#these things!! they’ve already become so beloved!!

[youcouldmakealife]

SOTM: Bryce/Jared, Elaine; Man of the Hour (Day, Week, Month, Year)

For the prompt: One of the articles Bryce mentions. "…like, a profile thing? How it was growing up gay in hockey, that kind of thing… A chance to establish myself as like, I am now,” Bryce says. “Kind of like — not set the record straight, exactly, but like, show I’ve matured and stuff. "

It’s the definition of a typical Vancouver day, drizzly and overcast, when I meet Bryce Marcus. He likely needs no introduction, but I will introduce him anyway: the star centre for the Vancouver Canucks who went from being the enemy while playing for the arch-rival Calgary Flames to becoming possibly the most beloved man in the city: certainly if you you asked the fans streaming out of Rogers Arena after watching the Canucks win the Cup for the third time, or the hundreds of thousands of lining Burrard to cheer on their Canucks at the Stanley Cup Parade on a beautiful sunny day this June.

The weather is anything but glamourous today, however, and at the Marcus Matheson household, the surroundings aren’t either.

Jared Matheson, husband and teammate of Bryce, apologizes as I step over a box in their hallway. “We’re kind of in the middle of a move right now.”

They’re trading their two-bedroom condo for something ‘a little more permanent’. Both have decided that wherever their NHL careers may take them, Vancouver is going to remain home, and they’ve just closed on a house nearby.

“Bryce is weirdly excited about getting to mow the lawn,” Jared tells me as we wait for Bryce to finish getting ready. In light of the hyper-competitive Vancouver real estate market it’s entirely understandable to be excited about lawncare — it means you have a lawn to care for — but one wouldn’t have expected that to extend even to Vancouver’s sports stars.

When Bryce emerges, five minutes after my arrival, he announces himself by swearing as he trips over a box of his own, and then apologising, both for his language and his tardiness.

“He was doing his hair,” Jared says.

“I was not,” Bryce scowls, but doesn’t offer an alternative explanation.

After a quick tour of their condo, which is currently half in boxes, Bryce and I hop into his Audi S8 — naturally courtesy Capilano Audi, whose ads featuring him are inescapable during Canucks games. We drive to Richmond so he can show me his old haunts: elementary, middle, and high school — though he finished high school in Washington while playing for the Spokane Chiefs — his home rink, the Dairy Queen his mother took him after hockey games. He’s a capable, if slightly aggressive driver. I mention this because from the dire warning I received from Jared on the way out the door I genuinely believed I might not survive the drive.

Bryce finally pulls into the driveway of an unassuming but cheerful house on a quiet suburban street. The morning drizzle has faded, and the weather is now just as bright and warm as his childhood home, and the mother who raised him there. Already waiting for us on the porch, his mother Elaine Marcus offers me a glass of lemonade. “Store bought, I’m afraid,” she says with a smile. “I’m not much of homemaker.”

Over lemonade and cookies — “Also store bought,” Elaine admits, “but this bakery is very good!”, and she’s right about that — she shows me an array of childhood and teenage photos while Bryce complains to his mother that she’s ‘embarrassing’ him.

The photos are more inspiring than embarrassing: photo after photo of a beaming little boy in an equally small Canucks jersey, proudly brandishing a plastic mini-stick (Canucks branded, of course). A true example of someone who grew up to live his childhood dream.

Sadly, as he gets a older the smile disappears, as does the man beaming in the background of so many of those happy photos. His father, Ben Marcus, was killed by an impaired driver at the age of 32. It devastated Elaine and Bryce, who was only four at the time.

“It was hard,” Elaine says. “He didn’t understand. I didn’t understand, when it came down to it. It was a hard time. He wanted to play hockey all the time, it was the only thing he wanted. He was really only happy on the ice.”

“I just wanted him to be happy,” she says, smiling tearfully, and as Bryce wraps a protective arm around his mother's shoulders, I offer to give them a moment.

“It was a long time ago,” Elaine says in dismissal, wiping her eyes. “It’s just hard sometimes. Ben loved hockey, loved watching the Canucks with Bryce — he’d have been so proud to see Bryce lift the Cup for them. I am too, of course, but it was always Ben and Bryce’s thing. He would have been so proud.”

I do give them a moment then, and when I return, my lemonade has been refilled and both are all smiles once again, though Bryce's doesn't last. He cringes as we go through photos of his teen years. There’s a sullen look on his face in every picture.

And what was Bryce like as a teenager?

"I'll let him answer that," Elaine says diplomatically.

“I don’t really know,” Bryce says, looking thoughtful. “Angry, I guess. I was an angry kid. And confused.”

About his sexuality?

“Everything was confusing,” Bryce says. “But yeah, definitely that too.”

“Bryce cared so much,” Elaine says. “About everything. He still does. The world’s hardest on the people who care most about it.”

Like so many hockey players who’ve come out since Dan Riley and Marc Lapointe did in 2010, he credits their coming out as a major influence on his journey of coming to terms with his identity as both a gay man and a pro hockey player.

“You don’t really put it together,” Bryce says. He turned sixteen the summer the Leafs won the Stanley Cup, and Riley and Lapointe subsequently came out. “Like, okay, sure, you can be gay and play hockey. Except nobody thought that. I didn’t think that. If you said that, maybe I’d say okay, but I didn’t believe it.”

How, then, did he reconcile being gay and playing hockey?

“That's the thing,” Bryce says. “I didn’t, you know? I was playing hockey, so obviously I wasn’t, right? Because if I was gay, then I wouldn’t be playing, would I?”

“It sounds so ridiculous saying it now,” he reflects. “But that’s what I thought. And I wasn’t the only one.”

But even more than Riley and Lapointe blazing a trail before him, he credits meeting his husband Jared at a hockey skills camp in Calgary. In the year before he met Jared, then twenty year old Bryce was arrested twice, for assault and DWI: the latter in particular shook his mother, considering how his father died.

"I was worried about him," she says. "That's probably an understatement."

“I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn't met Jared,” Bryce says. “I genuinely don’t. I don’t think I’d be out. I know I wouldn’t be happy. You know, everyone says it isn’t like in the movies. Falling in love, I mean. That love at first sight and all that is b******t. But that’s pretty much what it was for me.”

Was it mutual?

Bryce laughs. “You’d have to ask Jared, he tells it better than me,” he says. “But no, not really. I wasn't good enough for him. I'm still not good enough for him, but I try to be."

Another warning I’d received from his husband before my tour around town? That Bryce was an incurable romantic. This warning certainly seems more warranted than the one about Bryce’s driving.

And what does Bryce think about Jared’s warning, and his additional suggestion to take anything Bryce said about him with a healthy grain of salt?

“[Jared]’s just modest,” Bryce says.

“He lights up when Jared’s around,” Elaine says. “It’s just like when he was a little boy — every time he stepped onto the ice, he beamed. It’s the same thing with Jared. He’s so happy. It’s so wonderful to see him like that.”

And how was it, not only getting to play with his husband, but to raise the Stanley Cup together?

“It’s a dream come true,” Bryce says. “Really. I know that’s such a cliche, but so is love at first sight, right? And the hometown boy winning it all for his childhood team. They’re all cliches. But they’re my life.”

“I know just how lucky I am,” Bryce says. “Winning with Jared, with this team — it’s been such a whirlwind of a year.”

I tell him to enjoy it.

“I do,” he says, smiling so widely I have no doubt he’s telling the truth. “I really, really do.”

#SOTM #fic snippet #bryce marcus #jared matheson #elaine marcus

[thequietkid-moonie]

Hey could you do a Yandere Mikan, Yashiro, Yumeko, Marin, and Satou waking up in their darlings basement tied up to a chair with their darling in front of them

And when their darling sees that they’re awake they start explaining about how much they love them and how long they’ve been planning for this and how they’ve made it

Impossible for them to escape from their basement and how they’re theirs forever please

Their darling is actually a yandere for them and kidnap them

[ HEADCANONS ] [ Mikan, Yashiro, Yumeko, Marin, Satou ]

[ Danganronpa 2 Goodbye Despair ] [ Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun ] [ Kakegurui ] [ My Dress-Up Darling ] [ Happy Sugar Life ]

⚠️ Yandere, I dunno support this kind of behavior in real life, I just write it for fun!

AHAHAHAHA I LOOOOOVE YOUR REQUEST!! THANK YOU SO FUCKING MUCH!! 🖤🖤 I really REALLY hope you like it as much as I did!!

The prompt vary a little for every girl since I don't know exactly what kind of yandere would you be so i tried to cover basic things of yanderes, as well of the reason of what could trigger you to kidnap her because i didn't want to use the excuse of just being possessive or wanting her

Mikan Tsumiki

For Mikan her darling is everything, it doesn't matter if you are kind or even rude to her she is completely fine with it as long as you aknowledge her existance, even if you are rude or mean to her she brush it off as being your way to show your love for her

She will never even dare to think bad about you or question your feelings, the moment you show that you are willing to spend time with her Mikan is complety ecstatic by it, she quickly becomes clingy and even possessive over you, but she tends to apologize for the way she acts. Mikan was already ecstatic by the fact that you seem to don't mind her presence but actually wanting to be with her put Mikan on the verge of tears, she just can believe that the person she loves the most love her in return

Mikan will never doubt or question your love for her, she thinks that you are perfect the way you are and, even when she can't stand up for herself she won't let anyone talk bad about her beloved, if someone dares to say that you are really weird or your way to love is unhealthy she is quickly to shut up the person, swearing that there is nothing wrong about you and she will love you until the end of her days

What if you want to monopolize her or even become possessive over her? It doesn't matter, she is completely yours anyways, beside she won't like to leave your side neither, what if you don't like when she interact with others? Mikan rather spend all her time with you than with anyone else, if it depend on her she will never talk to anyone aside from you again, what if you are rude or even mean to her? Is alright because she knows you do it with love, you never meant to hurt her

Mikan is complety obvious with how much she loves you and that she is willing to do anything for you, you just have to ask, specially since you seem to like her back (or even had express it) so the posibility of she doesn't loving you or jealousy won't be enough to trigger you to try to kidnap her, but something that could do trigger you is the bullying, Mikan tries to spend all her time with you (because when she isn't with you she feels desperate, almost like in a anxiety attack) but that doesn't stop the bullies to mess with her the little moments you two aren't together or others trying to take advantage of her

Planning on a kidnapping could be pretty difficult for how clingy Mikan is, she doesn't like leaving you even if you ask her kindly enough she won't be able to stay away for too long and will start following you, but if you manage to make your plan it won't be able too difficult to do it, Mikan trust you blindly and will follow you until the end of the world if you ask her, doesn't matter which method you use (drugging her, knock her out or even sneaking when she is sleep) she will easily fall on it because is you

The moment Mikan wakes up tied up she immediatly panics, mainly because she doesn't know what is happening or where you are, seeing you imediatly calms her down but still wonder what is happening, the moment you start telling her how much you love her make her heart race, and when you tell her that you are doing all of this out of love because you can just tolerate how others treat her Mikan can't take it anymore and start crying, she is overwhelmed by the happiness for knowing that you are willing to do so much just for her but embarrassement for bringing you so much troubles

If you try to comfort her or ask her why is crying she will try to explain herself, and the moment you finally free her she is imediatly grapping her arms around you, clinging onto you like if her life depend on it and crying harder (she will apologize later for it), when she finally is able to calm down Mikan start thanking you over and over again before shyly asking you what is your plan for the future, again Mikan is completly willing to do whatever you want, if you want for her to become your housewife and live with you for the rest of her life she will do it happily

Nene Yashiro

For Yashiro her darling is someone completely attractive and perfect, she has been daydreaming about dating someone, about meeting a beautiful gentleman or even a knight in shining armor and for Yashiro her darling is that person she has been wating for so long, the person of her dreams

Yashiro thinks so high of her darling that she can't just approach to them, she just get so shy and clumsy in their presence, not even being able to look directly at you, that is why she prefers to admire you from afar and daydream about you until she manage to build up the courage to talk to you, but if you are the one who approach to her or shows even a little interest on her, just by aknowledge her existance make her a flustered mess and give her a rush of confidence, making her more confidence on her chances with you

It has to be a slowly process for you two to get close, let alone in a relationship, since Yashiro constantly feels like she will combust for the overwhelming feelings and yet she is completely ecstatic to be with you, you showing love to her make her fall harder for you and give her more confidence little by little

Your relasionship can be seen as just the embarrasing first youth love but as the time pass from both it start to be a little more obvious the yandere tendencies and yet in Yashiro's eyes you continue being perfect and flawless, is that maybe that you want to spend all your time with her and monopolize her? is out of love, obviously! she is grateful that you love her that much! are you possessive over her or don't like when she interact with others? you just don't want to lose her over someone else, how romantic! is that you can be rude or agressive towards her? is just part of your atractive! you are just the bad guy type!

Yashiro is down bad for you, you are just so perfect and handsome in her eyes that she can't help but be shy and blushy around you, she isn't the best to show how much she loves you when you are around because she is shy and could be embarrassing for her, but when you aren't around she never stop thinking about you and never shut up to her friends about how amazing you are, jealousy could be something that end up triggering you but the bound she has with Hanako it could be even more irritating, why did she has a bound that unites your beloved with some pervert ghost?

Planning the kidnapping wouldn't be too difficult because Yashiro is willing to give you time to yourself if you ask, and even if she ends following you and found out part of your plan she will come up with a excuse of why you are planing to do something so horrifing and suspicious, as well it won't be really difficult for you to make Yashiro fall in your trap, just lull her with sweet words of love and she is completely blinded

When she wakes up tied up she instantly panic but seeing you instantly calm her down, when you start with your speech of how you have done all of this because you love her and you want her all for yourself Yashiro quickly becomes and flustered mess, looking at the floor because she can't handle the overwhelming feelings of love, Yashiro tries her best to express how much she love you too and how flattered she is by your gesture

However Yashiro doesn't want to be trapped here, not that she doesn't like being in your house is just that Yashiro wants to continue living her life, she wants to be able to share a high school romance with all kind of cheesy dates with you, a romance that spreads to the end of your days (she is saying all of this to you with a hopeful and loving voice and yet shyly) but to be able to do all of this she need to be able to go out, so she asks you shyly to please free her so you two can continue with the romance of her dreams and leave a dream life with you

Yumeko Jabami

It isn't too dificult to catch Yumeko attention however her darling is someone way too special for her, since the first moment she saw them she knew there was something special on them, she immediatly approach to you and, as the time pass, her love and obsession just grows more and more

The Hyakkau Private Academy is replete of extravagant and excentric people, and, adding that Yumeko loves is unconditional towards you, she doesn't see anything bad on you, you could be the craziest or even the most calm person on earth and she still will love you nonetheless. Yumeko is clingy and a little possessiveness, somehow she always know where you are, however since you doesn't seem bothered at all by her insistance on being with you then Yumeko has no reason get apart from you

No one has the oportunity to say something bad about your relationship since it seem unhealthy from both parts, it almost seem normal for how willing both are with each other, even if they try to say something Yumeko is quickly to say otherwise, you two are completly fine and in love! She normally take it pretty good but can get really mad if someone insist on criticize your relasionship

The toxic yandere tendencies are pretty evident, both can grow pretty possessive of each other (however when it comes to gambling she is completely fine with you playing against anyone you want, as long she is there to see it and don't put on a big risk your relationship, it would be exciting but she doesn't want to lose you over someone else), she is already extremely clingy and monopolizing with you and with your willingness towards her behavior makes almost imposible for you two to be away from each other or for someone to approach without both being in agreement

Is obvious how much Yumeko love you and how she always want to be with you, she is constantly dragging you with her everywhere and even when she shows being excited by someone else she always make clear that you are her one and only, jealousy can trigger you sometimes but not enough to make you try and kidnap her, what could trigger you is how much risks she is taking all the time

Planning on kidnapping her could be pretty difficult since Yumeko is always with you and, also, she is incredibly smart and she may guess that you are planning something behind her back but she let you continue with you plan out of curiosity. Is more likely that you can't completely put your plan into action because she find out what are you planing to do, and yet she just turn things a little, proposing to instead of trying to kidnap her you two can have a game and she won't take a no as a response, if you win she goes with you but if not she will be free

If you win she will go with you as she promise and will accept do whatever you ask for a while, not without teasing you a little, she even stay calm for a little while about the games and risks. When you explain that all you want is to keep her safe with you, declaring your undying love for her it something that flattered her and Yumeko can't help but laugh in amusment with a blush, calling you cutie and even romantic, reciprocating by saying how much she loves you too and how she adores that you are willing to take such risk just for her in the name of love!

Although Yumeko isn't willing to leave the gambling and stop taking risks, doing it makes her really happy, as happy as having you, and she will drag you with her into that world even if you don't want to, however she makes clear that no matter what happen she will always choose you, even if that lead the two of you to the end of the world or to hell itself she will be more than happy to face it as long as you two are together and had fun in the process

Marin Kitagawa

Marin is head over heels for her darling, it was a slowly process for her to fall in love but once it happens it is hard, in her eyes you are completely perfect and everything you do is perfect, Marin is completely lovesick for you and even think that there is no one better than you, you two are meant to be together

Love make Marin blind and she can't just see bad on her darling, for Marin her darling is just so cute! so amazing! so perfect! And just like that Marin can't stay away from her darling, she just love you so much that she wants to spend all the time she can with you, Marin is a completly clingy yandere, she always have her hands on you and is draging you everywhere she goes or just follows you with a smile, and when, for whatever reason she isn't with you she is constantly texting you or even calling you by the phone

Marin isn't easy to get mad but is quickly to stand up and defend what she loves when someone dares to say something bad about it, that includes you, if someone dares to say something bad about you or your relationship (or point out how extreme or unhealthy is) Marin is imediatly mad and quickly shut up the person, it doesn't matter who is, not a stranger or one of her friends

What if you want to monopolize her? you two just LOVE spending time together, you don't like that she talks to others? well, you are just being insecure and silly, worring that someone will try to steal her from you but she asures you that that will never happen, you look up at her in a extreme way? is just admiration! the same admiration she feels for you!

Marin is always so obvious with how much she loves you and she is sure that you love her just as much she does (even if you don't express it or it wasn't true in her mind that is how it is), Marin is pretty naive but when it comes to you she is even more blinded and just follows you lead as long as you ask kindly enough so the posibility of doubting her love is almost null, but what could trigger you can be jealous and/or desesperation, Marin is incredibly attractive and atract a lot attention to herself and not just that but she is a cosplayer and a model, there are always eyes on her, you like it or not

It isn't difficult to have time to yourself if you ask her, Marin is willing to leave you for a while as long as you answer her text and calls (she just can't not talk to you for too much time, she loves you too much) so planning the kidnapping wouldn't be difficult neither carry it out, Marin is naive and blinded by her love, just ask her with a smile and sweet words and she easily fall into your trap

When Marin wake up tied up she is confused, she was with you a moment ago! She is even calling your name, not really afraid (unless you sneaked behind her back). The moment you appear she asks you with a smile what is all of this about, when you start telling her that you love her so much and just wanted all herself just for you she is flustered and flattered, asking you to stop with a shamesly smile and a inmense blushing but still wanting to hear your sweet words

But when you mention that you kidnapted her and she can't escape is when she is troubled, Marin doesn't want this and is quickly to tell you, if she can't go out how she is supoused to continue with her work? without working she can't save money to buy you cute gifts and things to do cosplay, if she can't go out how she is supoused to show off her amazing darling to the world? how is she supoused to do cosplay with you like she dream to do if you two can't go out?

Marin isn't mad at you nor think this is a bad situation, for her is like moving forward in your relationship and get closer and closer, but she wants to go out because there are a lot of things she want to do with you. Marin won't stop until she finally manage to convince you to let her go so you two can continue going on dates, reasuring you that for her the rest of the world doesn't matter, she just want to be able to be with you and share her life with you

Satou Matsuzaka

For Satou her darling is like the light that iluminate her life, her everything, what she has been searching for so long, Satou never knew what was true love until she met you and since that day she wants nothing more than be loved by you and spend the rest of her life with you

Satou wants to spend every single minute of the day by your side, she wants to be able to melt on your presence and embrace and stay there forever, however she has things to do and she has to be far from you sometimes, it sadden her but she only endure it with the motivation that all that she is doing is to asure your future together. Although you two don't have to be apart for too long because you yourself do efforts for you two to spend as much time together you can, what make her completely ecstatic and makes every day feel like being in heaven

It could be difficult for people to tell how unhealthy your relationship can be since the yandere tendencies are well hidden, both of you always seem so happy and cheesy together, like if you were a couple straight out of a fairy tale and those toxic tendencies are easily brush off with love, happiness and willingness

Do you want to spend all the time with Satou and even monopolize her? what a coincidence! she wants nothing more than be with you! do you dislike when she interact with others or how much attention others put to her? Satou understand, she doesn't like it neither, she had already found the true love with you so she doesn't like others interfering on your relationship! do you start being possessive with her? there is no need! she is completely yours just as you are completely hers

Satou always make obvious how much she loves you and since you love her back she doesn't see a reason of why she should back with all the love and affection she has for you, also she is constantly talking about you with Shouko with such loving voice that can easily make anyone jealous, so doubting or being desperate for her love isn't an option to trigger you, however Satou is so beautiful that attract too much people, and some people that doesn't has the best intentions and that could easily trigger you

Planning on kidnapping her could be pretty easy since Satou is completely willing to let you alone for a while if you ask kindly enough (still she may worry a little about you and could trigger her a little if you insist), as well putting the plan into action won't be too difficult if you cover up with something romantic for her (sneaking behind her will be more difficult and suspicious), and since she trust you enough it won't be difficult for her to fall into your trap

The moment she wakes up tied up her first thought is you, are you alright? did something happened to you? She doesn't care if something happen to her, not like it will happen she can easily find a way to escape from this situation, but what about you?

When you make your appearance Satou is confused, what is all of this about? But when you start telling her that you have done all of this because of her, because you love her so much that you can't tolerate others trying to steal her from you, that you just wanted her to be with you forever, Satou is completely flustered and flattered, she has been feeling the same for so long! Satou wants so bad to be with you! She doesn't care nor need anyone else aside from you! Satou is so overwhelmed with the happiness and love that start crying

When you finally free her she doesn't waste anytime before throwing herself into your arms, still crying she start to speak her heart out and telling you that she loves you with the same intensity as you do for her! she wants nothing more than with be with you! Satou wants to protect you from every bad on the world too! she was planning to wait a little longer (maybe until you two finish the school) to finally ask you to officially unite your lives for the rest of your lives and never get apart again, but why wait when you want the same? Satou will be more than happy to start living with you however she will have to go out to work so you two can have your dream life, but there is no way she will try to run away, not when she has you

#danganronpa x reader #danganronpa goodbye despair x reader #yandere mikan tsumiki #mikan tsumiki x reader #mikan x reader #jshk x reader #tbhk x reader #yashiro nene x reader #yandere yashiro nene #yashiro x reader #kakegurui x reader #yumeko jabami x reader #yandere yumeko #yumeko x reader #my dress up darling x reader #marin kitagawa x reader #yandere marin kitagawa #marin x reader #happy sugar life x reader #satou matsuzaka x reader #yandere satou matsuzaka #satou x reader #yandere mikan x reader #yandere yumeko x reader #yandere yashiro x reader #yandere marin x reader #yandere satou x reader #x reader #x gn reader #yandere x reader

[whateverisbeautiful]

♥️ Ranking Richonne

#23: Glad To See You (S4E01)

Platonic where? 😋 I love this lovely scene that lets us know Rick and Michonne had fully won each other over during the time jump between s3 and s4. This scene arrives after several couples are spotlighted in the ep - Which is no coincidence. It also arrives directly after the sweet 'whole new plant' scene with our beloved Hershel - Which is no coincidence. Michonne even whistles to get your attention with it. Richonne and the family they form together are Rick and Michonne’s whole new plant...

I love that as the queen arrives on her horse it’s Rick and Carl who rush to let her in. Like Rick hears her coming and eagerly stands up (with a subtle smile I do believe) and immediately looks over to Carl, who is ready to run over, because they know they’ve both grown really fond of our girl Michonne.

The way Rick and Carl hustle over to her with smiles on their faces will forever melt my heart. And as if their whole body language didn’t make it clear they were happy she’s back, the first thing Rick sweetly tells Michonne is, “We’re glad to see you.” I love how much Rick and Carl like her and can’t hide it.

It's funny too because I always thought it was both Rick and Carl donning big smiles when they run to her, but watching it back, Carl is actually way more subtle in his expression than Rick lol. Gotta love that extra man. 😋

It’s sweet the way Michonne says, “Glad to see you too.” Rick and Michonne are both just the cutest, and they already look like they go together. Every scene they have reminds you that they are meant to be each other's person.

I love that Michonne got Carl that comic, and he’s so excited about it. And she's clearly so happy to have put a smile on his face. Their friendship is everything. And Carl's sincere little thank you. She brings out such a sweet side of him.

I adore that Michonne's personality is coming out more with her boys and Rick gets to witness her bond with his son here. Through Carl, Michonne began to be a mom again and I just so appreciate that. 

And Michonne saying, "I get to read them when you’re done" - it's pretty much canon that she and her kids love books together and it’s adorable. 😊

Then it's so sweet Michonne's playful teasing of Rick with the razor and saying his face is losing the war. Sis told on herself a little bit, thinking about his face while out on her run. But I mean again, who can blame her? 

And it's interesting that the show highlights her getting gifts for Carl and Rick specifically, showing how they're who she's grown closest to and who she thinks about while she's out. Even while somewhat still in her lone wolf era, they were already becoming family. 🥹

I like how getting gifts for both of them helps suggest that Michonne's not just on the fast track to becoming Carl's future mom, but also Rick's future wife. She's growing an undeniable bond with both of them.

I think it’s cute how Rick takes the razor and ponders what it all means, and then Michonne brings some playfulness when teasing him and smiling. She likes him, y’all. 😊 And Rick needs this kind of levity in his life. It's great how before Rick and Michonne loved each other, they really really liked each other as people and it didn't take long for them to realize that.

Also, one of the many things I so adore about how Andy and Danai play their characters is that they never play them one-dimensional. Instead of just coming across as typical 'strong and stoic survivors,' they instead add such compelling layers to their characters.

Rick isn't just tough, he's also capable of being truly warm and affectionate. Michonne isn't just a warrior, she's capable of being genuinely warm, affectionate, and playful too. 👌🏽

So Rick gives a little laugh when she teases him, and then he’s quiet for a bit. And watching this back, I'm tickled because he’s definitely a little nervous around her. 😊 This is Richonne's crush era after all, and so he seems to be feeling a lot inside perhaps.

And then he steps closer to her and asks if she’s going to stay a little while, which is something Rick always wants - Michonne to stay with him awhile. And I like that he can’t help but make it clear he wants her around.

I'm telling you, they’re so adorable in every frame of the scene, and their body language is giving ‘this won’t be platonic for long’ lol. 

Michonne answers, “Just a little while,” and Rick nods cuz more time around her is always music to his ears.

Then Daryl arrives, and y’all, this part of the scene will always be curious to me.

Cuz they have Daryl say glad to see Michonne in one piece and look right over at Rick, almost like he’s especially speaking for Rick (who we already know is particularly glad to see her from their moment just seconds before). And then Rick looks from Daryl over to Michonne like he wants Daryl to be more subtle or something lol. Which had me like...

Rick has that little frustrated reaction when Michonne says she’s going to look over near Macon, and Michonne seems to notice Rick’s reaction cuz she then emphasizes, "it’s worth a shot."

It’s interesting how Rick isn’t very talkative at this moment, but his face is giving away that he clearly has thoughts and doesn't want her to go lol. But he knows Michonne can do what she wants, even if he most wants her here safe. 

Rick says he’s going to stay at the prison when Daryl says he’s going on a run, and then Michonne quickly volunteers to go. And y'all, again...

Cuz idk, it almost reads like knowing Rick was staying makes Michonne quickly volunteer to go since she can’t let herself get too close to him yet - cuz the sparks be sparking when they’re together and right now that's a bit too vulnerable after her traumas from the last time she let people in close. I mean, I'm just saying.

And Carl is quick to remind Michonne that she just got here, which is super cute. It's clear that, like his dad, Carl really wants her around and fully a part of the family. But we’re not there yet in their journey, so Michonne just smiles and says she’ll be back and then walks away. My heart is always so warmed to see her presence so wanted by her boys. 

Rick watches her go, of course, and then Daryl pats him in a seemingly sympathetic way before Rick goes to help them head out. And, y’all, I stand by it…Daryl knew something. 😋

I might not know what exactly, but brother Daryl knew early that something was stirring between Rick and Michonne and that she was special to Rick somehow.

I've noticed how several characters seemed to be picking up on something between Rick and Michonne even before Rick and Michonne became fully aware of their feelings - Carl in s3’s Clear, Daryl in this s4 premiere, Sasha in s5 when she tells Michonne “it worked out for you,” Deanna clocked Richonne real early, and even Abe in s6 wondered if Rick and Michonne had been intimate for awhile. Lol by the time Rick and Michonne made their romance official, you know team family was just like…

Season 4 is a big one in the making of Richonne, and Rick and Michonne's first scene together in season 4 effectively planted more seeds toward how much their relationship would blossom as this season progressed.

Establishing Rick, Michonne, and Carl’s dynamic and heightened fondness for each other in the season 4 premiere was a great way to set up how they would soon become family in the fullest sense by the end of the season.

Like to go from this scene at the prison to traveling as a trio in 4b and having such familial moments in the s4 finale is perfection. Rick and Michonne's fondness for each other only strengthened, and they became an undeniable family unit that managed to carve out some genuine happiness even wandering the woods with no home base. This truly is the season when Rick and Michonne start to become home to each other.

And I love that from the premiere to the finale of season four, these two only grew closer and closer and more and more glad to see each other. 😌

#richonne #top 30 #number 23 #rick x michonne #twd 4.01 #reveling in richonne #twd towl #the ones who live

[witcher-and-his-bard]

Love Letters

Pairing: Geralt x Jaskier Warning(s): none Rating: general

Fic Summary: Jaskier writes down all his feelings in a letter he never expects Geralt to see - only for Geralt to arrive shortly after, snowed out of Kaer Morhen.

For @jackironsides 💜

My beloved Geralt

Dear Geralt

Geralt, my love

No matter what he writes, it sounds wrong. Too intimate, too casual, too... much in one way or another. Jaskier hasn't even gotten past the introduction and he already wants to give up on the letter. It feels so easy over the summer, when he and Geralt spend long, muggy days walking side-by-side. Jaskier sings and Geralt rides, and occasionally, Geralt will even sing along with whatever he's playing.

Now, in the dark of his room at the academy, those feelings feel dull and distant. Not Jaskier's feelings, of course, but the potential reciprocation. These days, he finds himself thinking about Geralt's relationships with Eskel or Lambert, or even Vesemir. He wonders how different those relationships are to the one he shares with Geralt. Maybe those gentle things Geralt says to him in the comfort of their shared inn rooms are just things Geralt would say to anyone.

Ugh. Jaskier flops backward in his chair, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. He wishes there was an easy way to know these things, and for the first time in a long time he finds himself envying Yennefer. She could just read Geralt's mind, she could just know. And Geralt? He can smell emotions or something like that; at least, he always seems to know when Jaskier is upset about something. Maybe he took the wrong path in life. Maybe he should have tried to get into Ban Ard and become a mage. Surely there is some chaos in him, enough, at least, to be able to read minds.

Briefly, Jaskier considers contacting Yen. They've had a better relationship as of late, and she might be able to give him some insight, if nothing else. But he doesn't want to drag her into something that isn't really any of her business. Not because he's afraid to tell her, but because she might not want to know. She's happy now - travelling with Triss and Istredd last he heard - but there might be some leftover feelings there and he doesn't want to bring up Geralt in a romantic setting if he doesn't need to. Plus, he doesn't want to feel like more of a burden than he already does.

Jaskier looks down at the half-started letter in front of him and angrily crumples it up before blowing out the candle and shoving his chair back. He flops forward onto folded arms, looking out into the blue of the night sky, speckled with snow. Normally, he would take comfort in a view like this, but tonight, it just reminds him of how far away Geralt is.

Is it even worth beginning a relationship when they spend so much time apart? Would Geralt even be interested? Even if he was madly in love with Jaskier, would that be enough? What's the point when you have no one to cuddle with and watch the snowfall? But then maybe Geralt would want to visit some winters if they were more.

Gods, he wants that more than he can even properly comprehend. The idea of falling asleep in Geralt's arms feels like the height of romance. Already, Jaskier treasures the moments he falls asleep listening to Geralt's voice, even if he does feel a bit bad about it in the morning. Despite himself, a dopey smile spreads across his face at the thought. He misses Geralt more than he can say while they're apart in the winter. It's only a little into the season and already the long, dark winter feels endless.

Jaskier inhales deeply, sighs, and sits up to write. He's determined to finish this letter, even if it never reaches its intended audience.

Geralt,

I know it's barely been a month since we parted, but I find myself longing again for your company. Teaching is hectic as always, and my students love a tale of your heroism. I know you don't consider yourself a hero, but I do. Though lately, I find myself recalling different moments from our travels. I find myself thinking of the evenings after a contract has been completed and paid. I think back to the ale or tea and the stars hanging low in the sky. The way the firelight flickers on your face. I miss that. I miss the way your hair falls in your face when you take it down to sleep. I miss how stubborn you are about that awful headband. And I regret to tell you now that I've grown... rather fond of it, actually.

Rather rarely do I find myself at a loss for words, but they escape me when I try to nail down all the things I feel for you. I know I am a mere mortal, doomed to die years or even decades before you, but given the chance, I would happily live out the rest of my life at your side. Perhaps even in your arms.

I know love is not a word you use often, but the way I feel it could very well become something so all-encompassing. I can't promise that love is how I feel now. I find myself mixed up in a way I've never felt before. That's not to say that I don't love you, because I do. As a friend, as a companion, as something more. Perhaps one day, even as a lover. Even if you don't feel the same, I want you to know that you are deeply cared for in every way one person can care for another. I don't mind if you don't want to see me again, so long as it is your wish, and one borne out of intention rather than fear. Because although I've never spoken the words, I've longed for you for days and weeks and months and years, silently staying by your side. Perhaps one day you will have me there on purpose - despite, or maybe even because of, my feelings for you.

Until then, I remain yours, as always.

Jaskier.

Jaskier looks over the letter once more and, feeling an uncomfortable swell of emotion, folds it neatly and tucks it into an envelope that just reads Geralt. He's only just finished hiding the evidence when there's a knock at his door.

"Yes?" he asks.

"Sorry to interrupt so late," the voice on the other side of the door says. Jassa, Jaskier thinks, his assistant at the university. "You have a guest."

"A guest?" Jaskier asks, perplexed. Who on earth would brave this weather just to visit? The only guests he normally has are students or his fellow professors, either of whom would just come to his room and knock themselves.

"He says he's a friend. Geralt? I think," Jassa says.

Jaskier's heart somersaults.

"Right," he says, "of course. Send him up. I'll leave the door open."

"Certainly," Jassa smiles. "I'll send him right up. Have a good night, Professor."

"And you," Jaskier finishes, barely aware of what he's saying.

What is Geralt doing here? Of all the years they've known each other, he's never once come to visit over the winter, so why now? Jaskier turns around, leaning on the door, and is struck by the state of his room. For the last two days, he's done nothing but lie around and sulk, and it shows. He absolutely cannot let Geralt see his room like this.

Given he has roughly four minutes, maybe a few more if Geralt stops to talk to Jassa before coming up, it's not going to be easy. So Jaskier starts with the worst of it: the clothes and things laying all over the bed and floor. There is a surprising amount of mess considering Jaskier is the only one residing in the room, but he manages to get the worst of it tidied before the knock at the door. A final glance tells him only the desk and table are still cluttered, but that much is acceptable so he crosses to the door.

As he pulls it open, Jaskier is struck by Geralt's smile. He always is when they haven't seen each other for some time, but this feels more. Maybe it's because he's been considering his own feelings lately, but looking at Geralt, here and in person, makes his legs weak.

"Hi," he says shakily.

Geralt gives him an odd look, but it quickly turns into a half-smile and he steps into the room when Jaskier moves aside.

"I hope I'm not intruding," he says gently, "it's no trouble to find a room at the inn if-"

"Not at all," Jaskier interrupts. "I'd be happy to host you if you're staying.”

"I had hoped to," Geralt says.

"What brings you?" Jaskier asks.

"The route to Kaer Morhen was snowed over by the time we arrived in Kaedwen," he explains, "I thought this might be the best place to stay."

Part of Jaskier is delighted at the thought, though when he considers it further, Oxenfurt is further than any of the other places Geralt would be more than welcome to stay over the winter. There's no good reason for him to have travelled all the way to the coast, when surely Yen would have taken him in without question. Their relationship may not be romantic anymore, but Jaskier knows there is still a deep love between them. And he's happy for it, which makes it all the more confusing why Geralt is here. He thinks to ask, but reconsiders.

"Please," he says, remembering his manners, "make yourself at home. I can have a bath poured if you're tired? Was Roach properly cared for? Shall I call for supper-"

"Jaskier," Geralt says gently, "Roach is fine. A small meal would be nice, but there's no rush. Right now I'd just like to relax."

Of course, Jaskier thinks. He must have been travelling for weeks if he first attempted the path and then had to turn back. Jaskier had left him just north of the Pontar, between the mountain ranges, so that must have been-

"Jaskier?" Geralt asks, cutting off his train of thought. "Is everything alright?"

"Fine," Jaskier assures him. "Just wasn't expecting company and I'm not prepared for it- Not that you're not welcome!" he corrects quickly, and with a little too much vigour.

"Perhaps you're the one who needs a rest," Geralt says, half-teasingly.

"Just to get my head on straight," Jaskier assures him. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable and I'll go fetch something warm for you to eat."

Jaskier slips from the room, only stopping one he's far enough away that Geralt won't hear him. He stops and sighs, pressing a hand to his chest as if to stop the mad beating of his heart. Surely Geralt has heard it already and he’s given himself away, but he was hardly expecting to be visited like this out of the blue.

He takes another few calming breaths before continuing on down to the kitchen. He's close with the chef - with most of the staff if he's honest - and has more than once helped him out of a sticky situation with less-than-edible herbs, so his request for a private supper is granted with a smile. In the meantime, Jaskier makes his way back up to the room, holding his breath for a moment before opening the door.

Geralt is standing over the desk in the small room, mumbling quietly. As Jaskier approaches, slipping up behind him, he realizes Geralt is reading the poetry he'd been working on. Jaskier has never been so relieved to know how little Geralt thinks about his poems, as these ones are nearly explicitly about him, the only relief being that his name is not used. Wolf, he uses once or twice, but it's a metaphor and Geralt always says he doesn't care for flowery things like metaphors.

"This is... lovely," Geralt says, though he sounds a bit off as he does.

"Thank you," Jaskier says quietly, slipping around to Geralt's side to see which one he's reading.

"You- your narrator sounds sad."

"Ah, yes. Been a bit of a downer lately, I suppose."

Jaskier tries to laugh it off but Geralt turns to look at him, something like concern in his expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing's wrong," Jaskier assures. "I've just not been feeling myself."

"Can I help?"

Jaskier is taken aback by the blunt suggestion and his head jerks up to meet Geralt's eyes.

"I'm not sure you could, love," he says gently.

"If someone has hurt you-"

"No," Jaskier says quickly.

"You reek of heartache," Geralt says bluntly.

"Right. Well." He considers for a moment before deciding against lying to Geralt. "Unrequited love, I'm afraid."

"How do you know it is?"

"Unrequited?" Jaskier laughs, "oh, my darling, he'd have to be the stupidest man alive not to know. Or perhaps the most oblivious. I'm sure he would have said something if he felt the same."

"You haven't," Geralt counters.

"Right, well- He wouldn't want someone like me, surely."

"Perhaps he feels you think the same of him."

Jaskier had considered that option, but it seems unlikely.

"Either way, it's best just to tell him. I'm sure he'll be flattered if nothing else."

The mere suggestion of it makes Jaskiers stomach turn and he nods slowly. Thankfully, at that moment, supper is delivered to their room and he is spared the thought of confessing his feelings - out loud - to Geralt.

His relief is short-lived as supper is finished shortly, but he makes an excuse about taking the dishes away and dashes out the door with them. Jaskier wants to cry. He can't believe he's gotten himself into a mess like this and he can only hope Geralt doesn't continue to bring it up.

He's so distracted thinking about it that it seems like seconds before he's standing back in front of his door. He hesitates before opening the door, keeping his eyes closed until the last possible moment.

When he opens his eyes, Jaskier's heart jumps into his throat. As Geralt turned to see him, a piece of paper had fallen from his hands and Jaskier can't take his eyes off it. He'd been so preoccupied worrying about the mess when Geralt showed up that he'd forgotten to hide the letter. And it was addressed to Geralt, he had every right to read it, but-

"Jaskier?"

Jaskier scrambles across the floor, reaching for the letter, but Geralt catches his wrist, holding him still.

"Is this just another one of your poems?" he asks quietly.

Jaskier shakes his head. There's no use denying it.

"It's… me. I'm the one you were talking about earlier."

Jaskier half wishes he could fall through the floor and never have to finish this conversation. Sadly, despite how hard he wishes, the floor refuses to open up beneath him. He nods.

"I want to hear you say it."

Jaskier's tongue feels heavy in his mouth but he manages, "I don't know what to say. I don't want to make any big confessions I can't live up to."

"Then how about this?" Geralt says.

He leans in, taking Jaskier's face in his hand, and softly presses their lips together. For a moment, Jaskier forgets to breathe and has trouble believing this is real at all. But when Geralt pulls back again, he's smiling, his cheeks a faint shade of pink. Jaskier's first thought is that it's quite a pretty colour on him before he presses forward and kisses him again.

"Yeah," he breathes, barely pulling away to speak, "I think that's a good start."

#rex writes #i just barely managed to sneak in a fic in January #first one of the year #geraskier #geralt x jaskier #jaskier x geralt #the witcher

[rose-tea-and-strawberries]

The Joker(s) And The Queen

Masterlist

Warning: I write the Reader as female

Pairing: Ace x Reader x Deuce

And I know you could fall for a thousand kings

And hearts that would give you a diamond ring

When I fold, you see the best in me

The joker and the queen

- Ed Sheeran, The Joker and the Queen

They are card soldiers and the duty of a card soldier is to serve his queen - but how could they be asked to do that when they’ve already sworn their devout and unyielding loyalty to you? 

If there was one thing that Ace and Deuce could agree on was that you were the best thing that’s ever happened to them. The otherworldly prefect who entered their lives in a blaze of glory.

It wasn’t no one’s fault that you can both brighten and lighten any room you entered, at how all eyes would immediately turn to you. You were someone whose very existence demanded to be awed and admired and praised. And as much as they were more than willing to do all of the above, they knew that they weren’t the only ones.

They would be fools to ignore how beloved you are by the student body, how you have every single student wrapped around your little finger, how despite not possessing a lick of magic in your body, you had become the most powerful being in school with the way you have the rich, famous and mighty treating you as if you were the reason the sun rose in the morning and set at night. It was clear that you were the object of desire of many - and for good reason. Despite your limitations, you were a pillar of strength, boldly facing every adversity that this twisted school threw at you. Your kind nature saving not only the overblotees but also many other students from a dark and tragic fate. Even with no magical abilities you’ve achieved the impossible and they knew that your circle of friends, which at first were only them, Grim and the Ramshackle ghosts, would only continue to grow and grow as more and more of their peers become aware of just how awe-inspiring you are and they are left to wither away in the shadows, left on the cold and dark sidelines to watch as you get pursued by people who are more worthy to bask in your light.

To say that someone like you is a rarity would be an understatement. In this school of villains, of conmen and crooks, tyrants and thieves, of dark beasts that would claw their way to the top through any means necessary, that would lie and stab to achieve their goals, someone as pure and angelic as you was simply unheard of. A celestial beauty so ethereal that even wild animals and woodland creatures are in reverence of you. Your existence was a siren’s call, and like moths to a flame, they are all ready to drown themselves if it meant they could take even a step closer to you.

You have princes, celebrities, men so wealthy that they could buy you an island and consider it pocket money, all ready to give you a life that even fairytale characters could only dream of. You have people with power who could give you anything you desire: titles, crowns, sceptres, the stars and moon. You had the literal world at your fingers and the ability to do whatever you wanted yet- 

Yet you chose them. The objects of your coveted affections, the ones who hold the honour of receiving your tender love and unconditional care, the ones who are blessed with the privilege of calling you theirs - are them. The two foolhardy, act-first-think-second boys who you had to save from expulsion on their first day.

It’s Ace’s eyes you meet from the bleachers of the gymnasium during a basketball match. It’s his name that you’re screaming, cheering and wearing - the bold, block-lettered ‘TRAPPOLA’ on the back of your jersey making it clear just who it is you came there to see. And if there were any fools that weren’t so sure, the breathtaking kiss he plants on your lips after he jogs over to your front row seat in the stands should seal the deal, especially when you reciprocate with fervent enthusiasm.

It’s Deuce’s jacket you wear when you run errands, the oversized black leather that once symbolised physical proof of his shameful past now proudly engulfs your shoulders, the silver ‘Spade’ as clear as day. It’s Deuce who you meet with at the end of his track and field club, it’s his tie that you elegantly loop around his neck and expertly loop into a windsor knot before tugging him towards you and pressing his lips against yours.

It’s them who you open up to, who you let your walls down and tears fall, who you allow to embrace you in your darker moments. It’s them who you run to in your times of joy, who you hug and kiss in elation, not caring who might be watching. It’s them that you praise, that you brag about to others. It’s them who has your full attention. It’s their hands that you hold. It’s them that you invite to Ramshackle and who you snuggle up against late at night.

They showed you the worst of them, from the first day they met you it was clear that they were nothing but trouble: a brash class clown and a violent former gangster yet with all of that, with all the trouble they’ve given you and continue to give you, you still chose them.

Every single day, you choose them. You take their weaknesses and polish them into strengths. You always see the best in them, despite the many instances where you would’ve been well within your right to not. Instead of letting them drag you down, you brought them up, lifting them into the pedestal that was your love. You support them wholeheartedly, in their dreams, passions and pursuits. Never once do you listen to the whispers of others, the ones that call them no-good, tactless mischief makers who would only bring you trouble - instead you’re the one who defends them, who is more than ready to defend them in a blink of an eye.

They know that you’re too good for them, that their reputation is rightfully deserved but please continue to indulge them. Like you are now, with your blissfully sleeping body sandwiched between them, happily snug inside both of their embraces, let them continue to worship you, to covet you like the beloved Majesty you are. Let them continue to hear the words you sleepily whispered to them before you sailed away into the silver mist of your dreams.

“I love you boys”

A card soldier lives to serve his queen so please continue to choose them. They’ll be sure to spend every breath in this life and the next, swearing their hearts, bodies and souls to you in eternal servitude. 

“What do you see in them?” A Pomefiore first year asks you as the two boys are once again being scolded by a teacher for unruly behaviour during class.

You gaze lovingly at your boyfriends, the two that you know without question would stand by your side - the ones that have always stood by your side, since the very beginning - and all you can see is their courage, their loyalty, the fact that no matter how scared you become in this strange, magical new world you know that you have no reason to fear anything if you have those two. 

The only possible answer you can give to your classmate is, “my future.”

How was I to know?

It's a crazy thing

I showed you my hand

And you still let me win

#twst #twst x reader #twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland x reader #ace trappola x reader #deuce spade x reader #ace x reader x deuce #adeuyuu #adeuceyuu #fem reader

[rawrsatthetree]

So I’ve had three play throughs so far where I’ve romanced Astarion. Two were Dark Urge and one was a vanilla Tav.

Since so many people can’t wrap their head around how anyone could possibly help Astarion Ascend so I want to run through my thought process of why my Dark Urge Tav’s did help him.

First I’ll start with Puk, my evil bard dark urge. I think of Puk as a dark urge that Orin should have stabbed harder.

He naturally falls back into who he always was, never resisting his killing urge and love of chaos. He’s a cruel, manipulative, power hungry, monster and he loves it. He’ll take any offer that equals more power, going so far to become half illithid. His evil nature is only encouraged by Minthara and Astarion. Puk knew as soon as he remembered his heritage that he wanted to reclaim his spot as Bhaal’s chosen having already re-earned his slayer form. Puk never thought twice about Astarion Ascending, more power for his little vampire meant more power for him. And if Astarion could make him immortal all the better. He doesn’t care how it will change Astarion, he’s always been a toy for Puk: a key to immortality and fine breeding stock for ascendant dhampire bhaalspawn. Puk doesn’t mind playing the submissive little consort either, at least until he takes control of the brain and makes his vampiric master nothing more than a thrall to sit at his feet while he becomes absolute in Bhaal’s name.

Next my other dark urge Ilona, they were my first play through. I’ll admit they started out as a self insert but I’ve replayed they’re run and fleshed them out to be their own character. Unlike Puk, Orin left Ilona’s head full of scrambled eggs. They barley remember how to be a person and start off with very little personality beyond their urge. As they gain companions and spend time around others slowly the urge is joined by a new person starting to form. As this new personality arises they start to become scared of the urge realizing how they’re companions react to them whenever they let the it take control. Especially after the Alfira incident they start to resist the urge and wanting to be free of it. Of course because they’re an excellent killer and their brain is easily manipulated goo, Astarion picks them as his protector. Ilona is completely defenseless against him easily falling for his honeyed words and attention. However as they grow closer they become completely codependent on each other. As they become more and more afraid of the urge they become more and more dependent on Astarion. He’s their protector just as much as they’re his. This only spirals out of control when they get to Baldurs Gate and learn of their past, they’re terrified. They start to feel hopeless in standing up to Bhaal becoming an unholy assassin and almost ready to except their fate to become their father’s chosen puppet. They’re so wrapped up in their past they’re not sure how they feel about Astarion ascending. It seems like what he wants to do and when he promises he needs that power to protect them both to keep them both safe forever, Ilona believes him. Plus it’s not like they can judge him what’s 7000 souls when they’ve killed countless innocents for less. They just don’t have the strength to deny him and risk loosing the one source of safety and comfort they have. They don’t mind becoming his spawn, between loosing their memory and the urge they don’t trust their own mind, better to let Astarion have it. Even if one day he compels them, it’s for the best if he does the thinking for them anyways. Deep down they know they deserve how he treats them. That and with the. daddy issues deeply rooted in their psyche from both Sarevok and Bhaal part of them loves it. They’re his little consort his beloved pet and he’s their master, their husband, and father. For better or for worse they feel they deserve each other.

My vanilla Tav is an Oath of Devotion Paladin. They were never really onboard with the whole Ascension thing. They love Astarion but they’re worried about what that kind of power will do to him. They do start to falter in act 3 after facing so many horrors they’re beginning to loose faith in their Oath and fearing the worst. Maybe it would be ok, he could use that power for good! To defeat the absolute and save the city, to save themselves. When he says he wants that power so they can be safe forever, for good; they almost make up their mind then and there to help him when the time comes. They steel their resolve to stand by him just like they promised however when they come face to face with his victims tied to the ritual, they break. Looking into Sebastian’s eyes, easily picturing themselves in that cell with him, they promise he will not die trapped in that cage and they mean it. Even if Astarion hates them, they can’t let him go through with the ritual if not to save him than to save those poor souls that fell for Astarion’s charm just as they had. And when Astarion smiles at them and tells them he loves them, they feel their faith and hope return.

#I have more fun when I really flesh out my player character’s motivations and feeling and let that guide my choices #bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #baldurs gate #astarion #bg3 astarion #baldurs gate astarion #bg3 dark urge #bg3 durge #bg3 tav #baldurs gate 3 tav #baldur's gate 3 #ascended astarion #astarion x durge #durgestarion #durge #my durge #my tav #astarion x tav #tavstarion #bg3 oc #bg3 ocs

[rriavian]

Do you think Morpheus knows deep inside that Corinthian is his mirror? The reflection of his own darkness and desire?

Jessamy my beloved! I love getting asks from you! They are always the most interesting questions to really make me think about how to put my thoughts into words! <3 Sorry it took so long to answer this one (think I broke my record for time taken to answer an ask eek)!

I had this typed out nearly ready to post but got very distracted by Corintheus week! Can't believe it's February already, I hope you’re having a good New Year so far 😊

Does Morpheus know that the Corinthian is his mirror?

I think that Dream does, and that in some ways he holds himself responsible for the difficulty of it, because I think we can all agree that it’s a lot for any singular creation of his to embody. On the flipside of this you could argue that Fiddler’s Green is supposed to be a reflection of the light—the ‘heart’ of the Dreaming, a representation of pure life giving creation—with Gault as the fluid, transformative, link between all three of the major arcana. I think I’ve talked briefly about this before but it’s relevant again for this question.

Her place as a link between the two extremes, and her transformative powers, makes sense for why Gault would want to become a dream (and perhaps another reason why Dream agreed in the end) but it also suggests how complicated the facets of Dream’s identity are.

(I could probably make an entire separate post on this but! Moving on!)

All three major arcana reject him just as the rest of his creations do, are the last to return to the Dreaming and none of them do it by choice. Even Fiddler’s Green needs to first be tracked down. The Corinthian is found at the convention where Dream takes responsibility for making him the way he is, designating his rebellion as his own failure. The Corinthian was his masterpiece but I think Dream might now consider that as designing too ambitious a spec, the coding perfect but corrupted in the end. I think that assessment could be why he highlights the Corinthian’s purpose as being a dark mirror for humanity instead of one for himself, despite how closely those two things seem to be bound.

Not necessarily changing his mind, just changing the emphasis.

But, as I said, I also think Dream made the Corinthian for it. To be able to take it. Or at least hoped that he would—another reason why he might have said that he’d had so much hope for him, why Dream was so disappointed—not constructed to be given a burden, not supposed to be that at all. In many ways I think that’s why he’s a major arcana. But the Corinthian also has his own unique darkness, perhaps finding its origins in his creators but without its place in Dream’s larger puzzle it expresses differently, the exploration of what happens to a counterpoint to a dream that isn’t held internally.

The Corinthian is far more selfish with his darkness, lives out all that desire and need the way Dream can’t (and won’t), can embody it wholeheartedly because he’s not supposed to be balanced in the same way.

Yet in doing so he offers balance; can offer that to Dream, the same way he allows darker human impulses a chance to take center stage.

An outlet for it all.

All of Dream’s creations in some way seem to be that, a combination of the restriction of a role and the individuality of personality, might have a set purpose but have choices in how they carry out what they are. The same as Dream really. They are concepts personified, ideas and emotions that might originate in another, whether it be humanity or their creator, but they’ve been given their own voice.

It's no one way dictation…a dialogue with humanity because their function is to speak back.

So yes, I think that Dream knows that the Corinthian is his dark mirror far better than the Corinthian himself does. I think he knows how important he is in a way the Corinthian doesn’t see (the way the rest of his creations sometimes can’t see about themselves either).

I think the existence of a dark mirror (and other such representations) are a way in which Dream keeps emotionally healthy, just as they are a way for humans to keep emotionally healthy, and you could even argue that it’s how his creations keep themselves healthy too. Change and growth are certainly positive aspects of life, but like anything that’s not necessarily universal, because so is embracing what you are. Who you are. Without referencing my own neurodivergence too much, I think we can all understand circumstances where forcing oneself to change is far from a good and healthy thing.

Acceptance of the parts of oneself that we struggle with/have a tricky relationship with is a big part of what dreams and nightmares help humans to do.

It’s a big part of what a nightmare does.

Ok, this is getting long, so I’m going to make one final point. So I think that Dream could have spent centuries living vicariously through the Corinthian’s nightmarish nature and then finding that crucial mechanism corrupted, poisoned, when the Corinthian suddenly started killing dreamers in the Waking World. I don’t think that’s one of Dream’s desires at all, secret or otherwise, and I think it repulsed him to the point of potentially threatening to destabilise the rest of the system.

Perhaps Dream found his own darkness felt tainted by a reflection that (however intentional the rejection was) no longer wanted to mirror him.

In killing dreamer's the Corinthian was showing how he no longer wanted to mirror humanity (wanted to take from them instead, thought that a better match for what he was made for) and in doing so denied not only Dream, but his own identity too in no longer wanting to be what he was. For someone like Dream I think killing the dreamer’s would have been deeply offensive, an incredibly personal insult, a perversion of his function and an attack on what agency he has to fulfill it.

Whatever disgruntlement Dream may have with his role, he was then faced with the result of how instead of having a healthy outlet, those feelings could have been twisted/warped within the Corinthian's own unique mix of individuality and function. Perhaps in many ways it felt like being forced to kill his dreamers with his own hands.

And I think that was why when Dream found him in Berlin he was so quick to decide to unmake the Corinthian on the spot.

#thank you so much for the ask! #as always I took a while #but I will always always answer every ask #Jessamy my love <3 #the sandman #dream of the endless #corintheus #sandman tv meta #kinda #rria tries to write meta #show based as I'm more familiar with it

[anxiousnerdwritings]

Not So Happy Ending

How could this have happened?

How could they have allowed this to happen?

They should have been more keen, more aware of what was going on under their own noses. They should have been more strict. If only they had stopped arguing and fighting amongst each other. If only they had really come together as a unified family then maybe they wouldn’t be here now. They wouldn’t currently be sat in the middle of a beautiful ceremony that should be filled with nothing but happiness and joy instead of animosity and disdain. They wouldn’t have to witness their shared pride and joy walk down the aisle to someone so undeserving as him.

The only thing keeping them all in their seats and their mouths shut was the oh so warm and loving smile their precious (Name) had spread across their face. Although it did absolutely disgust them how such a beautiful and pure sight was being directed to such a loathsome person, the bane of their existence really.

Who was to know just how serious things would become later on? Who was to know that someone they had presumed as harmless in the very beginning would be the one to tear their lives apart? Honestly, they should have seen it coming but they just wanted their darling happy.

It was already hard enough to get them to accept and love the family as their own when they first brought their precious sweetheart home (and they had fought back so hard too) but now they were expected to sit idle and allow someone to steal away their beloved child, their adoring sibling. No, they’ve spent too much time, love, blood and sweat in building their little family back up from the ashes. If it weren’t for their cherished (Name) being brought into all their lives who knows how this family would have ended up. Their vary existence is what salvaged them all and they would be damned to let it slip through their fingers.

No, no one was going to tear their family apart not when they had finally found solace after being lost in the dark for far too long.

As if this whole thing wasn’t reason enough to start plotting away, the bright shining smile their darling sent their way was all they needed. They all shared a look amongst each other and as much as they disagreed and fought, they would come together to bring their sweetheart home and keep them there. No matter who got hurt in the process.

#yandere #yandere imagine #yandere writing #yandere writings #yandere platonic #yandere family #platonic yandere #yandere x reader #yandere platonic x reader #platonic x reader #yandere imagines #imagines #yandere dc #yandere batfamily #yandere superfamily #yandere marvel #yandere avengers #yandere anime #yandere male #yandere female #x reader #yandere x y/n #yandere blurb #yandere mom #yandere dad #yandere sister #yandere brother

[angeledeggs]

Hey! Xx can you please do a HC for the courtiers having a S/O that they’ve known since they were humans? Like the S/O probably became a demon In order to stay with them.

I sure can! Btw, this was SO fun to write<3!!

Valerius🍷:

He's so very touched to have you. He's self conscious and though most don't know it, you know after being with him for so long.

"Are you sure you still want me?" He'll whisper to you at night. "Don't you want something better than me?"

When he was younger, he would shrug away your touch and scoff at you. He dosent know how he managed to keep you. But now he doesn't. He finds one of his only stress relievers to be at night when you two cling to each other.

If you ever become a demon for him or do something supernatural to stay with him, he will definitely cry.

How could you still love him? How could someone as sweet and beautiful as you love a corrupt man such as himself?

It's not long before he asks you to marry him. He should have a long time ago. But he finds the matching wedding bands ease the ache in his heart often.

Vlastomil🐛:

He's very old. He can't remember how many generations he's lived through. How many people he's seen die. But you never do. And it's not long before he realizes what you've done.

He confronts you, begging for you to say that you haven't done anything wrong to extend your lifespan for him, but he takes one look at your eyes, and he knows.

He's so mad at first. Why did you have to stay with him? He didn't deserve you, anyway. You just had to commit yourself to him in such a way...

He sheds many tears in his office.

But one day he just can't handle distancing himself from you anymore. You're the love of his life-- he shouldn't have distanced himself from you at all, oh, he's so sorry.

He can barely explain his apology in between tears, but he gets the point across well enough when he fumbles with his own rings, when he messily slips one onto your fingers, when he drops to his knees before you.

Valdemar💉:

They never ask you how you live as long as them. They already know why. You're their beloved, and as long as you are happy, they are aswell.

At night they find themselves turn to your sleeping form and hesitate to touch you. Their fingers are claws, their skin is no longer it's natural shade, but green, they have horns. They do not deserve you. They deserve not even to gaze upon you. In their eyes, you are still the sweetest human in the world.

Only when you plead with them to finally hold you like they used to do they give in. They have missed your warmth in their cold, dead arms.

The very same night they finally hold you after so long, they blurt it out. "Marry me." They whisper. "What?" You manage. Valdemar's eyes are teary. They force your head to look away with a hand at your jaw. They tremble against your back, your form pressed against their chest. Their tears are cold against your hair. "Marry me." They repeat.

Your ring is made of iron and bone.

Volta🍰:

She's so touched that you've stayed by her side for so long. She dosent like to think of it, though. She feels a lingering dread in her belly when she does. Why, you're human, it's such a surprise you've lasted as long as her. She is a demon after all, the only way you could last as long as her is if you--

Oh, no. No. You shouldn't have done that at all, you shouldn't have become a demon just for her. Why would you do that?

She loves you more than anything, you're her darling, why would you do such a thing? She finds herself constantly crying at night, distraught even as you comfort her.

She can barely eat or talk to the other courtiers she's so upset, so angry at herself for not noticing and intervening sooner. She should have noticed! She should have noticed that you became a demon like her...

Two demons. She contemplates this for a long time. Two demons, together. A sudden thought strikes her.

She runs to you in the middle of the day. She trips over many things, but it's fine, she needed to do this on her knees anyway. She scrambles to your legs, still on her knees, and clasps your hands in her own, and declares her offer of marriage.

She has no ring for you. But she has a bangle on her wrist. And so that shall be your wedding ring.

Vulgora⚔️:

They would be happy forever if only besides you. They always told themself that. And it's so true. They love you so much, more than anyone, more than anything.

And they had always just assumed you were human like when you both met

They don't think much of you living as long as them, at first. They don't pay attention to many things, after all. And then one day, they're just looking at you when they realize, that, oh. That's why you lived so long. It's because you're like them.

They don't know what to think, they're kind of numb to it at first. How could they not notice?

They think of it for a long, long time. Such a long time. They are unusually quiet. And then one day they just embrace you so tight your back cracks, their muscles tight and tense.

Pressed in an embrace, they present to you their oldest sword, and they beg for your hand in marriage, to commit themselves to you as you had commit themselves to them.

❀

#the arcana #the arcana apprentice #the arcana fanfic #the arcana game #consul valerius #praetor vlastomil #vlastomil #volta #pontifex vulgora #vulgora #the arcana vulgora #valdemar x reader #valdemar x mc #valdemar the arcana #quaestor valdemar #valdemar #requests are welcome #reqs open

[gib-vinegar]

Yandere! Klarion The Witch Boy Headcanons (Young Justice)

A/N: Feel free to skip this if the subject matter makes you uncomfy! 0u0 OOC warning (?) as well. Picture edited by me.

P.S, I do not condone this behavior in real life.

• Klarion is delusional and wants all of your time and attention when he’s around. He found the whole idea of soulmates and all that to be a waste of time until he saw you. He just felt something *click* in his head as he stared at you, this new, raw feeling threatening to overwhelm his senses he was so sure it couldn’t be anything else other than this gushy emotion mortals fought and died for. Love. Such a sweet feeling, and we know he’s got a sweet tooth. ♡  • Whatever personality or occupation you have won’t matter to him. Hero, Villain or just a regular civilian he adores you all the same, and he’s 100 percent sure that when you meet him you’ll feel the same way he does! You’re soulmates after all, duh! • Any sort of positive affirmation, be it big or small he’ll take it as confirmation that you like him back. Even if you act like you hate his guts his mind will spin it as you playfully teasing him and if anyone besides you tries to contradict his mindset, well… he’s been looking for a new chew toy for his dear Teekl… • Speaking of which... helping protect Teekl in some way will endear you to him quicker, but it’s not the only way to catch his attention. Nonetheless the feline will end up becoming a platonic yandere for you down the line in Klarion’s obsession.

• Will absolutely stalk you before and after officially “meeting” you but there’s a few times when he almost got caught by accidentally being too loud or something of the sort. Other times he gets Teekl to follow you into certain places and report back to him later if it’s an area that’s safe for her to be in on her own.

• If you ever notice any of your friends acting strangely and giving you a dazed or lovesick expression, it’s Klarion in disguise– but he never stays like that around you too long, he was just curious on how you act with him vs your friends, if you show affection to him while he’s like that he’ll be over the moon! …until he remembers what form he’s in and promptly excuses himself to go throw a tantrum somewhere far away from your location.

• Vandal picks up on the witch boy’s fondness for you early, but not the intensity of it in the beginning. He’s seen Klarion go through phases over the countless millennia they’ve worked together where he would fixate for a while on a particular subject or person before it died off one way or another. He’ll get over it…

• Except he didn’t, it was different this time, stronger than before and now it’s getting to the point where it could be a liability to The Light’s plans if you were involved in any of them. If you end up getting hurt because of something they orchestrated, Klarion will flip out and go after whoever was involved with said plan and might even leave the group entirely. So it’s best for the other members’ safety to keep away from his beloved (Y/n) in this regard.

• Klarion hates the people you’re close to with a burning passion. Why would you waste your time with those stupid, weak mortals when you could do whatever you want on Earth with him? Why even stop at Earth, any planet is on the table, he doesn’t mind! No limitations, no consequences. Anyone who tries to keep you two apart will suffer a grisly fate. (Pun intended)

• Confession…? Well it’s less of a confession and more like a “Kay you’re coming with me from now on my dear! :D We’re gonna have so much fun–” while he’s basically kidnapping you. You’d most likely already know his feelings for you by now with how affectionate he acts towards you. If you don’t realize how much danger you are in by now, it will quickly become evident when he slaughters anyone who might have tried to stop him from taking you. • If it turns out that you do feel the same way however, a few things would be different from your other choice of refusing him. First off, there won’t be any punishments since you won’t be trying to leave. Hooray! You will also have a chance to keep your family and friends safe from him too in this case since he’ll be more open to suggestions on places you go to and people possibly being spared, making it easier to keep them out of his sight. But no matter what he’s gonna bring you everywhere and be practically glued at the hip so get comfy.

• Klarion’s not one for sticking in one place for too long unless he needs to, so most of the time you’re gonna be tagging along with him as he wreaks havoc or is on a mission. He brings you into battles and shows off so you can see that he can keep you safe and happy (Press X to doubt) and that you need him. • If you’re hoping for Teekl to show any sympathy to your plight, you’re dead wrong. In fact, by this time she’s gotten attached enough to you to be a platonic yandere now. She’ll be helping her master keep an eye on you and protect you but if you try to sneak away when the Chaos Lord is napping or locked in battle she’ll stop you from leaving and snitch on you to Klarion about your recent attempt to hightail it out of there. Unless of course, you start giving her some head scritches and belly rubs in exchange for keeping quiet. • Punishments happen if you try to make him see through the delusions, which will disrupt his fantasy of you loving him back if you push him hard enough, usually resulting in a rage filled tantrum at the continued insistence of letting you go. “NO! I’m never letting you go so stop saying it! You’re MINE. Mine mine mine mine mine--” • So you think you don’t need him huh? You wanna leave? Fine! He’ll just dump you in a situation where you’ll be in constant peril until you plead with him to come back and help you. “See? You do need me after all.” Klarion would scoff and heal whatever physical wounds you may have but you would most likely be traumatized after this whole ordeal. Then he goes back to doting on you as if he forgot what just happened. • If you end up escaping without Klarion or Teekl noticing until it’s too late, Klarion’s gonna start freaking out about you being kidnapped or whatever while Teekl is facepalming in the background but worried for your safety. Klarion will start to go everywhere and demand you be brought back to him RIGHT NOW as he’s causing mass chaos anywhere he can until he gets you returned to him, The Light’s plans be damned. The rest of The Light might even help him by being on the lookout for you since he’s gonna start thinking that they are involved in your disappearance if they don’t. The longer you’re gone, the more the body count is going to rise. Unless Dr. Fate is there to have a chance to stop him, it will be a struggle for any other heroes trying to fix things. Maybe come back soon if you can’t handle all the lives being lost in your absence? • You might have to lie and think of a scapegoat if you do come back to him of your own volition because he’s gonna want somebody to torture for taking you away for so long. If you get captured by someone he knows and they explain what happened to him then he’s just gonna punish you again until you stop. trying. to. leave!! • He’ll make you immortal whether you want to be or not, you don’t have a choice in the matter. Nothing or nobody else is allowed to have you– not even death itself. ♡

#gibby writes #klarion #klarion bleak #klarion the witch boy #klarion the witchboy #teekl #young justice #dc #dc comics #dc universe #dcu #yandere #tw yandere #klarion x reader #klarion x y/n #klarion x you #klarion the witch boy x reader #yandere x reader #yandere x you #yandere imagines #yandere headcanons #yandere dc

[russilton]

BODY LANGUAGE ANALYSIS BODY LANGUAGE ANALYSIS BODY LANGUAGE ANALYSIS BODY LANGUAGE ANALYSIS BODY LANGUAGE ANALYSIS BODY LANGUAGE ANA-

ALRIGHTY HERE WE FUCKIN GO-

So this is about the Silverstone ‘23 hug, my beloved, my hyperfocus for the past week while I poked around and wrote this, and also because I say this every time but you can see a visual development jump in how George used to approach Lewis, how hes matured, and how much more at home he feels in Lewis’s space- I’m going off already…

Get ready for far more photos than anyone needs of this, in so many angles because…I have an archival hoarding problem! We know this!

Hug Video, for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet

So, unsurprisingly, I want to start by talking about what happens before George and Lewis even touch, because I never know quite how to launch into curated insanity (fun fact I wrote the second half before the first because I hate writing intros, you will probably be able to tell)

Silverstone marks the first time I’ve ever seen George deliberately wait for Lewis, especially when he doesn’t beeline for Lewis as his main focus. It’s good of George to congratulate Lando but I personally find it pretty distinct to how he goes to Lewis. Lando is a quick companionable slap and move on, they’ve been trying to get on a little better recently I think and it shows. But its an entirely different vibe than when he goes for Lewis, who he slows down for and requests the full focus of, by waiting and tapping at his back.

George has a thing for tap tapping Lewis for his attention, its a bit like watching a cat paw at someone to be noticed. I remember George doing it when he and Lewis climbed the fence after Brazil and Lewis was still waving to the crowd when George stole a phone off a merc staff member and began going tap tap slap tap on lewis’ shoulder so he’d focus in on George again. It’s oddly adorable to watch him become at ease with going ‘hey hey Lewis Lewis hey look at me’

This one (I couldn’t find a gif at this second of the slap slap tap but I have no doubt it exists. If it doesn’t,… ill make it exist), George has gone from a guy who would hover awkwardly to see if Lewis would even glance his way, to someone perfectly comfortable demanding his attention. And that’s what I was so fond of seeing at Silverstone, George getting right into Lewis’ space, patting his lower back (rather than shoulder or arm) and essentially going ‘hey! Hug?’

Which Lewis then grants immediatly, grabbing Georges hand and falling into a position that must be becoming muscle memory the amount of times they’ve done it

I MEAN LOOK AT THIS, Left is Hungary 2022, Right is Silverstone 2023. In Hungary they double podiumed (L P2- G P3), and yet the only difference between it and Silverstone is that now George tucks into Lewis even closer.

Maybe it’s something only I notice, but George ducks his head a little more every time they hug, almost like he’s trying to get closer and closer to tucking himself inside Lewis’ suit entirely. He always angles it like he’s going for the weirdest kiss, fitting his head up next to Lewis’. George is 6’2 or so, to Lewis’ 5’9 and yet every time George is the one trying to crunch himself into Lewis’ space, get their heads as close as he can with the HANS device and thick crash foam helmets obscuring the way. They always seem like they’re millimetres from clunking their heads off one another the way George always goes for it.

For a guy who likes to strut with all the confidence in the world and drive like it too, George always seems to ache for those tangible reminders that Lewis cares about him, be it his praise or this, wrapping a clingy arm around Lewis’ neck and making it feel as all encompassing as he can before he’s straightening up and acting like nothing has happened… usually only for the pair of them to post 4 different angles of photos of them together as soon as the race weekend ends….

(Gif courtesy of @princemick , posted with permission because, ‘I’m not putting that on my blog Markus’, thank you Kyle, sorry I made you scroll into one of the middle of my rambles to find your own name)

I feel something we also glossed over in the original fervour and shouting is that they never let go of one another’s hands during the entire movement, Lewis’ fingers remains clenched tight around George’s as they pull one another in. I watched this gif on loop, you can’t really tell who begins the whole movement, they meet one another rather than George pulling Lewis to him or vice versa. But the whole time their hands are pressed into one another’s ribs, a block of hooked contact between them. It’s not quite as desperate as say, Brazil or Australia, where George threw himself wholly into Lewis and earned a proper two armed bear hug, but its not a situation that asks for it, even in its above tenderness its a warm ‘well done, good job, even if its not me I’m glad its one of us, no hard feelings’ hug.

Hard feelings George would be somewhat entitled to have! It’s his home race, he wants that podium as much as Lewis did, if not more, but he himself said after that if not for the safety car, NEITHER of them would have gotten that step, they couldn’t clear the McLarens and well, Max might as well be considered an automatic first. So at least its one of them up there, one Mercedes. It’s not Merc’s fault the safety car came out, and Lewis has experienced plenty of his own disastrous safety car luck last year, it’s just unfortunately the way George’s luck fell… But George still seeks Lewis out for a moment of comfort, a congrats for getting points for the team, before he returns to the garage to lick his wounds.

It’s a big but gradual shift in their partnership, the way they’re not just coming to one another when they are BOTH happy, but in other moments too, for comfort and congratulations right after the race ends and before anything else. Last year if they weren’t both on the podium or side by side, they tended to go their separate ways and roll into separate routines. Even at Georges first podium in Aus 22 Lewis didn’t haul him in for a hug until they were both in the TV pen (and I’ve gone over how emotional that moment makes me before lol). But this year I’ve seen so much more how they just… hang around one another. After qualifying or sprints they show up side by side weighing in together, talking before helmets even come free, simple little moments of being relaxed in the others space, George knowing Lewis wont rebuff him.

Casual intimacy is a rare thing with Lewis, I honestly never saw much of it with ANYONE other than Valtteri and Seb and his team. Lewis is touchy, he’ll congratulate anyone, but then he seems to prefer to drift into his own quiet area, doing things alone and focused on himself. With the exception of people he’s really fond of, and I truly think George is entering that little group, tentatively. He’s doing what Val used to, sliding easily up to Lewis, patting him casually, knowing Lewis wont jump and back away, but will allow him in instead. It’s not a hopeful guess anymore, George expects Lewis to let him in because Lewis has initiated it over and over.

Lewis doesn’t have to do this honestly, he has been subject to multiple teammates who he didn’t get along with from the second they stepped into the paddock each week, hes seen and outlasted hundreds of drivers he barely spoke to. He’s beholden to nothing. But George he allows close now, likely because as he’s said so often these days, hes trying. He’s trying to be the best teammate he can be, someone who doesn’t force George to deal with the ice he turned on Valtteri at times, someone who’s trying to trust from the get go, and George returns that trust with physical contact and adoration in ample supply.

It’s good for both of them honestly, and each week I post their hugs and get a cacophony of tags going ‘see they get on!’ As if its up for debate anymore. Sure they have their rough and snippy moments, their radios are never perfect, but they’re human beings, and I really think anyone under the assumption these two aren’t deeply fond of one another is wilfully ignoring ample evidence to the contrary and just, what they both want?

They both want to be seen as friends, they both want people to know they like one another, and they go out of their way to show it. I mean God damn you don’t take side by side half nude ice baths with a guy you hate, and you certainly don’t post an artful depth of field photo of you tucking your head into his fuckin neck, do you.

There you go, my long, insane, only slightly winding and off topic ramble about boys, body language, and big soft hugs. Anyone who read to the end of this- why.

#Rosie for someone who doesn’t ship you sure love encouraging me to go nuts about this shit #asks #Rosie’s tag #gewis #mark rambles #mark talks britcedes #mark talks body language #i feel a bit like an idiot posting this #i know this kinda stuff is silly but I guess i ramble a lot and instead of inundating friends I’ve got it all out #britcedes #4463

[umbrify]

So @liloinkoink tagged me in a little game where I post about all my wips, so people can see them and ask questions about them. I realized that I uh. I have twenty different AU concepts (all made with my beloved friend @made-nondescript ), so I’m gonna pick a few:

Merfolk AU (fWhimmy): in which Jimmy, sheriff to a small coastal town, realizes there’s something— or, someone— living right near their shores. fWhimmy mer au where fWhip is the merperson, and they have to figure out how to make it work, despite… everything.

And… is he sure about this? Joel’s gonna laugh at him— Jimmy’s certain he is. He can’t even blame him, really. What a ridiculous thing to say: I found a rock at the rock beach and I think there was a guy in the water— yeah, right. But… it feels important. It feels important enough to try. He has to try.

“I think… I think I met someone in the ocean, two nights ago,” Jimmy murmurs.

This AU does have one posted work already— [We Will See Tomorrow], which is like a prologue of sorts!

Vamp AU (WRA siblings, future fWhimmy): One mistake is all it takes to change the course of your life forever, as fWhip and Gem find out the hard way. Roseblings become vampires the messy way, and find it quite hard to come to terms with.

“Well, hello there!” The man calls brightly, perhaps just a touch too loud for the occasion at hand. fWhip bites back a flinch at the sound.

“Uh— hi,” he calls back, “I take it you have what I’m looking for?”

The man chuckles slightly, an easy smile stretching across his scarred face, and fWhip raises an eyebrow. The man steps closer, positioning himself next to fWhip. “You’re after some really valuable stuff here, you know.” The man leans down slightly, looking into fWhip’s eyes. “You sure you’re willing to pay the price?”

(If he were more observant, perhaps fWhip would’ve noticed the way the man’s too-sharp teeth flashed in the sickly orange light— his first, and only, warning.)

This one has lots of art, which can be found under [#esmp vamp au]!

Space AU (fWhimmy— sorta): They’ve landed on this planet, and too late, they’ve realized they can’t leave it. How do you come to terms with the fact you’re definitely doomed? Jimmy and fWhip are co pilots of a spacecraft sent to check on a planet that sent out a strangled distress signal, and now they’ve got plenty of time to get acquainted before the end— if fWhip could stop making things worse, that is.

“Commander Jimmy, transmission regarding the emergency distress signal received from planet ANC-19.”

“This planet is lost, and so are we. Do not send a rescue mission. This planet is sick, it cannot be saved. I repeat, do not send anyone else here. They will die. There are no survivors. There is nothing of value left here.”

Snowpocalypse AU— or, hey what if Xornoth kidnapped Scott and used his ice powers to cause eternal winter? Wouldn’t that be fucked up? Scott’s absence is noticed very quickly by Gem, who drags fWhip and Jimmy to his house to check on him

“Oh—“ Gem turns the handle, the door swinging open slightly. “Scott! I’m coming in!!”

The lights are on as the step inside— fWhip knew they were, of course, but…

Well. He didn’t expect this.

The house is completely trashed— the coffee table is turned on its side, a mug of what might’ve been coffee or tea has shattered on the ground, the liquid partially stained into the rug. The pillows from the couch are strewn all around the room, and half the cabinets are thrown open, as if someone was looking for… something.

“…Scott?” fWhip calls, hesitantly.

Something is definitely wrong.

(More quick ones below the cut!)

fWhimmy Apocalypse AU (also featuring lots of fWhip & Pix): In which fWhip and Pix make the hardest trip of their lives to Jimmy’s house, with fWhip determined to see Jimmy again, against all odds. Apocalypse, but not in the zombie sense— think more like if sculk was a bit more fucked up. This one has all of its current writing posted [here!]

Superhero AU: You know the trope of “villain goes to superhero’s doorstep, super injured, and is like ‘I didn’t know where else to go’?” That, but it’s Jimmy going to fWhip, and fWhip is more of a vigilante than a hero, and Jimmy doesn’t necessarily… like… get redeemed. I remember this one had a long section in the notes about how Jimmy is a villain by choice, not because he was forced to be.

Antique shop AU: Nondescript and I went off for a While about this one, which created [this post]— basically, Pix runs an antique shop in a college town, and he hears about the lives of fWhip and Jimmy when they visit his shop

Android fWhip AU— or, hey what if the reason empires one fWhip survived the blast was because he wasn’t human at all, and nobody knew until Gem finds him in the wreckage? And then there’s the whole situation with— well, how do you just not notice that your brother is an android? This one had a whole scene where Gem takes a mangled fWhip over to Mezalea, as one of the last standing empires, and Joel tries to help them repair fWhip. I made [art] for this one, which is the only thing this AU has so far

There are a lot more, but I think that’ll do for now! I’d be happy to answer any questions about any of these, or any of my other writing :D !!

(As for tagging folks, I don’t wanna bother too many people, but if @blocksruinedme or @stitchthesewords wanna share any AU’s, go wild my friends!)

#umbrify talks #umbrify writes #thanks for the tag Lew I have spent Hours on this post #counted all my AU’s and I have Twenty. so. #I’m not cramming twenty AU’s into this post <3

[porcelana-r0ta]

The Curse of Sight, Part 4

[Part 1] [Part 3]

[Ao3 Link] (Available only to Ao3 users)

Summary: When Wes Weston meets Tim Drake-Wayne, the dots start connecting. And those dots form a Bat.

Ever since Wayne Enterprises’s TikTik went live, Wes has been upgraded from go-fer to Rebecca’s unofficial assistant. He mostly helps pin microphones or scribes for her as she dictates scripts. Sometimes he’s a runner to other departments when she’s too impatient to wait for emailed replies. She also gives him “homework” in the form of scrolling through his TikTok FYP and reporting to her on popular trends and audios so she can keep an eye on teenagers’ interests.

The only real thing he’s still doing with his original internship is his morning coffee runs, which Tim Drake will only occasionally join him on. Not always—he is the co-CEO of WE—but enough that Wes starts to relax on his “Red Robin and Batman are going to rip out my spinal cord” anxieties. His two main concerns are now just “What if Jade tries to make me go back to being a go-fer” and “What if Rebecca wants me to be in another TikTok?”

He’s still running interference with the other teenagers from Amity Park over that one. Especially with Tucker, who had only become more insufferable when he got the letter containing Tim’s signature.

“Wes,” he said into the phone when Wes had finally answered the call instead of pressing decline like he’d done six consecutive times beforehand. “Wes, buddy. I—I need to meet with Tim Drake-Wayne. This is a matter of life and death. WayneTech is only releasing one more PDA and then they’re shutting the PDA line down completely in favor of regular tablets. I can’t let that happen. Wes, please!”

“I think it’s too late for that,” Wes had replied. “Like, this is already in motion. Also, Mr. Drake-Wayne and I aren’t really friends.” He conveniently left out the part where they had known each other long enough to probably be considered friends, at least by normal civilian standards. Wes certainly considers Tim one, at least, but he’s not sure how mutual it is. “I’m just an intern who ran into him on a coffee run, and I got his signature. There’s not much more I can do for you.”

Tucker made the sound of a dying lamb, “Wes, please. I’ll do anything.”

Wes paused, tempted to say, Then admit what Danny is.

He bit his tongue and cleared his throat, “Anything?”

“Anything, man. Please!”

“Then perish.” Wes ended the call and ignored Tucker’s resulting onslaught of texts.

But that was a few days ago, and now Tucker only intermittently asks for Wes to convince Tim to save his beloved line of WayneTech PDAs. Wes wants to send a mean text about outdated technology, but he manages to hold back and continue to leave the other on unread.

Maybe it’s still mean to ghost (ha) him like that, but it’s also mean to harass Wes about the PDAs when he’s just a lowly intern. He just gets the fucking coffee.

(Nevermind the whole, you know, the friendship is real thing.)

Soon, getting coffee for the 73rd floor with Tim turns into hanging out with Tim for a few hours after their shifts. It starts slowly, with Wes mentioning off-hand that he’s going to the library, and Tim mentioning that he hasn’t been to the library in a while, so Wes invites him out. And they go to the library, check out some books, and then realize, Oh, hey, it’s a little late. Wanna head to Batburger for some food? And then they go out to eat and take turns reading the first chapter of the books they’ve chosen to each other.

And then Wes is inviting him over to his house, or Tim is inviting him out to eat, or to the movies, or whatever. No invitation to Wayne Manor, not that Wes expects one or even really wants one—a house full of Bats? No, thanks.

And Wes wasn’t kidding about the kidnapping/hostage bait, either: just last week, Dick Grayson had been held hostage in Bludhaven, not as a police officer, but as Brucie Wayne’s beloved first child. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t even Bludhaven’s own hero Nightwing who saved the day, but rather Gotham City’s Batman and Robin.

So, yeah. Not being spotted at the Manor? Tim wearing sunglasses and hoodies whenever they hang out in public? Totally fine by Wes, thank you very much.

Plus, it keeps Tucker from really blowing his phone up.  

“Hey,” starts Tim one day after being invited over to Wes’s house after work. “Do you think you and Rebecca would be willing to work at a Wayne Gala?”

They’re lazing about on the couch in the living room with Criminal Minds playing on the TV before them. They’re both under separate fuzzy throw blankets with a bowl of popcorn taking up residence on the middle cushion between them.

Wes tilts his head, considering, “What gala? And when?” And more importantly, “Will we be getting overtime for it?”

Tim snorts and shoves a fist full of popcorn into his mouth, chews, swallows, then says, “The Pride Gala toward the end of the month. The 26th. And yes, you’ll get time and a half.”

“Ah,” says Wes. He remembers how much more openly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights Bruce Wayne had become when Tim began dating some guy named Bernard Dowd from his school last year. (Not that he hadn't been supportive beforehand.) They’ve been broken up for a while, but he knows the two are still on friendly terms because the tabloids publish photos of them hanging out every once in a while and hypothesize that the flame is rekindling. “I mean, I have literally no other friends in Gotham, so I’m game. I don’t know about Rebecca, though. She probably has a life.”

“Probably?” Tim asks.

He shrugs, “I mean. She makes a lot of memes. I don’t know what your social life is like if you make as many memes as she does.” He shakes his head to himself, then asks, “I’m guessing you want something on TikTok about the Gala?”

“Yeah.” Tim shifts on the couch so he can face Wes more, and Wes turns as well. “Bruce says that some of Gotham’s elite need a reminder that he’s not a fan of their bigotry and that he doesn’t like doing business with idiots.”

Well. That sounds like the Brucie Wayne who loves his children and made a whole public spectacle of babying Dick Grayson after his rescue in Bludhaven last week.

“I’m down if Rebecca is down,” Wes says. “I don’t know about going if she can’t make it, though. I don’t think I’d do well around rich people without a poor person by my side. Eat the rich and all that—no offense.”

Tim snorts at that, “None taken. We can be kinda snobby. I hope I don’t come off too snobby?”

“Well, you haven’t asked me about my favorite place to go skiing yet, so you’re doing pretty good.”

“I haven’t even been skiing,” Tim says.

Wes thinks about how during his cyberstalking of Tim, he’d found several pictures of the Drake parents on their own skiing vacations, all suspiciously missing Tim, even though he’d have been old enough to attend according to the time stamp. His heart clenches and his body goes cold.

He wraps the blanket around him tighter, “What, no way! That’s criminal. That’s, like, the basic necessity of proving wealth. You need to have Mr. Wayne take you some time.”

Tim’s nose wrinkles in disgust, “Just call him Bruce. Hearing ‘Mr. Wayne’ from someone who isn’t a journalist or an employee is weird.”

“Tim. I am an employee.”

His friend’s ears go a smidge red, probably embarrassed to have forgotten so easily, if Wes had to guess, “You hardly count. Besides, I don’t wanna go skiing. I’d probably break all my limbs.”

Ah, right. The classic “I’m too clumsy to be a superhero” defense. The only Waynes who couldn’t use that excuse were Dick Grayson (a literal Flying Grayson) and Damian Wayne, who would probably pop a blood vessel if he was anything less than the perfect heir.

Danny was genuinely clumsy, at least. Even before he dropped all those beakers in science, he was always tripping over literal air.

“Well, you can do some other rich person activity. Like, I dunno, having a pet tiger, or something.”

“Damian would love that. He has a pet cow in a barn on the Wayne property.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“I would never lie.”

“What’s its name?”

“Her name is Bat-Cow.”

….You’re fucking kidding me.

“Like… after Batman?” These people aren’t subtle. Why the fuck is Wes the only person capable of figuring anything out? Why was he cursed like this?

Or is it the other way around? Is everyone else just cursed with obliviousness, and Wes has some kind of immunity?

“Yeah, like Batman. It’s because she has a spot on her forehead that looks like a bat.”

“Of course she does.” Because why not? It’s not like anyone but Wes has eyes and brain cells, after all. Hell, the Waynes might as well dress up as their alter egos for Halloween. It’s not like anyone will fucking notice. Gotham society would probably have a grand ol' laugh about the ridiculousness of Brucie Wayne dressing up as the Bat. Ha, impossible!

“She’s the reason Damian is a vegetarian.”

“Okay, that’s adorable.”

“It’s really not. He’s a Demon Spawn.”

“That’s a rude thing to call your little brother.” Never mind that he’s called his cousin, Kyle, much worse.

“Ew, spoken like an only child.”

“Shut it. Do you guys have any other pets?”

Tim nods, “Yeah. They’re all Damian’s, though. He has a cat named Alfred the Cat, who isn’t to be confused with Alfred Pennyworth, the butler who’s honestly more like our grandpa and Bruce’s dad. Then there’s Titus, a dog. And Dick has a dog named Haley who he sometimes brings to the Manor for ‘playdates’ with Titus, but it’s really so Damian can fawn over her without feeling embarrassed over it.”

“Gross, that’s sickeningly sweet.” Wes chews some popcorn consideringly, “You know… that might be a good TikTok, too.”

“What? Meeting the pets?”

“No. Well, yes.” He thinks back to some of his mother’s rants, and then Rebecca’s own rants. “Not to make it sound like my mom just tells me everything, but she says that the public views Damian as kinda snobby. Or at least stiff. Letting him do some kind of ‘introducing the Wayne Family Pets’ TikTok might help with that. People love pets."

“Yeah, well, Damian hates cameras.” Tim’s voice is more than a little tense, and Wes doesn’t need to be told in words that he’s walking into more dangerous territory.

He shrugs, “Just an idea. If Damian is uninterested, he doesn’t have to. I just figure that using the pets—animals he loves enough to go vegetarian over—to humanize him to the press would be easier than, like, traumatizing him on Good Morning, Gotham or something.”

Wes doesn’t mention how a lot of the press and public’s view of Damian stems from racism thanks to his obviously Middle Eastern blood. He doesn’t think he needs to—Tim and the rest of the Waynes are already well aware.

“He’d traumatize them, really. But I see your point.”

Wes snorts, if only to keep up his façade, “He’s a twelve-year-old boy. What can he do?”

Tim gives an amused smile, an inside joke that he doesn’t know Wes is in on, and says, “Yeah, you're right.”

xxXxx

At work the next day, Rebecca squeals with delight when Wes asks her about going to the Pride Gala for work, and immediately starts drawing up script ideas. Halfway through Script #5, she freezes, and says, “Oh my god, I have nothing to wear to the Gala!”

Wes looks at her in confusion, “What do you mean? We’re basically going as the help. Can’t we just wear something professional?”

She sends him a withering glare, “Ugh, you’re such a teenage boy. This is a Wayne Gala! And even better, it’s the Pride Gala! All the donations go to the Trevor Project. We– we can’t just show up in sweats and a hoodie!”

“That’s… that’s not at all what I was suggesting? I said professional? Does professional mean something different in Gotham?”

Rebecca’s brow is pinched, “Listen. This is a Wayne Gala. That’s a big fuckin’ deal, you non-Gothamite. Even the press dresses up for the Galas.”

“Oh, okay.” Uncertain, Wes pulls out his phone and texts Tim about her concerns.

W: Hey Tim Rebecca says that we can’t wear prof clothes to the gala bc we’ll look too homeless. Is there, like, an actual dress code to follow?

The reply is swift for someone who is a CEO of a whole entire Fortune 500 company.

T: Don’t worry about clothes. WE will provide a fitting and the formal wear for you both to keep. I assume this means Rebecca is down?

W: Yeah. And I’ll let her know.

“Tim says that WE is gonna provide the formal wear,” he tells her while she’s in the middle of a panic attack.

“Are you texting him right now?” Rebecca asks. “Ask him when we need to be fitted. And make sure he knows we won’t be fitted outside of work hours unless we’re getting time and a half.”

Wes rolls his eyes but obligingly relays the message.

T: I am going to talk to Damian about your idea today. If he is receptive, I am thinking that you and Rebecca would clock in like normal on Friday but would accompany me to be fitted, and then go to Wayne Manor to film that “introduction to the Wayne Family Pets” TikTok.

W: Let me run that by Rebecca

He explains the idea they’d discussed yesterday about the pets, and then Tim’s proposal for Friday. Instead of verbally saying anything, Rebecca snatches his phone from him and ignores his indignant yelp, and plays an impressive game of keep-away as she types something with one hand and uses her other hand to bat away his angry attempts to reclaim his property. After a few moments of this struggle in her tiny cubicle, Rebecca lets out an “ah-ha” and hands the phone back to Wes.

He quickly takes in the damage:

W: Hi Mr. Drake-Wayne it’s Rebecca!!! I stole Wes’s phone :) I’m totally down with using company time for this and so is Wes 🙂 you’re way better than my old boss at Taco Hell btw. Also does WE buying our formal wear include buying shoes and accessories?

“This feels exploitative,” Wes says with an uncomfortable twist in his stomach.

“That’s why I took your phone instead of asking you to ask,” she says. “I get to be the bad guy, and you get to be friends with your friend without feeling like a gold-digger. Everyone wins.”

“No. I feel like trash.”

“Sorry.” And to her credit, she does look apologetic. “But I have student loans to pay off, rent, and other bills, and no heels that would go with anything WE will provide. I can’t afford this and I won’t feel bad for asking my rich boss to pay for it all as a work expense.”

On the surface, Wes understands that. He knows that he’s not poor-poor in the way that lots of people are. His mom has a job at Wayne Enterprises, for fuck’s sake, and he likely won’t have to worry about college as long as he chooses someplace sensible. But asking for so much from Tim, from his friend, leaves him feeling hollowed out and filled back up with swamp mud.

His phone lights up with a notification.

T: Hi, Rebecca. And of course! You’ll have to do your own hair and makeup, though. And I’m glad to be better than your old boss :)

Wordlessly, he shows the text to Rebecca, who nods, “Acceptable terms.”

“I’m gonna go to the bathroom,” he says.

He walks away and hides in his mom’s office for the rest of the day.

xxXxx

Tag List:

@theamazingfox @quietlyscared @lumosfeather18581   @blankliferain @amercurio @gin2212 @starscreamlover @hoarder-of-gender @the-ghost-trader @iariinay @ectoplasm024

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#dcxdp #dpxdc #dc x dp #dp x dc #wes weston #tim drake #wes weston/tim drake #tim drake/wes weston #tucker foley #stalker buddies au #stalking stalking #fanfic #fanfiction #ao3

[thedeafprophet]

The Boisterous Author plans to take their final leave of the palace. Things, of course, can never go that easy.

(Do read the tags on this one before reading)

Also On Ao3

Word count: 2.8K

Relationship: The Captivating Princess/Original FL Character

Rating: Mature

Tags: Consent issues, Forcefully Shoving Fingers Into Someones Mouth, The Princess Being The Princess, Minor References To The Gift, No Smut (feel the need to point that out with the rating lol)

Jamie had turned the office half upside down as they scrambled around the room, looking for the few items they couldn't bear to leave behind. The whole palace could damn itself to an even deeper hole in the ground, but Jamie would not be leaving without their favourite pen. 

They had reached their limit, one thing after another, and had come to a final decision to take their leave of the palace. No title or renown was worth…whatever the hell all that was. Best not to think too hard on the details. They learned more than they ever wished to know about the royal family. They'd seen things they'd never wished to see.

On the few nights Jamie slept in their room in the palace, so gratefully lent to them, they were up half the night, knowing about what lurks below. The greater threat, however, came from their worry about the goals of one particular member, and how much Jamie had done to make an enemy. They shiver at the thought of the countless horrors they have witnessed all at the results of her schemes. 

No, the more they stayed at the palace, the greater their risk was. They needed to get away. As far away as possible, actually. Perhaps more trips away from the city proper were in order. They had become particularly fond of trains.

By the time they find their pen, their mind has already started drafting a new novel idea of an outlawed monster hunter on the run, papers and books all mixed around. Somehow, they'd left it by the back of the bookshelf, cap left undone. Why on earth they put it there, they don't know, but they grab their beloved writing tool at last. Its well worn nib and incidental bite marks they’ve left behind a familiar and comforting sight. Jamie happily stuffed it back into their jacket pocket where it belonged. Now, at last, they could take their leave. 

They tried to sort the room back into a somewhat organized manner, finding more things they sought to bring back to their real office. A few pages of once discarded notes, a book of their favourite poems, and a manner of ink all were put into their case. There was no way they could take their secondary typewriter without making the length of their departure obvious, so they begrudgingly set it aside. 

They took one final scan around the room before they made their departure. They can’t say that they’d overly miss the location, but they had spent many nights working away at their writing here. That was, in a way, at least some form of connection. They give the room a final salute before they head to the door. 

Of course it wouldn't be that easy. Why would they have ever assumed it would be. 

A set of startlingly blue eyes meet theirs as soon as they open the door, and Jamie half jumps back in shock. Had she been waiting for them, listening in on their actions? No, surely it was just a coincidental matter of timing. They had not, however, heard any sort of knocking.

“Oh do tell me you aren’t going to just stand there staring. Though I of course can understand the urge.”  The Captivating Princess stood in the doorway to Jamie’s office, raising an eye at their apparent staring. Jamie’s heart immediately starts beating faster, anxiety pulsing in their chest.

Deciding they were taking too long to respond, she brushes past them to enter the room fully. Her eyes scan around, taking a moment to look over the contents on their desk. 

“Is everywhere you go subject to this kind of mess? I had thought the repellent state of your lodgings had been an outlier in the matter, but clearly I was mistaken.” 

Jamie pushes themself out of their shock, closing the door behind them and doing their best to force their mind to clear. It was dangerous, entering the dance of conversation without any time to prepare. 

“Ah, my apologies, your highness, I had not been expecting your presence.” Their hands fidget slightly as they speak, nervous energy running through them. “Why exactly are you here, if I might ask?” 

The Princess looks at them as if they just said something particularly stupid. “You do remember you're in the palace, don’t you my dear? I can go wherever I please.”

“Of course, of course. But this is my office, where I work. Not a prime locale for socializing, and I do prefer my privacy in manners of creation.”

The Princess just laughs at them. “Oh how adorable. This space is only yours because it is permitted. Every room, every object, every worker here belongs to the palace.” She smiles. “By all accounts, you do too.”

Jamie bristles at the comment, truly tiring of all these entities in power who seem to think there was any right to lay claim on them.  

“Well then, is there any reason you've come to this particular office of the palace, or may I get on with my afternoon plans?” They mentally remind themself over and over that they need to be polite, of the amount of danger they could be in if they toe out of line. It is a task they are always so dreadful at keeping to. 

“I’m sure whatever dull ongoings you had planned can wait. I am having a direly dull day and am in desperate need of some sort of distraction.” She edges closer towards them. Jamie instinctually takes a step back. “Is that not what you're here for, to entertain?”

Irritation grows inside Jamie alongside their fear. They are an artist, the best of the best, and here this woman was, acting as if they were nothing but a toy to be tossed around. Before, Jamie would have respected her as someone worthy, due to her position and title. Now? Now they know better. What good is the opinion of a monster?

“My job,” Jamie emphasises their point with a gesture at themself,” is to compose for events and special occasions. If there is a particular function you have need of my talents for, do feel free to make an appointment. However, if you're still in need of a playmate at your age, I cannot assist you in that matter.” Really, half the time Jamie couldn't believe she was nearly 13 years older than them.

That clearly wasn't the right thing to say. In an instant The Princess' eyes narrow in anger, and Jamie does their best to avoid her direct gaze. They know how people get around her, they know how weak their mind can become. 

Her voice has a dangerous edge when she speaks. “You should rethink your words. I came here for a solution to my boredom, do not make yourself useless to me.”

Jamie doesn't look at her as they speak, hands moving to point at the objects in the room. “Oh I see! And shall I use the lamp to set the stage lighting? The window curtains to create the scene? But of course, the desk could be a stage! It is a pathetic facsimile of a set piece, but naturally it would serve for such a repugnant audience, who has such little care for the actual depths of artistry.”

They shouldn't say that. Why did they say that? Yes, Jamie is well aware of their habits with snappy remarks, but they normally were able to hold back around her. Instead they found the words stumbling out, fear ignored in the long built up rage. Regret cuts deep through them the moment after their words spill out. 

Jamie knows as their eyes meet hers that this was a fatal mistake. Certainly, it was a mistake to stand against her from the start. Why would they ever stand against someone so graceful and elegant; how could they speak such falsehoods against such beauty. 

Jamie's thoughts are slippery and poisonous as they grapple with them, trying to stand their ground.

The Princess has an outraged sneer from their words, her voice vicious and dangerous as she speaks. 

“Sit down.”

Jamie grits their teeth. “No, I-”

“I said. Sit.” They're moving before they can fully process the command, falling back into one of their own office chairs. The spot seems far less comfortable than it was on the nights they had accidentally fallen asleep here.

The Princess follows their movement, looming over where they sit with a frightening expression. Jamie swallows an ever growing lump in their throat as their pulse rushes in their ears. Their hands grip the edge of the chair to try and keep from shaking.

The Princess is seething as she grips their chin, Jamie almost feeling the scratch of sharp nails through her gloved hand.

“How dare you speak to me that way. You are nothing but an ignorant little pest who should cower beneath my feet, thanking me for even gracing you with my presence.” If Jamie wasn't so caught up in their fear and rage, they would notice the glint of intent behind the anger in her eyes. “You need to hold your tongue.”

Jamie lets out a small humorless laugh. It wasn't the first time they've heard such a sentiment, and it wouldn't be the last. “By the very nature of the job, my profession dictates my use of words, your highness, or have you already forgotten that? Maybe if you-”

What remains of that sentence will never be spoken, as Jamie's eyes widen at their words suddenly being cut off. 

 The Princess had moved her other hand to jab her fingers into their open mouth, pressing down forcefully on their tongue to keep them from finishing. Jamie's hands instinctively reach to scramble at her arm to pull away the intrusion, but all that does is make her push harder. Saliva pools at the edges of Jamie's mouth as they choke around the insistent pressure.  

The Princess sighs at their reaction, looking the image of transcendent boredom, despite her actions and the glittering intent in her eyes saying otherwise. Her rage, it seemed, had died down, replaced with burgeoning entertainment as Jamie swallows heavily around the intruding fingers. 

“Of course, you have such pretty words, and yet I'm met with nothing but slander.” Her lips form a mockery of a pout. “What a waste. No, I know you can do better than that for me.”

Jamie mumbles what would be intended as an argument or a defense, but nothing can come out with their mouth otherwise occupied. Their disjointed noises seem to only further serve The Princess’ amusement.

“Oh, has the little songbird lost their words?” The statement is met with a pinch against their tongue. Jamie whimpers at the pain. “What a shame.”

Gloved fingers move to stroke delicately over their teeth, tracing over each as if examining them, hand mapping every inch of their mouth. The soft fabric brushes against Jamies tongue as they move, not altogether an unpleasant feeling. The urge to bite is strong, but even they are not foolish enough to attempt such a move. Jamie is in enough trouble already, fully at her mercy.

They know how strong those hands could be.

Jamie's thankful they don't have too much of a gag reflex as the back molars are touched, hand stretching further into their mouth. Jamie can only fathom at the image they must make, as tears threaten to edge at their eyes from the pressure, face quickly becoming very flushed. 

It's easier, they decide, to just sit and let her take whatever strange entertainment this seems to be for her. 

Her other hand comes up to stroke their hair, and Jamie shudders at the memory of the first time she did so, freed only by the mercy her sister seemed to possess. Jamie didn't even have the option to talk their way out now, their only line of defense taken. 

Despite the tension, the fear, and the adrenaline, Jamie can't help but relax at the soothing movement, their head leaning into her hand. The actual format of the situation couldn't change the fact that they craved attention, that it felt good, to have such focus on them and them alone. And what focus it was! Truly, they did not deserve her attention. 

The hand in their hair tightens with a sudden sharp tug as Jamie is made to look up at her, half choked with the angle. They can't tell if their struggled breath is from the position or their racing heart.

The Princess coos at them, her voice a patronizing tone as her hand twists russet locks further, tears pricking at the edges of Jamie's eyes. Still, they meet her gaze, and follow the direction she pulls them. 

“How delightful. I knew you could be good, if you only bothered to try.” Her grip relaxes again, and Jamie sinks in relief. “Little songbirds shouldn't say such nasty things - you should be so grateful you have me to help.” 

Of course she's right, how could they have spoken so harshly. How kind of her, of such beauty and grace, to take them in hand. How generous to show them the wrong of their ways. 

They don't know how long they stay like that, their hands still loosely griped on The Princess’ wrist as she pokes and prods, seemingly fascinated by the responses she can receive. They're not sure the passage of time even matters anymore.

At last, The Princess seems to feel that she has made her point, or at least has finally gotten bored. Jamie barely breathes out a sigh of relief as her fingers leave their mouth, not daring to make a sound and have her change her mind about releasing them. 

Jamie looks up at her through half lidded eyes, mouth still open where a trail of saliva connects to her fingers. Their jaw aches. 

She makes a half disgusted face at her glove, moving to wipe her hand off on Jamies suit jacket, before cupping their chin once more. The Princess’ eyes sweep over them with a pointed interest, a sharp jolt of fear washing through Jamie despite the flush of their face. 

Her smile is still so radiant. 

“Have you learned your lesson now little bird?” Her voice is delicate, like a chime, and all of Jamie's senses scream predator. There's nothing they can do but gently nod their head. 

“Is that so? See, I don't think you have. I think that once I leave, you'll go right back to your insufferable little habits, and we'll be back to square one, now won't we?” Her hand lands back to twist in their hair. 

It's an audacious concept, really. Jamie hasn't been changed by anything yet, of course they haven't now, no matter how highly The Princess holds herself.

Jamie is expecting her to tug again, but to their surprise, her hand moves to push their hair out of their face, back behind their ear. She follows down to cup their cheek, thumb stroking slightly. “Unfortunately for you, I have more important things to do today then spend it all on you.” Her hands begin to draw away. “We will deal with this behaviour another time.”

Jamie is barely processing the implication of that before she's fully stepping back, and Jamie has to startle to hold themself back up on the chair. They barely manage to look up as The Princess finally stalks out of the room, as if she hadn't just shoved her hand halfway to Jamies throat, as if she'd just come in for some casual conversation. 

The second she's out of the room, whatever spell that had fallen over Jamie immediately drops. Exhaustion sinks into their bones, their jaw and tongue ache, and most of all their mind runs over what the fuck just happened. 

They spend a few minutes leaning back in their chair, trying to keep their breathing calm, trying not to think too hard on what level of danger they've gotten themself in. Their clothes have become exceedingly uncomfortable, and they were in desperate need of a drink. They shift in their seat and grimace, moving to wipe their mouth. A bath was in order too. 

Soon, they'll manage to push themself up from where they're sitting, and scramble together what remains of their exit plan. They'll take their final leave of the palace, with intent to never return to their writing work here, as much as that could be managed. They'll do their best not to think about the encounter, though it will continue to replay in their mind for many days.  

Most of all they'll try to ignore the imprinted image of red eyes that will surely come to haunt their nightmares, both dreading and wondering what ‘later’ would entail. 

#hands in mouth friday wednesday #uh. welcome to my twisted mind #heh #dubcon cw #like. really edging past the dub on this one #the captivating princess #oc: jamie #my writing

[rebeccathenaturalist]

Are Insects Pests? On Loving the Unloved

(Originally posted at my blog at https://rebeccalexa.com/are-insects-pests-on-loving-the-unloved/)

I do a lot of internet searches in the process of writing my articles and books, putting together class materials, and so forth. Sometimes the subject of insects comes up, and that often includes researching individual species. What gets me is how often some of the first search results won’t be informational sites, but those dedicated to labeling insects “pests” and eradicating them. I get that some species are potentially more problematic when found in or around someone’s home; cockroaches and bedbugs come to immediate mind. But again and again, regardless of what sorts of insects I was searching for, many times the results included exterminator sites.

The fact that so many of the highest search results are dedicated to killing insects suggests there’s a lot of demand for such services and products. It makes me sad, honestly, because we’re right in the middle of an insect apocalypse. There’s already a lot of apathy about conserving invertebrates in general, and “bugs” in particular; many folks simply don’t get why it’s so important to protect the creepy-crawlies of the world. And when it’s common for any insect found in a house to be routinely smashed and discarded without a second thought, regardless of species, “save the bugs!” may seem like an ineffective rallying call indeed.

But let’s look at a few of those search results first, shall we?

My favorite search engine is Ecosia; I have it set up as my default search engine in my browser. They use the profits from ads to plant trees, and as of this writing they’ve planted over 150 million trees. I use Google as a backup, if Ecosia’s results aren’t getting me what I want.

The other day I wanted to know about wasp species in Washington. So I searched Ecosia for “Washington wasp species”, and the ninth result on the first page was a pest control site:

Google was even worse. It took scrolling down only to the third result on the first page to end up with a pest control site:

Okay, so wasps don’t exactly have a great P.R. team., and media furor over the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) didn’t help the results become any friendlier, either. I figured I’d try a few more very general searches just to see how long it took to hit a pest control site or other site that talked about eradicating the insects I was searching for:

True Bugs: Ecosia 8th on page 1, Google 1st on page 2

Bees: Ecosia 3rd on page 1, Google 3rd on page 1

Grasshoppers: Ecosia 2nd on page 2, Google 5th on page 1 (this was without filtering out things like the Grasshoppers Minor League Baseball team)

Crickets: Ecosia 3rd on page 1, Google 3rd on page 1

Weevils: Ecosia 1st on page 1, Google 2nd on page 1 (never mind that the vast majority of weevils are harmless to us and our food.)

Beetles: Ecosia 1st on page 2, 4th on page 1

Oregon Beetle Species: Ecosia 1st on page 2, Google 4th on page 1

Unsurprisingly when I searched for “fireflies” and “butterflies”, I went back several pages on both search engines and didn’t find anyone advocating for the mass slaughter of these beloved insects. You’d think bees would get the same treatment what with all the “save the bees” campaigns over the past few years, but the 3rd result from both search engines was from a site called “Pest World for Kids”, run by the National Pest Management Association. Really?

Okay, so admittedly this was definitely NOT a scientific study. And I recognize there are a number of factors determining search results, SEO, etc. like how large and popular a given site is, age of the site, backlinks, etc. Still, given how high up in the ranking sites treating insects as pests were, and how many of the recommended related searches had to do with things like whether the insects being searched for would bite, or how to get rid of them, that suggests a lot of people are searching for how to go to war with insects rather than learning about them as unique beings.

On the bright side, most of the results were site that genuinely wanted to educate people about various insects on their own merits. So it’s not as though everything is terrible (unless you’re a weevil, for whom almost all the top search results were pest-related.) Whether those sites got as many genuine clicks as the pest-related ones, I couldn’t tell you. But it was nice to see them anyway.

Maybe I’m in the minority when I wish that people would spend less time trying to eradicate insects, and more time learning about them. It’s just that most folks seem to ignore them unless they become a perceived nuisance. I’ve had to deal with problem insects before–narcissus bulb flies (Merodon equestris) in the garden, pantry moths (Plodia interpunctella) in the flour, etc. And yes, sometimes that involves smushing them on sight, especially in the case of a non-native species.

But I also try to make an effort to learn about even these species. It’s not just to learn how to get rid of them, but to find out more about their adaptations and habits, where they came from, what makes them different from other insects–what makes the species what it is. It’s curiosity that drives me, and I find myself appreciating their ability to find a niche, even if it’s one that’s at odds with my own interests.

It also makes me really think about whether I really need to persecute a particular species, and how that affects my attitudes toward not just insects, but other living beings. When I stop and consider my actions toward another species, it breaks the conditioning that so many of us have to just see nature as something to serve us–only good if it does what we want, and bad if it goes against our wants and needs. And I find myself being able to make a more informed decision that, at times, may be summed up as “leave well enough alone.”

Hence the nest of black-tailed bumblebees (Bombus melanopygus) that has spent multiple years buzzing about the entryway of my garage. Hence the common house spiders (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) that are allowed space in the corners and window-wells of my home to help control flies that may buzz their way in on warm days. Hence the cabbage looper caterpillars (Trichoplusia ni) who get a reprieve in the garden, even though they go after cruciferous vegetables, because they never take everything, and they’re important food for other species. Some would easily justify my killing these and many others, simply for being mildly inconvenient, or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But I prefer to coexist whenever possible, and to look beyond the “pest” label as well.

Did you enjoy this post? Consider taking one of my online foraging and natural history classes, checking out my other articles, or picking up a paperback or ebook I’ve written! You can even buy me a coffee here!

#long post #insects #invertebrates #bugs #arthropods #science #nature #scicomm #science communication #gardening #ecology #environment #environmentalism #pollinators #animals #wildlife #conservation #pests #extinction

[sixteenth-days]

the heart of the pyre

[This is a ficlet by my cowriter Zeph expanding on a scene from our bud @liloinkoink's Lamplight fic!]

There’s an army in Dogwarts. 

It masses and seethes, left behind like so much kindling scrub after spring’s riot of flowers has dried away its beauty under the blazing sun. It sparks. It catches.

There’s a fire in Dogwarts, and its people are dying. Ren is among them, not doing that, rushing between wells and walls, streaked with smoke or blood or charcoal, shouting to and from his people as they coordinate bucket brigades and wrench open escape routes. He had a sword. He’s lost it in the fray, and now he has a plank of wood scrounged from the base of a half-built wall. Intermittently, it’s been catching fire.

Please, he begs, mouthing the word, catching his breath, wrenching an axe out of his ribs and throwing it generally back in the direction it came from.

They’ve lost a good portion of the market district already. The charred bones of children litter the ground in skeletons of buildings. Ren is the walls and shield and life of this place. Protecting it is what he’s for.

Please.

Please, he begs. He’s a god already, but it’s a prayer anyway, to himself, to what he’s willing to become. Please. I made myself a god. I’ll make myself anything.

Spark and kindling, on his heart, on his charcoal bones. Please please please please please.

It catches.

Ren knows every corner of Dogwarts; built many of them; repaired more. He knows the sidestreets and markets, the walls of his own temple. He’s the closest thing there is to being Dogwarts, as much as anything has ever been- his bones aren’t paving stones and his blood isn’t wellwater but they may as well be, the way he loves, the way the city loves him back.

And yet he’s never known it so completely as in this moment, redefining himself as something that consumes what dares harm it, scraping power from his bones and heart to save it, never known how to set it ablaze and how to not, never known the grain of wood the melting point of steel the flickering ashes of human skin. He’s known what Dogwarts looks like to a human. To a god that loves it. 

He’s learning, in flashes too ceaseless to pull apart, what it looks like to a pyre.

In the future, if he’s remembered, the poets will say this was inevitable: that the moment he survived the licking flames by dint of his own self-iterative nature, the moment he built himself a pyre and didn’t die, the moment he made himself something more-than-human but remained, essentially, himself, that in that moment he only put off the inevitable, and doomed himself to one day become the thing that should have killed him.

Ren wouldn’t, though. He makes choice and choice and choice, and sacrifices his flesh to the flames like he once sacrificed his mortality, and he burns. And he burns.

And he burns, and unlike fire doesn’t die, and like himself doesn’t die, names himself protection and power and pyre and doesn’t die.

His people flee, flooding out the gates, out the paths he makes between himself for them, afraid and unafraid of the licking flame of him. He sees them go, lit in orange and red. He tails them, leads them, surges upon their attackers, burning in thin lines between cobblestones, blackening slate, consuming bone. He sees their faces, flat flickering images, sees them the way fire sees, melting points and fuel, sees them the way the god of Dogwarts does, beloved faces passing through the smoke.

He does all this, becomes all this, sees all this hears all this, a surging screaming roar rising rising rising up with the flame of him, rising up with the smoke of him, him who is Dogwarts who is the fire consuming Dogwarts, who is Ren, still, somehow, between flashes of heat and light.

And, well. Ren has experience immolating himself for his people, but even a god will stumble, especially if that god is, at its heart, just one man who loves so deeply he’ll make himself into anything. One man, even a god, is only so much against an army. Even a god can lose. Even a fire. Ren doesn't die, but a pyre is an ending.

The city empties. The fire, which is a god, sputters, retreats, mourns, but doesn’t fade. The years turn, winter to spring again, ashes like snow on the breeze, spring to summer again. And on these charred, beloved grounds, victim to sun and rain and scouring wind-

There’s a fire in Dogwarts, and it doesn’t die.

#my writing #(not rlly mine) #lamplight au #rendog