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fanficmemes · 3 years

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Hey guys!!! Thanks to our lovely anon/blog historian, Soupy, we now have a recorded history!! Blog lore, my beloved. I'll try and start adding in our new things too, but to any newbies out there, come take a look :):):):)

About the lore for this blog, i cannot remember everything, but i can do something about the cursed asks lore and history, since i just scrolled all the posts in the tags!

31 Jan 2021: an anonymous send an ask asking what people actually mean when they tell a ship if "pedophilic". This start a big number of asks about real survivor and how fucked up is fandom water down the word, purity culture, and consequently story time about harassing people in fandom for purity culture.

1 Feb 2021: someone speak about how much fucked up fics helped them. This probably opened the possibility of cursed asks. The same day, someone other send an ask about a terrible person known for harassing people about the sexuality of a character. The person is called "train fucker".

2 Feb 2021: anonymous point the attention on the train fucking thing. The cursed ask tag is created.

In the following hours, always in the cursed ask tag, people discover the fandom was Death Note and the guy was apparently in real attracted to trains and planes. Hell break down, memes are created.

History is made.

One of the characters will later become protagonists of the tag already existed. PKD already was knew since the 22 Jan 2021, when they sent an ask about the color asks and you had the intuition the tags he was probably someone with a piss kink and the tag "chronicles of piss" was created.

Cursed ask history part 2:

At this moment on time,the tags is still not clearly used. One of the First post tagged as such, the 9th Feb, is an anon answering to the ear fucking conversation about micropenis, while all the other posts are not tagged. The day after PKD enter the cursed asks tag, while the others ask still stay out of it. People start sending the stories they read.

12 Feb Hagrid/Hedwig fics are discovered. Owl fucking anon appear. Someone suggest a friendship between them and mlp guy.

Also mlp pony guy is a lore being who did not appear before in the #cursed asks, but already had their history in the simpler ask tag and in the previous cancel scale period, that we could call the ancestor of #cursed ask.

The First post tagged as cancel scale is from the 2nd Jan 2021. It was an anon answering your post of the same day "alright guys scale 1-10 how screwed r u if it ao3 history and bookmarks get released".

This is the gold era of this blog lore. The philanthropist, wound fucking discourse, rpf bdsm and mlp guy (with the first ask behind paywall) appeared during the first month and a half of the year, mixing at the end with the cursed ask tag.

Cursed ask history part 2:

12 Feb Hagrid/Hedwig fics are discovered. Owl fucking anon appear. Someone suggest a friendship between them and mlp guy.

Cursed ask history part 3:

The philanthropist appeared the same day #the cancel scale started. With their iconic "i am a shameless philanthropist and so my bookmarks are public. I eat dead doves for breakfast. Come on down to the buffet y'all! You want some wound fucking? 8-yr-old omega abortion? I got you fam, watch me scramble these eggs" they left a forever sign in this blog. Still to this days asks are written to know if they are good. They obtained a 12/10 in the cancel scale.

Wound fucking discourse started, also the same day, by CB answering "is that where the wound fucking comes in??" At a ask about vivisection and medical experimentation. Discourse about what classify as a wound and how it works continued trought the day.

Rpf bdsm is thought to have beat the philanthropist with their mix of rape, underage, incest in a foursome, huge age, rpf tentacles and, mostly, someone getting turned into a pickle and his partner fucking himself with it.

This also started a string of asks about people being transformed in object used for sex.

Rpf bdsm would appear again later that day to specify the pickle fic was a rpf.

Cursed ask history part 4 (i think? Already lost the count)

Mlp guy. The one and only. Always in the terrible 2 Jan 2021, they first appeared in the tags of an answer to a marvel ask. #Hey HEY mlp guy #u know who u r #i'm afraid to look at this ask #like yeah we saw some shit tonight but this blows that outta the fuckin WATER #y'all would dead ass have to pay me to post it

Someone noticed the tags and asked about it, and a strong sexual tension between everyone and the unpublished mlp ask started. Someone ended up paying, cause the ask was later published as last post of the day and terrorized every follower of the blog. It was published as screenshot of the ask, and is not even put in the #cancel scale.

MLP guy stayed so in the apex of the cursed asks for some months, till the Pokémon ask by soupy was published the 9th may 2021, taking home a 15/10. MLP guy made a Tumblr profile, @therealmlpguy, in retiliation, and reblogged answering with a new terribly cursed fic. CB have still not voted it, so who have the worst cursed ask is still in question.

The day of #cancel scale the blog fanficmemes lost many followers, but the story was, as we know, not finished.

Cursed ask history part 5

I like to stay an half cryptid of this blog, so i will not tell my blog of origin, but i can tell you I am Soupy. Also i need to know if i am actually considered a cryptic of the blog and if i need to make a lore post about myself XD.

This is starting to get hard cause i cannot reread what i already sent, but the end of the tunnel is near.

We already told about owl fucking anon in the cursed ask tag, but their story is a bit more longer. The cursed ask was actually their big return, and they are probably one of the most proficious lore making, having also a part in the creation of the PKD legend. They should really have their own tag.

How? Well.

The 17 Jan 2021, when the big part of the cancel scale was done and the elders of the lore created, they sent an anon ask about what the cancel scale made them remember. It was a fic, red when they were ten or eleven, about someone fucking an owl while the owl was on their period. Consensual, and apparently the authors were two teen girl who write only character x owl. Their mom proofread. CB answered with their profile picture, edited so that it red "i can't believe it's gotten even worse!" Instead of "i can't believe it's not canon".

This post created, if we want to say, PKD, cause their first ask, that assigned them piss kink, was yes about the color asks (that, in case someone does not remember, was CB asking what colors people assigned to them), but had as explanation "if you keep posting stuff like the owl period whatever". So the owl fucking anon indirectly created, the 22 Jan 2021, PKD.

Owl fucking anon continued their ascension to lore of the blog.

The 12th Feb 2021 sent an ask were they were surprised someone had found Hagrid x Hedwing fics, and than sent anther 9 parts ask about the story of how they red lot of cursed shits thanks to an old tumblr blog that had the links, and how from there they found an author who only published Hagrid x Hedwing, and how that introduced them to FF smut.

(it is also discovered they are only 15, baby, please, i am noone to talk with the shits i red at the time but i hope you are ok).

They are now consacrated in the memory of the blog.

Cursed ask history part 6

Before continuing with the history of the cursed asks, is now time to finally give a small talk about PKD. We know how they originated, but how they become so famous?

Probably is the fact they appeared so many time during the last months. Being it for cancel scale, cursed asks or just normal asks, they continue to give us company with their exploration of piss kink fic. Is true they soundly negate having the kink the first months, but after lot of memes and people speaking about it, the 25 Apr 2021 they finally admitted of having the kink,and discovered it reading an a/b/o Captain America fic.

I would suggest to read all the posts, but they stopped being tagged halfway through, so is half in the specific #chronicles of piss and half in the #cursed ask

Cursed ask history part 7

The big lore is finished, and now only the later history stay.

#cancel scale posts and #cursed asks post lived side by side for some days. The owl fucking one of the 12 Feb was actually the last cursed fic published in the cancel scale post, leaving the tag only for some history reference later.

#cursed asks saw the appearence of every type of cursed possible to thought, with scat and nipple fucking between the different tags. At the start there was no specific day chosen, but later, for CB schedule reasons, Saturday was assigned as cursed ask day, and some week later it was moved to Sunday.

And here we are, today, to see what other cursed things we will bring in this world

Cursed fic History part 8

The cursed fic History have been covered, but i still think is important to talk about some of the before time tags that created the good ecosystem for the creation of #cursed ask.

The most famous is #the lube discussion.

It started the 23 Aug 2020, when CB wrote a post about FF using the word "supple" in smut without the thing being actually supple. In the tag, they added #also #that does Not work as lube.

Some anon asked what was being used as lube, that was answered with "one was peanut butter. I will not discuss the other". This started the bug lube discussion, were everyone talked about what they continingly see used as lube when it cannot be used as lube.

Between the classics soap and blood, we see some more daring one as mud, yogurt, aloe vera, years, milk, hot sauce and the more intersting, cannoli (have no idea if they are talking about the cream you put in cannoli or some american thing i don't know).

Nothing reached cursed material, but it put the first seed for the blog.

#blog lore #my dearest soup #my response to your first letter will be posted swiftly #I got distracted bc I forgot that we don’t know each other irl #and I was gonna press some flowers for u #(they’re still being pressed but I’ll send a pic I forgot that I can’t send real flowers over text #but again thank you so much for doing this #also I really wish I would’ve tagged shit better #maybe I wanted to go back and reread chronicles of piss #but nooooooo I just had to forget about it halfway through #anyways here we go #cursed asks #the lube discussions #chronicles of piss

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nevergonejusthidden · 3 years

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To start something new

Is to sometimes pick up something old.

Since I first learned to write and read I would journal. I don’t think I have any of them left, but I remember the first ones being filled with bold sharp letters telling about a bird flying by, or a tree I climbed. With reading came realisation that there are stories to be told, there for us to grasp and put in a more accessible form. So I ate the words, everything, plowed the little school library, devoured it without breathing between the bites. There were no distinction in what I consumed, it was books! It was food for my soul! Why would I hold some things higher than others?

And then I stopped.

I was broken down.

I was not prepared for what life throwed at me, and I fell.

I could not read anymore. Even my favorite books, the ones I knew by heart, was to overwhelming. At some point movies became to much. Music was starting to take more than it gave. All expression of art had become intimidating to me.

And I hid. Most preferable from people and their opinions, but many things scared me at this time. I went in to the darkness and disappeared.

At some point, I was introduced to pinterest. Oh, what a marvelous place to loose oneself. And sometimes find oneself. I found beauty and creativity, people enjoying art for the art itself. And I found the concept of fandom. It was astounding and perplexing at the same time. So I got lost. But this time not to hide, but to explore.

And so I found fanfiction. What an intriguing idea! It enveloped me. I began to read again. With english not being my native, with a huge insecurity about me learning something new, and just an overall fear of new things, it was a tremendous slow start. With no knowledge of the fandom, finding good works to read was a stumble in the dark. But I loved the characters and couldn’t stop. Maybe I needed that slow process, my heart had been hiding for so long, it was tough to start coming out in the light again.

Some years ago my husband suggested I would start a blog. Either for the creative things I had began at home, or as a kind of journaling. I resented it immediately. To big, to soon, to close. What if no one would read it? What if someone did?! That seed latched on to me though, despite my refusal. My opposition was the fear working in me to keep me safe from anything potentially challenging. Over anything else, fear seek status quo. I wasn’t falling anymore, but nor did I rise.

But what fear and shame didn’t care about, was that I was suffering. Dreams, thoughts and longings in me wanted out! My fear and shame voilated my will to live and express myself!

This is not the time for that story, but I broke loose. First the fear was washed of me, and second the shame melted away like snowflakes in a warm hand. And since then, since the very confiding and low roof I had build over my heart was teared of, those seeds of dreams have come out in the light. And to my surprise they had already started to grow, under that oppressive hinder, and they were strong.

So I started to write. For me, in the midst of brainfog, doubt, and selfhate, this was unthinkable of, and it shook me. Where did this energy, inspiration, this courage come from? But as I survivor of depression I can look back and see the threads and bread grumbs that led here. When under water, barely coming up for air, I couldn’t see how near the saving boat was.

My creativeness didn’t come over night, from nothing. It was build up over time, in a concealed place. Sometimes things grow in us whether we now it or not, but they can’t come to full bloom if we don’t let them out.

This is a long post, and if you made it down here, I am honoured. You took time from your day to read my thoughts, which I take as a compliment. To honour and celebrate my wins, I will allow myself to be feel weak. I didn’t get this much healhtier to obtain a facade that must hold at any cost. No new roof, no new ownmade hinders, no new confidment. Just the process. Just one step at the time towards something that I right now can’t discern. But when I get there, this moment, right nowl will be something to look back at with fondness, because it was another lead, another breadcrumb on the neverending road that is living.

#depression #depression survivor #it gets better #writing #fandom #my thoughts #long post #creativeness lives in us whether we see it or not

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kpoptimeout · 3 years

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My Top 10 K-Dramas of 2020 - What’s Yours?

2020 has ended after feeling like it was never ending and K-Dramaland has once again brought us so many goodies this year. As per our blog’s tradition [For 2019 faves click here], below are my Top 10 favs of the year (my faves in alphabetical order so it might not be yours so please don’t judge). (For our blog’s 2020 music ratings, click here!)

My only specific criteria is that the show must have had started in 2020 to be considered a 2020 series but like last year, I have allowed one drama starting very late in 2019 to make the list.

Without further ado, check the list below!

Crash Landing On You (tvN/Netflix)

While it started in December 2019, “Crash Landing On You” is certainly the Rom-Com of the year that swept the world by storm. It was possibly the K-Drama most people knew about and everyone rejoiced when the leads Hyun Bin and Son Yejin admitted to being a couple on 1 January 2021.

One might say “Crash Landing On You” has generic plot - two people from vastly different worlds meeting through a crazy accident and developing feelings as a result, the choice of using North and South Korea as the two worlds provided unique social commentary and the opportunity for lots of interesting shenanigans. This is not the first series to feature a romance between a North and South Korean lead (see 2012’s “The King 2 Hearts”, which was also stellar), but it is definitely a more light-hearted take which is fun to watch. Additionally, the series is filled with fleshed out and lovable side characters.

While North Korean refugees interviewed by media outlets point out that the typical North Korean captain would not have the looks of Hyun Bin, most of them agree that the production team did their research as the everyday life of typical North Koreans were recreated quite accurately - from the types of furniture and household appliances they use, to the type of K-Dramas they watch in secret.

If you enjoy a good Rom-Com and an interesting premise, this is the K-Drama for you!

Extracurricular (Netflix)

Being a Netflix only series with no counterpart on Korean television, “Extracurricular” was able to explore the dark side of South Korean youth life which is not discussed on traditional South Korean media platforms. We are thrown into the life of a nerdy high school student played by Kim Dong Hee, who is actually effectively abandoned by his family and making ends meet secretly as an illegal prostitution ring mastermind.

The story unravels as the star student played by So Minhee discovers the schemes of Kim Dong Hee’s character and begins to blackmail him. Not to give too many spoilers, but it will prove difficult to balance his double life and the whole journey is captured superbly by the main cast’s stellar acting.

If you are a fan of dark and realistic teen dramas, this is the series for you!

Hospital Playlist (tvN/Netflix)

The team behind the “Reply” series and “Prison Playbook” returns with a few familiar faces so we all knew when the trailers dropped that we were in for a treat. As expected, the fabulous acting of the main cast, the wonderful storylines and also medically accurate procedures (according to my doctor friends), combined to make “Hospital Playlist” one of the most endearing dramas of the year.

Set in the fictional Yulje Medical Centre, we follow the lives of 5 doctors who met in college and their respective medical teams. Jo Jung-suk acts as a prankster and fun dad who is also a genius doctor. Yoo Yeon-seok plays a pediatric surgeon who is dead set on becoming a priest. Jung Kyung-ho acts as a cardiologist who seems cold-hearted (pun intended), but of course isn’t really. Kim Dae-myung plays a gynaecologist who is a mummy’s boy and has family drama galore. And finally Jeon Mi-do completes the set as a neurosurgeon who is lowkey the only adult in the friend group and who everyone wants to be when they grow up.

The drama throws us into the day to day runnings in the hospital without too much introductions and it actually made the characters all the more real because it was like we were just casually witnessing their everyday lives. The realisms of the show is furthered by the fact that even side characters like nurses and medical students have meaningful storylines of their own. We honestly cannot wait for Season 2 to air in May 2021!

Itaewon Class (JTBC/Netflix)

A remake of a popular Webtoon, “Itaewon Class” is a feel-good David and Goliath story where the male lead played by Park Seojun goes on a journey to avenge his father and chooses to do so without bending his morals at any point in time and making many friends along the way.

This series stood out by providing very diverse lead characters including a sociopath, a former convict, a trans woman, an illegitimate son and a Blasian trying to find acceptance in South Korea. All their stories highlight the different social issues and the stigmas many face navigating through life and is touching and relatable in many ways.

If you love a show with a positive social message, this is the show for you!

Sweet Home (Netflix)

Another webtoon remake by Netflix, “Sweet Home” follows a group of survivors in an apartment complex after all hell breaks loose in South Korea, as people begin to transform into monsters based on their greatest fears and regrets.

Every character has interesting backstories that are slowly revealed as they try to survive together, while battling monsters that are generated by the team behind many Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbusters. The main cast led by Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Siyoung and Lee Dohyun also acted extremely well, with Lee Siyoung grabbing a lot of attention with her ripped superhero physique. Kim Namhee also had a breakout performance as the survivor who favours a Korean sword and hopefully would continue to get more roles following years playing minor characters.

If you enjoy apocalypse thrillers that explore human nature, you would love “Sweet Home”!

The Uncanny Counter (OCN/Netflix)

Okay, Netflix is really funding all the webtoon adaptions because “The Uncanny Counter” is yet another one. Currently the highest rated OCN drama in the cable channel’s history, this webtoon adaption follows a disabled orphaned teenage boy who gains superpowers and joins a demon-banishing team of other super-powered beings (who own a noodle shop on the side) called the Counters, while the mystery of his parents’ death plays a key role in the story.

This somewhat cliché set-up is done in a fun and enjoyable way and it is great to see the talented Jo Byung Gyu finally cast as a male lead! Kim Sejeong has also further improved in her acting and is a loveable badass in this series.

If you love a ghost/spirit busting mystery and just the superhero genre in general, you would enjoy “The Uncanny Counter”!

VIP (SBS)

“VIP” is a drama following a luxury brand’s VIP service team. While it has office drama, intrigue and power plays in almost every episode, it is arguably more of a drama about womanhood than anything else. With 4 female leads, 3 of whom are in their late 30s, the series accurately depicts the concerns women face reaching that age, whether they are married or unmarried, with children or not.

Jang Nara plays a successful business woman and a co-worker to her husband played by Lee Sang Yoon. Born in a privileged background with a seemingly loving husband, all seems well until she has suspicions of her husband having an affair. This drives her to investigate and through her findings, she instead uncovers more stories of her other female co-workers, like the rumour-tainted but very cool section chief played by Lee Chungah and the stressed and depressed mother of two played by Kwak Sunyoung.

If you want a spicy office drama that also has meaningful discussions about working women in South Korea, VIP is the best drama for that!

The World of the Married (JTBC)

Overtaking JTBC’s “Sky Castle” to be highest rated cable TV K-Drama of all time, this 2020 production also by JTBC is a remake of BBC series “Doctor Foster” but highly localised to fit the Korean narrative.

Kim Hee-ae plays a successful doctor with a film director husband and a teenage son. Her life seems picture perfect until she discovers her husband’s infidelity. But unlike in “VIP”, where the female lead actually bonds with other women along the way, Kim Hee-ae’s character would quickly learn that she was in fact betrayed by everyone around her - they all knew her husband was cheating and have been pretty supportive of this whole affair.

While highly dramatised, the suspicions of the husband’s infidelity, the discovery, the subsequent divorce and schemes for revenge are all done tastefully and is a reason why it struck a chord with the general public, especially married women watching the show.

If you love mess and chaos and seeing douchebags destroyed, “World of the Married” is the perfect drama for you!

18 Again (JTBC)

JTBC really has a knack for remakes. This remake of the movie “17 Again” starring Zac Efron is also adapted seamlessly to fit Korean culture and social issues e.g. teen pregnancy, divorce, women’s careers after being a parent and parent-child relations.

Kim Haneul and Yoon Sanghyun truly acted out the energy of a long-married couple and Lee Dohyun did extremely well in encapsulating Yoon Sanghyun’s mannerism as his de-aged counterpart. This boy is truly on a roll this year (he is also in “Sweet Home”). Also, the younger cast of this show were also very likeable and well flesh-outed and by the end of the series you are rooting for all of them to do well.

If you love a slice of life drama with a little fantastical element, you would love “18 Again”!

365: Repeat the Year (MBC)

Based on the Japanese novel “Repeat” by Kurumi Inui, “365 Days: Repeat the Year” follows this social experiment where 10 individuals are given the opportunity to travel 1 year back in time. As all 10 individuals try to remedy their mistakes and become better people, the experiment takes a sinister turn as the time-travellers begin to die one after another.

The veteran detective played by Lee Joohyuk and the mystery webtoon artist played by Nam Jihyun team up together with other time travellers to uncover the secrets behind travelling back in time and learn about the past lives of everyone chosen for the project.

If you enjoy a well-thought out time-travelling series that involves some alternate reality battle royale shenanigans, this is the series for you!

Honourable Mentions:

Kingdom (Season 2) (Netflix): The ancient zombie drama is back and still as strong as ever - one of the best zombie series on air right now.

Start-Up (tvN/Netflix): Loveable rom-com set in the start-up world in South Korea with one of the most hotly debated love triangles in this year’s K-Drama world.

Hi Bye, Mama! (tvN/Netflix): When a woman reincarnates to meet her husband and child again 5 years after her tragic death, only to find he has since remarried.

What’s your Top 10 K-Dramas of the Year? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and may the drama sharing begin (and the road to more excuse for holiday procrastination!)

Also, if you want to check out underrated K-Pop songs of 2020, here are the lists for idol songs and artist songs.

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voidscattered · 6 years

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BLOG REVAMP IS UP AND RUNNING

Since the only major difference is the backstory, I’m gonna put it up here for you all. I would’ve made it shorter but I honestly couldn’t find a way to without cutting out important stuff. Feel free to ask Gaster any questions you have, and if he doesn’t know the answer I’ll answer them for him!

I know it’s long, but please read this!

Background:

In the early 1600s, Gaster was created in a Muscogee Creek village by a man named Chelokeeilitchee (Chekilli). Due to the nature of creating a monster, Gaster had a soul bond with Chekilli. This gave them a constant feeling of how the other was doing and a general idea of where they were. They lived peacefully for the first 24 years of his life. Grillby was created a year after Gaster by Chekilli’s sister and helped her with her work while Gaster helped Chekilli with his, sometimes experimenting with magic or trading with the Europeans. He started learning English through this, but didn’t become fluent in it until the Underground.

The War Between Monsters and Humans started in the European colonies and spread into the Native American civilizations. Most natives fought alongside the monsters, though some fought against. With antimagic on the human’s side, though, monsters were eradicated quickly. The survivors were captured, bound with diluted antimagic so they couldn’t cast magic yet still survived, and thrown behind the barrier. Gaster and Grillby were captured by a faction of humans called the Monster Hunters, known for torturing their captors. They both still have scars from it, though they hide them well. The only ones Gaster hasn’t been able to hide are the cracks on his face. It also brought him to the point of such extreme distress and agitation that it broke the soul bond with Chekilli, which was very much the worst pain he'd ever experienced and probably ever will. He wears his scarf to hide the scars from the injury that triggered it.

Most of the trapped monsters died beneath the mountain from lack of magical energy from the sun. The ones that survived never strayed far from the few holes that allowed light in. As the population started to grow and there became less and less space for the amount of light, Gaster came up with the idea to make the Core as a way to provide magical energy to everyone in the Underground so they wouldn’t have to worry about staying near the sun. While the project was a success overall, future experiments to try and reach other universes accidentally created an opening to the void beneath the Core. It spread quickly, but he and his assistants managed to contain it before it spread too far. This destabilized the Core, resulting in a much lower output of magical energy and unpredictable fluctuations.

Gaster had previously experimented with determination, going so far as to inject some into himself to see what would happen. This widened the cracks on his face even more and he immediately stopped. His mental health after the War was never good, but he’d been in a particularly low point when, through experiments (a couple of which involved cutting out the holes in his hands), he discovered that a combination of determination and magic might stabilize the Core. It wasn’t perfect, but he figured that maybe if a consciousness was there to strengthen the determination, it would work. Convincing himself it was solely to save the residents of the Underground, he dropped Sans and Papyrus (who he’d adopted after their parents were dusted by a fallen human) off with Grillby, and he dropped himself into the Core and the void. The reaction dragged in the assistants that were there at the time, though they had a much closer hold on reality than he did. The only reason Gaster had any connection to his world in the first place was because, in a panic, he cast a spell that connected his life force to Sans’. His right eye was blinded and he would die if Sans did, but he could lend Sans his power, communicate with him through feelings, and Sans wouldn’t die if he did.

Now:

Despite being able to see all possible time paths in the universe, including a few ways that he might be able to get out of the void (not that he could do much to influence people's actions to go in that direction), his escape caught him entirely off guard, because it had nothing to do with his universe at all. In another universe, something went wrong to a certain Tardis mid-flight and she slipped into the void. Gaster and the (Tenth) Doctor immediately hit it off, and upon discovering his situation, the Doctor managed to get the Tardis out and into the skeleton’s universe. Along the way to figure out how to get Gaster out of the void as well as make sure the Core will stay stabilized, he met and made friends with Sans, Papyrus, and Alphys. He met Flowey and convinced him he’d find a way to get him a soul, thereby forming a truce.

After getting Gaster out of the void, the Doctor tried his hand at breaking the barrier and the resets. Gaster, Sans, and Papyrus, with Flowey inside but not joining them, helped the Doctor drive the Tardis into the fourth dimension. There the Doctor managed to succeed in breaking the barrier and resets, but when trying to get back to the third dimension, they went into a completely different universe instead.

In the three weeks of dimension hopping before managing to find their way back home, they visited many different universes, including Underswap, Handplates, another universe similar to Gaster’s, a universe similar to the Doctor’s, the Marvel universe (Tony Stark and Gaster do not get along), Detective Conan, and Fullmetal Alchemist. They became good friends with the Pines in the Gravity Falls universe and Hiccup and some dragons in the How to Train Your Dragon universe due to being stuck in each of those worlds for extended periods of time. Along the way, the Doctor actually managed to accidentally reform Flowey’s soul, and he shifted between his flower form and goat form a couple times depending on his mood before his soul fully formed and settled on the goat form. He can now change between forms at will.

After getting the skeletons back home and hanging out for a little, the Doctor got back to his universe with Asriel joining him. While traveling they picked up Jack Harkness and discovered Jenny and they became a little family unit (and the Doctor, as well as Jack, finally got some freaking therapy cuz they honestly really need it). Everyone kept in contact via interdimensional phones made in the Gravity Falls universe. The Doctor regenerated during this time.

A year after being dropped off, with the Doctor and Ford's help on design, Gaster finished creating a portal, allowing them all to visit each other again. However, along the way there was a mishap with a regulating panel on the portal and voidal radiation flooded the room. Gaster managed to stop it, but in the process some of the radiation got into his body and bonded with it. As such, he now glitches out if he gets startled or agitated. If not careful, he could glitch straight back into the void. If careful, he can intentionally glitch himself out to avoid an attack.

Given that monsters were freed a year before Frisk would've fallen into the Underground, Chara was never awoken. However, the first time the Tardis family came back to the Undertale universe, they all went on a tour on the main path in the Underground. The Doctor entered the room Chara was buried in before Frisk (who was also on the tour) did, and his levels of determination were high enough for him to be the one to accidentally pick up Chara instead, though that wouldn't be discovered for six more months. Around this time, Gaster reunited with Chekilli and he and the skelebros moved in with him. They also ran into some alternate versions of themselves and helped them get back home to their universe via the portal.

. . . Many other things happened after that but there are no clean ways to group them. Gaster and Sans started up therapy and both ended up getting service animals (Sans' as emotional support, Gaster's as emotional support and to wake him up if he starts glitching in the middle of the night due to nightmares). Gaster got ambushed by the same people who had kidnapped and tortured him before (life extension spells) and gave him cracks to almost mirror his other ones before the Doctor rescued him. A lot of relationship building between everyone, but especially Gaster, the Doctor, Jack, and River Song. The Doctor and Jack officially being in a relationship and the Doctor actually proposing to him. Plans to get Chara an actual body. Bill freaking stealing the body they were going to get because he tricked them into a deal (he was previously trapped in a laptop in the Tardis). Due to the fact that the body was intended to be possessed by and bonded to a spirit anyway, though, Bill wasn't able to leave and lost his powers, essentially becoming human. He now sulks in the Tardis and is carefully kept away from anyone he could easily manipulate or hurt.

There was also one point when, due to how close and touchy feely Gaster and the Doctor were with each other, multiple people, including friends and family, confused them for being in love with each other, which confused them themselves for a bit about how they were feeling and they actually went on a date to test it out and it all felt wrong so they vehemently decide they were not even close to being in love. A surefire way to fluster Gaster from embarrassment is to mention the fact that a kiss did happen during this time (in fact, it was the defining factor that made them realize no they do not want this).

At one point when they discovered that the alternate version of the Doctor had started using "they" pronouns instead of "he" (the alt Tardis fam discovered that timelords don't really have a concept of gender due to being able to switch sexes and gender not really being a thing among them, so the Doctor honestly doesn't really care what pronouns people use, and the family wanted to use neutral pronouns for them to respect their culture the best they could and the Doctor ended up actually liking and somewhat preferring the pronoun change for that reason), they decided to do the same thing.

With how close Gaster and the Doctor had gotten and with magic infiltrating the Doctor's soul, they eventually formed a rare natural soul bond. So rare that there are only really a hundred of them on the Earth at any given moment. Natural ones (ie not resulting from creating a monster) only form between the closest of people. Due to it bringing up some trauma in both of them (Gaster being terrified that the bond will break again and the Doctor having to deal with how similar it is to a timelord mental bond, which they can never have anymore), they're currently still figuring out how to navigate it.

More will be added as important events come up.

#story #canon #(or blog canon anyway)#backstory #(please ask any questions that you have!#I love to talk about these guys)#ooc

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ultra-rockart · 6 years

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Sister Maggie - Why I was let down by Daredevil Season 3

I posted this on reddit so reposting it again here. Warning: Spoilers for the series and the comics.

I can't help but be a little let down at how the show has chosen to tell Maggie's story. She's one of the most important persons in the DD mythos and her story was treated as a side subplot and yet Karen gets an entire episode devoted to her past (I'm bummed because I honestly never liked Karen Page and we've already had 4 seasons of her).

Mark Waid wrote an exceptional story during his run of DD. After 30 years of waiting, DD comics fans finally got Maggie's side. In DD #6 and #7. It details Maggie's (her real name is Grace) descent into postpartum psychosis. She suffered delusions, paranoia and hallucinations.

In a moment of clarity, she fled her home to save her son from herself. She is found and taken in by the church. They provide her a home, counseling and soon she gets better.

In the comics she talks about the shame of what she had done to Matt and why she never returned to him. She instead becomes a nun to atone for her sins. In the comics, Maggie is a complex flawed character but strong-willed much like Matt is. She devotes her time and life to fighting social injustice in her own way as an nun and activist.

Waid does a masterful job at telling her story - really allowing the reader to get inside her head. But more importantly, Waid doesn’t make any judgements; choosing instead to make the story into a teachable moment.

Lastly there is a touching moment at the end when mother and son choose to leave the past behind and move forward. One of the most touching panels in the comic is when Maggie asks for forgiveness from Matt for "failing him" and Matt responds, "Oh. Failing. Right. You mean by pulling yourself up out of a suicidal depression by faith and sheer force of will to become a force of good on this planet? We should all fail so tragically."

The comic is a landmark issue in DD. It has one of the most honest and truthful telling of postpartum depression and psychosis in comics and earned praise from Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/maybe-its-just-me/201408/marvel-comics-explores-postpartum-depression-in-daredevil.

The show could have done better at explaining Maggie's side and the stigma that women who suffer from this disease face. Yet we got 5 minutes of young Maggie staring blankly at a cross and a throwaway line like “back then they didn’t really understand postpartum depression”.

I’m sorry, that just doesn’t cut it. The show has all these great comicbooks to pull inspiration from and yet there seems to be something wrong even downright antagonistic and stereotypical at how they portrayed her battle with mental illness. It feels like a throwaway explanation. It only presents one side of the story but never the full picture. A mother abandoning her blind son is never good but surely there are reasons behind that decision. Truly painful ones and Maggie’s was no exception.

This issue is close to my heart because I’ve known women who’ve suffered from it. I have 2 friends who have dealt with it. One opened up to me of the guilt she felt because she “didn’t love her daughter right away”. She said, “I held my daughter for the first time and I felt nothing”. You could feel the pain, shame and guilt in her words and I assume most survivors feel that way too.

For me, the show has lost some of the nuances - the gray areas that made it so compelling in its first season. Its lost that feel of introspection... of episodes that feel like they were crafted with great thought. What could have been an emotional moment to tell her side was lost because the writers felt it was much more important to progress the plot rather than devote time to tell a good story - her story. I see glimpses of comic Maggie in her Netflix counterpart and she could have shined if the writers had just devoted her time to tell her story.

To be honest I never finished DD S3 and I found myself watching The Haunting of Hill House instead and wishing DD S3 was written with as much care and thought to building up characters as Hill House was.

#daredevil #seaon 3 #sister maggie #netflix #charlie cox #post-partum depression

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ivegotsingleissues · 6 years

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Why Marvel’s Netflix Shows Get it Right: An Observation/Review of the Marvel Netflix Shows

I’m going to go ahead and apologize for this long post right now. These shows are things that I have been super passionate about since their announcements and releases. Now that I’m actually using this blog after having it for a year or so, I’m finally making posts and delving into my fandoms. If it wasn't obvious from my last post, I love Marvel, especially their Netflix shows. So I finally decided that I’m going to observe them and discuss why I think they work so well and just review them in general. Bear with me, as this is the first time I’ve done this.

Daredevil:

Truth be told, even though my username doesn't show it, Daredevil is my favorite superhero of all time. It actually started because of the 2003 movie (yes, Evanescence and all). It’s now that I realize how bad that movie is, but it doesn't change my love for the character. For years, I worried about what they would do with Matt Murdock. Would he ever get another movie? A TV show? WHAT?! Then my prayers were answered, and it was announced that he would be the first of many Marvel characters to get a show exclusively on Netflix. And this show has blown me away.

At it’s core, it’s about a blind guy who can fight really well, yadda yadda yadda. But it’s so much more than that. The fight choreography puts many other shows to shame *cough* Arrow *cough,* the characters are compelling, and the story is just outstanding. Not to mention that Vincent D’Onofrio’s portrayal of Wilson Fisk still sends shivers down my spine. This show started it all for the Netflix MCU (which I’ll probably call the NMCU from now on), and it did an excellent job.

One of the reasons I love Daredevil so much is because of his story: he has to overcome his disability and use his curse as his blessing in order to do what he believes is just. Throw in the fact that he's Catholic and has to balance his own sense of justice with his religious faith and you have one of the most compelling heroes to ever hit both comic books and television.

Jessica Jones:

Now, I’ll be honest: I’m a huge comic book geek, but I didn't know anything about Jessica before this show came out. I knew as soon as I saw the trailer though, that I would be intrigued. I love Krysten Ritter, and I think she nailed this role. To me, I believe that this show is probably the darkest one in the NMCU, especially with the tones and plot.

What amazes me is that they show the dark side of the world that we don't want to see. While the Avengers are off saving the planet from aliens, there are people being manipulated by a guy who can make you do anything he tells you. This show is a survivor story. It shows a woman (or anyone) can go through a traumatic experience such as abuse and rape and come out stronger than ever. But it shows that they lose something in that. In flashbacks, we see Jessica smile more. She drinks a little less, she has more fun with Trish (one of my absolute favorite characters in the NMCU). But in the present day when we see her? She’s very dry, very sarcastic, very... Broken. It shows that these things happen, even to the strongest of people.

A lot of people don't enjoy this one, but I would like to ask them to try again. Kilgrave is honestly one of my favorite villains because of this show, and Jessica’s story is honestly a beautiful one to see.

Luke Cage:

I honestly have mixed feelings about Luke Cage. It’s a great story because it shows how African Americans are treated in this world today. It goes over police brutality, racial profiling, and gang-related activities. This show is very influential, and I loved the whole first half of it. Luke Cage was intriguing enough, and the villain, Cottonmouth, was played by the always amazing Mahershala Ali. It had so much going for it.

However, it was at the halfway mark when they killed Cottonmouth that it went downhill for me. They replaced him with Diamondback, who was nowhere near as intriguing and overacted almost every scene he was in. They had so much going for them, and in one single movement I feel as if they threw it all away.

This show is still a decent one. Its messages and influence are what still make this show stand out, and like I said, I love the first half. But I personally believe it could've been better

Iron Fist:

siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh

Okay, there’s not much that I can say about this show that hasn't already been said. The fighting choreography isn't bad, Danny is really bland, the villain is mediocre, blah blah blah. This show is definitely the weakest of the NMCU, yes. However, I would like to try and give it a redeeming quality.

Iron Fist is truly a story about finding yourself. Danny may be the Iron Fist, but he doesn't know what he is supposed to do in this world. He lost his identity when he crash landed and was taken into K’un L’un. When he comes back, nobody believes him and you can see him almost question himself.

I don’t believe it was Finn Jones’s fault. I believe it was the poor directing and story that made this one a bit of a mess. But I do believe that, because of their dynamic in the Defenders, Luke Cage and Iron Fist don't need their own shows. They should make a Heroes for Hire show and have them bounce off of each other. Maybe it would help both of them seem a bit more interesting and intriguing for audiences that don't think they're such.

The Punisher:

I’ll probably spend the most time on this show since it’s the newest one, and I will admit that I have been looking forward to this show ever since Daredevil season 2. Jon Bernthal’s performance as Frank Castle was absolutely breathtaking, and I knew that he was going to get this show after it happened. Bernthal is slowly becoming one of my favorite actors because of his passion for his roles, especially the Punisher.

Ironically, I wasn't a fan of the Punisher before DD season 2. I thought he was a bit of an annoying asshole, and I didn't really think he was that interesting. But because of Jon Bernthal and because of this show, I’ve been reading the comic books about him more and have wanted to learn more and more about him.

This show was not what everyone expected. Everybody expected this show to be over-the-top blood and torture, because that seems to be what everyone thinks of the Punisher. This show is so much more than that. As well as being a story about Frank Castle, it’s a story about what it is like for soldiers when they come home. It’s not a world that they’re used to anymore, and it’s difficult to adjust for them. What do they do when they don't have a war to fight?

Not only is this show that, but it is also a conspiracy show about corrupted government officials and how far that corruption goes. The Punisher isn't just going up against mob bosses and drug dealers, but the government itself for their hand in what happened to his family. The villain in this show really added a layer of intrigue to this show, and I think they definitely helped get the NMCU back on track with him. It’s a very dark show, and one thing I didn't expect to be so amazing was the music. The music just added to the action and serious moments between characters.

This is definitely the bloodiest of the shows, so if you can't handle it like some of my friends, you won't enjoy it as much. However, if you can, then I know that you’ll probably love this show like I did.

I love the Marvel movies, I really do. The first Iron Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Avengers are some of my favorite movies. However, I love what Netflix is doing. They’re bringing a sense of reality to the MCU, and it’s really nice. I hope you enjoyed this, and I’m sure I’ll do more of these. But please, let me know what you think of these shows! I would love to hear it.

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kalimarsdreamlog · 7 years

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Table of Contents (Mobile Version)

Congratulations!

You have somehow stumbled upon my old table of contents! Unfortunately, tumblr has updated with a new 100-block limit on posts. But all is not lost! The new page for the table of contents can be found here!

:Edit: I have discovered that the new Table of Contents doesn’t really work as well on mobile. Sooooooooooo I’ll be using this as a secondary. Only dreams that have been posted will show up in this Table of Contents. God knows what I’ll do when I post more than a hundred dreams, but this is the plan for the time being.

Bonus! The Hunger Games: Dreamselves Sim can be found here!

35. Me in the future; turns out dark and mysterious is overrated (time) (pics coming soon)

66. I am the world’s punching bag (and a liepard) (pkmn)

77. Survivor in Antarctica, and amnesia really stinks

88. The passive observations of a lucid dream

100. Attack on Titanzombies! PoV changes

112. My twin and I are royal master assassin mass murderers! (marvel)

121. Ghouls and schools and stuff (FE)

123. No time for rest when you befriend a dragon

124. I travel with Raxacoricofallapatorious and my name is Phase (pic)

127. The once-living legends of fire vs. water

128. I’m and taguel. I’m a slave. I’m an aura-user. I’m a protector. (FE) (pic)

133. I join the dark side. Dark staff go! (V-Wing) (pic)

136. Almost-pokemon hunger games

137. I’m not a vampire, really! Aka Double Spirits (pic)

138. A pilot and her cat (SW, Tron)

142. I forgot my night meds! the two-part special (pic)

146. Kidnapped From School

157. Some of the most convoluted time travel I’ve ever dreamt up!

159. Time travel hats, museum/school (I get killed again) and wings (excerpted) (pic)

160. I am Mackenzie and his invisible shadow (space school) (pic)

161. Two boyfriends and I’m a monster again (excerpted)

170. The Dragon Boss (loz) (pic)

172. I’m Royalty, and Everyone Hates Me (pic)

177. I’m a zora (origin of Joey Jump (loz) (pic)

179. I have a green TARDIS (DW?, pkmn)

186. I can use the force! (SW, lotr)

192. I am Kirito, Link and Keith all in one dream! (note) (loz, SAO)

196. Link has an Evil Twin (And other Link Dreams) (loz)

200. I’m the Hated Cat Princess Again and Everyone Keeps Dying

208. Serial killers invade the school and I’m basically Kirito (SAO)

209. The apocalypse, fictional characters, and telepathy (Tron, FE Robin)

210. Fighting and Falling

212. Monty and Raymon--surviving the monster world

219. I’m the center of a time loop and get bitten by a swamp monster

222. I get mixed up with the mob and San Andreas

229. I fight for Darth Vader and almost kill Danny Phantom (DP, SW)

233. I’m a program! Mega xover (Tron, SW)

234. I’m Atem! King of thieves (yugioh)

238. I become the villain everyone wants me to be (marvel)

239. Morgan and the Magic Bomb (Robin, FE, marvel) (pic)

251: The Consequences of Lucid Dreaming (loz)

261. Another LoZ Game that only Exists in my Dreams (pic)

256. Wrong World, Wrong Robin (FE, DC, DP)

276: The Never Ending Escape Room

279: Magic Schools and Magic Bombs

280: Shadow and the Aquarium

290: Detectives, the Edge of the World, and the Truth

Lastly, there are some dreams I’ve drawn things for and posted even though they never made it into my notes, and by extension, my table of contents. So here’s the tag of dreams that are not numbered!

In other news, congrats! You made it to the end of my blog. If somehow you haven’t had enough, feel free to request dreams not yet posted from the full table of contents! If you have any questions, here is the FAQ.

#table of contents #not dreams #lots of links #a list

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starlightbisexual · 7 years

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Hullo!!! Shy anon here, you're one of my favorite blogs so i was wondering if you happen to have any marvel fic recs? I'm running low and it's summer, so any fic would be appreciated (as long as it's not explicit). Any suggestions? ^^

hi love, you're so sweet thank you!!

i have about a million fics to rec so this might be a bit long and im gonna put it under the cut. personal faves are marked with an !!!

(when you say “not explicit” i took that to mean they’re not tagged as explicit on ao3. i cant promise that none of these fics contain sex/other mature themes. it’s probably best to always read the tags on each fic just to make sure!)

ofc this list isn’t exhaustive, just the first ones that popped into my head! if you or anyone else wants some more please come ask, i love discussing fics!

those on mobile: note the read more

slide to answer (mature, 6k)

“What do I do?” Steve appealed into the phone. “I’m freaking out.”

There was silence on the other end of the line. It lasted so long that Steve pulled the receiver away from his ear and frowned at it. Pay phones were old. Maybe this one wasn’t working despite the obvious dial tone when he picked up.

“Ok,” a stranger’s voice said over the phone. “First acknowledge the fact that you dialed the wrong number, but be quick about it because my cab is a few blocks away from my own plans and I’m about to drop some truth bombs on you.”

lonely houses off the road (teen, 17k)

Barnes is now glaring at him for some reason. It’s somewhat terrifying but also, oddly, a little reassuring— because that’s emotion right there, which means there’s still somebody behind those eyes. Somebody who seems to think Sam is being a bit slow on the uptake. “Time parameters exceeded. Mission failed.”

“Wait.” Sam narrows his eyes. “Is this some kind of… report? Debriefing?”

“Mission report,” confirms Barnes, looking pleased. Well, looking slightly less murderous than before.

In which various people deal with things they never signed up for, but at the end of the day no one’s particularly surprised.

i love you like rlb (teen, 3k)

I love you like rlb has become a well-known, accepted and valuable component of American vernacular. The meaning of the letters ‘rlb’ is unknown, but is uniformly considered to be a statement of a great romantic love, commitment and sacrifice.

It was Dernier as first said it. Steve never imagined that something like that could have survived the war and all the years in between.

In which Tony goes insane trying to figure out why that phrase affects the Cap so much, Bucky teases the press, and Steve and Bucky love each other like rlb.

i was found and now i don’t roam these streets (mature, 15k)

They’ve decided to start producing Bucky Bears again, now that he’s all shiny and redeemed and fighting for good on this big Avengers misfits team. “He has a little shiny gray arm,” Bucky says, wiggling the stuffed arm in question, one of the tweaks made in the new model. It takes Steve a second to realize that Bucky’s got a small smile on his face, actually looks a little bit proud around the eyes.

Or, Bucky relearns himself and how to be on a team, the rest of the Avengers try to get answers, and everyone watches too much Criminal Minds.

roll on (mature, 89k)

In 1938, there’s a bar in Brooklyn called Sully’s where people are safe to be themselves. Behind the bar, a girl pours drinks. She’s always got a big smile for Steve and she says queer like it’s a good thing. On a regular basis, she takes his shoulders in her hands and tries to shake sense into him, saying, “When will you do something about that best friend of yours?”

In 2012, Bucky’s gone, but Steve’s not, and the girl’s hands are too old to shake him. She does her best to make him see sense anyway.

Steve had people who loved him before the war, and it turns out a few of them are still around when he finally comes home.

one cloud feels lonely (mature, 72k, !!!)

“I’m going to take a break for a while,” Steve said quietly, not looking at T’Challa, not knowing that this was what he was gonna do until the words were out of his mouth. “I can’t be on a team right now.”

T’Challa nodded as if he understood. “Alright.”

AKAIn which Steve and Bucky both figure out how to be a person again, and it still takes them over 130 years.

barnes & rogers and the goddamn truth (not rated, 18k, !!!)

There are three well-known facts at Shield High:

1. The history teacher Mr. Barnes is a stone-cold terror, and it’s not even because he only has one arm.2. The other history teacher, Mr. Rogers, is a mysterious enigma, and it’s something to do with the body of a Greek God and contradicting stories of his past. (They’re all rumours, anyway.)3. Mr Barnes and Mr Rogers hate each other.

Bucky wouldn’t have it any other way.

asked and answered (teen, 5k)

“You should marry me, Bucky.”

“What?”

“You should marry me.” Steve said again. “Sister Eustace said that marriage is the purest form of love, and I love you more than anybody. So we should get married.”

Steve and Bucky. Five marriage proposals (and one time they didn’t have to ask).

1917 (mature, 15k, !!!)

Born on March 10th, 1985 at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes was named after Sergeant Barnes, Captain America’s childhood best friend, who died when he fell off a train in the Swiss Alps.

In 2008, Peggy Carter donates to the Smithsonian letters Captain Rogers wrote to Sergeant Barnes in 1944—

After he fell.

Some lives are eternally entwined.

to be vunerable is needed most of all (mature, 118k)

Steve is a shy comic book artist and meets his new neighbour, Bucky Barnes.

In which there are awkward longings, meddling best friends, comic conventions, heartache, lemons, video games, dorkiness, dancing and two cute boys.

there should be stars (teen, 45k)

“All memories to tell you the truth aren’t good.But sometimes there were good times.Love was good. I loved your crooked sleepbeside me and never dreamed afraid.

There should be stars for great warslike ours. There ought to be awardsand plenty of champagne for the survivors.”- Sandra Cisneros

Or, it takes them decades.

fever dream (mature, 9k)

“Buck.” Steve says, soft as he can, so he won’t start to cough again. The light from the stove hits his face just right, makes his eyes light up bright, spring sky blue. Bucky’s head aches just looking at him.

1942, in fits and starts.

they say love is a virtue (mature, 22k)

“I have a bet,” Tony announces to the room. He stands up, repeating himself a few times so that everyone is forced to stop the game and look up at him. He looks straight into Bucky’s eyes when he goes, “I bet you fifty dollars that you and Steve can’t spend a whole week pretend married without realizing that you’re both in love with each other.”

the smithsonian guard (gen, 8k)

Bucky makes a friend.

cross this river to the other side (teen, 14k)

Here is the truth about Captain America and the Howling Commandos that every World War II historian must come to accept at one point or another: we will never know everything. We won’t even come close.

So much was lost with the untimely death of Captain America. While the man beneath the uniform sunk to the bottom of the North Atlantic, the myth lived on, only to grow bigger and more unwieldy as the years went by. Now, it is near impossible to tell fact from fiction, to separate out truth from propaganda.

In 1943, the Howling Commandos wrote goodbye letters to be given to their loved ones in the event of their deaths.

In 2014, Sharon Carter finds those letters in a tin can in an abandoned HYDRA base.

captain fantastic and the pineapple king (teen, 30k, !!!)

Shit.She hadn’t noticed him yet. Maybe he could turn and leave without them noticing – Sam would understand. Sam was the most empathetic person he knew. He wouldn’t scold Steve for coming home spice-less to avoid an awkward encounter with an ex. Surely.They drew closer.Fuck.Please don’t notice me, please don’t notice me, please don’t notice me…"Steve?”Fuck.In which Steve is saved from his ex in a grocery store, Bucky Barnes is Way Too Chill about absolutely everything, and Sam has had enough of all of these goddamn pineapples in his fucking house.Or: The five times Steve received a pineapple (and one Piña Colada) and the one time he didn’t

haha, jk (teen, 13k)

(A tale of Not Unrequited Love)

Steve: I love you.Bucky: oh no.(and other fallacies)

Bucky learns to never say never when it comes to the effect his best friend can have.

apes debemus imitari (we should imitate the bees) (gen, 15k)

Steve operates a fruit & veg stand at a farmer’s market. Bucky keeps bees and has started up a honey shop just opposite. They’re failing to get along. Steve gets along a lot better with the anonymous friend he’s been writing letters to. In fact, he’s rapidly falling for him.

it’s no coincidence (teen, 109k)

The kids immediately scream, “Trick-or-Treat” before they see who opens the door.

The strange resident looks between the two kids, then at the adults, and his eyes widen in horror.

“It’s October already?”

Okay, Bucky thinks. This guy is probably high.

don’t ask (mature, 21k, !!!)

Captain America and Bucky Barnes were like brothers. Everyone knew that.

most ardently (teen, 9k)

Baron Grant, nothing more than a small, sickly country gentleman with no fortune and very little to recommend him, has just poured a glass of claret over Duke Barnes, a wealthy lord with the world at his feet.

#answered #stucky #stucky fic rec #steve rogers/bucky barnes #stucky fic #captain america #the winter soldier #mine #fic rec

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almostarchaeology · 7 years

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A Lesson Plan for Videogame Archaeology in the Museum

By Adrián Maldonado

I didn’t wake up that morning thinking I’d be playing an original Street Fighter II Championship Edition arcade console in just a few hours. It turned out to be a very good day.

So I was on Long Island recently for our annual, far-too-short family visit to America. It was also my daughter’s second birthday but it was raining and we needed an indoor activity. She loves planes, trucks and trains, and we were assured that the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City has all that plus good hands-on activities and a toddler room. We were not disappointed on any of those fronts.

But unbeknownst to us, the Cradle of Aviation Museum also has a major videogame history exhibition on at the moment. And this was no ordinary rinky-dink travelling exhibit. I’m talking all the consoles, or at least 60 different ones, all playable, alongside some 30 original arcade cabinets. Whose birthday was it again?

It’s been a minute since my last post, so get ready for a nerd onslaught. This post will attempt three things: a straightforward review of a videogame history exhibit; some sense of the wider context within videogame museums I’ve been to recently; and finally, something a bit different: a lesson plan for teaching kids about videogames in the museum. I should probably change the blog title to Things No One Asked For, Ever, but in the meantime, do enjoy the blatant work avoidance.

Capsule review

This exhibit is actually a sequel. It began life as a temporary event called The Arcade Age in December 2015, which focused on recreating the experience of arcade gaming using some 50 playable cabinets. The recreated arcade was only accessible in three daily 90-minute sessions. The layout showed the influence of superhero arcadologist Raiford Guins, who was consulted for this exhibit, in its attention toward recreating the dark, cramped, noisy ambiance of an arcade. Judging by photos of the original exhibit, it also had a cool sideline on related material culture like Street Fighter II action figures and Pac-Man lunchboxes. It originally ran through April 2016, and was then extended to September 2016.

After its success, it was redesigned as a more comprehensive exhibition, From the Arcade to the Living Room: A Video Game Retrospective 1972-1999 in November 2016, now including a full history of home gaming consoles alongside a reduced but still impressive list of arcade cabinets. The website doesn’t say whether this will become a permanent exhibit, but they are selling season tickets for hardcore gamers until December 2017. It was this exhibition I stumbled upon one fateful day in June.

Wall of ancestors

The games are laid out in roughly chronological order, beginning with the carcass of a Computer Space cabinet from 1971 at the start. Curator Seamus Keane has been damn near exhaustive, going beyond the usual focus on ‘Golden Age’ arcade games and providing real working examples of lesser-performing systems like the Neo-Geo and the Atari Jaguar. Fulfilling the dream of a 90s indoor kid, it was perhaps the first and last time I’ll ever play a CD-I and a 3DO (note to me 25 years ago: neither was worth the wait).

Besides the snippets of information provided next to each console, historical context was a bit light and there was no clear aim or agenda for the exhibition. Media surrounding the opening fleshed it out a little more, but not much: for curator Keane, it was “a concept I had in my head of telling what I felt was somewhat of a lost history about the social culture and the popular culture, as well as the technological history of the arcade game itself and of the arcade as a social setting.” Hope you caught all that between rounds of Marvel Vs Capcom.

There were only a few thematic displays but they worked well – a wall of ephemera included a Nintendo Power Pad, several strategy guides and a Game Genie (!). A wall display on the Great Video Game Crash of 1983 included a screen playing the documentary Atari: Game Over (2014) next to an Atari 2600 with an ET cartridge you could load yourself, a crucial part of the home gaming experience you rarely get to experience in a museum setting. A cabinet of dead peripherals was also eye-opening in an unexpected way; the juxtaposition of Sega 3D Glasses and a Sega Dreamcast mouse from a decade apart made me think of how Sega was so often ahead of its time, and yet somehow lost the console wars. In the tech world, it doesn’t always pay to be first.

Videogames in the Museum

Touch the artefacts

I’ve been to several videogame museum exhibitions now (and even some videogame museums!) and can confidently say that this was one of the most fun. There was a wall of NES games and a wall of Atari games, but the core of the arcade was in a long, low-ceilinged dark hall. There, the half-assed display cards dwindled to a minimum and the game was the thing. Original cabinets, many of them with fucked-up decals from years of play, were ready to rock, no MAME here. Aside from the usual Golden Age of Arcade stuff, there were plenty of classic 90s cabinets from my era, and even some left-field entrants like Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker, which I thought was a masterpiece when I first played it in 1990 and has accrued tremendous baggage since then.

Best of all was the chronological row of home gaming consoles buried deep in the bunker-like arcade hall. Here in glowing cubicles of glass but not out of reach were the venerated SNES and Genesis games of my formative years, alongside the also-rans like the Sega Saturn. I showed my 2 year-old daughter her first game of Super Smash Bros for the N64. She picked up the control and held it up to her ear like a phone. I have never loved her more.

The ragtag army of 90s CRT veterans

Each console was hooked up to a full-on CRT TV, no messing about with flatscreens, as I’ve groaned about previously. As the exhibition website puts it, they are “all on old school TV tubes!” Each TV was different from the next one, as they had clearly been scavenged piecemeal from various Long Island attics. Some had flatter screens, some bulged out lewdly, but all were hard-bitten survivors from the 90s. They are the real heroes here.

How does this rate? While the Computerspielemuseum in Berlin clearly wins out in almost every way in terms of playability, historical context and design, there was something about the scale of the recreated arcade and lack of interpretation here that charmed me. As Guins has pointed out, the material presence of the cabinets and the consoles are part of the gameplay; they are designed to draw you in and beg you to grab them, and whatever their flaws, their physical interfaces shape how the game is played.

Beyond Retro-Nostalgia: A Lesson Plan

Ready player one

At one point I was able to play technician: I was able to revive a blank TV screen by switching it to channel 3. I felt like a wise elder. I also may have felt very old because I was surrounded by schoolkids. It was a weekday, and we shared the exhibit with a group of fifth-graders (Year 6 for UK readers). For once, it was genuinely interesting to share a museum with a school trip. There have always been children in the videogame exhibitions I’ve visited previously, but they’re always there with their aging nerd parents (of which I am now very much a number). It is certainly worth recording the stories told to a new generation about their cultural heritage. But it was enlightening in a different way to hear what kids said to one another when playing these games.

What I heard blew my mind. I was playing the Double Dragon (1987) arcade cabinet (I’d only ever played the NES version, so this was very exciting indeed), when two boys walked behind me – one of them said to the other, “Double Dragon! I love that game!” How did he know? What else did he know? Has the Internet already made everyone like Wade from Ready Player One? Other kids swapped stories about the games they’d tried, and I felt almost compelled to start writing these candid observations down. They were like little archaeologists unearthing the artefacts of my past and puzzling over what they might mean – but also making more interesting connections with recent games than I could with my nostalgia specs on.

On my way out I ran into one of the schoolteachers and thanked her for taking the kids here, and congratulated her on how well-behaved they all seemed to be even though they were surrounded by a hundred flashing screens. I asked whether this was part of a specific class, and she said no, they usually take the kids to the Cradle of Aviation Museum because science and whatnot, but they dropped into the arcade exhibition because it was there. I asked if they would follow it up in class at all, and she said no.

The Atari Jaguar: and alternate future of 64-bit gaming

That struck me as a bit of a missed opportunity. Here were a few dozen kids having a great time in a museum, handling the technological ancestors of their favourite devices and games. The kids I heard were knowledgeable about videogames, native to them. For all the action in teaching history through videogames, there are no easily accessible resources out there to teach videogames as rare artefacts of a meaningful past. In what other museum exhibition are you allowed to handle, let alone grab and generally get all up in, the archaeology? What better way to learn than by playing?

Don’t get me wrong – museums with videogame exhibitions often provide their own series of educational resources and programmes for school visits, but a quick and very unscientific search shows little coherent agenda for dealing with the historicity of videogame and the material cultures of gaming. As more videogames end up in museums, we do the next generations a real disservice if the whole message is just about how videogames used to be pixellated and now they’re not. The game is not just the visual but the physical, and every console and medium enabled and constrained ways of playing, creating cultures of gaming. To get beyond nostalgia, we need to draw out the untold stories which will engage kids who are playing these objects for the first time.

There’s at least a PhD thesis in here

Digital archaeology guru Jeremy Huggett recently reminded us about the need to deal with the historicity of technology: as the workings of our gadgets inexorably disappear into smaller and more efficient packages, we know less about how our devices work, and think little about why they are built the way they are. So break open a few controllers and cartridges to teach the history of computing. We assume a linear progression from worse to better technology on the basis that the invisible hand of the market chose the best products over time. So tell the story of the Sega Dreamcast, recognised for its merits only long after its demise. The market of ideas is always in conflict with the actual market, and real innovation is always pitted against the chance for real profit. Teach the Great Video Game Crash and its mountain of destroyed cartridges; debate the value of excavating the recent past, and what else of theirs will remain to be excavated.

It’s not all about the tech, either. You don’t have to wait for Assassin’s Creed: Cuban Missile Crisis to teach kids about the Cold War and why we’re (still) not playing nice with Russia. You can start with games like Contra and Missile Command and talk about ways in which war found its way even into children’s bedrooms in the 1980s. Maybe have a frank discussion about all those Battlefield games they’re playing now. Play the first ten seconds of Double Dragon to introduce the term ‘toxic masculinity’.

There’s a million ways to sneak learning into a trip to the arcade. Teach the kids how to critically read the artefacts; what could be more archaeological?

More photos here.

#Cradle of Aviation #video games #museum #review #education

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captainswanapproved · 7 years

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The Greatest Thing You’ll Ever Learn

So since my blog got deleted, over the next few weeks I’ll be reposting most of my old one shots.

Summary:

A Lieutenant Duckling AU loosely based on the film Moulin Rouge. But with a happy ending.

Word Count: ~8k

The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love, and be loved in return.

-/-

"I'm joining the Navy, father, with Liam."

Davey Jones glowered at his son. "Fine, if you want to throw your life away, serving the king, instead of earning a good living at the shop, then so be it. Just don't come back here complaining to me because the life of a penniless sailor wasn't as good as you thought it would be."

That was the last time Killian Jones saw his father.

-/-

"Bring her in, lads," called Captain Liam Jones called to the crew as the eased the Jewel of the Realm into port.

The docked near a small town on the outskirts of Belle and Rumplestiltskin's kingdom. Montmartre it was called.

Belle's kingdom had an alliance with Queen Snow White and King David's Kingdom, so the Jewel and its crew received civil welcome.

The local dance hall and pub was an establishment by the name of the Rouge, and it was where the gentlemen, sailors, officers and the like went if they had an empty evening to fill.

The star of the Rouge was a woman called the Sparkling Diamond, and it was rumored that she was the most beautiful woman in all the realms.

The crew of the Jewel was eager to have an evening off after weeks at sea.

"Here," said Liam, tossing his younger brother some fine garments that they had procured at a foreign port.

"What is this for?" asked Killian.

The Rouge is a gentlemen's club, and you should look the part."

"Everyone else is wearing their naval garb," said Killian.

"Yes, but your uniform needs to be tailored. You'll wear this. Who knows, you might catch the eye of the Sparkling Diamond."

Killian grinned nervously. "One can only hope."

-/-

"Emma, love, you must look better than you ever have before," said Lawrence, in his thick French accent.

"I know," said Emma, lining her lips with scarlet.

"Rumplestiltskin's son is coming tonight, and he wants a night with you. If you impress him, we can keep the Rouge open, and perhaps you will even become a princess."

Emma sighed. She had no wish for the royal life. What she really wanted to do was make enough money so she could leave the Rouge and search the realm for her parents. She was an orphan, and she had only become a courtesan to survive. Even that wouldn't have been successful if she hadn't been blessed with 'flawless features' as Lawrence like to say. He had found her on the streets four years ago and had taken her in, becoming a father figure to her.

She didn't like living as a courtesan, but she was a survivor, and she did what had to be done. She had never been in love before, which was good for her line of work.

Emma put the finishing touches on her makeup. She turned to Lawrence. "Will you lace me up?"

"Of course, my little duckling," he said, lacing up the diamond studded corset which hugged her graceful curves perfectly. Emma lifted the flashy chiffon fabric of her skirt and slipped on her heels, which were likely sharp enough to take a man's eye out.

"You look absolutely gorgeous. Lord Baelfire will not be able to take his eyes off of you."

"How will I know who he is?"

One of the naval officers will wave a handkerchief in front of him.

Emma's eyes lit up. She loved the navy officers, and every time they came to the Rouge, she was tempted to stow away on one of the ships. However, lack of sufficient money had always stopped her. But if she could please Lord Baelfire, she might finally have enough to leave the Rouge forever. Maybe this time, she actually could run away with the Naval officers.

-/-

The stage was lit with fairy lights and candles.

Killian and the other officers, along with all of the other men in the club, were eagerly awaiting the performance to begin. Lawrence slipped out of the curtains. "Gentlemen, we are glad that you have chosen the Rouge as the pace to spend an evening. Now, relax, and pull up a chair as the Rouge proudly presents the main event, the one and only Emma Swan, the Sparkling Diamond."

Emma was lowered from the ceiling on a swing-like apparatus, her voice filling the air with siren-like music. Her costume was covered in diamonds and silver glitter. Her coiffure was laden with jewels.

Killian forgot to breathe as he took in the sight. She was the most beautiful woman that he had ever laid eyes upon. His heart was hammering in his chest, and he could not tear his eyes away as she sang.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Killian marveled as she sang about money being more important than love, and it was then that he could see the sadness in her lovely green eyes, hidden beneath all her bravado as she danced through the club and teased the gentlemen of the kingdom.

"She's gorgeous, isn't she, Killian" said Liam.

"Yes," said Killian, not even looking at his brother.

"Here, Killian, have your first sip of absinthe," said Liam, handing him a flask.

"No. Alcohol leads to bad form," said Killian.

"You can cut loose, tonight, Killian. Even the son of Rumplestiltskin is here. He's purchased a night with Emma Swan," said Liam, glancing over at a finely dressed man sitting across the way.

Killian's eyes widened. "No woman should have to do that. To sell herself like that, Especially Emma," said Killian, he was strangely compelled to rescue her from this place, impossible as it was.

"We do not live in a perfect world, and here in Belle's kingdom there are courtesans galore."

-/-

Emma played her usual game with the patrons of the Rouge. She would run a finger along a man's chest, lean in close enough to touch and then dance away, leaving the man stunned and amazed. She did this over and over again as she moved in time to the music and sang her heart out.

She kept her eye out for the naval officer that was supposed to be waving a handkerchief in front of Lord Baelfire. She soon saw it. A tall, dark haired officer waved a handkerchief in front of a regally dressed man beside.

The man wore a thick scarlet cloak and attire worthy of a prince beneath it. He was striking, with jet-black hair and sparking blue eyes. He was staring at her like she was the only thing that mattered in this world, and she felt inexplicably drawn to him. She had never felt this way before, and the alarm bells in her head told her to run. But this was Lord Baelfire. She needed to do this to make enough money so she could leave the Rouge.

The music swelled and filled the room as she glided over to the man. "Lawrence said you were expecting me," she said, laying a hand on his chest.

The man swallowed thickly. His eyes widening. "I am?"

Emma smiled. He was nervous, bless his heart. He looked to be about her age, and she felt a strange urge to take his hands in hers. "Oh yes. I look forward to our night together, Lord Baelfire. I'll give you a night you won't soon forget." She leaned in and brushed her lips across his cheek.

She returned to her swing, as Lawrence pulled her up and she sat above the gentlemen. She finished her song, and all of the men were gazing up at her, awestruck.

She'd done it again, and when she went to the jar for collecting coins, she would find a generous amount of gold.

Emma blew kisses to the men before disappearing backstage and returning to her dressing room.

Lawrence burst in a few moments later. "My duckling, you were brilliant! I just spoke to Lord Baelfire, and he is looking forward to meeting you in the tower and spending the evening with you. He has paid in advance, and there is the promise of more. After all, his father spins straw into gold!"

"He seems very charming," said Emma, thinking of the brilliant blue eyes. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad spending the night with him. If their first meeting was any indication, he wouldn't push her into doing anything that made her uncomfortable.

"He will meet you in the tower in an hour," said Lawrence, "after the rest of the show."

Emma nodded and slipped out of her costume, putting on a flowing and filmy red silk dress and took down her hair, so it flowed down her back in flowing curls.

Tonight could change her life.

-/-

"What was that all about?" asked Killian, turning to his brother, who was still laughing.

"I think she thought you were Baelfire," said Liam, using his handkerchief to wipe tears from his eyes. "You do look like a miniature of our king, Perhaps you should go up to the tower. I believe she may be expecting you."

"I would never take advantage of a woman, brother," said Killian, looking affronted.

Liam stopped laughing. "I know, brother, and a woman as beautiful as that shouldn't have to sell herself. She almost looks like Queen Snow and King David. They lost their daughter twenty years ago, you know, the same year you were born."

"I know, but she couldn't be the lost princess, Liam," said Killian.

"Perhaps you should go up to the tower and find out," teased Liam. "In fact, let's make it a wager. If you go up to the tower and speak with Emma, I will throw our supply of rum overboard."

Killian grinned. He detested rum. "Deal," said Killian, shaking his brother's hand.

Besides, Killian couldn't fight the strange pull he felt towards the dazzling Emma Swan.

-/-

Emma climbed the stairs leading to the top of the tower. "Ah, my dear, your young man is awaiting you inside," said Tink, known in the Rouge as the green fairy. "He's very handsome, Emma, devilishly so."

Emma smiled despite herself. Her heart pitter-pattered in her chest and she was suddenly nervous to enter the tower chamber. She had spent hundreds of nights with men who had paid for her company. It was not as if she liked it, but she was used to it. It was just a part of her life.

Why was it that spending the night with this man felt so different? He had barely spoken two words to her and she had done what she always did; dangled the bait only to spring the trap at a later moment.

Get a grip, Swan. You can do this. One night with Rumplestiltskin's son will buy you your freedom.

Emma took a deep breath before pushing the door open to reveal Lord Baelfire pacing back and forth, muttering nervously to himself.

Emma smirked and leaned against the doorframe, striking a seductive pose. "Hello there, handsome," she purred.

He practically jumped out of his skin. "Miss Swan," he said, turning red as his eyes raked over her body.

Emma glided towards him, her hips swaying. She could see that he was fallowing her movements. She smirked at the flustered man before her. She trailed a finger up his chest, following the fine golden thread of his shirt. Her hand caressed his cheek as he swayed closer to him. "You're rather good looking, aren't you?"

"If you say so," he stammered.

"Oh I do. I like what I see, very much," she said, huskily, into his ear. "How about you, my lord? Do you like what you see?"

"You are very beautiful, Miss Swan," he said.

Emma grinned. "Well, now that we have that covered, why don't we get started? I promised you a night you wouldn't forget, and I never break a promise." She grabbed his arm and pulled him over to the bed, which had been covered with fresh linens.

She laid down on the bed, "So my lord, tell me your preferences,"

"Preferences?"

"Of course," said Emma, trailing a hand up her body. "You paid for me for the night, and I want to give you your money's worth."

"I think you have me mistaken, Miss Swan," said Killian. "You see, I thought we could talk."

Emma's eyes widened. "Oh, so you like naughty words," she said, "Well, lucky for you, here I am lying on my back, and there are any number of pleasurable things to do with a woman on her back. Come here and I'll walk you through them, step by step."

Then she grabbed him and pulled her down on top of him. Their noses were brushing, and she could feel his warm breath on her cheeks. "So, aside from you royal duties, what do you do?"

"I'm a sailor," said Killian.

"Ah, well tonight I'm promoting you to Captain, and I must warn you, there are bumpy seas ahead."

Killian flushed at her innuendo. He shouldn't have come up here, and he most certainly should not be lying on top of Emma Swan. He quickly rolled off of her, and she pouted.

"Do I not please you, my lord?" she asked, sitting up, and looking at him with wide, and lost-looking green eyes.

"Emma," he said, "I'm not who you think I am," he said.

"Of course you are, from the moment I met you, I saw you for what you were, a young, handsome prince. The most handsome in all the realms, no doubt. Such a prince deserves everything that a proper lady of court would not deign to give him. That's why you're here isn't it? This is an escape from your royal duties, and a courtesan is always eager and willing to please for a hefty price."

Killian shook his head. "I really am a sailor. My name is Killian Jones. I'm a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. I come from the kingdom ruled over by King David and Queen Snow White. You shouldn't have to sell yourself for money. You can come with my brother and me. You can be free."

Emma stared at him. She had always had a thing with lies. This man wasn't lying. He truly was offering her an escape. An escape that she couldn't take. She didn't know this man. Her walls sprang up. She stood up. "What are you doing here then? You must leave immediately. I am expecting Lord Baelfire, and if he is anything like his father, he may very well be a vengeful man."

"Please, Miss Swan," said Killian.

They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Duckling, Lord Baelfire has arrived, are you decent? If so, can you get indecent in a hurry?" asked Lawrence from the other side of the door.

"Just a moment, Lawrence," she said.

She whirled around to Killian. "Get under the bed," she hissed.

"You can't be serious," said Killian.

Emma scowled at him and shoved him to the floor. "You have to hide," he said urgently, her eyes alit with worry.

Killian looked up at her and saw the truth. This was a woman who had lost everything. For some reason, she felt compelled to protect him, as is she was afraid of losing him as well. Killian pulled himself underneath the bed.

Emma shuffled to the door and opened it, to reveal a richly dressed man, who was in no way as handsome as Killian, and of course, Lawrence.

Lawrence pushed the prince into the room. "I'll leave the two of you alone so that the two of you may get better acquainted. Have a fabulous evening." Then he closed the door.

Baelfire looked her up and down, licking his lips, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "You look ravishing, Emma Swan," he said, running a hand along her body.

Emma's stomach twisted into knots as he touched her. This was going to be a long night, especially with Killian hiding underneath the bed.

No. She had to get him out.

She suddenly didn't want him to hear her throwing herself at the prince. Never had she been more ashamed of her occupation than she was right now, with Balefire's hands caressing her body, his lips trailing kisses along her neck and chest.

It felt wrong.

Emma stepped away from Baelfire. "Surely you must be famished, my lord," she said.

Balefire gaped at her. "Nothing that a taste of a delectable Swan won't cure," he said, huskily.

Emma cringed. The prince was certainly going to get his money's worth. His hands were back on her hips as he backed her up so her legs were against the bed.

As a celebrated courtesan, Emma was used to being in control. But this man was stripping her of her power, and of her choices. Emma laid a hand on his chest. "We have a whole night for that, my lord, but first you must eat and drink, otherwise you'll have no energy for other activities.

Baelfire leered at her, but then he stepped away. "You are quite right, Miss Swan," he said. "I'll need sufficient energy seeing as I plan to ravish you all night long."

Emma had heard these words, and others similar, a hundred times over, but hearing them from Lord Baelfire, with him shooting her lascivious glances, she wanted nothing more than to run. She thought of Killian's offer.

You can be free.

The man had known her five minutes and he had already offered her freedom.

Whereas Lord Baelfire wanted to take everything from her.

Emma was suddenly overwhelmed. She felt faint.

There was one trick that had saved her from the worst of her clientele, and Emma knew she needed to use it.

She began to fan herself. "Is it suddenly too hot in here? I can hardly breathe."

Baelfire walked up to her. "Let me free you of that corset, Emma, then you'll be able to breathe," he said, his voice dripping with desire.

"No, no," said Emma, quickly, her voice rising, as she feigned hysteria, "I'm seeing stars. My whole body is on fire."

"I haven't begun touching you yet," said Baelfire, silkily.

"No, no. Oh, I'm going to be ill. You must leave immediately or you'll catch it. I'll give you tomorrow night, free of charge, but for now, I must rest. I want to be at my best for you. Lawrence," she cried, "Lawrence! Lawrence!"

Emma was really laying it on thick, but it needed to be done. She needed to get the prince out of the tower.

"What kind of man would I be if I left an ill woman all on her own?" asked Baelfire. "I can take care of you."

His eyes flashed, and a twinge of fear entered her heart. The man looked like his father, who had previously been the Dark One. She saw that malice and it scared the hell out of her.

"Lawrence!" she cried again, hoping that he would swoop in to rescue her.

-/-

Killian clenched his teeth, as he heard Emma's frantic voice. It was clear to him that it was a charade, but even so, the prince was clearly not falling for it. Any honorable man would leave and not attempt to take advantage of an incapacitated woman. Lord Baelfire was clearly not a man of honor.

The thought of Emma having to do this night after night made his heart ache. They had only known each other for a couple of hours, but Killian knew that there was already an unmistakable bond between them. Was it love at first sight?

He didn't know.

He'd never been in love before.

But he did know one thing

He wanted to protect her, to keep her safe, and to rescue her from this terrible way of living.

Killian bit the inside of his lip so heard that it drew blood. She had told him to hide.

He would obey her.

-/-

"Duckling!" said Lawrence as he burst through the door. "Are you and the prince in need of more refreshments?"

Emma let out a sigh of relief. "I feel ill," she said, "and it would be terribly unkind of me to spend the night with the prince when I am not at my best. I want him to have his money's worth after all."

"You must forgive Emma, my lord," said Lawrence. "She is of strong constitution, and hardly ever falls ill. This is a great misfortune. Please come back tomorrow night. You'll not have to pay again."

Lord Baelfire narrowed his eyes. "Well, if she truly is ill, I suppose I can return tomorrow. But I shall take my gold back."

"Of course, your grace," said Lawrence. "Come below and I will return it to you. We will allow Emma to get some rest so she can be the bright, bubbly and smoldering temptress that she is."

Baelfire turned to Emma and kissed her deeply.

Emma wanted nothing more than to knee him in the jewels, but she resisted the temptation, and thanked the heavens when he pulled away.

"I will see you tomorrow night," she cooed, her stomach twisting into knots at the thought.

"That you will, Miss Swan," he said before following Lawrence out of the room.

Emma slammed the door shut and locked it before hurrying to the bed. "You can come out now, Killian. It's safe."

Killian slid out from underneath the bed and before thinking about his actions, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

Emma had never felt safer in her entire life. Her walls began to crumble, and her disgust with Lord Baelfire manifested into tears, which she allowed to roll down her cheeks as Killian held her in her arms.

Here, in the circle of his arms, she felt something she had never felt before.

What was this feeling?

Love?

She'd never been in love before.

She was a courtesan, and courtesans couldn't fall in love.

-/-

"You should go," said Emma, pulling away from Killian and wiping her tears away.

"But you're upset," he said.

"I'll be fine," said Emma.

Killian just stared at Emma for a long moment. "You're lying. You're unhappy and you want to escape this place, and this life."

Emma blinked. How did he know?

"You're something of an open book, Emma Swan," he said. "An orphan can always recognize another orphan."

"Look, you don't know anything about me. I chose this life," said Emma.

"You may have chosen it, but only because it was better than the alternative. A life on the streets," said Killian. He reached out and took her hand. "I meant what I said earlier, you know. You can come with me. You can leave everything behind. This life. The Rouge. You can be free."

"You know nothing about me," she stammered.

"On the contrary," said Killian. "I think I understand you very well, or at least, given the chance I could. I felt it from the moment we met. We have a real connection. You felt it too, just a few moments ago. Didn't you."

Emma sighed. "Even if I did, it wouldn't mean anything. I can't run off with you. I have other things to do. I need to find—" She trailed off.

"Tell me, and I'll do everything in my power to help you," said Killian.

"I've always wanted to fly away from here," she confessed. "I want to fine my family. I grew up alone. I didn't even have anything resembling a home, until Lawrence found me and brought me to the Rouge."

"Love has been all too rare in your life," whispered Killian.

Emma scoffed. "Love is just a game. That's the fist thing I learned as a courtesan."

Killian shook his head. "No. Emma. Love is hope. It's the most powerful magic of all. That's something I've learned sailing all over this realm."

"I suppose you're talking about King David and Queen Snow White," said Emma. "I've heard the stories. A princess was exiled, became a bandit, and fell in love with a prince, who was actually a shepherd. They found each other and together they fought against the Evil Queen and saved their Kingdom. All because of True Love."

"Yes, and they had a daughter. She was the product of True Love."

Emma rolled her eyes. She had stopped believing in love a long time ago. In fact, the concept was so foreign to her that she couldn't even recognize the sensation of it, blooming in her heart as Killian held her hand. It was akin to the feeling she'd felt when she'd been in his arms. It was overwhelming.

"A lot of good that did her," she said bitterly, trying to put up her walls and change the subject.

"Do you know what they named their daughter?" he asked.

"Mary Margaret," said Emma sarcastically.

"Emma," he said.

"What?" she asked.

"They named her Emma," he said.

"It's just a coincidence."

"Perhaps it is," said Killian, "but perhaps not. I could take you back, and you could find out. Open yourself up to the possibility of having hope, love, and a family."

"Why do you want to do this? We just met."

"The queen told me something a few years ago, when I first joined the navy. The king and queen have always been particularly fond of my brother. Anyway, the queen said that all happy endings begin with hope."

"And you think you can help me find my happy ending?"

"No one deserves a happy ending more than you do, Emma," said Killian. "It isn't fair that you have to live this life. You are a beautiful woman. You deserve a proper home and a family."

"I won't give in to you," she whispered half-heartedly. "I barely know you."

"Try something new, Emma," said Killian, moving his hand to caress her cheek. "It's called trust. I couldn't bear to leave you here in this place."

"Are you always this kind to strangers?" she asked.

"I'm a gentleman, and I believe in good form."

"And you want to be my hero, and save me from my fate?" she teased.

"If you would let me."

"You would leave me eventually," said Emma, standing up and walking across the room.

"No, I wouldn't," said Killian, standing up. He moved a step or two closer, but then stayed put, as if he could sense her need for space.

"I would drink all the rum on your ship," said Emma, trying to throw him off track.

Killian made a face. "You'd have to out drink sailors," he said, "and that is no easy task."

Emma smiled at him despite herself. There was something about him that felt safe, and she wanted to trust him. The word 'home' was calling to her like a siren. Maybe she could trust him. Maybe he really could help her find her family and … love.

She took a few steps and closed the distance between them. Her hands went to his shoulders. "Ever since I came to the Rouge, no man has offered me a choice," she whispered.

Killian looked down at her, his arms curling around her. "You've lived a life without choice, but now that can change, but only if you want it to."

"You'll stay with me until I've found what I'm looking for."

"Yes," said Killian, his breath tickling her skin.

She looked into his eyes. He was telling the truth. "I'll come with you," she said. "This is going to be bad for business though. For the Rouge."

"You don't owe them anything Emma," said Killian.

"I know."

"I'll return for you in half an hour," said Killian, taking a step back. "I just need to inform my Captain that we'll have a new passenger."

Emma smiled. "Wait," she said, grasping his shirt and pulling her to him. She kissed him softly, and oh so sweetly. "Thank you," she said, resting her forehead on his for a moment.

"Anything for you, Emma," he said. "I will return shortly." Then he left the room and Emma hurried to gather what little she had.

And then she would be free.

-/-

"Duckling, what are you doing?"

Lawrence had come into the tower room to check on her. Emma turned from where she was tossing her few possessions in a bag. "I'm leaving," said Emma.

"What? You can't just leave," said Lawrence.

Emma didn't stop packing. "Of course I can," said Emma. "I don't owe you anything, and I certainly don't want to spend a night with Lord Baelfire."

"Duckling, you are the star of the Rouge!"

"I'm sure you can find someone to replace me," said Emma. "You know I never wanted this life."

Lawrence stared at her, jaw dropped. "Duckling, what has gotten into you? This place has been your home for five years. What about everything I've done for you. I've taken care of you. The other dancers and I have been your family."

"I met someone who reminded me that I deserve a proper home and a real family. He reminded me that I deserve more than this life. I'm going away from here, away from this kingdom and I'm going to find my happy ending."

"But what about Lord Baelfire? He could be your happy ending," said Lawrence.

"No," said Emma. She closed her bag. "Lawrence, you saved me from a life on the streets, and I am grateful for that, but I don't belong here. I've never belonged here, and I deserve better than this life." She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodbye, Lawrence."

Then before he could say another word, she slipped out of the room and hurried down the tower steps.

Killian was waiting for her with a horse. She went up to him and kissed his cheek. "Let's go," she said, a little breathlessly.

"As you wish, my lady," he said, placing his hands on her hips and lifting her up onto the horse, before climbing on in front of her. She wrapped her hands around his waist, and he snapped the reins, and the horse cantered off into the dark streets of the town.

Fifteen minutes later they reached the docks. Killian helped her down, and looked her up and down, "As beautiful as you look, Emma, that dress may not be the best for a voyage at sea. I will obtain you some more comfortable clothing when we set sail, that is if you don't mind dressing as a sailor."

"I'm sure I can handle it," said Emma, squeezing his hand.

Killian grinned and found a passerby, paying him a silver coin to return it to the stables. He offered her his arm. "Shall we?"

Emma grinned and took his arm. "We shall."

They walked up the gangplank and approached Captain Jones, who was at the helm.

"Brother, this is Miss Emma Swan, our new passenger," he said.

Liam smiled kindly. "Welcome aboard the Jewel of the Realm Miss Swan. I am Captain Liam Jones. If you need anything, you need only ask."

"Thank you, Captain," said Emma, "and thank you for allowing me on your ship."

"Well, my brother here was quite insistent. He spun quite a tale about the most beautiful woman in all the realms longing to find her family. He said we were honor bound as gentlemen to rescue her."

Emma glanced at Killian, who was turning red. "I didn't say it like that, brother."

Liam grinned. "Forgive me, Miss Swan, I was toning it down. My brother can speak quite prettily when he so chooses."

It didn't escape Emma's notice when Killian kicked his brother. She smirked. "I am undeserving of such flattery, but I thank you all the same."

"Killian, who don't you escort this lovely lady to the Captain's Quarters. I will sleep below with the others."

Emma shook her head. "You don't have to do that, Captain," she said quickly.

"Nonsense. A fine lady deserves the best. We here, in King David's navy are gentlemen first and foremost."

Emma smiled. No man before had put her comfort before his own. That is, before she had met the Jones brothers. "Thank you," she said softly.

Killian took her hand and left her to the Captain's Quarters, opening the door for her as he did so. She smiled at him as she walked past him. "You really are a gentleman," she said.

"I would hate to be anything less, Miss Swan."

Emma laid her hands on his chest and pulled her to him. "Well, you should know that when a gentleman saves a lady, it is customary for the lady to thank him accordingly," she said, teasingly, her breath warm against his cheeks.

"You don't owe me anything. You deserve your freedom," he said.

Emma swayed closer. "I know, and I appreciate that. Now be quiet and kiss me," she said, covering his lips with her own and kissing him, chastely at first.

Killian was unresponsive for a moment before he kissed her back. One hand tangled itself in her hair, and the other one trailed along her side, coming to rest at the small of her back.

Emma pressed herself against his chest as she coaxed his mouth open and deepened the kiss. Her tongue trailed along his lower lip and she reveled sensation of kissing someone just because she wanted to do so.

She moaned as his lips slid against her own, wrapping her arms around him. Everything felt completely natural, and she never wanted it to end.

Finally they had to break the kiss to come up for air, but she still clung to him. He rested his forehead on hers. "Emma," he breathed, caressing the syllables of her name. "You should get some rest."

"I'm not tired," she said, moving to kiss him again.

He placed a finger on her lips and stepped away. "You've had a long night." He crossed the room and began rummaging through a trunk, removing a shirt and some breeches. "They'll be a little big, but I hope that they will be far more comfortable."

Emma took the clothes from him. "Thank you. You're welcome to stay and watch me change," she teased.

Killian's face turned bright red. "I will see you in the morning, Emma. Sleep well." He hesitated before kissing her forehead.

Emma's heart skipped a beat at the tender gesture. It was the first time in her life that she actually felt loved, and all because of a simple kiss on the forehead.

She fell asleep happily that night, and dreamed of finding her family at last.

-/-

"Where is the Swan girl," demanded Lord Baelfire. He had come to the Rouge the following night, insistent on having his night with the kingdom's most celebrated courtesan.

"She left," stammered Lawrence.

"Where the hell did she go?" said Baelfire.

"I do not know. I apologize, my lord," said Lawrence.

"I'll have your establishment closed for this. I am the crown prince of this kingdom, and when I am promised something, I always get it." He spun on his heel and stormed out of the Rouge.

-/-

"Father!" said Baelfire, stomping into the throne room. "I need your help."

Rumple looked up from where he was sitting with Belle. "What is it, Bae?"

"I need to find a woman," he said.

"Surely you don't need your father's help for that, my handsome boy."

"The courtesan I paid for ran away. I need you to use your magic to help me find her."

"There are courtesans aplenty in our kingdom," said Rumple. "What makes this one so special?"

"I paid for her and therefore she belongs to me," said Baelfire. "Now help me find her."

Belle turned to Rumple. "Rumple, don't. Imagine what will happen to the poor girl when he finds her."

Baelfire glared at Belle. "You have no say in the matter," he shouted.

Rumple frowned. No one should ever speak to Belle that way. Not even his son, who had been such a sweet boy, but as he grew, he had changed. "What was her name, my boy?"

"Emma Swan."

Rumple's eyes widened. He recognized the name. That was the daughter of Snow White and King David. He knew his son better than anyone, and once he tired of the girl, he would dispense of her, and they'd have a war on their hands. That wouldn't do. Besides, his son needed to learn that he couldn't have everything he wanted just because he snapped his fingers. Rumple grinned. "Just remember, son. All magic comes with a price."

-/-

"Killian?" called Emma, emerging from the Captain's Quarters. "Killian?"

The sky was clear and blue, the sun shining bright. The ship swayed gently beneath her feet. Emma had never been sailing before. She took a few wobbly steps but then the ship jolted, going over a small wave. The movement threw off her balance, and Emma prepared herself for the impact of the deck.

It didn't come.

She felt two strong, familiar hands on her waist. She turned around only to meet Killian's bright blue eyes. "It might take you a day or two to get your sea-legs, Emma. Don't fret. I'll be here to catch you when you fall."

"My hero," she teased, fluttering her eyelashes. She moved a step closer, caressing his cheek with her palm. "Good morning," she said softly.

"Good morning," he replied, nearly at a loss for words because of her proximity.

"I can see why you like being a naval officer so much. The sea is beautiful," she said with a small smile.

"It is very beautiful," he said, only he was looking at her, not the sea.

Emma would have replied had it not been for a cat call from one of the other sailors, followed by, "Perhaps the Lieutenant and his new friend need a little privacy, eh, men?"

Killian dropped his hands from her waist. His cheeks burned. "Forgive me, my lady," he said.

Emma couldn't help it, really, she laughed for the first time in ages, as she took in the mocking expressions of the other officers, and Killian's flushed cheeks. She had never felt so free in her entire life, out here, on the open seas, with Killian Jones.

Her laughter bubbled out of her like beautiful music, and Killian closed his eyes to further cherish the sound.

"Jones," said one of the officers, coming up and breaking the spell of the moment. "The captain needs you."

Killian's eyes snapped open, and his gaze flew to Emma, who was still laughing. He smiled despite himself. She was even more beautiful when she was smiling, and he wanted nothing more than to make her keep smiling and revel in her joy, but duty called. "Forgive me, Miss Swan," he said with a slight bow, before turning and heading towards the helm.

Emma watched him walk away before heading over to the railing of the ship. She sighed and looked out over the water. She wondered how far they were from Snow and David's kingdom.

From what possibly might be her home.

-/-

"So, brother, you've finally fallen in love," said Liam.

"Excuse me?" asked Killian, lowering the sextant.

"With Miss Emma Swan. You love her don't you?"

"I've only known her for five days, brother," said Killian a bit nervously.

"You'd be surprised how quickly one can fall in love. I think she cares for you as well," said Liam, smiling at his younger brother.

"She deserves better than me," said Killian, looking out to see, "Especially if she really is the lost princess."

"Things like that don't matter in our kingdom. Our King was a shepherd, and our Queen was a bandit. Keep an open mind, brother. Everyone deserves to have True Love, and if it turns out that this is what is between you and Emma, then nothing else will matter."

"Do you really think she could ever love me?"

"I really do, Killian. You're an honorable man, and you are doing everything you can to bring her home. You're not bad looking, either. You take after your brother," he said with a wink.

Killian nudged him. "We'll reach home in a day or so," said Killian, in an attempt to change the subject.

"Aye. Why don't you tell Miss Swan? I'm sure she will be happy to know that she doesn't have to stay on the ship much longer."

"You can handle things without me?" asked Killian, trying to keep the eagerness from his voice.

Liam smiled indulgently. "I'll be just fine. Go to her."

-/-

"Emma?" said Killian after knocking on the door.

"Come in," he heard her say, weakly.

Killian opened the door to find Emma lying down on the bed.

Killian crossed the room, concern etched in his features. "What's wrong."

Emma looked up at him, a small smile on her pale face. "Oh, nothing. I'm just a bit seasick."

"Can I get anything for you?" asked Killian quickly.

Emma shook her head, sat up, and patted the space beside her. "Sit with me, " she said, "I'm sure it will make me feel a lot better."

Killian did so, and Emma leaned in against his chest and closed her eyes, sighing contentedly. "So, did you need something in particular?"

"I thought you would like to know that we will reach the kingdom tomorrow."

"Oh good," she said. "I'll be glad to get off this boat. I think it might take a while to get used to sailing."

"You've managed beautifully," he said.

Emma snuggled into his chest, and pulled his arms around her. "Thank you," she said, and Killian understood that she was thanking him for so much more than his simple compliment.

Killian rested his chin on her head and pulled her closer to him, reveling in the sensation of holding her in his arms. He could spend a lifetime in this position and it would never be enough.

They stayed like that for a while, just enjoying the comfortable silence, until Emma fell asleep.

When her breathing evened out, Killian got up and tucked her beneath the blankets. She looked like an angel, and Killian hoped that one day she would be his angel. He leaned down and brushed his lips across her forehead. "Sleep well, love," he said, before backing out of the room slowly.

-/-

"There is someone here to see you, your majesties," said Grumpy.

"And who might that be?" asked Snow.

"Lord Baelfire, Rumplestiltskin's son," replied the dwarf.

"Send him in," said David, with a wave of his hand.

"What could he possibly want," asked Snow, when Grumpy was gone. "He is a rather unpleasant fellow, and he is not very fond of our kingdom."

David took Snow's hand. "There is only one way to find out," he said, watching the door, which flew open a few minutes later as Lord Baelfire strode into the room.

"Is she here?" demanded Baelfire without ceremony.

"Who?" said Snow.

Balefire threw up his hands in exasperation. "Your daughter. She should have arrived by now."

Snow frowned.

David stood up. "Our daughter has been gone these twenty-one years, and it is very cruel of you to mock us."

"Your daughter is alive, and according to my father, she is should have arrived by now. She is a passenger on one of your ships, the Jewel of the Realm."

"The Jewel has been on a diplomatic voyage this past month. They are scheduled to return within a day or so. I hardly see how this is any of your business."

"Your daughter is on board, and I have paid for her. As a prince I demand diplomatic services and a room in your castle while I wait for her to arrive."

"You paid for her?" asked Snow, trying to hide how hopeful she was that her daughter might be alive.

"Your daughter has been a courtesan in my kingdom these past five years. A week ago, I paid for her, and she ran away. When she returns, I shall take her as my wife. Do not worry. I shall allow her to visit you often, and this will only strengthen the alliance between our two kingdoms."

Tears began to form in the corners of Snow's eyes. If what Baelfire said was true, then her beloved daughter had been forced to grow up alone, on the streets, until she was forced to take up a dishonorable occupation in order to survive. The thought of Emma having to subject herself to such a lifestyle was heartbreaking.

David saw his wife's distress, and in order to prevent Baelfire from continuing n this topic, he said, "Grumpy will show you to a chamber. You are welcome to stay for the night. As far as Emma is concerned, if, she is indeed alive, we will sort that out later."

"Very well," said Baelfire, following the dwarf out of the room.

"Could Emma really be alive?" asked Snow.

"He has no reason to lie," said David. "We will have to wait."

"We've been waiting for twenty-one years. If she is alive, we mustn't let the prince take her away from us. Not again."

"We won't. Let's retire for the night. Perhaps we will have news in the morning."

Snow nodded, but she knew that she wouldn't sleep that night, not with the hope that her daughter was alive.

-/-

"That is the castle," said Killian, pointing out over the water. His other arm was around Emma's waist, and she was nestled against his side, head resting on his shoulder.

"Do you really think that I could be the lost princess?" asked Emma.

"I do," said Killian. "You have the king's eyes, and you are as beautiful as your mother, even more so, in my humble opinion."

Emma flushed. "I'm nervous," she finally admitted. "What if I'm not who you think I am, and if I am, what if they don't want me?"

Killian kissed her temple. "Emma, if you are not the lost princess, you will have a home with me. I won't leave you. And if you are, they are your parents. They have been searching for you for twenty-one years. They will be overjoyed to be reunited with you."

"Thank you," whispered Emma, looking out to sea.

Killian's arm tightened around her as the ship pulled up by the dock. Liam called for the anchor to be dropped. "Emma, do not be afraid, I will be right by your side."

"Good," she said.

-/-

"Captain Jones has arrived with his lieutenant and a beautiful young woman," said Grumpy.

"Send them in immediately," said Snow.

"As you wish," said Grumpy, "By the way, she has Charming's eyes, and your chin, Snow." Grumpy grinned before bowing and leaving the throne room.

A few moments later, Captain Jones entered the room, sweeping onto a low bow. Lieutenant Jones stood slightly behind his brother, a beautiful woman with piercing green eyes and golden hair clinging to his arm. "Your majesties, may I present to you, Miss Emma Swan."

Snow knew the moment she saw her that she was indeed her daughter. Her heart was filled with a joy she hadn't experienced since she had held her newborn in her arms. Snow stood up and ran to meet her daughter. "Emma, you finally found your way home."

Killian stepped aside so as to allow the Queen to embrace her daughter.

Emma was stiff for a moment, but in the Queen's arms she felt safe and at home, just like she did with Killian Jones. "Mother?" she said.

"Yes, Emma. It's me. I'm your mother," tears were streaming down Snow's face.

David had come up to join them, "And I am your father," he said. "Welcome home, Emma, at last."

He pulled the two women into his arms, and the three of them stood there for what seemed like hours, until a cruel voice interrupted them.

"Ah, a happy family reunion," said Baelfire, standing in the doorway.

Emma flinched at the familiar voice. He had followed her here.

David stepped up to meet the prince, pushing his newly reunited family behind him. "You are not taking my daughter away," he said.

Baelfire ignored him and went up to Emma, who was still in her mother's arms.

"Miss Swan, we never had our night together. I paid for you, and a lady shouldn't back out on her word. You don't look ill to me," he said, caressing her cheek.

Emma flinched at the contact, but lifted her chin defiantly. "Lawrence gave you back your gold. I owe you nothing."

She stepped away from her mother, and slapped away Baelfire's hand.

A few feet away, Killian's hand moved to the hilt of his sword. Liam laid a hand on his brother's shoulder. "The King and Queen will handle this," said Liam.

"Now, Emma, we had an agreement," said Baelfire, "But do not worry. We shall marry and everything will be settled. Do not fret. I will allow you to visit your newly found parents quite often. Of course, you will not be allowed to see the naval officer, ever again."

Emma glared at him. "I'm not going to marry you," she said. "That's not how it works."

"Ah, but it is. The young courtesan turned princess needs a suitor, and since I have paid the price, I am entitled to that position. Besides, you won't do any better than me. I am the son of the Dark One, crown prince to the kingdom that has been your home for the past twenty-one years. Don't worry, it will be worth your while, after all, we'll get to do this whenever we please," he said, leering at her form, before pulling her in for a kiss.

The sound of swords being drawn rang throughout the throne room.

David had drawn his, but Killian beat him to it. Emma pulled away from Balefire and slapped him across the face.

Then Killian stepped up, putting his blade to the prince's throat. "You will never lay a finger on Emma again."

Balefire smirked, his eyes gleaming. "And who is going to stop me? A penniless naval officer? I can have you killed with a snap of my fingers."

"No," said David, and his blade joined Killian's near his throat. "I am the King, and you will not come near my daughter again. Whatever happened in the past, Emma does not belong to you, and you will leave this kingdom immediately."

Balefire stepped back and drew his own sword. "Not until I have what is mine, and if you refuse me, you will have a war on your hands. Now is keeping your precious daughter really worth starting a war?"

David glowered at Baelfire. "Emma is worth an entire kingdom, this entire realm, and you are undeserving of my daughter."

Emma stared at her father, unused to feeling like she was actually worth something.

"Your daughter sold herself for money," said Baelfire, with a cruel grin at Emma. "She is undeserving of me, but I have always been generous. Come now, Miss Swan, and you shall be a princess of the kingdom where you actually spent your life. That is where you belong."

Emma scowled at the prince, and took a few angry steps toward him, grabbing Killian's sword from his as she did. Emma had never used a sword before, but the adrenaline was pumping through her veins. Her sword slashed against Baelfire's cheek, before he parried the blow.

"I do not, nor will I ever, belong to you, you despicable cad," she said, striking him again.

Baelfire moved to strike her, but she deflected the blow with a skill that was surprising. She was the daughter of King David, after all, and he had conquered a dragon.

The duel went on for a few moments until Emma managed to knock Baelfire to his feet. She pressed her blade against his throat. "Leave now," she snarled, "and I'll spare your miserable life."

"You will live to regret this Emma," said Baelfire, raising his hands. In surrender "You could have had a prince, and now all you have is a penniless sailor."

"Killian Jones is twice the man you'll ever be. He saved me from an awful life and brought me home to my family. He actually respects and values me, and I love him. Now get out, or your blood will stain this marble floor."

Baelfire turned on his heel. "You'll have a war on your hands," he said, quickly leaving the throne room.

Emma dropped the blade. She felt Killian's hand on her shoulder, and she turned and threw herself into his arms.

Snow and David looked on in awe at the amazing woman their daughter had become. Of course, it hurt that they had not been able to raise her, but they were so incredibly overjoyed that they were reunited after all these years.

Snow stepped up to her daughter and the lieutenant. "Killian," she said, "thank you for bringing my daughter home. David and I will never be able to thank you enough."

"I would do anything for your daughter, and this kingdom, Your Highness," said Killian, inclining his head.

David stepped up and clapped the young man on the shoulder. "A promotion is in order," he said with a smile.

Emma looked from her parents to Killian. Having a family and a home was a novelty. But she looked forward to getting used the security. She looked at the people that she had just met, and she knew she already loved them. She had finally found her parents, and it was all thanks to the wonderful man that was standing beside her.

A man that she loved more than words could express.

She was home.

#this text post is cs approved #captain swan #cs ff #cs crew #moulin rouge au #ouat

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