#CRYING YOU CAN TELL HER FEELINGS AND BELIEFS ARE CHANGING DO YOU SEE........

[oathofkaslana]

genshin impact manga chapter 9

[brekker-by-brekkerr]

There's no way you can convince me the writing for Eloise in part 2 of season 3 was good.

We're expected to believe that Eloise Bridgerton, who gets so upset about injustices to women, who cares deeply for her friends, would hear about Cressida's issues and be like "hmm yeah sucks to suck."

And people can't say it's because Eloise is only concerned with herself because we've seen her get so upset about the plight of other people, we've seen her going and engaging with conversations outside her circle, we've seen her empathizing with Theo and his circumstances, we've seen her trying to hunt down LW to help Pen back before she knew the truth.

JUST THIS SEASON we saw Eloise go to Cressida's house to check on her because she noticed that she was acting off. So you can't even tell me Eloise doesn't care about her. I feel like the writers are trying to gaslight the viewers in part 2 to thinking Eloise didn't ever care that much about Cressida when WE LITERALLY SAW THAT SHE DID. Cressida even says Eloise was a great friend to her.

Yeah, I understand that Eloise has a lot going on right now, and so to some extent, I could see her not being as present for Cressida as she needs. That happens. But the level to which they made Eloise act like she doesn't care is so insane and is clearly just to prop Pen up.

Eloise heard Cressida tell her about her circumstances so she should understand why she's doing what she's doing.

It just felt like such an insane 180 for Eloise to turn around and suddenly be like "Cressida is a viper" and "our friendship was falling apart anyway" and "I should never have trusted her," when the last thing we saw before part 2 was them BEING GOOD FRIENDS!! And when Cressida hadn't done anything bad, she just claimed to be LW RIGHT AFTER she had explained to Eloise how messed up her circumstances were and that she needed help getting out of them.

I get that the show was going to put Eloise and Pen back together because they have such a clear bias towards her character, but did they have to decimate Creloise in the process? Is Eloise not allowed to have multiple friendships?

Like, Pen can do all these terrible things and cry and be like "sorry about that" and it's fine El and her can be besties everyone will love her and forgive her. But Cressida was sometimes mean (and the show goes to lengths to show us how she became that way, even explicitly spelling it out with her mother's comments about how she raised her to believe in "every woman for herself" AND shows Cressida acknowledging her mistakes and showing true change and growth) and lies about being LW and she's dragged through the dirt, she's "the absolute worst," every single character says awful things about her while we see snippets of her in this dark awful house with her life falling apart and this is supposed to be something we root for?? Literally why. Why even make Cressida sympathetic if this is what you're going to do with her.

It feels so out of pocket for Eloise to be saying Cressida is soo horrible and etc. etc. when we SAW their friendship before. We saw Cressida taking in what Eloise was saying and making changes, we saw Cressida challenging Eloise's beliefs and making Eloise self-reflect. Eloise got a peek into how awful Cressida's home life was and into the kind of good person Cressida could be and that's just suddenly thrown out the window with such little support to back it up.

Even if Creloise just HAD to stop being friends, weren't there better ways of going about it? Couldn't they at least have waited till after the fake LW paper came out bashing the Bridgertons for Eloise to break off the friendship? Yes, that was Cressida's mom writing that, but Eloise wouldn't know that and that would more logically line up with Eloise's random coldness towards her.

Still, why exactly do they have to stop being friends? Why can't Eloise have different kinds of friendships, especially one like hers with Cressida that challenged her, one where they mutually helped each other become better people? I love that Eloise is going to go off on this adventure to Scotland and meet other people but could she not also have retained her friendship with Cressida??

I would have loved to see the Eloise I know and love in part 2 teaming up with Cressida to help her, scheming together, doing everything in her power to help her bestie because that's who she is. That's what we should have seen. Maybe it would take her a second to get there, since she was already wrapped up in the drama with her brother and Pen, but she wouldn't just completely brush off her friend. She would do something.

And I could go on about how messed up it was for the writers to make it pretty clear how bad things have become for Cressida and then make her face the most consequences ever, while Pen gets to ride off into the sunset all happily ever after despite doing things 1000x worse than anything Cressida ever did. I'm actually disgusted.

[dollypopup]

but can we talk about the fact that Colin really truly has NO IDEA Penelope loves him? It broke my heart when at the end of the episode, he was there basically going 'If you got caught up in the carriage and you change your mind, I understand' when she left for a while at their engagement ball and constantly said 'I have to tell you something'

like he's of the belief that what she wants to tell him may be that she doesn't reciprocate his feelings and that it's a love match just on his part. he thinks she's settling for him because he's the one who mucked up her chances for a different proposal but he cares for her so much he can't let her go

both of their sexual encounters so far have been Colin giving her pleasure partly to prove that he's worth holding on to, reinforcing his belief that he's only worthwhile if he can provide something. he truly doesn't believe he's loveable just for who he is, but for what he can do. in the carriage, he asked if she accepted Debling's proposal and she said Debling didn't propose at all because of the scene Colin caused, thus eliminating the choices for her. It was him or nothing, basically. Colin said he had feelings for her, but she said she wanted to be more than friends. It makes sense to me that, in part, his motivations in that carriage were threefoldfold: to show her he was serious, to revel in her pleasure, and 'let me prove how nice I can be to have around'. Then in the first time scene, they had sex after he stood up for her to Portia, providing a defense and informing he loves her and that's why he proposed. He complimented Pen, talked about how much he wanted her, and said aloud repeatedly that he loves her, but she tells him that no one else had defended her like he did before, and that she appreciates it. Not that she loves him back. He wants to be intimate with her, of course, but also he wants to prove himself a good candidate for her affection, because he doesn't believe he already has it. 'Don't you want to keep me around? Don't you see how good I can be? The good I can do?'

And it just gives added weight to his 'Then what good am I to you?' because he genuinely, from the bottom of his heart, doesn't know that she loves him for him, but that her agreeing to marry him is conditional on what he can provide for her

for Penelope, her love for him is a constant, like her heartbeat, something she feels she doesn't have to announce because to her it is so obvious and so strong, but for him, it's not at all obvious, and he knows she wants something more than friendship with him, but does not know that's because she returns his feelings.

I know she's got a lot on her plate right now but Penelope please come tell this man that you love him body and soul, I am crying

[twst-kumi]

Sorry please,my English is not very good ( it's not my mother tongue) it's silly but you can do a headcanon on pregnancy ( from the dorm heads) or an alphabet on either of them!

Don't worry, English is not my mother tongue too. I will consider reader is in a relationship with them and that they are the father. Reader is a girl in the story.

Dorm leader with Pregnant reader

Riddle Rosehearts

Riddle would be the most shocked if you were pregnant.

You two were still in NRC. IN SCHOOLS! He knew he should have waited for marriage.

Riddle is worried, and rightfully so. He knows nothing about child care, let alone parenthood. He is scared that he won't be a good father. Or worse. What if he becomes like his mother and repeats the trauma circle?

Reader and Trey will need to be the voice of reason here.

Make sure to assure him that everything is alright.

Riddle will gather EVERYTHING he could get about childbirth and childcare.

He will learn everything from start to end. At this point, he knows more about your pregnancy than you do.

Expect him to be there at every doctor's appointment, even better! HE will make those appointments.

Your doctor would be a bit tired tho...

Riddle will ask him a lot of questions. From your diet, to what is needed for the pregnancy, how to make sure you and the baby will be safe.

Reader will be taken care of like a queen.

You will also have to move to Heartlsabyul. Ramshackle is too rundown and dangerous for you or the baby.

Trey mentioned that Mozart was good for the baby's brain development. Care to try it?

Riddle would spend hours talking and reading to your belly.

Will cry before the first ultrasound you did. It's his child's first picture in a way.

Mood swings with Riddle would be funny. He knows it's because your body changes for the child but it's hard sometimes.

Ace would laugh because this time he is the one who has to walk on eggshells.

If you cry, Riddle will be completely helpless. He would panic trying to make you smile.

The one to take care of your food carving would be Trey. Riddle tried to do it, but some of the things you asked for, were unknown.

I think Riddle would be a little jealous of the other. He would feel a little helpless about the situation. And having to rely on others even though he is the father. He should be the one to take care of you!

This would be where Riddle would see the difference between theoretical and practical knowledge.

Marriage will be expected. He will try to at least get a civil marriage. If you have any religion, he will organize a proper wedding following your beliefs once the baby is born.

Riddle's biggest worry is his mom. He doesn't want her to hurt you or the baby.

Riddle will try to take care of everything for you. He isn't the best at it, but he has the spirit.

BONUS Childbirth :

Poor Riddle would definitely want to be there during the birth.

His poor soul didn't support it.

Riddle would either cry or faint. He is sorry he put you through something so painful and potentially traumatic.

You will have to assure him that you are okay.

Leona Kingscholar

Leona with a pregnant reader could be interesting if he was a Yandere.

Lions kill young cubs (not his) to get the lioness more inclined to bear his cub.

But this isn't a Yandere headcanon. So I will keep this in a drawer.

That doesn't mean he wouldn't try to push Grim a little away. Or bribe convince him to leave you and him alone a little longer.

Leona is the first to know you are pregnant. Way before you do.

Cliché but it's true.

He would not try to tell you directly, so he wouldn't sound too insensitive, but he will insist that you take a pregnancy test

Or even better he will try to convince you to do a blood test. It's more accurate than a stick you pee on.

And surprise surprise, you are pregnant.

Leona can't help but be smug about it. He is the father, and if it wasn't obvious before for some stubborn herbivore or... A particular lizard.

Leona is close to his sister-in-law so he had some experience with pregnancy.

But this time he is the father. And the mother is a magicless human.

Unlike beastwomen, you are more weak. This is what worries him.

The first person Leona asks for advice is his sister. Who is the best to ask about pregnancy if it's not someone who experienced it?

This also means that Falena now knows he will be an uncle.

Leona could hear Cheka rambling happily that he would have a younger cousin to everyone he saw.

If you wanted to keep a low profile during the pregnancy, he is sorry. That would be impossible. Say goodbye to your peaceful days.

You must go with him to meet with your in-laws during the weekend.

Leona is a prince. Even if he is just the second prince, he is still from the royal family. Which means, a lot of regulation, tradition, etc...

Leona's family would happily welcome you and try to make you feel accepted.

During the pregnancy, Leona would make sure to get you everything.

You want chocolate and pickles? Of course! Need a massage? The servants are here for you; if you wish, HE would do it.

While in NRC, expect to stay with him. Leona doesn't want you to strain yourself too much.

He will make sure that Ruggie runs errands for him AND you.

Leona will sleep with a hand on your belly. He will never say it but he loves feeling the baby kick.

Another one who will follow you to your ultrasound.

The royal family has their own doctor. And he is your doctor from now on too. You are his royal spouse after all.

BONUS Childbirth :

It's a known fact, that Leona drinks his respected woman's juice every morning.

Well after childbirth? He drinks it morning and night.

Seeing you endure so much pain just because you love him, made him feel even more in love.

Leona could never do what you did.

You are weak compared to beastwomen, but even more brave. As expected of his future wife.

Leona would cradle the baby carefully next to you. He tried not to show it but you could see the small smile on his lips.

Azul Ashengrotto

Azul would be another one shocked. He almost spit his ink.

Floyd and Jade would congratulate and tease him.

It was unexpected but Azul is happy about it.

Don't worry about the future, he saved enough money to care for you and the baby.

For your carving, he will ask the twins for help. Floyd is having a blast with your funny demand.

Azul will accompany you to your doctor's appointment.

He will have done his research before coming with you. And while Riddle would ask the doctor way too many questions.

Azul just takes notes and asks questions only when needed.

He will take you to look for the baby's clothes and maybe even the furniture.

Mood swing with Azul is a nightmare for him and comedy gold for the Leech twins.

No, you are not fat, just full of love.

You are not ugly! You are the prettiest mother who ever existed.

Azul would watch you with bated breath for any outburst.

Please don't mind the contract he asked you to sign. Mariage contract? Don't mind what was written on it.

Bonus Childbirth

Azul would panic the moment your water broke.

He would come in the room, hold your hand as you are pushing the baby out;

And then?... Nothing.

Azul just fainted, he wasn't even able to hold the baby. The tweels will tease him about it.

Kalim Al Asim

LET'S THROW A PARTY!!!

Kalim is way too happy, and you can tell from Jamil's face that he is losing 5 years of his life.

Kalim has been poisoned and kidnapped a lot since childhood, and now he has to protect you too.

Poor Jamil can't take a break. And now you are overworking him.

You will obviously move to their dorm because now you are under careful watch.

Kalim is just happy and is already preparing a room for the baby.

Tell him what you want, and he will give you EVERYTHING.

Your Carving? Don't worry, Jamil can make them for you.

You want a midnight snack? Kalim would try to do it but would fail miserably. He will have to wake up Jamil to prepare your snack and clean up the mess. poor guy

Meeting with the Al Asim family would be great.

Usually, they would do a long background check and be suspicious of you. But if even Jamil trusts you. Welcome to the family.

Another one who has a private doctor.

Mood swings with Kalim would be impossible.

He is such a sweetheart, you can't get angry at him. Instead, he will smother you with love.

You would feel frustrated by the constant monitoring but it's for your safety.

Bonus childbirth

Kalim absolutely wanted to come with you in the room.

Jamil stopped him, so he had to wait with his family.

He would be anxiously pacing until they were allowed in.

He is the first at your side to look at your baby.

Kalim would cry and laugh proudly. He is a father now.

Vil Schoenheit

Vil is happy but also worried. He has always wanted to form a family with you.

But just not this soon. He is an actor so he knows how fans can react.

He wants to be present during every step of your pregnancy but can't.

Vil will keep it as private as possible.

He is not ashamed but it's for your safety.

Vil knows how crazy fans can be, I believe he had some stalker, and you can't tell me otherwise.

Vil would be one of the people who wouldn't cave into your carving.

If he deems it as unhealthy, he will refuse to give it to you.

He will be here for you during your mood swings.

About Vil's dad, I don't think he would mind too much. His son is responsible enough for him to trust Vil's decision. He is also excited to be a grandpa.

Will come with you to your doctor's appointment. He isn't there at every appointment but he tries.

Bonus childbirth

Vil is both in awe and worried. Giving birth is both the most beautiful and strong event he could witness.

He would hold your hand, staying by your side every time

Vil would hold the baby with a tender smile. He doesn't say it but you can see he loves the baby already. It's the most beautiful child.

Idia Shroud

Idia would be happy and MORTIFIED. For him, it's a miracle he was able to pull you.

And now, you say you are pregnant???

He fainted.

Idia is happy but it's too much emotion for him.

He is going to be a father... A FATHER! Idia never thought you would be interested by him, let alone share your blood and have a child with him.

He believes he ruined your life and feel guilty for being happy for it. You will not leave him when you are with his child... Right?

Will ask you if you want to keep the child or not. (Please don't say you don't want it, his heart gonna break.)

You will have to reassure him that you are happy and actually want the baby.

Please hug, Idia! He need a lot of PDA.

Idia will work his courage up, to accompany you.

He will be worried about you and the baby. It's to the point he made something to monitor you and the baby. Or just ask Ortho to keep an eye on you.

Any abnormal change would warrant a panic attack in Idia. He is an overthinker.

Mood swings is a nightmare for both of you.

Idia is an anxious guys, so he would cry.

Any carving you have is like a game where he have to be fast.

His family would welcome you with open arms.

They did a background check, surviving 6 Overblot in a row is incredible. Mind if they study you?

Anyway, you are totally welcomed in the Shroud family.

Don't worry about the wedding after the baby's birth. They will take care of it.

Idia's family is wealthy and he is the heir. So don't spare the details for the baby room.

Bonus Childbirth

Idia would go with you in the delivery room.

I can see him cry like he is the one giving birth.

Poor guy tried to focus on you and only you. Holding your hand tightly, kissing your forehead while whispering encouraging word.

But the moment he glanced at what was happening down there?

He is gone! Idia fainted from horror and shock.

How could you support that? It must hurt!

Did you see the size of his head? He is shocked.

Well was, because he fainted.

Malleus Draconia

I'm going to cheat for this one as I'm planning on doing a Yandere headcanon/one shot involving a pregnant reader. (A personal request of a close friend.)

So I will just link it here.

[erwinsvow]

please do bsf rafe flirting with reader while he’s drunk and she’s trying to put him to bed but he just cuddles her and tells her how much he has feelings for her

this with kook trio readerrr omg <3 in my head, rafe's version of admitting feelings is being aggressively posessive. when they finally start dating shes like why didnt you say something sooner? and hes like wym ive been claiming you since the start

you were so used to rafe taking care of you—bringing you home to tannyhill with him, making sure you took a tylenol before you fell asleep on his bed, a clean frat shirt of his waiting for you in the bathroom.

he was such a good friend to you. when times like this came along, you tried your best to repay the favor.

you think rafe's got it easier, though. he alway manhandles you into position, can carry you up the stairs when you're stumbling and force the pill and water down your throat when you're resisting. you're usually too drunk to remember rafe's hand on your jaw, opening your mouth for you and trying to coax you into taking it, telling you repeatedly you'll be grateful he did it in the morning.

"you are such a dick," you mutter, staring at the bottle of tylenol in your hand and the empty cup of water on the nightstand. he's just spilled the water all over his floor in a drunken stupor, and you suddenly hate that he ever made you feel bad about how much he has to take care of you when you're the drunk one.

rafe is ten times worse than you could ever be.

"thinkin 'bout my dick, are'ya?" he slurs back at you, and then laughs at his own joke. he's laying flat on his bed now, still in the same clothes he wore to the party, shoes and watch still on. getting him into the house and up the stairs was hard enough, even with top and kelce's help, but they'd jumped ship the second you got rafe into bed.

"all yours now, princess," kelce said, grabbing the keys to his car.

"yeah, good luck. i've never seen him so drunk," top adds.

"you're both just leaving me with him?" you cry out, but the hallway is empty when you finally get your wrist out of rafe's grip. rafe had mumbled something from his position, but you hadn't heard it.

twenty minutes later, you still hadn't gotten rafe to drink any water or change his clothes. all his energy seemed to be focused on getting you to curl up next to him.

"c'mon! just get into bed, m'fuckin tired-" he grumbles again, latching onto your arm while you try to at least get his shoes off.

"you can't sleep with your sneakers on, rafe-"

"who cares? i like my sneakers-"

"that's great, but your sheets-"

"but not as much as i like you. hah. that's fuckin' cheesy." you turn to look at your drunken best friend, his flushed cheeks and the way his eyes are closed while talking to you. you laugh, unable to hold it back.

"thanks, rafe. i like you too. enough to get your shoes off because you will so regret this tomorrow morning."

"don't regret anything." his eyes open, staring at you while you stare at his shoes. "shit. you're pretty."

you don't even address his comment—he's drunk beyond belief and you know you're pretty. after you untie his laces for him, he kicks off his shoes. you sigh a breath of relief.

"okay, rafe, do you want to sleep in these clothes or should i find pajamas?"

"how 'bout we sleep naked? there's an idea."

"stop being a perv. otherwise i'm gonna go cuddle with kelce instead." you laugh to yourself—the whole thing is a joke. you and rafe don't cuddle, at least not on purpose. you go to bed facing him but somehow always wake up with your limbs tangled and your hair in his face.

"sure. if you want me to kill kelce."

"oh my god, dramatic much?" you turn back to rafe to see if he's laughing, but he's not, looking right at you and sitting up.

"m'not kidding. don't joke about that. you're fuckin' mine, don't forget it."

he lays back down. you pause, eyebrows knitting while you think about the sentence rafe just said. he's drunk, so he must be joking. right?

"c'mon wanna sleep. get into bed." he grumbles again, and you comply, still a little shellshocked. you turn off the lamp and get into bed, and you don't even feel surprised when rafe pulls you in. you rest your head against his chest, and you don't stop thinking about what he said until you fall asleep.

[galedekarios]

minsc & gale

recently i've been doing a playthrough taking minsc along during the limited amount of time we do get to connect with his character in the game and i have to say he's growing on me in a way he didn't in previous titles.

i wanted to take the opportunity here to write a short post about his relationship with gale because that, too, is something i found myself enjoying despite the (too) few interactions that we have between them.

minsc's initial thoughts about gale

Player: How are you and Gale getting along? Minsc: I do not wish to speak of the wizard. Minsc: I could not have said it better myself. - Player Option 1: Gale's great - what's your problem with him? Minsc: He came to me one night with a little book of mischief - full of words and their meanings. Minsc: 'Posterior', he says. 'Can you say 'posterior'?' I refused! Minsc does not need to know the language of wizards. Player: 'Posterior' isn't wizard-talk - it's another word for 'butt'. Minsc: It is an inferior word. Far too long to use in a battle cry, which is where a 'butt' belongs. Minsc: Gale would do better to educate himself in the ways of sword and steel than to throw these pointy words at Minsc. Minsc: Ai, yes. Gale also owns a cat. A cat with wings! That is most unnerving for poor Boo. Player: You should give him a break - he's only trying to help. Minsc: Never! If he is not careful, Boo will shred his books and use them as bedding! - Player Option 2: Did you know that he has an explosive magical orb in his chest that could destroy a city? Minsc: WHAT? Minsc: That is a thousand times more interesting than anything that has ever been written in a book. Minsc: GALE! MY GOOD FRIEND! WHERE ARE YOU? MINSC AND BOO WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THE EXPLODING.

they may not start off on the right foot, but with gale's genuine interest in other people's cultures as well as his perception and easy-going nature that changes:

sorcerous sundries

Minsc: Minsc has never trusted places such as this. Too much of a wizard's power can be simply packaged and picked up. devnote: Grumbling as we make our way through the shelves of Sorcerous Sundries Minsc: Well, picked up by all but Minsc. When he touches the many delicate little jars, oh how the wizards shout and stare! devnote: Revealing that his objection of Sorcerous Sundries is not in fact a deep philosophical belief that wizards have too much power - they just make him feel stupid and awkward when he pokes at their things Gale: Fear not, Minsc. You have a wizard at your side who positively encourages such curiosity. You'll fit right in. devnote: Reassuring Minsc: Obliged, wizard. Should we find our way to a weaponsmith, Minsc will rough you up a little - so that you too can fit in. devnote: Warm, comradely, would genuinely be doing Gale a favour

i feel like it truly speaks to gale's character that he doesn't dismiss minsc here - neither his feelings of inadequacy nor his innate curiosity about the things he perceives as wizardly.

it would've been very easy for gale - the wizard prodigy, the former chosen, to archwizard - to act the part of the haughty scholar, akin to the arrogant wizards that minsc describes in this banter, looking down on him, shouting at him, but gale doesn't.

gale reassures minsc, encourages him, telling him he'll fit right in. it reminds me of the way he treats karlach and fostering her interest in books and reading. another pair of seemingly polar opposites that still find a connection. i do think gale is quite natural at this, despite his long time spent in isolation.

and minsc does appreciate it - his tone changes to one of warmth, one of camaraderie - and i think this is also when minsc's perception of gale changes: from the annoying wizard to someone he sees as a companion and friend.

rashemi traditions

Minsc: Gale. Minsc worries you might send a fireball up his butt, with all of this stringy hair in your face. Gale: Is that why you keep your head shaved? I assumed it was a custom of some sort. devnote: Curious, referring to Minsc's origins Minsc: Oh, no! Most warriors of Rashemen wear long battle-braids, weighed down with stone. Minsc can show you, when next we camp? Gale: Thank you, but I'm more wizard than warrior. I'm not sure my scalp would stand up to such a plaiting. devnote: Very politely declining

i like this banter for several reasons: i think not only does it show the progression of their relationship with minsc offering to show gale the traditions of his homeland, gale also shows the same curiosity he shows many different cultures and ways of life, same as he does with lae'zel for instance and githyanki culture.

when he declines minsc's offer, he does so politely, without insulting minsc's traditions, putting the onus on himself instead. he's the wizard, not the warrior.

house of hope

Minsc: Gale! You will perhaps able to explain where Boo has not - what exactly is the difference between a devil and a demon? Gale: A fascinating question, one that boils down to which criteria we choose to apply. Are we speaking about the physiological? Theological? Etymological? devnote: In teacher-mode - up for an in-depth, intellectual discussion Minsc: Eh. Just how-to-kill... -ical. devnote: Non-plussed, echoing Gale's ending every word with 'ical' Gale: Oh. Then for your purposes, they are exactly the same. devnote: Disappointed

this banter genuinely made me laugh. again, i like how it shows the progression of their friendship, to the point of where minsc goes from finding gale annoying to imitating his speech. and gale doesn't put it beyond minsc to have an 'in-depth, intellectual' discussion... even if he is disappointed by the end of their banter, realising that minsc's priorities are... elsewhere.

wychlaran

depending on your party composition and who you take with you, minsc can also call gale his wychlaran.

The Wychlaran, meaning "wise old women" in the ancient language of Halardrim, also known as the Witches of Rashemen outside their lands, were the spiritual leaders of Rashemen, communing with the spirits and guiding the souls of the Rashemi people.

minsc does use it, too, to describe a special bond and a sense of duty and protectiveness to the people he ascribes this title to. he did so in bg1 with dynaheir and in bg2 with aerie.

elminster

Minsc: It must be difficult for Gale to imagine great Elminster a-courting. Writing poems. Doing... certain... deeds. Gale: Long before my time, thank goodness. That's not an image I care to dwell on. Minsc: Ugh. It is difficult for Minsc to think of, too. Let us speak no more of it. Minsc: ... Minsc: Of Elminster and the sex, I mean.

another banter that did genuinely make me laugh despite the seriousness of the situation, especially given the bond that elminster and gale share as well, which speaks of paternal feelings on elminster's part that come with a certain sense of responsibility, as well as gale's admiration, but also often exasperation with his former mentor.

on a more serious note, minsc offers great insights in his interactions with gale and gale's story:

mystra and the vremyonni

The vremyonni or Old Ones were an arcane brotherhood in Rashemen. Men that were arcane spellcasters in Rashemen had two choices, exile or to join the vremyonni. Many vremyonni were kept alive for eons by longevity magic. Vremyonni were expert weaponsmiths and magic item creators. On very rare occasions, vremyonni would fight in the defense of Rashemen. Vremyonni used secrets of magic that even the Witches of Rashemen did not use, destructive spells forbidden among the wilds of Rashemen, in case such magic was needed. The Running Rocks harbored secret strongholds of the vremyonni. All vremyonni wore masks.

Minsc: Gale reminds me of the vremyonni of my homeland. The man-mages of Rashemen. Minsc: While the girl-folk go on to rule as wychlaran, Weave-touched boys were hidden away. Trained to work their craft in silence and secrecy. Minsc: It is an old custom, not well-observed. In truth I thought it born of caution, after some catastrophe wrought by wizardly men-folk of old. Minsc: Now I wonder if it was not done to hide them from Mystra, and the snares she sets for young and prideful boys, hm? Minsc: Though this suggests that Mystra has never tempted a witch into foolishness. Not that I would blaspheme by suggesting otherwise. Minsc: I forget why I began this long and winding story. Yes Boo - we have been spending too long around the wizard.

i think this is a very interesting banter, especially since it's also only marked to trigger if gale agrees to return the crown to mystra.

it's easy to dismiss this banter, laugh it off as just another instance of minsc being minsc, but i think it's important to consider it within the context of game canon and what has been shown to us.

it's a story and everything within a story is there for a reason.

another great insight from minsc comes if gale is pushed towards the crown by the player:

gale and godhood

Minsc: Who among us has not been spurned by a lover? But a word of advice, if Minsc may be so bold: Minsc: Let the wizard lick his wounds. Write some rickety rhymes, and weep most manfully into his hamster's hide. Eh - his cat's hide. Minsc: But... his boasting is unbecoming. 'Claim godhood', he says? Will this make him any less a man with a half-mended heart?

again, minsc does at times share great insight into other characters and he does so here again with gale:

will this make him any less a man with a half-mended heart?

i think it quite accurately goes straight to the crux of what makes it so very easy to push gale towards godhood: he is hurt. he feels abandoned. by his goddess. by his former lover. both as a mystran and on deeply personal level.

he is drifting, seeking something to hold his head above the water. if it's not the protag's love or friendship, it will be the crown.

anyhow, i never expected to write this when i first learned that minsc would be a companion, but i truly did enjoy him and his interactions with gale in particular.

[demon-country]

One thing I like about Stolas is that he learns, and then he takes action of his own accord. He's not stagnant. Sure, he can be a bit oblivious and lost in his own head, but once he's finally informed that there is a problem he always makes a real effort to reflect on it and then do something about it.

We see it as early as Loo Loo Land, where he misses all the cues that Octavia is upset, but once she actually tells him what's wrong he immediately reassures her. He then promptly leaves with her, asks her what she wants to do instead, and takes her there despite not understanding the appeal. His focus is on her the whole time from the moment he finds her crying. He even carries her like she's a small child again the entire way back to the van, and she lets him because physical comfort is something she needs and he knows it.

We see it again after Ozzie's, where Blitz is finally honest about his belief that Stolas wants him for nothing but sex. After a night of heavy drinking, he immediately starts to reflect on things and comes to the correct conclusion that their deal needs to end, because in hindsight Blitz didn't seem happy or like he was having a good time like Stolas previously assumed, and then he tries to find Blitz a way to stay in business without relying on him. He gets a little side tracked because of the divorce, but he never gives up on getting Blitz an Asmodean Crystal, even when it requires him to wait several hours in Asmodeus' waiting room fresh out of the hospital.

We also see it in Apology Tour, where he reflects in his song and starts to realize that his behavior early on wasn't taken as him being cute and playful like he intended, but pushy and overbearing. Despite how Blitz hurt and yelled at him both that morning and the night before, he acknowledges that it wasn't malicious and doesn't try to put the blame for things going wrong on Blitz, although he doesn't yet realize that it's not because Blitz doesn't care, it's because he cares too much and is scared of that.

Stolas is learning and changing, but it's a slow process. It comes in pieces. Which is generally how it goes in real life, too. People don't usually change overnight, it can take years and years to fully unlearn bad behaviors and do better, but fuck if he isn't trying.

He needs problems spelled out for him though. He's been extremely sheltered and socially isolated his whole life, and there are a lot of things pointing to him being autistic as well. He's going to miss or misinterpret things that are just implied, there's simply no getting around that. For example, he was never going to realize that there are problems with how he treats imps in general without prompting, because that's been normalized for him and he's high enough on the food chain that almost no one is going to correct his unconscious bigotry. That is, until Blitz, who is perhaps the only person of a lower class Stolas knows who's not intimated by him in the slightest (other than Striker, who was torturing him at the time, which is yet another trauma barrier that will make it hard for him to reconcile with his racism/classism), tells him in a fit of rage. 

I'm sure he'll reflect on Blitz's words and what they mean about how he acts when it's not less than 24 hours since he got his heart smashed to pieces. I don't know about you guys, but I know firsthand that the humiliation and betrayal he likely felt after having his feelings mocked not once, but twice (first on accident, but the next very much on purpose. Oh Blitz, the self-sabotage is so painful to see) take a little while to get over. Let him reflect on how his over-enthusiasm had him running roughshod over Blitz first for a bit, which he's already in the process of doing, then when things aren't so fresh he'll be in a better headspace to consider his overarching biases.

And from a narrative standpoint, the fact that it's taking a while for him to work through everything is a good thing. Expecting him to just Know Better is unrealistic and would cheapen his character arc. He's fighting to do better for the people he loves despite his trauma and implicit biases making that hard for him, and if he is autistic then there are just some things he will always struggle with, like reading social cues. But for any of his improvement to feel satisfying for the viewers then it has to move at a reasonable pace, and unfortunately that kind of change takes time. It's difficult, but he's actually doing a pretty good job so far. He's making a real effort to fix his behavior. But you gotta be patient, he's basically fumbling blindly through this alone.

Anyway, I just really love that, slowly but surely, he's learning. He's not being babied by the narrative or the creators, he's holding himself accountable and changing himself for the better. If you want realistic characters with nuance and depth then you have to let them actually act in the messy, imperfect ways real people do. This is true for Blitz and his character arc as well, but that's for a whole other post.

[moonshynecybin]

I find Marc covered up fully underneath his leathers, upto his neck & wrists, so fascinating when we have the others in half sleeves, mesh or nothing. I can't remember if he always was that way or changed midway, if there was a particular reason? If Alex does the same? It just gives regency era eldest spinster daughter hair tied up tight covered up to the neck waiting for the highest titled rake to come show her the pleasures waiting for her.

marc would be SOOOO good at the kate sharma of it all. like bridgerton season two is in many ways rosquez 2 me. marc WOULD deny himself love and marriage if he convinced himself it would protect alex and vale WOULLD close himself off from love for fear of losing anyone he loved ever again after the untimely death of his [dont worry about it] from a bee sting. perfect set up for vale to decide to court marc's much more agreeable and younger (NOT A SPINSTERRRR) brother who because he needs someone to secure the family's future with and alex is one of the most eligible and educated bachelors on the market. and he knows he will never fall in love with him. whereas marc is known for going on crazy person horse rides (how he first meets vale) and pissing people off. and ALEX is locked in this fun codependency thing with marc, where marc sacrificed so much to get him there from spain and its the only way they can like. still live in the same household because the marquez finances are a lil shaky for regency reasons (alex it should be noted will fall for vale's ward franky SO fast and they shall have their own tortured by familial obligation repressed regency drama please trust this. it WOULD involve alex saving franky from bandits. again trust.)

so anyways vale commits to courting the idea of alex. butttt marc and vale. kind of hit it off. chemistry! goofballs ! a game of crochet that legitimately turns a little dangerous (marc is. cheating the whole time lmao. vale is ALSO cheating he is kicking balls into the bushes and. possibly. checking out marc's ass when he bends over to fetch them. victimless crime looking never hurt anyone.) truly luca meets marc and is like lovely to meet the man my brother plans to marry :) and alex vale marc are all like. um. hah. about that. EVERYONE can see and marc and vale are down fucking horrendous but are cutting themselves off from love so aggressively its UPSETTING ! vale CANNOT lose anyone he loves and marc will sacrifice EVERYTHING for alex's future so they are locked in horny tension for monthsss. it is. insanely horny close proximity sniffing. it is. dancing at balls probably more than is strictly proper. it is. marc getting pushed into a body of water and having to strip off his paper thin old-timey shirttttt. getting wayyyy too into betting on horse races like they are throwing elbows. alone in various well dressed rooms breathing the same air SO much yearning and holding back because like. they CANT do that to alex (alex. does not want that man lmao).

until finallyyyyy its alex and vale's wedding day and marc feels like hes going to THROW UPPPPPP. worlds saddest little spinster. pale sad brave face on. but he walks in and vale is just. he cant take his fucking eyes off marc. at the alter in a church in his best suit. he cant stop looking at him. and he feels like hes going to cry but he doesnt know why. and alex walks in and looks at the two of them looking like they want to DIE and it clicks. right then. that theyre in love (huge relief off of his shoulders tbh. already sexting franky via horny letter in his mindpalace) like alex KNOWS his brother and he KNOWS the only way get marc to stop doing something self destructive is for alex to tell him he doesnt have to. so he turns away from vale and he takes marc's hands. and he calls of the wedding.

BUT that doesnt resolve our central conceit on vale's end. what do you do when the scariest thing in the world is the person you love dying. and that is a belief that has been informed by person you love dying trauma. well in vale's case you simply have to realize YOU ARE ALREADY IN LOVE... TOO LATE IDIOT. having them and MAYBE losing them is better than never having them and losing them ANYWAYYY. so in this its like. the wedding falls through, alex marries franky so hes fine, and marc gets in a HORSE RIDING ACCIDENT ! and its uh. not looking good. and marc almost DIES and vale wasnt even THERE and he didnt knowwww how vale feels. he never got to be with him :( truly life is fleeting go fuck your twink :( finds out marc is going to be okay and cries for hmm. maybe the first time in ten years? and then they get married :)

[batneko]

okay SO, childhood friends idea inspired by a suggestion from @hyperfixatingonbowuigisohard and the Yoshi's Island games. I still don't have a story exactly but I do have a lot of Thoughts.

Mario and Luigi are around three or four years old, old enough to talk but not to really articulate what's happening or how they're feeling. It's during a time when the parents think grandma is watching them and grandma thinks the parents decided to take them after all, and when they get home everything seems fine so the adults don't bother to compare notes. But we're getting ahead of ourselves.

Bowser is a couple years older, and small kids develop so fast that most wouldn't want to play with one much younger ("that's a baby!!!") but he's so desperate for a friend even close to his own age that he jumps at the change to spend time with this strange child that stumbled into his castle.

But... little Bowser has been so spoiled by Kamek and the other servants raising him that he has no idea how to play nicely. Luigi is terrified of him at first and starts bawling the moment Bowser "orders" him to play. For the first time in his short life, Bowser has a problem that can't be solved by yelling, crying, OR throwing things. He has to control his temper and learn to - what's it called again? - share.

Despite that the week that little Luigi spends with him is the happiest Bowser has ever been, and even that short amount of time has such an impact on his personality that he almost seems like a different person by the end. He accidentally bumps into Kamek and says "sorry" without being prompted and Kamek is so shocked he has to have a lie-down.

But at the end of that week, little Mario suddenly shows up with a pack of yoshis who seem to know where the boys belong, and Kamek knows it's not right to just keep a lost child. He also knows that there's no way Bowser is going to agree to let his first-ever friend go away and maybe never see him again, so Kamek smuggles Luigi out while Bowser is asleep and tells him his family came to get him. It's technically true.

Bowser is devastated. He screams, cries, throws things, and finally begs, but there's nothing anyone can do, Luigi is already gone. He's miserable for months, but eventually the sadness turns into anger. If his friend wanted to come back, why doesn't he?

Time passes. The memories fade. He's left with equal parts fascination by and resentment of humans, and the subconscious belief that if you give the people you love any chance to leave you, they will.

Meanwhile Mario and Luigi have gone home, and both of them are suddenly talking a lot about dinosaurs. That's not unusual, kids love dinosaurs, the parents figure they saw a cool book or movie with one of their cousins. But while Mario seems to think of dinosaurs as big animals that you run around with, Luigi keeps asking when he can go see "the dinosaur" again. He gets upset when his parents don't know what he means, but he keeps asking, again and again, for months. Every time they think he forgot he asks again, and no movie or museum visit or plush toy seems to be the answer.

He draws a lot of spiky green balls in this time. Eventually the parents decide that "the dinosaur" must be his imaginary friend and try to play along. It doesn't work, Luigi is still upset, but he's young and eventually he really does forget.

Years later family members will still sometimes bring up "Luigi's imaginary friend the dinosaur" as a cute anecdote. It's a little embarrassing, but he doesn't mind it too much.

And then it's twenty-plus years later and Mario and Luigi find themselves in a world that's full of adventure and magic and - yes - dinosaurs. There's a feeling of déjà vu but there are bigger things to worry about at the moment, and neither of them have any real reason to think they've been to this world before.

The first meeting doesn't go well. Bowser kidnaps Peach, the bros come to her rescue, and it ends in a big fight. Bowser does have a moment's pause when he first sees the bros, but Mario takes that opportunity to attack him and it's downhill from there.

There are several more clashes as time goes on. Sometimes it's just Mario, sometimes it's both of them, but after enough meetings people start to notice... Bowser controls his temper better around Luigi.

At first Mario thought it was just because Bowser hates him specifically, but no, other people have noticed it too. For some reason when Luigi is there Bowser is actually capable of showing restraint. Not even Peach brings that out of him. It's weird.

(Mario does wonder if Bowser kind of has a thing for his brother, but he can't bring himself to say it out loud.)

Luigi isn't scared of Bowser either, not the way he probably should be, given the whole giant monster/serial kidnapper thing. It's too awkward to ask Bowser why he's different around Luigi, but Mario asks Luigi why he's not afraid, and Luigi can't put his finger on it. He just Knows that Bowser is more bark than bite. He's not sure why.

So that's where things stand; Bowser and Luigi are both more comfortable with each other than anything about their personalities or situation seems to justify, and nobody knows why.

...Except Kamek who, as the only adult in the situation, figures out who the bros are almost immediately and promptly decides to Keep His Damn Mouth Shut. That reveal is not going to lead to good things for him.

[violet-fluff]

Post War! Levi x Baker! Reader

Love in the Oven (pt.1)

Levi lives a quiet life in Marley after the War of Heaven and Earth ended almost three years ago. The old Survey Corp group and those who helped them during the war are now peace ambassadors and are setting sail back to Paradis Island to give peace talks. Levi was invited to go but he’s still tired.

Tired mentally and physically.

He would rather stay behind than go argue with Jaegerists who have no interest in changing their beliefs.

Besides, he couldn’t leave behind the three people he cares about the most. You, Gabi and Falco.

After the war ended, Gabi and Falco were already so close with Levi that they decided to move in with him to stay together and to help care for him since he is still learning how to work around his injuries. But man, sometimes Levi can sure use a break from these two rowdy brats.

“Wow, Miss y/n! These are even better than last time!” Gabi says as she stuffs a blueberry muffin in her mouth.

Falco stresses as usual as he watches her eat like a rabid animal. “Gabi! You’re going to choke!”

Levi sighs as he watches the two start to bicker again, but you quietly laugh as you put out the fire in the oven and hang your apron.

You own a bakery here in Marley, and you met the trio when they came in looking for shelter from the rain some months ago. The four of you have been inseparable since.

“Here,” Levi places a bag of coins on the table in front of Gabi and Falco, “Why don’t you two go to the market and get food for dinner.”

Gabi smirks. “If you want alone time with Miss y/n, you could just say so.”

Falco sighs and grabs the bag of coins. “We’ll meet back here later.”

As the two are walking out the door, Gabi turns around and wiggles her brows. “Don’t get too crazy, lovebirds.”

“Gabi!” Falco yells and drags her out the door.

Levi sighs and rubs his head. Gabi wasn’t wrong when she called you and Levi lovebirds. There has been romantic tension for a long while now, but neither of you have yet to make a confession.

“Should we go crazy, Levi?” You joke as you place a warm cup of tea in front of him.

Levi rolls his eyes. “Don’t encourage her.”

You sit across from Levi and stare at him while he stirs his tea. The scar across his face and blind eye scrunches when he blinks, and he stretches out the three remaining fingers on his injured hand. Despite his injured flaws, you find him greatly attractive.

“You’re staring again.” He tells you without looking up.

You smile softly. “I can’t admire you?”

“Tch,” He scoffs while taking a small sip of tea, “Admire what? There’s nothing to admire.”

“That’s not true. You are very handsome.” You argue back with a frown.

After a few seconds, Levi sighs and looks at you. “You deserve someone better.”

“What do you mean by that?” You asked in shock.

Levi is getting frustrated now as he is insecure about himself. “Look at me, y/n. I have to use a wheelchair most days, and still need a cane on the others. I can’t see out of one eye and my face is disfigured. Two teenagers help take care of me…a grown man. I’m not good with my feelings and I still have nightmares from war. Want me to continue the list?”

You look at him sadly since it makes you upset with how little Levi sees himself. “Don’t see yourself as less of a man, Levi. None of that matters to me. I will help you through it and stay by your side.”

Levi hits the arm of his wheelchair in frustration, and it makes you jump a bit. His head falls slightly forward, and you see a tear fall down his face. “I don’t deserve you.”

Tears fall out of your own eyes as you see Levi cry. You get up and kneel in front of him and lift his face to look at you. “You deserve love, Levi. I want to give you that love. I don’t care if you need a wheelchair or can’t see out of one eye. I fell in love with YOU. I love how caring you are even though you try not to show it. I love how determined you are to keep going forward. Gabi and Falco don’t only take care of you, but you also take care of them even though you might not notice it. You have your own way of showing your feelings. Like how you brought me soup everyday while I was sick.”

You grab his hands and hold them tight. “I love you, Levi. You’re one of the toughest and most loving men I have ever met.”

Levi stares at you in shock, not knowing how to respond. “I’ve never been in a relationship before. I don’t even know how it works.”

You hum in thought. “Well… a relationship will always be a learning experience anyway. No matter if you’ve been in zero or ten. If you allow me to be by your side, I can learn along with you as well.”

Levi gently cups your face. “Be with me.”

“That’s what I’ve wanted this whole time.” You say softly.

“Finally!! ….OW!” A yell comes from behind the front door.

You laugh as Levi once again rubs his head in annoyance.

[jubileemon]

In Defense of Rei Todoroki

I think Rei Todoroki deserved some empathy in light of the difficult circumstances she faced within her family, thanks to Endeavor.

Endeavor and his wife Rei didn't have a happy relationship, given how he only married her in order to produce a child strong enough to surpass All Might and she was absolutely aware of that.

Rei endured years of emotional and physical abuse from her husband, as he was more driven by his ambition to surpass All Might. Despite her attempts to protect her children, the intense pressure from her husband's actions within the household took a toll on her mental well-being. While the series portrays Endeavor's abuse as a contributor to her mental state, it's important to note that victims of abuse may find it difficult to escape such situations.

Rei's repeated exposure to Enji's dominance and abuse likely fostered a belief that she couldn't change her circumstances, leading to a passive acceptance of her situation. Victims of abuse can internalize their suffering in real life, sometimes making it challenging for them to break free. Rei's mental state serves as a portrayal of the devastating impact of an abusive environment on an individual's well-being.

We know that Rei deeply loves all her children and wishes to protect them. However, Enji's overwhelming control and abusive behavior render her powerless.

Knowing this, it doesn't take much to infer that he likely forced her to bear his children, just like how he pushed her into a loveless marriage. It gets worse when you realize how Todoroki has three older siblings... 🔥💀❄️

While the series has mentioned Quirk marriages before, it is truly sobering to actually see it firsthand as it's clear this is a marriage of convenience. Rei is marrying Endeavor for the sake of her family name and Endeavor just wants an heir to help surpass All Might.

We also see Endeavor wailing on Rei for letting Toya train while the young Shoto steps up to his mother's defense. All the while, Natsuo and Fuyumi huddle together in fear. It was a truly explicit and heartbreaking example of domestic abuse. She isn't as outright abusive as Enji is and genuinely loves her children. But as she herself admits later on, she didn't do more than she could've done to stop Enji's mistreatment of their children.

The look on Enji's face when Rei says that he's not a hero and is running away from his problems. He looks like he wants to hit her for talking back at him like that, but he knows she's right. She tried her best to be a good mother, but despite her strong disapproval, she was powerless to stop Enji from abusing and neglecting their kids. Whenever she attempted to protect Shoto from his father's brutal training, Enji inflicted physical consequences.

Due to her own worsening mental state, she prioritise protecting Shoto from Endeavor, as Shoto is the one to be in direct physical harm. This made her unintentionally neglect her other children in the process, especially Toya.

Their marriage was shown to have a power imbalance. Enji’s horrible actions created an environment where Rei feels unable to assert herself. Over time, this repeated subjugation leads to passiveness and compliance. Enji’s horrid behavior likely instills a pervasive fear in Rei, making her reluctant to stand up to him. The threat of retaliation or escalation of abuse often paralyzes victims, preventing them from acting against their abuser.

When Rei, crying out in fear and despair, tells she couldn’t stop Toya, Enji, with a straight-up demonic face, yells at her that Toya’s officially her problem and demands her to stop him. This causes images of Enji and Toya’s hatred-filled faces to flash before Rei’s eyes, causing her to snap and attack Shoto when she experiences a mental breakdown and inadvertently harms her youngest son by pouring boiling water on his face.

She was a broken woman at the start of the story, given her loveless marriage with Endeavor, the abuse they went through under his roof, as well as her breaking point where she scalded Shoto with boiling water. Later down the story, it was also revealed how she was hospitalized initially for hurting Shoto, but then she learned about Toya's apparent death in her hospital. Her condition went from bad to worst that she had to be kept there for years.

The icing on the cake? Not only did her family sold her off, but they eagerly sold her off for the financial benefits. Her life has been a wreck from the start. 😭

[reallyromealone]

SOULMATES 6

Warnings

Male reader, mpreg, omegaverse, angst, fluff

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tanjiro helped (name) change their little fabric diapers "how can such little bodies produce so much poop..." (Name) mumbled to the beta who laughed "they are little poop machines, my siblings weren't much better" Tanjiro said as nezuko watched curiously "they're going to be strong, I can tell" Tanjiro said sweetly to the Omega "you think?" (Name) asked softly and both Tanjiro and Nezuko nodded.

The siblings felt pity for the omega, they knew (name) wanted to find love with rengoku but...they also knew the Alpha never said how he felt to poor (name) who had no option but to give up on his feelings.

And then to be soulmates with his natural and literal enemy?

It was just cruel.

"How do you deal with this (name)?" Tanjiro asked genuinely as he looked at the other "..." (Name) was quiet as he gently traced his pups cheeks, noting how much they bare resemblance to their father "I want to scream and cry but... I'm also so happy? I can't describe it" (name) said genuinely "my entire life was changed and I had zero options but to adapt or die, I haven't had a second to process... If i wasn't trying not to die I was busy handling other things..." (Name) said genuinely "I know I'm asking for something unfair and impossible, it's unfair to ask if anyone but... I just I want my pups to grow up with both sides, I don't want to deny them that"

Tanjiro hugged (name) gently and Nezuko placed her hand on the omegas knee, the siblings comforting their friend, knowing (name) just wanted to be happy.

Rengoku was deeply uncomfortable as he stood beside Kokushibo, the demon silent as they stood guard in front of the only entrance of the home, both men having their hands on their swords in case anything were to happen.

He heard the crying and the grip on his blade tightned, it took everything for him to not leave his post and comfort the Omega that was almost his.

The pups that should have been his.

"Your self deprecation will not change events, so cease" Kokushibos words were blunt and cold to the Slayer, annoyed by his pharamones that were leaking everywhere.

"You wouldn't understand" Rengoku spat at the demon who rolled.his eyes "nor do I care, control your pharamones"

"I loved him but I missed my opportunity" rengoku said and Kokushibo tried so hard not to kill him right then and there "I knew he loved me and I never said anything! I suck!"

"You were a coward" kokushibo said bluntly "now he is someone else's Omega, you must move on"

"I-I know..." Rengoku couldnt be the one (name) could be with but... He will be the one that can help (name).

(Name) did let Muzan see his pups, he was angry not a monster, watching the demon interact with the tiny bundles of joy who immediately recognized their dad though (child A) kept grabbing at his hair.

"They're so weak..." Muzan fondly and (name) huffed "they're babies, if course they're weak" (name) said softly as he scented one of the pups though Muzan could feel the tension from the omega.

Sadly Muzan was far to prideful to give into his omegas demands.

Muzan left (name) scented items that the Omega begrudgingly accepted and added to his nest, the pups enjoying the scent of their papa.

(Name) got used to the demons and slayer's as a routine, finding company with Doma again as the demon visited his "favorite human" as he liked to say, ignoring how delicious the Omega smelt.

"He's really serious about this" Tengen mumbled as Giyu nodded "he wants his children to have a functional childhood, he's a good Dam"

"He's asking us to be friends with demons!"

"He's not asking you to be friends, he's asking all of us not to kill each other for his pups wellbeing"

"I would rather die than befriend those monsters"

Shinobu remembers her sister talking fondly of wanting demons and humans to live in harmony, she held her beliefs too deep down.

Then she met Doma.

Then she was reminded about how much she hated demons.

But (name)...

He reminded her so much of her beloved sister Kanae, the Omega sharing the same desire for demons and humans to co exist.

A small part of her rooted for his dreams, wanting the fighting... The suffering... For it all to stop.

(Name) remembered when he was little, tengen would sneak him little treats when their father would shame him for not being a good Omega, the boy just wanting to hang out with his brothers...

"I will never treat you how my father treated my siblings and I, whatever you want to do... I will support" (name) said softly to the sleeping pups who clung to each other so helplessly "who knows what's to come in the future but I know you both will thrive..."

A knock came at the door, Rengoku opening it at the soft 'enter' with food for the Omega as Kokushibo kept guard, once the next team arrived they were off duty.

(Name) perked up at the other, a slightly sad smile on his face as he offered the Alpha to sit "come... Meet my pups" (name)s words kind as Rengoku looked heartbroken at the pups, the tiny bundles of innocence that should have been his...

It was almost painful as he watched the Omega soothe and scent the pups.

God, if he was just (name)s soulmate... Everything would be better.

(Name) would be happy, provided for and never a worry in his mind.

He could see his brother and friends whenever he wanted, their pups would thrive.

Yet here he was, useless.

He tried to move on but seeing him like this... It killed him.

"(Child A) kind of looks like you when you accidentally spilt Shinobus tea" (name) commented as the pup yawned and it did look like he was screaming in fear "I was not that scared!" Rengoku laughed as the pup snuggled back in the nest "you hid from her for a week" (name) teased and the blond pouted playfully "they're cute kids" he comments genuinely and (name) beams "they're my world!"

The two chatted like the old friends they were as (name) ate happily.

(Name) needed Muzan.

Bad.

The Omega whined when he woke up and he wasn't there holding him or reading but (name) did this to himself.

He's the one who booted his alpha out.

(Name) found himself crying as his pups slept, not hearing Muzan enter with his breakfast "why are you crying?" The demon asked, crouching before the Omega and setting the food to the side "alpha..." (Name) mumbled, feeling just overwhelmed as the pups kept him up all night and day, needing to be fed more due to them being half demon.

"Alphas here now" Muzan said kissing his mate gently, pulling him close and scenting him and Muzan could feel the exhaustion radiate off him in heavy waves "my omegas putting to much on himself" Muzan said almost playfully, a tone (name)s never heard "I just...want everyone to get along... It's all I ask"

"How about you see them once a month... Do whatever you humans do and then return back with me to the infinity castle" Muzan asked as if he didn't have plans to remove the problem from the equation, he knew the slayer's were planning something as well.

They were just waiting.

"That place is far to dangerous for pups!" (Name) grumbled out as he played with his mates sleeve "I'm building a new home for us, so you can play with our pups... The castle will be temporary besides the pups can't even hold their heads up"

"..." (Name) was quiet as he wiped the tears from his eyes "do you promise to keep your word?"

"If course beloved" until his plan goes as he wants of course.

You see, humans are predictable and he's waiting till one of them slips up so it seems they attacked the demons against (name)s wishes.

And he just had to wait.

Both parties gathered as (name) spoke of the compromise, Muzan playing supportive husband and watching them seethe.

It was phenomenal.

The slayer's obviously argued but (name) chirped "Muzan wouldn't lie!" The Alpha wouldn't lie per day but he did keep secrets and manipulate but his sweet Omega didn't need to know that.

He just needed to be his perfect little mate and one day his little Emperor consort to Muzans emperor.

Muzan had a nursery set up when they returned to the infinity castle, the pups set in and the Alpha having his mate relax on their bed, kissing (name)s swollen ankle as he rubbed his feet.

He was doing anything to get (name) to be happy with him, the two seperate for far to long and the poor Omega needed to be reminded he only needed Muzan.

He doted completely on (name) and the pups, making it well aware his priorities were them so when he went to see his family, the hostility would make (name) mad.

And come to Muzan for comfort.

All he had to do was wait.

[picaroroboto]

I've been wanting for a little while to talk about Pandaemonium, and about Hermes, and what I think these two topics have to do with each other, so here goes. The whole time I was playing the story in Pandae, I kept thinking that I wish I could tell Hermes about all this. For one, because Hermes expresses that he feels he's the only one emotionally suffering, yet here is Erichthonios also clearly going through some shit, so maybe they could find some sort of solidarity together.

For two, because I feel Pandae proves Hermes right in his criticisms of the Ancient world. It's essentially every single flaw of their world in microcosm! Let me try to explain:

To start, let's review Hermes and his problems:

This is from the conversation with him after you show him the Elpis flower changing color for you. He expresses the sympathy he feels for creations, and how being forced to put them down for the sake of the star puts him in this ethical crisis. The entire Ancient world is built around this idea of "for the sake of the star" at the expense of all else, including the lives of their creations and their own individual emotions. Because of this, Hermes feels all the more isolated, as if he's the only one who ever feels bad or questions the foundation of their society.

There is something very, very twisted about the fact that Pandaemonium lies geographically below Elpis, the Hell to its symbolic Eden or Heaven. At the very moment Hermes is crying over having to put down dangerous creations, even more dangerous creations are being kept alive in a hellish gothic prison replete with chains and cages.

As I traveled through Pandaemonium, I also kept thinking "Why is it a prison?" Why does such a place even need to exist? As we find out in Anabaseios, the concept of it being a place to research dangerous creations is a cover story, it's more or less Athena's personal laboratory for her to pursue her goal of godhood. I've seen people praise Athena for being a more shallow and simple villain than Emet-Selch for example, but she's not just a megalomaniac:

"I am no different from our peers" is soooo telling. Her obsession with remaking mankind in her image isn't just a selfish madness, it's the ideals of the Ancients, their obsession with making perfect creations for the sake of the star, taken to it's furthest and most insane conclusion! (also note the irony in her belief that a goddess would remake the species better, when Hydaelyn, the only true goddess in the setting, chose to preserve them as they are. Arguably even making them worse by Sundering).

So Athena takes her duty to the star way too far, Lahabrea sees that she's become a danger to the star for it, and kills her, then cuts off the Hephiastos side of himself - another example of how ruthless the Ancients can be and how they justify anything for the sake of the star. Because the Ancients also place a low importance on emotion, he never talks to Erichthonios about Athena. Feeling neglected by his father and curious about his mother, Erich is lead deeper into Pandaemonium and made even more vulnerable to Athena's manipulations. So even if it was one woman's madness that spawned the action in Pandae, the other flaws of Ancient society serve to perpetuate and exacerbate it.

It's also worse mentioning that for Pandae being a prison for dangerous creations, you actually fight more transformed Ancients and corrupted Warders than you do actual animals. As my brother put it in his own meta, Pandae isn't a case of "inmates running the asylum" as much as it is the power that the Warders wield over their creations corrupting them. Athena is indirectly behind the Warder's transformations, but she also took advantage of vulnerabilities that were already there, like Hesperos's fixation on Lahabrea.

And the same obsession with perfect creations for the sake of the star, the abuse of the power over life and death, continues to characterize the Ancients after the Sundering, with the way Emet and the Ascians ruthlessly Rejoin Shards in order to bring back their "perfect" world. But what Elpis and Pandaemonium prove is that the idea of the Ancient world as a paradise is little more than Emet's grief and nostalgia talking. Hermes may have triggered the Final Days, but I feel the blame for destroying "paradise" doesn't lie entirely on him - his crisis was layered on top of myriad flaws with the world he lived in, flaws he felt he didn't have the freedom to talk about because everyone else believed the world was perfect.

Any world where people can't question the foundation of their society is very far from perfect. A world where people ruthlessly wield power over others, both creations and other people, in favor of a grand goal is no paradise. A world in which prisons exist is no paradise.

If my tone started to sound a bit vengeful there, it's because I sympathize deeply with Hermes, and can't help but feel a bit vindicated on his behalf when I think that Pandaemonium proves him right and Emet-selch wrong. But even after I've spent all this time tearing into the Ancient world, I feel like I have to remind both myself and any readers that the point of the conflict between the Ancient and Sundered world in FF14 isn't to objectively compare them and decide which is better and which is worse. Such pragmatism would be in-character for an Ancient, but we don't have to subscribe to their views. Think about it - even if the Ancient world was proven to be a true paradise, we'd still choose our broken world over it, because returning would cost too many lives, and because we love our world not because it is perfect but because it is ours.

The choice is just made a little easier by all this proof that their world was never as perfect as they said it was.

[sdyd]

𝑀. the secrets of life ... sentence starters from valentine wolfe's 2018 album, the haunting of mary shelley. feel free to change tense / pronouns !

you'll see me soon, or nevermore.

how slowly time passes here.

I am as fixed as fate.

I can't stop, or turn back now.

I've left too much unsaid.

I am your voice in the dark.

I have no friend.

they will try to cut you up.

they will put you back together wrong. so very, very wrong.

a vessel can have many purposes.

decoration lends a purpose

hold on to my voice at night.

you can be remade.

revel in the decadence as they wallow in their ignorance.

you will have all the knowledge they foolishly squandered away.

you won't ever be alone again.

you can hear her anguished cries.

your compassion makes you perfect, so perfect.

I know what you seek.

I know why you cry.

I know your breaking heart.

I know how you'll die.

[ name ] was as a daughter.

we thought that your compassion made you perfect.

the shadowed window pane offers a ghostly glimpse into your paradise of domestic bliss.

where is my place in this ?

I am an endless wanderer upon this land, a maker's thoughtless touch.

why am I so alone ?

you never stooped so low.

chase away my fears.

my tears must burn with rage.

lashing out in anger, my soul is fractured fragments.

this haunted world is littered with the ghosts of the past.

everywhere I turn there’s a part of me in all of them.

there’s so much of you in all of me.

but I don’t fit.

then sorrow shall follow behind me as my bridal train.

It’s a mystery I never understood.

it's not your story to tell.

she never knew her mother.

her voice was always there.

If only the good doctor had taken better care to imbue their new creation with a mother’s love.

what horrors might have been averted !

this author knew her subject well.

all men hate the wretched, how then must I be hated.

your actions have wronged me, I must have revenge.

I am miserable beyond all living things.

make me happy, I shall again be virtuous.

what flows out must pour back in.

I will be with you on your wedding night.

I will glut myself on your shrieks.

I will revel in your misery.

I bear a hell within me, I will loose it all upon you

you will learn to dread misfortune, you will learn the agony.

I will work at your destruction, I will desolate your heart.

the death knell shall be rung, each toll a stake into your heart.

in the halls of silence, electric genius cursed me.

I remember when I wondered : what if no one had to die ?

no more farewells.

you will never have to die.

it was not what I'd intended.

I was only ever meant to live alone until the end.

death is now a welcome guest.

the pages turn, the book never ends.

the story grows cold inside my head.

I only ever wanted to help.

the echo of you will never be enough, as long as the black veil separates us.

even stretched on your grave, I’m not close enough.

the reaper is a friend.

death's kiss is a gift.

you took from me, my agency.

now I'm just a whisper in a shadow.

I am leaving this world behind.

do not search for me in heaven.

they were atypical in their custom and belief.

yet, I am bound to them.

they would slander and decry that which they don’t understand.

ignorance will lead to fear, especially if it runs unchecked.

the only way to fight the dark is by lighting up the truth.

never once back away from what lies beyond.

your lies can't hurt me now.

[axailslink]

I almost killed him

Shuri x FEM reader

A/n: that photo just gave me flashbacks anyways to the fic

Summary: you followed Shuri into her battle with Namor refusing to leave her side when you see she's losing you jump in head first. Talk about in the name of love.

You see Namor pick up the spear and you push Shuri out of the way as quickly as you can however this leaves you standing there when he drives it into your stomach. You're not sure what to feel but the pain doesn't come first as Shuri looks at you with wide eyes your fear for Namor comes first. "Y/n!" Her eyes are immediately filled with tears as she looks at Namor you hold the spear in your body as your hands start to drip with blood from the wound. You blink for a few moments before bringing your bloodied hands to your view you gasp and past out the last thing you see is Shuri with her claws in Namor's neck.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You hear feet pacing as you slowly open your eyes "I told her not to go she followed me and I wasn't looking the only moment I wasn't looking she got hurt Okoye she got fucking hurt! My wife! Who's next? My father, my brother, my mother and my wife who is fucking next!?" You carefully sit up and look at your stomach you can still feel pain but it's not too bad "Shuri you're yelling..." You mumble as you clear your throat and she turns around so fast and approaching you and looking at your tummy "you shouldn't be sitting up" you slowly lay back on your back with her assistance.

"What in the hell possessed you to follow me? Ingaba uphambene!?" you smile at her before grimacing "Shuri I always told you I would follow you into the battle that wasn't just some saying" she shakes her head and sighs mumbling curses to herself as you look her up and down seeing how she is still in her black panther suit while Okoye has seemed to have changed into more civilian like clothing this suggests it has been a while since the fight. Shuri's hair is all over the place her eyes have dark brown circles beneath them and you can see how truly drained she is. "you can't follow me into battle y/n just because we can fix you doesn't mean you can do this every time you are human-" you nod and turn your head to look at her "so are you. you seem to forget that more often now Shuri I'm alive and I know it hurts seeing me like this I know it hurts truly but it feels the same way when you use the excuse "I'm the black panther" I have those same thoughts you do. The ones where you think if she dies I die I will die for you and don't you tell me I can't because you would do the same! Now let me rest go shower and then come back down I'm not dead I don't plan on dying so stop worrying you look as if you haven't eaten. Your people need you." She shakes her head "I can't I need to know that you're fully healed and oka-" you groan and cross your hands over your chest "Shuri Udaku I was not asking you look a mess I understand you are worried but Okoye's here she wouldn't let me die." you can see that Shuri isn't moving you want to cry seeing how much she cares for you but you cover your face with both hands trying to keep your emotions controlled. "please Shuri I'm sorry for scaring you like that but I can't heal with you right here because I was dumb and reckless and in love and I don't like seeing you like this." She grabs your hand and holds it "and I don't like seeing you like this the next time you jump in front of a spear for me be prepared to fight back please because this feeling is gut-wrenching sthandwa truly devastating." you nod "I promise I will fight back and you will teach me how." She nods and shares a small smile before her face returns to the sad one and she's avoiding tears again.

"I'm sorry," you say she nods "I know so am I" you look at her confusion written all over your face as you draw your eyebrows together. "I almost killed him I was so blinded by my love for you that I almost went against my own beliefs and I apologize for that. You wouldn't have wanted me to kill him" you glance at your stomach and the large patch covering it "ehm right now I'm having second thoughts" she laughs and wipes at her face you smile seeing that flash of her teeth and close your eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere so relax your people then come back to me I will always be waiting for you" she leans down and kisses your chapped lips and you smile. "Okoye are you crying?" Okoye turns around and wipes her face before turning back "of course not" you laugh "you was worried about me?" Okoye straight faces you but you can see it falters for a moment when she glances at your current state. "It's my job to worry about you two don't go trying to die for each other again."

Shuri smiles at you before leaving the lab and you return it. I'd do it again.

A/n: not edited

[hughungrybear]

Me while watching Last Twilight Ep. 10

I still don't like Day for being so darned aggressive with Night. It is clearly undeserved and stems from Day's belief that he should be the only "good" son in the family. Also learning that Jimmy apparently impromptu the line "I wish there is a rainbow (Rung)" when Mhok and Day are on the Last Twilight mountain is making me feel things 🥹🥹🥹

1. Oh Mum. You really should stop trying to control Day like that. He is blind, but he is a grown-ass man. Let Day live (and love) gods dammit. Also, what good can come out of making Mhok quit like that, huh?

2. I'll be angry at Mum on your behalf, Day. Yeah, I understand she is scared for you, but life is full of risks. Unless she wants you to go back hiding in your room again <after 5 seconds> Oh, look. Big Brother Night advocating for his beloved Nong and trying to convince Mum to start seeing reason. Unfortunately, Mum is being an effing cvnt. And also being weirdly jealous of Mhok and Day's relationship.

3. Oh my gawd. She hired the crying applicant from first episode to replace Mhok as a caretaker. Goes to show that Mum has some serious flaw in her judgment.

4. Oh, Rung's car is back. Also, is this what you want, Mum? Mhok and Day acting like they are in some kind of Romeo and Juliet play??? The fvck 🤬

5. Yeah, Mum is not homophobic. She's just your average rich snob. Which is just as worse, if you ask me. Also, trying to take away Day's agency (by taking away his phone and changing the Wi-Fi password) must be the cvnt-iest thing Mum has done so far.

6. Big brother Night comes through by sneaking in a new phone for Day. Mum is also cvnt to Night, I see. Again, WTF.

7. I want to cry on Night's behalf. Night deserves all the love, respect, and happiness in the world. 😭😭😭😭 Good for Day for finally forgiving Night (even though Night was practically blameless the night of the accident).

8. Mhok working to be a restaurant cook is like (figuratively) raising a middle finger to Day's mum. As it should. 😅

9. Night already knows Mhok is working at Porjai's restaurant. I wonder who told him <ahem, ahem>. Looks like the NightPorjai agenda is alive and well 😂😂😂 Also, I accidentally let out a loud squeal when Night said "this is my girl" to Porjai (even telling the doctor that she's pregnant with his child). Man, that was smooooth. Like butter 😅😅😅. If only Porjai didn't misinterpret Night calling the woman doctor his "girl" lol

10. A date in a library? Then an art gallery? Mhok is clearly a man after my own heart 😍😍😍

11. Aon and Day being the purest bros in this series. Also, it helps that Aon is a bit unhinged. Just look at him dance lol On the other hand, TIL that colours have different smells. Always thought they all smell like turpentine 😅😅😅

12. All of a sudden, Mum remembers to spend time with her sons. Again, my heart breaks for Night. He looks like an outsider in his own family. Gods damn, mum. You are failing both your sons. How in ever loving fvck did you managed to fvck your relationship with your sons this much??? Thank heavens Day is there to support his big bro.

13. Aww. Mhok was waiting. But at least, Day managed to deliver. Even if it's a bit too late (and the restaurant is already closed). But look at Mhok abusing his new cook privileges 😂😂😂

14. For a moment, I thought we crossed Cooking Crush universe with the pot holder 😅😅😅.

Why do I feel tense and apprehensive regarding Day's surgery? I know P'Aof never delivers a sad ending. Please, don't let this be the first time that he changes his mind 😭😭😭