#I’ve never blogged about the royal family before

[probablygayattorneys]

So, I’ve been reading Prince Harry’s autobiography, but I’ve encountered a weird hitch. Every time he wants to talk about the late Queen Elizabeth II, he calls her Granny. Which makes sense! She was indeed his grandmother and that is a logical thing to call your father’s mother. But the problem is… I’m now picturing… her.

[minniesmutt]

royal fae seungmin x royal fae reader #17

☾ ━━━ PAIRING: SEUNGMIN X READER ☾ ━━━ PROMPT: 17 “Oh my god, do that again.” ☾ ━━━ CONTENT: FAE PRINCE!SEUNGMIN, FAE PRINCESS!READER, FORBIDDEN LOVERS TO MARRIED, DIRTY TALK, CHOKING, UNPROTECTED SEX, FINGERING, CREAMPIE ☾ ━━━ WC: 0.7K ☾ ━━━ 18+ work!! minors and ageless/blank blogs DNI! you will be blocked, put an indicator on your blog somewhere that you are 18+ before interacting with this work/blog

     “Y/n,” Seungmin called as she dragged him through the castle

     “What?” She smiled back at him and stopped in front of him.

     “We’re going to get caught,” Seungmin told her as he wrapped his arms around her.

     “So?” The princess smiled

     “I’m not trying to start another war between our kingdom.”

     “But you’ve been gone and I’ve missed you.”

     “And I’ve missed you too but nothing good happens if we’re at war.”

     Y/n was about to pout more when they both heard footsteps. Pulling away quickly and acting as if they had just been walking around together, not trying to hook up

     “There you two are,” Y/n’s father said

     The two royals turned around and were greeted by their parents. Now both were a little nervous they’d been caught.

     “Were we needed?” Seungmin asked

     “Not quite but we might as well discuss it with you two as well.”

     The two looked at each other before things were further explained

     “We were discussing our peace treaty and for us to ensure neither of us goes back on terms, we proposed a wedding.” Seungmin’s father explained

     “You want us to wed?” Y/n asked

     “It’s what would be best for the kingdoms,” the princess’ mother said

     “Seungmin, you’ll need to marry to take the throne anyway,” the prince’s mom added

     The two pretended to think about it before accepting. Their families thanked them before continuing. Once they were far enough, Seungmin wrapped his arm around her and dragged her to his room. Both smiled like mad people as the door closed behind them.

     “So much for another war,” Y/n smiled

     “No more sneaking around either.”

     Seungmin picked her up and walked her over to the bed. Laying her down and attaching his lips to hers. Y/n moaned as she wrapped her limbs around him. “That means I don’t have to be quiet anymore?” she asked

     “Upset I don’t have a reason to wrap my hand around your pretty throat anymore?” 

     “Mhmm,” Y/n agreed

     “Maybe we should keep it up till we’re officially wed.”

     “You’ll treat your future wife like that?”

     “My wife likes it when I treat her like she’s a common whore.”

     Y/n moaned as his hand wrapped around her throat. Seungmin smiled as he bit her bottom lip. Tugging on it before releasing it and her neck. 

    “Need you, Min. Please,” Y/n moaned as she pushed his jacket off his shoulders. 

     “Desperate after I was gone for two months?”

     “Too long,” Y/n whined 

     “Guess I’ll have to take you with me next time.”

     Seungmin pulled her up onto his lap and reached behind her. Undoing the back of her dress as she worked on getting his shirt off. Both stripping the other till there was nothing left. Seungmin laid her back on the bed and drowned her in his lips. Needing every inch of her skin on him. 

     Seungmin’s fingers dipped into her wet heat. Groaning against her lips as his fingers worked her open. Swallowing her moans while they slipped in and out of her. Y/n tangled her fingers in his hair, begging against his lips to fuck her

     “So desperate,” Seungmin chuckled and pulled his fingers out of her.

      He lined himself up at her entrance and pushed in. Missing the way she felt but never forgetting. “Fuck.”

     “Move Min. Please,” Y/n moaned, clenching around him on purpose 

     “Oh my god, do that again,” Seungmin whimpered 

     “Make me,” Y/n told him

     Seungmin smirked and snapped his hips into hers. Watching her face change with pleasure. Taking pride that he had made her. Her legs wrapping around his hips, pulling him closer as much as she could

     “Min,” Y/n moaned, grabbing hold of his arms that caged her to his bed

     Seungmin smiled and wrapped a hand around her throat. Y/n gasped and clenched around him. Grabbing holland of his wrists as he snapped into her. Fucking with reckless abandon

     “Min,” Y/n whined as he let up on her throat

     “What do you need princess?”

     “You,” she moaned

     Seungmin leaned down and kissed her lips again. Her walls pulsing around him till she clamped down on him, orgasm taking over her. Shaking under him as hhe fucked her through her high before his hit. Burying himself inside her as he painted her walls. 

     Seungmin sat up and pulled out of her before laying next to her, pulling her onto his chest.

     “When do you think we’ll wed?” Y/n asked

     “Don’t know. We’ll find out in the morning.” Seungmin smiled, kissing the top of her head

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[leakyweep]

Doflamingo x gn!Reader - Patience

@kyuuin9in ; Morning, hope you’re doing better! It’s 💜 anon, decided to come off anon for the request. :D I’ve had this on my mind for a while; how would Doffy feel if he met someone who actually read him like an open book to the point where his s/o actively (but not verbally) tries to teach him healthier habits, such as handing him a glass of water instead of letting him reach for the bottle of wine after a nightmare, proving him with emotional support without outright asking him about it and not expecting him to tell her about it. But also being basically attached to the hip to him and just doing things for him without him asking her to. He’s thinking about getting some salt? Well, would you look at that his s/o already passed it to him. (I also think his s/o wouldn’t like Trebol too much cause he’s an active enabler of Doffy’s bad habits 💀💀)

A/N ; Thank you for this lovely request! Writing Doffy being soft is so fun and challenging, so I hope you enjoy <3

Words ; 0.8k

Warnings ; None, just pure fluff. Although this fic is sfw, my blog is not. Minors, you are not welcome on my blog. Thank you.

Being with Doflamingo was a full time job. It didn’t matter that you lived under his income, under the roof of his stone palace, in his pink satin sheets. You helped out the servants in your free time, making up for the harsh side Doffy always showed the helpful staff. You stood in the kitchen, cutting vegetables, preparing lettuce, learning how long to cook meat to the exact temperature the master enjoyed. You found the servants to be quite pleasant; and while your husband was off in some meeting, you got to know his underlings, smiling and listening to their interesting stories and anecdotes. 

At the end of the day, when changing into your silk pajamas in front of your beloved, he asked you why in the hell you spent your days folding laundry with his servants, thanking them at the dinner table, tucking them in and telling them about the days you spent on the sea when you would join him on his expeditions – and your answer was simple. 

“They’re people too.” 

This made him… think. In his office, in bed, with the other members of the royal family. Of course, your least favorite cohort, Trebol, had many negative things to say about your kindness. He found it pathetic, trying his best to convince Doffy you were his weakest link, that your emotions were too strong. Of course, this made your love see red, grabbing his closest commander by the collar to tell him never to speak about you that way. Although your heart swelled, it discouraged you from being around Trebol for long bouts of time.

One particular night, you had joined him in bed later than usual, too caught up in your screaming thoughts as loud as a freight train in your ears. Sitting in the plush armchair Doffy had gifted you for a birthday in the past, you watched the moon slowly ascend into its place in the dark sky, trying your best to focus on all the good things in your life, the most prominent being the large, snoring figure just feet behind you, sleeping wistfully beneath his heavy comforter. This was short lived, though, when he was snapped awake by a harsh nightmare, his breaths ragged and uneven. 

You turned from your seat to ask him what was wrong, but before you could, his large hand reached for the bottle of red wine on his bedside table. You frowned at him and when his golden eyes met yours, you shook your head. 

“Darling, let me put that away for you. I’ll grab you some water.” Your footsteps were soft against the carpet as you took the bottle before he could argue. You disappeared to the kitchen to grab a glass of cold water for him as he pouted like a little boy who got his toy taken away. His expression upon rearrival made you chuckle gently while handing him the glass. With a roll of his eyes a mumble of gratitude, he took the glass and sipped. He fell back asleep in your arms that night, your manicured nails gliding through his blonde locks to calm him back to his dreamland.

Over time, you began to learn small habits to change for his well being – wine was forever replaced with water on his bedside table, you found yourself passing him things before he could ask at the dinner table, learning his triggers to help him calm himself when he was tested, being his kind ambassador when going to the town to enjoy the nightlife. You wouldn’t change it for the world, you thought. You loved this man – and you realized that while he was ruthless, powerful, and malicious, he also had feelings, and he just needed a little help dealing with them in a self-sustaining way.

Doffy’s heart had grown a few sizes since meeting you, or so he was convinced. The way you were kind to every living creature, how you spoke to children and laughed at their terrible jokes in the streets of Dressrosa, your calming tone as he felt those tendrils of anger threaten to choke him and devour him whole and completely dissipate at the sound of your voice – it all drew him closer to you, wanting to smother himself in the absolutely pure and selfless aura that radiated from your smooth skin. Hearing your laugh after a long day of work and dealing with absolute imbeciles was like medicine. Making love to you was like nothing he had felt before. All these things combined into one, and Doffy was marrying you within the next year. 

You were thankful for him, just as he was for you. And you knew as you grew old together, he would change, and he would grow, and that he just needed time. 

You were willing to be patient with him until the end of time.

[cmyk-anaglyph-honeycomb]

Helluva Boss S2E9 blind blogging

[did the minimum about of editing and half of it was done while I was at work, so please excuse any grammar mistakes.]

(Mostly relating to the last episode)

Again, Stolas refuses to just talk. He was walking away and teleported Blitzo out of the building but now, after ignoring texts, he gets pissy cuz Blitzo wants to talk. 100% of this is because Stolas doesn't want a conversation. Blitzo misunderstands his intentions and jumps to conclusions, but when at least 3 opportunities to talk are given, Stolas shuts down.

Also where was this desire for a real relationship months ago after Blitzo admitted that he didn’t see their relationship as anything other than Stolas wanting to sleep with him. THAT is when they should've had an honest talk not mouths of avoiding each other.

(Okay now this ep)

God they made Blitzo so obnoxious to prove a point.

Veronika is a famous popstar, wtf does she care enough to throw an anti-Blitzo party? They have barely interacted in the show, never once in this season, why is she suddenly so pissed at him? How does she know Stolas is an ex, that happened recently.

If Stolas is that ‘done’ with Blitzo why doesn’t he just teleport him off the property again?

"Im UnCoMfOrTaBlE wITh HoW yOuRe SpEaCkInG tO mE nOw" fuck off. You had no problem going on a rant about all the dirty shit you wanted to do to him while he was being fucking gun down but now that shits uncomfortable. 

Stolas said whatever he wanted to Blitzo whenever he wanted and the second he doesn't feel like it, talking like that is breaking a huge boundary. Jump off a bridge.

Where did he get the impression that Blitzo and Striker were friends? Besides the games he never saw them around each other. Gives of the ‘these kids are near each other so they must be best friends’ energy. Like, no, they just met.

"You knew someone was trying to assassinate me?" 🥺 Yeah your wife was screaming about it two feet from your face. If it wasn’t important then, it isn’t important now.

I'll give Stolas the Striker thing and immediately take it away cuz it wasn’t like Stolas sounded afraid or even concerned during the phone call. How tf was Blitzo supposed to know royals could get hurt? Striker only had one angel weapon as far as IMP knew.

"Why would I allow everyone to see how much I like you? How I’ve tried to try so fucking hard to show I like you, to support you."

Fucking when? Where? Name literally one time. That shit at the harvest moon festival doesn't count because if Stolas actually cared he would've paid attention to how uncomfortable Blitzo was with him shouting pet names directly into the microphone. He’d know that him and Striker aren’t friends. Blitzo using the book was an arrangement for sex that Stolas offered. That is not support.

The one and only time their relationship was called out by others Stolas hid his face. Anything after has been in private and not where anyone, not even Blitzo was a witness. Ozzie is the only other person Stolas has openly confessed his feelings for. And he's with his own imp, so of course he isn't going to make a big deal about it.

“That was still the gayest thing I’ve heard all day!” Ignoring the actual line, why is he going feral? Wtf is this scene for? It's so out of place for what’s going on. This is something Loona would do.

“I don’t own you dick.” He’s right tho. Stolas tried to change the relationship without giving Blitzo a heads up or even communicating properly and then got butthurt when he didn’t get the answer he wanted and that was before Blitzo went off on him. And that’s after months of avoiding each other. This talk about changing their arrangement should’ve happen after Ozzie’s. Or at least hinted in Seeing Stars.

Why is the murder family wife getting an apology like she didn't try to kill IMP too ?Why does Blitzo know where she lives. DHORKS shouldn’t get apologies either, kinda ruins the point of Blitzo doing this ‘my name is Earl joke’ if he's apologizing to these people he had the right to hurt. I wonder if Moxxie got an apology.

The party has no music, making it the funniest scene in the series.

I knew they were going to make Veronika the bad one but good lord what is this. Are she and Stella drinking the same crazy juice? That made her Lute levels of crazy. 

You're telling me that ALL these people are Blitzo's exes? That insufferable ass? Is he supposed to drop dead gorgeous and the crew didn't tell us?? cuz no way this annoying man can pull that many people.

How did Blitzo get that far into the party and no one, all of which are there because of how much they hate him, didn't notice? Did he sleep with that many people or just date them? Why are any of these people wasting their time like this? Blitzo isn't important, he doesn't do anything. He is another asshole in hell, a place filled with assholes. Wtf is Blitzo's shitty behavior so out of place?

Oh look another situation where Stolas being in a relationship with an imp is not given any levels of importance or notice. 

So Tex is just mouthing the words right, cuz no way his voice is just blending in like that. Why is he here? 

Did they recast Stolas's singing actor? This song is bland. The singing is okay, but the music might as well not be there.

He's whining about still wanting Blitzo but refuses to speak with him or attempting to get him to have a serious conversation. He has no idea what Blitzo wants and has never asked once.

Stolas is drunk now? He only had a few drinks. In the circus he downed an entire bottle and was fine. Now a few drinks of spiked punch and he's wasted?

They throw this party every year!? You are shitting me. Why? He has signs posted everywhere. His crew is three other people, just kill him if he's that big of a problem. 

The creators cannot convince me that all these people care more about Blitzo than the oppressive society they live in, a member of which Stolas is.

Stolas's drunk rant kinda reveals that he wants to be loved and less that he wants to be in a loving relationship with Blitzo specifically. Interesting.

Seconds later Stolas is flustered by some random guy just asking to dance. Interesting.

How does Verosika know about the apology tour? He walked out on her when she said I love you, okay that's bad, but after spending so much of the episode making her look like a crazy ex, it gives off the impression that he dodged a bullet. At the very least Blitzo is actually in the wrong and it isn't some misunderstanding like with Fizz.

Glad they addressed that Blitzo being bad at relationships is a weird thing to focus on but it isn't explained. Unless he is extremely abusive, many people should not care about him / still be angry. These people live in an environment where they can be murdered at any time and almost no one would care / do anything to help. Compared to all that, a shitty boyfriend is kinda nothing.

I’m glad Verosika wasn’t completely shat on during this episode, especially in the last bit. We probably won’t be seeing her again but at least she got to leave with grace. 

I like the ending song.

Final thoughts. This episode worked overtime to make Blitzo the bad guy. It pulled maybe 100 people out of nowhere to justify Stolas’s anger and for what? The way he was so quick to hook up with another guy, shows he doesn’t care about Blitzo, he cares about the idea of a good relationship. That’s fine on its own, but the first part of this episode and the end of the last was about Stolas making his shattered pipe dream Blitzo’s problem.

Out of all the episodes that do not have a B plot why is it this one?

[distortionbobble]

Royal Flowers Chapter 3

series masterlist

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pairing: anakin skywalker x f! reader

series summary: A long, long, time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a certain Jedi by the name of Anakin Skywalker meets you, the current Queen of Naboo and adopted cousin of Padme Amidala, and is tasked with protecting you by pretending to marry you. As a spy, you’ve infiltrated the Separatist ranks and are close to finding out the mastermind behind all of it. The fate of the galaxy is in your hands.

warnings: minors dni! ageless blogs dni! none this chapter (although it gets just a little steamy) but the series will have eventual smut, canon-level violence and just general warnings.

a/n: if anyone’s curious i based the combat style on judo! i’m no expert in judo i’ve just literally been watching “best judo fight” compilation videos so if anyone has any recommendations or corrections let me knoww okay thanks bye! 

You can’t sleep. 

It’s been hours since you came out of the bathroom, the makeup scrubbed off of your face, skin raw from the heat of the shower. Anakin hadn’t even looked at you, and had only offered a grunt of acknowledgement when you had murmured a timid goodnight. 

You think you’re gonna lose your mind. You sit up in frustration with the aim of going down to the kitchens to get a glass of water, rubbing your eyes as you mourn your lack of sleep. Anakin shoots up from his makeshift pile of blankets on the floor, hand already on his lightsaber as he prepares to respond to whatever threat may be there. When he sees none, he relaxes, but his eyes stray to your form and the outline of your body under the silk nightgown. 

“Can’t sleep either?” You ask dryly, making your way off of the bed. You muss up your hair just in case you run into someone on your midnight journey, just so that they’ll think you and Anakin have been up to something other than arguing. 

“No, milady,” Anakin responds quietly. A heartbeat passes before he speaks again, breaking the tranquility of the night. “I apologize for how I spoke to you. I took my frustrations out on you and disrespected you. Your demand is not a foolish one, it’s important and I know that.” 

“I appreciate that,” you respond. “And… about what you said earlier, I do want to learn how to keep myself safe. Of course I do. You won’t always be there, I know that, but how am I supposed to learn? Who would have taught me? My parents died when I was young. I was left in the care of Padme and her family, but that meant that I was part of politics. Running things in the background to support the people I love.” 

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Anakin offers, and you sit with silence for another moment. You take the chance to look at Anakin, the dark circles under his eyes, the shadows on his face, the scar on his eyelid. You have the strangest urge to run your fingers over his cheekbones, over his scars, to know every part of him. You don’t know why, but in the moonlight, everything is so much softer. But you keep it to yourself, sighing and settling on the edge of the bed. You draw your knees to your chest, eyelids fluttering shut to give your eyes some rest. 

“I’ll teach you,” Anakin offers suddenly. 

“What?” You ask. 

“I’ll teach you to protect yourself. You’re right, I won’t always be there, but you should never be defenseless. You’re far too important for that.” Anakin offers a smile to you. It’s the first time you’ve seen him smile, so subtle that you might have missed it had you not been staring so intently at him. 

“Thank you, General Skywalker.” 

“Anakin.” 

“Anakin.” You smile back at him, a tentative truce drawn between the both of you. You have no doubt that you’ll clash with him soon enough, a matter of personality differences, but for now, it’s nice to have him on your side. “You know, I wouldn’t be offended if you came and slept on the bed with me. I’m sure you’ve slept on the ground plenty of times as a Jedi Knight, but I can’t sleep here three feet away from you knowing my guard is sleeping on the ground.” 

“I suppose there only is one bed, isn’t there?” He grumbles, drawing up the pile of sheets that he’s slept in and tossing it at the foot of the bed. Despite the distance between you, you can feel the warmth radiating from him as he slides into the bed. “We’ll start training tomorrow, milady.”

“Goodnight, Anakin,” you smile, facing the wall. 

“Goodnight, milady.” 

~~~

“Wake up, milady.” It’s still dark when you hear him call your name, jostling your shoulder when you don’t wake up immediately. 

“Anakin?” You ask, rubbing your eyes. It must be right before dawn, for everything is so dark that you can’t make out the details of his face. “Is something the matter?”

“You asked me to train you,” he says. You hold back a groan, wanting nothing more than to bury yourself in your blankets and sleep for much longer. 

“Anakin, that’s sweet, but when you said tomorrow I didn’t think you meant before my brain even turns on,” you whine, but he’s persistent. He slides an arm under your torso, quickly pulling you upright as you protest at the sudden loss of warmth. You shiver from the cold, instinctively huddling in closer to Anakin before you realize and pull yourself away. He looks at you with an odd expression on his face, but doesn’t say anything, choosing instead to slide out of the bed and pull the sheets away with him. He folds his hands behind his back, waiting patiently for you to get out of bed. 

“Milady, I must advise that we train now. We should do it in secret, so that your handmaids won’t notice— after all, they are part of the reason that you wish to learn to protect yourself,” Anakin responds. You groan but get up, throwing your hands in frustration. You’re partly convinced that he’s just doing this to be a little prick— there’s not a chance in hell that this was the only time that you could get alone time with him. You’re newlyweds, it’s almost expected that you’d be sneaking off to spend as much time as possible between meetings. But no, he had to wake you before anyone else would reasonably be awake. But it’s not worth the fight. 

“Alright, then,” you sigh. But instead of moving away from the bed, Anakin moves to stand on top of it, looking at you expectantly. 

“We’re going to start with several throws. Now, I’m not absolutely certain about this, but I think you wouldn’t enjoy being thrown down onto granite,” he says impatiently. You get on the bed, mourning the lack of sleep as Anakin eyes you up and down. “In that?” He asks, referring to your silk nightgown. 

“Oh, good grief,” you complain, throwing your hands up. “At this rate there won’t be a point of waking me up before dawn because everyone else in the palace will be awake already when we do start! Can we just do it?” Anakin shrugs, reaching out to position you the way he wants. Anakin positions you standing shoulder width apart, one hand placed on the back of your neck and the other on your arm. The warmth of his palms on your bare skin sends electricity through your nerves, and you blink at him wide-eyed at the contact. With quick footwork he sweeps you on to your back, knocking the wind out of you with the added weight of his body on yours before he swings himself to your side, effectively pinning you down to the ground. 

“Try to move,” he instructs you, but as you wiggle around on the bed, you realize that he’s able to still pin down your shoulders. “See? Doing this gives you leverage. First thing to know,” he says, getting up and leaving you sprawled on the bed. 

“I see.. Was it necessary to do it without any explanation, or was that for your amusement?” You grunt, hoisting yourself up as Anakin watches you struggle rather unsympathetically. 

“For fun. Now,” He breezes past the admission, grinning when you gape at him, “What you’re gonna do is put your hand on the back of my neck and my arm, like I did.” He nods when you’re in the correct placement, turning his focus to your technique. “Now, turn your body so the hand that’s holding my neck is the closest side. Step sideways once, cross the other foot and step towards me, and then use the first foot to sweep the knee on the side that you’re not touching.” 

You step as per his instructions, sweeping him down but when you land, body pressed firmly against his, the door swings open to reveal Reyna. She sputters when she sees the position you and Anakin are in—  Anakin half naked, his thigh slotted between your legs, his hands gripping your hips,  your tits hanging above his face with only the thin silk material to cover you. The immodesty of it all makes you blush, too. Anakin, however, used his quick thinking and craned his neck up to kiss the exposed skin right above your breasts. You know it’s only so that she doesn’t get suspicious but it feels good, dammit, and you can’t hold back the whimper that threatens to escape you when his teeth nip softly at your skin. 

“I’ll come back later,” Reyna squeaks, clearly mortified. 

“That would be best,” Anakin responds, looking at her with half-lidded eyes and a smirk that makes heat run up your spine. 

When the door shuts, he throws you rather unceremoniously off of him, blushing a bright pink. 

“Sorry,” Anakin apologizes. The both of you lay on your backs, furiously avoiding eye contact as the situation’s awkwardness makes you wince. 

“It’s alright,” you say, pushing yourself off of the bed. “So, I’ll, um, see you later today?” 

“Yes, milady,” he answers, sounding distant. “Later today.”

[heliza24]

Wilhelm, The Look (™), and Endings

The recent poll on the confessions blog about the ideal end of the series (King Wilhelm vs leaving the line of succession vs the end of the monarchy) got me thinking about endings. In trying to think of what my own answer to this question was, I ended up reflecting on the way that Season 1 and 2 end, and that got me thinking about the infamous straight-to-camera Wilhelm looks that bookend each season. I’ve always loved those moments and found them crucial to the visual language of the show, but I don’t think I’ve ever really stopped to analyze why. But if I’m trying to decide how I feel about the possible endings of season 3, I should probably stop and figure out why I feel the way I do about the ending (and beginning) shots of season 1 and 2, right? So let’s take a minute and talk through these shots, and what I think they do for story structure and Wilhelm’s character.

I think the main thing those glances to camera do are establish Wilhelm as a protagonist with agency. Just for a second, he’s aware that he’s being watched, and that awareness means that he’s going to make active choices about what happens during his story. I think this makes sense when we realize that the first look to camera happens when Wilhelm is giving his first press interview. Wilhelm has always been in the public eye as a member of the royal family, But this is the first time that the attention of the press has been directed directly at him. It’s the first time that he has been asked to answer for his actions, and the first time he’s had to take responsibility for something like an adult. The camera catches him right as he makes his first decision: to follow his parents’ wishes, do the press conference, and go to Hillerska. It’s not a look of rebellion so much as it is a look of acceptance. All the growth that comes after as part of season 1 comes as a result of the awareness that starts in that moment. I think it’s significant that the gaze at the end of season 1 comes right after Wilhelm has made a very similar decision to the one he made in episode 1. Once again he has obeyed his parents, given the statement to the press that he was supposed to give, and toed the party line. It’s only in the fourth wall break that we know that something is different. We see all the rage and disappointment and heartbreak he has in that look, and we know that moving forward something is going to be different. But the season ends simply on this promise, and doesn’t let us see the payoff. Before we knew whether or not we were getting a season 2, I remember thinking that season 1 felt like a complete story (if not a happy one) but I would be mad if we never got to see all that Wilhelm was promising us come to fruition. 

I think the gazes in season 2 function in much the same way– they emphasize Wilhelm’s agency and show us how much he changes over the course of the season. At the beginning of the season Wilhelm is literally ready to burn it all down, as he stares at us in the mirror as he burns August’s photo. But the look we get at the end of episode 6 is much more calm and confident. He’s taken the rage that fueled his initial revenge quest against August and turned it into the bravery he needs to tell the truth on his own terms. This last look once again acts as a promise; Wilhelm is swearing that he will live authentically, no matter the consequences. But once again the season ends before we have a chance to see him follow through. We know that there will be a whole host of difficulties that arise from his confession, and that last look gives us the confidence that Wilhelm will rise to meet them. But we don’t see any of that, or at least we won’t until season 3. The fact that the season ends here really emphasizes that what was most important about the season was Wilhelm’s growth. The fact that he grew to a point where he could give the speech and stare down the barrel of the camera with confidence meant that the story the season was trying to tell was complete, even though we might expect a longer denouement. I know it’s common fandom knowledge that there was at least one additional shot filmed, of Simon and Wilhelm walking away together. So I think it’s significant that in the edit Lisa and Co decided to end on The Look (™) instead. I don’t want to suggest that the Wilmon relationship isn’t hugely significant to the show, its ending, or to Wilhelm. It is, and I think that’s represented when they lock eyes right before Wilhelm’s final look to camera. But there’s something about Wilhelm growing just enough to tell the truth in front of everyone that means that this chapter of the story is now closed, with no additional Wilmon scene needed.

The other thing that first glance does of course is establish us, the audience, as part of the public that is watching and judging Wilhelm. We’re in the audience for the press conference he gives at the beginning of season 1, and we’re in the stands watching him give the speech at the end of season 2. The relationship this creates between Wilhelm and the audience is really charged. Those looks create an intimacy which makes us care about Wilhelm as a character. But they also implicate us as part of the reason why Wilhelm is always being observed. We’re part of the oppressive force Wilhelm has to deny in order to live truthfully and claim his agency.  When Wilhelm looks into the camera he’s defying *us*. He’s daring us to stop him from getting revenge on August, or disobeying his mom, or telling the truth about the video. We’re brought in as co-conspirators in the same moment that we’re sized up as an enemy. 

Circling back to thinking about season 3, I think it’s a fair guess to assume that the season will begin and end with The Looks (™). I also expect that the last moments of season 3 won’t tie up every single loose end, much like the end of season 2 didn’t address the fallout from Wilhelm’s speech. I expect that last look to feel like a promise, like Wilhelm saying “I’ve got it from here.” 

In general I’m not huge on making super specific predictions. But if I were to guess how season 3 will end, I would predict that any questions about the larger fate of the monarchy will not be answered fully by the show, and will instead be covered by The Look (™). I think this holds true whether or not Wilhelm decides to remain in the line of succession, but that his character arc will feel most complete if he makes the decision to leave.  

If Wilhelm does make the decision to leave the line of succession and this does have national implications, I don’t imagine that we’ll see them fully play out. Wilhelm growing enough to leave will mean that the story that Young Royals is telling is complete. After a lot of consideration, I think this is my desired outcome for the show and my best shot at predicting the general shape of the season 3 finale. I want Wilhelm to grow enough to leave (with Simon) and I want the show to end with us confident that he’ll be able to handle the consequences of that decision, even if we don’t see them all play out.

[from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras]

Heyyyy I just wanted to tell you how much I love your blog! I actually never realised how much there is to know about Rohan until I stumbled across your blog and it's super interesting! (I'll most likely always be an elf-girl, but you never know and it never hurts to know more about other parts of Tolkien's stories)

So I wanted to ask you something: since I'm still very new to this part of the fandom but I'm very interested in it, I was wondering if you could give me a general overview of the most important people from Rohan and their function/jobs, maybe also your headcanons about them, because I'm honestly still a bit lost and overwhelmed by all the new names that I've never really noticed before. (Fun fact btw,😅 Éowyn was actually always one of my absolute favourite characters, so its funny to me how I never dived into the Rohan side of the fandom before)

And if you don't want to do that, that's okay too, just let me compliment your blog, because it's wonderful!

Aw, thanks!!! ♥️ Like you, I also enjoy learning more about characters from outside of my primary interest area, so I hope you find this helpful! I love your ask, but it could be a VERY long response and I fear that you’ll still find it to be kind of an overwhelming list of names. So I’m gonna limit it by focusing on the canonical characters that are in that sweet spot between “most people know who this is already” (e.g., Éowyn, Éomer, Théoden and Gríma) and “this is a person who is more or less just a name” (e.g., Herubrand or Horn). So I’ll give you a little canonical Who’s Who of the rest of them, with links for the ones where I’ve got HCs if there are any you’re particularly interested in.

Also, you inspired me to finally write out my HC for Grimbold, the Rohirrim who was allergic to horses, which I’ll post separately in a day or two, so thank you for that! 🐎

So, ready? *cracks knuckles* Here we go with the Who’s Who below the cut:

Royal Family:

Théoden’s father was Thengel, who had mixed feelings about Rohan and lived a long time in Gondor, where he met his wife Morwen.

Théoden had 4 sisters, but we only know about the youngest, Théodwyn, who was Éomer/Éowyn’s mom and died of sickness soon after her husband Éomund was killed in a poorly planned orc hunt.

Théoden’s wife was Elfhild, who died giving birth to their son, Théodred. He never remarried.

Théodred was killed by Saruman’s forces and had no wife or child, so his beloved cousin Éomer became heir in his stead.

Non-Royal Notables of Edoras, the Capital City:

Háma was the captain of the king’s guard and died at Helm’s Deep after aiding in the healing of Théoden by breaking some rules on Gandalf’s behalf. (I would die for Háma.)

Elfhelm was acting as the Marshal (the top military office) of Edoras at the time of LOTR and was involved in ALL KINDS of stuff but is most notable for not ratting out Éowyn when he found that she was riding in his éored (unit) to the war in Gondor.

There’s a whole gaggle of members of the king’s éored, most of whom die in Gondor with no backstory or detail. No one else would likely put them on this list, but they’re dear to me (and frequently discussed on my blog) so we’re including Guthláf, Théoden’s banner bearer, and Wídfara, who rode with the king’s company and scouted conditions at Minas Tirith.

Notables of the West-mark:

Erkenbrand was in charge of Helm’s Deep at the time of the war and helped save the day there before being left to rule Rohan while everyone else went to war in Gondor.

Gamling served under Erkenbrand and was an elderly man who was still a dope warrior and fought alongside his own grandson at Helm's Deep!

Grimbold was a military captain who, with Elfhelm, saw Théodred’s death and fought to keep orcs from taking his body before going to war in Gondor. Unlike Elfhelm, Grimbold died.

Dúnhere was Erkenbrand's nephew and served under Grimbold. He organized the muster of the Rohirrim to go to Gondor, where he also died.

Notables of the East-mark:

Éothain is really the only one here. He was a soldier under Éomer, and he was very suspicious of both outsiders and rule breakers.

Bonus Notable Ancestors of pre-LOTR Times:

Eorl was the founder and first king of Rohan who sealed the oath of friendship between his people and Gondor and tamed the first of the mearas (the ancestors of Shadowfax!).

Helm Hammerhand was king during the war/famine of the Long Winter. He’s famous for killing a dude with 1 punch and scaring the bejeezus out of enemies by stalking them in the night.

Freca was a lord of mixed Rohan/Dunland ancestry whom Helm punched to death b/c Helm was a hothead who felt threatened by Freca’s influence. Freca’s family later led an army against Rohan b/c they were pissed!

Whew! That’s not everyone, but I think it’s everyone whose name you’d be likely to come across outside of the big 4 (Théoden, Éomer, Éowyn and Gríma). It’s really striking when you write it all out and realize that you have to end so many with “but he/she died”! But the fact that they’re a little tragic and made so many sacrifices is a big part of why I love them.

I hope this was in ANY way helpful, even if it’s just a little cheat sheet that you consult when needed!

[imtrashraccoon]

Can I request something based on something you reblogged to your side blog? The one about canon papyrus being the only one who doesn’t baby/belittle worry about sans?

Also, I think he’s the smartest of the main AU trio (swap, fell, and canon) because his sole passion being puzzles instead of Murder and Timelines. so including something like that?

Sorry, I’ve never requested a writing thing before but I love your work so much! ^_^

💬

Of course you can, Anon! I hope you like headcanons though because I had no idea how I'd write a crossover like this lol

For those wondering, this is the post in question.

I will preface this by mentioning that I have nicknames for each of these precious bois.

Undertale Sans: Classic

Undertale Papyrus: Vanilla

Underfell Sans: Red

Underfell Papyrus: Edge

Underswap Sans: Blue

Underswap Papyrus: Saffron

Also, I headcanon that Sans is the elder brother in these AU's although the actual age gap may vary. I usually go with about eight years difference because I like the idea of Sans raising Papyrus by himself after Gaster was scattered across time and space. One other thing I should mention is that the Underfell brothers have LV and so Red's HP is higher, but compared to the rest of the Underground, he might as well only have 1 HP.

Papyrus' Thoughts On Sans' Low HP

- While Classic is the weakest monster Vanilla knows, he also knows that his older brother worked extremely hard for years to raise them. They didn't have anyone else and until Vanilla had outgrown his stripes, he was reliant on his brother for everything. They had occasional disagreements of course as children normally do, but no matter what happened they still had each other.

- If Classic was able to do all that, he can handle himself well enough, now if only he could motivate himself enough to properly look after himself. To put it frankly, he respects his brother and loves him dearly.

- Vanilla certainly worries quite a bit about his brother. While Classic is well liked by almost everyone, everytime he gets into an encounter could be the last time. They actually used to spar quite a bit when Vanilla was learning how to use his magic but Classic always avoided every attack. They had to stop though when Vanilla got a little too competitive and Classic began having a hard time keeping up. That was just before Papyrus started trying to join the Royal Guard.

- Vanilla has taken over most of the household responsibilities now, mostly because Classic is struggling with some things, but also because he finds enjoyment in a job well done. While he doesn't really understand what his older brother is going through, Vanilla still loves him dearly and will do anything to try and support him. He's confident that he can help, afterall, he is the Great Papyrus! He is the best at encouraging and supporting his loved ones.

- While Red did his best to raise Edge on his own, they struggled to survive for several years and both had strong personalities which led to many, many fights. They are very much family as they both share the same stubborn nature and are hot-headed to a fault. Unfortunately, this led Edge to resent Red as he didn't think his older brother's rules made any sense. He was the Great and Terrible Papyrus after all! Anyone who would dare challenge him to a fight must have a death wish! It also didn't help that Red wasn't the nicest, but neither was Edge either.

- As soon as Edge was out of his stripes, he got a reality check real quick. Apparently, not everyone would leave him alone, now that he wasn't seen as a child, if he taunted or insulted them. This was when he found out how low Red's HP was. Even Edge had far higher HP and he'd barely been in any encounters so far.

- Cue Edge hatching a plan to both protect themselves (while he resents his brother, he doesn't wish him dead because he's the only one he's got) and elevate his status in monster society like he'd always dreamed. He trained day and night to get stronger and as soon as he could pass as the minimum age to apply, he joined the Royal Guard. As the years passed by, he only grew more ruthless and while Red tried to rein him in before he inevitably got himself killed, Edge was far stronger than he'd thought.

- Red had already been struggling to motivate himself to do basic tasks and so he gave up. He'd done everything he could but Edge had long stopped listening to him, so what point was there in trying? He still looked out for his younger brother of course as he'd made many connections over the years. He just had to endure the constant insults and belittling. It was better than being dead though...right?

- As far back as he remembers, Saffron always had Blue and they were pretty much alone. No matter what happened, Blue always kept a bright smile on his skull and assured Saffron that they would get through it together. Saffron soon noticed that despite his older brother's attempts to be popular and well liked, his continued attempts to befriend people only served to drive them away.

- He had a much easier time making friends and he came to be known as the chill, funny skeleton. Blue was almost uptight in comparison, which Saffron didn't understand. What was the point in getting all worked up and bothered if something didn't go to plan? Still, his brother is pretty magnificent, and he'll always cheer him on.

- Saffron sometimes feels like he's the oldest because he is seen as the more mature one. While deep down he doesn't mean to, it's easy to brush off his brother's ambitions for a more reasonable approach. He won't actually say it out loud, but he is often embarrassed by his brother's antics.

- He got used to pulling strings and calling in favours behind Blue's back, just so his brother could remain blissfully ignorant to what people really think of him. Saffron knows that despite how good of a fighter his brother is, with how low his HP is, he wouldn't last long in a real fight. So he often subtly steers him away from potentially dangerous situations so that he can continue being that beacon of joy and hope for those who need it, like himself for one.

As For Vanilla Being The Smartest...

- I'm not going to rank these characters on an intelligence scale because they're all smart. They just have different interests in my opinion.

- To be fair, Vanilla is passionate about a lot of things, like his friends, his future ambitions, and his various hobbies like cooking and planning battles with his action figures. It just so happens that creating puzzles and usually non-lethal traps is one of the things he is most passionate about.

- Thinking up brand new ideas for puzzles and then actually making them is certainly good exercise for his brain, even if he doesn't actually have one. Most monsters, and later humans as well, don't see that about him though. They see his naturally cheerful and sometimes oblivious demeanor as just that and only those close to Vanilla ever truely see him.

- Sure, Vanilla is a bit slower on the uptake in certain social situations but he isn't dumb at all, far from it! He's the type of guy that would figure out the solution to one of those trick puzzle gadgets surprisingly quickly and then immediately build his own that's much harder. He would get a kick out of a Rubik's cube but would end up trying to make different patterns with the coloured sections rather than simply keep solving it.

- Edge also has a lot of passion, unfortunately he is only publicly passionate about being a Royal Guard and fighting. Behind closed doors though, he has many interests, some of which even his brother isn't aware of. He is passionate about cooking and his future ambitions of course, but he's also secretly a bit of a nerd and he has a soft spot for animals. He'll do anything for his precious Doomfanger and he likes to collect human things like books and electronics.

- While Edge does make traps and puzzles, they lack the finesse of Vanilla's and are generally always lethal. Well that's not entirely true, but they'll definitely maime any unlucky person that gets caught and if they're still alive, Edge pretty much always finishes the job. He tries not to think about it much, but a part of him dislikes putting people out of their misery and he often feels relieved when he just finds monster dust.

- Edge definitely has a better combat sense than either Vanilla or Saffron though, but it's because of the rough world he grew up in and all the experience he has. Also, having high LV makes hurting people a lot easier, both physically and emotionally. The other two would probably still be able to give him a run for his money if they ever sparred, although Vanilla would last longer than Saffron just because he likes fighting more.

- Saffron is an interesting case, as he's technically a combination of Vanilla's appearance but with Classic's personality. He doesn't care for a lot of things anymore as he doesn't see the point. He has quite a few interests though that neither Vanilla or Edge share.

- Despite his overall lazy demeanor, Saffron could qualify as a genius if he applied himself. Growing up, he regularly devoured any and all books he could find, both from the Librarby and the dump. He was, and still is to an extent, interested in technical and scientific things, including theoretical physics. He's friends with Undyne of course, to the extent where she occasionally asks for his input with various projects. Saffron would probably have an easy time if he wanted to apply to be a Royal Scientist so he could be more involved, but he doesn't want to go through all the effort. He quite likes being the lazy, carefree brother.

- Otherwise, Saffron enjoys making people laugh, more often groan, with his humor and he's constantly thinking up puns for various situations. He's also musically gifted but doesn't play much, except to provide incidental humour. (Would he also play trombone or something else? I'm not sure...) Another thing Saffron is good at, is gathering information on people. He's very observant, he has to be though with his role as Judge, and the ease at which he can make friends comes in handy when doing so.

[yonemurishiroku]

First and foremost, I’m a pro-shipper. Better lay it all here before anyone decides ro criticize me for my fictional taste.

List of Tags on my blog:

- #yone rambling -> generally whatever I have to babble

- #yone prompt -> literally

- #yone au -> what crazy things my mind decides to spawn this time...

- #fanfic talk again bc what’s new anw? -> talks about fanfic in general, snippets,

- #over analyzing -> I take ONE thing from official and make it everyone’s problem.

- #it’s unhealthy #but nothing i’ve made is ever healthy -> it’s exactly how it sounds.

- #the importance of friendship -> Platonic love especially between friends.

- #underworld family -> Everything between the Underworld family, including Nico and Hades, Persephone, Hazel, Zagreus, Bianca…

- #underworld siblings -> same but for Nico and Hazel, Bianca, Zagreus, Melinoe… exclusively

- #prince of the underworld -> Generally everything concerning Nico and his status as Hades’ son, Prince AU, Nico as a royal…

- #ghost king Nico -> headcanons/ rambling about Nico and the ghosts

- #the platonic love of my life -> My special tag for Nico and Reyna’s bromance.

- #Nico and X -> talks about Nico and X (character).

- #Nico headcanon -> literally

List of AUs:

- #pjo au -> literally. Same for the ship tags like #jasico au, #percico au, etc…

- Nico as a god: #god Nico or #deity Nico #immortal Nico for extensive content.

- Nico as a royal: #prince Nico or #king Nico or #royal Nico or #prince of the underworld

- Time Travel + Selfcest (kind of, eh) + Villain Nico AU, wherein I turn Nico into a classic batshit crazy villain and have him return to the past to show his younger self love while destroy everything good in the world: #selfcest au, #time travel au, #selflove Nico

- Whatever Nico and Luke could have brought, together: #nico and luke

- All the ways Nico can die and what follows: #if Nico dies

- #Nico healing in the Underworld : when Nico’s powers go haywire and he has to retreat to the Underworld to heal himself with the help of chthonic deities. 

And the last: My blog welcomes all ships and kinks/fetishes (but try to keep it SFW bc I’d like this to remain PC-13 at most LOL). Free space. Feel free to talk about me anything you’d like, though I can’t guarantee my interest, I would never judge you.

[phoenixs-fandoms-and-writings]

A Ball That Will Change Lives - Chapter 5

Fandom: Harry Potter (Marauders characters)

Pairings: Royal!James Potter/Bodyguard!Lily Evans/Commoner!GN!Reader

Characters: James Potter, Lily Evans, Fleamont Potter, Euphemia Potter, Pandora Lovegood

Plot: You return to your stepmothers house safely before she does, as James and Lily learn how to find you.

Notes: I am anti-JKR. This blog is a safe space.

Masterlist - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Epilogue

I do not give permission to anyone to repost or translate any of my stories. I also do not give anyone permission to feed my stories through AI or to be posted to any third party website or app. If anyone sees any of my work posted anywhere but here or my AO3 (simplyreflected), then it has been posted without permission.

Read on AO3 here.

You looked as your stepmother's house came into view. “They aren’t here yet?”

“No,” Regulus said as he opened the doors to your carriage. “They’ve only just left. I’ve been keeping an eye on them using my magic.”

“Thank you, Regulus.” You hugged him, he was smiling when you pulled back. And you saw Evan standing next to him, so you hugged him. “Thank you, Evan.”

They both bowed to you as they said in unison, “it has been our pleasure, your highness.”

When you went to tell them that you weren’t and probably would never be royalty in any way, you had been magically transported to your room. You looked outside and both the men and the carriage had disappeared.

By the time you got changed, your stepmother and stepsisters had arrived home. You quickly hid your outfit, shoes and jewellery, before silently going to bed. Of course, your stepmother came up, but she only found you lying in your bed, asleep. Though you weren’t actually asleep, you were acting like you were, knowing you could fool her.

———

James and Lily waited in the family room just talking to each other about the sweet person they’d met and knowing they were the thing that had been missing.

It wasn’t long before the King and Queen entered with someone following behind them. A beautiful blonde woman who looked like an angel.

Both James and Lily stood up, upon seeing them, hoping they had information regarding the owner of the ring.

“James, Lily,” Euphemia said before gesturing to the woman who walked in with them. “This is Pandora. She’s a fairy godmother. She was mine before I met your father, James.” She paused and leaned against Fleamont who wrapped his arm around her, kissing the top of her head.

“Hello Prince James, Princess Lily,” she said in a melodic voice.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Pandora,” James said as he held out his hand, which Pandora shook. She turned to Lily and shook her hand too, before bowing slightly.

Pandora said in a voice that sounded dreamy as she held out the hand holding the ring, “You’re looking for my latest charge, the one who was wearing this ring?”

“Yes,” Lily said as she cuddled into James’ arms. “They were wearing that ring, but it fell off. We want to use it to find them. Is that possible?”

“Yes, I can help with that. I can’t take you to them, but,” Pandora said as she waved her hand over the ring, making the ring glow, “the magic on it, as well as the magic I’ve put on it just now will help you find them. The only person who it will fit on is your love.”

She handed it to James who was closest to her and he took it, holding it tightly. With tears in his eyes and in Lily’s, they both whispered, “thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Pandora said as she bowed to them. “Have a wonderful life, Lily, James.” She turned to Fleamont and Euphemia. “I am so happy to see the beautiful family you created.” She bowed to them. “It was lovely to see you again, Euphemia. Take care of her, Fleamont.” With that, she turned and walked out, disappearing before their eyes.

James was amazed and stunned at seeing fairy magic before him. Once he stopped looking at the door, he turned to Lily. “Tomorrow, we’ll start looking.”

Lily smiled. “I agree. We should get some rest first.”

[saintmeghanmarkle]

Does any sinner know more about Tom Quinn? by u/Nervous-Spinach2046

Does any sinner know more about Tom Quinn? Tom Quinn is the new Scooobie, that much we know. But what makes a 68-year-old published author so desperate for money that he would willingly blow up his reputation and shill for TOW and the ginger whinger? Is he a sugar all along?I’ve never heard of him before. After a bit of googling, and here’s what I’ve found:He’s published six books on the BRF, and one is in the pipeline:Backstairs Billy (2015) – about the Queen Mum’s most trusted pageMrs Keppel (2016) – about King Edward VII’s mistress Alice Keppel, who is also Queen Camilla’s great grandmotherThe Reluctant Billionaire (2018) - about Gerald Grosvenor, Sixth Duke of Westminster (father of the current duke, Hugh)Kensington Palace: An Intimate Memoir from Queen Mary to Meghan Markle (2020)Scandals of the Royal Palaces: An Intimate Memoir of Royals Behaving Badly (2021)Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up in the Royal Family (2023)Upcoming: Yes Ma'am: Upstairs Downstairs in the British Royal Family (August 2024)He is very prolific, and writes a lot about behind-the-scenes of the RF. I must say, if he weren’t such a sugar now, I would very much like to read some of his books, especially 1, 6, 7.From a bio I found on him on publisher Hachette’s website, he has spent 20 years talking to people in domestic service to learn about their lives. He’s also written a few bios of people who worked as servants. This is very interesting to me.Before he started writing about the RF, he’s written about a wide range of topics:fishing, eccentrics, long walks, railways, early aviation and the First World War, as well as the children’s author and illustrator Denys Watkins-Pitchford (better known as BB).(Source) He was the author of the “Strangest” series of books, and the editor of two magazines: The Countryman and Country Landowner’s Magazine. He also regularly appeared on British TV to talk about eccentrics, London history, and the RF.He had a blog, which only has three entries, all from 2021. From one of the entries we can see he has at least one son, who was studying to become a lawyer.What gives an inkling of his Markle sympathies is the cover of the Kensington Palace book: the most famous inhabitant of KP in the 20th century was undoubtedly Diana, Princess of Wales; the most famous in the century before that, was Queen Victoria before she came to the throne. Her mother has even named the set of rules governing Victoria’s upbringing The Kensington System. For the 21st century, I would say it would be William and Catherine, the current PPOW. But Quinn had this on the cover of his KP book:https://ift.tt/Slhq8y1 lived in Nott Cott in the KP grounds for, what, 5 minutes? Complaining the whole time, about the size, low ceiling, the name etc, of a piece of prime real estate in Central London? For free? (I assume H’s rent was paid by Charles). Not at all representative of such an illustrious palace.And then his last book, Gilded Youth, has this cover:https://ift.tt/VBAfq7J? Why not use either of these?Getty ImagesGetty ImagesI think it must be his solid background that made him a prime choice for the new UK PR “guru” to hire as the new Scooobie. Seemed less biased. But the shilling is so transparent. It’s rather sad to see him become a mouthpiece for the Harkles, although the bias was already there.Does anyone know more about him? post link: https://ift.tt/ZEbRmid author: Nervous-Spinach2046 submitted: May 30, 2024 at 12:38PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[throwaway-yandere]

With Valentine’s approaching, I figured I’d shoot my shot before the blog revamp :’3

Good afternoon, Archbishop Theophilus!! Since you took the time to inquire about my personal style, it’s only polite that I ask you a similar question \(//∇//)\

Aside from fur cloaks, do you have any other fashion preferences?? I assume you have an affinity for accessories, given your earring and hair ornaments. Ohh and I can only imagine how elegant your horns would look with jewelry—not that they aren’t already striking on their own. (Do correct me if dragons such as yourself are against decorating their horns.)

I’ll leave it at that. I’m afraid that if I go into more detail about your beauty, I’d take up too many of your precious hours. Have a nice day, Archbishop ^o^

P.S. Hiiii Ansy, I hope you’re doing well!! I’ve said this before but Theophilus is srsly so pretty. And a dragon + archbishop combo……it feels rather oxymoronic(??), which makes his concept all the more interesting. I can’t wait for his fic >:3

P.P.S. GOODBYE I JUST LEARNED THAT DUKE DILUC IS IN THE LEAD?? And I’d just typed a paragraph joking about how Theophilus and Sunday (the previous lead) both have Biblical references *sobs* I’ll miss our archbishop……

"There... I must say, dear, it looks wonderful on you— though perhaps a size too large— but it adds to the charm!" The archbishop spoke. Although his voice is as soft as ever, no one can miss the way his voice chirps like an excited fledgeling. "You are a beautiful human, Jessamine. My ornaments look far more dashing when you are the one to wear them."

He chuckled softly as he patted your head.

"You can keep what you're wearing, I have spares." Theophilus said before you caught a glimpse of a teasing smirk in his face that disappeared quickly. "I'm aware the flower may not be as valuable for the merchants, but the cloak should fetch a large sum of gold."

"After all, most of what I wear are prepared by the Royal Family. All except the flower and earring. I enjoy any reminders that the small things in life— in nature— are worth thousand years of living for. Before I was hailed as the archbishop, I donned enormous flower crowns often. A shame it's not appropriate for my station."

The Archbishop closed his eyes and pondered about your next inquiry.

"My kind... Hmm..." He mumbled softly. "I wouldn't know. I am the last living Earth dragon left, but if my predecessors and I are similar, I think we wouldn't mind extra decor. That is, of course, if it is a gift bestowed by our beloveds...."

"Oh, leaving so soon?" Theophilus frowned. "Oh, that's alright. Do not fret, I understand. May the God Eusebius walk alongside you."

Okay it's ansy now, I hope you're doing well too and omg I'm rereading your HVOY reblog for a while now fuskkfkakskw. Theo is such a good boy I feel bad for the pain I'm putting him that I nearly forgot how much worse it is that he's a "dragon" archbishop ngl hAHAHAH—

ALSO SIKDKAKA I HAVE NO CLUE WHO'S WINNING THE THEME, I JUST HEARD THE RANKINH WAS SUNDAY FIRST, THEN RATIO THEN NEUVILLETTE??? AND NOW ITS DILUC???? LAST TIME I HEARD DILUC WAS LAST PLACE WITH NO VOTES TF HAPPENED HAHAJAHAJAHAH WHO STARTED A PROPAGANDA HUH?????? WHICH ONE OF YALL WAS IT LMAO—

Naur cuz me too 😭😭😭 i was gonna make a Theo passing his job to Sunday joke drawing too about how they're besties cuz I thought Sunday was on the lead. I am definitely not expecting Diluc. Duke Diluc I know you are self-aware and know the world is a lie but please don't hurt Theo he never did anything wrong ever

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

Cold Comforts: Thaw

hello! would it be possible for you to write a fluffy sanders side fic with the creativitwins and janus just messing around in the Imagination? thank you! :) - tabaxi-power

I literally stalk your blog (in an affectionate way) your writing keeps me going and I reread your fics constantly. That said I’ve been especially enjoying the Roman angst but there can’t be rain without a little bit of sun. Could you write a fluff fic where Roman is working on a big project or idea and he encounters issues along the way but his famILY helps him through it in their own special ways and it all turns out fine? Totally not me projecting or anything… - anon

Read on Ao3 Part 1 Part 2

Warnings: self-doubt, self-esteem issues

Pairings: darkside polycule

Word Count: 4954

"It'll always be ours, right?"

"Always."

    "Slow down, Remus," Janus calls as a very determined Remus hauls him through the door of the Imagination, "you're going to tear my arm off!"

"You're a liar," Remus retorts, even though he slows down slightly, "I can't do that! Everyone says I'd need to be a car or a big piece of heavy magickery to pull your arm all the way off!"

"It's 'machinery.'"

"That's what I said."

Up ahead, they can already see another tiny figure waving excitedly. If they listen closely enough, they can hear the squeals and shrieks over the rolling hills.

"Re! Re! Come on, I wanna get started!"

"Ro!"

Janus ends up letting go of Remus's arm and watching the two sprint across the field to almost tackle each other into the grass. When he gets close enough to see they've completely ruined their clothes with grass stains and dirt, still grinning from ear to ear, he has to pry them apart before they start to roll all the way down the hills.

"Alright, you two," he says, doing his best impression of the older kids that sometimes have to look after Thomas, "what are we doing today?"

"Oh, oh! We should play the prince game again!"

Roman bounces to his feet and suddenly the ground shifts around them, grass turning to smooth marble as walls rise up out of nowhere. Before they can blink, they're standing in the grand hall of a magnificent castle, complete with tapestries hanging on the walls, two impressive thrones at one end, and a truly massive crystal chandelier hanging overhead. Little bits of light refract through the crystals, sending bits of rainbows scattered about the floor as Roman's clothes shift into a princely costume.

"Wait, but there can't be two princes!"

"Sure there can, why not?"

"But you're the prince. I don't wanna steal your idea."

"Oh." Roman deflates for a second, tapping the end of his—thankfully—wooden sword against the floor. "What other royal positions are there?"

"He could be King," Janus suggests, only for both brothers to go eerily still and stare at him, "or not! Or not, there are, um—"

"Oh, I know!" Remus quickly changes into an outfit similar to Roman's, except the colors are different. "I'll be the Duke!"

"Perfect!" Roman raises his sword. "And now we fight!"

Janus watches as the two of them clash their wooden swords together, running up and down the length of the hall, even jumping on top of the thrones at times. There seems to be some ongoing dialogue that he can't quite make out—well, he can make out Roman yelling words that are probably supposed to sound like Shakespearian English and Remus just keeps chanting fight, fight, fight, but they're having fun, so who cares?—and Remus seems to be leaning into playing the…bad guy?

"I'll have your throne," Remus jeers as he thrusts the sword forward, "and then you'll have to clean all the toilets in the castle!"

"Never!" Roman's cry echoes dramatically off the walls. "I'll never clean your toilet!"

"Yes you will!"

"No I won't!"

"Yes you will!"

"No I won't!"

Remus rears back to strike with the sword but Roman gets there first, swatting the sword out of his hand and shoving Remus to the floor. "Hah! I win!"

Janus applauds as Remus makes his death scene as dramatic as possible until Roman's giggling too hard to hold the sword up anymore. "Well, my dear prince, what now?"

"New game," Roman declares, throwing the sword away, "that one's done now."

"What about pirates?" Remus is already reaching for the discarded sword, running his fingers over the wood. "We haven't done pirates in a while."

"Okay, where?"

"On a pirate ship. Obviously."

Roman rolls his eyes in a way that would make most teachers proud and the castle around them fades until they're standing on the deck of a pirate ship. The sail unfurls behind them in a long susurrus of canvas as Remus grins from under his broad pirate hat and eye patch. Roman pokes at his leg a few times before Janus realizes he's trying to figure out how to turn it into a peg leg.

"Why don't you just try not bending it," he suggests when Remus starts holding his sword a little too enthusiastically, "then it's like it's made of wood?"

"That's a great idea!"

"Wait, wait, I wanna try too!"

And so what was probably meant to be some epic pirate adventure—and don't get him wrong, there are still mermaids and krakens and leviathans aplenty—turns into a strange mix of helping each other learn how to be pirates without bending one of their legs and talking about the increasingly bizarre ways they lost their legs in the first place.

"And so I was just about to pry the jaws of the beast off me," Remus declares, throwing his arms up, "when the teeth were all snap! And then my leg was gone!"

"Never fear," Roman says just as loudly, brandishing his sword—sorry, cutlass, "I will avenge the ruin of your leg!"

"How?"

"I will tell you when I figure that out!"

Janus laughs from his position up by the wheel, steering the ship through the swells of the open ocean. "Captains, we've got a whale up ahead!"

"A whale?"

"I wanna see!"

A great whale breaches right next to the ship, its massive body twisting through the air for long suspended seconds, before crashing back down and sending a wave to soak all of them. The brothers shriek with delight as they wring themselves out.

"New game," Remus declares.

"Last one, okay? We gotta go eat soon."

"Aww, that's no fun!" Remus pouts up at him. "Why can't we just stay in here forever?"

"Because then the rest of us would miss you. What if we want to come visit and we can't find you?"

Remus sulks for a moment before Roman nudges him. "You wanna go monster hunting?"

In hindsight, perhaps Janus should've been suspicious about how quickly that makes Remus perk up.

"How do you play that one?"

Both brothers turn to look at him and the Imagination changes once more, rock walls rising up and covering them as the air grows colder, staler, a dark cave taking shape around them. Janus looks around at the rock walls and at the two of them a few feet away, practically vibrating with energy.

Ah.

"Run, run, little morsels," he calls, letting his shadow loom menacingly on the floor, "I'm hungry!"

"Wait, what's a 'morsel?'"

"I think it means 'food.'"

"Oh."

"Run!"

"Run!"

It's difficult to chase them through the caves without seeing them, their squeals echoing off the walls until he can't quite tell where they're coming from. Eventually, though, they run through a bigger passage at the same time and, well, his legs are just that little bit longer.

"Gotcha!"

"No," Roman shrieks as he's tackled—gently!—to the floor, wriggling around like some wild thing, "no! Re! Avenge me!"

"I'll save you," tiny Remus declares, summoning a pillow and hitting Janus with it, "get off my brother, you slippery snake!"

"Never!"

Soon it's an all-out pillow fight that ends when both little gremlins decide to just fall on top of him holding their pillows in front, smushing him into the floor. He throws his arms up.

"I surrender! You've defeated me!"

"We won!"

"We beat the monster!"

They collapse giggling onto the floor two, half on top of each other in some strange tangle of limbs that makes sense to them. Janus picks himself up and dusts himself off as the cave fades, going back to the rolling grassy hills.

"Hey, Re?"

"Yeah?"

Roman's voice gets very soft and quiet. "Can we…do this forever?"

"Of course, Ro." Remus turns around and gives his brother a big hug. "We'll always be together. The Imagination's ours, remember? We're Creativity. No one gets to tell us what to do in here."

"It'll always be ours."

"Always."

----

As soon as the door to the Imagination shuts, Virgil lets go of Patton and Janus and reaches out to take Logan gently but firmly by the shoulder. "You've got some explaining to do, Logan."

"Wait, I have to—"

"They're not going to let anyone back in there for a while," Patton says, crossing his arms, "so we may as well go somewhere more comfortable to wait."

Logan sends one last glance at the door before allowing himself to be led to the living room. Everyone takes their places and he swallows the unexpected lump in his throat when he realizes the brothers won't be here to join them. He finds himself staring at the TV for much longer than he'd like to admit before Patton clears his throat.

"So," he says, voice low, "what is it that you want from me?"

"The truth, for a start." Janus waves a hand. "Perhaps why you chose to keep what you knew about the Split hidden for so long."

"And maybe why you let everyone believe it was me," Patton adds.

Logan frowns. "It was a logical conclusion. You are Morality, and thus you determine what is Right and Wrong—or what Thomas believes to be Right and Wrong, and so—"

"But Creativity wasn't Split into Right and Wrong," Virgil interjects, "it was Split into Bad and Not Bad. And Patton didn't—wait, did Patton get created because Creativity Split?"

"I don't know," Logan repeats, "I don't believe so."

"Oh, well, if you don't believe so—"

Irritation flares up in him and he glares at Janus. "You were also around, need I remind you, and so I don't think I should be the only one on the metaphorical chopping block for all that happened when Thomas was younger. You never told me why you left in the first place! For all we know, you could have something to do with Patton's genesis."

"Oh, and I certainly wouldn't be one to keep such a thing hidden," Janus retorts, sarcasm dripping from each word, "it's not as though I had direct contact with Creativity for an extended period of time or that the new Side that appeared was taken into my care without informing anyone else."

"Is that not what happened? You had Remus—"

"Exactly."

The sudden ice in Janus's tone is enough to make him falter. Janus takes a step forward, words hissing through his teeth.

"I found Remus out of nowhere. He was abandoned and alone on a rock in the middle of nowhere wrapped in a thin blanket. He was cold, Logan, and he was screaming for his other half. Do you know how long it took to assure him that he wasn't going to be left again? Do you have any idea how many nights I spent—we both spent—" he gestures to Virgil who nods— "just trying to keep his nightmares at bay?"

Logan glances between them and sees no reprieve from either.

"So yes, Logan," Janus continues, "I had Remus. I had a terrified and alone little Side who grew up thinking his brother hated him. Tell me, where in there does it seem like I had the ability to craft Morality?"

"He's right, Logan," Patton says softly, "I…I don't remember anything about him, Virgil or Remus until we were all much older. You…I just remember you and Roman."

Logan swallows and stares back at Janus. "I do not know what led to Patton's…creation as a Side. I don't know why it happened and that's the truth."

"J?"

"…he's not lying."

"Thank you," Logan sighs, "now if we could all just—"

"But you haven't answered my question."

"And what question was that?"

"Why didn't you tell anyone about the Split," Janus repeats, seemingly not daunted in the slightest, "and why you were happy to let everyone think it was Patton?"

"Who was I supposed to have told? You?" A humorless laugh leaves Logan's throat. "You were gone, Janus, you'd made it very clear that you didn't want to be around me anymore and the last thing I was about to do was seek you out for something like this."

"Why, because I didn't care about Creativity? He wasn't my friend too? I wasn't worth your time?"

"Because I was scared and a child! I didn't know what was going to happen! I didn't do it on purpose!"

"But you still did it! And you never told a single person!"

"If you are going to start lecturing me about keeping secrets, then—"

"Logan," Patton interrupts suddenly, "why do you think we're mad?"

"I assume because I caused the Split and didn't tell anyone about it, although I maintain there was no one to tell and I was a child who—"

"That's not why we're mad."

Logan stops. He blinks. "You're…not?"

"Oh, we're mad," Virgil says, "but not because you caused the Split when you were a kid and then didn't tell anyone 'cause you were a kid."

"Then why are you mad?"

"We're mad," Patton says in a voice that makes Logan's skin crawl, "because you've been using the fact that you know what caused the Split to hurt Roman and Remus as an adult."

Logan's mouth falls open. His gaze darts to Janus, to Virgil, back to Patton, and he still only manages to say: "what?"

"Remus was made because he wasn't wanted. Roman wasn't made, he was left, because he wasn't Remus. And you've been using those two things against them ever since."

"I haven't—"

"Don't lie," Janus interrupts, his voice hard, "you make Remus feel unwanted as a way to control him constantly. You claim he's unworthy of consideration, that his ideas are meaningless, that he's easily dismissed once you get to examine him. You don't want his ideas, and so it's easy to lump them all in as bad ideas. And if Roman isn't Remus, then he must be Good Ideas. If he's supposed to be everything Remus isn't, then he must be obedient. He must listen. He must be easy to control."

"Remus is the Creativity Logic didn't want," Patton continues, his voice slightly softer but no less pointed, "which means he's wild, unpredictable, he does things when he wants to, not when they make sense to do. With Roman…"

"Roman's your dancing monkey," Janus spits, disgust ringing in his voice, "he makes the ideas that are approved when you want them, how you want them. He's there for 0.5% of your day and then he's gone. And if he ever steps a toe out of line, you know exactly what buttons to push to make him behave again."

"Hang on," Virgil says, "we're not exactly blameless either. We're assholes to Princey too."

"But we don't have a convenient 'aim here to hurt Roman' guide we've been using for years."

"…that's true."

"Roman doesn't know what he can be except not-Remus," Patton finishes, "and if Remus is wrong…then Roman can't be wrong. That's—that's the Logic of it, right?"

Logan doesn't say a word. He's staring at the floor.

They're right.

They're right.

He didn't tell anyone about the Split when they were younger because he didn't know any better, but there came a time when he did. When he realized what had happened and how profoundly it affected both Roman and Remus, and how much the memory of him talking to Creativity still impacted them.

And what did he do?

He didn't tell anyone.

He kept it a secret. Because he knew he could use it. He could ensure that things were running efficiently and Thomas would have all the ideas he wanted and none of the ones he didn't. He could make sure that Creativity would be easy to control and not impact them negatively at all.

He knew how to make Remus go away and so he did.

He knew how to keep Roman in line and so he did.

He knew how to hurt Creativity and so he did.

It doesn't matter that he was only a child when he caused the Split. It matters that he's not a child anymore and he's still causing the Split. He never stopped to think about whether what he was doing was right, because it was working. And if it was working, then something must be correct.

Guilt presses heavily onto the back of his tongue. He feels sick.

What's worse is he knows that somewhere, wherever it was, he knew it was wrong from the start. If it wasn't, why would he have been so willing to let everyone believe it was Patton's fault? If he had truly believed he was doing nothing wrong, that he was guiltless, then he would've corrected them. Or at the very least, said something when he realized how hurt the brothers truly were.

But he didn't.

And now…

As if on cue, the Mindscape shudders.

"What…what have I done?"

----

He knew.

He knew.

He knew how afraid he was of being wrong. He knew how much it hurt to be dismissed. He knew how badly he wanted, just wanted and he lied.

How dare he?

How dare he stand there like he had anything to do with forgiveness, like he had any authority to act as though he was better, as though he could stand from some wronged, innocent, right place and bestow forgiveness?

When he was the one who'd done wrong, when he was the one who just hurt and hurt and hurt and it was wrong, it was wrong, it was wrong!

He'd been used. Been treated like a tool that misbehaves and breaks and is discarded. Been worked like a dog and thrown into the cold when his tricks weren't good enough. Been forced to dance exactly the right way and when he didn't…oh, when he didn't, he had open wounds all along his back for fingers to dig into.

No more.

No more.

The pain in his throat is an afterthought. Barely registers until he tries to swallow and realizes he can't swallow while he's screaming. The sound reaches his ears after miles and miles of faint ringing noises and even then he can't quite register that it's coming from him.

He screams and he screams and he screams because he's hurt and what else is he supposed to do?

He doesn't realize he's stopped either, not for a long while until he comes to realize that he's not standing up anymore. He's curled up on his side, his head pillowed in something soft. His throat is screaming still, but now only in pain. Somehow that's much louder.

"C'mon, Ro," he hears distantly, "open your eyes, Roro, please."

Remus. That's Remus.

"Roro? Roro, I know you can hear me, come on, eyes."

He opens his eyes.

Gone are the rolling hills of green grass. Gone are the remains of the tower. Gone is the bright blue sky.

In its place is nothing but scorched earth. Soot and ash fall from a grey sky, lifeless and crumbling against blackened dirt and cracked rock. His white prince costume streaks with grey, the red across his chest a gaping and infected slash. He blinks numbly as Remus's hands come into view. They're covered in ash too.

"It's gone," Remus is saying, "it's all gone. We did it. It's ours again. It's all ours."

Roman turns to look up at Remus and he swallows through his ruined throat. Remus just stares down at him as tears well in both of their eyes. A trembling hand touches another and shaking arms find their ways about shaking shoulders.

"He hurt you," Roman mumbles, voice strangled, "he hurt you."

"He hurt you too."

"I—I don't know how to not be hurt."

"I don't think I do either."

Ash continues to fall from the sky. The two curl around each other in the ruins of what was once a perfect world.

"We get to start over now," Roman mumbles, "we can—we can make it ours again."

"Don't leave me."

"Never."

"I want you, Roro, I always want you."

"Promise?"

"Always."

----

Sometime later, a lone door shimmers into the ash-filled air.

It opens slowly and the figure on the other side gasps at the destruction. His eyes land on the two Sides of Creativity, still huddled around each other in the middle of the ash.

He steps through the door but doesn't approach.

They stir as one, realizing someone else is in their domain. They stand as one, their arms slightly in front of each other, each protecting, each protected. In the ash, their costumes look the same shade of grey.

"I came to apologize," he croaks, overwhelmed at how much this place has been ruined, "I…I never meant to cause the Split. I never meant to force the two of you away into different bodies."

He adjusts his glasses.

"And…and I came to apologize for never telling you the truth. And for using what I knew to hurt you over and over again. It was petty and cruel and wrong of me to do and I—I'm sorry."

One of the brothers twitches.

"I want you both," he says, desperation leaking into his voice, "you're both—you're both wanted."

"Is it us you want," they say as one, "or just what we Create?"

"I want the singing at two in the morning even though I should be sleeping," he says as he stumbles forward, "I want the you that throws viscera at the wall because you like the way it splatters. I want the you that takes an hour to pick out what notebook you want because you're particular about what you write in. I want the you that watches horror clips until you figure out how to feed your Kraken."

He reaches the two of them and stops, hands trembling as he reaches out for them.

"I want you," he whispers as the ash falls down around them, "I don't want you because you're Creativity, I want Creativity because it's you."

For a long moment, neither brother moves. Then slowly one steps in front of the other.

"You promise," he asks, wary of getting too far away from his brother, "you won't hurt us anymore? Even if we want something you don't?"

"I promise," he says, "I promise. It's okay to want."

The one in front of him stares for another moment, before slowly, he reaches out too. "L-Logan?"

"Oh, little one," Logan breathes as Roman crashes into him, "my little one, it's okay. It's okay, now. I promise. No more. No more."

He reaches out for the other.

"Remus, come here. Please, Remus, let me hold you."

"…you want me too?"

"Yes. Yes, I want you, Remus, come here. Come here."

The last of the ash drifts down to the earth, leaving the world still and silent. A few paces away, just beyond the door, a single sprig of green emerges and reaches toward the sky.

----

Roman sits on the couch. His hands play with the hem of his sleeves. He needs to fix it.

Virgil just left. They'd sat together for a while, listening to music and keeping Roman out of his head. He'd said it was fine if he stayed longer, but Roman had sent him away.

"It's gonna be fine, Princey," he'd said—he always calls him Princey affectionately now—"you're gonna be okay. And if not, I'll kick his ass."

Janus had come by too. Helped to talk through everything and assured him that it would be okay. Even pulled him up and made him dance a little just to try moving around, see if that helped.

"You're going to be fine, my prince," he'd whispered when Roman couldn't quite bring himself to pull away, "it's going to be alright."

Even Patton had come by, not saying a word, just cuddling with him until Roman could lift his head up without being afraid.

"I've got you, sweetheart. We're all here for you, okay? Both of you."

He'd held onto Remus extra tight too.

"Just us, okay? Just us. Always."

Always.

It's been the same for a while now. Logan would ask what Roman had done to be productive that day, Roman would list them. It was simple, effective, and helped both of them realize the appearance of laziness did not always signify inaction. And it kept them both talking about what needed to get done and what they wanted to get done.

Typically, Roman was able to list at least one productive thing per day. Whether it had to do with the videos, or personal projects, or even helping someone else out with theirs. By and large, it had been easy to give at least one thing that would make Logan nod.

That isn't to say Logan's been unkind, no. He's been—he's been good. It's Roman's own fault he's still so afraid.

And to make matters worse, he knows he can talk to Logan. He could say that this isn't working for him, or that he's still scared, or that he just needs to not some days.

All things he could say.

Which brings him to now. Today had been hard. He'd struggled to make it past the grey fuzz in his head to get out of bed, only to choke down breakfast that tasted like nothing. For better or worse, he'd done everything he needed to do yesterday, or the day before, which meant he had even less motivation than normal to make his brain work.

He hadn't been able to do so much as make his bed, let alone work on the project.

He curls up tighter on the couch. Logan would be downstairs soon. Logan who wakes up and does things all day and then still has time to sit down and do this with him. Logan who would learn how unproductive he had been today and be so, so disappointed.

"Roman?"

He looks up. Logan comes down the stairs. "Hi."

"Hello. Are you hungry?"

"N-not really. Why, are you making dinner tonight? Do you want help?"

"Not at the moment, no." Roman watches as he gets himself situated, dread swirling in the pit of his stomach as he tries to remember the words from everyone else. He briefly wonders if it's too late to feign sickness. "Alright, I'm almost ready."

The moment comes when Logan sits down and pulls out a notebook.

"Now, then. What have you done today?"

Roman bites his lip and stares at the floor. He can't do it. He can't do this. He can't. He can feel his face burning and his eyes getting heavy with tears and he can't do this.

"Did you hear me?"

He takes a far-too-shaky breath and mumbles something.

"A little louder?"

"Nothing," he chokes out, "I—I didn't do anything."

The silence that follows feels like the slow rise of the executioner's blade. He bites his lip harder, trying not to sniffle. He can't stop the tears from rolling down his cheeks but he can be quiet.

"Did you get out of bed?"

"What?"

"Did you get out of bed?"

"…yeah."

"Did you eat breakfast?"

"N-not a lot."

"What about lunch?" He nods. "And we've yet to decide about dinner…alright, did you finish any more of those series that you said make you feel better?"

Roman nods again, shame morphing into confusion as Logan finishes writing something down. He keeps asking things like how much water did you drink, and did you get any more rest, things that…aren't productive. When he finishes, he runs the pen down the list, counting each one.

"That's twelve things," he says, tearing the page out and setting the notebook aside, "I'd say that's pretty productive."

He looks over and sees the tears streaming down Roman's face and his demeanor shifts, standing and coming to wrap his arms around Roman's shoulders.

"Hey," he says softly, "talk to me. What's the matter?"

"I don't—I don't—" he sniffles— "I don't understand."

"You took care of yourself," Logan says gently, "that's being productive too."

"You were gonna be mad…mad 'nd dis'ppointed that I didn't do anything."

"Oh, little one," Logan whispers, pulling him into a proper cuddle, "I'm always proud of you. It's okay."

"R-really?"

"Really." A kiss, pressed to his forehead as Logan tucks him under his chin. "It's alright, little one. You're okay."

"Oh, thank god, I thought we were gonna have to murder you."

Remus—and the others—appear out of nowhere and Logan grunts when Remus tackles them both onto the couch.

"I told you it was gonna be okay, Roro."

"I know."

"Come on," Patton says, "let's all get ready for movie night, okay? We'll just have pizza for dinner."

"Oh, hell yes," Virgil cheers, helping Logan coax Roman to the floor, "I've been craving pizza for ages."

Roman just blinks as the others get settled, Logan's arms still firmly around him as Janus turns out the lights.

"Can—can I go to sleep?"

"If you want to, little one, go ahead. I'll stay."

"You will?"

Logan smiles, ruffling his hair gently. "I'm right where I want to be."

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[averagewriter-inthedark]

A Princess Among Basterds 👑| Inglourious Basterds Imagine (700 follower celebration)

Takes place during right before chapter Operation Kino in IB

My IB masterlist

Characters & Pairings: Female!Princess OC x The Basterds (platonic), slight Female!Princess OC x Wilhelm Wicki if you squint.

Content warnings: graphic injury to hand, implied violence, profanity, blood, mentions of death and hate crimes (read with caution), inaccurate history to go with the story | Female OC (she/her) | wc: about 5k

Premise: The Basterds were about to receive the mission of their lives when they were summoned to General Banks of the OSS. The goal: blow up a cinema that several of Hitlers top associates would be attending. But what the Basterds did not expect in their meeting with Banks would to be face to face with a member of a royal family who is on a path for revenge against one of their targets.

Note: so I had an idea of making this a series originally but I have so many ongoing series right now I need to finish that I just changed it to suit a single imagine. This could eventually become a miniseries depending on the feedback but right now I don’t have future plans to make it one (or at least until after I finish my top gun maverick and dark phoenix series)

Thank you so much for 700 followers !!! I started this blog back in January and can’t believe it’s grown in so little time! I appreciate all the love and support and thank you for the kind words and feedback on my works ♥️🥹 I have so much planned and can’t wait to share with you all!

————————————-

“Raine, you better have a goddamn good explanation for the shit show you just pulled out there,” are never the words one wants to hear as they enter a meeting with their superior.

For Lt. Aldo Raine, it was becoming a habit.

General Banks, leader of the Office of Strategic Services for the United States Army, was less than pleased when the Basterds made their way to camp after weeks of being in enemy territory. It wasn’t like they weren’t doing what was expected of them….it was just they gave no warning in advance.

Aldo shrugged sheepishly, “just doin’ ma job, sir.”

“Yeah I can tell. You know, I’ve chewed your ass out more than any other man I have under my command. You’re lucky what you’re doing is working, otherwise I would’ve had you on the next plane back to America.”

With his hands on his lips, Aldo bit back a smile. Behind him the other men shuffled awkwardly though few like Hugo, Donny, and Wicki appeared amused.

“I got a new assignment for you gentlemen,” the General announces, slapping a file down on the table for Aldo to pick up. “Recon in the Village of Nadine. This is a joint effort with the Brits.”

Immediately there’s groans from the audience, Donny muttering, “Not the Tommy’s.” With one look from Banks they shut up. Aldo flipped through the file lazily before dropping it back down, “What’s the plan?”

“Well for the next two weeks you’ll be scouting the area. Get a feel for it until it’s time for the mission. The Brits will let me know when they’ll be sending in their spy.”

“What’s the point of this mission?,” Donny asks from the side, stealing the file to see the words ‘Operation Kino,’ written in bold on the Manila colored folder.

“To put it simple,” Banks pauses to light a cigar, “blowing up a cinema full of Hitler’s Third Riech.” Now that had their attention. The folder nearly spilled from Donny’s hands, and Hugo dropped the knife he was sharpening.

“You’re serious?” Hirschberg couldn’t help but slip out.

“As serious as the war happening in our backyard,” Banks puffs out smoke from the cigar. “Goebbels is hosting a premier for one of his propaganda films in Paris. Many of Hitlers associates will be in attendance, so what better way to take them all out than crashing the party by sending you in. A German film star turned allied spy is the other contact, she’ll be joining you on the planned rendezvous. Word is she will arrive in Nadine the night before the premier.”

“Well butter me up like a French baguette,” Aldo clapped his hands. The other Basterds had blinked out of their shock and were also celebrating the news. It was an exciting mission at first glance. One that would surely go down in history.

Before anyone could say anything else, a young soldier bursts into the room, stands at attention to salute and in one breath says, “Sir, I just received word from the infirmary that—,” he is abruptly cut off when a woman—who looked to be in her mid to late thirties—pushes past him despite the yells of protest behind her.

All the Basterds stagger back at the sight. The woman’s dark hair was a mess, clothes dirty and tarnished, and there was a nasty cut to her temple that was dripping blood down her face, not to mention a bruise forming on her jaw below a split lip. The most shocking was the fact a knife was impaling her hand. Utivitch had to look away, moaning like he was about to spill his guts.

“Ma’am, we need to get you back to the infirmary,” a medic and soldier flanked the unknown woman’s side. The medic had gauze in his hands, shouting angrily, “You cannot just barge in—!”

“It’s alright,” Banks raises a hand, drawing confusion from everyone minus her. The woman, now standing a few paces from the table, remained stoic as she stared at the general. He takes another puff of his cigar, “See to her in here.”

“B-but, sir, I-I don’t have my materials.”

“Then go fucking get them,” Banks said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Blushing, the medic scurried away while the remaining soldier stood awkwardly. “You can go back to your post, soldier.” The young man, though hesitant, salutes and exits, leaving only the general, the Basterds, and the woman in the room.

“Quite the entrance don’t you think,” Banks glances her over, shaking his head at her estate. He should’ve known sending her out would be a mistake, but she was persistent. With a curse he asks, “What the fuck happened? I told you to lay low, get what you needed and come back.”

“And I did just that,” her voice had a thick accent to it that raised many eyebrows. It wasn’t British for one thing and it wasn’t French or German. So what the hell was it?

“And nearly got killed from what I can see.”

“Please,” she scoffed, offense all in her tone. “This was just a scratch.” That’s when her eyes traveled over to the eight men standing against the wall. There was a mix of expressions ranging from shock, confusion, and curiosity. Her lips curled up in a smirk. “You should see the other guy.”

At that moment the medic returns with a first aid kit. The poor guy was like a fish out of water, not really knowing how to act as if it was his first time tending to an injured person. With a roll of the eyes the woman pulls out a chair, sitting down and tilting her head up so he could work on bandaging her forehead.

“Don’t you want me to remove the knife first?”

She returned the question with a pointed look, “Do you think you have the guts to do it at this moment? I didn’t think so. Fix this first so you can mentally prepare yourself so I don’t have you fucking puking all over me. ¿Comprendido?” It was obvious he didn’t understand the last phrase and the woman let out an annoyed sigh. “Oh Dios mío—just get to fucking work.”

Though the Basterds didn’t know what the phrase translated to, they were able to pick up on the fact it was Spanish the woman was speaking. Now the accent made sense.

But the question remained: why the fuck was a Spanish woman at the camp and what was she to Banks.

They all watched as the woman slightly flinched when the medic pressed a cloth to the open wound to stop the bleeding. Pain consorted her face, but she fought it and turned her attention back to the general.

“What did you find out?”

“I assume you already know,” eyes flickered to the file on the table. With a narrowed expression she asks, “Would you have told me if I hadn’t found out?”

Banks appeared conflicted, tightening his jaw when he refused to meet her eye. “Not so sure I would.”

“We had a deal,” she hissed angrily, throwing a glance to the medic when he didn’t warn her he was about to clean the wound. But her anger was directed at Banks, betrayal in her eyes at his honest truth. The medic shuttered, muttering an apology that went ignored. The Basterds looked in between her and Banks, wondering what the hell kind of a deal she was referring to.

“Yes, we did,” Banks walked around the table so he was directly in front of her. “But I recall that deal going out the door if something like this—,” he pointed a finger at her state, “occurred or it interfered with my men. Which is what this mission details. So now I have two valid reasons to put an end to this revenge fantasy you have.”

She grows quiet for a moment, but the rage is evident in her eyes. “Thought you were a man of his word, General.”

“Let’s not go there.”

Her head tilts in challenge, pushing the medic away with her non-injured hand when he went to dab her lip. “You will not get in my way. I’ve helped you Americans for three years now—three years! I have gathered information, using my name and title as a means to do your dirty work. If you think I am going to just stand down when I am so close to finishing it once and for all—.”

Banks startles the room when he slaps his hand on the table, “I will not be the one to tell the King of Spain his daughter was killed because she was stubborn enough to go on a suicide mission!”

It became so quiet even the medic had to pause his work at the jaw dropping revelation. King of Spain? But that meant….

“Wha-wait a damn minute,” Aldo was the first one to break the silence, eyes flicking between the two. Behind him the Basterds were conveying the same level of shock. “Did I hear that right?”

“King of Spain’s daughter,” Omar whispers, but it is heard by everyone. “But that means…” all eyes drift to the woman clenching her jaw, refusing to meet one's eye.

Banks sighs, wiping the sweat that had gathered at his hairline, “Gentlemen, may I introduce you to her royal highness—.”

“What did I tell you about titles, Banks?”

“—Princess Josefa María Carmen Concepción Barbón of Spain. Eldest child and only daughter to the King and fourth in line to the throne.”

It was almost comical by the reactions of the seasoned war soldiers. Shooting krauts left and right was easy, but this was not what they expected when they signed up for war. Hell what were they supposed to do when in the presence of royalty? Let alone someone who was in line of succession to the throne? Do they kneel? Do they bow?

“What the fuck,” Hirschberg breathed out which earned him a hard nudge from Smitty and look of disproval from Wicki.

“Yer the princess of Spain?” Aldo asked more to himself, still trying to process the news. “Like the country Spain?”

Josefa makes a sound, snapping the medic out of his daze which has him going back to work. It was obvious the poor guy was buzzing with nerves. He was treating a princess and couldn’t believe he had raised his voice at her when chasing Josefa to the room.

She waits until the medic removes the blood on her lip to answer, tone full of resentment. “Technically I’m not anymore. I relinquished my title when I went against my family and government to marry my husband.” Her eyes go to Banks, narrowing slightly, “So you don’t have to worry about informing my father of my fate if I perish, General. I doubt they even believe I’m still alive after finding out the Germans invaded France.”

“Even if that’s the case, as a father I would want to know if my daughter was dead even if there was bad blood between us. I would feel morally obligated to inform the King.”

The Basterds still couldn’t wrap it around their head. Donny, feeling confident and mostly curious, takes a step forward, “Hope you don’t mind me asking, uh—,” he scratches his neck, “What do we call you? Princess? Your highness—?”

“Josefa, is just fine,” she raises a polite hand, wincing when she realizes it’s the one with a knife through it. The pain was excruciating, but the high emotions she was feeling kept her distracted. “Please, I would appreciate it if we disregarded the formalities. I’m not a Princess anymore, I’m a spy and a damn good one at that if I must say.”

A few guys smile and Aldo exchanges a glance with Banks, who nods at Josefa’s claim. The Lieutenant mutters, “well I’ll be damn. The princess of Spain is a goddamn spy for ‘Murica.”

“What was it you wanted to ask, sergeant?”

“Oh! Uh forgive me if this is too personal, but why is it you are working for the allies? Or is that classified information.”

“It is classified,” Banks interrupts.

“Not anymore it isn’t,” Josefa fires back, lifting her elbow onto the armrest so her injured hand was displayed. There was a scared look from the medic as he eyed the knife producing from the skin.

“Uh—.”

“Backing down now, soldier?” Her brow raises, gesturing to her hand. Again, Smithson and Hirschberg had to look away. Which was ironic since they could stomach scalping Nazi’s no problem. But a knife through the hand got them turning away like school girls.

“I’m just not sure how to go about it, ma’am—uh princess, I’m sorry.”

Josefa closes her eyes, trying not to snap at the poor medic who she was well aware was feeling all kinds of stress. But her hand was on fire and at risk for infection if it was removed at that second.

“For God’s sake,” in a flash her free hand came up, gripping the handle of the knife and yanking it all the way until it was removed from her flesh. Josefa grunted, blood spattering onto her lap and onto the medic’s uniform. Hugo lets out a whistle, Donny muttering a ‘damn,’ while both Wicki and Aldo look on impressed.

And the medic? The *thump* that echoed in the room as his body dropped to the floor signaled he was out cold.

Banks tsked, “kid was new. Just got in last night.”

“Wonderful,” Josefa hissed, gripping the wrist of her bloody hand to keep it up.

“Let me,” Wicki approached the Princess, sporting a cigarette in his mouth. Of the Basterds, he was the most knowledgeable when it came to first aid and could handle injuries. He bent down to grab the gauze and motioned to the bottle of whiskey on the corner of Banks’ desk. “Do you mind, general?” The man just waved in response and Wicki grabbed the bottle. When he turned back to Josefa, he offered it to her, “You may wanna take a quick swing. This is gonna hurt.”

Taking the bottle, she tilted to him in a cheer before downing a shot of the burning alcohol. Again, the Basterds were impressed when she didn’t so much as flinch. Handing it back to Wicki, Josefa adjusted herself in the chair and allowed him to douse her hand in the liquid. A grunt escaped her when he did that, squeezing her eyes shut. It felt like her hand was on fire but it soon soothed as he gently did his best to clean it.

“When is this mission, Banks?” Josefa broke the silence, aiming to distract herself from the pain.

Banks gave her a look that read, ‘Are you serious?’ “None of your concern.”

The rage ignited once more, “Banks I swear to God—.”

“I’m not having this conversation. Stop trying to entertain it, or I’ll have you escorted off base and on the first train to Barcelona.” That shut her up, though it did not stop the glare burning a whole through his head.

Josefa wanted to argue that he technically had no authority over her. Easily could she sneak off in the night to Paris and wait for whoever he sends out to Nadine. From the information she had gathered on her recon, the informant told her that Goebbels was hosting a premier in Paris and it would be sometime in the month. And as she was coming down the hall she overheard bits of the conversation about the rendezvous.

And by the looks of it, the Basterds were in on it.

It got her thinking, so Josefa surprised Banks and kept her mouth shut. Little did he know, she was conspiring.

“Fine.” The simple word had Banks do a double take, as if he couldn’t believe she was relenting. With a satisfied huff, he gathered the file and handed it to Aldo. On his way out however he leaned close to the Lieutenant and warned (ordered) Raine to not let any details they discussed leave that room. Banks also made it clear Josefa was to not be told either.

With one final look of warning to the Princess, Banks took his leave. Wicki was just finishing up wrapping Josefa’s hand when she took the bottle and brought it to her lips. “Thank you, Corporal,” she told him, putting the bottle—a little harshly—-down on the table in front of her.

“It’s my honor,” he softly replied, though it was a bit muffled from the cigarette in his mouth. She gestured to it, “You have another you can spare for a lady?” Chuckling, Wicki cut the gauze and secured it before reaching into his pocket for the pack of cigarettes and lighter. Josefa took one, brought it to her lips for him to light and thanked him when he pulled his hand away. They held each other’s eye, the Princess raising a brow in challenge which had Wicki smirk.

He returned back to the wall, leaning against it next to Hugo—who the small interaction did not go unnoticed by. The blonde nudged him, amusement etched in his face, but Wicki pushed him back with a shake of the head. Josefa chuckled under her breath, letting her eyes drift over to Donny as she remembered what he had asked earlier.

“To answer your question, Sergeant,” her voice went low, but it captured all the men's attention. “My apologies for getting side tracked, but the reason I’m working for the allies is I’m after someone—someone very close to Goebbels who’s the reason my family is dead.” She took a puff, letting the smoke draw out before continuing, ignoring all their curious eyes that held sympathy. “As I said before, I had relinquished my title when I fell in love and married my husband. He was everything my family disapproved of: French, Jewish, and a commoner. They gave me a choice and I chose him. I moved to Paris, we had a couple kids and lived what was supposed to be a happy life. But then the Germans invaded….” She trailed off, face tightening as the memories replayed in her mind.

“Four years ago my husband and I decided we should migrate back to Spain. He thought I should attempt to get back in good graces with my family, but I knew damn well they would not welcome us. So, with the bit of my fortune I had and earnings from selling valuables to keep us afloat, I traveled to Spain alone to find us a place to settle. We thought it would be the safest option while they gathered all the necessary things to leave. My identity was concealed ages ago with fake papers, but I always kept my real ones hidden. I was not gone long,” her voice wavered slightly, “But when I returned they had already been discovered.”

The men all had similar reactions. Most were frowning, pity and anger for the Princess in their gazes. Even Hugo appeared solemn.

Josefa finished the cigarette and threw it into the ashtray on the table. “I found out who sold them to the Gestapo. My neighbor—who was a good woman and knew who I was—took pity on me.”

“And that’s who’re after,” Aldo stated, putting his hands on his hips. There was no doubt he felt for the woman. If he were in her shows he’d be on the hunt for the bastard who sent his family to a death camp. At Josefa’s nod he asked, “You said they're close to Goebbels. Mind tellin’ us who it is?”

Josefa’s eyebrow raised in challenge, “On one condition, Lieutenant.”

Yeah he saw that coming. There was no way she would just lay it all out and not expect anything in return. She was on a mission. One he respected. “Hit me.”

“If I tell you who it is, then I come with you boys to Nadine.” He didn’t know how Josefa knew about the rendezvous in Nadine, but he wasn’t going to question her when it’s been established she’s a spy. That could have been what she was doing before showing up like she went three rounds in a boxing ring. Which reminded him, he really wanted to know what happened to cause her those injuries. But that could wait for the time being.

What Aldo should have said was, “Banks ain’t gonna like that and I don’t need another chewing after the one I just had.” This was a fucking Princess for crying out loud. If anything happened to her, regardless of her estrangement from her father, the King would surely have his head.

But instead the Lieutenant found himself walking up to Josefa so he was standing right in front of her. With a small smirk on his face, Aldo paid a glance to his men and saw they matched his expression. “Ya know how to shoot a gun?”

Josefa leaned back into her chair, lip curling up, “I prefer a knife but I shoot well.” When he briefly glanced to her hand, Josefa rolled her eyes, “that wasn’t my knife and I although it was in my hand, I used it against the fucker with a simple,” she lifted her palm so it faced him before turning it fast before he could blink. The movement had Aldo realize she slit the Krauts throat with the way the blade had impaled her.

Damn that was impressive. It was also something to hear a member of a royal family curse so openly.

She would fit in just fine with the Basterds.

“Just so you know,” she brought him out of his thoughts, “besides my native Spanish and obviously English, I’m also fluent in German and French, not to mention a bit of Italian. One of the many great things of growing up a Princess was having to learn many languages for the times diplomats would visit.” She pauses to nod her head to the two men against the wall, “I know you already have two German-speakers amongst your ranks but there’s no harm in having a third. And may I ask if any of you know French?”

“We don’t,” Also sniffed, a little embarrassed since they had been in France for nearly two years and not one of them knew a lick of the language.

“Well, thank God I’m here.”

“Now, now hold on,” he raised a hand with a chuckle, “I didn’t say yes just yet, Princess.” He laughed again at her scowl, but composed himself and became serious. “This is more than likely a suicide mission ya know?”

“I’m well aware, Lieutenant,” she sighs, exhaustion taking over. The woman had had a long week and was dying to sleep. She would need her energy to heal and for the mission, but at the moment she needed to secure her place on it. “I’ve accepted that I may not survive this war. But if I die, It better be because I achieved my goal.”

“You’re really serious about this?” Donny questioned from the side.

Josefa nodded, determination in her eyes. “She and I have unfinished business.”

“So it’s a she,” Aldo hummed, a little surprised by the revelation.

“Yes,” Josefa hissed, pushing off the chair so she was now barely chest to chest with the officer. “And I will finish what I set my mind to all those years ago. I let my family down once, I will not do it again. Even if you try to stop me, I already know where your little rendezvous is going to be. I’ll just scout every inch of that village until you arrive and sneak my way into wherever it is held. It would be wise of you to let me find out what I know, help in any way I can since I could be of great use, and then we go our ways to complete our goals. So, Lieutenant,” her uninjured hand came up, “do we have a deal?”

Stretching his neck a bit and clicking his tongue, Aldo simply said, “fuck it.” Their hands came together in a firm shake. “Welcome to the Basterds.”

“It’s a pleasure,” she smirks, releasing his hand and dropping it back to her side.

“You gonna tell us that name now?”

Josefa straightened a bit, a flash of anger spreading across her face. “Francesca Mondino.”

“Where have I heard that name?” Donny said aloud, brows furrowing in thought. A few others exchanged glances, wondering the same. Josefa answered for them, “She’s Goebbels interpreter and mistress.”

“And she sold yer family to the Gestapo?” Aldo tilted his head. It was hard wrapping his mind around it. “Goebbels' mistress?”

“Before she was stuffing her mouth with his cock and translating French and German, Francesca lived two doors down from me in Paris. We never liked each other, hardly ever spoke but the few times we interacted were anything but friendly. I won’t get into details, but she knew I was gone when she called the Gestapo. The whore made sure to leave town before I returned.” Few of the guys had to bite back laughter for they too were just as shocked to hear a lady like Josefa use terms like whore and cock.

“So why spy for us?”

“It was my way to track her. Gather information and figure out where the hell she went. The first two years I was at a loss, then I met Banks and offered him a deal. Of course he didn’t believe who I was until I showed him the papers and news articles from Spain that had my picture on it. Once he realized I was indeed the ‘lost Princess’ he agreed to keep my identity secret and listened to what I had to say. The deal was I would spy while he worked on finding information about Francesca so long as it did not interfere with his men and I remained unharmed.”

So that’s why Banks refused to let her continue her plot any further. Not only did she show up to base beat up with a knife through her hand, but this mission that would ultimately give her Francesca tangled up with them. He understood Banks' decision, but also Aldo felt for Josefa and believed she deserved her revenge.

“This Francesca,” Aldo leaned back so he was pretty much seated on the edge of the table. “You know for sure she gonna be with Goebbels at that premier?”

“Of course,” Josefa scoffed like it was the most obvious answer. “She’s always by his side. When he’s not in need of translating her mouth does other things for him to pass time.”

Aldo let out a snort, “What’s yer plan to get to her?”

“I’m working on that,” she crossed her arms. “It won’t be easy, but I have some ideas. I need to find out more about the cinema first so I know its layout.”

“Hmm,” Aldo nodded, not wanting to question anymore with the risk of Banks walking in at any second. They needed to get going so Josefa could follow them without getting caught. Pushing off the table, Aldo gestures for his men to follow him, “We head back into enemy territory tonight. I’ll leave you to get whatever the hell you need and meet us at the drop off point. Think you can handle that on your own.”

Josefa waves her injured hand up and motions to her bruised complexion, “I think I can handle a lot on my own, thank you very much, Lieutenant.”

“That’s for damn sure,” he laughs, removing his tin of snuff from his pocket. He snorts in each nostril before putting it back and nodding to Josefa. “Well see you soon then, Princess.”

As the Basterds file out, they all bid a nod and even some smirks to Josefa who returns them all the same. Donny gives a mock salute which has her roll her eyes but it ignites a laugh. Even a wink is thrown at Wicki who bites his lip to stop from chuckling.

If there was one thing for sure the Nazi’s were not ready for when when they signed up for war, it was they would meet their end with a Princess among Basterds.

[theloveinc]

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRpb1xLh/

i don’t know if you take tiktoks on this blog but if you don’t then this is just for the two of us

anyways this is what i imagine princess!reader and knight!denki to be like. unsung hero. back hurting from how much he’s carrying the team in all the ways no one would think about. but like, cripplingly goofy.

(link fs!)

Awww, knight!Denki! A concept I’ve never thought of before... but lowkey I love this (and laughed too fjehksof)

knight!Denki being the smallest and most good natured of his lance fournie (or maybe this is an AU where he's not ganged up with the squad yet?) ... works his flat butt off trying to keep up not realizing he's already one of the strongest. Over-volunteering for more work, to care for the horse... be the team's distraction... but keeping a smile on his face nonetheless.

i'd feel like he'd have all these dreams of marrying you... like he's known by other lances as a playboy, doesn't like... shy away from getting around, but deep down he's very in love with the princess. always shows up to your court (with messy hair, too much weight on his back, looking a lil flabbergasted and silly)... but always with a cute, shy smile and gift for you.

(even if he's a little insecure cuz there's much bigger and tougher knights who aren't the entertainers of the group, who your family seem to favor much more than him.)

but it's hard not to want to talk to him even if you know other royals are watching. trying to hide your giggle when he bows to kiss your hand, or shows you whatever silly thing he picked up in battle; often times a pretty (squished) flower that made him think of you.

ANDDD not to get too into this (bc i think i've lost the point of the tik tok: he's silly and CUTE) ... but i think it would be sweet if like... he ended up running away with the bakusquad right as ur royal relatives are trying to get u to marry... and he comes back for just a quick bit to ask if you want to leave with him🥺🥺🥺 (ofc after all the nights he spends running down to the knight quarters from your room in just his undershorts.)

-

thank u so much for sending me this anon!!!

[the-blue-brand-wrestling-blog]

The Blue Brand Wrestling Blog #1 - Wrestling News From This Past Weekend (WWE Payback, CM Punk & Tony Khan)

The Blue Brand Wrestling Blog

THEBLUEBRANDWRESTLINGBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM

The Blue Brand Wrestling Blog #1 

Wrestling News From This Past Weekend (WWE Payback, CM Punk & Tony Khan)

Hey there guys & girls,

I’m Andy Mac, AKA The Blue Brand owner and creator (@The_Blue_Brand) on X / Twitter. I thought I would delve into the world of blog writing and what better thing to write about than my favourite pastime Professional Wrestling.

I started watching WWF back in early 2000 around the time of the Royal Rumble. I was instantly hooked and became an avid fan of the great one, the brahma bull – The Rock! I was 100% invested in his battle with the Big Show around this time before heading towards WrestleMania 2000’s fatal four-way (McMahon in each corner) match against the champ Triple H, Mick Foley and The Big Show. 

Since then, I’ve never looked back really, and I’ve been watching WWE for 23 years and counting. During this time, I’ve checked out TNA / Impact Wrestling, AEW and most recently Pro-Wrestling NOAH from Japan.

Anyway, maybe for a future blog I’ll write more about my introduction to the world of professional wrestling as a 9-year-old in the year 2000 and tell you who my favourites were. For now, I’m here to talk about this past weekend – 2nd & 3rd September and two stories I’ve decided to give my views on. Obviously, all opinions given are my own. Let’s get started –

WWE Payback – Saturday 2nd September 2023.  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the PPG Paints Arena. 

Seth “Freakin” Rollins (C) Vs Shinsuke Nakamura – Winner, Seth “Freakin” Rollins. 

Match Length – 26:05.

I know most people coming out of this PLE are talking primarily about the women’s steel cage match between WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus and “The Man” Becky Lynch. Don’t get me wrong, this match was great and deserves all the praise and plaudits that is currently receiving, but for me personally the main event was the highlight.

First of all, it was extremely refreshing to see a different main event match at a PLE that didn’t include Roman Reigns or the Bloodline. Of course, I’m a huge fan of this storyline and the journey we’ve all been on the past few years, but it was nice to explore and experience something different.

In the build up to this match we got to see a ruthless and more aggressive side of Nakamura that we haven’t seen in a very long time. On top of that on the night of the PLE the company released an awesome animated promo package with Nakamura narrating over the top of it about what he planned to do to Rollins in their match. Rollins sold this well during the match – I also enjoyed the personal touch with Nakamura taking aim at Rollins family in the build-up.

Both men made their way to the ring, went through the usual introductions before the match got underway. Heading in to this one I had put money on Nakamura winning, especially with The Great Muta being in attendance. But in the end after a match that lasted just over 25 minutes, Seth Rollins managed to get the win with a curb stomp. This match was refreshing in sense that we had a babyface champion defending his title successfully in the main event of a WWE PLE. I also loved the fact that the pacing of the match was really well laid out. The match was telling the story of an injured Seth Rollins dealing with severe back issues that had been highlighted in the lead up to this match – So naturally as any good heel should do, Nakamura attacked and went on the offence with strong moves on the champions back. I’ve got to also give Michael Cole and Corey Graves huge credit for really selling the severity of the back injury and the pain Seth Rollins was having to deal with. My only critique of this match was the actual end, it felt quite abrupt, not due to match length, but maybe I’ve become to accustomed to multiple kick outs from finisher after finisher in Roman Reigns and AEW main event matches.

Initially I was disappointed it also ended the way it did for Nakamura, a clean loss after being so savage before and during the match. But thankfully once the PLE went off air Nakamura assaulted Rollins on the ramp. This feud still has legs, Nakamura can be a whiny but savage heel who feels embarrassed losing this World Title match in front of The Great Muta.

Let’s see how this one plays out on Monday Night RAW tonight!

Tony Khan and CM Punk – AEW Release CM Punk after (another) backstage fight

I’ll start this with Tony Khan – The list of job titles this man holds within the company alone should show why this doesn’t work. I know people will be quick to tell me The Elite are VP’s and have different roles within the company… But let’s face it, Tony holds all the real power and authority and he’s shown multiple times that he isn’t capable of being a strong leader or showing true authority to members of his roster who act out or behave unprofessionally. Let’s be honest, CM Punk should have been gone after the press conference and fight afterwards with The Elite last year, this all occurred after he defeated Jon Moxley for the AEW Championship at All Out 2022 last September. The fact Khan was willing to bring him back, basically create a whole new show for him and allow the carnage to continue and expected it to be smooth sailing says it all. What did he expect to happen? Can you imagine Vince McMahon allowing this to occur?

Now I’ll quickly discuss CM Punk – As I write this there are reports online about WWE actually being interested in CM Punk last year before WrestleMania. The idea of him returning at the Royal Rumble 2023 and being eliminated by Kevin Owens was proposed. This would supposedly lead to him facing Owens in the main event of WrestleMania night one. This apparently was actually considered by Vince McMahon and Triple H. These reports also note that Vince McMahon is open to Punk returning and Triple H would consider it, however he would want long-term story plans etc… in place. All of this makes sense if you consider Punk showed up at a Monday Night RAW earlier this year in the parking lot.

In conclusion, Tony Khan in my opinion needs to hire proper management that can be in between himself and the talent – Omega and The Young Bucks don’t count, sorry Tony. CM Punk, well, if he really does get one last chance with WWE, my advice would be –

Make a deal like Brock Lesnar / Goldberg – Work a set amount of dates, only work in the ring on PLE and have a set amount of TV appearances. Be a special attraction, be the star that you were between 2011 & 2014 in WWE.

 Do as you’re told by Vince McMahon and Triple H – Learn from your mistakes in AEW. Yes, I blame Tony Khan for not being able to control his roster, but CM Punk also has to take responsibility for being a veteran who handles disagreements with fist fights. You can’t settle disagreements in this way in 2023.

I was a huge CM Punk fan back in his run with WWE, I couldn’t wait to see him in AEW. But due to a couple of fights and injuries, we were robbed of a full two year run and got a stop / start one year run. It’s a real shame, his career deserves to end better than this.

Anyway guys, I’ll stop rambling now. Thanks for reading if you managed to get through it all. I intend on trying to do between 2 to 3 of these posts per week as well as a few personal blogs and maybe even some gaming blogs (WWE 2K23 ‘My GM’ & TEW 2020 ‘Pro-Wrestling NOAH’ saves)

Please leave feedback, if it’s constructive then I’ll always appreciate it. I’m always happy to learn and to become better. Please keep it respectful though, everyone is entitled to an opinion.

Take it easy guys,

Andy