the space for Caroline would’ve been terrible, but they don’t even get to have that excuse for killing her off. The fuck!)
Sure, she took Greta with her. But Greta could have been dealt with in a number of different ways, by Klaus himself, by Freya, by Marcel, or the three combined; by writing Elijah’s memory loss differently, or not at all, etc.… and if I can think of that in a couple of minutes, there was no reason the writers who are paid to spend time on it couldn’t have done it, except that they didn’t want to.
They just wanted to kill her off for ‘drama’ and they failed even at that because we’ve known about it for nearly a year now, so it was no shock at all. (It does still make me beyond angry, though.) And they knew it wouldn’t go over well and had the time to change it, but went on with it anyway.
Fuck that.
And if Elijah miraculously regains his memory by seeing Hayley die, as I think some spoilers said as well, it will just be that much worse and senseless.
I knew this season would be shitty as soon as they said JP was taking back the reigns and Narducci was leaving (not that the team under Narducci was flawless; killing off Camille could’ve been avoided as well; but at least they made a lot more sense most of the time.)
Anyway, I’ll probably hate-watch the season through, because I’m a masochist, and then I’ll take the few worthy bits and pieces (mostly just the premiere, TBH) and forget the rest of the crap even happened.
And afterwards I’ll probably re-watch the first four seasons – because those were one great show – and just imagine myself a happy ending for everyone (which I’ve already written, ha!)
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cranetreegang · 3 years
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The Messenger: Part 2: Looking for a Reason
A/N: Yay Part 2! So... no merman this time :( I honestly debated about just skipping right to more time with Nil, but I thought it would be important to do some fleshing out of the village and some of the peeps living there. I was re-reading the first part and I never realized that Evie didn't have any friends at first and I was like dang I'm an idiot I forgot that friends exist??? Also, my merman self-indulgence is really getting out of hand. I just wanted merman smut and now I have a story wtf.
I don't know how to feel about this part, since I'm just dying to get back to Nil. But, I'm also a sl*t for mermen so ya know. This one went on a bit long and if I were a decent writer I would cut some parts out, but idk I kinda like it all. I'm curious to know what y'all think. I'm always open to criticism!!!
The next part will have Nil again! Yay! I'm ready to get back to talking with him and learning more about these mysterious woods ;)
Thanks again for reading!
Summary: Evie is confronted by one of her friends for her making reckless choices and worries that she might not be thinking things through. She decides to try and fix that and ends up finding potential work.
Word Count: ~5,000 words
Click Here for Part 1
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I awoke to a harsh, determined bang on my door. I laid in bed a moment trying to figure out if it was my imagination when I heard Zane’s bellowing voice.
“Evie. I know you’re there. Get up!” His muffled words carried throughout my home; making it impossible to ignore. I sighed into my limp pillow before throwing myself out of bed. I stumbled towards the front door, hitting the wall several times, and yanked the door open. My eyes were quick to shut out the blinding morning sun that was peaking over the trees, and directly into my eyes.
“Zane. Wha’d’ya want?” I mumbled with slurred words. Zane, a bear of a man, shoved his way inside while I was wiping the sleep from my eyes. I kept my annoyance at his rather abrupt entrance to myself and went over to my kitchen. “Want some coffee?” I offered while getting a mug down from one of my shelves.
Zane stood in the living room with his blonde brows pinched together and his muscular arms crossed. “Really? That’s all you have to say?”
I laid my head against the oak countertop with a loud exhale through my mouth. “What do you want me to say? I don’t even know why you’re here.” I went back to making myself a beverage. I needed something to get through whatever mood he was in.
Zane came next to me as I was grinding down a handful of beans. He took my grinder away from me to have my full attention. “You went into the woods.” He hissed.
I met his warm brown eyes and saw a terrified boy staring back at me. I felt guilty for not considering Zane’s feelings in all of this. We’ve been friends for years, yet he never even crossed my mind yesterday.
“And I came back intact. As you can see.” I motioned over myself. I realized that I couldn’t recall his face being in the crowd yesterday. “Not that you were there to wish me well, or welcome me back.”
Zane shook his head. His light pink lips pushed together. “Why would I wanna send my friend off to their death? Huh?”
“I don’t know. Maybe to at least say ‘bye’ one last time.” I grumbled. “Like I said, I’m fine. See.” I twirled around with a smirk. “The big bad forest didn’t gobble me up. So thank you for checking up on me. In fact, I’ll be going back out soon if you wanna do another wellness check before then.”
“What!” He exclaimed. “Are you serious, Evie? Have you lost your mind?” His nose flared out and his jaw clenched. My face contorted in anger that matched his own.
“What’s your problem? You know I’ve always wanted to go. I don’t know why you’re acting so surprised.” I struggled to keep my tone under control, but the annoyance of being woken up, just to be chastised, was not sitting well with me.
Zane shook his head while glaring at me. “Yeah. I didn’t think you insane enough to actually go through with it. Why in the hells are you even thinking about going back? Once should be more than enough.”
I shifted from one foot to the next at how best to answer his question. I couldn’t tell him I found a creature. Considering how well he was handling me going out there in general, telling him about Nil would be disastrous. I chewed my lip in thought on how best to get Zane off my back.
“Because it’s my job.” I finally stated.
Zane let out a mocking snort while rolling his eyes. “Right. Your job. You’re choosing a stupid job, over your own life. You can’t be that dense.”
“I’m not choosing one or the other! I know what I’m doing.” I crossed my arms and bit my tongue to keep my heated words at bay.
“What do you know about that forest? Huh? Do you know what dwells there? Or how to even defend yourself?”
“Like you’ve any idea what’s out there either. All we’ve got, are dusty old books and hearsay.” I countered back. His shoulders stiffened and he seemed set on doing something. He shoved me back with a forceful push. I managed to keep my balance for a moment before he shoved me again.
“Stop!” I slapped his hands away before he could push me again.
“See. You can’t even stop me. What do you think those things out there will do to ya? Did that even cross your mind?” He closed his eyes and let out a tired sigh. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he said, “I know you have this… fantasy that the woods are calling to you. But, did you ever think that those monsters might not want you there?”
I opened my mouth to counter him, but I could find no words to say. I averted my gaze to my feet to help me mull over what he said. I hated that he was right to some extent. The idea never crossed my mind. It wasn’t even a possibility. Perhaps yesterday was just that; pure luck. Then I thought of Nil. The mer in the lake. That wasn’t a possibility before either. I should’ve died yesterday, if what Zane was saying were true. Nil could’ve easily dragged me to the bottom of the lake and feasted on my corpse. Instead, I was here, having to listen to Zane chew me out. Perhaps being Nil’s meal would’ve been a better alternative, I thought darkly.
I looked back up to him with a renewed determination. “It might not want me, you’re right. And I might die out there, sure.” Before he could praise me for finally realizing he was right, I continued, “I would rather be out there, with the monsters,” I pointed out towards the woods, “than stuck here wondering for the rest of my days what’s out there. I can’t live with myself if I don’t find out. Even if they don’t want me there.”
His eyes widened before he shut them in quiet sorrow. He ran his hand through his scruffy short hair. “There’s no changing your mind, is there? You thick headed idiot.”
I gave him a bright grin while yanking my grinder back to me. “No. There’s not. But you knew that before you barged in here.”
Worry danced in his deep brown eyes that made me almost reconsider my stance on the messenger job. Almost. The prickling feeling of doubt was brief like a summer breeze over me before disappearing. I placed my hand on his broad hairy forearm and squeezed him.
“You worry too much. I can handle whatever happens. Trust me.” I said.
He patted my hand with a short nod. “Don’t got much of a choice.” He sighed.
I frowned for a moment then went back to grinding. “Guess not. You also don’t have a choice on breakfast either. How ‘bout some eggs, ya big oaf?”
He snorted then went over to grab a few brown eggs from my basket. “Idiot.” I heard him mumble under his breath.
I couldn’t hide my smile at his endearing name calling. Zane always had my back and supported my craziest schemes… to an extent. There were a few times he had to shut down my ideas before I did something ‘reckless’. I thought back to the time I wanted to make a catapult to launch me into the woods. My logic was that since I wouldn’t be walking into the woods, I wouldn’t be banished. I spent all day creating a horribly put together wooden monstrosity that Zane promptly smashed before letting me try it. I didn’t talk to him for over a week until he brought me one of Nana’s cinnamon cakes as a peace offering.
I still questioned his judgement on such matters in regards to the woods. Or maybe his intuition about these things were spot on. As he’s told me before, ‘I see what’s real, and you see what you wanna see.’ I heard that line more than a few times from him. That didn’t end the nagging feeling in the back of my head that Zane was projecting his fear onto me. The fear shared by everyone in this village. A fear that I was starting to doubt was valid in the first place.
Zane helped me create a full sized breakfast of bacon, eggs, and biscuits; which was enough to feed his never ending stomach. We managed to avoid the topic of the forest, in favor of him telling me about how well the crops were doing this season. He droned on over the wheat being especially plentiful this rotation and that he would give me a bushel once they began harvesting. We cleaned up and I walked with him to my front door.
He looked over at me with a fond look. “I’m glad we talked, even if you’re still going out there.”
I chuckled, “Me too. Even though your worrying is unnecessary.”
He rolled his amber eyes and began to walk away when he stopped midstep. “Ya know,” He turned back around to face me, “when you get a chance, stop by Nana’s. She’s been worried about you.”
I nodded with another pang of guilt. Not even Nana crossed my mind yesterday. “I will. Don’t worry.”
He gave a short wave then kept walking towards the farm. I watched him climb the rolling hills away from me as I thought about all that he said. He did have a point on defending myself. Perhaps a trip to the blacksmith wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
I got ready for the day by slipping on a plain beige dress and quickly brushing my hair before heading over to Jo’s place. Various people were milling about from different shops and they did their best to not stare at me as I passed by. I could sense their curiosity about what happened yesterday, but none were brave enough to approach me. When I passed by the apothecary, the salt and pepper redhead owner Maggie was leaning on her doorway smoking a grey pipe that was as long as my hand. She stared at me with a knowing grin that made me look away from her piercing emerald eyes. I kept my eyes glued towards the blacksmith and away from eerie Maggie.
Jo was hammering away on a piece of hot iron when I approached her. Even though I was several arm lengths away from her forge, the heat blasted me in the face like the midsummer’s sun. Her sweat glistened in the light of the forge’s fire and the whole place smelled of burning coal and searing metal. Her short curly bister hair was tucked away behind a faded red cloth tied around her forehead.
“Mornin’ Jo.” I greeted.
“Wha’ ya wan’, kid?” She didn’t bother looking up to acknowledge me.
Jo was infamous for her ‘quick-to-the-point’ attitude. It sometimes rubbed people the wrong way, but no one was willing to risk saying anything to her. Jo was the only capable blacksmith in town. And she also looked like she could kill a man with just one arm.
I smiled while placing my hands behind my back. “Well, as you might know, I’m the new messenger.”
Jo didn’t show any reaction to my statement and kept hammering away. The sharp metal tings she produced made my ears ring.
“I’ll just get right to it. I need a sword or a dagger!” I yelled over her working.
She paused and looked up at me for the first time. “Why didn’t chaya say so?” She grabbed her long piece of iron and shoved it back into the roaring coals then took off her oversized padded gloves. She motioned me to follow her inside her shop, which I was greeted with an array of metal works, like nails, cutlery, and door knobs, as well as various sized daggers, swords, and clubs on every surface.
I stared in awe over each piece while letting my finger go across a rather sharp sword. I hissed when my finger split open. I promptly stuck the injured finger in my mouth to stop the bleeding. Jo wasn’t amused and gestured over her stock of daggers.
“These’ll work for ya. But doubt they’d help. These beaut’s‘re only good for small game. If somethings big’s after ya, ye dead.” She picked up one of the palm sized daggers for me to examine. I took my finger out of my mouth to look over the dagger. The weight felt good and the size was just right for me. Not that I had much knowledge on what was a good dagger or not. I’ve never really used a dagger besides ‘play’ fighting with logs or to cut up meat. I feigned stabbing a goblin right in the face and decided that the blade would work.
“How much?” I asked.
Jo smirked while leaning closer to me. “Free.”
“Free?” I raised my brow as my mind worked over why she would do that.
“In exchange,” She added, which I interrupted before she could speak further.
“Ah. There it is.” I placed down the dagger next to the others. “What could you possibly want from me?”
She smirked; her tanned leather like skin creased together on her forehead. She ducked below the counter and I heard metal clang on metal as she rifled through underneath. She hefted up a crate and let it drop on the counter. Blades clattered together from the counter shaking. The crate was as long as I could spread out my arms, and looked to be barely holding together by crude nails. “Needa delivery made, messenga.” She patted the wooden crate to emphasize her point.
I stared at the crate in dumbfounded confusion. “You… need a delivery.”
“Wot I said, yeah?” Jo put her meaty hands on her hips with a scowl.
I tried lifting up the crate, and was baffled at how heavy it was. I scratched my head in thought. “And, how did you expect me to carry this thing?”
“Not my problem. We gotta deal, or nah?” She drummed her meaty fingers across the lid.
I hummed in thought at how I would be able to transport such cargo when an idea began to form in my mind. “When did you want this thing delivered?”
“Tomorrow.” She huffed in reply. I had an objection on the tip of my tongue, but I quickly stopped myself. I could go back out into the woods tomorrow instead of having to wait all week. I’d be stupid to let this opportunity go to waste.
“Okay. Lemme talk it over with Griffith then I’ll let you know.” I bowed my head then headed over to the Post Office.
Not to my surprise, Griffith was organizing a fat stack of letters while humming a simple tune to himself. His eyes met mine and he greeted me with a warm smile.
“How do you do, young lady?” He asked in a jolly voice. He continued flipping through the various letters, but would glance to me on occasion.
“I’ve been asked to deliver a rather large, heavy crate by tomorrow. And I was wondering if you had some way of helping with that.” I informed him with an innocent smile.
He stopped what he was doing and regarded me with disturbed shock. “People are already giving you things to deliver? My that’s,” He paused then forced a grin, “great. Just wonderful.” He climbed out of his stool and hobbled over to the paned window. He stared outside as he brushed his chestnut goatee with his forefinger and thumb.
After a few moments of thought he went, “Ah! There might be something that’d work.” He turned to face me with a clap of his hands. “The barn should have a cart for you to use. You might even be able to borrow one of the horses as well. It’s what the riders use when they journey to Whitend.”
I felt an excitement bubble up in me. “Great. Thank you, Mister Griffith. I’ll talk to Udo.” I waved at Griffith before running off towards the farm.
So, I wouldn’t have to wait all week to get back out there. This couldn’t have been better luck. I took a shortcut by going across the rolling green hills instead of taking the path to the farm. The grass came up to my knees and swayed gently in the breeze. At the top of one of the taller hills, I took in the sight of the farm in front of me. We only had one farm that fed the whole village, and it never failed to produce us enough food. To the left of the farm, was Leah Mountain. The mountain had a solitary mine that provided us with rich minerals and metals.
The mountain pass nestled away inside Leah Mountain was the only other way out of the village. With the next town, Whitend, being a two week’s ride by a swift horse. And the trip was by no means easy. Only Remi, one of the farm hands, and Jakomi made the journey every other month. I asked Remi about joining him and Jakomi on one expedition, but was promptly shut down due to my lack of riding experience. Remi was insistent that the journey to Whitend was not for the faint of heart. And no matter how much I begged him to teach me to ride, Remi would refuse. I had my suspicions that Zane convinced him to not teach me, but I could never find enough evidence to support my theory.
At the base of the mountain, I could clearly see into Mistress Talia’s estate. I stared at the lone home that had towering walls preventing anyone from getting inside. Only a handful of people have ever set foot in there. Even fewer times has anyone seen Talia leave her fortress. She had one man, a grizzled butler named Hitch, run into town for her for various reasons. None of which Hitch would disclose. Hitch had been offered various items, money, and even favors for just a hint at what Mistress Talia does, but Hitch would remain silent.
As I stared at the manor, I too wondered what goes on behind those walls. I bit my lip at how Nil reacted yesterday. Disgusted, but the more I look back on it, there was an underlying anger hidden in his flickering dark amethyst eyes. Questions were beginning to bubble up inside my head, and I had to focus my attention on the task at hand. I continued down the hill towards the farm.
I got onto the paved stone path that led directly to Udo’s home at the very end. The path was lined with the hands’ homes to the left of me. Zane’s was in the middle of the five other cottages. He had bright colorful flowers on his window sill and on either side of the path leading up to his dark green door. He’s been a hand since he could walk, and hasn’t tried any other profession since. He convinced me one summer to be a hand with him. One summer was enough for me to realize that I would rather get eaten by a griffin than work on the farm. The fields to the right of me were brimming with towering stalks of corn, wheat, and various other vegetables. Further past the fields, was the apple orchard that was nearly ripe for picking.
I could make out Zane, Merdia, and Remi tilling away in the lush corn field. Merdia, her wild red curls bouncing in the wind, was quick to notice me and began frantically waving at me. I waved back at them as I passed by towards the stables.
“Where’re you goin’?” Zane shouted after me, to which I ignored. I wasn’t ready for another lecture.
I went inside the stables where Udo was brushing one of his black pinto colored mares. Hay was strewn about the wooden floors with horses, pigs, and cows occupying the numerous stables. Udo gave me a cheery grin when I approached. The lanky man never failed to have a sweet smile.
“Haven’t seen you around. How ya been? Heard ya went into the forest.” He commented as he stroked over the black and white fur with ease. I watched his brushing for a moment before replying.
“I’ve been great, thanks. And I was actually here about that. Jo wants me to deliver a crate and I needed to borrow a cart and maybe a spare horse, if you had one.” I gave him my best smile as he stared at me.
He huffed to himself with his dark brows rising to his hairline. “I see. Quite a tall order, missy.”
“It’s alright if you say no. Maybe I could use a wheelbarrow or something instead?” I offered.
Udo laughed and shook his head. “That’s a horrible idea. I doubt you’d get very far without it falling apart.” He set down the brush on a nearby stool and walked over to his book laying out on the far table against the stable wall. He scanned over the different entries while muttering to himself.
“When did ya need all this?” He asked without looking up from his book.
“As soon as possible. Preferably tomorrow though.” I went over to the pinto horse and stroked her muzzle, which she snorted in appreciation.
“Doesn’t look like we need Jumper this week. I’ll have Zane and Remi get the cart ready for ya in the morn’.” He looked back to me with a stern glare. “You better bring back both, kid.”
I nodded enthusiastically. “Of course!”
Udo gave a soft smile while motioning towards the barn door. “Get outta here. Before ya cause trouble.”
I waved bye to Udo as I skipped out the barn back to town. Zane was already coming up to me with Remi and Merdia in tow.
“What was that about?” Zane asked.
“Hi to you too.” I smirked while waving at Remi and Merdia.
“I can’t believe you went into the forest! Drink with us tonight. Please. We wanna hear all about it.” Merdia begged.
“Yeah. Come on. Can’t leave us in the dark.” Remi added in. His coffee brown hair was tied into a short ponytail behind his head, and his freckles seemed to consume more of his tanned skin than I remembered from the last time I saw him.
Zane hushed the curious duo then asked me again, “What’re you doing in there?”
It was hard not to be taken back by his accusing tone. Even harder to hide my discontent with his question. “Well, I think Udo’ll tell you soon enough.”
“Or you could tell me now.” Zane countered with one raised brow.
I shrugged. “I could.” I shoved my way past Zane. “Anyways, I gotta get going. Catch you later!”
“Evelyn!” Zane called after me, but I kept walking down the bumpy stone path back to the village. I knew he would be furious tomorrow morning, but that was a problem that could wait.
I ran back to Jo’s and stood in front of her forge triumphantly. “I’ll do it. I’ll be here tomorrow morning to take your package.”
Jo looked up from her work and gave me a pleased lopsided grin. “‘Ery good.” She reached into her black apron and handed me the sheathed dagger I was looking at earlier.
I held the blade in my hand for a moment before blurting out, “I’m surprised you trust me enough to do this.”
Jo shrugged. “Not like any’ else linin’ up to do’s it. ‘Sides, I gotta move this merch. Remi ‘n Jakoff ain’t goin’ for ‘notha three’s weeks.” Jo grumbled more under her breath that I couldn’t understand. Something about needing to pay a lost bet to Jakomi from what I could make out.
I hummed as I strapped the dagger to my hip. “Your trust is well-placed.” I gave a low bow then waved at her. “See ya in the morning, Jo!”
Jo gave a short nod to my leaving as I headed over towards Nana’s.
Nana’s place was right in the heart of the village. Which was appropriate since nearly everyone came to Nana for one thing or another. Nana claimed nearly everyone as her own, since she had no living children. I approached Nana’s with hesitancy. I knew she wouldn’t be mad for not seeking her out beforehand. Didn’t make facing her any easier.
I bit my lip and let my feet guide me into her shop. Various baked goods, like cakes, pies, and strudels, lined most of the shelves with jars of pickled goods taking up the rest. I could hear her bustling around in the kitchen behind the compact dining area. I caught whiffs of sugar cookies in the air the closer I got towards the kitchen.
Nana was taking out said lightly golden cookies from the oven when her eyes landed on me. “Ah. There you are. I was wondering when you’d stop by.” Her toothy smile took up most of her dark wrinkled face. She placed the platter of cookies on the countertop then straightened out her teal apron. “Come. Sit! I’ll get us some milk.”
She shuffled off towards the cellar and I took a seat on the worn stool across from the cookies. She returned with a clay jug of cold milk she poured for the both of us. We clinked our glasses together then dunked the hot cookies in. I couldn’t stop my smile from how deliciously sweet the cookie was and I found myself in a total state of bliss.
“I don’t know how you do it, Nana.” I mumbled between bites.
“Years of practice, sweetheart. Now, tell me all about it. You seemed to’ve come out all right.” Nana winked; her steel gray curls bounced a bit with the slight motion.
I nodded while I finished chewing my second cookie. “Yeah. Something that Zane isn’t getting.” I rolled my eyes with an annoyed groan.
Nana patted her worn hand on mine. “Don’t be too hard on him. He’s just worried about you. With good reason too. That forest isn’t safe.”
I held her hand while biting my lip. I avoided her curious gaze as the question on the tip of my tongue refused to come out.
She squeezed my hand and said, “Spit it out already.” She gave a gentle chuckle at my anguished state.
I laughed to myself that the old bat could see better than she lets on. “What’s so dangerous in that forest? I’ve heard the rumors, but I feel they’re all just scary stories to tell children. I want to know the truth.”
Nana frowned and let go of my hand. She tapped her fingers together several times before speaking again. “Oh honey, there’s much you don’t understand.” Her scratchy voice faded away into a quiet whisper as the memories of the past seemed to be flooding her. Her rich golden eyes were distant and troubled. A thought in the back of my head told me to drop the subject. The sensation was gnawing at me, but I managed to push it aside.
“Please. I want to know.” I pleaded.
Nana looked down at her cupped weathered hands. “Sweetheart, the things that lurk in that forest wish nothing but to come here and kill us all. The only thing stopping them is Mistress Talia’s magic wards. We owe her our lives.”
I knew my mouth was gaped open and I quickly shut it. “They want to kill us? Why? What happened? Surely we weren’t always cut off from those woods?”
Nana’s eyes narrowed and I was taken aback by the sudden intensity of her gaze. “It doesn’t matter why. What happened, happened. Now, they want their revenge.” Her features faltered to a soft smile and she sighed, “I know you want answers. But, answers won’t change the past.”
“You don’t know that.” I stated, then felt guilty at my sharp response. Nana didn’t like it either as her brows pinched together in annoyance.
“Enough. I’d prefer if we talked about something else, if you don’t mind.” Nana said in a strained tone.
“Of course.” I forced a smile despite me being disappointed by Nana’s reluctance in helping me. Whatever happened all those years ago must’ve been terrible. I chatted with Nana about everything but the forest, or my messenger job. When the sun was starting to set, I decided to take my leave. Nana handed me a basket of various foods for me to take since I looked too, ‘too skinny for her liking’.
I was leaving her home when I stopped in the middle of her doorway. My eyes caught sight of something inscribed all over the wooden doorframe. My fingers traced over the markings that were similar to the ones out on the path. I glanced around the neighboring homes, but they lacked the same intricate carvings. I tried to remember what other buildings had these same symbols, yet my mind drew a blank.
I thought about asking Nana, but I remembered how she snapped at me earlier in regards to such matters. I’d need to find this out on my own. I began the walk back to my home while scanning each house for more markings. To my surprise, there were only two other buildings with those marks: Maggie’s Apothecary and the Post Office. I wasn’t sure what to do with this newfound knowledge. And my main problem was figuring out who to ask about these carvings. Perhaps they meant nothing.
A nagging sense in the back of my mind told me otherwise. There was something going on here, and I was going to figure out exactly what.
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