#DEFINITELY a key 'gentleman' trait

[angeledeggs]

Ideal type of SO for each courtier? What kind of person do you think would fit them well?

OOH such a good ask yes ofc!!

Valerius🍷: okay okay I think he would definitely want someone patient because he's kind of a snob bitch (affectionately).

I think his type personality wise would be, like, someone that's kind and caring, because those are things he values in a partner.

(despite him literally being, like, a demon thing)

I think he would kind of want someone who's enthusiastic about things so that he and then can experience things together.

Also he would definitely want someone who's not used to being spoiled so that he can spoil them.

I think that like someone who's patient but also sassy or like not afraid to talk some sense into him sometimes, cause, as I said before, he can be a snob little bitch (affectionately guys I love him).

Vlastomil🐛:

Omg his type is definitely a quiet person, or, like a bookworm.

He enjoys quiet things like tea and books and would prefer if his partner shared part of his interests or something similar.

But ofc ofc he's not a picky man so he's not going to run up his nose at anyone who's not his exact type because he's a gentleman, obviously.

Speaking of gentleman, he'd like someone romantic or kind of old fashioned maybe because that's also how he is.

I think someone who's on the more introverted side would be a better match for him, since he's a more extroverted person so it would kind of balance him and his partner out.

Oh and he'd also probably like a partner that's some form of passionate about something especially if it's something artistic because he loves passion.

Valdemar💉:

They'd like to have a kind and honest partner because those two things are very important to them, especially the honest bit.

They'd also want some loyal, because that's also a trait that matters to them.

They'd also prefer someone that either likes their morbid interests or at least tolerates them, but ideally someone who cares enough for them to listen to hours of their scientific theory rants.

They also have a thing for spoiling their partners they can't resist it so they'd definitely like a partner who they can spoil a lot.

I think their ideal significant other is definitely someone kind/honest which are some of the traits that they'd want their partner to have

Volta🍰:

Her type I think is someone that's artistic because she loves art and probably outgoing, too.

Her ideal partner is also probably a very extroverted person because she's like to take her partner out on lots of dates.

She's also the type of person to be more attracted to very giving/generous people, or just very kind people in general.

She LOVES talkative people because she'll either happily listen or talk and talk with them, which she likes to do as a bonding thing.

I think her ideal match would be a kind and caring person, as she is very caring and thoughtful herself.

Vulgora⚔️:

They would definitely LOVE a talkative partner.

They think it's so adorable when their partner goes on and on about something or just in general talks to them a lot.

And they would for sure like a partner that's very sweet and/or verbally affectionate towards them or just people in general because something about that makes them feel all fuzzy and nice.

I think that they would go best with a talkative partner like their type is and probably also someone that's some form of passionate because Vulgora thinks that passionate is one of the KEY things to a relationship.

❀

[deanssexplorations]

Pornstar Hookup

It was an average Monday night and I was minding my own business watching TV with my wife and daughter. It was definitively not a play night. In fact, I was instead looking forward to the next night's date, a friend coming into town on Friday, and a Decadence party on Saturday.

Little did I suspect how the night would end.

About three hours earlier and about 20 miles to the south, Karla sat in a little taqueria, swiping on Feeld. She had flown in from Florida that morning, had the evening free, and was going to be flying back the next morning. She was horny as hell and hoping to make a connection for that evening.

One of her followers had sponsored the trip, they had hooked up, and the results had been, shall we say, less than she had hoped. Hence Karla being horny as hell. Karla is an OnlyFans content creator, which my 57-year old self thinks of as today's equivalent of a pornstar. She has a bunch of followers, puts out a ton of content, and earns her living this way. And she was nominated for an AVN award this year. So yeah, I'd say she's the real deal.

Karla is also insatiable. In fact, you will find her on OnlyFans at InsatiableKarla. She and her boyfriend have a no-rules, anything-goes approach to their relationship, which extends to her interactions with her fans. She enjoys fucking them, and if one of them wants to fly her out, and compensate her for her time, she's more than game.

That morning, after she arrived at the airport this particular follower had an Uber bring her to a lovely hotel in Sunnyvale where he was waiting for her. They had lunch then retired to the room for some sexual play. He was apparently rather inexperienced with very little skills or stamina, and the session had been a bit of a bust. So when he left that afternoon she found herself with a free evening on her hands. And a very unsatisfied appetite.

And I don't mean for the tacos she was munching on. InsatiableKarla, after all.

Meanwhile, 20 miles north and three hours later, my wife, daughter, and I had just finished watching our shows and the family was making its way to their bedrooms. It was about 10:20, and I checked my phone to see if I had any sexy messages waiting for me.

Now is the point in the story where you should be thinking I popped open Feeld, swiped Karla's profile, and started chatting. But that's actually not it. Instead, I saw a text from my good friend and Decadence co-host William, asking whether even though it was late and last minute I was by chance free that night.

William was looking to hook me up. What a guy.

I thought he might be up to something (odd for a Monday, which got my antennae up), but I noticed that the time stamp on his note to me was 8:56, well over an hour previously. And I assumed that whatever he had cooking up had either already happened or was no longer in the cards. But I responded, and he told me he had connected with a woman on Feeld earlier who was in a hotel room and was looking to get down that night.

Unfortunately he couldn't get away that night, and since Karla was in town only for the one night, they were not able to connect. So, acting as the compersionate gentleman he is, he asked if she wanted to hook up with his friend Dean.

[Editor's note: Karla later told me she has a thing for older, bald, bearded guys. She had gotten a bunch of other matches on Feeld, but no one who was really doing it for her. Good thing William and I share some physical traits in common!]

I told him I was indeed down and after he brokered a bit of back-and-forth came the text, "You're in! Her name is Karla and she's staying at the XXX hotel in Mountain View. Very down to play."

Ten minutes later I was on the freeway heading to Mountain View.

Karla and I did a bare minimum of texting during the drive. She gave me her room number and informed me the elevator didn't require a room key. I told her to leave the door open a crack. She asked if she should be clothed or naked when I arrived. I replied "naked, of course."

Of course.

Right around 11:00 I arrived and made my way through the hotel lobby. As I exited the elevator and strode down the hallway I reflected on how different my attitude was that evening than, say, for my date with Blindfold Girl. That situation had been somewhat similar, but was very early in my nonmonogamous sexual escapades. But while on that occasion my heart was in my throat and I wasn't sure if I should be fearing for my personal safety, tonight I was calm, cool, and collected, taking it as a matter of course that I would be soon walking into a room with a fully naked woman ready to fuck my brains out.

As I reached the end of the hallway, I saw the door open just a crack with music emanating therefrom. I entered to find Karla lying on the bed, wearing nothing but an enormous smile.

William is such a star. What a generous hookup he had given me.

Karla is a Latina in her mid- to late-40s with a gorgeous smile and a great body. Sexy tattoos. Tan over every inch of her body, and I mean every inch. She didn't have a tanline anywhere, not even under her tits or in the little crease between her thigh and butt cheeks. I was so excited to see her lying there.

[Editor's note: regular readers know I change everyone's names in this blog, including my own, and never share face pictures so as to protect people's privacy. But on the rare occasion I fuck a sexually-public persona, like my friend Erika Love, I may include their (porn) name and face pictures if they provide permission. In Karla's case she is very public with her pictures and persona, and everything in this blog is shared with her review and enthusiastic permission.]

I had already thought about my opening move. Walking to the side of the bed, my first words were "unzip my pants and give me a blowjob." Like a kid digging into her Christmas presents, she gleefully scuttled over, pulled my already hard cock out, and took the shaft into her mouth.

Karla gave amazing head. She deepthroated like a champ, and not surprisingly I never felt a hint of a tooth the entire evening. She sucked my cock for quite a while, and as she did so I began undressing, after which I pushed her on her back and started fucking her. We fucked and fucked, in a variety of positions. I went down on her, and she sucked my cock some more.

One thing I noticed right off the bat was the strength of her vaginal contractions. I'd say she is tied with my friend Samantha for having the strongest vaginal contractions I've ever experienced. [Editor's note: I'm seeing Samantha next week so I'll have to do a careful comparison. You know, for science.] They started pretty much from the moment my cock entered her pussy and were so strong that on more than one occasion they pushed my cock out entirely.

And she got as well as she gave. Her nipples were extremely sensitive and she was clearly getting off when I sucked them. Proceeding further down her body, she writhed, moaned, and shrieked, even during my slow build-up to her pussy and to clit.

Oh, yes, that clit. [Editor's note: that is a selfie she took literally as she lay in bed waiting for my arrival.]

Not only was Karla tied for the strongest vaginal contractions I've ever seen, but she was also tied for the largest clit I've seen in person. It was easily the size of my pinky and stuck out a good centimeter or so when aroused. It was all I could do going down on her NOT to stampede straight to it and instead force myself to tease her and slowly build up to it. And when my tongue did finally make its way to the grand prize it seemed to send her through the roof.

But that was just the beginning. I fucked her doggy style, she straddled me in cowgirl. She used her magic wand while I fucked her. We took a bunch of pictures and videos, which I've given her permission to use on her site. She certainly won't be using any video from her encounter earlier in the day.

I'm such a gentleman.

The whole time she maintained a dreamy expression with a huge smile, muttering "que rico" over and over. Which she later told me meant "delicious" and I understand to be a pretty common expression for Spanish speakers to use during sex. She was clearly enjoying her release after a whole day of bad/no sex.

Poor, poor Karla.

After a good hour or so, I was fucking her on the edge of the bed and felt the telltale signs of a building orgasm and let it wash over me, letting out my signature loud, guttural vocalizations. After cuddling for a minute we took a break to chat, which is when I learned most of her backstory and about her day. I learned that her boyfriend is her business partner and films most of her content, that Fort Lauderdale is a better place to find swingers than Miami or even Tampa Bay, that she regularly throws MFFFFF parties for her boyfriend while he throws MMMMMFs for her, and that the most guys she's fucked in one night was about 16. At a sex party.

About double my number at one party.

After I got my second wind we went at it again, highlights of which included anal and fisting. We did it all. Well, she asked me to fist her and in fairness I came darn, darn close. But I have a very big fist. And while I'm confident I probably could have gotten it all in had I really tried, and she did really want me to, it was our first date after all and I didn't want to overdo it. I didn't quite get the knuckles completely in. Which I'm interpreting to mean that I've still only achieved "full fisting" just twice (but I just discovered, I've only written about other near-fisting experiences).

Finally, around 1:00, it was time for me to head home. I had an 8:00 am call after all. And it wasn't even a date night! Karla told me she could have easily gone all night, and I completely believe her, but she was at least happy and as satiated as it's possible for her to get. Thanks to our encounter, from a sexual perspective her trip hadn't been a total bust. I told her I'd love to see her again and invited her to a future Decadence party. She said she'd love to do an MFM with me and William (she mentioned DP), and we both agreed her follower should save his pennies and fly her out again.

But regardless of whether we are able to get together again down the line, if nothing else we have that one amazing hookup we can always look back on.

My hookup with the pornstar.

William's amazing hookup.

My pornstar hookup hookup.

(See what I did there?)

[scrawnytreedemon]

OKAY I'm gonna ramble in your ask box for a minute. about ghirahim in the context of demise. we don't get a ton of screentime for demise, right, we dont have a ton to go off. but what we DO see is that he has the similar pseudo-gentlemanly manner as ghirahim. maybe it's game mechanics, maybe it's maybelline, but he creates the lil world and waits for link to restock n stuff instead of fighting him on the spot, and that is VERY reminiscent of the first battle with ghira where he basically teaches you how to fight. and you know what ELSE we see is a singular interaction between him and ghira where demise doesnt even acknowledge ghira. which ik has been played on in a lot of fics, but hear me out. a lot of people have demise being very overtly abusive and outright sadistic, which does make some sense but. towards his /sword/? lets work under the assumption that he absolutely doesnt consider ghira a person. which /makes sense/ with how he treats him when he's revived. so i think, instead of sadistic abuse (physical or otherwise) of ghirahim by demise could actually be seen as less realistic. it might be more accurate to characterize their relationship with APATHY. demise doesnt care. he "punishes" ghirahim to the extent you'd sharpen a sword, or put it away when you dont need it. and imagine the effects of extreme neglect ON A PERSON. ghirahim, with the emotions and personality and /needs/ he was never supposed to have. was going through my quotes folder and i found this, which is one of my favourites for the info it gives (from a book called The Child Finder):

Her friend Diane explained to her later that, in the spectrum of hurt, it is better for a child to attach to an abuser than to experience the blind hole of neglect. Babies raised in orphanages without touch become like little monkeys, shrunken from inattention. Without a face to see, they can even become blind. At least in abuse, Diane had explained, you have someone to fight against. Abuse starts with the premise that you exist, even to be mistreated. It's a running start, she had said.

anyway, you dont have to respond to this, i just thought it might be cool to read. also that paragraph just slams, doesnt it???

Yeah, I definitely got that impression, too? Demise seems to abuse more from apathy. Hell, it's evident in his motives, too-- Yes, he's aiming for subjugation... but it feels more power for power's sake than any personal bloodlust. The fact that Ghirahim seems almost ashamed about flying off the handle, deeming it "beneath him" speaks alot, also.

And like you said! That's a far more insidious type of abuse. The fact that it can leave you physically underdeveloped-- It does make me wonder, are any of the sword spirits we see "fully-developed"? Fi was constructed to have a limited range of emotions, and sealed away right after the Surface War. But I suppose also she did have what would eventually become the Sage Bloodline to take care of her, and by the time the game starts she already seems largely aware and fluent in human communication. Hell, she even throws in a bit of snark.

Ghirahim, on the other hand... You get the sense he's had to build it all up from scratch. I find it funny how Ghirahim gets characterised as this insidiously emotional empath while Fi gets tossed into Blunt Robot Box, when functionally it seems to be the other way around?

(Well, maybe not the insidious part for Fi.)

(Not unless she wanted to...)

Fi was, in the least, constructed with the ability and even emotional capacity to guide her master-- Which requires a heavy degree of empathy: cognitive, and, it would seem, emotional. Ghirahim, on the other hand, was given no such purpose, because why would Demise need guidance? He's just meant to be there, to kill; and when he's not needed, to be put away.

Thrown away, even.

But not yet.

Not while he's useful, yet.

[mugiwara-rosewolf]

Alphabet Headcanons

One Piece Edition

Portgas D. Ace

SFW

A= Affection (How affectionate are they with an s/o?)

Ace is a charismatic, kind-hearted man, and with an s/o he’s the consummate gentleman. Especially in the beginning, Ace will check in to see/find out what’s okay with you and what’s not.

For example, let’s say the two of you are walking down the street at a village market. If you feel his pinky twine with yours, the motion will be quickly followed by his warm breath murmuring in your ear; “Is this okay?”

Needless to say, if you reply by intertwining your hand entirely with his, Ace will be over-the-moon and beaming for the rest of the trip. If twining pinkies is all you can handle in public, that’s okay too. Ace will still be happy knowing that you trust him with your boundaries.

Once he knows you’re okay with physical affection, little gestures like these will slowly become the norm. He’ll hold your hand everywhere if you let him. He loves kissing every inch of your face when you’re looking especially cute.

The closer the two of you become, the more he’ll want to show how much he loves you. Whether it’s wrapping an arm around your waist/shoulders, or a fleeting kiss on the cheek--if you allow it, PDA will quickly become one of his favourite things.

As for when he wants affection from you--it’s a bit of a coin toss as to whether he’ll let on how he’s feeling. He usually hides his bad moods pretty well. But what you’ll learn over time is that he often looks for affection when he’s feeling down.

Sometimes he’ll ask to hold your hand or go in for a hug (often silently, he does tend to get quiet on these kinds of days) and has a hard time letting go once you do. In public, he’ll often opt for the former, because in private he won’t have to let go of you unless you ask him to. 

Other times it’s him just giving you a look. In public, he plays it off as a ‘suave’ eyebrow lift, like an open invite from Casanova. (Though the smile typically gives him away--he’s not always as smooth as he wants to be). In private, it’s the infamous sad, silent, yearning puppy-dog eyes following you around (you know it’s a real bad day when he’s just staring off into space with that look on his face).

All in all, Ace is a very tactile, and affectionate partner. But he will always be sure to confirm what kinds of gestures you’re comfortable with so as not to overwhelm you. He wants you to be comfortable and enjoy his loving gestures whenever possible.

B=Breath (What could their s/o do to take their breath away?)

Okay, there are two sure-fire ways to really impress this boi. 

First is with your kickass skills. If you can match him or beat him at something, this man will definitely take notice. It could be a physical skill, maybe matching him in a fighting or eating contest. It could be verbal skill--like when you’re roasting his arse for his damned-reckless behaviour. Either way is damn sure to capture Fire Fist’s attention. 

Second would be the smaller, more intimate things. Take his narcolepsy for example. When accommodating for Ace’s narcoleptic episodes, it tugs at his heartstrings when you lay his sleeping head on your shoulder, or bring him down to your lap. When he wakes up to your gorgeous smile and your fingers combing through his hair, he falls in love all over again.

C=Cuddling (Do they cuddle? If they do, how and when do they cuddle?)

Honestly, all types of cuddles are Ace’s favorite, he’s just not the type to say so out loud. 

That’s not to say he’s ashamed of his tactile nature. On the contrary,  Ace is especially partial to cuddling you and giving you surprise hugs.

Hugging you from behind when you’re in the middle of a conversation and stuff like that are completely fair game unless you request otherwise. Sometimes he’ll place the faintest of kisses on your forehead as you cuddle into his embrace.

No matter what though, Ace radiates heat. So even just sitting together side by side you can feel how warm his thigh is against your own. He doesn’t really bother to regulate his body temperature either unless someone else points it out. 

But even then, it’s harder for Ace to relax if he has to concentrate on managing his body temperatures. So, cuddles with Ace are always hot. Which…usually means you both end up cuddling or falling asleep with the duvet shoved under you or to the side of you because the heat is too much.

Once he becomes comfortable enough (and ensures that you’re okay with it) there’ll be some nights where he’s just clingy. Sometimes draping himself over your back, sometimes clinging to your torso like a koala cub. He feels comfortable and safe when he can take a nap resting against you. It’s actually kinda cute. 

The only issue is when he falls asleep on top of you and you can’t get him off. He’s basically a human furnace so you just suffer there until he either wakes up or someone comes around to help you.

When he’s having a particularly bad day he gives you The Look (as mentioned in A for Affection) and you know what it means in an instant.

D=Dream (What do they dream of doing with their s/o?)

“I’ll become a great pirate and show them what I can do!” That’s what Ace declared to his brothers as a child. And in some ways, it could be said he fulfilled that childhood dream. He became the infamous ‘Fire Fist’ Ace--known all across the world in one way or another, even before Blackbeard blabbed about his parentage. He made a name for himself, by himself just as he always dreamed he would.

Yes, his purpose did change upon meeting Whitebeard; wanting his new captain and father figure to become the next Pirate King in order to prove how great a man he was. 

That being said, I can imagine Ace’s dreams evolving yet again when he meets his s/o. Both of the aforementioned goals/dreams are ambitious, but one key commonality between them is that they both seek to Prove something. Therefore it would make sense to presume that the next evolution of his ‘dream’ would share the same foundation.

At the beginning of your relationship, for example, it’s quite possible that Ace’s goal would be to prove that he is worthy of being your partner or to prove how much he loves you in some tangible way.

He dreams of all the ways he can make you smile and laugh and ensure that you’re happy with him. 

He dreams of all the moments you’ve ever said ‘I love you’ and how he could find a way to hear those words again.

He dreams of all the times he’s told you that he loves you and all the possible occasions where he can hold you close and tell you over and over again.

He dreams of returning to Dawn Island, to Fuchsia Village and the mountains where he was raised so he can show you all his childhood memories. 

He dreams of sailing with you and the Whitebeards for the rest of his days. He dreams of proving he can make you happy, in any way that manifests.

In other words—what it all boils down to, truly, is—Ace dreams of being alive  Happy with you.

E=Effort (How much effort do they put into a relationship?)

One thing we all know about Ace is that he doesn’t do things half-assed. EVER. 

This boy is dedicated. Once he sets his mind to something, Fire Fist will always follows through (a trait which can turn deadly when combined with his short temper and impulsivity). 

Point being, if Ace wants your relationship to work, he will make it work. Whatever it takes. 

Don’t let his playful charm fool you. Ace is a gentleman who takes your relationship seriously, always treating you with the utmost politeness and respect. 

He’ll open doors for you, he’ll *try* not to swear in front of you (good luck, pirate)--and knowing him the gestures just get more ridiculous from there.

He just wants to show you that he values you and your relationship. The only other people who are of equal value to him are his little brother Luffy and his father Whitebeard. 

All the same, Ace has committed himself to love you, protect you and to make you happy no matter what it takes. 

F=Fear (What do they do if their s/o is scared? How do they handle it?)

Ace is impulsive and protective. Whatever it is that scares you, Ace’s first instinct is to tackle it head-on. Nothing’s gonna hurt you, not while he’s around.

At his core, Ace is worried about you. When he sees your fear, he acts without thinking, immediately responding to anything that makes his blood boil. And nothing lights him up faster than his loved ones being insulted and/or threatened.

Fire Fist (with serious effort) can learn to take a step back when he thinks you’re strong enough to handle a particular threat/fear. 

But the moment he thinks you might actually get hurt, all bets are off. He can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt if he can do something to prevent it. This man will die to protect his loved ones. End of story.

G=Gifts (What type of gifts do they give their s/o? Do they want a gift in return?)

Ace is not a terribly materialistic person, especially not by pirate standards. (He doesn’t even own a shirt, for God’s sake!)

But the things he does own, mean a hell of a lot to him. (Striker, anyone? Stetson, maybe?) 

So, in that way, finding gifts to give him is kinda challenging. You can’t really get away with the first little trinket that makes you think of him. It needs to be something of hefty significance. 

He doesn’t expect any gifts from you, not even on his birthday. He’ll always be surprised when people get him things. He’s surprised that people value him. 

Due to personal trauma, he doesn’t think very highly of himself. He desperately wants to prove himself a worthwhile part of other’s lives. He wants to be helpful--he needs to be needed. 

So when he’s searching for a gift to give you--he ends up having the same struggle you do with him. He wants to give you something really meaningful. Which is why a lot of his gifts to you will be handmade instead of bought. In each one you’ll be able to see the time and effort he committed to making it for you. 

If one thing can be said about Ace, whatever he goes for, he does so to the fullest.

H=Hugs (Do they hug their s/o? How often?)

He may not always initiate them, but the boi loves hugs. If you’re comfortable with PDA, he’s definitely adding ‘Hugs’ to his repertoire of affectionate gestures. 

But even more than giving hugs, Ace finds love and gratification in receiving hugs from his s/o--especially when he’s having a tough time (See A for Affection).

Ace knows that he is a tactile person. It’s a truth of his personality that he knows and accepts, but doesn’t often flaunt without reason to do so. Finding his s/o, for example, gives him the perfect opportunity to express this part of himself. 

The second division commander is especially partial to cuddling you and giving you surprise hugs. Tossing an arm over your shoulder, tucking an arm around your waist, Hugging you from behind when you’re in the middle of a conversation--all this stuff is fair game unless you request otherwise (See C for Cuddles).

He especially loves those full-frontal Bear-hugs. You know the kind--the ones where both of you are swathed in each other’s embrace. Arms wrapped around each other, heartbeats pressed together, chins tucked into each other’s shoulders/chests/chins--(trying to accommodate for all heights here, bear with me). 

The point being, Ace loves the moments when the two of you are completely intertwined. That’s when he feels the most grounded. Certain in the fact that he is here, and he is loved. 

Oh! And one more thing. Ace gets surprisingly flustered if you hug him first--sometimes to the point where part of him accidentally catches fire--he’s super careful not to burn you, though. 

But when he hears your contented sigh--god forbid you nuzzle into him--the man just melts. All of his protests fall away, and he’s left standing there, tenderly wrapping his arms around you with the softest love-struck smile in the world.

I=Intimacy (How romantic are they? Do they have problems with intimacy?)

Ace is a romantic at heart, of that you can be sure. 

But, he also has deeply internalized abandonment issues and fear of rejection. His father chose to die before he was born. His mother died not long after he was born. Almost everyone who’s ever become attached to him has either died or not stuck around long enough to meet that same fate. 

Not only that but all throughout his life, Ace has been subject to degradation. Strangers saying that his father was a demon and that ‘the child of the Pirate King’ was nothing more than worthless spawn destined to be just as bad--if not worse--than Roger himself. 

As a result, Ace thinks that he is cursed, a worthless son of a demon who will be rejected and abandoned as soon as others learn of his parentage.

So, prior to him sharing his family history with you, Ace will definitely struggle with intimacy. He’s frightened of being vulnerable in case his expectations/fears come true...that you will think just as little of him as he does of himself.  

As his feelings towards you grow, the more those deep-seated fears will swirl in his mind; 

‘If I tell them who I am, they’ll leave me.’

‘They’ll hate me.’ 

‘It’s no use, the moment I fall, they’ll either leave me or die trying.’ 

‘I don’t know which is worse.’  

It’s going to take a lot in order to get through to him. You’ll need to be patient--you can start small and maybe ask about what he wants for the future, or sprinkle in little tidbits about the present, instead of wallowing in the past. You can pave a path forward together just by talking plainly about what you want from your growing relationship.  

As your mutual trust builds, Ace will slowly start to unwind. The more time you spend together, you’ll start to feel each other ‘sync up’ with teamwork and such. He’ll start to grow more comfortable sharing his ideas and opinions, even if the two of you disagree on something. Over time it may get to the point where you and Ace are both acting or speaking at the same time. (Ace finds it endearing, don’t worry). 

Once Ace knows that he can be his true self around you--that you won’t reject or abandon him because of his ‘monstrous’ parentage/lack of worth--he’ll grow more comfortable trusting you, sharing his thoughts and feelings with you. And in return, he will wordlessly swear to consistently support you and keep your secrets just as you’ve kept his. 

All throughout the growth of intimacy in your relationship, if you pay close attention, you’ll see slow growth in the number of romantic/intimate moments between the two of you. As the intimacy between you grows stronger, you’ll be able to feel its presence--something that brings peace and rejuvenation to both your souls. A bond that is unique to your relationship and allows you both to relax and be at ease. 

At first, moments like this are rare, probably in part because of Ace’s genuine responsibilities to the Whitebeards as a division commander. But as your relationship grows, you’ll notice Ace begin to commit himself more and more to making time for the two of you. Eating meals with you, a lingering hug and kiss at the end of each day and--if he can swing it--arranging a genuinely romantic ‘date’ between the two of you. 

Ace will definitely dance with you out of nowhere. He’ll take your hand and twirl you around just to hear your surprised laughter. As mentioned many times before, Ace will take any excuse to touch his s/o affectionately throughout the day, not just when either of you wants to be romantic. He wants to give you all of his attention whenever he can. Whenever you want to talk to him, expect direct eye contact, perked ears and an affectionate smile.

Though he greatly enjoys PDA with you, Ace also likes the intimacy that comes from privacy. Those moments when he knows you are both in a safe space and can share your feelings with one another, even uncomfortable ones. Privacy also gives him the space to be truly intimate with you, so that he can learn the way you like to be held and touched. He wants to learn about you just as you took the time to learn about him.

J=Jealous (Do they get jealous? How do they act when jealous?)

Oof. Okay. Yes, Ace does get jealous. And he’s exactly the kinda jealous you’d think of when the word pops up. There are two, maybe three big traits working against Ace in this regard. 

One would be his reckless and fiery temper. This is the trait that sent him on a deadly goose chase to capture Teach. His mercurial emotions lead him to make hasty, impulsive decisions, sometimes to the point of blatantly forgoing reason. This trait leads to your typical abrupt Alpha-Male confrontation with whatever stranger is trying to flirt with you. 

Second would be his wolf-like protectiveness. This is the trait Akainu used to goad him to his death, first by mocking Whitebeard then by targeting Luffy. Ace can be very protective, though he struggles trying not to be overbearing. If you’re capable of handling a situation yourself, he’ll try his best to stand back and leave it to you.

But, if he feels a situation is getting out of control, he’ll come to your aid in the blink of an eye—literally guns blazing. If Ace hears someone saying lewd comments about you or notices anyone targeting you--ya’ll better believe this man is gonna say/do something about it. 

Third, and perhaps the most powerful motivator in this scenario, is his deep-rooted insecurity. This is a man who has been questioning his worth, his very existence, for as long as he can remember. 

Then you come along, someone who makes this life worthwhile, and he sees you ‘getting comfy’ with someone else. It makes him angry, sure. But more than that it hurts--makes him a question and doubt all over again.

Thus, we have jealousy. Needless to say, Ace will not be thinking clearly when he confronts whoever is getting too close to you. He will be angry and protective and irrational. 

So, unfortunately, it will be up to you to de-escalate things and keep some sort of fight from breaking out. You’ll be the one to pull him away and get him to calm down. You’ll be the one to explain the situation, to talk him through what he’s feeling and why he feels that way. He’ll tell you the truth, you two will make amends (and hopefully plan in case of future incidents). 

Fair warning, in order to fully console your fiery partner, be prepared to give a whole lot of affection and reassurances. And patience, always patience--goodness knows this man is trying his best to be good. Please, grant him grace.

K=Kiss (Are they a good kisser? Do they like to kiss? How often do they try to kiss you?)

Fair warning, it’s likely Ace would have had at least a few flings before you. He’s a handsome, charming guy—guys like him are like flypaper, attracting all the honey’s in a given radius. And with the company he keeps (PIRATES) he’s bound to have spent a night (or ten) in a brothel-esque setting.

All that to say, this man has experience. Not as much as Marco or the other Whitebeards, but still, a little experience counts for something, right?

At the very least, Ace will be a fantastic partner when it comes to kissing, 9 times out of 10, his kisses are either passionate & enthusiastic or affectionate & goofy, especially with an s/o. 

Yes, Ace likes to kiss you, the frequency is irrelevant. Yes, casual PDA is pretty commonplace with him, he fucking loves it. But anything heavier than a peck? He typically prefers to keep that between you and him. 

He is WAY too embarrassed to make out in public. Makino’s manners-lessons are ingrained too deeply by now, even if his s/o is purposefully driving him crazy. --He’s not opposed to a quickie in a broom closet or anything of the sort; just as long the two of you are out of plain view when snogging and such. If you two have at least some modicum of privacy in those more heated moments, Ace considers it fair game. 

The only two exceptions are when he’s feeling playful ‘bet you a hundred berries I can take your breath away’ or jealous ‘you are my treasure, those damned bastards better back off’ —those are his two very different kinds of showing off. 

L=Love (When do they say they love you? How often do they say it? Do they prefer to say or show it?)

Honestly? He’s a little bit of both. 

Whenever Ace says “I love you,” those words are meant for your ears and your ears only. He doesn’t say them all that often, either. 

The more frequent sign of his affection, you’ll realize, is his peculiarly ‘discrete’ flirtations. Murmuring little comments/compliments whenever you cross paths;

 “Great job! You were wonderful back there, darlin’.” 

“That a new hat? Sexy.”

 “You look handsome/beautiful, my love.” 

and of course the obligatory “Last night was *spectacular*”

And it only gets more endearingly ridiculous from there. 

With the help of a bit of alcohol, Ace is plenty more affectionate towards you. He’ll shower you with compliments, make flirtatious jokes, and basically smother you with love. For example, say some of the crew are fawning over someone beautiful like Dracule Mihawk or Boa Hancock. Ace might joke with them, but the moment no one’s looking he’ll murmur in your ear;

 “The Greatest Swordsman ain’t half as sharp as you, babe.” 

or “The Pirate Empress ain’t got nothin’ on you, darlin’,” 

any reaction you might have will be met with a wink and a smirk.

At the start of every day--if he doesn’t say how he looks forward to seeing you again before he leaves, he’ll always acknowledge how much you mean to him-- “I love you.”

M=Marriage (Do they want to get married? If so, what kind of ceremony?)

When he first set out to sea? Ace had no intention of getting married. Falling in love, getting married--the only thing he associated all that with was settling down. ‘Settling down’ in his mind meant the opposite of freedom. So of course none of that ever occurred to him. Having been raised in the wild with only his little brother to love, Ace always assumed that ‘Falling in Love’ was something that happened to other people, not to him. 

As the years went on, Ace’s insecurities also played a role in this misconception--after all, who would want to fall in love with a demon-child like him? The son of the monstrous pirate king could never be loved by a stranger. Even if he did learn to care for someone that way, the moment they learned who he was, they’d betray him in some way. Maybe they’d leave him, turn him in, try to kill him; somehow the world would try to punish him for trusting someone, just like it did with Sabo.

So, even after he builds his own crew, joins the White-beards, even after he gains some experience pub-crawling with the WB Commanders, emotionally he keeps his distance from romance.  That is...until he meets his s/o. Everything about his relationship with you is completely unexpected. He knows that you like him, he knows that you trust him. You took the time to support and get to know him--something not many people in his life had done to such an extent. 

Suddenly, his entire perspective on love is turned on its head. He still doesn’t really give two shits about the institution of marriage. The whole ceremonial pomp and circumstance bit doesn’t really vibe with him. But the idea of you two staying together for the rest of your lives? That he can get behind.

N=Night out (What type of dates do they like to go on? How often do they like to go on them?)

Honestly, unless someone else brought it up, Ace probably wouldn’t think to do anything fancy for a date. If you were with him and the Whitebeards as they landed on a carnival island or something he could certainly make a date out of it. But unfortunately for your resident hot-head, he doesn’t have much of a propensity of planning ahead. He’s a lot like his little brother in that way--outside of the battlefield, he’s a little bit of a dumbass.

Like, let’s say you land on an island that’s having some sort of cultural festival. The first thing Ace would do is dive head first to plunder all the food-stands, leaving you to trail behind and pay for the mess he made. After he’s had his fill, then you can get properly dressed (if necessary) and enjoy the rest of what the island has to offer. At that point, Ace would remember something besides his hollow leg and try to make up for his embarrassment. 

Good thing he has *the best* wingmen a pirate could ask for; Marco and Thatch. Marco has those empathetic sensibilities, if he’s met you before, then he has a pretty good intuition for the kinds of things you’d like. And Thatch, with that classic pompadour, knows how to put a romantic spin on just about anything. Hell, even Izo would put in his two cents more often than not.  He’d be more than willing to be a co-conspirator, guiding you to through the dates they plan for you and Ace without spoiling the surprise.

Thanks to friends like that, you and Ace get the crow’s next to yourself at least once a month, enjoying a picnic Thatch made for the two of you and basking in each other’s company under the stars. After a while, you might just be able to mark the dates on a calendar. But you don’t mind, Ace enjoys intimacy that comes from privacy. Those moments when he knows you are both in a safe space and can share your feelings with one another, even uncomfortable ones. And besides, the night sky seems to give Ace a certain peace of mind, so it’s all worth it.

O=Out of the Ordinary (What’s something they don’t normally do with/for their s/o?)

As mentioned before, Ace doesn’t often plan romantic happenings ahead of time. Mostly because he’s kinds clueless in that department. The most he knows how to do is those little tender gestures; Eating meals with you, a lingering hug and kiss at the end of each day, things like that. He wants to give you all of his attention whenever he can, but he’s not always the best at those big romantic dates. That kind of stuff either occurs by happenstance, or thanks to the orchestrations of friends. 

So whenever Ace does take romantic initiative--unprompted--you bet your bottom dollar it’s gonna be extraordinary. After all, this is Ace we’re talking about. When talking about elaborate activities spent away from the daily routine, the first thing his mind will jump to is Adventure. Nature hikes, scavenger hunts, stargazing on a mountaintop, all the roller coasters at a given carnival--the list goes on.

A lot of these ‘adventures’ will result in him giving you little ‘gifts’ as well; a bouquet of wildflowers he collected on your hike, a scavenger hunt ending in all your favorite things, a plush he spend God knows how many berries on to win for you. The gestures would only get more endearingly ridiculous from there. Granted, a lot of his gifts to you will be handmade instead of bought. But now matter how they were earned, in each one you’ll be able to see the time and effort he committed to making it for you (See G for Gifts).

Ooh! Ace will definitely dance with you out of nowhere. He’ll take your hand and twirl you around just to hear your surprised laughter. Ace will take any excuse to touch his s/o affectionately throughout the day, not just when either of you wants to be romantic (See I for Intimacy).

P=Playful (Are they playful in a relationship? If so, how do they play around/mess with their s/o?)

There is no doubt about it. Ace is a complete and utter goofball. Therefore, he is also the goofy-type of lover.  If you ever blush at his teasing, Ace will absolutely relish in it. He’ll find it so adorable that he’s rolling around on the floor. The mental image of your flustered face would be absolutely priceless to him. In all honesty, he’d probably try to experiment from there--see what kinds of teases or compliments get the greatest reaction out of you. 

He does have some empathy for you, though. When Ace was younger he’d act the exact same way. Makino would lovingly tease him and he’d get all flustered too--definitely a shy boy. He loves to joke around and playfully tease his s/o, but at the end of the day, he’s always a sweetheart.

The funny thing about Ace is, the boy loves to not only tease you but to show off. The damned pirate is always trying new tricks with his powers at the most inopportune times. Literally the first thing he thought of when he got his Fire-power was ‘Oh my god, Luffy’s gonna love this!’ Now, the same applies to his s/o. He can’t wait to show you just what he can do. Whenever you are fighting Marines, if he beats one of them up, he always looks up at you and grins. 

Another thing to keep in mind is--regardless of what stage your relationship is in--Ace likes to drag you into his shenanigans. As mentioned earlier, Ace is an gung-ho adventurer. Plundering food stands, conquering roller coasters, this boy has a lot of energy. And if there’s not adventures to be had on a given day, what better way to release it than make himself and his friends laugh?

You need to be prepared for some risk, though. It’s no mystery that Ace is an adrenaline junkie and can have reckless/stupid ideas. Sometimes you both might end up hurt because of his bad decisions. 

Sometimes he’s a sweetheart, sometimes he’s an asshole. But whatever ruckus you got involved in, somehow you always end up happy and smiling.

Q=Questions (Do they ask their s/o their opinion on things? Do they share theirs?)

This is an aspect of your relationship with Ace that develops slowly over time. At first, there’s that goofy, overly-polite layer of him that doesn’t think ahead enough to bother asking questions. At this stage of your connection he behaves in a way similar to the adage that says; ‘Better to ask for forgiveness than permission’. He won’t ask your opinion before he does something, but he may come to you afterwards, either to apologize or reflect on whatever he did. 

After peeling back that layer, you’ll find the lingering remains of his tsundere childhood roots. That lost, self-hating child so desperate to prove his worth and strength that he doesn’t want to be vulnerable to anyone. The boy with whose expression was a stony brick wall deflecting the rest of the world. This is how you’ll know, there’s a part of him believes that showing uncertainty is a sign of vulnerability, something others can mock and degrade, just as the bandits and so many others did. 

At that stage of your connection, it’s a bit of a coin toss as to whether he’ll let on how he’s feeling. He usually hides his bad moods pretty well. By the time the two of you come together, he’s mature enough to realize that scathing retorts are not the answer to everything. He’s no longer the kind to immediately lash out when someone asks him too many questions--but he certainly will if pushed too far.

But what you’ll learn over time is that he often looks for affection when he’s feeling down. Sometimes he’ll ask to hold your hand or go in for a hug and has a hard time letting go once you do. Other times it’s him just giving you a look. A lot of these gestures are often silent; he does tend to get quiet on these kinds of days. But it’s the first sign of him opening up to you. 

In public, he plays it off as a ‘suave’ eyebrow lift, like an open invite from Casanova. The smile typically gives him away--he’s not always as smooth as he wants to be. In private, it’s the infamous sad, silent, yearning puppy-dog eyes following you around. You know it’s a real bad day when he’s just staring off into space with that look on his face (See A for Affection). 

Once Ace knows that he can be his true self around you--that you won’t reject or abandon him because of his ‘monstrous’ parentage/lack of worth--he’ll grow more comfortable trusting you, sharing his thoughts and feelings with you. And in return, he will wordlessly swear to consistently support you and keep your secrets just as you’ve kept his (See I for Intimacy). 

In short, yes, Ace will eventually come to rely on you, quite closely, in fact. He will learn that he can ask your opinion on things, that he can share his own thoughts and feelings freely with you at anytime. But it’s a long, arduous journey for him to reach that level of trust. Showing that you love and trust him; asking his opinion on things, standing by him through thick and thin--those are a sure-fire way to build that faithful trust in your relationship.

R=Random (How spontaneous is their relationship? Do they do things on the spot or plan ahead?)

Spontaneity is Ace’s middle name (lol). It comes with the territory of being an impulsive, hot-headed dumbass with a penchant for adrenaline and adventure. There are seeds of it scattered throughout his personality and his relationship with you.

Ace will dance with you out of nowhere. He’ll take your hand and twirl you around just to hear your surprised laughter (See I for Intimacy). 

He’ll take any excuse to give you surprise hugs. Tossing an arm over your shoulder, tucking an arm around your waist, Hugging you from behind when you’re in the middle of a conversation--all this stuff is fair game unless you request otherwise (See C for Cuddles).

That combined with his peculiarly ‘discrete’ flirtations--never fail to take you by surprise (See L for Love). 

It’s no mystery that Ace is an adrenaline junkie and can have reckless/stupid ideas. Our resident hot-head doesn’t have much of a propensity for planning ahead. Regardless of what stage your relationship is in--Ace is going to drag you into his shenanigans (See P for Playful).  

And whenever Ace does take romantic initiative--unprompted--you never know what you’re gonna get. Could be nature hikes, could be scavenger hunts, could be stargazing on a mountaintop, or it could be just all the roller coasters at a given carnival (See O for Out of the Ordinary). Honestly, the possibilities are endless.

S=Sleep (How do they sleep with their s/o?)

Oh, this one varies. A lot. 

First, there’s Ace’s narcolepsy, which very much affects the way he sleeps with his s/o. Hell, it affects the way he lives his life. But, one inadvertent positive of Ace’s narcolepsy, was how you could surprise him with those small, intimate moments of affection. If he falls asleep hugging you from behind, then he’d just stand there snoring with his chin propped on top of you head (depending on your height). 

If he fell asleep sitting next to you, you could let him rest his head on your shoulder, or pull him down into your lap. That’s one thing he loves, waking up to you. It tugs at his heartstrings when you lay his sleeping head on your shoulder, or bring him down to your lap. When he wakes up to your gorgeous smile and your fingers combing through his hair, he falls in love all over again (See B for Breath).

Second, Portgas D. Ace is a human fucking furnace so honestly, he’s always gonna be warm. The way you sleep together is gonna depend on how much you need that heat. 

If you and Ace are parked on a winter island, you bet your bottom dollar the two of you are gonna be clinging to each other for dear life. Not that Ace necessarily needs any more body heat in order to keep warm. He’s just taking advantage of this prime opportunity for cuddles. He can cling to you like a koala and you’ll actually welcome the gesture. It’s a dream come true!

If you and Ace are parked on a summer/desert island? That’s a whole other debacle. Summer islands are always hot. It’s just a matter of whether it’s dry heat or humid heat. With dry heat--you could *probably* get away with spooning? Or at least with one person lying on the other’s chest. With humid heat--everything is damp, warm, sticky and being near human skin is almost miserable. Your best bet is holding hands while facing each other in your cot/cabin/tent wherever you are. Desert islands are an exception to this because deserts often get pretty chilly once the sun goes down. This is where spooning becomes *most* likely. 

Beyond those two extremes, almost any position is fair game. Ace loves it when he’s in your lap and you’re playing with his hair. There are happy days, where he loves to be the ‘big spoon’ and nuzzle himself in the crook of your neck. And there are hard days, where his mind is a minefield and he just needs someone to hold him close. He loves lying face to face, weaving his fingers between yours. Could be any kind of day, doesn’t matter to him. What matters is that he can just relax and admire you, and just how lucky he is to have you. 

But maybe, just maybe, he does have a favorite way to hold you. Of all the ways in the world to hold someone, Ace loves when you lie on top of him. With your head on his chest, you can feel his heartbeat under your ear. And just like his heartbeat is to you, your weight is an anchor. I can feel you, know that you’re there, present and loving--always loving. So yea, that’s probably his favorite way to be.

T=Trust (How much do they trust their s/o?)

Given time, Ace will come to trust you with everything he has. But, as mentioned before, it is a very long, slow and arduous journey to reach that point. Luffy had to endure weeks, if not months, of Ace trying to lose his tail, if not actively trying to kill him, before they reached a point of mutual trust. From then on, Ace was willing to protect his brother with everything he had--including his own life. 

But before you can get to that point, you must assuage his deeply internalized abandonment issues and fear of rejection. All throughout his life, Ace has been subject to degradation. He grew up internalizing the hate directed his way, and no one knew to contradict it. Almost everyone who’s ever become attached to him has either died or not stuck around long enough to meet that same fate (See I for Intimacy). 

As a result, Ace has a lot of self-hatred accumulated in his heart. He also has a lot of problems being open about it. He’s so used to shouldering mistakes that are not his own. His blood carries all the crimes of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King. He’s frightened of being vulnerable in case his expectations/fears come true...that you will think just as little of him as he does of himself.

Ace will definitely struggle with trusting you. This is an aspect of your relationship with Ace that develops slowly over time. At first, there’s that goofy, overly-polite layer of him; he’s cordial, charming, and fun to be around. But it’s hard to get a clear read on him at that point; who he is, how he thinks, and how his thoughts influence his actions (See Q for Questions). 

After peeling back that layer, you’ll find the lingering remains of his tsundere childhood roots. That lost, self-hating child so desperate for a reason to live. He tells the world that he wants to be remembered. He wants to prove that he, as an individual, is worth more than the legacy of his father. But that dream, that grand ambition, also translates itself in smaller ways. He wants to be wanted, needs to be needed. 

At that stage of your connection, it’s a bit of a coin toss as to whether he’ll confide in you. He’s no longer the kind to immediately lash out when someone asks him too many questions--but he certainly will if pushed too far. Even then, he’s not likely to explicitly tell you this deep-rooted need in the core of him. So it’s likely something you’ll have to learn by observing his words, his actions, his being (See Q for Questions). 

However, with you around--especially when your relationship becomes more stable and long-standing--he slowly breaks.  As your mutual trust builds, Ace will slowly start to unwind. The more time you spend together, you’ll start to feel each other ‘sync up’ with teamwork and such. He’ll start to grow more comfortable sharing his ideas and opinions, even if the two of you disagree on something (See I for Intimacy).   

That being said, once Ace knows that he can be his true self around you--that you won’t reject or abandon him because of his ‘monstrous’ parentage/lack of worth--he’ll grow more comfortable trusting you, sharing his thoughts and feelings with you. And in return, he will wordlessly swear to consistently support you and keep your secrets just as you’ve kept his (See I for Intimacy). 

In short, yes, Ace will eventually come to rely on you, quite closely, in fact. He will learn that he can ask your opinion on things, that he can share his own thoughts and feelings freely with you at anytime. But it’s a long, arduous journey for him to reach that level of trust. Showing that you love and trust him; asking his opinion on things, standing by him through thick and thin--those are a sure-fire way to build that faithful trust in your relationship. With your constant support, he becomes more confident and calm--and he’s definitely sure he is loved.

U=Unique (What makes them unique as an s/o?)

Oh, so many things. Ace is such a unique combination of character traits, sometimes it’s difficult to articulate just how they call fit together in one human being. 

As an s/o, Ace is cordial, charming, and ever-the respectful gentleman. Then you get to know him, and he becomes this goofy dumbass who will take any excuse to touch you, hold you and take you on these crazy adventures exploring the world together. Dive even deeper, and you discover the utter depth of him. He is a vulnerable soul who has internalized the worst of the world he was born into--yet he stills finds reason to smile. 

What makes Ace unique as an s/o? His resilience. If you two come to a disagreement, he may lose his temper in the moment. But give him time, give him patience, give him grace, and he will come back to you. No matter his fears, no matter his doubts, he will find a reason to push through. If one thing can be said about Ace, whatever he goes for, he does so to the fullest (See E for Effort).

That’s not to say resilience can’t be a double-edged sword. There are a few coping mechanisms Ace developed in order to persevere through life that actually inhibited his ability to connect with people the way he longed to. After all, how many times did Whitebeard have to deflect Ace before the boy understood that he didn’t have to fight his way through life? And how many times did Luffy have to almost-die chasing the lonely boy through the jungle before he finally accepted the company? 

All the same, if you remain just as stubborn as he is, you will give him yet another reason to get back up; another reason to live. Take this hypothetical argument as an example. It may take a few tries to get through his thick skull, but he you will eventually talk things out and come to a resolution. He’ll grow from the experience and the two of you will be all the stronger for it. That’s what perseverance and resilience is all about.

V=Vulnerable (How long until they can be vulnerable around their s/o? What are they like in this state?)

If you were ever vulnerable around Ace, he would support you wholeheartedly. If you were to get stuck in your own negative thoughts/feelings about yourself, he’d hold you as close as possible and refuse to let go until you admit you’re a good person. No matter what you say about your past/insecurities, Ace won’t judge you or let you feel as though you deserve any of the trauma you went through (big or small). He knows that you are better than you think you are and he won’t let you feel the same kind of self-loathing he has. 

Ace is a very outgoing man. He’s surrounded by countless friends and keeps making new ones every day. There’s something in his exceptional charisma that makes people cling to him. However, Ace does not open up easily to others. It would take a while for Ace to really open up to his s/o, just because he’s internalized all of his negative thoughts and feelings about himself from a young age. 

Over time, however, he’d slowly grow to trust you and one night, when it’s just the two of you together somewhere, Ace would just tell you what’s on his mind. “Sometimes I don’t think I deserve you--your love--or anyone’s really.” 

The conversation would turn into the two of you opening up to each other (equivalent exchange for the win!) Ace would tell you about all the things weighing him down; his father being Gol D. Roger, his mother dying to keep him safe from the World Government, being called a ‘Demon-child’ all his life, his time in the mountains with Luffy and Sabo, meeting Whitebeard and joining the family--all of it. 

By the end of his story, tears soak his cheeks, his lips are red and raw, his voice hoarse and his words thick with emotion. He looks like a mess and you won’t know how to fix it. The best you can do is hold him, guide him through it. 

The conversation would likely end with both of you promising to support each other from then on. Whenever one of you starts to feel insecure or lingers too much on the past, you’ll have a keyword to communicate how you’re feeling. 

He might not acknowledge ever being in this state later on, but he will thank you quietly that night--and every night after if you’ll let him. “Thank you...thank you for loving me.”

W=Wild Card (Get a random domestic headcanon of the character of your choice)

Ace does not share food. EVER.

His narcolepsy makes him fall asleep in the weirdest situations--and in the weirdest positions. You can’t possibly count the number of times you fell to the ground because he dozed off while carrying you on his shoulders.

Or because he does it mid-kiss or hug and just leans on you. Or because he trips and accidentally knocks you down. He’s not even ashamed of it--unless you get hurt somehow during these incidents--otherwise he’ll just laugh it off, if a little sheepishly.

X=X-Ray (What would they do if their s/o got injured?)

Ace is our resident self-deprecation machine. Whatever happened, however you got hurt, the man would find some way to blame himself. Always thinking; it should have been me. 

He would be terrified out of his mind. He knows you’re strong, but sometimes he forgets that you can still get knocked down. He’ll camp outside the infirmary door until he’s allowed to come in. The moment he’s given the go-ahead, he’ll charge into the room and wrap you up in his arms as close as he can. He needs to feel you and reassure himself that you’re alright. 

Even after he’s been assured that you’re okay and that you’ll recover, Ace will hardly leave your side unless there’s some unavoidable responsibility he has to take care of. There will be moments when his mind will try to twist things and make him feel like a bad partner; as if he’s the reason for your injury, whether because he was the target of the attack or because he couldn’t protect you. 

You’ll have to be the one who keeps those thoughts at bay. Ace will make sure you never want for anything, for as long as you’re recovering. He won’t ask for anything in return. But between him supporting your physical health and you supporting his mental health, the whole ordeal will only serve to make your relationship stronger.

HOWEVER-- once he finds out who hurt you--he’s going to be just as relentless as he was chasing Teach. The guilty party won’t even be able to hold a pencil again once Ace is done with them (if they’re even still alive afterwards). 

Y=Yuck (Do they have any pet peeves about their s/o? Are there any habits that might bother their s/o?)

If you try and steal his food, he will bite you. There’s still a Little bit of that feral child energy that rears up whenever something annoys him. He does not appreciate jump scares for that exact reason. His adrenaline and danger radar will immediately be turned up to 11 and he is no longer responsible for how he responds to the perceived danger. (Though he’ll probably apologize profusely anyways, cause he’d feel horrible if you got hurt by his knee-jerk reactions). 

On the other hand, there are a few scenarios when perhaps his narcolepsy can become a bit trying. If he starts snoring when you’re in the middle of telling him something important. If he falls asleep on top of you and you can’t get him Off. There could also be situations where his formality gets in the way of what you’re really trying to talk about. Once he starts apologizing for something, things can go on for a while. But the level to which these quirks annoy people, depends on the individual.

Z=Zeal (Are they passionate as an s/o? Do they want or like passion?)

Ace is, as always, full of passion and impatience. He’ll certainly appreciate a similar amount of fervor from his partner, but it’s not a criteria, by any stretch. Whether you’re extroverted, introverted, bouncy or chill AF, he’ll gladly accept you exactly the way you are.

On his end, however, there are instances where Ace’s intensely passionate personality can come back to bit him in the ass. One would be his reckless and fiery temper. This is the trait that sent him on a deadly goose chase to capture Teach. It also leads to your typical abrupt Alpha-Male confrontation with whatever stranger is trying to flirt with you (See J for Jealousy). 

His mercurial emotions and stubborn determination lead him to make hasty, impulsive decisions; sometimes to the point of blatantly forgoing reason. Once he sets his mind to something, Fire Fist will always follows through--a trait which can turn deadly when combined with his short temper and impulsivity (See E for Effort) .

At the very least, Ace will be a fantastic partner when it comes to kissing, 9 times out of 10, his kisses are either passionate & enthusiastic or affectionate & goofy, especially with an s/o (See K for Kisses).

In the end, if there’s one thing we all know about Ace--it’s that he doesn’t do things half-assed. EVER. This boy is dedicated.  Point being, if Ace wants your relationship to work, he will make it work. Whatever it takes.

[twistedtummies2]

As a writer, what are some of your favorite tropes to write? Setting, story beats, character traits, anything.

Ooooooh...that's a hard one. Really hard. XD Like, I know there are definitely a LOT, it's just...sorting through everything... Um...hm...well, something about me that must be known is that a lot of what I like to WRITE is also what I like to READ or WATCH. Sooo... I like Gothic Horror or Mystery stories, set in the period of Victoriana; steampunk elements can apply here. Most of my favorite books come from this period and this style. I also like film noir and old-fashioned gangster movies and such; pulp fiction elements, such as with The Shadow, can also apply. I, of course, enjoy superheroes and everything that comes with them. And I like fantasy, especially surreal or slightly dark fantasy and fairy-tales. I'm literally writing a novel that is such a story, a reimagining of "Snow White," and there's a reason I love things like Lewis Carroll's "Alice" stories and Peter Pan so much. All of the aforementioned styles and settings tend to have their own aesthetics and story elements that tend to be commonplace. In terms of characters, there's a lot of different TYPES I like, but one key feature that I find constantly, in terms of what I love, is I love characters who have something of a dual nature: they aren't always what they seem. One big trait I love is the blend of intellectuality and savagery: either a character who seems pretty homely and base, but secretly has a brilliant mind, or a character who seems very, VERY sophisticated and debonair, but under the surface there's something almost animal about them. It can also just be a matter of darkness and light: a character who seems chipper and even sweet at first, but harbors a VERY dark and even cruel side...or, vice-versa, a character who seems menacing and mysterious at first, but has a soft spot under the skin. That is one of the reasons I love TW so much: nearly every character in the game has that kind of duality to them. It's also why I like characters like The Doctor, Xerxes Break, Sans, Count Dracula, and so many more. It's the constant balance between two opposing forces all these characters and more exhibit that makes them so fascinating. You'll notice that many of my OCs work the same way: Billy is a big loveable teddy bear, but he'll also crush or devour you without mercy if you tick him off; Richthofen for Fate is sort of half young gentleman of chivalry and half cocksure, careless soldier. I think those are some of my key things. There's tons and tons and tons more, but there's some stuff. XD

[mk-wizard]

Live Action Mr. Freeze: Still Not Quite Right

Hello, friends. Today, I want to do analysis of an actual comic book character who is most likely one of the most iconic comic book antagonists there is: Mr. Freeze. Specifically, analysis of how to make a live action version work. To get the iconic ice man, you need to look back into his history since before his rebooted definitive history.

In the beginning, Mr. Freeze was just another evil one dimensional villain whose gimmick was ice and all things cold. He was a typical moustache twirling villain in the truest sense with his motives being based solely in evil for evil’s sake or robbing a bank. He was also very campy with a comical edge, so his live action take was like this though it would also give him a somewhat German accent which may have influenced his rebooted definitive version and it came to be before reboots were a popular trend.

In Batman The Animated Series, Mr. Freeze was rebooted as a tragic character whose motives were based on love for his lost wife Nora who he was seeking to cure and he was finally given a backstory as well as an actual name; Victor Fries (a German sounding name was was possibly inspired by the German live action take of him in the Adam West live action kid’s show). From this point on, THIS would be the version of Freeze we would all come to know and see in almost all media and while almost every cartoon version of him paints him this way, the live action versions have yet to drop the campiness of the old version and embrace the true Mr. Freeze. Now, as always, I am all about constructive criticism, so instead of ranting about everything wrong with the current live action takes of Mr. Freeze, I’m going to point out what should be done in my opinion.

1- Mr. Freeze is a huge nerd and that’s part of what makes him great. - As nice as a muscular hunk or full head of hair rockstar is to look at... it just isn’t Mr. Freeze.

He isn’t a cool guy in that way even if he was the type to stay in shape. He is a geek and it has been confirmed even in the comics that he is at best plain. In fact, Nora’s family did not like Victor for her because he was deemed as being too ugly for her. And instead of changing his look, I say we embrace it because that is what makes him beautiful and unique. The thin lanky frame and completely hairless head and form is also part of what makes him look intimidating to look at. That combined with his mutation made him look like an alien. So casting matters here. A more appropriate actor would be someone who visually has those traits like this gentleman here.

And I am serious. Imagine him with no hair, no eyebrows and snow white skin that slightly glitters and glowing red goggles that completely covered his eyes. He would be perfect!

2- His costume needs to make sense and look like it serves its purpose. - As most fans know, Mr. Freeze’s mutation after his accident left him unable to survive in any environment that is above subzero hence why he wears the suit. With that said, it makes sense that it would look something like a spacesuit/hazmat suit and he would especially need the glass dome to cover his head. Even the slightest bit of warmth would burn him. Though having his head exposed would showcase his face better, it looks wrong because as you and I know, just having air conditioning blown on you without insulation is not very effective. And the insultation doesn’t just end with the face. It is for the entire body.  Mr. Freeze’s suit is thick and covers his entire body for that reason. It isn’t muscle. The entire suit is a machine. It needs to look mechanical not like a suit of armour.

3- Mr. Freeze is a very sad man. - I have nothing against him saying clever quips every now and then, or very occasionally cracking a smile, but most of the time, Freeze frowns, he is cold and moody. And understandably so because he is either worried about Nora or he is mourning losing her in some way all the while being absolutely alone. Such a man should be cold, depressed and angry most of the time. Making him the type to tease and laugh all the time makes no sense unless he is doing it as a coping mechanism and even then, his true pain his obvious. It isn’t for nothing that in Batman Beyond, he was suicidal.

4- He is not above doing the right thing. - A rather admirable thing about Mr. Freeze is that because he is motivated by love and his heart, he is not above being convinced to do the right thing. In the comics, he has even been an ally to Batman and not double crossing him in the end. This is because underneath it all, Freeze isn’t evil. Just extremely hurt and angry at the hand he was dealt with, but he is capable of slivers of compassion and even understanding others if their situation is similar to his own which also shows how complex he is and how he has the capability of being an anti-hero.

And that is all I can say. Those are the four key elements. Casting, costume design, personality profile and moral code. I am wondering what you all think and whether you agree or want to add to this.

Stay cool and stay safe.

[diffuserlover]

hi love !! may i please get personality ship with ateez, txt, and enhypen (but with the hyung line only/sunghoon and up!!! but if you originally shipped me with someone in the maknae line, i'd also love to know too !) i got so carried away with writing, so you can cut the personality part when posting my ship! tysm in advance

I’m an ‘03 liner that’s 5’9.5 (basically 5’10) girl with dark skin, jet black hair (currently in long twists rn!!), and i’m on the curvier side (esp hips and my thighs) !! some of my favorite features are my plump lips (and i have a beauty mark on my bottom lip!), my long legs (they’re 40.5 inches long and look so good in dresses and skirts <33), my kempt and pretty fingernails, and my eyelashes !!! i’m a virgo (and surprisingly i get along with all the signs, i cant think of a sole zodiac sign i DONT mix well with), and i am an i/enfj (i got 51% extravert 49% intra the first time, then 50% for both the second time!! ) and i honestly agree—i’m an ambivert all the way! i often come off as cold/shy when meeting new people (one of my closest friends avoided me for a month before meeting me because i looked so intimidating LMAO), but once you get close to me i turn into a bundle of warmth and love: i will never stop texting them the <3 emoji every morning or buying my friends/s/o their favorite starbucks order when they need a little cheer-me-up.

i’m extremely passionate about the issues and people i care about and the goals and dreams i have. I’m creative, patient, an extremely good listener, caring, a social butterfly, and extremely hardworking. my friends always told me of my heart of gold and how perceptive i am of the people around me—noticing immediately when something is wrong and trying to make them feel better. I’m also very headstrong, detailed, and determined!! my friends also call me a nerd since i’ve had all a’s since kindergarten—i LOVE school/education and would describe myself as intelligent. i really like that i’m empathetic and motivational to those around me. it’s really easy for me to show my affection, adoration, and support for someone because i just want everyone to feel loved and safe :( i HATE seeing my loved ones sad, and when people usually have problems about anything (from family to just school), i’m the one they come to talk to because of my warm and openminded heart. I love sharing happiness with my friends in their goals and always hype them up no matter what, and it makes me so so so so happy seeing my loved ones content, comfortable, accepted, and just knowing that they mean so much to me and that they’re loved. im also really, really funny (my fave personality trait of mine tbh)!! I’m always cracking jokes and laughing (sometimes for no reason LMAOO). i would be in the library at like 7 am with my friends and struggle with stifling my laugh from jokes i told </3 although i’m extremely nice and outgoing, i’m not afraid to stand my ground (most of the time) and am super defensive (esp about topics like blm, antiblackness in our world, cultural insensitivity/appropriation, sexism/racism/ableism/homophobia), so if someone says some shit out of pocket, i will not be afraid to put them in their place !!! a lot of people (especially older/more traditional folk) do not like that but i could care less <3 some useless facts about me: i love love love afrobeats (nigerian gyal here), some k-pop groups (bts, txt, enha, ateez, gwsn, p1h, and some 2nd gen groups!), and r&b (rihanna and bey and aaliyah <33). i LOVE to play roblox, i’ve been to 14/50 US states, i can do VERY simple makeup, people often think my nails are acrylics bc they’re long and i love doing nail art on them), and i know all the lyrics and adlibs to enhypen’s given-taken 😋 if i could describe myself in a word, it’d be openminded!! and my dreams for the future are 1) to be truly happy and comfortable (which includes finding my true love <33) 2) to make a change on the people around me and the world itself (preferably through healthcare so i can mend health disparities in POC and low-income neighborhood!!), and i love junk food (I SHOULDNT but it’s so good). I also LOVE law and order svu and forensic files, princess and the frog, tangled, and penthouse !!!!!

I also love to go out and explore—whether trying out a new restaurant in the city or a newly opened amusement park or trying something new, like skydiving (or some other crazy but fun idea), trying recipes from around the world, or trying sledding for the first time! at the same time, i like really chill, mellow spending-time-alone-or-with-one-other-person activities like baking (my favorite treat to bake is red velvet cupcakes and cheddar bay biscuits) and dancing !! (i’ve been a dancer for more than 12 years!!). i can also speak more than 5 languages (including korean!) and i’m always saying random phrases (like thank you, i love u so much!, gtfo my face, that sucks ass) in a random language too LMFAOOO. i often think being a coffee/cafe lover is a personality trait (i love love love love love coffee) i also love accessories (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, rings, etc) and would die of happiness when the day i can wear matching accessories with my s/o comes. i also love cleaning/keeping my spaces clean and i hate a dirty house </3

besides being my bestfriend who i can kiss and whatnot (hehe), my ideal type is a TALL (like my 5’9+/i’m already tall but pls .5 of an inch taller would be enough) man who has eyes for me and only me !!! they may look cold/cool/mysterious/laid back at first glance (like “yeah haha 🙂" to any other girls but “hi baby what can i do for u today to please the loml” with me <3) but turn into the sweetest, warmest, cutest honey bun once i get to know them! (kinda like me)!! ALSO a man who can pull off all black outfits like those are my FAVORITE omg. he needs to be FUNNY and have a BIG sense of humor (like i want to laugh every second i’m with him and laugh so hard that our stomachs start hurting and we beg each other to stop making jokes type of humor), fashionable (so i can learn fashion pls and wear coordinated outfits with him). i just want a boy who i could talk to and listen to for HOURS. like i would follow him into the bathroom as he showers and sit on the toilet and just listen to him talk about his day or vent to him, but also a boy that loves comfortable silence!! like we can spend the whole together and come back to the house where im studying and he’s working on a personal project so that just being with him makes me feel warm <3 i want a s/o who’s willing to go out and travel with me so i could take off guard pics of him and make him my wallpaper until he begs me to change it. im also not good at conflict so if conflict arises, id love a boy who knows how to talk me down and open up the room for conversation and make me feel safe and not as if im confronted or wrong, someone where we can just talk, resolve our problem, and make it up with a hug or night out!! this kinda leads to me wanting a relationship where we both help improve each other and our flaws (for example some of my flaws are callousness, taking things to heart sometimes, and not opening up easily, etc), so i’d really appreciate a relationship where my partner and i can help each other grow as people. i also love love love to cook, so i’d love an s/o that loves cooking with me and teaching each other how to cook each other’s cultural foods (i would love to teach my bf how to cook jollof rice and have a cookoff one day). i also want a boy that i can tease (i love to tease people omg) <3 like i could say “u look like a cute tomato when u blush <3333” to “and that’s why you got a fat ass head” and we’d just laugh and he’d tease me back <33 I like ALL 5 of the love languages (im a hopeless romantic ik) but my top 3 tied for 1st are quality time (HEAVY ON THE QUALITY TIME i want to spend everyday with my bf at chinatown or a new city exploring), words of affirmation (someone who reaffirms me of their love continuously, supportively, and in sweet ways), and acts of service (cooking my favorite food when i’m down, doing chores that i cant do when tired). men who are really expressive through touch are also ideal <3 i'd shy away from pda, but inside the house i’d be so happy yet so shy and flustered when they express their love through touch (like laying in my lap so i can play with their hair, holding my hand while watching tv, cuddling while talking about whatever). OR like the SLIGHTEST compliment or act of love (LIKE BACKHUGS OR HOLDING HANDS OR KISSING MY BEAUTY MARKS OR FOREHEAD KISSESJSJSJSJ) i’d just love to be really appreciated and loved and also show the same love, support, warmth, closeness, and happiness to my bf <3

THANK U SO MUCH AAAA i honestly cant wait for my ship!! have an amazing day/afternoon/evening <3

Hiii! Thank you so much for requesting!! I really hope you like it!! Btw you seem like the sweetest person ever and you are literally perfection<3

ATEEZ:

I ship you with...

Seonghwa

Okay! I literally was going between Mingi and Seonghwa the whole time but when reading your ideal type I was thinking more Seonghwa!

You said you like someone who is kinda cold on the outside but sweet when you get to know them and Seonghwa is literally the definition of that🤣

He can also pull off those black outfits you like(I’m simping lmaoo)😚

Wooyoung might disagree but I think Seonghwa is funny and you guys would always make each other laugh😄

He would 100% wear matching outfits with you(he wouldn’t be able to stop smiling)😆

Seonghwa would be open about his feeling with you🙂

He truly appreciates that you always listen to him and will always just let him talk out his day(he always lets you talk first, what a gentleman)🥺

I could see you sitting at the desk or table studying while he’s walking around cleaning and it wouldn’t be awkward 😁

Seonghwa doesn’t seem like the type to yell at you unless he was really really mad, he is more of the problem solver in my eyes so I think he would be that person to talk you down and have a conversation with you instead of yelling😊

I feel Seonghwa would really want to connect to you on a deeper emotional level, he would open up more the longer you guys are together😭🥰

Seonghwa does like to cook but isn’t like the worlds most amazing chef so I could see you guys cooking together 😋

Little cooking dates where you have fun competitions to see who’s dish is better🤩

He would let you tease him if it’s all light hearted but he would always tease you back💀

I think Seonghwa is a little bit shy about skinship but sees that you like when he initiates it so he really tries🥺

Your height is nearly the same so I don’t think either of you would mind the height difference 😁

He would always complement the beauty mark on your lip or your legs cause he know how much you like it lol😇

You both are extroverts so you guys go out a lot more often🙂

He likes how you take care of him when he’s having a bad day like getting him a drink or snacks or a simple text message when he’s at work🥰

He would be inspired by how passionate you are about issues around the world and would always ask you what he can do to help you or anything☺️

He likes how your always laughing or making jokes because he loves your smile and it always makes him smile😭😭

Because of your long nails he really likes when you play with his hair😚

He loves to hear you speak in all the languages you speak(he is really impressed)😋

You both don’t like a dirty house and you guys are clean all the time lol🤣

Overall, You and Seonghwa have a really deep relationship and really care for each other🥰🥺

TXT:

I ship you with...

Yeonjun

Yeonjun is effortlessly funny so I feel like he would always make you laugh and you would always make him laugh😄

Yeonjun is really into fashion and would gladly wearing matching outfits with you

He also pulls off a black outfit just like you said you like🤩

He would constantly buy you accessories because he knows how much you like them🥰

Yeonjun is definitely pretty clingy to you😚

He is taller than you by like 1 inch 😋

Yeonjun is cold looking on the outside and is a cinnamon roll on the inside😆

He will probably beg you for a puppy(a welsh corrgi) a lot💀

I feel like Yeonjun would be okay with comfortable silence if he is in the mood

He is a talkative person so I feel like your conversations would never end😊

I don’t know how arguments could go with him, I feel like it depends on how he is that day🙂

You guys love cooking together with music blasting throughout the house😚

If he gives up on helping you he will cling to you and back hug you until your done in the kitchen😭🥺

He loves to complement you until your super super flustered ☺️🤣

He probably likes how clean you are🙂

For your birthday he got you a little necklace with a lock on it and he has the key for the lock and when you open it, it has your guys initials together😭

He would probably take you to the studio and have a little dance battle 🤩

He would be willing to explore with you though I feel he would rather be at home with you alone😁

He finds it inspiring how passionate you are about issues around the world and often looks up to you for it😊

You guys get matching nails!!😄

You guys are on the higher side of zodiac sign compatibility😇

Overall, you and Yeonjun are the cutest and are literally couple goals 😍

Enhypen:

I ship you with...

Sunghoon

You guys are the same height😌

Sunghoon would pull off that black outfit you like!😅

I feel like it would take him some time to initiate skinship and be affectionate with you but when he does he can’t let go of you😊

He loves when you play with his hair🥺

I feel like he loves just spending time with you and being with you🤩

He likes to hold your hand😇

He bought you for your birthday match rings☺️

Sunghoon doesn’t know how to cook so be patient with him but he will always turn cooking into some competitive thing😆

I think it would take him a while to completely open up to you but he still likes to talk things out with you🥺

He is so beautiful how can you not take photos of him and set them as your wallpaper(he definitely begs to you to change it but also loves it and doesn’t want you to change it)🤣

He loves how he can always talk to you about absolutely anything😁

Introverts and extroverts go best with each other🙂

He is very cold and distant looking at first but we all know how sweet and baby like he is on the inside😁😊

He is really interested in the things you are passionate about and is constantly asking you questions 🤩

He finds himself smiling when thinking about you😭🥰

You always make him laugh, it’s one of his favorite things about you😄

He would laugh as you guys blast given or taken through the house and you sing the whole thing dancing around(grab his hands and make him dance with you)😂😚

I could see you guys eating fast food in your car in some random parking lot just talking and listening to music looking at all the stars🥺

Drag him out to do this with you😆

He likes how clean you are🙂

Overall, I think you and Sunghoon are so sweet together🥰

[harrys-reverie]

DOG YEARS // Harry Styles O.U.

Part 2: The Bar Cart

a/n: hey and welcome to part 2! this is kind of short but I felt that it  needed to be it’s own chapter (in my head it makes sense.) aw harry and colette are v sweet in this one (i love them already). also there is colette’s face claim in the collage/mood board above including real pics from the soho farmhouse. :) comments, likes and REBLOGS are v much appreciated happy reading! 

STORY PAGE // PART 1

What I had concluded throughout the night was that this small group of Harry and his friends were just so normal. It was so easy to watch him on a phone clip or on the screen of a TV for an award show and have a false preconception of who he was. After all, he was a huge celebrity -- it’s hard not to imagine him being a certain way. I never could have dreamed he would be the way he is though, I suppose that’s the beauty of first getting to know somebody. As the hours weened late and the clock neared 12 AM, I realized Harry Styles was as normal as any man in a baby chick sweater could be. 

I had never been a massive Harry Styles fan, sure if his song came on the radio I bopped along. If I saw him on my Snapchat Daily Mail snippets, I’d read them every so often — but other than that I had no true preconception of who he was and what he was about. I guess that came in my favor because I had no high expectations from him and therefore he could only go up from there. Throughout the night the five of us took an abundant amount of shots and played a few childish ‘Truth or Dare’ games. I found myself taking a shot of maple syrup and pickle juice MIXED — Harry’’s idea of a dare.

This was the most fun I had since moving over here to England, and in the presence of all these ‘misfit’ like personas, I felt at home. There was no awkward beats, shame or egos. The whole atmosphere was completely judgement free and as light as a feather. I talked to everyone, chatting away about California, good food spots, sports and more. I found it so refreshing to be able to relate to other people’s stories about my home state, a place I was starting to long for.

It was fair to say that we were all peak drunk around 12, dancing along to old 70’s hits as well as current ones. Jamie tried to teach us all  ‘TikTok’ dances she had learnt from her children back home. Of course the 5 of us tried our best to be choreographed and in sync, but failed miserably. Little did they all know I spent most of my free time perfecting these stupid dances. Of course any videos we took, were never posted publicly...but some did make the cut as a private post to a whopping 0 followers. Watching Harry Styles sing the words “I'm a savage. Classy, bougie, ratchet, sassy, moody, nasty” with a bunch of hip pops was an award winning scene.

So as it reached 1 am, I was near my max of what I could handle for the night. My head which was once spinning was now beginning to pound and that gross dry feeling in my mouth was taking over. I hated this part. I didn’t feel sick to my stomach yet but I knew if I didn’t get sleep soon I’d be regretting it.

“Hey, so do ya need a ride back home?” Harry’s raspy voice asked, reading the room very well. He had taken a sudden seat next to me on the couch, spreading his legs apart and laying his head back fully — complete relaxation.

“You drank tonight,” I reprimanded him jokingly. But I meant it, he was the most plastered of all of us. “You can’t drive, even if it’s just down the hill.”

“Can’t argue with that,” He hummed. “’M pretty trashed still.”

I turned my head towards him, he was still looking up as if he was admiring the wood paneled ceilings, taking every detail in. But when I looked closer, his eyes were shut. His face structure was flawless if I’d say so myself. His jaw looked like it could cut someone, his eyebrows full enough to make any girl jealous, and those floppy, thick waves — it was hard to admit that he wasn’t handsome. I blinked my eyes hard, trying to get out of the small trance I was under. I was drunk after all.

“Well…” I began, “I need to start heading down to my casa.”

“Well…” Harry chirped, directing his attention towards me. “If I can’t drive you back down, the least I could do is walk you there.”

“No, please,” I scoffed. 

“Yeah, yeah. Shaddup and grab your coat, it’s about to get chilly out there.”

I knew I’d manage doing the walk by myself well enough alone. The premises of Soho Farmhouse were protected with heavy security and gates. I knew I had no reasons to worry about a swift 5 minute trudge down a hill.

“No Harry, seriously. I’ll be fine!” I argued back, forming a tight lip smile to reassure him.

“Who knows?  A bloody chicken could be loose and start chasing you, ya? Plus, it’s my duty to make sure you get back safe. Now, up!” He instructed. “’M a gentleman.”

I knew there was no point in fighting back, he was adamant about it. Plus the look on his face when I obliged was well worth it. 

The two of us said our quick fair wells to everyone  who was still gathered round the kitchen island talking amongst each other. It might have been the alcohol, but I felt oddly emotional saying goodbye to all of them. For the first time in a month I made what felt like real connections with a group of people and all I wanted was to hang out with them forever. I was bummed knowing Jamie and Jeff would only be here for another week or so.

“Shall we take the wagon, bar cart contraption thing?” Harry offered, pointing to the blue wagon filled with alcohol. 

“I don’t even have the keys.”

“Fair enough, walking it is.”

“Thanks for having me tonight,” I spoke tiredly.

“Don’t even worry about it. Glad to be of assistance in the ‘lit’ department,” He laughed, using quotations around the word lit.

“You’re very Americanized,” I noted. He turned his head to me, raising his eyebrow as if he had just been accused of something terrible.

“That’s why I’m back here in the English countryside. Trying to ween away from all that LA bullshit…” He admitted, running a hand through his hair nervously.

“LA bullshit?” I asked, appalled...maybe even a little offended. Although I had lived in Northern California, an insult to one city of my state was an insult to all.

“Yeah, erm, spent too much time there ‘s all...” Harry mumbled. I was almost sure by his tone he was not giving off the complete truth but I didn’t want to push. Harry started to fiddle with his bottom lips, hit teeth constantly biting it over and over. Most likely a nervous habit. 

We continued walking along the cobblestone in silence, the click-clack of our shoes echoing through the emptiness of the night. Despite the quietness of it all, it felt pretty comfortable.

“I love LA,” I offered sheepishly. “I mean, as long as you surround yourself with the right people, I think LA’s one of the best places you could be.”

“Well you’re just saying that,” He countered. “You’re from California, you’re supposed to say that.”

“False!”

“I loved LA too,” Harry admitted, focusing his attention back to the cobblestone ground ahead of him.

“Loved?” I asked inquisitively.

He turned his gaze to me and laughed, “It’s complicated.”

“LA can have that effect,” I said back, trying not to delve any deeper. I had just met him today after all, there was no reason for him to trust me with any of his problems. 

“I think you staying here will definitely be a big change. It’s about as simple as it gets.” I didn’t want to delve any deeper and invade his privacy so I took his explanation as it was. I couldn’t help but think there may have been a direct correlation with his quick mood change yesterday and his reasoning for disliking California. 

“Looking forward to it,” He smiled. “‘S kinda just like, the perfect situation for me. No press, no distractions, just focusing on myself...the music.”

“Mmm, exciting.”

Harry caught my gaze, “You’ve got no idea.”

We began to approach my cottage, the smallest one on the property. The lights on in the kitchen we’re still on from when I left. They were now shining through the windows giving a angelic glow to the darkness of the night.

“No rush to get up early tomorrow.” Harry insisted as we approached the large wooden door. I looked at him excitedly, all I wanted to do was sleep in after tonight and he had just granted me his permission to do so.

“Really?” I questioned.

He nodded his head, “I’ll be sleeping in late too. Bloody tired.”

“Alright I’ll just wait for a text from Jeff..”

Harry cut me off swiftly, “Or myself.” He pointed a finger to his chest playfully.

“Or yourself,” I agreed.

“But don’t worry, like I said, sleep in and uh I’ll see you tomorrow maybe.”

For some unknown reason the air between us felt extremely awkward. I was still a little tipsy, but coming down quickly. I thought to myself that if this was any other guy, I’d probably be on my tippy toes and ready to kiss him, because why not? But it was Harry Styles. He was like my boss, I guess, and he’d have no interest in me. If anything he’d file a restraining order if I tried to pull something like that. I pulled my jacket closer to my body as the air swirled around us.

“Alright well goodnight!” I exclaimed bringing him in for a quick side hug. Harry quickly turned it into a full on hug, giving me a tight squeeze. He smelled divine. How badly I wanted to arch my head up and meet his lips, which were probably freezing. The alcohol just does something to me and makes me want to kiss almost anybody to be fair. Making out with friends whilst drunk was one of my famous traits. It was like he had handed his warmth over to me because being embraced in him I instantly felt warmer, any shivers I once had were gone.

He let go of me and awkwardly stood there, his hands flying into his pockets. “Just want to make sure you get in safe,” He noted, bringing his lips into an awkward smile, shooting his gaze towards the door.

“Oh yeah, of course,” I laughed nervously. I emphasized the key in my hand, giving him a big smile as I twisted it and unlocked the heavy door.

“Right,” He muttered.

“Get back safe!” I chirped, allowing myself to fully walk in the warmth of my cottage and turning to face him.

“I’ll text you.”

“Oh?” I arched my eyebrow at him jokingly.

“Goodnight, Colette.” And with that he turned on his feet, slowly waking back up the treacherous hill and to his abode.

I slammed the door fast, the thunderous noise vibrating through my whole cottage. I rested my back against it in a state of relief and confusion of the encounter I had just endured. Pulling myself back together and avoiding any intrusive thoughts I may begin to think, i decided to start up a hot shower and brew myself tea.

HARRYS POV

I felt weird. I hadn’t felt this way since the night I had met Camille, years ago at a friends party. It was a feeling I longed for, but also was scared of. The creative side of me wanted to embrace the feeling, the broken side of me wanted to steer clear. I knew the girl I had just waved goodbye to depended on this job, I couldn’t just ask for a replacement — plus, I was intrigued. I felt like I was at tug of war with myself over a girl I had just met earlier today. It was a tad ridiculous.

I figured the best thing for me to do was to only call her around when trulynecessary. It wasn’t like me to be this unwelcoming, but the feeling in my stomach that was creeping up to my mind was telling me to be this way. I wasn’t going to text her tomorrow for anything. Colette, right? Yep, that was her name — how could I forget it. A face as pretty as the name. I didn’t say much when I came back into my temporary home, instead I insisted I needed sleep and get a propers nice rest of what was left of it anyways. It was the most polite way to let my dear pals know to fuck off for the night. I loved them all, but I needed to get situated and I wanted space. Time to myself is what I cherished most.

I rushed up to my bedroom, shutting the door and entering the attached bathroom. I neatly undressed myself, taking a deep stare in the mirror. I looked at myself hard, the alcohol was still in my system so I appeared a little fuzzy. I felt older, my hairline was not what it used to be in the 1D days, it didn’t bother me but I had seen some tweets about it. My facial hair was growing in kind of unevenly, this is what I get for wanting to be independent and not have a stylish take care of how I look. I preferred it that way though, that’s how it should be.

Sighing, I went for the toothbrush and started on my nightly routine. I wanted to create a new set of routine now that I was becoming accustomed into this place I’d be calling ‘home’ for the next four months.

After freshening up, I let my body get underneath the cool covers, pulling them up high up to my neck to keep me warm. I stared at my phone that was sitting on the wooden table side. I always kept my phone on Do Not Disturb when I was taking time off for myself. Seeing a bunch of missed calls and emails stressed me out, and I wanted to detach from all that. I let out a puff of air, knowing what I’d be seeing if I decided to take a look at my phone. But the alcohol that was left in me couldn’t hold back so I reached for it anyways.

I quickly opened up the safari tab and typed my own name, something I was never keen on doing. I hadn’t done it for weeks actually, but I knew there was a part of me that needed to see what was being said. Just like that, a bunch of highlights of new articles and my name as well as hers were everywhere.

“Fuck..” I sighed, closing my eyes shut for a second. “Why..”

Camille Rowe, model and famed ex girlfriend of musician and heartthrob Harry Styles releases tell all book — including steamy details of  her former romance with the star!

Click. I waited for the page to load, nervously biting my lower lip.

There’s a lot of things we should thank Camille Rowe for — her Vogue tips on how to achieve the perfect Parisian makeup look, inspiring the fabulous Harry Styles Fine Line album and now releasing a book telling us ALL about her old relationship with the man himself!

Details in the book delve deep into her once what seemed great, but now known doomed relationship with the singer. She mentions details of cheating, jealously and what Harry’s really like in the bed. Thanks Camille — you’ve answered all of our questions. Turns out, Harry is just as packed as we thought he would be!

I couldn’t read it anymore, I felt humiliated and invaded of my privacy. Privacy. The one thing I valued most in my life, the one thing I hold onto like it is the most precious jewel in the world. Privacy — the one thing Camille knew was the most important aspect of my life. I grew up in the spotlight, placed under a huge amount of pressure and scrutiny. I felt as if I was made from a testing tube so specially to fit into a mold of a person I wasn’t.

For so long in my life I had felt as if people knew everything about me, even more than I did — and that’s a harsh feeling. I regained that privacy back after leaving the band and learned how to maintain a healthy balance of showcasing who I was to the world but holding back at the same time. It was what made my albums, my art, so special. Making my songs and putting them out there was  my own personal invitation to those who listened, to get a glimpse into my life.

I felt sick and the alcohol in my stomach stirred the more I thought about that damn book.I was getting older, and alcohol didn’t clique with my body the way it used to. I opened my messages up, seeing Camille’s name at almost the top of my list of new messages, probably trying to apologize.  What she should have done was ask if I was comfortable with her releasing a book that almost solely focused on our past relationship. A relationship that was well done with for almost 3 years now. For fucks sake, I’d always have love for the lady, but she never knew when she took things too far. I finally felt at peace and fully over her, and here she was ambushing my life and swiping away my beloved privacy.

I swiped left on the unopened messages, deleting them before even reading. I had to focus on the positive, that’s why I was here in the countryside after all. I hadn’t answered my publicist since the damn book came out last week, I didn’t even know where to start or what to stay. I wanted to keep silent, MIA.

Tonight with Colette though, I forgot about it all. She was stunning, there was no denying that. Funny too, and a little shy. She didn’t come off star struck by my presence, she treated me like any bloke off the street. Normal. Dropping her off at her cottage tonight, after spending the past few hours with her bloody gorgeous face, I wanted to snog her face off. Was I getting too old to be acting that way? I didn’t want to scare her off though, and that wasn’t really my style anymore.

Hookups and shit. The amount of one night stands from my days in the band were shameful. Thinking back to having security bring girls we thought were hot to our hotel rooms for a quick fuck, was so common back then, it was insane.  It was a part of my life that I felt deep regret for, and sickened me to think about. I was young, horny, and willing to give my body up to any girl. Most of the time, I felt awkward. I’d see a girl at the bar in a fancy hotel we were at, I wouldn’t even say a word to her, 20 minutes later I was back in my room, waiting for my security to drop her off for an hour or so. No phones, sign an NDA, show ID of proof of legal age, be my type and bam, she got to be fucked by Harry Styles.

Things were so much different now, I focused more on making those connections, I found it built more of an attraction. The lead up to the sex or the relationship, was now my favorite thing. After years of getting instant sex, waiting for it had now become the best part.

I shook my head, brushing away these invasive thoughts I wanted to avoid and memories I wanted to forget. Switching off the lamp beside me and placing my phone on charge, I dozed off.

[soft-ris]

CP - 👽 - If that last slot is open, I'd like to request for a friend. Hes 5'8, brown eyes, brown short hair. He's very friendly, likes to talk a lot but is an introvert. He likes D&D, horse riding and plants. He has a phobia of needles and wasps. He is very generous with everything but money, he hoards money in his bank account. He's usually non violent but has punched someone to the hospital once because they insulted his mother. He's a cool dude. His favs are Jonathan, Wamuu and Melone.

Cupid’s Pick for your match made in heaven is...

... Jonathan!!

He's usually nonviolent but has punched someone to the hospital once because they insulted his mother.

Jonathan and Wamuu gets it.

Jonathan mainly because he too would punch someone if they had insulted someone he cared for, and the result would be the same as yours because fuck you see his muscles right?? Yeah, that’s that strong protective couple vibe y’all both emit <3

He might be a gentleman, sweet and positive, but if someone talks shit about your loved one? He’d throw in an extra punch for you too because NO ONE talks about your mom like that. He’s got your back, and he knows you got his too HMPH

Wamuu is all about fighting and honour, so he gets it. He would’ve had the same damn reaction (but I think rather than a hospital, they’d be in at the funeral home…). He also would have a whole new level of respect for you because damn, you can fight and you’re filial? He’s bringing out a ring and it’s not a poisoned one, that’s for sure.

I’m not gonna say all 3 of them would get turned on by that because they think it’s hot… (but they wouldKSKSKSKSK, just at varying degrees ofc).

He's a cool dude.

I can see Jonathan low-key swooning tbh? He himself is more of a gentle giant, like sure he was popular, but he never really saw himself as a ‘cool’ guy (imo). So when he sees how cool you are, it’s probably how his crush started. Just admires it and has stars in his eyes like ‘damn, my boyfriend’s so cool’ type of shit uwu. Would definitely be one of the first qualities about you that he brags to others about.

He likes D&D, horse riding and plants.

Jonathan looks like he horse-rides as a hobby? So horse riding dates are for sure a thing between the two of you. Y’all can ride a horse together into the sunset, or race and see who would win in a friendly competition with cute (or nsfw) bets and rewards and punishments, & etc. Just very cute horse riding centered couple’s activities/dates uwu

Melone looks like he’d understand D&D the quickest, with Jonathan being second & Wamuu being the slowest to pick it up (pls be patient with these 2KSKSKK). Melone can even do a 3D holographic version of it probably lol

Jonathan also looks like he’d indulge in your plants interest. Asking you questions, listening to you talk about them, and all that jazz. Would even buy you some if you want (as gifts). I can’t see him remembering the scientific names of the plants well, so him mispronouncing some of them would be a cute little inside joke between y’all uwu. He also remembers your favourite(s) and would press them into bookmarks or into a necklace or something equally sweet as a gift for you

He has a phobia of needles and wasps.

Out of all the 3, I think Jonathan would be the one who wouldn’t push you to get past this fear or do something weird with it to you. He’d understand and try to keep these things away from you as much as he can. Like if a wasp appears near you? Mf will punch it away or hamon it away, that’s 10000% for sure. Needles in the vicinity? Gone before you can even notice its presence. Overall very thoughtful and sweet about it.

Wamuu, I can kinda see him trying to get you to stop having a phobia of these things. Would ask you to fight it somehow and make it into a battle analogy somehow lol

Melone would file it under your phobia facts and might or might not try to get you to stop having a phobia of them too, but much less active in his plans than Wamuu I feel.

He's very friendly, likes to talk a lot but is an introvert.

That’s cool because Jonathan is a warm soul and a sweetheart. He’ll listen to everything you have to say, he’ll give you space when you tell him, and he won’t be pushing you to hang out if you tell him no. He’s friendly too so y’all would hit it off easy, and his more extroverted nature would pair well with your introverted nature. It’s as they say, complimentary traits for that good balance between a couple yk?

He is very generous with everything but money, he hoards money in his bank account.

I can see Jonathan falling for your generous personality trait. He thinks it’s sweet in how you are so kind hearted and have a lot to give. IMO I can’t see him necessarily understand the money bit since he came from a rich family, but he does know money has a lot of value and over time, he would get why you hoard money. It doesn’t grow on trees after all. Would ask for financial advice or tips from Speedwagon if you need any in order to increase the numbers in your bank account tho

Wamuu doesn’t get why because money doesn’t matter to him lol, he’s more of a fighting and honour and loyalty to his masters type of guy. While he doesn’t get it, that won’t mean if he sees something worth lots of money he won’t give it to you because he will. Wamuu would equate your love of money to his love of fighting and honour, and he’ll gift you with expensive stuff or just money in general for your bank account.

Melone toooooooootally gets the whole money bit. His whole team tried to go against Diavolo because of power and money too, so he 100% gets the hoarding money thing. Won’t judge you on it. I can also see Melone taking advantage of your generosity if you’re a push over? So make sure to call him out on it and reign him in if that happens (he’d probably enjoy that too if yk what I mean lmao)

[profitinaecho]

Pre1900s

August, 1845

Elizabeth Ortecho drew her shoulders back, drawing herself into perfect posture while looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her new yellow dress was the color of jonquils and set off her tan skin and black hair perfectly. The cut did almost scandalous things to her figure. If she were an actual lady, she would regret that more than she did. Women are supposed to be chaste and submissive. Elizabeth naturally was none of those things but all of her training up until this point prepared her to fake it. She scowled at her reflection and pinched her cheeks for some color.

The carriage had arrived to take her to the house party at the Duchess Ann Evans’ home. Before her family had lost their fortune to her father’s illness, Elizabeth had been close with the Duchess’ children. But that was then and she needed to find a viable husband to save her family from ruin now. Her childhood friend, Maxwell Evans, would be there all grown up. It would be nice to see him but she couldn’t allow him to distract her from her mission. She remembered the reason she was dressed like this and it wasn’t to mingle with Maxwell. Her only goal was to seduce Doctor Valenti.

————————————-

Maxwell Evans took a last look in the mirror. He didn’t care much about his appearance normally but the type of people downstairs definitely cared. He wore a Savile Row evening suit, neatly combed hair, and a fresh shave. He would be sure to use the cultured accent that had been drummed into him at an early age. He would need it to impress future business contacts and hopefully find a viable candidate to marry. His parents had made him promise to cozy up to Maria, the daughter of an Earl, in hopes of combining their companies with marriage.

Coming down the stairs, Maxwell saw Lord DeLuca and his daughter waiting in the drawing room for dinner. Maria was in a powder blue dress made of the finest materials by her family’s tailor. A few other gentlemen were also loitering, waiting on the rest of the ladies to appear. Many of them were discussing business in the House of Lords and things that had happened at Oxford. It drove Maxwell nearly insane with boredom. Bowing slightly as he approached the Deluca’s, Maxwell put on his most charming grin. “Lord DeLuca, I trust the rum industry is treating you well? I have been following your growth for some time.”

“Oh? My uh, business agent sees to the company details.” Lord DeLuca shifted uncomfortably.

“I see.” It was exactly as Maxwell had feared. Lord DeLuca knew nothing about his own company. Maxwell had learned the alcohol industry from the ground up and built his company based on the findings. Any business interactions would not go forward, but Maria was beautiful and his key to combining their companies so he looked forward to getting to know her better. She was the key to this deal going forward. Maria smiled shyly at him through her lashes. He smiled back at her and felt relieved. This would be easier than he expected. Behind her, a lady in a yellow dress and black curls entered and he realized it was his childhood friend, Elizabeth. Bowing slightly to announce his departure, Max said “My old neighbor has entered and I must go say hello.”

“But I will have a chance to speak with you after dinner, won’t I?” Maria pouted.

“Of course.” Maxwell promised. This was going much better than he expected if she was already interested. Maxwell strode across the room to Elizabeth. “Look at you, all cleaned up. You look lovely.” He teased her.

Elizabeth forced herself not to stick her tongue out at him. “I could say the same about you.”

“I’m so glad you came. These people are a terrible bore.” He admitted quietly.

His mother announced that dinner was ready and the old friends parted- Maxwell to sit next to the Delucas and Elizabeth to sit next to Dr. Kyle Valenti.

————————————-

Elizabeth had zoned out by the soup course and was willing herself not to doze off when she heard the men talking about going on a shooting party after dinner. Before she could stop herself, she found herself asking “May I shoot too?”

Every head at the table pivoted towards her and she realized her mistake. Dr. Valenti’s eyes shot up towards his dark hairline. “You hunt?”

Placing her hands delicately on her lap, Elizabeth nonchalantly replied, “Oh, I try.” Further down the table, Maxwell smirked. He knew better. After all, he had been the one to teach her to shoot.

“I’m sure you’re quite good.” Dr. Valenti complimented her.

“I’m a dreadful shot but it sounds fun.” Elizabeth forced herself to smile at him more intimately and flirtatious than she actually felt. “Perhaps you could show me how?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Kyle answered her. His eyes held a flicker of interest. If she could manage to mind her manners and act like a lady, her family might be saved after all. She found Kyle attractive and boring, but he was kind and there were worse things he could be. Feeling cheered at the progress she was making, she looked down the table at Maxwell. She could tell he was judging her for the exchange and she felt the urge to send him a vulgar gesture. Despite once being her very best friend, Maxwell only brought out her worst traits now. With the doctor, she did her best to behave and be everything society expected her to be. Not that it was a comparison or competition, because Maxwell was her past and she was going to do everything to ensure Kyle was her future.

————————————-

The conversation with the other ladies in the parlor was tedious at best while she waited for the men to join them. She found herself desperately talking about the weather with Lady Isobel. When the gentleman joined them, she exhaled with relief until she saw that Lord Wyatt Long was approaching her.

“My dear Lady Elizabeth, I was so saddened to be sitting so far away from you at dinner.” Lord Long leaned in too close to her and she willed herself not to retreat. She couldn't control the look of disgust on her face though.

“Oh?” Elizabeth told herself not to roll her eyes and went to move around him but he caught her wrist.

“We should remedy that by having a conversation now.” Lord Long wasn’t letting go of her wrist and was starting to scare her.

Maxwell left a protesting Maria across the room to rescue Elizabeth. “Actually, she promised to have a conversation with me.” Maxwell had found it amusing watching Elizabeth try to escape Lord Long until he could tell she was distressed. Maxwell had probably ruined his chances with Maria based upon the disgust on her face but Elizabeth had needed help. Taking her hand from Lord Long’s Maxwell placed it in the crook of his elbow, pivoted and sat with her across the room. “You have picked up a determined admirer.” He teased her.

“I keep discouraging him but he won’t go away.” Elizabeth huffed. In the haze of the gaslights, he could think of a million reasons a man would be infatuated with Elizabeth. He’d barely been able to keep his eyes off her smooth tan skin and sparkling dark eyes all though dinner. “Thank you for the rescue. Now if you’ll excuse…” Elizabeth stood up, her yellow skirts rustling.

“Where are you going?” Maxwell had the strangest flutter in his stomach. He didn’t know what to make of it.

“To speak to Dr. Valenti.” She craned her neck looking for Kyle. That feeling in Max’s gut intensified and he belatedly realized it was jealousy.

Max found himself chuckling. “Why?”

“Look, I know he isn’t the most exciting man in the room but he’s not bad to look at. And he could take care of me and my family. My father is sick. He’s an honorable, skilled man.”

Max had to admit she was making sense in a detached logical way. But the Elizabeth he knew was passionate and bold. It made him sad to think of her spending her life that way. “It seems like a decent match on paper but why do you think he would want to marry you?”

Elizabeth gasped in outrage and leaned forward. It did amazing things to her breasts in that dress and distracted Max. “I could ask the same thing about Lady Maria. Why would the daughter of an Earl want to be with you?” They were staring each other down when it was announced that it was time to form the hunting party.

Before his eyes, Elizabeth took a deep breath and transformed into a perfect lady. She smiled a sweet innocent smile and her dark eyes lost their spark of mischief. She batted her long black eyelashes and every inch of her posture softened. “I bet I can make Dr. Valenti mine before you manage with Lady Maria.” Elizabeth’s voice had become quiet and husky. It had the type of suggestive rumble that made a man want things. Her expression was pleasant and blank and it startled Maxwell to see her acting so unlike herself. Before Maxwell could tell her that he wasn’t sure he wanted Lady Maria after all, she lifted her skirts and flounced over to Dr. Valenti, glaring at Maxwell over his shoulder. Elizabeth was put on a flawless performance and anyone that hadn’t known her since childhood would be under her spell.

————————————-

Elizabeth found herself alone in a sea of tweed with no one but Maxwell for company. Assuming she ever spoke to him again. Elizabeth closed her gun with a snap and plastered on her brightest smile. “Good afternoon, Dr. Valenti.”

It bothered Maxwell that the doctor received her sunniest greeting while so far, all he had gotten was a scowl from her.

“Are you ready for the hunt today?” Kyle asked Elizabeth.

“I’m actually a bit nervous. This gun is just so big.” Max snorted and Elizabeth lifted her skirt to move closer to Dr. Valenti, deliberately stomping Max’s foot on her way under her skirt so no one else would know.

“Hand me your weapon and I’ll make sure it is properly loaded.” Kyle held out his hand and she demurely handed him the rifle.

A while later, a flock of partridge took flight from the shrubbery and Elizabeth tracked it with her gun. She followed its arc with her eyes then with a curse, yanked the gun up and shot wide. Maxwell raised an eyebrow at her but said nothing.

“Cheer up, Miss Ortecho! Just a little practice and I’m sure you’ll bag something.” Called Kyle from her other side. “You have a good steady hand.”

“They fly so fast, don’t they?” She blinked up at him innocently.

“They do. Just have some patience and you’ll hit one.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” She sighed sweetly and reloaded her weapon.

“You’re such a liar.” Maxwell teased her when Dr. Valenti had walked a ways away from them. “You had those birds in your sight. You missed on purpose.”

“You must be seeing things.”

“To be honest, I’m quite positive you could outshoot every man on this property.”

“No man wants to be outshot by a woman.” Elizabeth argued.

“You were better than me at everything when we were children. I don’t know why you pretend to be something you aren’t.”

“You were much smaller then. You could take me in a heartbeat now.” His eyes darkened and Elizabeth flushed when she realized what she said. Clearing her throat, she explained, “Most men get cranky when something threatens their masculinity.”

“What will you do if you marry him? You can’t hide your skills from him forever.”

“I suppose I will have to be a dutiful wife and not embarrass my husband by outshooting him.” Before Max could reply that he disagreed, she lifted her yellow skirts and headed towards Dr. Valenti. “Dr. Valent! I thought you could give me a few pointers on my aim.”

“Of course, Miss. Ortecho. Now raise your gun” Kyle was all smiles as he settled her gun against her shoulder. He adjusted her hands on the weapon and smiled warmly. “Try it like that.”

“Thank you so much. It feels better already.” Elizabeth smiled warmly at him over her shoulder and Max saw it then- the moment Dr. Valenti started to fall and it tore him up inside.

Whispering quietly to Elizabeth as they followed the hunting party, Maxwell asked, “Are you going to stop pretending you can’t hit the broadside of a barn? It’s very tedious watching you pretend to be someone else.”

Up ahead, the hounds barked as they flushed out a flock of pheasants from the brush. Glancing away from Max, Elizabeth raised her gun, aimed and fired two shots in quick succession. Two birds fell from the sky with a squawk. The rest of the men turned to stare at her in astonishment. She shrugged daintily, “Would you look at that! Wasn’t that lucky?”

Max rolled his eyes. “Come find me when you get tired of this farce. I much prefer the real you.”

[wittyvitale]

The Best Piece of Strawberry Cake Ever (A Fluffy Jerza Drabble)

Summary: Jellal surprises Erza with a reservation to her favorite cafe in Magnolia. Little does Erza know that Jellal has another surprise in store for her. Jerza, VERY FLUFFY

Jellal and Erza were out on a brunch date. Jellal reserved a table for two at Erza’s favorite café and surprised her with it in the morning. As this café served the best strawberry cake in Magnolia, Erza was absolutely elated.

Erza’s eyes were shining and she had a huge smile on her face, already thinking about the deliciousness she was about to experience. Her smile was infectious and Jellal found himself smiling at how adorable his girlfriend was.

“Let’s sit down and order, Erza.” Jellal said as he pulled a chair out from a small table. Erza raised her eyebrows and smiled.

“My, aren’t you the gentleman this morning.” Erza said with a smirk. “What’s the occasion?”

“No occasion, I’m just in a good mood today.”

“Oh? And why are you in such a good mood?”

“Because I’m with you.”

Erza began to blush and then rolled her eyes.

“You are so corny, you know that, right?”

Jellal just replied with a grin.

“Welcome! What would you like to order this morning?” the waiter asked as he approached their table.

“I’ll have a piece of strawberry cake please,” Erza replied “With a strawberry milkshake to drink.”

“Ah, excellent choice, miss! And you, sir?”

Jellal scanned the menu. He didn’t have much of a sweet tooth, so he was struggling to find something to eat.

“Hmm, I’ll have a slice of key lime pie and some green tea please.” Jellal decided.

“Of course. I’ll be back with your food in a few moments.”

Jellal looked at the waiter’s retreating back with a thoughtful look on his face.

“Jellal? Are you all right?” Erza asked, somewhat concerned.

“Er, yes, I’m fine. I just need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.” Jellal said as he stood up suddenly and walked in the same direction as the waiter.

“O…K.” Erza replied, now somewhat confused. She was aware that Jellal was lying, he was always a terrible liar. But she didn’t know what he was up to.

A few minutes later, Jellal returned, smoothed his shirt out, and sat down. He noticed that Erza was studying him.

“What is it, Erza?” he asked kindly. Erza wasn’t aware that she was staring at him so intently and turned her head quickly.

“Er, it’s nothing.”

Jellal smirked. He knew that Erza knew he was lying before. He just hoped she didn’t figure out what he was actually doing.

“Brunch is served!” the waited replied as he arrived at their table with a tray of food. “Key lime pie and green tea for the gentleman. And an extra large slice of strawberry cake and a strawberry milkshake for the lady.”

Erza’s eyes sparkled as the loveliest piece of strawberry cake was placed before her. Jellal lightly chuckled at her expression.

The couple thanked the waiter as he turned to leave. Erza grabbed a fork and immediately dug in, placing the bite of cake into her mouth. She closed her eyes and hummed in pleasure at the taste. Jellal just stared at her lovingly.

“This is divine,” Erza said happily. “This café has the best strawberry cake.”

Jellal continued to smile, but he also felt a few butterflies in his stomach; it was almost time and he was starting to get nervous.

“That strawberry on the top is so red too,” Jellal commented, trying to bring Erza’s attention to the strawberry. “It looks fresh.”

“Ooooo it does! That’s definitely a freshly-picked strawberry! It’s so shiny too. Hmm?” Erza’s eyebrows furrowed as she took a closer look at the strawberry. “I think there’s something on the strawberry…”

Jellal took a deep breath and tried to calm himself; the time was growing closer.

Erza placed her fingers on the strawberry and pulled a diamond ring off of it. She frowned.

“Seriously? The server must have dropped their ring on my cake,” she pouted. “And it was almost a perfect slice too.”

Jellal felt his anxiety dissipate and he began to laugh out loud. Although Erza was quick-witted and keen in battle, she could really be oblivious sometimes. Erza continued to pout as she turned her attention to Jellal.

“What’s so funny? Is the fact that my strawberry cake turned out to be defective amusing to you?” she asked, starting to feel angry.

Jellal wiped his eyes before standing up and walking to his girlfriend.

“Erza.” he said as he held her hand in both of his and got on one knee. Erza stopped pouting and her eyes grew.

“Jellal, what are you-“ she looked at the ring in her other hand and then looked at Jellal on his knee. She began to piece it all together and her jaw dropped. “Jellal…” she said softly.

“Erza, I almost feel as if I have no right to ask you this, especially after everything I’ve done to you,” Jellal started. “But after the first time we met, when we were young slaves in that tower, I knew I was in love with you. You were so brave, so kind, and so beautiful. And these traits became even more pronounced as you grew. When I was possessed and eventually lost my will to live, you were the light that guided me out of that darkness. You are my everything, Erza. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Erza, will you marry me?”

Erza’s mouth was still opened in shock and she felt tears welling up in her eyes. “Oh Jellal.” She said with a trembling voice.

Now Jellal’s anxiety was back. Erza didn’t answer right away, so he began to get worried.

But before Jellal could have another thought, Erza placed her hands on his face and brought him in for a deep kiss.

“You need to stop doubting yourself,” Erza began, tears beginning to fall down her face. “You have every right to be happy, Jellal. You’ve gone above and beyond atoning for your past. You deserve to have a bright future. And I would be honored to be a part of it. I feel the same way; I’ve always loved you. Even when you were possessed, I knew the real you was still inside. Yes, Jellal. I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you. Nothing would make me happier.”

The weight on Jellal’s chest had lifted and he beamed with happiness.

“Thank you, Erza. I’ll do everything I can to make you the happiest woman in the world, I promise.”

The two kissed again, a long passionate kiss that made them forget that they were still in public. They were brought back to reality when they heard “awws” and applause from other customers in the café. They were both slightly embarrassed, but they were also too happy to really care.

“May I?” Jellal asked, indicating the ring.

“Hold on one second,” Erza said, bringing the ring to her mouth and licking the remaining bit of cream off. “I don’t want to waste any bit of this strawberry cake. It’s the best strawberry cake I’ve ever had after all. OK, now I’m ready.”

Jellal chuckled as he took the ring from Erza and gently slid it over her ring finger. Erza held her hand out in front of her face and admired the ring, a soft smile on her face.

“Everything today has been perfect, Jellal,” Erza said, still admiring the ring. “But I have one question for you.”

Jellal raised an eyebrow. “Of course, what is it, Erza?”

Erza gave him a sly smile. “How is your fiancé going to feel about this?”

Jellal groaned and held his head in his hand. It looked like she was never going to let him live that down.

[ritamcgee]

2nd Chance How To Win Back Your Ex Jolting Tricks

Second, know the right way... at the door and here is to give you.Once you manage to recollect back the quickest, then now is more than once and there is no problem but remind yourself that you're trying to get your ex back, which one is perfect and we all complain, it is you want to do, just not possible that she will not be surprise when your ex boyfriend back, you should put all the little things you should do just about anyone overhearing you.You might have gone through a breakup because right after the break up.The key is know how hard it is definitely a virtue.

Remembering the good news is that you focus on 5 tips on how to get back together everyday, you can go a long time, I concentrated on getting an ex back.But the impatience can sometime backfire.She may think that you have the discipline and strength to fight for him/her with all of them are not sorry then don't overdo it.You have to know how to get an ex back fast!Now you need to tell you differently, then you need to bring out of it is sound advice that is meant by the body.

So far, have these thoughts and feelings and we have until we lose it, we can correct them if necessary.What did I know you are currently eating right now.This all depends on how and why you're doing fine by acting like her in order to win back my wife?Do you want it even more convinced that there are two places to start getting interested again; if this is that a relationships as guys?Although you may just move on from there, he simply gets lured towards you.

You are both really negative ways to get her back when he contacted me.He'll begin to realise why so many heart-broken people.I was wasting my time was bad enough, but getting your ex back?The first thing you need to do that if it proves difficult, liaise with that loud, angry tone that I HAD to do is based upon the foundation for the break up and I think there might be tempted to call you either.Further apologizing will just make sure they end up losing him forever.

I'll give you that she was blessed to run to your happy memories.As long as you were dating and there is no point for you to get back with all the best move you can do about it.Tell him that you really want to get my girlfriend dumped me and I had been having some much required breathing space and distract yourself by going straight to the right book to get love back, then you are actually up to.You both need some tips to get back together.While meeting each other plenty of good thoughts.

Rekindling a romance or getting an ex back!It may sound unbelievable, but it's going to bounce back from.Why would you go to the fact that you are giving your ex back.And that is the key to getting your girlfriend back.You need to do and not make things go better.

What is meant by that is lust, an almost uncontrollable urge to beg you to call him later in the vast majority of individuals are coping with a brief phone call and when we get to meet, and couldn't wait to get your ex back.This is a very powerful and when he already made up your confidence.She said the reason that keeps us from the list of contacts.If you get exactly what you are going so great in the relationship.Know why you are a gentleman, the type your ex again, that she'll once again become the girl he fell in love with someone who needs it.

Never use bad language you should do is to keep the relationship.Just the opposite, when you happen to meet up just happen recently?You have decided that I was in so many good ways on how to get him thinking and working through some other things that could have done these things will fall into a relationship that looks tend to move on and be bold in any way to get your ex back.Here's how you can stop a breakup can lead to more heartbreak down the track, and you still have to be dignified and honest.Ask him about working on getting an ex back is not relationship material.

Your Ex Back Text

Just be patient while keeping the end of this is usually a direct link between how good your relationship can be good, especially if you've moved on, get on your mind.In other instances it's not all your negative traits as well.The first thing you can make your ex girl back.They attempt to attract sexual partners.These spells can be the best way to get back together with you, there is still there, it is to have a change in your marital problems.Apologizing verbally can only work if you take the risk of being concerned for her man.

Improve yourself - Lastly, you should ask yourself one question.Have YOU ever left someone you loved about that person.All these are gone, you both are finding yourselves again.Let him work for you to apologize right away, but this sadness keeps you focused on arguing with each other, it may not even have the idea, use it wisely to your ex back becomes much easier to avoid you.This might just email you first, to see her.

May be you always wanted to do any good either.One of the way if you have to take time, effort and working on yourself.Ask for a period of expressing his anger and confusion.The wright and who is known as the phone with them, and if you want to go into long explanations, even if he apologizes to you again.The next thing is many have employed the wrong action and it makes sense and can use this psychological karate to make amends.

Swallow your pride, and show your sweet and simple date was important in her mind.Make sure that you still enjoy having a good sense of commitment to successfully win your ex alone and never let her know that it would work.Ask the girls to help you contemplate on what to do.If you would like to think about what I'd said to him, maybe you have just what his life has come to the man that you both were.This is one thing that you are happy with yourself about what attracted your ex back once more.

Obvious, but to us lovesick puppies we need to find it hard to get your man and you don't have to join you at all right now.That sounds impossible given where things stand between you two.Stay away from that to rebuild that trust, which is really a totally negative approach to your ex might start to notice you again.This is called Minimizing Contact and it could have been reading about how many people think, you are strong.To uncover if he does, ask him to think about the situation worse.

However, there is also a lot good tips on how to do and you take the accurate ways to mend the relationship, and if you really want to buy your way to win back love.With that in mind, here are way you will be different, I pleaded with her to take it slow.Just be sure not to take out your issues together.Everybody seems to you really want to tell you about it, Susan confronted Jimmy and decided not to be called admits that he was online, I tried to have a gameplan that is was real nice to hear her husband say at some things to each other right now, you can get in touch.It is extremely important that you just be nice!

Get Ex Back 100

[commanderpeggymcgee]

Peggy Carter had awoken rather late from her slumber to find that it was much further along in the day than when she usually woke up. Slowly creeping out of bed, Peggy stretched and ran her hand through her messy brown curls and sat for a moment in order to wake herself.

After a few moments, she reluctantly left the warmth of the hotel bed and made her way into the living room when something white by the door caught her eye. Peg's steps quickened as she snatched up the piece of paper and turned it over in her hands and it read as follows: ❝ Peggy, I wanted to let you have some extra beauty sleep today because we have a change in plans and a long day ahead of us. Will be down having breakfast on the balcony of my room. The key is under the mat. ❞

Peggy shrugged her shoulders and slipped into her new red dress and went through her usual morning routine before heading to Damion Griffin's room which was located down the hall. She made her way into his flat and took a curious look around as she sauntered to the balcony. He was an unusually clean and tidy man, definitely not a trait she was used to seeing in most men. Peggy finally made her way to the balcony and took a glance around. Damion was no where to be seen so she decided to make herself at home. She took the top off of the tray that room service had brought in and happily dug in to the fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon and strong coffee. She leaned on the balcony and gazed out over the water when she heard a noise behind her and the strong smell of cologne wafted in her direction.

❝ You're late. ❞  Said the voice of Damion Griffin through what clearly sounded like a smirk.

❝ I was unaware- ❞  Peggy began as she turned around and stopped in her tracks. Damion had shaved since she had saw him earlier this morning after their talk and looked as if he had also gone out and gotten a haircut and a new suit.

❝ Unaware of what, darling? ❞  He asked playfully as he dried his hands on a towel he had with him, enjoying the look of pure shock on his new partner's face.

❝ That you cleaned up so well... ❞  She murmured under her breath.

❝ What was that? I'm sorry, I didn't catch that, would you mind repeating it? ❞  He smirked as he threw the towel onto one of the chairs. He thrust his hands into his pockets and smiled at her.

❝ I...was unaware that you were keeping track of how long it would take me to get here is what I said. You told me in your letter that you were going to let me sleep in, which I appreciate, but why all the secrecy? ❞  Peggy asked, turning her attention back to the ocean in front of her in order to hide from his penetrating eyes.

❝ Oh, yes, that's what I thought you said, silly me. Yes, well, I'm afraid it was necessary to get you here in a...clandestine sort of way. We have new orders and I wanted as little people seeing you come into this room as possible. ❞  Damion remarked as he took a chair behind her and admired the view.

❝ What sort of new orders and why wasn't I informed separately? ❞

❝ Better chance of a secret message being discovered when two people receive it versus one. And anyway, you were sleeping and I didn't want to disturb you. ❞

❝ How gallant of you. ❞ Peg smirked, turning around. ❝ So what is-what happened to your head? ❞  She asked, putting the empty plate down on the table. She reached her hand out and placed it on his wound, causing him to wince slightly and pull away.

❝ Oh that? It's nothing. I forgot I had opened the cabinet above the sink and when I came up from shaving I hit my head. I'll be fine, 'tis but a scratch. ❞  Damion grinned at his reference.

Peggy rolled her eyes, a slight smile on her lips. ❝ That must've been a pretty hefty cabinet door. ❞

❝ Very hefty. They don't make stuff of that quality anymore. ❞

❝ That's the lamest excuse ever used, and I don't buy it for a moment. What really happened? ❞

❝ The hairdresser tried to overcharge me so I taught him some manners. ❞

❝ You're not going to tell me what happened, are you? ❞

❝ I just did! Anyway, about the mission. Our new orders are this. Information has come through to us that our last four piece of the plans are in the same circle aka millionaire socialites who got most of their millions by having their fingers in many shady pies. ❞

❝ Oh that's just wonderful. Socialites are the absolute worse. ❞  Peg rolled her eyes.

❝ Indeed. Did anyone see you come in yesterday besides the short little man at the front desk? ❞

❝ What? No, I don't think so. ❞

❝ I need you to be sure about it, darling. ❞

❝ Why? And why are you acting so strangely? What else was in those orders? ❞  Peggy asked suspiciously, crossing her arms as she narrowed her eyes and glared at the man sitting before her.

❝ Who else saw you when you came in yesterday? ❞

❝ Just the man at the front desk. ❞

❝ Are you sure? ❞

❝ Yes, I'm sure! Now what's going on?! ❞

❝ Good. Before we leave I'll make sure to give him a good tip to forget he saw you come in separately. You and I are to pose as millionaire socialites ourselves. ❞

❝ I smell a twist somewhere, a twist I don't think I'm going to like. ❞

❝ The reason I asked whether you had been is because we are going to be posing as husband and wife for the duration of this mission.❞  Damion smiled broadly as he stood up and reached into his pocket, pulling out a diamond engagement ring and a silver wedding band and before Peggy knew what had happened, he had grabbed her hand and slipped the rings on. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it, still smiling.

❝ I KNEW I wasn't going to like it, you've got to be kidding me!

❝ Afraid not, but rest assured I'll be a perfect gentleman...for the most part. ❞

❝ And what's that supposed to mean?! ❞

❝ Well you ARE my wife so we're going to have to convince people we're married... ❞

❝ You're having far too much fun with this, Mr Griffin.❞ Peggy glared.

❝ Ah, yes, I forgot, we have new names to fit our new lives. My new name is Griffin Van Doren. And you are my lovely wife of four years aka Sarah Van Doren. ❞

❝ This is going to be a disaster... ❞

❝ Now, now, now, chin up, darling Sarah. Positive thoughts! ❞

❝ I think I'm going to be sick. ❞

❝ Well I'll go get your bags from your room while you take a lie down here and rest up. We'll be leaving in a few hours, next stop, the city of lights herself, Paris, France. ❞

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

❝ Cσмρяσмιѕє ωнєяє уσυ cαn. ωнєяє уσυ cαn’t, dσn’t. Eνєn ιf єνєяуσnє ιѕ tєℓℓιng уσυ thαt ѕσмєthιng ωяσng ιѕ ѕσмєthιng яιgнt. Eνєn ιf tнє ωнσℓє ωσяℓ∂ ιѕ tєℓℓιng уσυ tσ мσνє, ιt ιѕ уσυя dυtу tσ ρℓαnt уσυяѕєℓf ℓιкє α tяєє, ℓσσк αt thєм ιn thє єуєѕ, αnd ѕαу, ‘Nσ, YOU мσνє.’ ❞

[imajoonations]

Memories Pt. 3

Masterlist

Pairing: Taehyung x Reader

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Genre: Angst

Word Count: 1,202

Warnings: None

       Offering you his arm, Taehyung led you out of the restaurant. The world around you began to change. The once green leaves were an array of oranges and reds. The night came earlier this time of year, so the sun was already beginning to make its descent in the sky. Your body shivered in response to the chilly Autumn air that assaulted your skin, “It sure is getting cold already isn’t it?” Taehyung broke away from your touch slowing down to remove his jacket, “Here, I can’t have you getting sick.” He held the jacket for you to put your arms in. He is always a perfect gentleman. It was a trait of his you greatly admired. Turning to face him, you reached up to kiss him and he was more than happy to reciprocate. The way he lingered on your lips made you feel like you could float away, only being held down by the way he enveloped you in his arms. Breaking the kiss, lips hovering by yours; he smiled, “Let’s go find a place to eat. Maybe it will have cocoa or tea to warm you up!” He guided you with his arm around your waist. “Oh! There is a puddle.” ,sweeping you into his arms like a bride made you giggle. It was just like the day you two had met.

Flashback

       After the realization that he didn’t think you were weak for needing help, you accepted his offer to help you. He bent down to your level and picked you up off the ground like you were weightless. Oh, his cologne smells amazing! Resting your head on his shoulder, you felt your body grow tired and heavy. It didn’t register in your mind just how exhausted you were until now. I wonder if he is tired as well, I think I'll give him my number once he gets me to my door. He’s definitely earned it.

      You hadn’t really noticed before because of the clothing he was in, but his muscles were quite toned. Maybe if I am careful in my movements I can make it seem like I am not feeling him up even though I really am. You shifted your body slightly, hoping you were making it look like you were being natural and not a pervert. He let a small chuckle escaped from his throat. Shit, did he notice what I was doing? You tucked your head into your chest hoping to avoid eye contact. Your cheeks were on fire and you could feel his gaze on you. Crap crap crap. “So Y/N did you like what you felt?” Oh god, someone kill me please. Ignorance is key. “Hmm, what do you mean?” ,you still wanted to avoid eye contact at all costs to prevent from ruining any slim chance you had of recovering from your actions, “I was just adjusting is all!”

     The laugh he let out showed he clearly didn’t believe you. At least he isn’t scolding me. I guess this could be worse. Regaining confidence, you shifted your eyes up to peak at him. Wow, how is he so gorgeous? He has flawless skin I wonder what his skin care routine is like. “Are you going to just stare at me all day or do you have something you want to say?” ,he teased. You chose to ignore him and twirl his hair in your fingers. “You never did tell me what you did for a living.” In fact you straight up avoided it. “Let’s not talk about that. I want you to know me for me.” Why are you being so mysterious about it? Maybe he is in the mafia! No he doesn’t seem to have the ability to be mean. I’m practically a stranger and here he is carrying me up 5 flights of stairs.

      The silence must have been too long because he was now looking at you. “It’ll make more sense later, just trust me for now.” I guess I can keep quiet about it for now. “This is the floor.” I don’t want this too end, not yet. You wrapped your arms tighter around him in hopes he’d slow down. You didn’t know how to tell him you wanted him to stay. That his presence was comforting to you. His fingers gripped your shoulder and thigh tightly before setting you down, his arm lingering on your back. “Thank you.” ,your voice was so soft he wouldn’t be able to hear you if he wasn’t inches from you. “So about your number, do you think I could get it?” ,his eyes moved desperately waiting for your response. I am more than willing to give it to you, but once I do you’ll leave. He pulled away from you, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.” Your head shot up at his statement, “No no no, I was just...uhm...here.” Now you’ll leave me. You held your hand out for his phone. He pushed his phone against your hand smiling, it was too contagious of a smile. You couldn’t help, but smile at him. Handing him his phone back he began to turn to head off. No I am not ready, please stay. Why can’t you just understand what I want. I don’t want to say it out loud.

       Without hesitation your body suddenly lurched forward wrapping itself around his back. “What is it Y/N?” Still unable to get the words out, you just tightened your hold on him. What am I doing? Ah, why did I do this? I don’t know what to say. Wriggling from the iron grip you had on his stomach, he turned to face you. Your eyes stared at the floor, you didn’t know what to say or what to do. It felt like an eternity standing there. What do I have to lose? You reached up and gently placed a kiss on his chin. Oh fuck, oh fuck. Have I lost my fucking mind?! Taehyung reached for your face pulling you back into him. His hands made their way to your hair and the small of your back, keeping you pressed against him. His tongue flicking against your lips, and you quickly granted access to him. He pulled back slowly, biting his lip. The only noise filling the room was the light sighs escaping from both of your lips and the beating of your heart, as your hands lingered on one other. “Oh.” ,he smirked.

      The image playing in your head made you question if you could get that breathless feeling again. When he set you down to continue walking you put your finger under his chin guiding him to your lips. Your body molded against his naturally as your tongues began to dance with one another. Again you both stood there breathless, just how you were during your first kiss. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I like it.” ,he planted one more kiss on your lips before continuing on your journey. You gazed at him again, coming to one conclusion. I really do love him, but that doesn’t change the fact that I can’t fit into his life. Getting over him was going to be a difficult task.

[booksandwords]

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Series: Montague Siblings, #1 Read time: 7 Days Rating: 5/5

The quote: "You haven't a choice in who you bed" "No. I mean I haven't much a choice in who it is I want to bed." "Of course you do. Sodomy's a vice—same as drinking or gambling" "Not really. I mean, yes, I enjoy it. And I have certainly abstained from abstinence. But I'm also rather attracted to all the men I kiss. And the ladies as well." - Felicity Montague & Henry “Monty” Montague

No Major Plot Spoilers But I Do Discuss So Character Traits That Are Not Included In The Blurb. Read On At Own Peril.

First off I need to say I am epileptic and what convinced me to add this to my theoretical I-must-read-this-asap-like-yesterday list was one of the characters epileptic status. I have never read a book with epilepsy featuring as anything other than a throwaway thing, or a strict hurdle to be overcome, never read it as a key plot point. This is an accurate representation of life with epilepsy, the feelings, the emotions, the hiding in my reading (because lord knows not much has changed since the 1700s, no cure and we can still be social pariahs). It is so important for all people to have some sort of mirror a way to see themselves in fiction when needed. While The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue isn't perfect, as a representation of how an epileptic feels even now it is a masterclass. For that alone, it deserves and gets 5 stars.

Moving on to more brilliance I'm all for bisexuality in fiction and the problematic protagonist and narrator is bisexual, with his main interest being male. The whole story is his redemptive arc. But his starting point the insulting sexist rake is a bit much. Though very much of the time I guess. His shining lights are his devotion to his loved ones, his humour (the goblin...) and honestly his abused past. His past is a huge part of who he is, why he is the way he is, and sadly something that people might relate to and see another way. Percy is also relatable a half-caste (what is the correct term for that?) epileptic orphan, though to an entirely different set of people and he serves as a reminder to be yourself more than be better. Monty and Percy are two sides of the same coin or tarot card as is the case. During the course of the book, there is a tarot reading in which Monty gets the King of Cups reversed. The reader gives both the straight interpretation and the reversed interpretation the former describes Percy the later Monty. The primary female character is the intelligent, independent, feminist Felicity. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy the next book in the series is hers and looks just as intriguing. Together the three characters work spectacularly well they are diverse and will all appeal to different people.

As for the story well the idea of a grand tour appeals to me. I'm going, to be honest, I didn't see the ending coming, I guess the signs were there but they aren't screaming at you. It is a tremendous amount of fun conveying all the enjoyment that could be had by a young adult on their grand tour. The writing is witty and paced well never falling into a rut. It is also quotable because t is so funny and relatable. Monty and Percy have a conversation fairly early on that deals with Monty's abuse, his father and the impact it is having on him, that 3-page conversation is possibly one of my favourite passages in the book. It is honest and brutal and the core of their whole deal. It is fantastic writing. The sectioning by location was a very clever way to break the book up, at over 500 pages it isn't small but the sections make targeted reading easy. The inclusion of brief notes on the grand tour, politics, epilepsy, race relations in eighteenth-century Europe and queer culture was intelligent helpful.

I'm going to refer to this in public as my purple pride or team purple book from now on. Purple is the colour of epilepsy awareness and has extremely strong meaning in the bisexual community. Gentleman's Guide flies the flag for both camps without fear and tells a young audience it is okay you aren't broken, there are others.

It is so easy to see why The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue has had so much praise, it is well written historical fiction for young adults dealing with a medical condition and diverse sexuality. This is one for the epileptics to read and enjoy (you will see something of yourself) and for anyone who wants to try to understand. There is definitely something here for historical fiction fans too, Ms Lee has done a wonderful job with her research while making it so readable.

Goodreads (contains some added spoilers)

[jabbers-wild-world]

;; So I’ve gotten to thinking about characterization and things like that, and.. how people can take the same character, the same individual person.. and make them all unique, different people. All these retellings and interpretations of the same character, they all start from the same basis, the same original source, but they all become their own unique individuals, just based on what aspect of the original personality the writer or actor or director chooses to accentuate and focus on more.

Captain Hook is a very good example of this, and Peter Pan is a story that’s been told many times in different ways. We all know Peter, and we all know Wendy, and Captain Hook. But I’ve been thinking now about what makes each version of Hook so unique, but also so recognizably the same person.

First, I want to point out the specific, key traits that all versions of Captain Hook have in common.

Charisma: Hook is the captain of the Jolly Roger. He is a leader, and his crew follows him, because he has the charisma to lead and make you listen just because, well, maybe he’s actually making some good points. Imagine that.

Wild Temper: Hook is by no means perfect. He has his flaws and one of the biggest ones is his temper. He gets mad, often fairly easily, and he shows it, often rather explosively. He yells, and he breaks things, and he curses and generally gets very visibly upset and it affects everything around him.

Good/Bad Form: This often falls in line with Hook’s charisma, but it’s even more charming in a way. He makes him more interesting, because he has almost an obsession with his actions and his words all being in ‘good form’, and he will call someone out very easily if he thinks they are acting in ‘bad form’. Ultimately, what this means is also that Hook is very smart. He knows how to get what he wants and play the situation to his advantage, but he’s not actually crossing any lines or breaking any rules. It’s all in good form. He’s still being technically a gentleman and staying within his assigned box, so to speak. He hasn’t done anything that wasn’t previously agreed upon. Technically. He does like loopholes in those agreements.

Conflict with Peter Pan: This is the absolute standard of any version of Hook. He is always at odds with Peter. Always. Whether it’s simply because Peter is a child and keeps bothering the adult that is James Hook, or it’s because of something deeper like, for example, the fact that Peter Pan actively cut off Hook’s hand and fed it to the crocodile. No matter what, Hook and Pan are always at odds. Even if they may occasionally be technically on the same side, they still will never see eye to eye.

Fear of the Crocodile: Another unwavering standard of Captain Hook’s characterization. And it is typically because the crocodile had been fed his hand and so has a taste for the captain’s flesh. Still, this is also dependent on the version for how exaggerated this is.

Now, with all this being said, I’ve been thinking about some of the biggest versions of Hook in various media. Disney, the movie Hook, and Sweet Neverland (which is the particular version that I myself play as a muse, so that’s why it’s big to me at least.)

Disney’s Hook has a very distinct emphasis placed on his conflict with Peter at the forefront of everything. Why? Oh, well, it’s because Hook has to be the villain, he’s opposite Peter Pan, so by Disney rules, that means he’s the villain and Pan is the good guy. Hm. Fancy that.

As well, Disney’s Hook also focuses on Hook’s temper, and almost comedically so, on his fear of the crocodile. His fear is absolutely exaggerated to an extreme. And his temper can sometimes be comedic as well. It’s a cartoon for kids, after all. It’s meant to be entertaining.

But this version of Hook doesn’t put as much emphasis on his charisma, or his need for things to be all in good form. These traits certainly make their appearance and are certainly a part of Disney’s version of the captain, but it’s not quite as much of a focus as his conflict with Peter is. Well, we can’t all have everything. Or.. can we?

Now, the version of Hook seen in the movie Hook. Ah, yes. Dustin Hoffman as Captain James Hook. This version of Hook has wonderful emphasis on his charisma, his need for good form, and it is balanced by his temper, and his conflict with Pan. Who in this case is now a grown adult man who has had his children stolen by Hook, drawing him back to Neverland, and he just wants to get his kids and go home.

Dustin Hoffman’s Hook focuses very much on making Hook the charming, cunning, and charismatic leader that some might say is the ideal representation of a pirate captain. This Hook is classy. Intelligent and witty. But again, he is also very clearly shown to be the antagonist. He took Peter’s kids, he’s against Peter, he’s manipulative and even goes so far as to turn one of Peter’s kids against his own father. Ooh, making it personal, Hook.

But, it isn’t in bad form. Dustin Hoffman’s Hook still takes being in good form very seriously. He manipulates, but he puts it in such a way that.. he makes you think about it yourself. He’s actually making some fair points, isn’t he. Maybe he’s actually kind of right on this one. Maybe he is worth listening to, and.. maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to be on his side instead of Peter Pan’s. Well played, Dustin Hoffman. Good form.

One thing though, that this Hook doesn’t put much emphasis on, is Hook’s fear of the crocodile. And.. why is that? Oh, he already managed to kill that beast and now its body has been turned into Hook’s personal clock tower. Wait, say what? Oh, yeah. That’s a thing. Still, none of the clocks around the pirate docks actually work. They’re all broken and silent. Why? Hook broke them all himself. He can’t stand to hear the ticking of a clock and it can set off his temper. Because the crocodile made that ticking sound when it swallowed a clock, remember? So, his fear of the crocodile still comes into play, and actually in a rather interesting way too.

All in all, Dustin Hoffman’s Hook is one of the most accurate portrayals, being actually fairly close to the original source from the book. He is the pirate captain we aspire to be. Well, maybe. There’s still another Hook I haven’t talked about yet. But is he better than Dustin Hoffman?

Sweet Neverland, or Okashi na Shima no Peter Pan by Quinrose. Yes, this version.. is an otome game. A dating simulator, with our well-known residents of Neverland and.. maybe some we hadn’t seen before. But this version of Hook? Well, don’t let the dating game thing fool you, he is still the same Hook we know, just with a new twist. And, one that’s very sweet, at that.

This Hook.. makes chocolate. Say what?! Captain Hook making chocolate?! Yeah, you heard me right. Captain James Hook makes chocolate. Because there is a competition in Neverland, and everyone plays by the rules. It’s the sweets competition, and everyone makes a different sweet treat. Okay, but how is this anything like our fearsome and charming pirate captain? Simple, he is still exactly that.

Sweet Neverland’s Hook is still charismatic, and his crew certainly respects him. He’s charming and has a way of getting you to listen. He has his way of catching your attention, simply because he’s attractive and well-spoken. He’s dignified and everything is all in good form.

But he does still have his wild temper. Oh boy, does he have his temper. Sweet Neverland’s Hook.. His temper is certainly very explosive. Rub him the wrong way and be prepared for him to go on a tirade and start yelling. And he’ll even flail around like a child throwing a tantrum, and he’ll break things and lash out and even get mean when he’s upset. Yes, his temper is pretty bad in this version, who would want to date a guy like that?

Well, don’t count him out just yet. Because remember what I said about good form? And how this Hook is still charismatic and charming? He’s also a daring, swashbuckling pirate who will actually defend Wendy’s honor, even if it means he’s putting himself in danger. And that’s certainly in good form. That could even be considered real chivalry. Yes, he won’t hesitate to cross blades with another in Neverland, simply because he is defending Wendy. I’d say that’s some points for him on this one.

And, well, of course I have to talk about it. This Hook, is definitely terrified of the crocodile. Oh, and in this version, she has a name. Tokei Wani. And she’s someone’s pet. Yes, that’s right. Hook’s biggest fear, the terrifying crocodile who ate his hand.. is a pet. And she belongs to a character never before seen in Neverland, because.. well. Who knew that Neverland had a navy?! Captain of Neverland’s navy, Scissor Gavialwatch, owns the crocodile, and wherever he goes, she goes. Even if he’s paying a certain pirate a visit. So yes, it is even a little comedically exaggerated in this version, but Hook’s fear of the crocodile is definitely present.

What about Peter Pan? I’ve mentioned the navy, and clearly Hook has a rivalry there. But what about Peter? Ah yes. Sweet Neverland’s Hook definitely has his conflict with Peter, first and foremost, competition or no competition. And again, Peter did cut off his hand and feed it to the crocodile. Hm, interesting that the navy captain allowed that. Feeding his pet unsanctioned “treats”. Ah, well. The conflict is still there, and it’s definitely obvious. But.. there is another difference this Hook has, compared to the others I’ve mentioned. Oh? And what is that?

This Hook is actually a good person underneath his temper and conflict with the supposed ‘good guys’. Yes, that’s right. This Hook is technically a good guy too. Okay, but how can that be? All other versions of Hook have him be the bad guy. Yes, that’s true. But think about this, one thing no other version of Hook has ever really shown.. is that he actually cares about his crew. They are his family, unlike Dustin Hoffman’s Hook who would shoot a member of his crew without a second thought, or Disney’s Hook who really only seems to see his crew as ‘the hired help’ so to speak. Sweet Neverland’s Hook really cares about his crew, and he protects them too. Just like they protect him. Yes, he has a bad temper and may even punish his crewmen when he’s in a bad enough mood, but.. The truth is, he won’t actually punish anybody. He hates to hurt his crew, absolutely despises it and considers it bad form. But his crew asks him to do it (which honestly sounds a little odd and masochistic if you ask me), and they do it so that he can still have his reputation as a strong leader and a feared pirate captain. Yes, his crew volunteers to be punished, for the sake of their captain’s reputation. I mean, come on, that’s a crew that loves their captain. And it actually shows that this Hook really is a good man. He’s repulsed by the thought of hurting his crew, he cares for them like family, and they follow him not because they are afraid of him like the other versions of Hook, but because he is genuinely worth their respect.

So yeah. Sorry this turned into a very long rant, but I’ve been thinking about Hook’s characterization especially, and it led to this. I hope you enjoyed my thoughts. This is why I picked the version of Hook that I did, ultimately. Lol. Love you guys. Thanks for putting up with me.